bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distributed multi‐agent optimisation via coordination with second‐order nearest neighbours
Authors: Ren Xiaoxing , Li Dewei , Xi Yugeng , Shao Haibin
Published: April 2020

The authors examine the distributed multi‐agent optimisation problem allowing each agent to explicitly utilise the information of its first‐order and second‐order nearest neighbours for cooperative decision‐making. Specifically, at each time instance, each agent in the network employs the states of its second‐order nearest neighbours at the last time instance, which can be transmitted from its first‐order nearest neighbours in practice. Under the proposed framework, they propose a distributed subgradient algorithm asymptotically leading all agents to an agreement on the optimal solution of the multi‐agent optimisation problem under an appropriate selection of stepsize. Furthermore, they show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the existing algorithms built on the assumption that only the states of first‐order neighbours are available in terms of the convergence rate.
Generation of passively Q‐switched ytterbium laser by using tungsten tri‐oxide film absorber
Authors: Shakir Al‐Hiti Ahmed , Al‐Masoodi Ahmed H. H. , Ru Wong Wei , Harun Sulaiman Wadi
Published: April 2020

This study experimentally demonstrates a Q‐switched fibre laser using a new tungsten tri‐oxide (WO3)‐based saturable absorber (SA). Using the drop and casting approach, we managed to prepare a thin film that contained WO3 powders in polyvinyl alcohol. A small bit of the film was used to form an SA which was placed in a ytterbium‐doped fibre laser cavity to generate a Q‐switched laser. The laser, operating at 1063.78 nm, was realised at the threshold pump power of 85 mW with a repetition rate of 23.87 kHz and a pulse width of 5.56 μs. At the pump power of 147 mW, the laser produced the maximum pulse energy of 625 nJ, signal‐to‐noise ratio of 59 dB, the repetition rate of 39.79 kHz and pulse width of 2.37 μs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of using WO3 SA to generate the pulse laser in the 1 μm region.
Prognose der sprachlichen Entwicklung von Late Talkers bis zum Alter von 3 Jahren
Authors: Buschmann Anke , Ziegler Christina
Published: April 2020

Hintergrund Es sollte die weitere sprachliche Entwicklung von Kindern, die mit 24 Monaten die Kriterien eines Late Talkers erfüllt hatten und mit 2½ Jahren noch immer als sprachentwicklungsverzögert eingestuft wurden, bis zum Alter von 3 Jahren erfasst werden. Zudem war es Ziel, prognostische Faktoren zu identifizieren, mittels derer ein Auf- bzw. Nicht-Aufholen bis zum Alter von 3 Jahren vorhergesagt werden kann.

Methode Mittels logistischer Regressionen wurden an einer Stichprobe von 43 Late Talkers verschiedene sprachliche und soziodemografische Variablen hinsichtlich ihres prognostischen Wertes für den Sprachstand mit 3 Jahren untersucht.

Ergebnisse 37 % der Late Talkers hatten den Sprachrückstand aufgeholt, 28 % zeigten eine sprachliche Schwäche und 35 % erfüllten die Kriterien einer Sprachentwicklungsstörung. Als signifikanter, prognostischer Faktor stellte sich die mit dem SETK-2 erfasste Fähigkeit zur Satzproduktion heraus. Nahezu alle Kinder mit weit unterdurchschnittlichen Ergebnissen wiesen Sprachdefizite mit 3 Jahren auf.

Diskussion Bei Kindern, die mit 24 Monaten als Late Talkers identifiziert werden, sollten mit 2½ Jahren die satzproduktiven Fähigkeiten standardisiert erfasst und bei deutlichen Defiziten eine Frühinterventionsmaßnahme initiiert werden.
F. X. Mayr im Wandel der Zeiten
Authors: Fegerl Sepp
Published: April 2020

Der Darm wird in seiner Bedeutung für die Gesamtheit des Organismus als immer wichtiger eingeschätzt. Die F. X. Mayr-Therapie bildet eine effektive ganzheitliche Therapiemethode mit großem Präventionspotenzial, aber auch um bestehende Gesundheitsstörungen effektiv und nachhaltig zu behandeln.

Mit den 4 Therapieprinzipien Schonung, Säuberung, Schulung, Substitution ist sie eine hervorragende Basismaßnahme, kann individuell abgewandelt und sehr gut mit anderen Therapiekonzepten kombiniert werden.
Kneipp-Therapie: Ganzheitliches Therapiekonzept im Aufwind
Authors: Bachmann Robert M.
Published: April 2020

Die Kneipp-Therapie bildet ein ganzheitliches Lebensstilkonzept mit den Elementen Hydro-, Ordnungs-, Ernährungs-, Bewegungs- und Heilpflanzentherapie. Es eignet sich hervorragend zur Prävention, aber auch zur Behandlung zahlreicher gesundheitlicher Störungen. Der Beitrag gibt einen Überblick mit Fokus auf der Hydrotherapie. Ein Anwendungsbeispiel illustriert die therapeutischen Möglichkeiten und das Vorgehen beim hypoton-orthostatischen Symptomenkomplex.
Tibetische Medizin
Authors: Hobert Ingfried
Published: April 2020

Die Tibetische Medizin bietet ein breites Instrumentarium zur ganzheitlichen Behandlung verschiedener Gesundheitsstörungen, aus der Erfahrung des Autors insbesondere bei psychosomatischen und funktionellen Erkrankungen. Spezielle diagnostische Möglichkeiten wie Puls-, Zungen- und Urindiagnostik, der Einbezug der 5-Elemente-Lehre sowie konstitutioneller Besonderheiten des Patienten erweitern das diagnostische Spektrum. Die therapeutischen Optionen umfassen Heilpflanzenrezepturen, Ernährungstherapie, spezielle Verfahren wie Schröpfen oder Akupunktur, spirituelle Therapien sowie die Änderung von Verhalten und Lebensgewohnheiten.

