bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surgical site infection after delayed sternal closure in neonates with congenital heart disease: retrospective case-control study
Authors: Yang Yuzhong , Wang Jie , Cai Lina , Peng Wei , Mo Xuming
Published: September 2021

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of surgical site infections (SSIs) in neonatal congenital heart disease patients undergoing delayed sternal closure (DSC) and evaluate risk factors for SSI.

Methods

Hospital records of 483 consecutive neonates who underwent surgical intervention between January 2013 and December 2017 were reviewed, and perioperative variables were recorded.

Results

We found that the prevalence of SSI was 87.5% when the body weight was less than 1500 g. When the operative age was between seven and 14 days, the probability of no SSI is about 93.9%. When the duration of the aortic cross-clamp was more than 60 min, the prevalence of SSI was 91.2%. The prevalence without SSI was 96.6% when the duration of DSC was less than 24 h. However, when the duration of DSC was more than 120 h, the prevalence of SSI was 88.9% (p = 0.000).

Conclusions

With the prolongation of aortic clamping duration, the probability of occurrence of SSI increased in neonatal CHD with DSC. The age at operation and body weight are closely related to the occurrence of SSI in neonatal CHD patients with DSC.
PUResNet: prediction of protein-ligand binding sites using deep residual neural network
Authors: Kandel Jeevan , Tayara Hilal , Chong Kil To
Published: September 2021

Background

Predicting protein-ligand binding sites is a fundamental step in understanding the functional characteristics of proteins, which plays a vital role in elucidating different biological functions and is a crucial step in drug discovery. A protein exhibits its true nature after binding to its interacting molecule known as a ligand that binds only in the favorable binding site of the protein structure. Different computational methods exploiting the features of proteins have been developed to identify the binding sites in the protein structure, but none seems to provide promising results, and therefore, further investigation is required.

Results

In this study, we present a deep learning model PUResNet and a novel data cleaning process based on structural similarity for predicting protein-ligand binding sites. From the whole scPDB (an annotated database of druggable binding sites extracted from the Protein DataBank) database, 5020 protein structures were selected to address this problem, which were used to train PUResNet. With this, we achieved better and justifiable performance than the existing methods while evaluating two independent sets using distance, volume and proportion metrics.
Advances on the fixed point results via simulation function involving rational terms
Authors: Karapınar Erdal , Chen Chi-Ming , Alghamdi Maryam A. , Fulga Andreea
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we propose two new contractions via simulation function that involves rational expression in the setting of partial b-metric space. The obtained results not only extend, but also generalize and unify the existing results in two senses: in the sense of contraction terms and in the sense of the abstract setting. We present an example to indicate the validity of the main theorem.
Improved criteria for oscillation of noncanonical neutral differential equations of even order
Authors: Elabbasy Elmetwally M. , Moaaz Osama , Ramos Higinio , Muhib Ali
Published: September 2021

In this work, we aim at studying the asymptotic and oscillatory behavior of even-order neutral delay noncanonical differential equations. To the best of our knowledge, most of the related previous works are concerned only with neutral equations in the canonical case. Our new oscillation criteria essentially improve, simplify, and complement related results in the literature, especially those from a paper by Li and Rogovchenko (Abstr. Appl. Anal. 2014:395368, 2014). Some examples are presented that illustrate the importance of the new criteria.
Assessment of anterior positioning splint in conjunction with lateral pterygoid BTX injection to treat TMJ disc displacement with reduction — a preliminary report
Authors: Taema Maram , Nabi Nouran Abdel , Ibrahim Samira , Kamal Heba Ahmed , Emara Aala’a
Published: September 2021

Objective

Treatment of temporomandibular disc displacement with reduction is controversial. This study assesses the use of an anterior positioning splint with botulinum toxin in the lateral pterygoid muscle (BTX) for such cases.

Methods

Twelve joints were included; groups I and II received BTX injection while group II also received an anterior positioning splint. Pain scores and clicking status were recorded at regular intervals then a postoperative MRI was done after 4 months.

Results

Clinical improvement was noted in both groups. Mean pain scores dropped significantly and clicks in the twelve joints disappeared in 83% of group I and 33% of group II. MRIs showed significant disc position improvement with the higher mean change (1.33 ± 0.76) in group I.

Group I showed better improvement of discal position and only one joint regained a click. Patients of group II reported discomfort from the splint which may have caused psychological distress and so worst pain scores.

Conclusions

Group I  showed slightly better results but the cost of BTX injections and the complications of the splint should be kept in mind and the decision of treatment selection made according to each condition.
Aflibercept clearance through the drainage system in a rat model
Authors: Keshet Yariv , Gal-Or Orly , Schaap Fogler Michal , Mimouni Karin , Ben Ishai Meydan , Weinberger Dov , Dotan Assaf
Published: September 2021

Background

As intravitreal anti-VEGF injections became the mainstay of treatment for many retinal diseases, the cause of a secondary sustained elevated intraocular pressure is still unclear. The aim of our study was to study the clearance of Aflibercept from the anterior chamber angle, in a rat model, to test if an aggregation exists.

