bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification and characterization of Piwi-interacting RNAs in human placentas of preeclampsia
Authors: He Jie , Chen Miaomiao , Xu Jiacheng , Fang Jie , Liu Zheng , Qi Hongbo
Published: August 2021

Preeclampsia is a common disease of pregnancy that poses a serious threat to the safety of pregnant women and the fetus; however, the etiology of preeclampsia is inconclusive. Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are novel non-coding RNAs that are present at high levels in germ cells and are associated with spermatogenesis. Emerging evidence demonstrated that piRNA is expressed in a variety of human tissues and is closely associated with tumorigenesis. However, changes in the piRNA expression profile in the placenta have not been investigated. In this study, we used small RNA sequencing to evaluate the differences in piRNA expression profiles between preeclampsia and control patients and potential functions. Differential expression analysis found 41 up-regulated and 36 down-regulated piRNAs in preeclamptic samples. In addition, the functional enrichment analysis of piRNAs target genes indicated that they were related to the extracellular matrix (ECM) formation and tissue-specific. Finally, we examined the expression pattern of the PIWL family proteins in the placenta, and PIWL3 and PIWIL4 were the primary subtypes in the human placenta. In summary, this study first summarized the changes in the expression pattern of piRNA in preeclampsia and provided new clues for the regulatory role of piRNA in the human placenta.
Illumina iSeq 100 and MiSeq exhibit similar performance in freshwater fish environmental DNA metabarcoding
Authors: Nakao Ryohei , Inui Ryutei , Akamatsu Yoshihisa , Goto Masuji , Doi Hideyuki , Matsuoka Shunsuke
Published: August 2021

Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is a method of detecting DNA from environmental samples and is used as a biomonitoring tool. In recent studies, Illumina MiSeq has been the most extensively used tool for eDNA metabarcoding. The Illumina iSeq 100 (hereafter, iSeq), one of the high-throughput sequencers (HTS), has a relatively simple workflow and is potentially more affordable than other HTS. However, its utility in eDNA metabarcoding has still not been investigated. In the present study, we applied fish eDNA metabarcoding to 40 water samples from river and lake ecosystems to assess the difference in species detectability and composition between iSeq and MiSeq. To check differences in sequence quality and errors, we also assessed differences in read changes between the two HTS. There were similar sequence qualities between iSeq and MiSeq. Significant difference was observed in the number of species between two HTS, but no difference was observed in species composition between the two HTS. Additionally, the species compositions in common with the conventional method were the same between the two HTS. According to the results, using the same amplicon library for sequencing, two HTS would exhibit a similar performance of fish species detection using eDNA metabarcoding.
Rupture of wet mantle wedge by self-promoting carbonation
Authors: Okamoto Atsushi , Oyanagi Ryosuke , Yoshida Kazuki , Uno Masaoki , Shimizu Hiroyuki , Satish-Kumar Madhusoodhan
Published: August 2021

More than one teramole of carbon per year is subducted as carbonate or carbonaceous material. However, the influence of carbonation/decarbonation reactions on seismic activity within subduction zones is poorly understood. Here we present field and microstructural observations, including stable isotope analyses, of carbonate veins within the Higuchi serpentinite body, Japan. We find that the carbon and oxygen isotope compositions of carbonate veins indicate that carbonic fluids originated from organic materials in metasediments. Thermodynamic calculations reveal that carbonation of serpentinite was accompanied by a solid volume decrease, dehydration, and high magnesium mobility. We propose that carbonation of the mantle wedge occurs episodically in a self-promoting way and is controlled by a solid volume contraction and fluid overpressure. In our conceptual model, brittle fracturing and carbonate precipitation were followed by ductile flow of carbonates and hydrous minerals; this might explain the occurrence of episodic tremor and slip in the serpentinized mantle wedge.
Formation of cobalt–oxygen intermediates by dioxygen activation at a mononuclear nonheme cobalt(ii) center
Authors: Malik Deesha D. , Chandra Anirban , Seo Mi Sook , Lee Yong-Min , Farquhar Erik R. , Mebs Stefan , Dau Holger , Ray Kallol , Nam Wonwoo
Published: August 2021

The present study represents the first example showing the generation of Co(ii)-alkylperoxide and Co(iv)-oxo intermediates by employing dioxygen as an oxidant.
Highly fluorescent 2D-BCNO sheets based chemical sensor for selective detection of the explosive Dunnite and 4-nitrophenol in aqueous medium
Authors: Sekar S. , Gawas Pratiksha , Bhat S. Venkataprasad , Nutalapati Venkatramaiah
Published: August 2021

Highly fluorescent 2D-BCNO (boron carbon oxynitride) sheets were synthesized via a new facile and simple approach for selective and sensitive detection of nitro-aromatic compounds, namely 4-nitrophenol and Dunnite, in aqueous medium.
Chicory inulin enhances fermentation of 2′-fucosyllactose by infant fecal microbiota and differentially influences immature dendritic cell and T-cell cytokine responses under normal and Th2-polarizing conditions
Authors: Akkerman Renate , Logtenberg Madelon J. , Beukema Martin , de Haan Bart J. , Faas Marijke M. , Zoetendal Erwin G. , Schols Henk A. , de Vos Paul
Published: August 2021

Non-digestible carbohydrates (NDCs) such as native chicory inulin and 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) are added to infant formula to mimic some of the human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) functions.
Visible-light-stimulated synaptic InGaZnO phototransistors enabled by wavelength-tunable perovskite quantum dots
Authors: Xin Zhilong , Tan Yang , Chen Tong , Iranmanesh Emad , Li Lei , Chang Kuan-Chang , Zhang Shengdong , Liu Chuan , Zhou Hang
Published: August 2021

