bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organization of bleisure-tourists service as a factor of sustainable development of the tourism sector of the Rostov region
Authors: Petrenko Antonina , Ekinil Galina , Provotorina Valeria
Published: April 2023

This study is aimed at analyzing the features of the functioning of the hotel services market in the city of Rostov-on-Don and the Rostov region, identifying the factors of its sustainable development due to the organization of services for bleisure tourists. The paper presents a new format of travel in the tourism sector, convenient for the consumer of a certain business status. The article examines the features and trends in the development of bleisure tourism, assesses the total number of rooms of accommodation facilities in the city of Rostov-on-Don of a business nature and the range of additional hotel services they provide in order to identify opportunities in the field of serving bleisure tourists. The popularity of the new format is due to the large concentration in the labor market of a new type of people who prefer to combine work and personal life, as well as their desire to explore new places. The paper identifies the distinctive features of a bleisure trip, as well as identifies the main amenities and services that bleisure tourists are looking for in accommodation facilities. The intensive development of bleisure tourism contributes to the need to develop technologies for serving bleisure tourists in business hotels. The development of congress hotels and the intensification of the offer of business additional services is the main prerequisite for the active and successful promotion of bleisure tourism. The organization of services for bleisure tourists can become a highly profitable area for business hotels.
Complications from the cardiovascular system in children who have had COVID-19
Authors: Bobomuratov T.A. , Karimova N.A. , Tursunbayev A.K. , Nurmatova N.F.
Published: April 2023

The article discusses the state of the cardiovascular system in children who have had COVID-19, depending on the severity of the course of the infectious process. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the case histories of 88 children of various ages who were hospitalized with a confirmed diagnosis of a new coronavirus infection COVID-19 in September-November 2020.There were 48 boys (54.6%), girls - 40 (45.4%). According to the classification, the examined children were divided into 4 groups: pre-preschool period (1-3 years) - 9 (10.2%), pre-school period (from 3 to 7 years) - 32 (36.4%), junior school period ( 7-11 years old) - 29 (32.9%) and senior school period (from 12 to 16 years old) - 18 (20.4%) . An analysis of the characteristics of the course of COVID-19 depending on the severity showed that the moderate and severe course of the disease mostly developed in boys (58.5 and 60.0%), the mild course was typical for girls (66.7%).
Utilizing digital technologies for waste management
Authors: Sadinov Aziz , Rajabov Sherzod
Published: April 2023

This article is aimed at applying a new mechanism for improving an automated control system through methods for creating useful products from waste and developing innovative projects in a digital economy.
Pulmonary tuberculosis risks and challenges
Authors: Mejbel Fatima Abdul Hussein , Aljanaby Israa Abduljabbar Jaloob , AL hadrawi Kais Khudhair , Aljanaby Ahmed Abduljabbar Jaloob
Published: April 2023

Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) is an airborne bacterial infection that can be deadly if not treated. PTB is most common in developing countries, ecologically problematic, where it kills about 1 million people each year. Pulmonary tuberculosis is a dreaded disease that can have a devastating impact on its victims. Tuberculosis is a serious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It commonly affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body, such as the kidney, spine and brain. This review article discusses the PTB risks and challenges word wide. The global burden of TB remains high, with approximately one-third of the world's population being infected with the bacterium. Overall, more needs to be done to improve the management of TB worldwide in order to ensure that no person is left to suffer from the devastating effects of this disease.
On the dermatovenereological service of the Tselinny kray (1962–1963)
Authors: Nagaibayeva Zauresh , Kozina Valeria , Bissembayeva Zinakul , Mazhitova Zhanna , Kurbanova Dina , Saktaganova Zauresh
Published: April 2023

This article deals with the organization of dermatovenereological services for the population in 1962–1963 in the Tselinny kray. The authors analyze the complex of reasons that led to the weak development of this area of medicine in the northern regions of Kazakhstan. The measures of regional and local executive authorities for the development of medical services for the population are considered. A sharp increase in the population of virgin lands put on the agenda the issues of accelerated development of medical services, the construction of dispensaries, hospitals and clinics. The authors emphasize that the fight against the growth of dermatovenereological diseases caused by the beginning of mass migration of people to the development of virgin and fallow lands became an important area of health development. The authors conclude that notable successes in the development of the dermatovenereological service in the region, however, did not fully solve the emerging problems of disease prevention and treatment, which in turn led to the periodicity of updating this issue.
Digital transformation in education
Authors: Zizikova Svetlana , Nikolaev Petr , Levchenko Alexander
Published: April 2023

