bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Could cattle dung burning have contributed to the epidemic of COVID‐19‐associated mucormycosis in India? Results of an experimental aero‐mycological study
Authors: Kathirvel Soundappan , Muthu Valliappan , Rudramurthy Shivaprakash Mandya , Kaur Harsimran , Chakrabarti Arunaloke , Agarwal Ritesh
Published: June 2022

Background

Several hypotheses have been proposed for explaining the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19)‐associated mucormycosis in India, including the burning of cattle dung cakes, though no study has yet been conducted to support this claim.

Methods

We conducted an aero‐mycological study to evaluate whether Mucorales in the air increased during or after burning cattle dung cakes. We further compared the growth of Mucorales in the indoor air samples from houses with and without cattle. We also cultured fresh and dried cattle dung and soil samples for Mucorales.

Results

We noted no significant difference in the proportion of air samples growing Mucorales during (4/22 [18.2%]) and after (3/2 [13.6%]) cattle dung burning than that collected immediately before (4/22 [18.2%]). Mucorales were isolated in 15.4% of the indoor air samples obtained from different houses (both rural and urban); the proportion of samples growing Mucorales was not significantly different in households with and without cattle. We also observed growth of Mucorales in 6 of the 8 [75%] fresh and 3 of the 6 [50%] dried dung samples. The most common Mucorales isolated from soil and dung samples was Lichtheimia corymbifera, while Rhizopus arrhizus was the most common species isolated from indoor air samples.

Conclusions

We found no significant increase in the proportion of air samples growing Mucorales during or after burning cattle dung cake than that before. It seems unlikely that cattle dung burning contributes to the occurrence of mucormycosis.
High‐resolution in vivo monophasic gastric slow waves to quantify activation and recovery profiles
Authors: Han Henry , Cheng Leo K. , Paskaranandavadivel Niranchan
Published: June 2022

Background

Gastric bio‐electrical slow waves are, in part, responsible for coordinating motility. Spatial dynamics about the recovery phase of slow wave recordings have not been thoroughly investigated due to the lack of suitable experimental techniques.

Methods

A high‐resolution multi‐channel suction electrode array was developed and applied in pigs to acquire monophasic gastric slow waves. Signal characteristics were verified against biphasic slow waves recorded by conventional surface contact electrode arrays. Monophasic slow wave events were categorized into two groups based on their morphological characteristics, after which their amplitudes, activation to recovery intervals, and gradients were quantified and compared. Coverage of activation and recovery maps for both electrode types were calculated and compared.

Key Results

Monophasic slow waves had a more pronounced recovery phase with a higher gradient than biphasic slow waves (0.5 ± 0.1 vs. 0.3 ± 0.1 mV·s−1). Between the 2 groups of monophasic slow waves, there was a significant difference in amplitude (1.8 ± 0.5 vs. 1.1 ± 0.2 mV), activation time gradient (0.8 ± 0.2 vs. 0.3 ± 0.1 mV·s−1), and recovery time gradient (0.5 ± 0.1 vs. 0.3 ± 0.1 mV·s−1). For the suction and conventional contact electrode arrays, the recovery maps had reduced coverage compared to the activation maps (4 ± 6% and 43 ± 11%, respectively).

Conclusions and Inferences

A novel high‐resolution multi‐channel suction electrode array was developed and applied in vivo to record monophasic gastric slow waves. Slow wave recovery phase analysis could be performed more efficiently on monophasic signals compared with biphasic signals, due to the more identifiable recovery phases.
PI3Kγ is a novel regulator of TNFα signaling in the human colon cell line HT29/B6
Authors: Klaus Franz‐Leonard , Kirsch Cornelia , Müller Jörg P. , Huber Otmar , Reiche Juliane
Published: June 2022

Phosphoinositide 3‐kinases (PI3Ks) are a family of enzymes phosphorylating phospholipids in the membrane, thereby, promoting the PI3K/AKT signaling cascade. PI3Ks are involved in a variety of fundamental cellular functions, including tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)‐induced tight junction (TJ) impairment—a hallmark of inflammatory bowel diseases. Most of the studies analyzing the role of class I PI3K signaling in epithelial barrier maintenance did not decipher which of the isoforms are responsible for the observed effects. By using wild‐type and PI3Kγ‐deficient HT‐29/B6 cells, we characterized the functional role of PI3Kγ in these cells under inflammatory conditions. Measurement of the transepithelial electrical resistance and the paracellular flux of macromolecules revealed that monolayers of PI3Kγ‐deficient cells, compared with wild‐type cells, were protected against TNFα‐induced barrier dysfunction. This effect was independent of any PI3K activity because treatment with a pan‐PI3K inhibitor did not alter this observation. By immunostaining, we found correlative changes in the distribution of the TJ marker ZO‐1. Furthermore, the absence of PI3Kγ reduced the basal level of the pore‐forming TJ protein claudin‐2. Our study suggests a novel noncanonical, kinase‐independent scaffolding function of PI3Kγ in TNFα‐induced barrier dysfunction.
Efficacy of quadratus lumborum block on postoperative pain and side effects in patients who underwent urological surgery: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Cai Qiang , Liu Guoqing , Liu Zengchen , Gao Meiling , Huang Linsheng , He Fuhai , Liu Shangyu , Lin Yunhua , Wei Huixia , Dou Zhiqian , Liu Dexi , Hu Yang , Gong Xingrui
Published: June 2022

Background

Ultrasound‐guided quadratus lumborum block (QLB) is considered a novel nerve block for postoperative pain control. However, its efficacy after urological surgery remains unclear.