The detected wavelength of perovskite quantum dots embedded in IGZO TFT can be tuned by replacing the quantum dot halogen ions. It is expected that a color-distinguishable artificial human vision system can be developed.
Ternary supramolecular nanocomplexes for superior anticancer efficacy of natural medicines
Authors: Yang Jie , Fang Chunshu , Liu Hongming , Wu Mingjun , Tao Shaolin , Tan Qunyou , Chen Yun , Wang Tingting , Li Kailing , Zhong Cailing , Zhang Jingqing
Published: August 2021

A natural medicine-loaded industrialisable ternary supramolecular nanocomplex was constructed to kill cancer cells/stem cells. The mechanism was elucidated by multiple analyses such as proteomic analysis.
Correction: Co3O4 composite nano-fibers doped with Mn4+ prepared by the electro-spinning method and their electrochemical properties
Authors: Peng Dasong , Duan Lianwei , Wang Xiaodong , Ren Yanchao
Published: August 2021

Correction for ‘Co3O4 composite nano-fibers doped with Mn4+ prepared by the electro-spinning method and their electrochemical properties’ by Dasong Peng et al., RSC Adv., 2021, 11, 24125–24131, DOI: 10.1039/D0RA10336E.
Stereodivergent synthesis of β-iodoenol carbamates with CO2viaphotocatalysis
Authors: Wang Lu , Shi Fuxing , Qi Chaorong , Xu Wenjie , Xiong Wenfang , Kang Bangxiong , Jiang Huanfeng
Published: August 2021

Stereodivergent synthesis of β-iodoenol carbamates was achievedviaa photocatalytic three-component coupling reaction of ethynylbenziodoxolones, CO2and amines.
Few-layered ultra-small MoS2 nanosheet cathode for high-performance rechargeable aluminum-ion battery
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Liu Qianfeng , Wang Erdong
Published: August 2021

The M–MoS2 demonstrates significantly enhanced kinetic performance and structural stability, presenting a initial specific capacity 459.3 mA h g−1 at 20 mA g−1 and retained 73 mA h g−1 after 150 cycles at 100 mA g−1.
Gel breakdown in a formulated product via accumulated strain
Authors: Clarke Andrew
Published: August 2021

Rheological investigation of a formulated drilling fluid demonstrates shear-driven evolution of structure exhibiting a peak in modulus as a function of time. We tentatively associate that peak with a maximal structural heterogeneity.
A biomimetic hierarchical small intestinal submucosa–chitosan sponge/chitosan hydrogel scaffold with a micro/nano structure for dural repair
Authors: Wang Jingxi , Li Kun , Xu Junwei , Liu Meili , Li Ping , Li Xiaoming , Fan Yubo
Published: August 2021

A biomimetic hierarchical small intestinal submucosa–chitosan sponge/chitosan hydrogel scaffold with a micro/nano structure was constructed, which possessed a reduced degradation rate, strengthened mechanical properties, and excellent biocompatibility.
3D printing technologies forin vitrovaccine testing platforms and vaccine delivery systems against infectious diseases
Authors: Choi Ji Young , Mahadik Bhushan , Fisher John P.
Published: August 2021

Recent advances in 3D printing (3DP) and tissue engineering approaches enable the potential application of these technologies to vaccine research. Reconstituting the native tissue or cellular microenvironment will be vital for successful evaluation of pathogenicity of viral infection and screening of potential vaccines. Therefore, establishing a reliable in vitro model to study the vaccine efficiency or delivery of viral disease is important. Here, this review summarizes two major ways that tissue engineering and 3DP strategies could contribute to vaccine research: (1) 3D human tissue models to study the response to virus can be served as a testbed for new potential therapeutics. Using 3D tissue platform attempts to explore alternative options to pre-clinical animal research for evaluating vaccine candidates. (2) 3DP technologies can be applied to improve the vaccination strategies which could replace existing vaccine delivery. Controlled antigen release using carriers that are generated with biodegradable biomaterials can further enhance the efficient development of immunity as well as combination of multiple-dose vaccines into a single injection. This mini review discusses the up-to-date report of current 3D tissue/organ models for potential vaccine potency and known bioengineered vaccine delivery systems.
Towards bioengineered skeletal muscle: recent developmentsin vitroandin vivo
Authors: Quigley Anita , Ngan Catherine , Firipis Kate , O’Connell Cathal D. , Pirogova Elena , Moulton Simon E. , Williams Richard J. , Kapsa Robert M.I.
Published: August 2021

Skeletal muscle is a functional tissue that accounts for approximately 40% of the human body mass. It has remarkable regenerative potential, however, trauma and volumetric muscle loss, progressive disease and aging can lead to significant muscle loss that the body cannot recover from. Clinical approaches to address this range from free-flap transfer for traumatic events involving volumetric muscle loss, to myoblast transplantation and gene therapy to replace muscle loss due to sarcopenia and hereditary neuromuscular disorders, however, these interventions are often inadequate. The adoption of engineering paradigms, in particular materials engineering and materials/tissue interfacing in biology and medicine, has given rise to the rapidly growing, multidisciplinary field of bioengineering. These methods have facilitated the development of new biomaterials that sustain cell growth and differentiation based on bionic biomimicry in naturally occurring and synthetic hydrogels and polymers, as well as additive fabrication methods to generate scaffolds that go some way to replicate the structural features of skeletal muscle. Recent advances in biofabrication techniques have resulted in significant improvements to some of these techniques and have also offered promising alternatives for the engineering of living muscle constructs ex vivo to address the loss of significant areas of muscle. This review highlights current research in this area and discusses the next steps required towards making muscle biofabrication a clinical reality.
Biodegradable polymer hydrogel‐based tissue adhesives: A review
Authors: Zhang Xin , Jiang Yanan , Han Lu , Lu Xiong
Published: August 2021