Methods

Choroidal neovascular lesions (CNV) were induced in the right eye of 12 brown Norway rats, using indirect laser ophthalmoscope. Intravitreal Aflibercept injection (0.12 mg/3 µl) was performed 3 days after CNV induction. Rats were euthanized at predetermine time intervals of 3, 6, 24 and 48 h post injection, with immediate enucleation for histological analysis with H&E and immunofluorescence staining. Aflibercept molecules were stained with red fluorescence thanks to the formation of the immune complex Aflibercept-Rabbit anti human IgG-Anti rabbit antibodies-Cy3.

Results

Immediately after the injection, a strong fluorescence signal was detected, indicating the presence of Aflibercept in the iridocorneal angle. At 3- and 6-h interval a strong signal of Aflibercept was still seen. Six hours post injection, the signal was highly concentrated in Schlemm’s canal. In the 2 eyes harvested 24 h post Aflibercept injection, red fluorescence signal intensity was decreased in one eye, occupying mainly intra scleral venous plexuses, and absent in the other eye. At 48 h there was no fluorescence signal, confirming complete clearance of Aflibercept.

Conclusions

In our rat model, a complete clearance of Aflibercept from the anterior chamber angle, was seen 48 h after the injection. This finding refutes the theory of possible connection between IOP elevation and mechanical obstruction. Evacuation time of Aflibercept through the angle is of the same magnitude as that of Bevacizumab in the same rat model.
Intraoperative anaphylaxis due to aprotinin after local application of fibrin sealant diagnosed by skin tests and basophil activation tests: a case report
Authors: Orihara Masaki , Takazawa Tomonori , Horiuchi Tatsuo , Sakamoto Shinya , Uchiyama Mutsumi , Saito Shigeru
Published: September 2021

Background

There are few cases of anaphylaxis after local application of fibrin sealant diagnosed by skin tests.

Case presentation

A 49-year-old woman underwent partial lung resection under general anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced uneventfully. Shortly after applying absorbable suture reinforcement felt that contained fibrin sealant, her systolic blood pressure fell to approximately 70 mmHg, along with facial flushing. Anaphylaxis was diagnosed based on the clinical symptoms and high serum tryptase levels. Three months after the event, skin tests were performed with all agents and were positive only for fibrin sealant vial no. 2, whose main component is aprotinin. Subsequently, basophil activation tests using fibrin sealant vial no. 2 and pure aprotinin demonstrated that the causative agent was likely aprotinin.

Conclusions

We diagnosed aprotinin-induced anaphylaxis using skin tests and basophil activation tests. The occurrence of anaphylaxis should be considered when changes in vital signs are observed after the use of fibrin sealant.
Blood purification therapy for severe sepsis: a multicenter, observational cohort study in northern Japan
Authors: Satoh Kasumi , Nomura Kyoko , Nakae Hajime , Kudo Daisuke , Kushimoto Shigeki , Hasegawa Masatsugu , Ito Fumihito , Yamanouchi Satoshi , Honda Hiroyuki , Andoh Kohkichi , Furukawa Hajime , Yamada Yasuo , Tsujimoto Yuta , Okuyama Manabu
Published: September 2021

Background

Sepsis is associated with life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. However, no specific therapy has been shown to improve mortality in patients with sepsis. We conducted a study to clarify the utilization status of various BPTs and the clinical characteristics of patients who received BPTs in northern Japan. In addition, the association of various BPTs with clinical outcomes was examined.

Methods

This is a sub-analysis of the Tohoku Sepsis Registry, a multicenter, prospective, observational cohort study. To determine whether BPT was independently associated with in-hospital mortality in patients with severe sepsis, the following analyses were performed. Differences between survivors and non-survivors were assessed using Wilcoxon rank sum tests for continuous variables and Chi-square tests for categorical variables. Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the factors associated with in-hospital mortality. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, adjustments were made for the variables that were significant in the univariate logistic regression analysis. Clinical factors associated with mortality were analyzed.

Results

We enrolled 616 consecutive patients (≥ 18 years) with median Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores of 8.0. During median of 22 days hospitalization, 139 patients died (mortality 22.6%). 20.7% of patients with severe sepsis received any type of BPT (mortality 38.6%). BPT consisted of 65.1% continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) with renal indication (mortality 48.8%), 26.0% CRRT with non-renal indication (mortality 21.2%), 22.2% intermittent renal replacement therapy (mortality 32.1%), and 33.1% polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column-direct hemoperfusion (mortality 42.9%). Meanwhile, no BPT group (mortality 18.5%) showed a significantly lower mortality than any BPT group. Besides, in multivariate analyses, all BPT modes were not independently associated with all-cause mortality.

Conclusions

This study suggested the clinical status of BPTs for severe sepsis patients in northern Japan. Among all types of BPT, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) for renal indication was most frequently selected. Severe sepsis patients received BPT had a higher mortality and severity; however, the BPT implementation may not be associated with mortality.