Objectives

The purpose of the current meta‐analysis was to evaluate the effects of the QLB block versus control (placebo or no injection) on postoperative pain and other adverse outcomes after urological surgery, providing extensive evidence of whether quadratus lumborum block is suitable for pain management after urological surgery.

Study design

Systematic review with meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov to collect studies investigating the effects of QLB on analgesia after urological surgery. The primary outcomes included visual analog scale (VAS) at rest and during movement, 24‐h postoperative morphine consumption, and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).

Results

Overall, 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were reviewed, including 751 patients who underwent urological surgery. The QLB group exhibited a lower VAS score postoperatively at rest or on movement at 0, 6, 12, and 24 h, with less 24‐h postoperative morphine consumption and lower incidence of PONV.

Limitations

Although the result is stable, heterogeneity exists in the current research.

Conclusions

QLB exhibited a favorable effect of postoperative analgesia with reduced postoperative complications at rest or during movement after urological surgery. However, it is still a novel technology at a primary stage, which needs further research to develop.
Captaining Men's Souls: Richard Hakluyt's Ministerial Works
Authors: Stevenson Emily
Published: June 2022

Richard Hakluyt, author of the major geographic compendium The Principal Navigations (1589; 1598–1600) spent much of his life in service to the English church, describing himself late in his career as ‘one publikely and anciently devoted to God's service’. Despite this, his religious profession has often been viewed within scholarship as secondary to his geographic work, and the apparent absence of any explicitly religious writings has made the details of his own beliefs difficult to ascertain. This article sheds fresh light on both Hakluyt's religious beliefs and their importance to his geographic works through analysis of previously unexamined manuscript notes form the early 1580s. These notes cover a lecture focusing on the third article and a sermon exhorting the need for ministerial vocations, both given by Hakluyt while at the University of Oxford, and offer insight into his religious beliefs. The analysis offered in this article demonstrates the integral importance of religion to Hakluyt's geographic work while simultaneously locating him within a wide continental network of theologians and writers to reassess the impact and reach of his ministerial role.
On Equity and Inequity in Thomas Hobbes's Dialogue
Authors: Corbin Thomas A.
Published: June 2022

The concept of equity is clearly important in Thomas Hobbes's philosophy. In his writings he repeatedly employs it in significant load bearing ways, particularly in the areas of civil law and governance. Equity is, however, not directly addressed in a sustained way in his core works and—perhaps even more frustratingly—it is often applied in ways which ask more questions about the concept than they answer. This presents an impediment to accurately understanding what equity really means to Hobbes. His late Dialogue Between a Philosopher and a Student of the Common Laws of England (1681) seems to offer a solution to this challenge. This work contains extensive discussion on equity, including on the application of equity in relationship to absolute rule. However, equity in the Dialogue is not always the same as what we see in Hobbes's core works. The question is, did Hobbes change his mind on equity? This article argues no. Hobbes did not change his mind on equity; rather, within the Dialogue he is engaging with a common understanding of the term as it existed in English law. Consequently, Hobbes's discussions here should not inform us about how equity fits into his philosophy.
Justifications for not sanctioning welfare clients: Social workers' implementation of the “wastage of resources” sanctioning directive in Poland
Authors: Trochymiak Mateusz Robert
Published: June 2022

Sanctioning welfare clients has become a fundamental practice for social policy based on behavioural conditionality. Although sanctioning practices have received attention in research focused on street‐level work, the way in which sanctioning practices are structured in an institutional context and used by caseworkers should be explored further. This study examines the implementation of the “wastage of resources” sanctioning directive in Polish social welfare offices, based on interviews with social workers and case studies conducted between 2019 and 2021. A research framework based on the street‐level work concept was used to indicate that sanctions were rarely used by social workers because of the administrative justification process, which overwhelmed them with the responsibility of proving sanction‐worthy circumstances. Catalogues of sanction‐worthy situations are developed by local‐level policy agents, social workers, welfare office managers, municipal courts and clients. However, generally, social workers adapt to the given context by disciplining clients informally and avoiding formal sanctions.
Ramifications of crop residue loading for soil microbial community composition, activity and nutrient supply
Authors: Lupwayi Newton Z. , Ellert Benjamin H. , Bremer Eric , Smith Elwin G. , Petri Renee M. , Neilson Jonathan A. D. , Janzen H. Henry
Published: June 2022