Tissue‐adhesive materials are emerging biomaterials with potential applications in wound healing patches, tissue sealants, and haemostat materials. Tissue adhesives based on synthetic polymers generally have good adhesion but are not biodegradable. However, the long‐term presence of non‐biodegradable adhesives in the body can cause secondary harm to the patient. An ideal tissue adhesive should meet the following requirements: good adhesiveness, biodegradability, low cytotoxicity, and minimal inflammatory response. Natural polymers with inherent biodegradation and biocompatibility show great potentials in biomedical engineering, and the development of tissue adhesives based on natural polymers has become a hot topic in biomaterials science. This review systematically summarises the latest progresses in biodegradable tissue adhesives based on natural polymers, such as chitosan, hyaluronic acid, alginate, gelatin, dextran, and cellulose. Methods for preparing natural polymer tissue adhesives are summarised and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. Finally, potential trends in the future direction of biodegradable tissue adhesives are discussed.
Ten future challenges for synthetic biology
Authors: Gallup Olivia , Ming Hia , Ellis Tom
Published: August 2021

After 2 decades of growth and success, synthetic biology has now become a mature field that is driving significant innovation in the bioeconomy and pushing the boundaries of the biomedical sciences and biotechnology. So what comes next? In this article, 10 technological advances are discussed that are expected and hoped to come from the next generation of research and investment in synthetic biology; from ambitious projects to make synthetic life, cell simulators and custom genomes, through to new methods of engineering biology that use automation, deep learning and control of evolution. The non‐exhaustive list is meant to inspire those joining the field and looks forward to how synthetic biology may evolve over the coming decades.
A geometric distance to the supermassive black Hole of NGC 3783
Authors:   GRAVITY Collaboration, Amorim A. , Bauböck M. , Bentz M. C. , Brandner W. , Bolzer M. , Clénet Y. , Davies R. , de Zeeuw P. T. , Dexter J. , Drescher A. , Eckart A. , Eisenhauer F. , Förster Schreiber N. M. , Garcia P. J. V. , Genzel R. , Gillessen S. , Gratadour D. , Hönig S. , Kaltenbrunner D. , Kishimoto M. , Lacour S. , Lutz D. , Millour F. , Netzer H. , Onken C. A. , Ott T. , Paumard T. , Perraut K. , Perrin G. , Petrucci P. O. , Pfuhl O. , Prieto M. A. , Rouan D. , Shangguan J. , Shimizu T. , Stadler J. , Sternberg A. , Straub O. , Straubmeier C. , Street R. , Sturm E. , Tacconi L. J. , Tristram K. R. W. , Vermot P. , von Fellenberg S. , Widmann F. , Woillez J.
Published: August 2021

The angular size of the broad line region (BLR) of the nearby active galactic nucleus NGC 3783 has been spatially resolved by recent observations with VLTI/GRAVITY. A reverberation mapping (RM) campaign has also recently obtained high quality light curves and measured the linear size of the BLR in a way that is complementary to the GRAVITY measurement. The size and kinematics of the BLR can be better constrained by a joint analysis that combines both GRAVITY and RM data. This, in turn, allows us to obtain the mass of the supermassive black hole in NGC 3783 with an accuracy that is about a factor of two better than that inferred from GRAVITY data alone. We deriveMBH= 2.54−0.72+0.90× 107M⊙. Finally, and perhaps most notably, we are able to measure a geometric distance to NGC 3783 of 39.9−11.9+14.5Mpc. We are able to test the robustness of the BLR-based geometric distance with measurements based on the Tully–Fisher relation and other indirect methods. We find the geometric distance is consistent with other methods within their scatter. We explore the potential of BLR-based geometric distances to directly constrain the Hubble constant,H0, and identify differential phase uncertainties as the current dominant limitation to theH0measurement precision for individual sources.
Kontinenz und Mobilität – zwei Seiten einer Medaille?
Authors: Ege Sigrid
Published: August 2021

Was ist neu?

Zusammenhang von Harninkontinenz und Mobilitätsstörungen Harninkontinenz und eine Störung der Mobilität – 2 geriatrische Syndrome – haben eine hohe Korrelation und beeinflussen sich gegenseitig negativ. Das Neuauftreten einer Harninkontinenz sollte ein Alarmsignal sein, weil sich die Mobilitätsparameter korrelierend negativ entwickeln.

Erkennen der Assoziation von Harninkontinenz und Mobilitätsstörungen im klinischen Alltag Wo das eine Syndrom (Harninkontinenz oder Mobilitätsstörung) auftritt, sollte man das andere im Blick haben (Mobilitätsstörung oder Harninkontinenz). Dies gelingt mit einem Harninkontinenz-Assessment.

Korrelation der Harninkontinenz mit Stürzen und Frakturen Harninkontinenz führt zu gehäuften Stürzen, der Einfluss auf Verletzungen, insbesondere Frakturen, bleibt unklar.