Trial registration UMIN-CTR, UMIN000010297, Registered on 22 March 2013, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000012055).
Motivations and barriers to death registration in Dakar, Senegal
Authors: Fall Atoumane , Masquelier Bruno , Niang Khadim , Ndiaye Samba , Ndonky Alphousseyni
Published: September 2021

Strengthening civil registration systems requires a better understanding of motivations and barriers related to the registration of deaths. We used data from the 2013 Senegalese census to identify deaths that are more likely to be registered in the Dakar region, where the completeness of death registration is higher than 80%. We also interviewed relatives of the deceased whose death had been registered to collect data on reasons for registration and sources of information about the process. The likelihood of death registration was positively associated with age at death and household wealth. Death registration was also more likely in households whose head was older, had attended school, and had a birth certificate. At the borough commune level, the geographical accessibility of civil registration centres and population density were both positively associated with completeness of death registration. The main motivations for registering deaths were compliance with the legal obligation to do so and willingness to obtain a burial permit and a death certificate. Families, health facilities, and friends were the primary sources of information about death registration. Further research is needed to identify effective interventions to increase death registration completeness in Dakar, particularly amongst the poorest households and neighbourhoods on the outskirts of the city.
Current knowledge about behaviors of honey bee queens with highlighting of the importance future studies
Authors: Abou-Shaara Hossam F. , Adgaba Nuru , Al-Ghamdi Ahmad A.
Published: September 2021

Background

There is one queen in each honey bee, Apis mellifera L., colony under normal conditions. This queen performs egg laying and pheromonal control in the colony. All genetic characteristics of bee workers and drones depend on the queen. This reflects the importance of bee queen in the colony. In this review, behaviors of honey bee queens are presented and further studies are suggested to fill in gaps in knowledge.

Main body

The major studies about behaviors of honey bee queens either inside or outside the colony were reviewed. Some behavioral aspects especially egg laying pattern, sperm storage and utilization, conflict between queens, and the role of the queens in swarming and absconding have gained relatively few attention. Also, some other points such as the ability of a queen to transmit parasites after mating to her offspring and effects of pesticides on queen rearing and characteristics of emerged queens were highlighted.

Conclusion

This study highlighted the points that require further detailed studies. This review article may stimulate others toward performing specific future studies on bee queens.
Predictors of response to etanercept-methotrexate treatment: a post hoc logistic regression analysis of a randomized, open-label study in Latin American patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: de la Vega Maria , Guerra Bautista Generoso , Xavier Ricardo Machado , Pacheco-Tena César , Solano Gastón , Pedersen Ronald D. , Szumski Annette Eva , Borlenghi Cecilia , Santana Karina , Vlahos Bonnie
Published: September 2021

Background

Determining potential predictors of clinical response would allow a more personalized rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment approach in heterogeneous populations such as Latin American (LA) patients.

Methods

Post hoc analysis to identify baseline characteristics predictive of clinical remission in response to treatment with etanercept (ETN) plus methotrexate (MTX) in LA patients with moderate to severe MTX-resistant RA. We report data from the group of patients who received ETN 50 mg/week plus MTX (ETN + MTX,n = 281) in a clinical trial consisting of an initial 24-week open-label phase, followed by a 104-week extension. Remission was defined as 28-joint Disease Activity Score with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) score < 2.6. Cutoff values to dichotomize baseline variables maximizing the detection of remission were obtained from Receiver Operator Curve analyses. Baseline dichotomized and categorical variables were analyzed altogether in a stepwise logistic regression model. Odds of attaining response at Weeks 24 and 128 were estimated for each significant predictor.

Results

At Week 24 and Week 128, 27% (66/241) and 42% (91/219) of patients in the ETN + MTX group achieved remission. On average, patients achieving remission were younger and had lower baseline ESR, lower Physician Global Assessment (PGA) scores, lower total Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scores, and lower visual analog scale (VAS) Pain scores compared with patients who did not achieve remission. The best subset of baseline variables predicting Week 24 remission in the stepwise regression model were age ≤ 49 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.93), body mass index (BMI) > 28.5 kg/m2(OR 3.24), disease duration > 3.7 years (OR 2.22), ESR ≤ 42 mm/h (OR 2.72), PGA ≤ 6 (OR 3.21), tender joint count ≤ 14 (OR 2.25), and total HAQ score ≤ 1.6 (OR 2.86). At Week 128, age ≤ 42 years (OR 2.21), SF-36 Mental Health Scale score > 39.6 (OR 2.16), White race (OR 4.07), > 18 swollen joints (OR 2.11), and VAS Pain ≤ 41 (OR 6.05) at baseline were the best subset of significant predictors of remission.

Conclusions

In LA patients with RA, younger age, higher BMI, longer disease duration, higher SF-36 Mental Health Scale score, higher swollen joint count, and overall lower disease activity predicted clinical response to ETN + MTX therapy.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00848354.
Transgenic fluorescent zebrafish lines that have revolutionized biomedical research
Authors: Choe Chong Pyo , Choi Seok-Yong , Kee Yun , Kim Min Jung , Kim Seok-Hyung , Lee Yoonsung , Park Hae-Chul , Ro Hyunju
Published: September 2021

Since its debut in the biomedical research fields in 1981, zebrafish have been used as a vertebrate model organism in more than 40,000 biomedical research studies. Especially useful are zebrafish lines expressing fluorescent proteins in a molecule, intracellular organelle, cell or tissue specific manner because they allow the visualization and tracking of molecules, intracellular organelles, cells or tissues of interest in real time and in vivo. In this review, we summarize representative transgenic fluorescent zebrafish lines that have revolutionized biomedical research on signal transduction, the craniofacial skeletal system, the hematopoietic system, the nervous system, the urogenital system, the digestive system and intracellular organelles.
No difference in long-term functional outcomes or survivorship after total knee arthroplasty with or without computer navigation: a 17-year survivorship analysis
Authors: Patrick Ng Jonathan , Man Lau Lawrence Chun , Wai-Wang Chau , Tim-Yun Ong Michael , Wing Cheung Kin , Hing Chiu Kwok , Yin Chung Kwong , Ki-Wai Ho Kevin
Published: September 2021