Die Stärke traditioneller Heilsysteme wie der Tibetischen Medizin zeigt sich insbesondere bei Gesundheitsstörungen, die schulmedizinisch noch nicht messbar sind. Sie können ursächlich mit einer individuell an den Patienten angepassten ganzheitlichen Behandlung angegangen werden.
Identification and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity of Meroterpenoids from Hericium erinaceus
Authors: Chen Baosong , Han Junjie , Bao Li , Wang Wenzhao , Ma Ke , Liu Hongwei
Published: April 2020

Hericium erinaceus is a very popular edible and medicinal mushroom used for the treatment of enervation and gastrointestinal diseases in Eastern Asia. Chemical investigation on the fruiting body of Hericium erinaceus led to the isolation of 4 new (1 – 4) and 10 known meroterpenoids (5 – 14). The structures of new compounds were determined via analysis of NMR and MS data in combination with chemical derivatization. The inhibitory activities of 1 – 14 against α-glucosidase were evaluated using p-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside, sucrose, or maltose as substrate. Compounds 6, 9, 11 – 13 were demonstrated to show the α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. This work confirms the potential of H. erinaceus in the treatment of diabetes.
Endoscopic vacuum therapy versus stenting for postoperative esophago-enteric anastomotic leakage: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Scognamiglio Pasquale , Reeh Matthias , Karstens Karl , Bellon Eugen , Kantowski Marcus , Schön Gerhard , Zapf Antonia , Chon Seung-Hun , Izbicki Jakob R. , Tachezy Michael
Published: April 2020

Background Esophageal anastomotic leakage still represents a challenging complication after esophageal surgery. Endoscopically placed self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) are the treatment of choice, but since the introduction of endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) for esophageal leakage 10 years ago, increasing evidence has demonstrated that EVT might be a superior alternative. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the effectiveness and related morbidity of SEMS and EVT in the treatment of esophageal leak.

Methods We systematically searched for studies comparing SEMS and EVT to treat anastomotic leakage after esophageal surgery. Predefined end points including outcome, treatment success, endoscopy, treatment duration, hospitalization time, morbidity, and mortality were assessed and included in the meta-analysis.

Results Five retrospective studies including 274 patients matched the inclusion criteria. Compared with stenting, EVT was significantly associated with a higher rate of leak closure (odds ratio [OR] 3.14, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.23 to 7.98), more endoscopic device changes (pooled median difference of 3.09; 95 %CI 1.54 to 4.64]), a shorter duration of treatment (pooled median difference –11.90 days; 95 %CI –18.59 to –5.21 days), and a lower mortality rate (OR 0.39, 95 %CI 0.18 to 0.83). There were no significant differences in short-term and major complications.

Conclusions Owing to the retrospective quality of the studies with potential biases, the results of the meta-analysis must be interpreted with caution. However, the analysis indicates the potential benefit of EVT, which should be further investigated with standardized and prospectively collected data.
Evaluation of a Single Intra-Articular Injection of Autologous Adipose Tissue for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Clinical Study in Dogs
Authors: Pavarotti Greta S. , Hivernaud Vincent , Brincin Mélanie , Roche Régis , Barreau Pierre , Festy Franck , Gauthier Olivier
Published: April 2020

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the safety, feasibility and clinical efficacy of a single intra-articular injection of autologous and purified micro-fragmented adipose tissue for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs.

Study Design Twenty-one client-owned dogs with radiographically confirmed OA were recruited into this prospective study. Lameness and discomfort were evaluated by physical examination at day 0 and then 14, 30, 60 and 180 days after injection. Kinetic data and temporospatial parameters were obtained using a pressure-sensing walkway. Peak vertical force, vertical impulse and percentages of body weight distribution were determined. Owner perception data regarding their own dog's physical activity were also collected using the Canine Brief Pain Inventory.

Results Radiographic scores for OA from days 0 to 180 were similar, except in two dogs. No major side effects were noted after injection. Lameness and Canine Brief Pain Inventory scores were significantly lower at all time points compared with day 0. Post-injection results demonstrated gradual improvement of kinetic data up to day 180 compared with pre-treatment values: vertical impulse (>2.25%), peak vertical force (>5.32%) and percentages of body weight distribution (>3.6%). In dogs with elbow OA, gait analysis values significantly increased at all time points compared with day 0.

Conclusion Regenerative autologous adipose tissue injection therapy is a promising alternative to traditional analgesics treatment in patients with OA, associated with significant reductions in pain and lameness, delayed disease progression and improved quality of life.
Oral Hygiene Awareness on Patients Attending Dental OPD in A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences
Authors: Asok Anjhana , Bhandary Rahul , Shetty Mamatha , Shetty Smitha , Ramesh Amitha
Published: April 2020

Background- Oral hygiene is highly personalised concept and major public health concern that relies on an individual's culture and socio-economic status. Hence, it is imperative that health services should be made available to all rural/semi urban areas as well. Thus it is important to create awareness through various public health programs regarding oral hygiene and its effects on general health in order to change the total perspective of the patients towards dental problems to lead a healthy quality life.