Variable results have been reported on the effects of crop residue loads on soil microbial properties. We investigated changes in soil bacterial composition, β‐glucosidase enzyme activity and nutrient bioavailability in response to wheat residue loading. The treatments included three levels of above‐ground wheat residues (removed, retained or supplemented), with or without fertilizer N. Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobia (the first two are copiotrophs) were less abundant where residues were removed than where residues were retained or supplemented, but the reverse was true for Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Chloroflexi and Nitrospirae (all oligotrophs, although some Actinobacteria can be copiotrophic). Actinobacteria were also less abundant where fertilizer N was applied, and the abundances of their genera (including Arthrobacter and Mycobacterium) increased where residues were removed, confirming that they were oligotrophic in this study. β‐diversity showed similar differences in the bacterial community structures because of residue management, but α‐diversity was not affected by residue management or N fertilizer. β‐glucosidase enzyme activities increased as C inputs increased with residue manipulation and N fertilizer. The enzyme activities increased with increasing residue loading in the 0–15 cm soil depth, but decreased with soil depth. Soil K supply increased with increasing residue loading, but nitrate‐N supply was highest with residue retention. These results demonstrate remarkable resilience of soil microbial functioning under a wide range of crop residue inputs, without adverse effects on enzyme activity attributable to inorganic N fertilizer. The increasing β‐glucosidase activity with increasing residue loading probably explains why crop residue return does not always increase soil C stocks.
Is price undertaking a more friendly protection policy than an anti‐dumping duty?1
Authors: Peng Cheng‐Hau , Hwang Hong , Kao Kuo‐Feng
Published: June 2022

It is generally believed that price undertaking is a more amicable protection policy for a foreign dumping firm than an anti‐dumping (AD) duty as the former allows the foreign dumping firm to keep the duty rents. However, this result contradicts the empirical finding in, who shows that only 41% of anti‐dumping measures in EEC end up with price undertaking in 1981–2001, even though firms can commit to a minimum price instead of being imposed with an anti‐dumping duty. From the perspective of the dumping firm, this paper shows that whether the price‐undertaking police is more or less amicable than the AD duty is contingent upon the competition modes of the firms in the industry.
A qualitative descriptive study of the role of nurse, allied health and physician middle managers who function as knowledge brokers in hospitals
Authors: Boutcher Faith , Berta Whitney B. , Urquhart Robin , Gagliardi Anna R.
Published: June 2022

Background

Knowledge brokers (KB) are increasingly being employed in health care to implement evidence‐based practice and improve quality of care. Middle managers (MMs) may play a KB role in the implementation of an innovative or evidence‐based practice in hospitals. However, how MMs' broker knowledge in hospitals and their impact on practice has not been adequately studied.

Aim

To describe the role that MMs play in brokering knowledge in hospitals and their impact.

Method

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted to generate a detailed description of MM experiences as KBs in hospitals. Data were collected using semi‐structured telephone interviews with MMs in Ontario, Canada. Participants were purposively sampled to ensure variation in MM characteristics and a diverse representation of perspectives. Data were collected and analyzed concurrently using an inductive constant comparative approach.

Results

Twenty‐one MMs from teaching and non‐teaching hospitals participated. MMs described 10 roles and activities they enacted in hospitals that aligned with published KB roles. We found differences across professional groups and hospital type. Teaching status emerged as a potential factor relating to how MM KBs were able to function within hospitals. MMs reported enhanced patient, provider, and organizational outcomes.

Linking Evidence to Action

Middle managers may play an important KB role in the implementation of evidence‐based practice in hospitals. An improved understanding of the KB roles that MMs play may be important in boosting evidence base practice in health care to ultimately improve quality of care. Administrators need a better understanding of the current KB roles and activities MMs enact as this may lead to more organizational structures to support MM KBs in health care.
A State-of-the-Art Review on Hemming: A Materials Processing Technology for Mechanical Joints
Authors: Gürgen Selim , Pruncu Catalin
Published: June 2022

Hemming is a material processing technology widely used in major sectors such as automotive and aerospace industries. As a mechanical joining process, hemming is applied to sheet metal components to build structural assemblies. In conventional hemming methods, dies and presses are used by designing product-specific tooling. In recent years, robot technologies have been integrated into this specific process to benefit from the advantages of flexible manufacturing systems. In this paper, a state-of-the-art review of the hemming process is presented based on a literature review. Since there is no background of collected works and systematic reviews, this work summarizes all the details and key points about hemming. This review fulfills the need for compiled knowledge at the right time because of two main reasons. First, there is no review currently on this issue to enlighten both industry and academia. Second, hemming technologies have been enhanced by the leading industrial companies without any contributions of written sources to the literature. In this work, the evolution of hemming technology is given from past to present. Deformation mechanisms in different hemming methods are presented. Effects of process parameters are discussed in terms of product quality, mechanics of materials, and manufacturing aspects. Lastly, recent developments in hemming technologies are given. Despite the availability of alternative joining methods, hemming remains at the forefront of metal joining processes due to its unrivaled simplicity.
On the scattering of a disk source by a rigid sphere for directivity broadening
Authors: Mellow Tim , Kärkkäinen Leo
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this study is to model a circular planar loudspeaker placed near a spherical reflector to broaden its directivity pattern, which would otherwise become increasingly narrow at high frequencies. Through ray tracing, it seems intuitively feasible to thus create a virtual point source at very high frequencies, but we provide a more rigorous analysis to determine what will happen at intermediate frequencies where the wavelength is of a similar magnitude to the diameter of the disk or sphere. We show that a smoother off-axis response is obtained with a dipole pressure source, which does not obstruct the scattered sound, rather than a monopole velocity source. Hence, an electrostatic loudspeaker, for example, would be more suitable than a dynamic one. The sphere may also serve as a spherical approximation of a human head, in which case the loudspeaker would become an open headphone that is not sealed to the ear.
Efficient independent vector extraction of dominant source (L)
Authors: Liao Lele , Cheng Guoliang , Gu Zhaoyi , Lu Jing
Published: June 2022