Background

The literature comparing the long-term outcomes and survivorship of computer navigation-assisted and conventional total knee replacement (TKR) is sparse. Moreover, of the available comparative studies with follow-up duration of more than 10 years, the results seem to be conflicting. The purpose of this long-term study was to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes, and implant survivorship, of TKR performed with and without computer navigation.

Methods

We retrospectively compared the results of 49 computer-navigated TKRs and 139 conventional TKRs. The mean age of the patients was 67.9 (range 52–81) years for the navigation group and 67.1 (range 50–80) years for the conventional TKR group. The mean duration of follow-up for the conventional and navigation TKR groups was 12.9 and 13.2 years, respectively. Clinical and radiographic follow-up examinations of the patients were performed at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months post-operatively, and at 1-year intervals thereafter.

Results

There were no significant differences in the post-operative Knee Society knee and function score between the two groups. The mean overall deviation from neutral alignment and the radiological outliers were significantly higher in the conventional TKR group. The overall survival rates at 17 years were 92.9% for the navigation group and 95.6% for the conventional TKR group (p = 0.62).

Conclusions

Navigated TKR resulted in fewer radiological outliers; however, this did not translate to better long-term functional outcomes or implant survival.
Do “Myths” of low back pain exist among young Indian college-going adults with a history of low back pain? A cross-sectional study
Authors: Suhail Ammar , Slathia Sonal , Quais Sarah , Poulter David C.
Published: September 2021

Background

Low back pain (LBP) is a prominent public health problem which causes disability around the globe. The prevalence of LBP is on the rise in lower to middle-income countries. India has a varied prevalence of LBP among the rural as well as urban population ranging from 6.2 to 92%. There has been a marked increase in young adults getting LBP with a proportion converting to chronic LBP later in life. Beliefs associated with any disorder affect the course, management, and need for imaging studies. Negative beliefs about LBP in any population may lead to unnecessary psychologic distress and an increase in disease burden. Focusing these negative beliefs on the younger population can help curb the chronicity and lessen the disability caused by it. This cross-sectional study explored the presence of myths in 516 college-going Indian young adults from Lovely Professional University.

Results

A total of 516 individuals participated in the study. The mean (SD) age of the participants was 22.69 years (2.417). Among them, 47.5% (245) were females and 52.5% (271) were males. The findings show that a high percentage of college-going young adults have false beliefs in most of the ten domains (myths) explored. The most prevalent myths were “LBP is caused by weak ‘core’ muscles and having a strong core protects against future LBP” (81.2%) and “LBP is caused by poor posture when sitting, standing, and lifting” with 80.6% agreeing to it.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that the myths of low back pain are widespread among the studied population. The findings suggest that community education programs must be developed to address these myths, hence reducing the disease burden associated with back pain.
Second Nature and the Sonic Sublime
Authors: Stanyon Miranda
Published: September 2021

Like other spaces of the Enlightenment, the sublime was what Michel de Certeau might have called “a practiced place.” Its rhetorical commonplaces, philosophical terrains, and associated physical environments were cultivated, shaped, and framed by human action and habit. But can the sublime—epiphanic, quasi-spiritual, unmasterable, extraordinary—ever really become a habit? Is it possible, even natural, to become habituated to sublimity? Taking as its point of departure the Aristotelian claim that “habit is a second nature,” this article explores the counterintuitive relationship between habit and the sublime. It focuses not on that eighteenth-century “cultivar,” the natural sublime, but on sonic sublimity, exploring on one hand overwhelming sounds, and on the other a conceptualization of sound itself as a sublime phenomenon stretching beyond audibility to fill all space. As this exploration shows, both the sublime and habit were seen as capable of creating a second nature, and prominent writers connected habit, practice, or repetition to the sublime. Equally, however, there are points of friction between the aesthetic of the sublime and philosophies of habit, especially in the idea that habit dulls or removes sensation. This is a prominent idea in Félix Ravaisson's landmark De l'habitude (1838), a text currently enjoying renewed attention, and one that apparently stems from Enlightenment attempts to explain sensation, consciousness, and freedom. Similar concerns inform the eighteenth-century sublime, yet the logic behind the sublime is at odds with the dulling of sensation. The article closes by touching on the reemergence of “second nature” in contemporary art oriented toward the sublime, and on the revisions of Enlightenment nature this involves.
Improving the data access control using blockchain for healthcare domain
Authors: Tahir Yinka Olaosebikan , Haw Su-Cheng , Yap Timothy Tzen Vun , Subramaniam Samini
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Unauthorized access to data is one of the most significant privacy issues that hinder most industries from adopting big data technologies. Even though specific processes and structures have been put in place to deal with access authorization and identity management for large databases nonetheless, the scalability criteria are far beyond the capabilities of traditional databases. Hence, most researchers are looking into other solutions, such as big data management. Methods

In this paper, we firstly study the strengths and weaknesses of implementing cryptography and blockchain for identity management and authorization control in big data, focusing on the healthcare domain. Subsequently, we propose a decentralized data access and sharing system that preserves privacy to ensure adequate data access management under the blockchain. In addition, we designed a blockchain framework to resolve the decentralized data access and sharing system privacy issues, by implementing a public key infrastructure model, which utilizes a signature cryptography algorithm (elliptic curve and signcryption). Lastly, we compared the proposed blockchain model to previous techniques to see how well it performed.