Objective- Thus the aim of this study is to assess the oral hygiene awareness and their knowledge on different oral hygiene practices.

Materials and Methods- A total of 369 patients participated in the study.. The patients were interviewed on questionnaire basis. A self-reported questionnaire consisting of 26 multiple choice questions written in English were given to the patients.

Statistical analysis- Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage was used to assess the oral health awareness and oral hygiene practice among the subjects who are attending A.B Shetty Memorial Institute Of Dental Sciences, Derlakatte, Mangalore.

Results- The result of this study showed an acute lack of oral hygiene awareness and limited knowledge of oral hygiene practices. Most of the patients were not aware of the relationship between systemic and general health.

Conclusion- Hence there is an urgent need to educate and motivate the patients for better oral hygiene awareness and practises and conduct various health programs for the same.
Oxidative Stress Marker and Fibrinogen Level as Indicators of Severity of Diabetic Foot Ulcer
Authors: Oo Aung Myo , Lwin Ohn Mar , Kanneppady Sowmya Sham , Kanneppady Sham Kishor
Published: April 2020

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is the leading cause of lower extremity amputation and is very common in clinical practice. Oxidative stress is important in the pathogenesis of chronic wound and the lipid per oxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) is toxic molecule which is also associated with pathogenesis of chronic complications of diabetes mellitus. Fibrinogen is a recognized marker in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and increasing level predict an increased risk of amputation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the plasma MDA and fibrinogen are associated with severity of DFU. In this study, the plasma MDA and fibrinogen levels were determined in 23 normal subjects, 25 diabetes without ulcer patients, 24 mild DFU patients and 25 severe DFU patients. The results showed that mean plasma MDA levels of normal subjects, diabetes without foot ulcer patients, mild DFU patients and severe DFU patients were 0.98± 0.12 μmol/L, 1.3±0.21 μmol/L, 1.61±0.22 μmol/L and 2.3±0.35 μmol/L respectively. Mean plasma fibrinogen levels of normal subjects, diabetes without foot ulcer patients, mild DFU patients and severe DFU patients were 307± 61.5 mg/dl, 429±63.8 mg/dl, 513.6±77.8 mg/dl and 643.5±71.3 mg/dl respectively. We found out that mean plasma MDA level of severe DFU patients was significantly higher than that of other groups (p<0.001). Similarly, mean plasma fibrinogen level of severe DFU patients was significantly higher than that of normal subjects, diabetic without ulcer patients and mild DFU patients (p<0.001). Therefore, we concluded that the higher level of plasma MDA and fibrinogen are significantly associated with severity of DFU.
Executive Functioning in Healthy Aged Population in comparison to Young Adults Using Cognitive Estimation Test
Authors: S. Shrunga M , Sengolraj Livingston , B. Radish Kumar
Published: April 2020

Background and objective: Cognitive estimation is an important task in which people engage themselves in estimating the environment in different aspects of their life, such as; distance, quantity, size, weight etc The study was taken up to evaluate the cognitive estimation skills in Healthy Aged Population in comparison to Young Adults.

Methodology: A total of 40 healthy young and old adults participated in the study. The participants were divided into two groups. Cognitive Estimation Test (CET) was administered for both the groups. The CET, was modified to suit Indian population consisted of 18 questions under the domains of distance, quantity, size, weight, temperature and time. Responses were scored for Under-estimation (UE), Over-estimation (OE), Approximate answer (AA), and No answer (NA). Number of UE, OE, AA, and NA were calculated. Independent t-test was employed to find out the significant differences between the means of both the groups.

Results: Results revealed that young adults were better in estimating the environment when compared to healthy aged population, which was significant .Distance and size dimensions were remarkably affected in comparison to all other dimensions. Instances of No answers (NA) were higher in healthy aged population in comparison to young adults.

Conclusion: The results indicate that, the decline in cognitive estimation abilities is a part of healthy aging rather than a pathological condition. Thus CET can be used as a tool in the assessment and management of cognitive disorders.
Urinary tract infections by multidrug resistant Acinetobacter species- A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Mule Prashant , Patil Niranjan , Gaikwad Seema
Published: April 2020

Background: Acinetobacter species have emerged as important cause of nosocomial infections like pneumonia and urinary tract infections. Acinetobacter species are known to be highly resistant to commonly used antimicrobial agents. SinceAcinetobacter species are ubiquitous and have tremendous colonizing capacity, it is difficult to explain the role of Acinetobacter acquisition in the ICU and medical wards. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of urinary tract infection (UTI) caused by different Acinetobacter species in hospitalized patients and in the community and to analyze their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern.

Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective analysisfrom January 2016 to December 2017. Urine samples collected in appropriate sterile manner were screened for polymorphonuclear leucocytes and bacteria by routine microscopic examination. This was followed by plating on MacConkey's agar and Blood agar. Isolated Acinetobacter strains which are oxidase negative and non-lactose fermenters from MacConkey's agar were identified with Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to confirm the TM identification. Antibiotic susceptibility was performed by VitekCompact™ 2 (Biomeuriux, France) as per CLSI standards establishing MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration).