The complete decomposition performed by blind source separation is computationally demanding and superfluous when only the speech of one specific target speaker is desired. This letter proposes a computationally efficient blind source extraction method based on the fast fixed-point optimization algorithm under the mild assumption that the average power of the source of interest outweighs the interfering sources. Moreover, a one-unit scaling operation is designed to solve the scaling ambiguity for source extraction. Experiments validate the efficacy of the proposed method in extracting the dominant source.
The Importance of Textbooks in Kinesiology
Authors: Corbin Charles B. , Yu Hyeonho , Gill Diane L.
Published: June 2022

Physical education programs in the United States emerged in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Over time, physical education became the field of kinesiology with an established disciplinary base with multiple associated professions. Historical context is provided for five different eras. Textbooks, including those authored by National Academy of Kinesiology fellows, played an important role in the evolution of the field, providing direction, context, and content for both the subdisciplines and the professions. Arguments are offered for the value of textbooks as an important form of scholarship (the scholarship of integration), for the value of textbooks in providing visibility and real-world impact for the field of kinesiology, and for the value of associated textbook ancillary materials as teaching resources for faculty in institutions of higher learning.
Waking up melanoma
Authors: Baek Amy E.
Published: June 2022

Dormant melanoma cells in the lung can be reactivated by age-related environmental cues in the stroma.
Diagnosis, Management, and Future Control of Cholera
Authors: Chowdhury Fahima , Ross Allen G. , Islam Md Taufiqul , McMillan Nigel A. J. , Qadri Firdausi
Published: June 2022

Cholera, caused by
Vibrio cholerae
, persists in developing countries due to inadequate access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene. There are approximately 4 million cases and 143,000 deaths each year due to cholera.
Structure of Senecavirus A 3C Protease Revealed the Cleavage Pattern of 3C Protease in Picornaviruses
Authors: Meng Kaiwen , Zhang Lijie , Xue Xiaoyin , Xue Qinghong , Sun Miao , Meng Geng
Published: June 2022

Picornaviridae is a group of RNA viruses that harm both humans and livestock. 3C
pro
is an essential enzyme for picornavirus maturation, which makes it a promising target for antiviral drug development and a critical component for virus-like particle (VLP) production. However, the current challenge in the development of antiviral drugs and VLP vaccines includes the limited knowledge of how subsite structure determines the 3C
pro
cleavage pattern.
A Reverse Genetic Approach for Studying sRNAs in Chlamydia trachomatis
Authors: Wang Kevin , Sheehan Lauren , Ramirez Cuper , Densi Asha , Rizvi Syed , Ekka Roseleen , Sütterlin Christine , Tan Ming
Published: June 2022

Small RNAs (sRNAs) are a class of regulatory RNAs that play important roles in bacterial physiology and pathogenesis. In the intracellular bacterium
Chlamydia
, however, sRNAs are poorly understood, and functional studies have been limited to a heterologous system.
Reflections on Cyanobacterial Chromatic Acclimation: Exploring the Molecular Bases of Organismal Acclimation and Motivation for Rethinking the Promotion of Equity in STEM
Authors: Montgomery Beronda L.
Published: June 2022

Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic organisms that exhibit characteristic acclimation and developmental responses to dynamic changes in the external light environment. Photomorphogenesis is the tuning of cellular physiology, development, morphology, and metabolism in response to external light cues.
Turnover of Variant Surface Glycoprotein in Trypanosoma brucei Is Not Altered in Response to Specific Silencing
Authors: Sharif Mohamed , Garrison Paige , Bush Peter , Bangs James D.
Published: June 2022

African trypanosomes evade the host immune system by altering the expression of variant surface glycoproteins (VSGs) in a process called antigenic variation. VSG is essential, and when its synthesis is ablated by RNAi silencing, cells enter precytokinesis growth arrest as a means to maintain constant cell surface VSG levels.
Transitory Shifts in Skin Microbiota Composition and Reductions in Bacterial Load and Psoriasin following Ethanol Perturbation
Authors: Saville Charis R. , Metris Aline , Humphreys Gavin J. , O’Neill Catherine , Barrett Paul , Fernandez-Piquer Judith , McBain Andrew J.
Published: June 2022

An understanding of the timescales of commensal skin microbiota reestablishment following perturbation is required to inform consumer safety risk assessment and support product development. Following ethanol exposure, total bacterial populations and microbiome diversity recovered after 6 h.
miR-451a Regulates Neuronal Apoptosis by Modulating 14-3-3ζ-JNK Axis upon Flaviviral Infection
Authors: Chakraborty Surajit , Basu Anirban
Published: June 2022