Results

We evaluated the blockchain on four performance metrics which include throughput, latency, scalability, and security. The proposed blockchain model was tested using a sample of 5000 patients and 500,000 observations. The performance evaluation results further showed that the proposed model achieves higher throughput and lower latency compared to existing approaches when the workload varies up to 10,000 transactions.

Discussion

This research reviews the importance of blockchains as they provide infinite possibilities to individuals, companies, and governments.
Epilogue: Experiences in Ibero-America
Authors: Subirana Miriam
Published: September 2021

Son muchas las iniciativas y propuestas en Iberoamérica en las que la indagación apreciativa se aplica. Las oportunidades han sido y son enormes. Tenemos ejemplos en el mundo educativo, comunitario, empresarial y en administraciones públicas locales. La IA facilita lograr igualdad, inclusión, solidaridad y equidad empoderando a la mujer, a las niñas y niños y a las comunidades. There are many initiatives and proposals in Ibero-America in which Appreciative Inquiry is being applied. The opportunities have been, and are, enormous. We have examples in the educational, community, business and local public administrations. AI facilitates achieving equality, inclusion, solidarity and equity by empowering women, girls and boys, and communities.
Pulmonary Involvement Responsive to Enzyme Replacement Therapy in an Elderly Patient with Gaucher Disease
Authors: Vellas Dylan , Gramont Baptiste , Grange Rémi , Cathébras Pascal
Published: September 2021

Type 1 Gaucher disease (GD) is a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficient activity of beta-glucocerebrosidase, leading to accumulation of its substrate (glucosylceramide) in macrophages of the reticuloendothelial system, which are then referred to as Gaucher cells. The most frequent symptoms are asthenia, spleen and liver enlargement, bone abnormalities and cytopenia due to bone marrow infiltration. Lung involvement in GD is a rare finding, and it is unclear whether it may regress under enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) or substrate reduction therapy (SRT). Here we report a case of type 1 GD recently diagnosed in an elderly patient complicated by infiltrative lung disease, which responded to ERT.
Refugees, migrants and health
Authors: Winter George
Published: September 2021

George Winter discusses the continuing health disparities that exist for refugees and migrants, an issue that has only become more prevelant during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic
Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Promoted Highly Efficient and Benign Synthesis of
3,4-Dihydropyrimidine-2(1H)-one/thione Derivatives
Authors: Bagul Vinayak R.
Published: September 2021

Using the synthetic potential of recyclable zinc oxide(ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs), a proficient, elegant, and rapid one-pot synthesis of a variety of 3,4-dihydropyrimidine-2(1H)-one/thione derivatives from the1,3-dicarbonyl compound, urea/thiourea, and various aromatic aldehydes havebeen unveiled in the present research. TheZnONPs were synthesized by theco-precipitation method. The powder X-ray diffraction method was employed for the determination of thecrystallite size of the synthesized ZnONPs.The hexagonal phase was obtained in the XRD pattern of the synthesized ZnO NPs with anaverage crystallite size of 25 nm.The current synthetic strategy offers excellent yields, a short reaction time, favorable reaction conditions, easy transformation, non-chromatographic product purification, and catalyst recyclability. Furthermore, the catalyst could be retrieved and reused without losing any of its catalytic activity. As a result, this elegant protocol is an adequate method fordihydropyrimidinone/thione synthesis.
Ultracompact and broadband silicon-based polarization-independent 1 × 2 power splitter using a shallowly etched multimode interference coupler
Authors: Chen Yufei , Xiao Jinbiao
Published: September 2021

An ultracompact and broadband silicon-based polarization-independent power splitter is proposed by utilizing a multimode waveguide with a shallowly etched tapered slot. For input TM mode, it is divided into two beams via adiabatic mode evolution, since it cannot be well supported in the etched region, analogous to a Y-branch, and then propagates through two output channels. As to the input TE mode, unaffected by the shallowly etched slot, a twofold image is formed via self-imaging effect, corresponding to a normal multimode interference coupler, and then equally divided into two output channels. As a result, power splitting for both polarizations is realized simultaneously. Results show that there is an insertion loss of

<

0.4

d
B

(0.2 dB) and a reflection loss of

<

−

25

d
B

(

−

35

d
B

) for the TE (TM) polarization over the broad wavelength range of 1310 to 1870 nm, while having a device length of only 5.8 µm. Additionally, fabrication tolerances to the key structural parameters are studied in detail, and field evolution through the proposed device for both polarizations is illustrated.
Single-pixel camera based on a spinning mask
Authors: Jiang Wenjie , Jiao Junpeng , Guo Yan , Chen Binglin , Wang Yurong , Sun Baoqing
Published: September 2021