In modern conditions, the content of education requires updating and reaching the educational process to a completely new qualitative level. Many educational institutions are actively using digital technologies in their educational process. Based on the study of domestic and foreign literary sources, examples of the use of digital resources in the field of preschool, secondary and higher education are given. The authors of this article focus on the need not only to improve the quality of subject knowledge and master new competencies, but also the special role of working with young people in terms of educating and shaping a young person as a responsible and harmonious personality. The important directions of educational work in the process of training and education are determined. The paper presents approaches to the individual design of education and the requirements of digital education in general. The qualities that schoolchildren and students must possess for successful educational activities are listed. The authors have identified the main advantages and disadvantages of the digitalization of the educational process in educational institutions. The relevance of the study is dictated by the need to determine the main trends in the development of education in modern conditions. Innovations in the educational process associated with the introduction of digital technologies, at this stage of the development of education, need to be finalized and changed, taking into account the existing experience and strategic goals for the education and upbringing of the younger generation.
Protection of public's ecological concerns: current status and prospects for improvement
Authors: Pitulko Ksenia
Published: April 2023

The contemporary ecological situation in Russia is negatively influenced by economic and sanitary-hygienic factors, which can be defined as insufficiently prosperous. In addition, emergencies arising as a result of accidental circumstances or insufficient compliance with environmental safety requirements, violation of work rules, use of obsolete or environmentally hazardous equipment make a certain ”contribution” to its deterioration. Provided that the national economy is characterized by a varied diversity and optimistic growth rates, one cannot but notice that most sources of formation of the state welfare are ecologically harmful, contribute to the maintenance in an ecologically unfavorable condition of industrial facilities and adjacent territories, the formation of a significant mass of production and consumption waste. With the proclamation in Article 42 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation of the right of everyone to a prosperous environment, the state has the obligation to create appropriate legal instruments to implement this right and to maintain ecological safety at a high level. Nevertheless, due to the high degree of natural resource exploitation that persists to the present day, the rate at which these instruments are created is clearly inferior to the rate at which the negative impact on the natural environment is increasing. In the article a quantitative analysis of the risks and threats to the ecological interests of society arising in connection with anthropogenic impact on the environment and a qualitative analysis of the norms of the current legislation aimed at maintaining their protected state are carried out. Their results confirm the need for further improvement of legal instruments adequately protecting the environmental well-being of the population.
Best Practice Guideline – Empfehlungen der DEGUM zur Durchführung und Beurteilung der Mammasonografie
Authors: Vogel-Minea Claudia Maria , Bader Werner , Blohmer Jens-Uwe , Duda Volker , Eichler Christian , Fallenberg Eva Maria , Farrokh André , Golatta Michael , Gruber Ines , Hackelöer Bernhard-Joachim , Heil Jörg , Madjar Helmut , Marzotko Ellen , Merz Eberhard , Müller-Schimpfle Markus , Mundinger Alexander , Ohlinger Ralf , Peisker Uwe , Schäfer Fritz KW , Schulz-Wendtland Ruediger , Solbach Christine , Warm Mathias , Watermann Dirk , Wojcinski Sebastian , Dudwiesus Heiko , Hahn Markus
Published: April 2023

Die Mammasonografie hat sich seit vielen Jahren neben der Mammografie als wichtige Methode
zur Abklärung von Brustbefunden etabliert.

Der Arbeitskreis Mammasonografie der DEGUM beabsichtigt mit der „Best Practice Guideline“
den senologisch tätigen Kolleginnen und Kollegen neben dem in Teil I publizierten aktuellen
Dignitätskriterien- und Befundungskatalog in dem vorliegenden Teil II die additiven und
fakultativen Anwendungsmodalitäten zur Abklärung von Brustbefunden zu beschreiben und dazu
DEGUM-Empfehlungen zu äußern, um die Differenzialdiagnose von unklaren Läsionen zu
erleichtern.

Die vorliegende „Best Practice Guideline“ hat sich zum Ziel gesetzt, den Anforderungen zur
Qualitätssicherung und der Gewährleistung einer qualitätskontrollierten Durchführung der
Mammasonografie nachzukommen. Die wichtigsten Aspekte der Qualitätssicherung werden in diesem
Teil II der Best Practice Guideline erläutert.
Identification of High Platelet Reactivity Despite ADP P2Y12 Inhibitor Treatment: Two Populations in the Vasodilator-Stimulated Phosphoprotein Assay and Variable PFA-P2Y Shapes of Curve
Authors: Mariethoz Cyril , Scala Emmanuelle , Matthey-Guirao Elena , Rossel Jean-Benoît , Gomez Francisco Javier , Grandoni Francesco , Marcucci Carlo , Alberio Lorenzo
Published: April 2023

Introduction Response to ADP P2Y12 receptor inhibition by clopidogrel can be evaluated by various techniques. Here, we compared a functional rapid point-of-care technique (PFA-P2Y) with the degree of biochemical inhibition assessed by the VASP/P2Y12 assay.

Methods Platelet response to clopidogrel was investigated in 173 patients undergoing elective intracerebral stenting (derivation cohort n = 117; validation cohort n = 56). High platelet reactivity (HPR) was defined as PFA-P2Y occlusion time <106 seconds or VASP/P2Y12 platelet reactivity index (PRI) >50%.