Neuronal infection by JEV/WNV culminates into neuronal cell death thus contributing to signs and symptoms exhibited by patients that suffer from and that have recovered from JEV/WNV-induced encephalitis. In the present study we have evaluated the role of miRNA in promoting flavivirus-induced neuronal apoptosis. miR-451a has been demonstrated to promote neuronal cell death by targeting 14-3-3ζ protein function.
Ploidy Variation and Spontaneous Haploid-Diploid Switching of Candida glabrata Clinical Isolates
Authors: Zheng Qiushi , Liu Jing , Qin Juanxiu , Wang Bingjie , Bing Jian , Du Han , Li Min , Yu Fangyou , Huang Guanghua
Published: June 2022

The human fungal pathogen
Candida glabrata
has long been thought to be a haploid organism. Here, we report the population structure and ploidy states of 500 clinical isolates of
C. glabrata
from China.
Evolution of Multiple Domains of the HIV-1 Envelope Glycoprotein during Coreceptor Switch with CCR5 Antagonist Therapy
Authors: Du Yueqi , Wu Ellen , Gao Xiang , Zhang Jie , Martin John C. , Rosa Bruce A. , Mitreva Makedonka , Ratner Lee
Published: June 2022

This study is novel in combining single-genome sequence analysis and next-generation sequencing to characterize HIV-1 quasispecies. The work highlights the importance of mutants present at frequencies of 1% or less in development of drug resistance. This study highlights a critical role of specific amino acid substitutions outside V3 that contribute to coreceptor shift as well as important roles of the V1/V2, V4, C3, and C4 domain residues.
Crustal transpressional fault geometry influenced by viscous lower crustal flow
Authors: Yang Haibin , Moresi Louis N. , Quigley Mark , Kahraman Metin , Kalafat Doğan
Published: June 2022

The San Andreas fault (California, USA) is near vertical at shallow (<10 km) depth. Geophysical surveys along the San Andreas fault reveal that, at depths of 10–20 km, it dips ~50–70° to the southwest near the Western Transverse Ranges and dips northeast in the San Gorgonio region. We investigate the possible origin of along-strike geometric variations of the fault using a three-dimensional thermomechanical model. For two blocks separated by transpressional faults, our model shows that viscous lower crustal material moves from the high-viscosity block into the low-viscosity block. Fault plane-normal flow in the viscous lower crust rotates the fault plane due to the simple shear flow at the brittle-ductile transition depth. This occurs irrespective of initial fault dip direction. Rheological variations used to model the lower crust of Southern California are verified by independent observations. Block extrusion due to lower crustal viscosity variation facilitates the formation of the Garlock Fault and sustains the geometric complexity of the fault.
Eruptive tempo of Emeishan large igneous province, southwestern China and northern Vietnam: Relations to biotic crises and paleoclimate changes around the Guadalupian-Lopingian boundary
Authors: Huang Hu , Huyskens Magdalena H. , Yin Qing-Zhu , Cawood Peter A. , Hou Mingcai , Yang Jianghai , Xiong Fuhao , Du Yuansheng , Yang Chenchen
Published: June 2022

The Emeishan large igneous province (LIP), southwestern China and northern Vietnam, is thought to have been a potential driver for the biotic crises and paleoclimate changes around the Guadalupian-Lopingian boundary (GLB; Permian), but the lack of high-precision radiometric dates to constrain the duration and eruption rates of the volcanism has limited the assessment of their relationship. We present new chemical abrasion–isotope dilution–isotope ratio mass spectrometry U-Pb zircon geochronology of three samples from the lowermost and uppermost parts of the volcanic succession in the central portion of the Emeishan LIP. The results demonstrate that Emeishan volcanism began by 260.55 ± 0.07 Ma and persisted until at least 257.22 ± 0.37 Ma. Combined with a previously published age of 259.1 ± 0.5 Ma for silicic ignimbrites, we estimate that ~85% of Emeishan LIP volume erupted within 1.45 ± 0.50 m.y. Our new results confirm that the Emeishan volcanism began slightly prior to the initiation of the associated mass extinction event and was contemporaneous with the associated warming interval. The new data support the hypothesis that the Emeishan LIP likely triggered the biotic crises and paleoclimate changes around the GLB.
Fifteen-minute consultation: How to communicate with parents who have a child on life support with no hope of recovery
Authors: Swanepoel Annie
Published: June 2022

A child on life support with no hope of recovery is the worst nightmare for parents and for paediatricians. Unfortunately, some children have illnesses or injuries that are not compatible with life. Being in a vegetative state with no meaningful interaction does not safeguard children from feeling discomfort and pain. Letting nature take its course and allowing the child to die may well be the least worse option. However, this decision is fraught with difficulties for parents and for clinicians and can lead to unnecessary and painful conflict between them, even leading to court proceedings. In this paper, the impact of having a child on life support is discussed and recommendations are given in order to improve professional communication. It is hoped that an understanding of the impact on parents, cultural considerations, and the psychiatric concepts of ‘denial’, ‘projection’, the ‘meta-level’, ‘transference’, ‘countertransference’ and the techniques of ‘motivational interviewing’ will help clinicians prevent a breakdown of trust and improve doctor–parent relationships in these tragic cases.
Regression of EGFR positive established solid tumors in mice with the conditionally active T cell engager TAK-186
Authors: Dettling Danielle E , Kwok Eilene , Quach Lucy , Datt Aakash , Degenhardt Jeremiah D , Panchal Anand , Seto Pui , Krakow Jessica L , Wall Russell , Hillier Brian J , Zhu Ying , Vinogradova Maia , DuBridge Robert B , May Chad
Published: June 2022

Background

Despite clinical success with T cell engagers (TCEs) targeting hematological malignancies, achieving a safe and efficacious dose in patients with solid tumors remains challenging. Due to potency, low levels of target antigen expression on normal tissues may not be tolerated. To overcome this, we engineered a novel conditionally active TCE design called COBRA (ConditionalBispecificRedirectedActivation). Administered as prodrugs, COBRAs bind to cell surface antigens on both normal and tumor tissues but are preferentially activated within the tumor microenvironment.