Gegenseitiger Einfluss von körperlicher Fitness und Inkontinenz Kombinierte, die Inkontinenz und die körperliche Fitness beeinflussende Interventionen haben einen positiven Effekt auf beide geriatrische Syndrome. Studien weisen darauf hin, dass reines Kontinenzmanagement einen Einfluss z. B. auf Stürze hat, und umgekehrt eine körperliche Aktivierung sich positiv auf die Inkontinenz auswirkt.
Neue Entwicklungen und Perspektiven in der Akromegalie
Authors: Detomas Mario , Reuter Miriam , Deutschbein Timo
Published: August 2021

Was ist neu?

Diagnostik Bei Verdacht auf eine Akromegalie wird zunächst das Hormon Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) als wesentlicher Mediator des Wachstumshormons (GH) bestimmt. Ist es erhöht, schließt sich eine Bestätigungsdiagnostik mittels GH-Suppressionstest an. Neue Arbeiten empfehlen für diesen Test niedrigere GH-Grenzwerte als früher, zudem sollen potenzielle Einflussgrößen (z. B. Body-Mass-Index) stärker berücksichtigt werden. Perspektivisch könnten Erkrankte mittels einer automatisierten Gesichtserkennung ggf. leichter identifiziert werden.

Komorbiditäten Bei einem unkontrollierten GH-Exzess sind Lebensqualität und -erwartung zum Teil erheblich reduziert. Eine Akromegalie sowie deren typische Folgeerkrankungen (z. B. Schlafapnoe, Kardiomyopathie, Arthropathie) müssen daher frühzeitig erkannt werden. Kürzlich wurden neue Empfehlungen für ein standardisiertes diagnostisches Vorgehen publiziert.

Therapie Die operative Adenomentfernung durch einen erfahrenen Hypophysenchirurgen ist Therapie der Wahl. Bei residueller Erkrankung kann perspektivisch eine Kombination aus volumetrischer Magnetresonanztomografie (MRT) und 11C-Methionin-Positronen-Emissions-Tomografie (PET) eine Folgeoperation erleichtern. Für die typische Zweitlinientherapie mit Somatostatin-Analoga (SSA) ist nun erstmals auch ein oral einzusetzendes Präparat verfügbar. Neue Daten belegen die Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit einer Hypophysenbestrahlung.

Spezielle Patientenpopulationen Schwangere und ältere Patienten bedürfen besonderer Aufmerksamkeit. Gemäß aktueller Daten wirkt sich die COVID-Pandemie auch bei einer Akromegalie nachteilig auf Diagnostik und Therapie aus.
Langlebiges Souvenir aus Kamerun – persistierende, massive Hypereosinophilie bei amikrofilarämischer Infektion mit Loa loa
Authors: Meffert Lisa , Schmitz Friederike , Ziob Jana
Published: August 2021

Einleitung Die Diagnosestellung einer seltenen polysymptomatischen Parasitose erfordert eine Zusammenarbeit von Internisten, Tropenmedizinern, Parasitologen und Dermatologen.

Anamnese Es wird der Krankheitsverlauf einer 66-Jährigen mit regelmäßigen Aufenthalten in Kamerun aufgezeigt, die sich mit massiver Hypereosinophilie und Pruritus bei urtikariellen Schwellungen präsentierte.

Untersuchungen und Diagnose Mittels interdisziplinärer Diagnostik wurde anhand Reiseanamnese, klinischen Symptomen und Laborergebnissen die Arbeitsdiagnose einer okkulten, amikrofilarämischen Loa-loa-Infektion mit immunologischer Hyperreaktion gegen das Parasitenantigen, reaktiver Hypereosinophilie und hoher Anti-Filarien-Antikörperkonzentration gestellt.

Therapie und Verlauf Die anthelminthische Therapie erfolgte mit Ivermectin und Diethylcarbamazin. Unter Ivermectin kam es zur prompten Symptomregredienz und Abfall der Eosinophilen- und Antikörperwerte.

Folgerung Parasitosen wie die L.-loa-Infektion sind in Europa extrem selten, sollten jedoch bei entsprechender Reiseanamnese und klinischem Erscheinungsbild frühzeitig als Differenzialdiagnosen beachtet werden. Es mangelt an standardisierten Therapie- und Nachsorgeempfehlungen. Eine präzise Erfassung aller Neudiagnosen mit Therapieverlauf/-ansprechen in einem internationalen Register sollte etabliert werden.
Excimers in Multichromophoric Assemblies: Boon or
Bane?
Authors: Chaudhuri Debangshu
Published: August 2021

Exciton dynamics in organic semiconductors is a subject of great significance
from the standpoint of light emission, as well as light harvesting. As
transient excited state species, excimers are expected to play a significant
role in the dynamics and the fate of the excited state. Till recently, the
discourse on excimers in organic systems revolved around their role in
aggregation-induced fluorescence quenching, or utilizing their
characteristic red-shifted emission to report local interactions. But in the
last decade, research in the area of organic multichromophoric systems has
brought the spotlight back on this fascinating species. This review focuses
on recent developments that highlight the importance of excimers in various
processes involving multichromophoric systems, such as circularly polarized
emission, exciton migration, and singlet fission. The review also attempts
to address the question of whether excimers are useful or detrimental to
various photophysical and photochemical processes of importance.