Results In the derivation cohort, receiver operator characteristics analysis for the ability of PFA-P2Y to detect biochemical HPR showed high specificity (98.4%) but poor sensitivity (20.0%) and a very low area under the curve (0.59). The VASP/P2Y12 assay revealed two coexisting platelet populations with different levels of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) phosphorylation: a fraction of highly phosphorylated, inhibited platelets and another of poorly phosphorylated, reactive platelets. Analysis of the PFA-P2Y curve shape revealed different types, categorized by time of occlusion (<106 seconds, 106 to 300 seconds, >300 seconds), and pattern (regular, irregular, and atypical). Noteworthy, curves with late occlusion and permeable curves with an irregular or atypical pattern correlated with VASP-PRI >50% and smaller sizes of the inhibited platelet subpopulation. Considering the PFA-P2Y shape of the curve for the detection of HPR improved sensitivity (72.7%) and preserved specificity (91.9%), with a rather high AUC (0.823). The validation cohort confirmed the VASP/P2Y12 assay data and the usefulness of considering the PFA-P2Y curve shape.

Conclusion In patients treated with acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel for 7-10 days, the VASP/P2Y12 assay reveals two coexisting subpopulations of differentially inhibited platelets, whose relative sizes predict global PRI and distinct PFA-P2Y curve patterns, indicating incomplete clopidogrel efficacy. The detailed analysis of both VASP/P2Y12 and PFA-P2Y is necessary for optimal detection of HPR.
Endoscopic Management of Benign Airway Stenosis in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients
Authors: Fiorelli Alfonso , Pecoraro Alfonso , Failla Giuseppe , Blasio Francesco De , Rendina Erino Angelo , Venuta Federico , Andreetti Claudio
Published: April 2023

Background The aims of this study were to evaluate the results of endoscopic dilation for simple benign airway stenosis in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and whether COVID-19 infection was associated with higher rate of recurrence compared with a control group.

Methods It was an observational multicenter study including consecutive patients with simple benign airway stenosis undergoing endoscopic dilatation with at least 6 months of follow-up. The outcome of patients with COVID-19 infection was compared with that of a control group in relation to patient and stenosis characteristics, and procedure type. Then, univariable and multivariable analyses identified the risk factors for recurrence.

Results Seventy-nine patients were included in the study; 56 (71%) of these developed airway stenosis after COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 patients presented a higher rate of stenosis due to prolonged intubation (82 vs. 43%; p = 0.0014); no other differences were found regarding demographic data, characteristics of stenosis, and procedure type. Twenty-four (30%) patients had recurrence after first dilatation (32% for No-COVID-19 vs. 26% for COVID-19 group; p = 0.70), and in 11 (35%) of these, the stenosis recurred after repeated endoscopic treatment (65% for No-COVID-19 vs. 45% for COVID-19 group; p = 0.40). Subglottic stenosis (p = 0.013) and the use of laser (p = 0.016) were significant predictive factors for stenosis recurrence.

Conclusion COVID-19 infection did not affect the outcome of endoscopic treatment of simple airway stenosis, and the treatment of these subsets of patients should not differ from that of general population.
Molecular Farming Strategy for the Rapid Production of Protein-Based Reagents for Use in Infectious Disease Diagnostics
Authors: Shanmugaraj Balamurugan , Jirarojwattana Perawat , Phoolcharoen Waranyoo
Published: April 2023

Recombinant proteins are a major breakthrough in biomedical research with a wide range of applications from diagnostics to therapeutics. Strategic construct design, consistent expression
platforms, and suitable upstream and downstream techniques are key considerations to produce commercially viable recombinant proteins. The recombinant antigenic protein production for use
either as a diagnostic reagent or subunit vaccine formulation is usually carried out in prokaryotic or eukaryotic expression platforms. Microbial and mammalian systems dominate the
biopharmaceutical industry for such applications. However, there is no universal expression system that can meet all the requirements for different types of proteins. The adoptability of any
expression system is likely based on the quality and quantity of the proteins that can be produced from it. The huge demand of recombinant proteins for different applications requires an
inexpensive production platform for rapid development. The molecular farming scientific community has been promoting the plant system for nearly 3 decades as a cost-effective alternative to
produce high-quality proteins for research, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications. Here, we discuss how plant biotechnology could offer solutions for the rapid and scalable production of
protein antigens as low-cost diagnostic reagents for use in functional assays.
Management of Oral Parafunctional Habits: A Case Report
Authors: PS Murali , Achalli Sonika , Chandragiri Sandeep , Shetty Sameep
Published: April 2023

One of the most common problems seen in dental practice is oral parafunctional habits. Thumb sucking and tongue thrusting habits are by far the most common ones encountered. These have adverse effects on the dentition and the orofacial structure. Habit breaking appliances can be used to stop these habits and give best results if used at an early stage. Here we present two cases, one each of digit sucking and tongue thrusting treated effectively with habit breaking appliance.
Factors Associated with Recurrence in Chronic Subdural Hematoma following Surgery
Authors: Buakate Kritsada , Tunthanathip Thara
Published: April 2023

Background Recurrence is a frequent complication after surgery in a chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). This study aimed to describe the recurrent rate of CSDH after surgery. In addition, a secondary objective aimed to explore factors associated with the recurrence of CSDH after surgery.