Single-pixel imaging (SPI) has been intensively studied in recent years for its capacity to obtain 2D images using a non-pixelated detector. However, the traditional modulation modality using an iteratively refreshed spatial light modulator has significantly restricted its imaging speed, which is a primary barrier to its widespread application. In this work, we propose and demonstrate a new, to the best of our knowledge, SPI scheme using a spinning mask for modulation. An annular binary mask is designed and spun to perform fast spatial modulation, neglecting the iterative modulation modality that limits SPI speed. A multi-spectral SPI system at 100 frames per second is demonstrated, covering a wide range of spectra, from ultraviolet to short-wave infrared light. We believe that this elegant and low-cost scheme will enable SPI to pave its way for practical application.
Extraordinary transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect through excitation of bulk plasmon polariton modes in type II magneto-optical hyperbolic metamaterials
Authors: Diaz-Valencia B. F.
Published: September 2021

In this work, we theoretically demonstrate the giant increment of the transversal magneto-optical Kerr effect in a type II hyperbolic metamaterial composed of four pairs of dielectric/metal layers, where the dielectric material presents magneto-optical activity. The enhancement is a consequence of high localization of the electromagnetic field inside the metamaterial given by excitation of the lowest order—bulk plasmon polariton mode.
Femtosecond laser inscribed helical sapphire fiber Bragg gratings
Authors: Guo Qi , Liu Shanren , Pan Xuepeng , Wang Bo , Tian Zhennan , Chen Chao , Chen Qidai , Yu Yongsen , Sun Hongbo
Published: September 2021

This Letter reports a novel helical sapphire fiber Bragg grating (HSFBG) in a single crystal sapphire fiber with diameter of 60 µm fabricated by a 515 nm femtosecond laser. Due to the large refractive index modulation region and high structural symmetry of the HSFBGs, high-reflectivity and high-quality spectra can be prepared and additionally have good bending resistance. The spectral properties of HSFBGs with different helical diameters are studied. When the helical diameter is 30 µm, the reflectivity of HSFBG is 40%, the full width at half-maximum is 1.56 nm, and the signal-to-noise ratio is 16 dB. For the HSFBG bending test, the minimum bending radius is 5 mm, which can still maintain relatively good spectral quality. In addition, the HSFBG array with different periods has been successfully cascaded in a sapphire fiber. The experimental results of the HSFBG high-temperature test show that this HSFBG can work reliably at 1600°C, and the temperature sensitivity in the high-temperature range can reach 35.55 pm/°C. This HSFBG can be used in high-temperature and harsh environments, such as metal smelting and aeroengine structural health monitoring.
Towards a space-qualified Kerr-lens mode-locked laser
Authors: Feng Ye , Lamour Tobias P. , Ostapenko Hanna , McCracken Richard A. , Mandel Oliver , Weise Dennis , Reid Derryck T.
Published: September 2021

We report a 1.5-GHz Kerr-lens mode-locked (KLM) Yb:

Y

2

O

3

ring laser constructed by directly bonding the cavity components onto an aluminum baseplate. Stable unidirectional operation with an output power

≥

10

m
W

was obtained for pump-diode currents of 300–500 mA, corresponding to a total electrical power consumption of 1.5 W. After repetition rate stabilization, a comparison with a conventionally constructed identical laser showed a 50% reduction in phase noise. In free-running operation the bonded laser showed superior passive repetition rate stability. The bonding process follows an already proven integration approach in space-borne instrumentation, mapping a development pathway for KLM lasers in aerospace applications.
Dynamics of G6PD activity in patients receiving weekly primaquine for therapy of Plasmodium vivax malaria
Authors: Taylor Walter R. J. , Kim Saorin , Kheng Sim , Muth Sinoun , Tor Pety , Christophel Eva , Mukaka Mavuto , Kerleguer Alexandra , Luzzatto Lucio , Baird J. Kevin , Menard Didier
Published: September 2021

Background

Acute Plasmodium vivax malaria is associated with haemolysis, bone marrow suppression, reticulocytopenia, and post-treatment reticulocytosis leading to haemoglobin recovery. Little is known how malaria affects glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity and whether changes in activity when patients present may lead qualitative tests, like the fluorescent spot test (FST), to misdiagnose G6PD deficient (G6PDd) patients as G6PD normal (G6PDn). Giving primaquine or tafenoquine to such patients could result in severe haemolysis.

Methods

We investigated the G6PD genotype, G6PD enzyme activity over time and the baseline FST phenotype in Cambodians with acute P. vivax malaria treated with 3-day dihydroartemisinin piperaquine and weekly primaquine, 0·75 mg/kg x8 doses.

Results

Of 75 recruited patients (males 63), aged 5–63 years (median 24), 15 were G6PDd males (14 Viangchan, 1 Canton), 3 were G6PD Viangchan heterozygous females, and 57 were G6PDn; 6 patients had α/β-thalassaemia and 26 had HbE.