Results: Of the 429 isolates of Acinetobacterspecies from urinary tract, Acinetobacterbaumannii complex (78%) found to be the most common species followed by Acinetobacterjunii(10%) and Acinetobacterbaumannii(8%). Of the 334 (78%) isolates of Acinetobacterbaumannii complex from urinary tract, 73 (21.85%) isolates were resistant with doripenem, 62 (18.56%) with imipenem and 59 (17.66%) were resistant with meropenem with MIC values >=8 μg/ml. The rest of the isolates like Acinetobacterjunii, Acinetobacterjohnsonii, andAcinetobacterlwoffiiare found to be more sensitive with carbapenems with lower MIC values.

Discussion: The treatment of multidrug-resistant bacteria in hospitalized patients continues to be a challenge for the clinician's in routine practice. Acinetobacter baumannii complex has proven to be an important pathogen in health care associated infections with significant mortality and morbidity. The drug resistant nature of the pathogen and its unpredictable susceptibility patterns make empirical and therapeutic decisions even more difficult.

Conclusion: A. baumanniiis an important opportunistic agent of nosocomial UTI, especially in patients with longer hospitalization, antibiotic exposure, urinary catheterization and decreased immunity. High antimicrobial resistance and patient co-morbidities limit therapeutic choices. Hence, alternative therapeutic options are urgently needed to treat a patient with A. baumanniiinfection.
A Case Report of Meilodosis
Authors: Bhandary Satheesh Kumar , Mani Ivan Paraekulam , Aroor Rajeshwary , Bhat Vadisha
Published: April 2020

Meilodosis is an infection caused by a gram negative bacterium, Burkholderia pseudomallei associated with high fatality rates. This organism is a widely distributed environmental saprophyte found in soil and stagnant water in the endemic regions of south East Asia and 1 Australia. It was first diagnosed in Burma by Captain Alfred Whitmore, and his assistant, C.S. 2 Krishnaswami in 1911. Meilodosis is an emerging pathogen in South India predominantly due to negligent management and a delayed diagnosis.

The majority of the cases of B. pseudomallei infections are subclinicalwith the primary modality of transmission being through broken skin. The disease predominantly manifests in individuals 3 with diabetes mellitus, chronic renal disease and alcoholism. The majority of patients present 4 with pyrexia and localized skin ulcerations or abscesses. There is a high incidence of 5 pneumonia and septic shock following contamination. Transmission from a patient by droplet 6 spread is rare even with the presence of pulmonary melioidosis. Meliodosis of the head and neck region is not common, however it accounts for 40% of the cases of supportive parotitis in 7 children in Thailand and Cambodia. Diagnosis can be challenging due to its close symptomatic resemblance to tuberculosis. Isolation of the organism is difficult; this leads to poor identification of the causative agent and mismanagement.
Management of Congenital Muscular Torticollis (Cmt) with a Multidisciplinary Approach
Authors: Gattani Anurag , Bhat Vinaya , Hegde Chethan , Shetty Manoj , Hegde Padmaraj J. , Rai Ashish J. , Jaiswal Raj
Published: April 2020

Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT) is a rare condition which is seen in childhood where there is difficulty in rotating the neck and the head is tilted to one side following the stiffness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. When the patient reports for treatment during adulthood, a multidisciplinary approach involving surgical, prosthodontic and physiotherapy procedures are required. In this case report, the authors are describing successful management of an adult patient affected with CMT.
A Study On Health-Related Quality of Life Among The Stroke Patients In A Tertiary Care Hospital, Mangalore
Authors: Nesan G Shiny Chrism Queen , Kundapur Rashmi
Published: April 2020

Introduction : Stroke is a leading cause of death and acquired human disability in India. One dimension that is rarely measured, is health-related quality of life (HRQOL) which aims to assess the impact of disease from the perspective of the patient.

Objectives : To study the health-related quality of life among stroke patients within 3 months of stroke.

Materials & Methods : A hospital based study conducted on 20 stroke patients from the registry. The patients with fresh stroke attack and those who were attending the follow up within the first 3 months of the attack were enrolled in the study. Basic demographic data and the data of stroke outcomes were taken. HRQOL was evaluated using the Indian version of the Medical Outcomes Study 36 item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Frequency and percentages were calculated.

Results: It was seen that majority (55%) of patients expressed a fair physical domain post stroke. About 40% were of opinion that their physical domain was poor and the rest said that it was good (5%). Assessing the psychological domain, majority of the patients said it was poor. Of the 20 patients, 15 (75%) of them were scaled to have poor social domain and the rest (25%) said it was fair. About half (50%) of the patients showed that they had poor environmental domain. About 15% of them said that it was good. Majority (60%) of the patients had poor general health status.
Emergency Services Received By the Patients with the Standard Protocol of Emergency Room
Authors: Sequera Sonia Karen Liz , Cutinho Savitha Pramilda , Quadros Adriel Benita , Binny Stephy , Siangshai Wandashisha
Published: April 2020

Emergency Services are life saving measures for critically ill patients. If critically ill patients are not treated on time, the morbidity rates are likely to increase day by day. Hence, appropriate emergency care should be provided in each Emergency Department of the hospitals. This study intends to assess the Emergency Services provided to the patients in the Emergency Room of a hospital and also assess the level of patient satisfaction regarding the Services received.

Aims : To identify the services received by the patients in the emergency room and to find out the patient satisfaction regarding the services received and to associate satisfaction level of emergency services with selected demographic variables.