Methods A total of 141 surgical CSDH patients were analyzed in this retrospective study. The Cox regression method was used to conduct both univariate and multivariate analyses of variables associated with recurrence. As a result, the cumulative incidence of recurrence for each covariate survival curve was built after the final model.

Results Twenty-two percent of the patients showed evidence of recurrence. Initially, four variables (Glasgow coma scale score 3–8, clopidogrel, operative time, and amount of irrigated saline) had potential factors in univariate analysis but only clopidogrel and amount of saline irrigation were significantly associated with CSDH recurrence.

Conclusion Preoperative clopidogrel and the amount of saline irrigation were found to be associated with the recurrence rate. Factors associated with CSDH recurrence should be developed and validated as the clinical prediction tool for implication in general practice.
Benign Hepatic Neoplasms: An Imaging Review
Authors: Behera Rajendra Kumar , Chandola Stuti , Goyal Ankur , Sharma Raju
Published: April 2023

Benign liver neoplasms are commonly encountered in clinical practice. Lesions like typical hemangioma may be confidently diagnosed on ultrasound, but for the majority of other liver lesions, multiphasic computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are usually warranted. In lesions like adenomas, making the diagnosis alone is not sufficient; rather subcategorization is important to optimally manage these cases. Additionally, commonly observed variant lesions like the inflammatory subtype of hepatocellular adenoma and focal nodular hyperplasia mimic each other, which exacerbates the diagnostic dilemma. When observing cystic lesions, mucinous cystic neoplasm of the liver (MCN-L) needs to be differentiated from the more common non-neoplastic etiologies like hydatid cysts. Radiologists should also be acquainted with features of rare hepatic neoplasms like angiomyolipoma, paraganglioma, and inflammatory pseudotumor. In this review, we discuss the salient features and differentiating points to suggest the most likely diagnosis.
The Use of Ultrasound Contrast in Interventional Radiology
Authors: Tantrige Priyan , Ballal Khalid , Kelly Michael , Stefanidis Konstantinos , Huang Dean , Sidhu Paul S. , Yusuf Gibran Timothy
Published: April 2023

Ultrasound contrast agents have gained increasing popularity due to the high level of safety, real-time improved visualization, and ability to detect vascularity. As a result, contrast-enhanced ultrasound lends itself well to interventional radiology including in preprocedure assessment, intraprocedural guidance, and postprocedure evaluation. The authors aim to demonstrate the wide utility of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in both vascular and nonvascular intervention.
Stillbirth Investigations: An Iconographic and Concise Diagnostic Workup in Perinatal Pathology
Authors: Sergi Consolato M. , Spencer Deborah , Al-Jishi Taher
Published: April 2023

Introduction Stillbirth is a dramatic event for the parents, health care team, and anyone close to the expectant parents. Multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings are essential to improve communication in health care. We review the most frequent findings discussed at MDT meetings.

Methods A PubMed search was conducted through December 2021 since the inception (1965) using clinical queries with the key terms “stillbirth” AND “investigation” AND “pathology” AND “human.” The search strategy included reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, and observational studies. This systematic review is based on, but not limited to, the search results. It is the experience of more than 30 years of pediatrics, obstetrics, and pathology staff.

Results Two hundred and six articles were screened and complemented through the perusal of congressional activities and personal communications. Pathological findings following perinatal death can be divided into macroscopic, histologic, and placental findings. The placenta is crucial in fetal medicine and is key in determining the cause of stillbirth in a substantial number of events. Perinatal lung disease is essential to evaluate the response of newborns to extrauterine life and address newborns' outcomes appropriately.

Conclusions Stillbirth remains one of the less explored areas of medicine, and we can determine the cause in a limited number of cases. Nevertheless, placental pathology is critical in the etiology discovery pathway. Accurate investigations and discussion of photography-supported findings are vital in promoting communication at MDT meetings.
Characteristics and Outcomes in Preterm Infants with Extubation Failure in the First Week of Life
Authors: Coughlin Katherine , Jen Phoebe , Katheria Anup
Published: April 2023

Objective This study aimed to evaluate characteristics and outcomes in preterm infants with extubation failures in their first week of life.

Study Design Retrospective chart review of infants born between 24 and 27 weeks' gestational age at the Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Newborns between January 2014 and December 2020 who had an extubation attempt within the first 7 days of life. Infants that were successfully extubated were compared with those who required reintubation in the first 7 days. Maternal and neonatal outcome measures were analyzed.

Results A total of 215 extremely preterm infants had an extubation attempt in the first 7 days of life. Forty-six infants (21.4%) failed extubation and were reintubated within the first 7 days. Infants who failed extubation had a lower pH (p < 0.01), increased base deficit (p < 0.01), and more surfactant doses prior to first extubation (p < 0.01). Birth weight, Apgar scores, antenatal steroid doses, and maternal risk factors such as preeclampsia, chorioamnionitis, and duration of ruptured membranes were not different between success and failure groups. Rates of moderate to large patent ductus arteriosus (p < 0.01), severe intraventricular hemorrhage (p < 0.01), posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (p < 0.05), periventricular leukomalacia (p < 0.01), and retinopathy of prematurity stage 3 or greater (p < 0.05) were higher in the failure group.