Median (range) Day0 G6PD activities were 0·85 U/g Hb (0·10–1·36) and 11·4 U/g Hb (6·67–16·78) in G6PDd and G6PDn patients, respectively, rising significantly to 1·45 (0·36–5·54, p<0.01) and 12·0 (8·1–17·4, p = 0.04) U/g Hb on Day7, then falling to ~Day0 values by Day56. Day0 G6PD activity did not correlate (p = 0.28) with the Day0 reticulocyte counts but both correlated over time. The FST diagnosed correctly 17/18 G6PDd patients, misclassifying one heterozygous female as G6PDn.

Conclusions

In Cambodia, acute P. vivax malaria did not elevate G6PD activities in our small sample of G6PDd patients to levels that would result in a false normal qualitative test. Low G6PDd enzyme activity at disease presentation increases upon parasite clearance, parallel to reticulocytosis. More work is needed in G6PDd heterozygous females to ascertain the effect of P. vivax on their G6PD activities.

Trial registration

The trial was registered (ACTRN12613000003774) with the Australia New Zealand Clinical trials (https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=363399&isReview=true).
Preventive training does not interfere with mRNA-encoding myosin and collagen expression during pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Mariano Thaoan Bruno , de Souza Castilho Anthony César , de Almeida Sabela Ana Karenina Dias , de Oliveira André Casanova , Cury Sarah Santiloni , Aguiar Andreo Fernando , Dias Raisa de Jesus Dutra , Cicogna Antonio Carlos , Okoshi Katashi , Junior Luis Antonio Justulin , Carvalho Robson Francisco , Pacagnelli Francis Lopes
Published: September 2021

To gain insight on the impact of preventive exercise during pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), we evaluated the gene expression of myosins and gene-encoding proteins associated with the extracellular matrix remodeling of right hypertrophied ventricles. We used 32 male Wistar rats, separated in four groups: Sedentary Control (S, n = 8); Control with Training (T, n = 8); Sedentary with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (SPAH, n = 8); and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension with Training (TPAH, n = 8). All rats underwent a two-week adaptation period; T and TPAH group rats then proceeded to an eight-week training period on a treadmill. At the beginning of the 11th week, S and T groups received an intraperitoneal injection of saline, and SPAH and TPAH groups received an injection of monocrotaline (60 mg/kg). Rats in the T and TPAH groups then continued with the training protocol until the 13th week. We assessed exercise capacity, echocardiography analysis, Fulton’s index, cross-sectional areas of cardiomyocytes, collagen content and types, and fractal dimension (FD). Transcript abundance of myosins and extracellular matrix genes were estimated through reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). When compared to the SPAH group, the TPAH group showed increases in functional capacity and pulmonary artery acceleration time/pulmonary ejection time ratio and decreases in Fulton’s index and cross-sectional areas of myocyte cells. However, preventive exercise did not induce alterations in col1a1 and myh7 gene expression. Our findings demonstrate that preventive exercise improved functional capacity, reduced cardiac hypertrophy, and attenuated PH development without interfering in mRNA-encoding myosin and collagen expression during PAH.
General and specific stress mindsets: Links with college student health and academic performance
Authors: Jenkins Anna , Weeks Molly S. , Hard Bridgette Martin
Published: September 2021

The goal of this cross-sectional, correlational study was to evaluate (a) whether beliefs about stress as enhancing versus debilitating (i.e., stress mindsets) vary across sources of stress that differ in duration (acute vs. chronic) and controllability, and (b) how general and source-specific stress mindsets relate to health and academic performance. College students (n = 498) self-reported their general and source-specific stress mindsets, perceived distress, health, coping, and GPA. Stress mindsets varied as a function of duration and controllability, and general stress mindsets were only weakly associated with source-specific mindsets. Consistent with previous research, general stress mindsets were associated with health, but some source-specific mindsets were more predictive of health than others—viewing stress from chronic controllable sources as debilitating was most predictive of poor mental and physical health. Measures of stress were also associated with health, and this association was moderated by stress mindsets, suggesting that viewing stress as enhancing can provide a psychological “buffer” against the negative effects of stress. Approach coping and perceived distress were examined as potential mediators of the links between stress mindset and health. Viewing stress as enhancing was related to greater use of approach coping and lower perceived distress, which in turn was related to better health. This research suggests that stress mindset interventions may benefit students’ health, and that interventions targeting mindsets for chronic controllable sources of stress may be more effective than general stress mindset interventions.
The rhetorical ideal of generation Z (based on a sociolinguistic experiment)
Authors: Shmakov Artem
Published: September 2021

This article at the intersection of rhetoric, communication science, psychology and sociology, examines the ideas about the rhetorical ideal of representatives of the so-called “generation Z” - young people born before 1995. For this purpose, the article describes the results of a sociolinguistic experiment conducted among students of the Altai branch of the RANEPA, within the framework of which the best, in the opinion of the respondents, orators of our time were identified and their qualities were described. Analyzing the data obtained, the author comes to the conclusion that the rhetorical ideal for representatives of generation Z is generally similar to Aristotelian and includes such qualities as openness, honesty, truthfulness, sincerity, professionalism, original presentation style, intellectuality, logical thinking and speech, creativity, sense of humor. Also important are a high level of proficiency in speech technologies, easy dispute, mastery of argumentation techniques, simplicity and intelligibility of speech; constant contact with the audience.
The Novel "Poor Folk" in the Context of Dostoevsky's Letters from the time of the Kuznetsk Events
Authors: Trukhan Elena
Published: September 2021