Methods

A COBRA was engineered to target EGFR, TAK-186. The potency of precleaved TAK-186 relative to a non-cleavable control was assessed in vitro. Mice bearing established solid tumors expressing a range of EGFR levels were administered a single bolus of human T cells, and concurrently treated with TAK-186 and associated controls intravenously. We assessed the plasma and tumor exposure of intact and cleaved TAK-186.

Results

TAK-186 shows potent redirected T cell killing of antigen expressing tumor cells. In vivo efficacy studies demonstrate regressions of established solid tumors, dependent on intratumoral COBRA cleavage. Pharmacokinetic studies reveal TAK-186 is stable in circulation, but once activated is rapidly cleared due to loss of its albumin-binding half-life extension domain.

Conclusions

The studies shown support the advancement of TAK-186, and the pursuit of additional COBRA TCEs for the treatment of solid tumors.
Impact of elevated left ventricular filling pressure on long-term outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Nair Raunak M , Chawla Sanchit , Verma Beni , Kumar Sachin , Abou Hassan Ossama , Ghimire Bindesh , Lak Hassan Mehmood , Chahine Johnny , Yun James , Puri Rishi , Reed Grant W , Krishnaswamy Amar , Harb Serge C , Kapadia Samir
Published: June 2022

Background

Increase in left ventricular filling pressure (FP) and diastolic dysfunction are established consequences of progressive aortic stenosis (AS). However, the impact of elevated FP as detected by pretranscatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) echocardiogram on long-term outcomes after TAVR remains unclear.

Objective

To understand the impact of elevated FP in patients with severe AS who undergo TAVR.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of all patients who underwent TAVR between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2017. The presence of elevated FP was determined in accordance with the latest guidelines using the last available comprehensive echocardiogram prior to TAVR.

Results

Of 983 patients who were included in our study, 422 patients (43%) were found to have elevated FP and 561 patients (57%) had normal FP prior to TAVR. Patients with elevated FP had a mean age of 81.2±8.6 years and were more likely to be males (62%), diabetic (41% vs 35%, p=0.046), and have a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation (Afib) (53% vs 39%, p<0.001). The 5-year all-cause mortality after TAVR was significantly higher in patients with elevated FP when compared with patients with normal FP (32% vs 24%, p=0.006). The presence of elevated FP, history of Afib and prior PCI emerged as independent predictors of long-term mortality after TAVR.

Conclusion

Elevated FP is associated with increased mortality in patients with severe AS undergoing TAVR. Assessment of FP should be incorporated into the risk assessment of AS patients to identify those who may benefit from early intervention.
Classical solutions of $$\lambda $$-deformed coset models
Authors: Katsinis Dimitrios , Panopoulos Pantelis
Published: June 2022

We obtain classical solutions of $$\lambda $$
λ
-deformed $$\sigma $$
σ
-models based on $$SL(2,{\mathbb {R}})/U(1)$$

S
L
(
2
,
R
)
/
U
(
1
)

and SU(2)/U(1) coset manifolds. Using two different sets of coordinates, we derive two distinct classes of solutions. The first class is expressed in terms of hyperbolic and trigonometric functions, whereas the second one in terms of elliptic functions. We analyze their properties along with the boundary conditions and discuss string systems that they describe. It turns out that there is an apparent similarity between the solutions of the second class and the motion of a pendulum.
Experimental evaluation of heat transfer effect on turbocompressor performance operating with helium-neon gas mixtures
Authors: Podeur Maxime , Vogt Damian M.
Published: June 2022

Within the framework of the Future Circular Collider (FCC) currently being investigated at CERN, the entire cryogenic cycle had to be revised with respect to the existing Large Hadron Collider (LHC). In particular, a novel pre-cooling cycle had to be developed for this purpose. This led to a closed-loop cryogenic cycle operating with a mixture of helium and neon, also called Nelium. To better understand the challenges and opportunities associated with the design and operation of radial compressors with such light gases, a closed loop test facility has been designed, built and commissioned at the ITSM (University of Stuttgart). The test facility has been developed to operate with air as well as with helium-neon gas mixtures of varying mixing ratios ranging from pure neon to pure helium. In this paper, the test facility architecture and operation procedure are briefly introduced together with a description of the newly installed compressor stage. Experimental performance measurements are then compared to adiabatic and diabatic numerical simulation validating respectively the pressure rise and diabatic stage efficiency for various gases. The heat transfer effect on compressor stage performance is then described and the respective contribution of the influencing factors are quantified.
Neferine Suppresses Experimental Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer by Inhibition of NF-κB p65 and STAT3
Authors: Zhou Yishan , Xiang Shuangli , Zheng Haoyi , Hou Ying , Wang Ying , Li Chuang-Chuang , Wu Qin , Shi Jingshan , Chen Xiuping
Published: June 2022