Conclusion In this cohort of extremely preterm infants that failed extubation in the first week of life, there were as increased risk of multiple morbidities. Base deficit, pH, and number of surfactant doses prior to first extubation may be useful tools in predicting which infants are likely to have early extubation success, but this needs prospective study.

Key Points
Factors Important to Patients when Making Treatment Decisions for Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Rucinski Kylee , Leary Emily , Royse Lisa A.
Published: April 2023

Patient treatment decisions for knee osteoarthritis (OA) are driven largely by the patient's physical examination and radiograph findings. Because multiple treatment options may be medically appropriate, it is imperative that the patient's voice be considered to better facilitate patient-centered treatment decisions. Concordance between physicians and patients on optimal treatment can vary, with few studies identifying the factors important to patients when making treatment decisions for knee OA. The goal of this analysis is to identify and synthesize subjective factors in the literature found to influence patient decision-making in a presurgical knee OA population, such that physicians and health care teams can become better equipped to help patients realize their specific treatment goals. This review was registered with PROSPERO and conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol. A systematic search was completed in four databases for search terms related to knee OA and decision-making. Articles were eligible for inclusion when they discussed (1) patients' thoughts, feelings, goals, and perceptions that factored into treatment deliberation and decision-making; and (2) related to knee OA. Twenty-four articles were identified, 11 qualitative studies and 13 quantitative studies. Synthesis of the included articles revealed three main themes that drive patient treatment decisions: (1) individual catalysts to pursue treatment including pain and mobility limitations, (2) interpersonal factors including social networks and clinician trust, and (3) risks versus benefits assessment including patients' beliefs and expectations. Only a few studies looked at nonoperative treatment decisions, and no studies looked at cohorts considering knee preservation surgeries. This study was completed to synthesize literature related to patient treatment decisions for nonoperative and surgical management of knee OA, finding that patients consider multiple subjective factors when choosing whether to move forward with treatment. Understanding how patients' beliefs determine their preferences for treatment can improve shared decision-making.
Radiological Approach to Liver Infections
Authors: Kumar Abhinandan , Garg Dollphy , Gupta Pankaj
Published: April 2023

Liver infections are a common and appropriate management depends on the accurate diagnosis. Imaging is an important part of the workup of patients with suspected liver infections. The imaging appearances depend on the causative agent. When imaging features are seen in context of the clinical presentation, biochemical features, and predisposing condition, a specific diagnosis is possible in a significant proportion of patients. In this review, we discuss the imaging-based approach to liver infections.
Emergence of Coxsackievirus A16 Causing Childhood Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease: First Molecular Evidence from Bangladesh
Authors: Hoque Sheikh Ariful , Anwar Kazi Selim , Khan Md. Azraf Hossain , Sultana Ummay Nasrin , Ali Md. Ahasan , Hossain Tania , Sharmin Laila Shamima , Kabir ARM Luthful , Mollah Md. Abid Hossain , Hoque Sk. Azimul , Khan Masuma , Pham Ngan Thi Kim , Khamrin Pattara , Okitsu Shoko , Hayakawa Satoshi , Ushijima Hiroshi
Published: April 2023

Objective Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), caused by various human enteroviruses (EVs), has emerged in the children of Bangladesh in recent years. However, the etiological agents of HFMD in Bangladeshi children are not yet elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the causative agents with molecular characterization.

Methods Viral RNAs were detected from the blister fluid samples by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; genotyping was done by sequence-based analysis of the partial viral capsid protein 1 (VP1) region, and the evolutionary relationships among the genotypes were investigated by phylogenetic analysis.

Results EV-RNAs were identified in 14 (61%) blister fluid samples out of 23 children who were suspected of HFMD during an outbreak in Rajshahi in 2020. Genome sequence analysis of the VP1 gene was performed on four strains: all the four were coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) that clustered in B1c subgenotype. These strains showed 95 to 98% nucleotide identity with those reported in India in 2013/2018.

Conclusion After our first report on clinical evidence of childhood HFMD in Bangladesh, this time, we provided laboratory confirmation of the emergence of CVA16 as a causative agent of HFMD in Bangladeshi children. There is an urgent need for nationwide, in-depth, clinicoepidemiological surveillance on HFMD including its virology and genetics before it becomes endemic in Bangladesh.
The Clinical, Laboratory, Etiological Profile and Outcome of Acute Necrotizing Encephalitis of Childhood (ANEC) in Tertiary Care Centre from Southern India
Authors: Gowda Vykuntaraju K. , Channabasappa Basavakumar , Shivappa Sanjay K. , Veerappa Basavaraja G. , Lakshmikantha Keshavamurthy Mysore
Published: April 2023