Table of content:

Introduction

Excimers in Multichromophoric Assemblies

Excimer Luminescence

Excimers in Light Harvesting

Conclusions and Outlook
Anesthetic Management in an Infant with Dandy–Walker Syndrome Presenting with Acyanotic Heart Disease and Hydrocephalous Post-COVID-19 Recovery: A Rare Experience
Authors: Banerjee Shraya , Gupta Nidhi , Sarkar Deepa , Choudhury Kalyanpury J.
Published: August 2021

We report a case of hydrocephalus with Dandy–Walker malformation in a 2-month-old girl child recently recovered from COVID-19. The child was detected to have acyanotic heart disease with left-to-right shunt and severe pulmonary arterial hypertension during the preoperative evaluation process for ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement. We share our experience of the perioperative management for pulmonary artery banding (PAB) and patent ductus arteriosus ligation as a part of staged cardiac corrective surgery, followed by VP shunt to relieve hydrocephalus in the single setting. Our management was focused on the preservation of the normal cerebral and cardiac physiology to prevent rise in intracranial pressure and pulmonary artery pressure. A multidisciplinary team, consisting of cardiac- and neuroanesthesiologists and cardiac and neurosurgeons, was involved in management of the case. Diligent maintenance of airway, stable hemodynamics, meticulous ventilation, along with postoperative ICU management helped in the successful outcome of this unique case.
QSIRS Can Improve Accuracy of QSOFA and SIRS in Prediction of Mortality in Surgical Emergencies
Authors: Ndong Abdourahmane , Diallo Adja Coumba , Tendeng Jacques Noel , Diallo Amadou Ibra , Diao Mohamed Lamine , Sagna Sylvain Assega , Diop Saer , Dia Diago Anta , Diouf Daouda , Racine Bayo Ismael , Nyemb Philippe Manyacka Ma , Konaté Ibrahima
Published: August 2021

Background The quick sequential organ failure assessment (QSOFA) score and the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria were developed to predict the risk of sepsis and death in patients received in emergency. To improve sensitivity in predicting death, the association of the two scores was proposed under the term QSIRS (QSOFA + SIRS). Our aim was to determine the accuracy of QSOFA, SIRS, and QSIRS in prediction of mortality in surgical emergencies, and to compare these scores.

Patients and Methods This is a prospective study over a period of 1 year. Patients older than 15 years who presented a digestive surgical emergency (bowel obstruction, peritonitis, appendicitis, strangulated hernia) were included. For each score, the specificity, the sensitivity, the positive predictive value, the negative predictive value, and areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) were compared.

Results One hundred and eighteen patients were included and 11 deaths were recorded (9.3%). There was a statistically significant relationship between each score and death (QSOFA p = 0.01, SIRS p = 0.003, and QSIRS p = 0.004). The realization of the ROC curve found a higher AUC for QSIRS (0.845 [0.767–0.905]) compared with QSOFA (0.783 [0.698–0.854]) and SIRS (0.737 [0.648–0.813]). QSIRS (90.9%) had a higher sensitivity compared with the two other scores alone (SIRS = 81.9% and QSOFA = 36.3%).

Conclusion Our study found that QSIRS improves the ability to predict death in digestive surgical emergencies.
Pituitary Apoplexy, Meningitis and Cerebral Infarction - A Perplexing Trifecta
Authors: Srivatsan Thirumalai V. , Pillay Haroon M. , Raheja Lakshay
Published: August 2021

Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is a clinical diagnosis comprising a sudden onset of headache, neurological deficits, endocrine disturbances, altered consciousness, visual loss, or ophthalmoplegia. However, clinically, the presentation of PA is extremely variable and occasionally fatal. While meningitis and cerebral infarcts are themselves serious diseases, they are rarely seen as manifestations of PA and are exceedingly rare when present together.

We present the case of a 20-year-old male with a rapid progression of symptoms of meningitis, PA and stroke. The present article seeks to emphasize a rare manifestation of PA with an attempt to understand the intricacies of its evaluation and management.
Translating research for policy: the importance of equivalence, function, and loyalty
Authors: Connelly Steve , Vanderhoven Dave , Rutherfoord Robert , Richardson Liz , Matthews Peter
Published: August 2021

The question of how to make academic research more useful to government, and frustration over its lack of obvious use, have long been the subject of policy makers’ and scholars’ attention. These have driven the global development of institutionalised links between the two communities, while also leading to a broad consensus as to why the goal is often not realised. In order to better explain the barriers, this paper takes the concept of “translation” very literally, and proposes an innovative approach, which analyses academic and policy practices using ideas from the humanities-based discipline of Translation Studies. This enables an exploration of what constitutes good translation, and in particular of the tension between keeping faith with the original material and users’ understandable emphasis on functionality. The conclusion is that while some aspect of original research content must be maintained, what this is cannot be prescribed: the appropriate equivalence between original and translation is always context-dependent. This throws the emphasis on the relational aspects of translatorial action for promoting “good translation”. The argument follows Christiane Nord in seeing the core issue as the moral one of a translator’s loyalty to original author and user, and so also of mutual trust between academics and civil servants. This raises important questions about how such trust can be cultivated, and so finally leads to an emphasis on the importance of an endeavour shared by researchers and policy makers, which recognises and respects their different environments and the work involved in creating useful meaning from scholarly research.
Localized quenching sites in MAPbI3 investigated by fluorescence and photothermal microscopy
Authors: Yang Weiqing , Li Meilian , Xie Mingcai , Nie Yan , Du Anbang , Tian Yuxi
Published: August 2021