Colitis is an important risk factor for the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). The inhibitory effect and the underlying mechanism of neferine on colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CA-CRC) were investigated using an azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) triggered mice model. Compared with the CA-CRC model, oral treatment of neferine (2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the DAI scores, decreased the tumor number, and reduced the tumor size. Neferine decreased inflammatory cell infiltration and epithelial hyperplasia in colon tissues. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-[Formula: see text] (TNF-[Formula: see text], interleukin-1beta (IL-1[Formula: see text], and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in colon tissues were decreased by neferine. Furthermore, neferine significantly decreased protein expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), p-p65, and p-STAT3 in both tumor and non-tumor tissues. In addition, neferine inhibited LPS and IL-6-induced phosphorylation of both NF-[Formula: see text]B p65 and STAT3. Molecular docking demonstrated the interactions of neferine with both NF-[Formula: see text]B p65 and STAT3. In conclusion, these results suggested that neferine inhibited CA-CRC carcinogenesis possibly by regulating NF-[Formula: see text]B and STAT3. Neferine might be a lead compound for the chemoprevention of CA-CRC.
Evaluation of pion-nucleon sigma term in Dyson–Schwinger equations approach of QCD with three-constituent quark approximation
Authors: Wang Qi , Chen Huan , Huang Jing-Hui , Zheng Zi-Yue
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we study the pion-nucleon sigma term in Dyson–Schwinger equations approach of QCD with a three-constituent-quark approximation. The constituent quark mass is defined by the quark mass function obtained from the quark gap equation with various quark-gluon vertex and effective interaction models. We investigate the parameter dependence of the numerical results with fixed values of chiral condensate. We found that in all cases the numerical results of the pion-nucleon sigma term decrease with increasing constituent quark mass. Quantitatively, the dependence is insensitive to different interaction models, but is quite different with different quark-gluon vertices. Concerning the experimental results, we give the proper model and parameter range with which the theoretical value of pion-nucleon sigma term is consistent with the experiments.
Exact quantum-mechanical equations for particle beams
Authors: Silenko A. J.
Published: June 2022

The exact quantum-mechanical equations for beams of free particles including photons and for beams of Dirac and spin-1 particles in a uniform magnetic field have been derived. These equations present the exact generalizations of the well-known paraxial equations in optics (exact Helmholtz equation for light beams) and particle physics and of the previously obtained paraxial equation for a Dirac particle in a uniform magnetic field. Some basic properties of exact wave eigenfunctions of particle beams have been determined.
Tri-Modal Dense Video Captioning Based on Fine-Grained Aligned Text and Anchor-Free Event Proposals Generator
Authors: Niu Jingjing , Xie Yulai , Zhang Yang , Zhang Jinyu , Zhang Yanfei , Lei Xiao , Ren Fang
Published: June 2022

Multi-modal dense video captioning is a task using multiple information to detect all meaningful events and generate a textual description for each event. The existing works mainly rely on single visual or dual audio-visual modals in dense video captioning, while completely ignoring the text modal (subtitle). The text modal has a similar data structure as the video captions, which provides immediate semantic information to the content description for a video. In this paper, we propose a novel framework, called Two-Stage Cross-Modal Encoding Transformer Network (TS-CMETN), to realize the multi-modal dense video captioning task by fusing multiple features, including audio, visual, and text. First, we design a two-stage feature fusion encoder that hierarchically achieves the intra- and inter-modal information interaction. Second, we propose an anchor-free temporal event proposal module, which efficiently generates event proposals at each time step without the complex anchor calculation. Extensive experiments on the ActivityNet Captions dataset show that our proposed framework achieves high performance. Moreover, our approach can adaptively handle cases of the missing text modal. Our code and data are available at https://github.com/xieyulai/TM-CMETN .
k-Means Clustering with Optimal Centroid: An Optimization Insisted Model for Removing Outliers
Authors: Rahul Kumar , Banyal Rohitash Kumar
Published: June 2022

In data cleaning, the process of detecting and correcting corrupt, inaccurate or irrelevant records from the record set is a tedious task. Particularly, the process of “outlier detection” occupies a significant role in data cleaning that removes or eliminates the outlier’s that exist in data. Traditionally, more efforts have been taken to remove the outliers, and one of the promising ways is customizing clustering models. In this manner, this paper intends to propose a new outlier detection model via enhanced k-means with outlier removal (E-KMOR), which assigns all outliers into a group naturally during the clustering process. For assigning the point to be outliers, a new intra-cluster based distance evaluation is employed. The main contribution of this paper is to select cluster centroid optimally through a newly proposed hybrid optimization algorithm termed particle updated lion algorithm (PU-LA), which hybrids the concepts of LA and particle swarm optimization (PSO), respectively. Thereby, the proposed work is named as E-KMOR-PU-LA. Finally, the efficacy of the proposed E-KMOR-PU-LA model is proved through a comparative analysis over conventional models by concerning runtime and accuracy.
Small-Signal Processing Low-Overhead Operational Amplifier for delta-Sigma ADC
Authors: Tan Jinhui , Kuang Jishun , Hu Xing , Xiao Lin
Published: June 2022