Acute necrotizing encephalitis of childhood (ANEC) is characterized by respiratory or gastrointestinal infection and high-grade fever accompanied by rapid alteration of consciousness and onset of seizures. Diagnosis is based on clinical presentation and characteristic neuroimaging features. The aim of this study was to report the etiological, clinical, and radiological findings and therapeutic outcomes of ANEC. This is a retrospective chart review of children aged 1 month to 18 years diagnosed with ANEC, from January 2017 to May 2022 at a tertiary care center in Bangalore, India. Of 36 patients, 17 were males, with age ranging from 10 months to 15 years. Major presenting complaints were altered sensorium in 36 (100%), fever in 33 (91.6%), and seizures in 27 (75%). The etiologies included dengue and chikungunya in 2 (5.5%) cases, Japanese encephalitis, influenza, and RAN binding protein 2 (RANBP2) in 1 (2.7%) case each, and unknown in 29 (80.5%) cases. Common findings of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain were abnormal signals in thalami in 20/20 (100%) and in brainstem in 11/20 (55%). Computed tomography (CT) of the brain done in all 16 cases showed thalamic hypodensities. All patients received empiric antibiotics, antivirals, and intravenous methylprednisolone. The modified Rankin scale showed excellent outcomes in 19/25 (76%), 3 were bedridden (8.3%), and 3 died (8.3%). ANEC is common in children under 5 years of age (76.7%). Altered sensorium, fever, and seizures were the main presenting symptoms. Genetic testing must be done in case of family history and recurrence. CT brain is also very useful in an emergency setup; MRI brain can be useful to suspect and prognosticate.
Metabolic compatibility and the rarity of prokaryote endosymbioses
Authors: Libby Eric , Kempes Christopher P. , Okie Jordan G.
Published: April 2023

The evolution of the mitochondria was a significant event that gave rise to the eukaryotic lineage and most large complex life. Central to the origins of the mitochondria was an endosymbiosis between prokaryotes. Yet, despite the potential benefits that can stem from a prokaryotic endosymbiosis, their modern occurrence is exceptionally rare. While many factors may contribute to their rarity, we lack methods for estimating the extent to which they constrain the appearance of a prokaryotic endosymbiosis. Here, we address this knowledge gap by examining the role of metabolic compatibility between a prokaryotic host and endosymbiont. We use genome-scale metabolic flux models from three different collections (AGORA, KBase, and CarveMe) to assess the viability, fitness, and evolvability of potential prokaryotic endosymbioses. We find that while more than half of host–endosymbiont pairings are metabolically viable, the resulting endosymbioses have reduced growth rates compared to their ancestral metabolisms and are unlikely to gain mutations to overcome these fitness differences. In spite of these challenges, we do find that they may be more robust in the face of environmental perturbations at least in comparison with the ancestral host metabolism lineages. Our results provide a critical set of null models and expectations for understanding the forces that shape the structure of prokaryotic life.
Electoral rewards for political grandstanding
Authors: Park Ju Yeon
Published: April 2023

Many assumed that legislators send political messages or even grandstand in expectation of gaining electoral rewards. However, largely due to a lack of proper data and measurements, this assumption has not been tested. Publicized committee hearings provide a unique environment to consistently observe changes in legislators’ speech patterns and test this assumption. Using House committee hearing transcripts from 1997 to 2016 and Grandstanding Scores–which capture the intensity of political messages conveyed in members’ statements in hearings–I find that an increase in a member’s messaging efforts in a given Congress leads to increased vote share in the following election. This suggests that legislators’ grandstanding remarks, often regarded as cheap talk, can be an effective electoral strategy. Additional findings suggest that PAC donors respond differently to members’ grandstanding behavior. Specifically, while voters react to members’ grandstanding positively but are ignorant about their legislative effectiveness, PAC donors are unmoved by members’ grandstanding behaviors and reward members’ effective law-making activities instead. These asymmetric reactions from voters and donors may provide members with a twisted incentive to appeal to voters merely by making impressive, political speeches while legislating in favor of organized interests, which raises concerns about how representative democracy works.
Evolution of acoustic signals associated with cooperative parental behavior in a poison frog
Authors: Moss Jeanette B. , Tumulty James P. , Fischer Eva K.
Published: April 2023