In this work, we developed a fluorescence and photothermal microscope with extremely large scanning range and high spatial resolution. We demonstrated the capability of this instrument by simultaneously measuring the photoluminescence and photothermal signals of the CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3) film. After scanning the MAPbI3 film on the scale of centimeters, we can obtain information of both emissive and nonemissive processes with a resolution of 200 nm at any location of the large area. We can clearly see the localized photothermal signal while the photoluminescence signal is uniform. These results directly prove that the emissive recombination happens all over the materials, but the nonemissive recombination happens only at certain localized quenching sites. The fluorescence and photothermal microscope with both large scanning range and high spatial resolution can provide information of all the relaxation channels of the excitons, showing potential applications for investigation of photophysical mechanisms in photoelectric materials.
Neutron and x-ray emission from a cylindrical inertial electrostatic confinement fusion device and their applications
Authors: Bhattacharjee D. , Buzarbaruah N. , Mohanty S. R.
Published: August 2021

Table-top neutron/x-ray sources are of great interest for uses in neutron activation analyses, in neutron/x-ray radiography, and also in medical applications. Inertial electrostatic confinement fusion (IECF) is a multiple neutron source that can emit neutrons, protons, x rays, etc., as basic products when operated in both continuous and pulsed modes. In this work, D-D neutrons are produced in the steady-state mode using a cylindrical IECF device. The neutron production rate has been optimized by using cathodes having different dimensions and geometrical transparencies. The maximum neutron production rate is found to be approaching 107n/s, using a cathode having eight grid wires and a diameter of 3 cm. The neutrons are successfully used for neutron activation analysis of materials containing explosive elements. X-ray spectrum having a wide range of photon energies (30–70 keV) has been detected from this device while operated in the continuous mode. X-ray radiography of high density objects has also been performed and reported for the first time using the cylindrical IECF source with negative polarity of the central grid in this paper.
An actively compensated 8 nT-level magnetic shielding system for 10-m atom interferometer
Authors: Ji Yu-Hang , Zhou Lin , Yan Si-Tong , He Chuan , Zhou Chao , Barthwal Sachin , Yang Feng , Duan Wei-Tao , Zhang Wen-Dong , Xu Run-Dong , Wang Qi , Li Dong-Xu , Gao Jia-Hong , Chen Xi , Wang Jin , Zhan Ming-Sheng
Published: August 2021

We design and develop a high-performance magnetic shielding system for a long baseline fountain-type atom interferometer. The shielding system is achieved by a combination of passive shielding using permalloy and active compensation with coils. An 11.4 m-long three-layer cylindrical shield is completed by the process of welding, local annealing, and entire annealing. The active compensations compress the residual magnetic field to 8.0 nT max-to-min and the corresponding gradient below 30 nT/m over 10 m along the axial direction in which external compensation, internal compensation, and constant magnetic field (C-field) compensation reduce the inhomogeneities to 25.0, 12.6, and 1.7 nT (standard deviation) sequentially. We estimate that this system could reduce the systematic error of the quadratic Zeeman shift to the 10−13 level for the weak equivalence principle test with a simultaneous 85Rb–87Rb dual-species atom interferometer.
Thermionic emission of electrons from metal surfaces in the warm dense matter regime
Authors: Petrov G. M. , Davidson A. , Gordon D. , Hafizi B. , Peñano J.
Published: August 2021

Thermionic emission of electrons is a process fundamental to our understanding of laser–matter interactions in the ultra-short pulse regime. Charge collected from an emission process, as well the secondary radiation generated by their collective motion, provides avenues for diagnosing and verifying existing laser–solid interaction models. Laser fluences (∼104 J/m2) are of particular interest as they heat the surface electrons to temperatures on the order of a few electron volts (eV), placing it in the warm dense matter regime where much underlying physics is yet to be fully understood. However, even at such moderate fluences the conventional Richardson–Dushman formula for the emission rate becomes invalid. We consider an additional barrier potential on the surface that appears due to space-charge effects, which then limits the thermionic emission. This provides feedback leading to a self-consistent solution with the emission rate. Unlike the work function, this barrier dynamically evolves during the emission process. Here, we present the first calculation of the barrier potential on the surface, along with analytical expression, from a one-dimensional electrostatic model. The result is a generalization of the Richardson–Dushman picture to moderate laser fluences. The potential barrier has been incorporated into a two-temperature model for thermionic emission from an Al target irradiated by a femtosecond laser. The collisional and transport data for Al have been obtained using an average atom model.
External axial magnetic field enhances discharge and water treatment of cold plasma jets
Authors: Xu Han , Guo Shaoshuai , Zhang Hao , Xie Kai
Published: August 2021

In this Letter, the effect of an external axial magnetic field on the propagation characteristics of a helium plasma jet and plasma-activated water was investigated. Stacked magnets surrounding the quartz tube significantly enhance the brightness and length of the ionization wave. The discharge enhancement is more pronounced at a position farther along the tube axis than near the jet nozzle. Under the action of the external magnetic field, the concentrations of aqueous reactive oxygen species, including H2O2, OH, and O2−, significantly increase with the increasing electron density, whereas the vitality of melanoma cells effectively drops. A magnetic fluid model suggests that the discharge enhancement arises mainly from the confinement of the radial motion of electrons imposed by the axial magnetic field and the radial magnetic pressure, suggesting that the external magnetic field may be beneficial in improving the effects of plasma jet applications.
Ba4Al2Ti10O27 based glass ceramic as dielectric in high frequency applications
Authors: Letz M. , Hovhannisyan M. , Bergmann F. , Bai Xiaofei , Engelmann H. , Weidmann G.
Published: August 2021