Aiming at the fully differential (FD) sensing and high-precision small-signal output characteristics of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) gyroscopes, a low area overhead, high-gain, medium-speed, FD operation amplifier (Op-Amp) is designed for building a small-signal processing delta-Sigma analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The Op-Amp is a two-stage cascade structure, which combines folded cascade (FC) and gain-boosted technology to make the low frequency gain up to 129 dB, to meet the high-precision requirements of 18-bit delta-Sigma ADC. The first stage is FC gain-boosted structure, which uses a small bias current to achieve high-gain and low area overhead. In order to reduce the input noise, process smaller signals, the input pair adopts positive channel Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor (PMOS). The second-stage uses a large bias current to achieve a high unity gain bandwidth (UGB). Under the premise that the tail current source of the first stage is PMOS, in order to reduce the area overhead, abandoning the traditional common source (CS) structure of negative channel Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor (NMOS) input and PMOS as the current mirror load, adopting a new CS structure that PMOS input and NMOS used as independent bias current source. In this structure, the large overdrive voltage significantly reduces the size of transistors and greatly reduces the area overhead. The Op-Amp was implemented in SMIC 0.18 μm BCD process, 5 V supply voltage. Its post-layout simulation achieved a low-frequency gain of 129 dB, a UGB of 35 MHz and a phase margin (PM) of 62° for a load capacitance of 2 pF. Output voltage swings are ±3.71 V and including common mode feedback (CMFB), bias voltage generating circuit and filter capacitor, the area of Op-Amp is 167.162 μm × 200.82 μm. Behavioral-level verification shows that the designed Op-Amp meets the requirements of high-precision delta-Sigma ADCs.
HADAMARD FRACTIONAL CALCULUS ON TIME SCALES
Authors: SONG TING-TING , WU GUO-CHENG , WEI JIA-LI
Published: June 2022

This study defines a Hadamard fractional sum by use of the time-scale theory. Then a [Formula: see text]-fractional difference is given and fundamental theorems are proved. Initial value problems of fractional difference equations are presented and their equivalent fractional sum equations are provided. The discrete Mittag-Leffler function solutions of linear fractional difference equations are obtained. It can be concluded that the new discrete fractional calculus of Hadamard type is well defined.
CARDINALITY AND FRACTAL LINEAR SUBSPACE ABOUT FRACTAL FUNCTIONS
Authors: XIAO WEI
Published: June 2022

Since fractal functions are widely applied in dynamic systems and physics such as fractal growth and fractal antennas, this paper concerns fundamental problems of fractal continuous functions like cardinality of collection of fractal functions, box dimension of summation of fractal functions, and fractal linear space. After verifying that the cardinality of fractal continuous functions is the second category by Baire theory, we investigate the box dimension of sum of fractal continuous functions so as to discuss fractal linear space under fractal dimension. It is proved that the collection of 1-dimensional fractal continuous functions is a fractal linear space under usual addition and scale multiplication of functions. Particularly, it is revealed that the fractal function with the largest box dimension in the summation represents a fractal dimensional character whenever the other box dimension of functions exist or not. Simply speaking, the fractal function with the largest box dimension can absorb the other fractal features of functions in the summation.
FRACTAL DIMENSION OF MULTIVARIATE α-FRACTAL FUNCTIONS AND APPROXIMATION ASPECTS
Authors: PANDEY MEGHA , AGRAWAL VISHAL , SOM TANMOY
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we explore the concept of dimension preserving approximation of continuous multivariate functions defined on the domain [Formula: see text] (q-times) where [Formula: see text] is a natural number). We establish a few well-known multivariate constrained approximation results in terms of dimension preserving approximants. In particular, we indicate the construction of multivariate dimension preserving approximants using the concept of [Formula: see text]-fractal interpolation functions. We also prove the existence of one-sided approximation of multivariate function using fractal functions. Moreover, we provide an upper bound for the fractal dimension of the graph of the [Formula: see text]-fractal function. Further, we study the approximation aspects of [Formula: see text]-fractal functions and establish the existence of the Schauder basis consisting of multivariate fractal functions for the space of all real valued continuous functions defined on [Formula: see text] and prove the existence of multivariate fractal polynomials for the approximation.
Error analysis and numerical solution of generalized Benjamin–Bona–Mahony–Burgers equation using 3-scale Haar wavelets
Authors: Shukla Shitesh , Kumar Manoj
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we propose an extended numerical algorithm for the numerical solution of the Benjamin–Bona–Mahony–Burgers equation. This algorithm involves the application of wavelet theory. First, we use the Quasilinearization technique of linearization and apply the 3-scale Haar wavelet approach for truncation error. This algorithm is constructed from two wavelet functions that make it robust and highly accurate. A multi-resolution is used to generate the Haar basis function. We consider three cases of a mathematical problem for the accuracy of the presented algorithm. The obtained results show good agreement with analytical solutions and have better accuracy.