The emergence of complex social interactions is predicted to be an important selective force in the diversification of communication systems. Parental care presents a key social context in which to study the evolution of novel signals, as care often requires communication and behavioral coordination between parents and is an evolutionary stepping-stone toward increasingly complex social systems. Anuran amphibians (frogs and toads) are a classic model of acoustic communication and the vocal repertoires of many species have been characterized in the contexts of advertisement, courtship, and aggression, yet quantitative descriptions of calls elicited in the context of parental care are lacking. The biparental poison frog,
Ranitomeya imitator
, exhibits a remarkable parenting behavior in which females, cued by the calls of their male partners, feed tadpoles unfertilized eggs. Here, we characterized and compared calls across three social contexts, for the first time including a parental care context. We found that egg-feeding calls share some properties with both advertisement and courtship calls but also had unique properties. Multivariate analysis revealed high classification success for advertisement and courtship calls but misclassified nearly half of egg feeding calls as either advertisement or courtship calls. Egg feeding and courtship calls both contained less identity information than advertisement calls, as expected for signals used in close-range communication where uncertainty about identity is low and additional signal modalities may be used. Taken together, egg-feeding calls likely borrowed and recombined elements of both ancestral call types to solicit a novel, context-dependent parenting response.
The spontaneous symmetry breaking in Ta
2
NiSe
5
is structural in nature
Authors: Baldini Edoardo , Zong Alfred , Choi Dongsung , Lee Changmin , Michael Marios H. , Windgaetter Lukas , Mazin Igor I. , Latini Simone , Azoury Doron , Lv Baiqing , Kogar Anshul , Su Yifan , Wang Yao , Lu Yangfan , Takayama Tomohiro , Takagi Hidenori , Millis Andrew J. , Rubio Angel , Demler Eugene , Gedik Nuh
Published: April 2023

The excitonic insulator is an electronically driven phase of matter that emerges upon the spontaneous formation and Bose condensation of excitons. Detecting this exotic order in candidate materials is a subject of paramount importance, as the size of the excitonic gap in the band structure establishes the potential of this collective state for superfluid energy transport. However, the identification of this phase in real solids is hindered by the coexistence of a structural order parameter with the same symmetry as the excitonic order. Only a few materials are currently believed to host a dominant excitonic phase, Ta
2
NiSe
5
being the most promising. Here, we test this scenario by using an ultrashort laser pulse to quench the broken-symmetry phase of this transition metal chalcogenide. Tracking the dynamics of the material’s electronic and crystal structure after light excitation reveals spectroscopic fingerprints that are compatible only with a primary order parameter of phononic nature. We rationalize our findings through state-of-the-art calculations, confirming that the structural order accounts for most of the gap opening. Our results suggest that the spontaneous symmetry breaking in Ta
2
NiSe
5
is mostly of structural character, hampering the possibility to realize quasi-dissipationless energy transport.
Variation and society
Authors: Serrano María José
Published: April 2023

In Spanish,tener queandhaber que+ infinitive are modal periphrases that convey deontic meanings. The present investigation analyzes these periphrases as variants used in diverse communicative settings by different kinds of participants, acting as either speakers/writers or addressees.Tener que+ infinitive tends to appear in those contexts where a more striking implication or unavoidable recommendation is needed.Haber que+ infinitive is used more in a wide range of genres promoting a desubjectivizing-deontic meaning. As for the sex/gender of the participants, men more frequently usetener que+ infinitive, whereas women tend to employhaber que+ infinitive. The latter feature was also found to be significant when the sex/gender of the addressee is unknown; also,tener que+ infinitive resulted more frequently in texts to be read or listened by women. The sociolinguistic distribution of the meanings conveyed by each periphrasis helps to delineate communicative styles based on the objectivity-subjectivity dimension.
Moral foundations and perceptions of rape in Colombia (Fundamentos morales y percepciones del abuso sexual en Colombia)
Authors: Saldarriaga Laura , Olivera-La Rosa Antonio , Bohner Gerd
Published: April 2023

Two studies addressed links between moral foundations, political attitudes, religiosity and perceptions of rape in Colombian respondents. In Study 1, the authors developed a Colombian version of the Moral Foundations Questionnaire (MFQ). In Study 2, the MFQ was further validated in relation to the acceptance of modern myths about sexual aggression (AMMSA), victim vs. perpetrator blaming regarding a rape vignette, political orientation and attitudes towards religion. Results showed that the Colombian MFQ was more reliable than an existing Spanish version. Endorsement of conservative foundations (ingroup loyalty, obedience to authority and purity) predicted right-wing political attitudes, higher religiosity, higher AMMSA and more rape victim blaming. Conversely, endorsement of liberal foundations (care and justice) predicted lower SDO and less rape victim blaming. These results replicate and extend previous work, including the critique that conservative foundations may reflect amoral attitudes rather than universal moral intuitions. Implications and requirements for further research are discussed.
The IQGAP scaffolds: Critical nodes bridging receptor activation to cellular signaling
Authors: Thines Louise , Roushar Francis J. , Hedman Andrew C. , Sacks David B.
Published: April 2023

The scaffold protein IQGAP1 assembles multiprotein signaling complexes to influence biological functions. Cell surface receptors, particularly receptor tyrosine kinases and G-protein coupled receptors, are common IQGAP1 binding partners. Interactions with IQGAP1 modulate receptor expression, activation, and/or trafficking. Moreover, IQGAP1 couples extracellular stimuli to intracellular outcomes via scaffolding of signaling proteins downstream of activated receptors, including mitogen-activated protein kinases, constituents of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway, small GTPases, and β-arrestins. Reciprocally, some receptors influence IQGAP1 expression, subcellular localization, binding properties, and post-translational modifications. Importantly, the receptor:IQGAP1 crosstalk has pathological implications ranging from diabetes and macular degeneration to carcinogenesis. Here, we describe the interactions of IQGAP1 with receptors, summarize how they modulate signaling, and discuss their contribution to pathology. We also address the emerging functions in receptor signaling of IQGAP2 and IQGAP3, the other human IQGAP proteins. Overall, this review emphasizes the fundamental roles of IQGAPs in coupling activated receptors to cellular homeostasis.
Cellulose synthase-like D movement in the plasma membrane requires enzymatic activity
Authors: Wu Shu-Zon , Chaves Arielle M. , Li Rongrong , Roberts Alison W. , Bezanilla Magdalena
Published: April 2023