Glass ceramics obtained via a true glassy phase are homogeneous and pore free, which makes them interesting for electronic applications, especially in the GHz frequency range. We discuss the glass-ceramic system with Ba4Al2Ti10O27 as the main crystalline phase and show material properties, including dielectric properties measured up to 110 GHz. Application examples are shown for filters and antennas in the GHz frequency range. The extremely high material homogeneity makes very precise manufacturing possible and enables MHz accuracy and reproducibility in GHz applications. The high linearity of the material properties is shown as well and makes high power applications, e.g., in cell phone base stations, possible. Also, applications in the MHz range are discussed.
Turbulence transport in the solar corona: Theory, modeling, and Parker Solar Probe
Authors: Zank G. P. , Zhao L.-L. , Adhikari L. , Telloni D. , Kasper J. C. , Bale S. D.
Published: August 2021

A primary goal of the Parker Solar Probe (PSP) Mission is to answer the outstanding question of how the solar corona plasma is heated to the high temperatures needed for the acceleration of the solar wind. Various heating mechanisms have been suggested, but one that is gaining increasing credence is associated with the dissipation of low frequency magnetohyrodynamic (MHD) turbulence. However, the MHD turbulence models come in several flavors: one in which outwardly propagating Alfvén waves experience reflection from the large-scale flow and density gradients associated with the solar corona, and the resulting counterpropagating Alfvén waves couple nonlinearly to produce quasi-2D turbulence that dissipates and heats the corona, thereby driving the solar wind. The second approach eschews a dominant outward flux of Alfvén waves but argues instead that quasi-2D turbulence dominates the lower coronal plasma and is generated in the constantly upwelling magnetic carpet, experiencing dissipation as it is advected through the corona and into the solar wind, yielding temperatures in the corona that exceed a million degrees. We review the two turbulence models, describe the modeling that has been done, and relate PSP observations to the basic predictions of both models. Although PSP measurements are made in the super-Alfvénic solar wind, the observations are close to the coronal region, thus providing a glimpse into the likely properties of coronal turbulence. Observations of low-frequency MHD turbulence by PSP in the super-Alfvénic solar wind allow us to place constraints on models of the turbulently heated solar corona that drive the supersonic solar wind.
Local magnetism induced by non-magnetic impurities in FeSe in proximity to s-wave superconductivity
Authors: Song Sang Yong , Seo Jungpil
Published: August 2021

The response of non-magnetic impurities to superconductivity is useful to characterize the superconducting pairing symmetry. The s-wave superconductivity is not affected by the presence of non-magnetic impurities. However, the unconventional superconductivity responds to the non-magnetic impurities, inducing in-gap states in the superconducting gap. However, this characterization fails if non-magnetic impurities could induce magnetic moments in superconductors. Here, we used scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy to elucidate if non-magnetic impurities are irrelevant to magnetism in FeSe. To study this, we have grown FeSe films on the Pb(111) substrate. We find that the FeSe films are proximity-induced s-wave superconductors. By investigating various non-magnetic impurities and native defects of FeSe, we explicitly show that these impurities and defects can directly induce local magnetism in FeSe.
Implementation of the Australian Hospital Patient Experience Question Set (AHPEQS): a consumer-driven patient survey
Authors: Jones Cathy H. , Woods Jeffrey , Brusco Natasha K. , Sullivan Natalie , Morris Meg E.
Published: August 2021

Objective In 2018 the Australian Commission on Quality and Safety in Health Care released a new consumer driven Australian Hospital Patient Experience Question set. The objective was to explore the acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, feasibility, fidelity, penetration, resources and sustainability of implementing the AHPEQS, and to review which questions correlated with overall rating of care. Methods Thirty-six Australian private hospitals participated in the AHPEQS implementation over an 18-month period. Results Responses were analysed for 86 180 patient experience surveys. Positive patient experiences (Question 12) correlated most highly with Question 2 (My individual needs were met; correlation coefficient (CC) 0.45, P < 0.001), Question 4 (I felt cared for; CC 0.45, P < 0.001) and Question 9 (When I was in the hospital, I felt confident in the safety of my treatment and care; CC 0.44, P < 0.001). Day procedure patients rated their experience higher than overnight patients. Uptake was rapid across the 36 hospitals, with minimal resources and demonstrable acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, feasibility, fidelity, penetration and sustainability. Conclusion Utilising a consumer-driven survey highlighting treatment and care, assisted in enhancing staff engagement and continuous improvement in patient experience in acute, day procedure and rehabilitation hospitals. What is known about the topic? Patient experience in hospital is associated with healthcare quality, safety and outcomes. What does this paper add? From a consumer perspective, feeling cared for, having needs met and confidence in the safety of care, correlated with a positive patient experience. What are the implications for practitioners? Investing staff time and health service resources into a consumer-driven patient experience survey tool, which highlighted treatment and care, assisted in enhancing staff engagement and continuous improvement in patient experience in acute, day procedure and rehabilitation hospitals.
Genetic parameter estimates for male and female fertility traits using genomic data to improve fertility in Australian beef cattle
Authors: Olasege Babatunde S. , Tahir Muhammad S. , Gouveia Gabriela C. , Kour Jagish , Porto-Neto Laercio R. , Hayes Ben J. , Fortes Marina R. S.
Published: August 2021