Settings and Design : Emergency department of a selected medical college hospital, Mangaluru and a Cross sectional descriptive study design.

Material and Methods : A protocol based checklist of Emergency Services and a Semantic Differentiation scale to assess the satisfaction level of emergency services.

Statistical analysis used : Frequency, Percentage, Mean, Standard Deviation and Chi-Square for association.

Results : The major findings of the study shows that out of 60 patients 55% rated the services available as very good, 43% as good & 2% as satisfactory and with regard to satisfaction level, 90% patients were satisfied regarding the Emergency Services received in an Emergency Room.

Conclusions : Pooled results showed that majority of the patients were satisfied with the emergency Services received and rated the available services as very good. Hence it reveals that the health care professionals of the selected hospital followed the emergency protocol of the hospital.
An Unusual Presentation of Glucose Transporter Type 1 Deficiency Syndrome
Authors: G. Saritha , S. Bhavani
Published: April 2020

Glucose serves as the major energy sources for developing brain. In the resting state, the adult brain can consume up to 25% of the body's total glucose supply, while in infants and children it can use as much as 80%. Glucose entry into brain occurs via glucose transporter proteins GLUTs). They are five GLUTs protein. Out of five GLUTs 1 and GLUTS 3 are located in brain, with GLUTs-1 found in blood brain barrier and choroid plexus and GLUTs-3 found in neurons. Glucose transporter type 1 deficiency syndrome is an impaired glucose transport into the brain as the result of a mutation of the SLC2A1 gene leads to development of a metabolic encephalopathy of developing brain.
Comparative Evaluation of Pre-Donation Haemoglobin Screening Methods
Authors: Rao Chandrika , S. Sanjana D.
Published: April 2020

Background:The pre-donation haemoglobin (Hb) estimation is the only laboratory test done on blood donors to determine an individual's eligibility to donate blood with an intention to prevent bleeding an anaemic donor. With availability of wide range of screening methods, no single technique has emerged as the most appropriate and ideal for screening blood donors. The primary objective of the study was to compare results of copper sulphate method and haemoglobin meter with the gold standard Cyanmeth hemoglobin (CyanHb) method.

Materials and methods : Prospective observational study done in 238 blood donors. Sample analyses were done using Copper sulphate solution, haemoglobin meter and Cyanmeth haemoglobin method.

Results : Mean values of three methods Cyanmeth haemoglobin, and Haemoglobin meter methods are 12.5±2.2, and 13.08±1.61 respectively. Haemoglobin values obtained by haemoglobin meter and copper sulphate methods were comparable, with sensitivity of 94.25% and 94.47% respectively.

Conclusion : CuSo4 method and haemoglobin meter can be used alternatively based on resources available. The higher values obtained by CyanHb method could be due to turbidity factor of the lipids in the blood sample.
Electron transport across nanocrystalline diamond films: Field emission and conducting atomic force microscopic investigations
Authors: Kolekar S. K. , Godbole R. V. , Godbole V. P. , Dharmadhikari C. V.
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we report synthesis of nano-crystalline diamond (n-C diamond) films using DC-plasma assisted hot filament chemical vapor deposition. The films are characterized by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The films were found to be uniform and well adherent to crystalline ⟨100⟩ and ⟨111⟩ on silicon substrates. Comparative studies were carried out using field emission microscopy and conductive atomic force microcopy to investigate the mechanism of electron transport across the n-C diamond films in far field and near field geometries. The former is important in the context of field emission display devices, and the latter is important as a gate electrode for field effect transistors. The I–V characteristics in both the cases obeyed the Fowler–Nordheim equation. Various parameters, viz., turn-on voltage, threshold voltage, and field enhancement factors, were estimated. The power spectral density of noise in field electron emission current exhibited P(f) = A·I2/f2 behavior. The results are discussed in the light of the present understanding of the mechanism of field emission from n-C diamond films.
Control of n-type electrical conductivity for cubic boron nitride (c-BN) epitaxial layers by Si doping
Authors: Hirama Kazuyuki , Taniyasu Yoshitaka , Yamamoto Hideki , Kumakura Kazuhide
Published: April 2020

n-type Si-doped cubic boron nitride (c-BN) (001) layers were heteroepitaxially grown on insulating diamond (001) substrates by ion-beam-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The Si donor ionization energy (ED) was estimated to be about 0.24 eV from the temperature dependence of the electron concentration, taking the screening effect into account. Thanks to the low concentration of residual impurities in the MBE-grown c-BN epitaxial layer, the resistivity can be widely varied from about 1 × 108 Ω cm for an undoped c-BN layer to 260 Ω cm for a Si-doped one with a dopant concentration of 1.5 × 1019 cm−3.
Coexistence of bistable multi-pulse chaotic motions with large amplitude vibrations in buckled sandwich plate under transverse and in-plane excitations
Authors: Zhang W. , Wu Q. L. , Zhang Y. F. , Zheng Y.
Published: April 2020