Cellulose Synthase-Like D (CSLD) proteins, important for tip growth and cell division, are known to generate β-1,4-glucan. However, whether they are propelled in the membrane as the glucan chains they produce assemble into microfibrils is unknown. To address this, we endogenously tagged all eight CSLDs in Physcomitrium patens and discovered that they all localize to the apex of tip-growing cells and to the cell plate during cytokinesis. Actin is required to target CSLD to cell tips concomitant with cell expansion, but not to cell plates, which depend on actin and CSLD for structural support. Like Cellulose Synthase (CESA), CSLD requires catalytic activity to move in the plasma membrane. We discovered that CSLD moves significantly faster, with shorter duration and less linear trajectories than CESA. In contrast to CESA, CSLD movement was insensitive to the cellulose synthesis inhibitor isoxaben, suggesting that CSLD and CESA function within different complexes possibly producing structurally distinct cellulose microfibrils.
Investigating the epistemology of physics students while reflecting on solutions
Authors: Burkholder Eric W , Miller Olivia C , Blackmon Lena F
Published: April 2023

Reflecting on one’s solution is widely recognized as an important part of the problem-solving process, though the cognitive processes underlying this action are not well understood. In previous work, we identified certain strategies students used while reflecting on a solution but found that strategies most often used by experts were not often used by students and were often used incorrectly. In this paper, we present the results of a study that more carefully examines why this could be the case. We conducted think-aloud interviews with students from a variety of physics backgrounds and asked them to check the answer to a particular static equilibrium problem (there were two different problems, but each student saw only one). We found that students’ strategy use varied both by problem features and level of experience. We found students’ epistemological framing to be more stable across problem-difficulty but still correlated with experience. We further noticed more frequent shifting of epistemological frames among intermediate students. Altogether, the results point to an epistemological transition from solution reflection as an algorithmic procedure to be performed using whatever strategy is most useful, to a conceptual procedure more aligned with sense-making as students gain more experience with physics. This will be useful for instructors when thinking about the best ways to encourage novice students to engage in meaningful solution reflection or mathematical sense-making more broadly.
Transient nonlinear dynamics in an electrically modulated quantum cascade laser with optical injection
Authors: Wei S T , Liu M , Feng W , Wang C , Cao J C
Published: April 2023

Based on rate equations, we mainly simulate the transient instability characteristics of an 8 µm quantum cascade laser (QCL) subject to optical injection with alternating current (AC) electrical modulation. Simulation results show that the period-one oscillation of the optical injection-locked QCL is broken by applying an AC current to the direct current (DC) bias. Combining an external optical injection and induced period current modulation can cause period-one oscillation dropouts and can display chaotic states outside the stable locking region, owing to the cooperative interplay between the AC frequency and the periodic oscillation frequency caused by the optical injection. To give a clear physical picture of the chaos under different line-width enhancement factors (LEFs), we use temporal series, Poincaré bifurcation diagrams, Fourier spectra, phase portraits, and first return maps to carefully analyze. These analytical methods are effective for the dynamical behaviors of QCLs with low LEFs, which show that the chaos of QCLs strongly rely on external modulation compared with class-B laser systems. This work paves a new way for realizing chaotic signal generation and has an important application in secure communication in the mid-infrared and terahertz frequency band.
Underwater multi-source DOA tracking using uniform linear array based on improved GM-PHD filter
Authors: Zhang Boyu , Qi Bin , Liang Guolong , Zhang Xinyu
Published: April 2023

Uniform linear array (ULA) is commonly used for collecting underwater acoustic signals, and the direction-of-arrival (DOA) is obtained by array signal processing methods. The ULA-based multi-source DOA tracking suffers from the performance degradation caused by the presence of false tracks from port-starboard ambiguity. To address this problem, we propose a bearing ambiguity discrimination algorithm. Firstly, the sum of real bearing motion velocity between truth and ambiguous targets is established with the Gaussian distribution. Secondly, an improved Gaussian mixture probability hypothesis density filter, which can adaptively generate target birth intensity, is utilized to select truth and ambiguous bearings generated by the same target from the estimated posterior intensity. Thirdly, truth and ambiguous bearings are discriminated according to the fact that the change of array heading will lead to a significant change in ambiguous bearing. Simulation and real experimental results illustrate that the proposed algorithm can provide unambiguous target-generated tracks and accurately estimate the number of targets.