Context Studies have shown that favourable genetic correlations exist between female and male fertility traits. However, investigations regarding these correlations in Australian tropical beef cattle are limited to either pedigree or single-breed analysis. Aim The study aims to use genomic information to estimate genetic parameters of six female and seven male fertility traits measured during the first 2 years of life, in two tropical breeds. Methods Single-, bivariate and multi-trait models were used to analyse fertility data from Brahman (BB; 996 cows and 1022 bulls); and Tropical Composite (TC; 1091 cows and 998 bulls) cattle genotyped with high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism chip assay. Key results Heritability estimates in BB cows ranged from low (0.07 ± 0.04) for days to calving at the first calving opportunity (DC1, days) to high (0.57 ± 0.08) for age at first corpus luteum (AGECL, days). In BB bulls, estimates varied from low (0.09 ± 0.05) for sperm motility (score 1–5) to high (0.64 ± 0.06) for scrotal circumference (SC) measured at 24 months (SC24, cm). Similarly, heritability estimates in TC cows were low (0.04 ± 0.03) for DC1 and high (0.69 ± 0.02) for AGECL. In TC bulls, the heritability was low (0.09 ± 0.05) for sperm motility and high (0.69 ± 0.07) for SC24. Within-sex for both breeds, blood concentrations of insulin growth-factor 1 (IGF1) measured in cows at 18 months (IGF1c) were negatively correlated with female fertility phenotypes. In BB, across-sex, bulls’ blood concentration of IGF1 measured at 6 months (IGF1b) was a good indicator trait for the following four female traits: AGECL, the first postpartum anoestrus interval, age at first calving and DC1. In TC, IGF1b and percentage normal sperm were good predictors of female fertility phenotypes. Conclusions The heritability estimates and genomic correlations from the present study generally support and confirmed the earlier estimates from pedigree analyses. The findings suggest that selection for female fertility traits will benefit male fertility, and vice versa. Implications Heritability estimates and genomic correlations suggest that we can select for fertility traits measured early in life, with benefits within and across sex. Using traits available through veterinary assessment of bull fertility as selection indicators will enhance bull and cow fertility, which can lead to better breeding rates in tropical herds.
Relative clause processing in L1 and L2 English
Authors: Witzel Jeffrey , Witzel Naoko
Published: August 2021

This study investigates the locus of processing difficulty in English object-extracted relative clauses during
both native and non-native sentence comprehension. Two L-maze experiments were conducted – one with English native speakers
(n = 48) and another with highly proficient Chinese learners of English (n = 20) – to
compare the processing of object-extracted relative clauses (ORCs) with that of subject-extracted relative clauses (SRCs). Both
participants groups revealed clear processing costs for ORC sentences. In both cases, this processing difficulty was localized at
the beginning of the ORC, and specifically at the article that introduced the ORC subject (The soldier who
the sailor roughly pushed….). These findings are taken to indicate that structural
expectations play a central role in the first- and second-language processing of English relative clauses and of complex sentences
more generally.
Basilepta subcostata
. [Distribution map].
Authors: CABI  , EPPO
Published: August 2021

A new distribution map is provided for
Basilepta subcostata
(Jacoby), Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae. Hosts: banana and other
Musa
spp. Information is given on the geographical distribution in Asia (Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Karnataka, Manipur, Meghalaya, Odisha, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand).
Empoasca onukii
. [Distribution map].
Authors: CABI  , EPPO
Published: August 2021

A new distribution map is provided for
Empoasca onukii
Matsuda. Hemiptera: Cicadellidae. Host: tea (
Camellia sinensis
). Information is given on the geographical distribution in Asia (China, Anhui, Chongqing, Fujian, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Shandong, Sichuan, Zhejiang, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand).
Parabemisia myricae
. [Distribution map].
Authors: CABI  , EPPO
Published: August 2021

A new distribution map is provided for
Parabemisia myricae
(Kuwana). Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae. Hosts: polyphagous. Information is given on the geographical distribution in Africa (Algeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia), Asia (China, Guangxi, Hong Kong, India, Karnataka, Iran, Israel, Japan, Honshu, Shikoku, Lebanon, Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Turkey, Vietnam), Europe, (Croatia, Cyprus, France, Corsica, Greece, Crete, Italy, Sardinia, Sicily, Portugal, Spain, Canary Islands), North AMerica (Dominica, Guadeloupe, Honduras, Mexcio, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, California, Florida, Hawaii), Oceania (Papua New Guinea), South America (Brazil, Mato Grosso do Sul, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Venezuela).
Radioactive hot-spot localisation and identification using deep learning
Authors: Mendes Filipe , Barros Miguel , Vale Alberto , Gonçalves Bruno
Published: August 2021

The detection of radioactive hot-spots and the identification of the radionuclides present have been a challenge for the security sector, especially in situations involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats, as well as naturally occurring radioactive materials. This work proposes a solution based on Machine Learning techniques, with a focus on artificial neural networks (NNs), in order to localise, quantify and identify radioactive sources. Firstly, the created RHLnet model uses observations of radiological intensity counts and corresponding localisations to estimate the number, location and activity of unknown radioactive sources present in a given scenario. Then, another model (RHIdnet) gets the gamma spectrum of the sources to perform the identification of the corresponding radionuclides. For this, a training data set composed of simulated data is used during the training process, and so, using algorithms with the models already trained, fast and accurate predictions are achieved, ensuring the reliability of such a NN-based approach. The proposed solution is tested in simulated and real scenarios, with multiple sources, providing a low number of limitations, related to possible false negatives and false positives. Besides, the results have shown that the algorithm is scalable for very large regions, as well as for very small scenarios. Single and multiple isotope identification on each sample is explored, highlighting the benefits as well as possible improvements. Thus, NNs have demonstrated the capability of being an emerging tool with the potential to make a difference in the nuclear field, by helping in the development of novel techniques and new solutions in order to safeguard human lives.