This paper researches the dynamic snap-through phenomena and the coexistence of the multi-pulse jumping chaotic dynamics in bistable equilibrium positions and the large amplitude nonlinear vibrations for a simply supported buckled 3D-kagome truss core sandwich rectangular plate under combined transverse and in-plane excitations based on the extended high-dimensional Melnikov method. According to the two-degree-of-freedom non-autonomous nonlinear dynamical system of the buckled truss core sandwich rectangular plate and the theory of normal form, it is found that some nonlinear terms have less effects on the nonlinear dynamic responses than other nonlinear terms. The extended high-dimensional Melnikov method is employed to investigate the dynamic snap-through phenomena and the bistable multi-pulse jumping chaotic vibrations around the upper-mode and the lower-mode for two different cases of buckling in the truss core sandwich rectangular plate. A numerical method is used to detect the bistable multi-pulse jumping chaotic vibrations around two stable equilibrium positions for the non-autonomous buckled truss core sandwich rectangular plate. The obtained theoretical and numerical results indicate that there exists the coexistence of the bistable multi-pulse jumping chaotic vibrations and the large amplitude nonlinear vibrations in the buckled truss core sandwich rectangular plate under combined transverse and in-plane excitations.
Terahertz emission from in-plane and out-of-plane dipoles in layered SnS2 crystal
Authors: Lei Zhen , Huang Yuanyuan , Fan Zeyu , Du Wanyi , He Chuan , Wang He , Jin Yanping , Xu Xinlong
Published: April 2020

We investigated the terahertz (THz) radiation mechanism of the layered tin sulfide (SnS2) crystal via THz emission spectroscopy. Under non-resonant excitation, THz generation from SnS2 is mainly due to the optical rectification effect, which is verified by the azimuthal angle, polarization angle, and pump fluence dependence of the THz signals. Further incident angle dependent THz signals suggest that the optical progress happened at the surface of SnS2 with both in-plane and out-of-plane photon-induced dipoles. This work puts forward THz emission spectroscopy as a noninvasive characterization tool for the in-plane and out-of-plane photon-induced dipoles in layered materials.
Simple optical knife-edge effect based motion detection approach for a microcantilever
Authors: Kim Wonki , Kouh Taejoon
Published: April 2020

Here, we describe a simple optical motion detection method for a microcantilever by positioning a microcantilever in front of a photodetector and focusing a light to the side of the cantilever in the in-plane direction. The out-of-plane vibration of the microcantilever, acting as an knife-edge itself, modulates the amount of light reaching the photodetector, allowing the alternate motion detection scheme. The method presented offers the optical responsivity around 0.3 mW/μm, which is high enough to observe the thermomechanical fluctuations of a microcantilever in order of a few pm/Hz. The demonstrated detection scheme can reduce the complexity and the relative size of the detection configuration, often required in the conventional methods, and would be useful as a complementary technique to existing ones.
Magnetic flux pumping in superconducting loop containing a Josephson
ψ
junction
Authors: Mironov S. , Meng H. , Buzdin A.
Published: April 2020

We demonstrate that a Josephson junction with a half-metallic weak link integrated into the superconducting loop enables the pumping of magnetic flux piercing the loop. In such a junction, the ground state phase ψ is determined by the mutual orientation of magnetic moments in two ferromagnets surrounding the half-metal. Thus, the precession of magnetic moment in one of the two ferromagnets controlled, e.g., by the microwave radiation, results in the accumulation of the phase ψ and subsequent switching between the states with different vorticities. The proposed flux pumping mechanism does not require the application of voltage or an external magnetic field, which enables the design of electrically decoupled memory cells in superconducting spintronics.
A scientific theory of gist communication and misinformation resistance, with implications for health, education, and policy
Authors: Reyna Valerie F.
Published: April 2020

A framework is presented for understanding how misinformation shapes decision-making, which has cognitive representations of gist at its core. I discuss how the framework goes beyond prior work, and how it can be implemented so that valid scientific messages are more likely to be effective, remembered, and shared through social media, while misinformation is resisted. The distinction between mental representations of the rote facts of a message—its verbatim representation—and its gist explains several paradoxes, including the frequent disconnect between knowing facts and, yet, making decisions that seem contrary to those facts. Decision makers can falsely remember the gist as seen or heard even when they remember verbatim facts. Indeed, misinformation can be more compelling than information when it provides an interpretation of reality that makes better sense than the facts. Consequently, for many issues, scientific information and misinformation are in a battle for the gist. A fuzzy-processing preference for simple gist explains expectations for antibiotics, the spread of misinformation about vaccination, and responses to messages about global warming, nuclear proliferation, and natural disasters. The gist, which reflects knowledge and experience, induces emotions and brings to mind social values. However, changing mental representations is not sufficient by itself; gist representations must be connected to values. The policy choice is not simply between constraining behavior or persuasion—there is another option. Science communication needs to shift from an emphasis on disseminating rote facts to achieving insight, retaining its integrity but without shying away from emotions and values.
Loss of nucleus accumbens low-frequency fluctuations is a signature of chronic pain
Authors: Makary Meena M. , Polosecki Pablo , Cecchi Guillermo A. , DeAraujo Ivan E. , Barron Daniel S. , Constable Todd R. , Whang Peter G. , Thomas Donna A. , Mowafi Hani , Small Dana M. , Geha Paul
Published: April 2020