The article shows the connection between the epistolary novel "Poor Folk", the events of the biography of F. M. Dostoevsky and his epistolary legacy of the Kuznetsk period (1855-1857). The novel "Poor Folk" created in after -penal colony time is considered as a high standard for the author, as a self-reflection. The letters of F. M. Dostoevsky from the time of the Kuznetsk events, where there are several excerpts about "Poor Folk", are presented as a workbook, a creative laboratory, where the writer develops a new quality of artistic expression characteristic of his mature works. For Dostoevsky, the novel "Poor Folk" is not just a brilliant debut that opened the way to "great literature", but also a text that has prophetic and life-creating modes, and has connections with the events of his life in Kuznetsk. Repeated reference to it, the presence of several versions of the novel, speaks about the peculiarities of the author's creative thinking and the significance of this work for the writer.
Synonymous Groups of Expressive Vocabulary in Works by K. Amis
Authors: Zinina Julia , Ivshin Vasily
Published: September 2021

The article presents the results of expressive vocabulary analysis in the novels by a famous British literary critic, poet, prose writer and playwright of the second half of the XXth century, the Booker Prize winner and a university teacher Kingsley Amis. It briefly presents the artistic merits of his works and deals with individual Kingsley Amis’s writing style and the use of lexical ways to express emotions and evaluations when developing the plot of his stunning novels Lucky Jim and Russian Hide-and-Seek. The study shows that the language in the works by Kingsley Amis abounds in assessing words which express positive or negative assessment while featuring characters, their behaviour or different actions, describing the expression of certain emotional states. The analysis reveals, that among the various parts of speech of amplifying words and word combinations used in the novels, verbs and nouns turn out to have the largest number of synonymous groups.
Clonal propagation of black currant (Ribes nigrum L.)
Authors: Guseva K. Yu.
Published: September 2021

At the stage of transfer to soil, a scheme is defined that provides production of improved plantlets of thestudied varieties. 'Kuharsky's Memory' and 'Kanakhama' black сurrant varieties are characterized by high regenerativecapacity in vitro (the proportion of viable explants is 93.5 % and 96.4 %, respectively). At the multiplication stage, the influence of growth regulators (6-benzylaminopurine, gibberellic acid) on the morphogenesis of currant plantlets was studied. It shows their impact on such morphological indicators of development of plantlets as the height (cm), quantity, theaverage length of roots (cm). At the rooting stage, the concentration (0.5 mg/l) of auxin (β-indolylbutyric acid) was selected, the introduction of which into the rooting medium provided the maximum indicators of rhizogenesis: the numberand length of roots.
The content of carotenoids in the fruits of sea buckthorn in the forest-steppe zone of Altai Krai
Authors: Kondrateva I. A. , Borodulina I. D. , Zubarev Y. A.
Published: September 2021

The paper presents the results of a quantitative study of carotenoids in the fruits of sea buckthorn in 2018.The range of variability of feature with its degree of variation is revealed. Hybrids with high carotenoid content wereidentified. A correlation analysis was performed to determine the value of connection between the number of carotenoidsand the hydrothermal coefficient of the growing season.
Theoretical and practical aspects of clonal propagation of small fruit cultures
Authors: Malaeva E. V.
Published: September 2021

In vitro collection of berry crops in Volgograd Regional Botanical Garden has more than 150 species, cultivars and forms of the following families and genera: Grossulariaceae DC. (Grossularia Mill., Ribes L.) Caprifoliaceae Juss. (Viburnum L., Lonicera L.), Rosaceae Аdans. (Rubus L., Fragaria L.), Actinidiaceae Van-Tieghem (ActinidiaLindl.), Ericaceae (Vaccinium L.). As a result of the research, optimization of cultivation conditions at different stages ofmicropropagation of small fruit cultures was carried out. Optimal conditions of cultivation (type and concentration of thehormonal composition of the nutrient medium) at the stage of micropropagation, rooting and adaptation were selected.
Siberian and Far Eastern woody plants in the collection of BMSTU dendrological garden (Mytishchi branch)
Authors: Barsukov L.E. , Makhrova T.G
Published: September 2021

The work for the first time investigates the sanitary condition of Siberian and far Eastern plants introducersgrowing in the dendrological collection of the arboretum of the Bauman Moscow state technical University, assessestheir fruiting and gives an aesthetic evaluation. The ability of the studied plants to adapt to the climatic conditions of theMoscow region, as well as their introduction potential, is evaluated separately.
Seasonal rhythm of the development of Acer L. species upon introduction into the arboretum of the Botanical Garden of Moscow State University
Authors: Kazarova S. Y. , Boyko G. A.
Published: September 2021

This work analyzes the seasonal development of some representatives of the genus Acer L. growing inthe arboretum of the Botanical Garden of Moscow State University. M. V. Lomonosov. Of the 23 taxa studied, therepresentatives of the genus are distinguished by the greatest adaptability to the temperate continental climate of CentralRussia, having negative indicators of the atypicality coefficient with values from – 1,14 to – 0,15. Plants of this groupmainly have natural habitats in the temperate regions of the Far East, Central Asia, Europe, and North America. The leastadapted species have FA indices from 1,08 to 1,11, growing in the Eastern Transcaucasia , Iran, Japan.