Chronic pain is a highly prevalent disease with poorly understood pathophysiology. In particular, the brain mechanisms mediating the transition from acute to chronic pain remain largely unknown. Here, we identify a subcortical signature of back pain. Specifically, subacute back pain patients who are at risk for developing chronic pain exhibit a smaller nucleus accumbens volume, which persists in the chronic phase, compared to healthy controls. The smaller accumbens volume was also observed in a separate cohort of chronic low-back pain patients and was associated with dynamic changes in functional connectivity. At baseline, subacute back pain patients showed altered local nucleus accumbens connectivity between putative shell and core, irrespective of the risk of transition to chronic pain. At follow-up, connectivity changes were observed between nucleus accumbens and rostral anterior cingulate cortex in the patients with persistent pain. Analysis of the power spectral density of nucleus accumbens resting-state activity in the subacute and chronic back pain patients revealed loss of power in the slow-5 frequency band (0.01 to 0.027 Hz) which developed only in the chronic phase of pain. This loss of power was reproducible across two cohorts of chronic low-back pain patients obtained from different sites and accurately classified chronic low-back pain patients in two additional independent datasets. Our results provide evidence that lower nucleus accumbens volume confers risk for developing chronic pain and altered nucleus accumbens activity is a signature of the state of chronic pain.
Optimizing
Rhizobium-
legume symbioses by simultaneous measurement of rhizobial competitiveness and N
2
fixation in nodules
Authors: Mendoza-Suárez Marcela A. , Geddes Barney A. , Sánchez-Cañizares Carmen , Ramírez-González Ricardo H. , Kirchhelle Charlotte , Jorrin Beatriz , Poole Philip S.
Published: April 2020

Legumes tend to be nodulated by competitive rhizobia that do not maximize nitrogen (N
2
) fixation, resulting in suboptimal yields. Rhizobial nodulation competitiveness and effectiveness at N
2
fixation are independent traits, making their measurement extremely time-consuming with low experimental throughput. To transform the experimental assessment of rhizobial competitiveness and effectiveness, we have used synthetic biology to develop reporter plasmids that allow simultaneous high-throughput measurement of N
2
fixation in individual nodules using green fluorescent protein (GFP) and barcode strain identification (Plasmid ID) through next generation sequencing (NGS). In a proof-of-concept experiment using this technology in an agricultural soil, we simultaneously monitored 84 different
Rhizobium leguminosarum
strains, identifying a supercompetitive and highly effective rhizobial symbiont for peas. We also observed a remarkable frequency of nodule coinfection by rhizobia, with mixed occupancy identified in ∼20% of nodules, containing up to six different strains. Critically, this process can be adapted to multiple
Rhizobium
-legume symbioses, soil types, and environmental conditions to permit easy identification of optimal rhizobial inoculants for field testing to maximize agricultural yield.
Application study of Mn-doped PIN-PMN-PT relaxor ferroelectric crystal grown by Vertical Gradient Freeze method
Authors: Jiang Zibo , Ye Zuo-Guang
Published: April 2020

A 3-inch Mn:PIN-36%PMN-32%PT (Generation III) relaxor ferroelectric crystal was grown using the Vertical Gradient Freeze method. Crystals of [1, 11] and [111] orientations were prepared and studied, evaluating their dielectric constants, piezoelectric coefficients, electromechanical
coupling coefficients, loss tangents and pyroelectric coefficients. It is shown that in pyroelectric applications, [111]-poled crystals are particularly suitable for high performance sensors due to a relatively high pyroelectric coefficient, low loss tangent. In addition, the specific heat
is lower as compared to LiTaO3. It is also shown that the alternating current (AC) poling has a more significant effect on the [001]-poled crystal than on the [011]- and [111]-poled crystals due to the lattice distortion induced by a strong electric field along the [001] direction.
Sensing of endogenous nucleic acids by ZBP1 induces keratinocyte necroptosis and skin inflammation
Authors: Devos Michael , Tanghe Giel , Gilbert Barbara , Dierick Evelien , Verheirstraeten Maud , Nemegeer Josephine , de Reuver Richard , Lefebvre Sylvie , De Munck Jolien , Rehwinkel Jan , Vandenabeele Peter , Declercq Wim , Maelfait Jonathan
Published: April 2020

Aberrant detection of endogenous nucleic acids by the immune system can cause inflammatory disease. The scaffold function of the signaling kinase RIPK1 limits spontaneous activation of the nucleic acid sensor ZBP1. Consequently, loss of RIPK1 in keratinocytes induces ZBP1-dependent necroptosis and skin inflammation. Whether nucleic acid sensing is required to activate ZBP1 in RIPK1-deficient conditions and which immune pathways are associated with skin disease remained open questions. Using knock-in mice with disrupted ZBP1 nucleic acid–binding activity, we report that sensing of endogenous nucleic acids by ZBP1 is critical in driving skin pathology characterized by antiviral and IL-17 immune responses. Inducing ZBP1 expression by interferons triggers necroptosis in RIPK1-deficient keratinocytes, and epidermis-specific deletion of MLKL prevents disease, demonstrating that cell-intrinsic events cause inflammation. These findings indicate that dysregulated sensing of endogenous nucleic acid by ZBP1 can drive inflammation and may contribute to the pathogenesis of IL-17–driven inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis.
Quantum state estimation with nuisance parameters
Authors: Suzuki Jun , Yang Yuxiang , Hayashi Masahito
Published: April 2020

In parameter estimation, nuisance parameters refer to parameters that are not of interest but nevertheless affect the precision of estimating other parameters of interest. For instance, the strength of noises in a probe can be regarded as a nuisance parameter. Despite its long history in classical statistics, the nuisance parameter problem in quantum estimation remains largely unexplored. The goal of this article is to provide a systematic review of quantum estimation in the presence of nuisance parameters, and to supply those who work in quantum tomography and quantum metrology with tools to tackle relevant problems. After an introduction to the nuisance parameter and quantum estimation theory, we explicitly formulate the problem of quantum state estimation with nuisance parameters. We extend quantum Cramér–Rao bounds to the nuisance parameter case and provide a parameter orthogonalization tool to separate the nuisance parameters from the parameters of interest. In particular, we put more focus on the case of one-parameter estimation in the presence of nuisance parameters, as it is most frequently encountered in practice.
Invited Commentary: The Epidemiology of Electronic Cigarettes and Reproductive Health Begins
Authors: Savitz David A
Published: April 2020

Harlow et al. (Am J Epidemiol. 2021;190(3):353–361) are among the first to tackle the complex subject of electronic cigarette use and reproductive health, focused on fecundity but pertinent to the full spectrum of reproductive health concerns. Despite extensive documentation of the health harm from tobacco use and a shared exposure to nicotine, electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) users have a markedly different exposure profile. Because e-cigarettes might help to curtail or eliminate tobacco smoking, the health comparisons of interest for e-cigarettes should include cigarette smoking as well as no use of such products. These researchers confront significant methodological challenges in the study of reproductive health effects of e-cigarettes: addressing confounding with little information on the characteristics of e-cigarette users, a complex connection between e-cigarette and tobacco use, multiple and poorly understood exposure to e-cigarette vapors, and lack of a standard method for quantifying exposure. Evidence is urgently needed to inform regulation and individual decisions regarding the use of this potentially harmful product that might well entice new users of nicotine, some of whom progress to tobacco use, but that also has the potential to enable otherwise recalcitrant smokers to substitute a less harmful product.
Prevalence of Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Antibodies in Persons With Hypertension and Relation to Blood Pressure and Medication
Authors: Philogene Mary Carmelle , Han Dingfen , Alvarado Flor , Fedarko Neal S , Zonderman Alan B , Evans Michele K , Crews Deidra C
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

We aimed to determine the prevalence of antibodies against angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1RAb) in hypertensive adults and elucidate the relation of antihypertensive medication type to blood pressure (BP) among persons with and without AT1RAb.

METHODS

Sera from participants in the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study with hypertension were tested for AT1RAb using a commercial Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (One Lambda; positive ≥17 units/ml). BP measurements, uncontrolled BP (systolic BP ≥140 and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg), and effect of BP medication type were compared for AT1RAb positive (+) vs. negative (−) participants using descriptive statistics and multivariable regression.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty-two (13.1%) participants were AT1RAb+. Compared with AT1RAb−, AT1RAb+ persons were more likely to be white (47% vs. 36.7%; P = 0.03) but had similar comorbid disease burden. In models adjusting for age, sex, and race, AT1RAb+ persons had higher diastolic BP (β = 2.61 mm Hg; SE = 1.03; P = 0.01) compared with AT1RAb− participants. Rates of uncontrolled BP were similar between the groups. AT1RAb+ persons on an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB; n = 21) had a mean of 10.5 mm Hg higher systolic BP (SE = 4.56; P = 0.02) compared with AT1RAb+ persons using other BP medications. The odds of uncontrolled BP among AT1RAb+ participants on an ARB was 2.05 times that of those on other medications. AT1RAb− persons prescribed an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) had 1.8 mm Hg lower diastolic BP (SE = 0.81; P = 0.03) than AT1RAb− persons not prescribed an ACEi.

CONCLUSIONS

AT1RAb was prevalent among hypertensive adults and was associated with higher BP among persons on an ARB.
A physician-pharmacist collaborative care model to prevent opioid misuse
Authors: Lagisetty Pooja , Smith Alex , Antoku Derek , Winter Suzanne , Smith Michael , Jannausch Mary , Mi Choe Hae , Bohnert Amy S B , Heisler Michele
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Clinical pharmacists in primary care clinics can potentially help manage chronic pain and opioid prescriptions by providing services similar to those provided within their scope of practice to patients with diabetes and hypertension. We evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a pharmacist-physician collaborative care model for patients with chronic pain.

Methods

The program consisted of an in-person pharmacist consultation and optional follow-up visits over 4 months in 2 primary care practices. Eligible patients had chronic pain and a long-term prescription for opioids or buprenorphine or were referred by their primary care physician (PCP). Pharmacist recommendations were communicated to PCPs via the electronic medical record (EMR) and direct communication. Mixed-methods evaluation included baseline and follow-up surveys with patients, EMR review of opioid-related clinical encounters, and provider interviews.

Results

Between January and October 2018, 47 of the 182 eligible patients enrolled, with 46 completing all follow-up; 43 patients (91%) had received opioids over the past 6 months. The pharmacist recommended adding or switching to a nonopioid pain medication for 30 patients, switching to buprenorphine for pain and complex persistent opioid dependence for 20 patients, and tapering opioids for 3 patients. All physicians found the intervention acceptable but wanted more guidance on prescribing buprenorphine for pain. Most patients found the intervention helpful, but some reported a lack of physician follow-up on recommended changes.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated that comanagement of patients with chronic pain is feasible and acceptable. Policy changes to increase pharmacists’ authority to prescribe may increase physician willingness and confidence to carry out opioid tapers and prescribe buprenorphine for pain.