bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gulf states and Islamist responses to COVID-19: a changing relationship
Authors: Ardovini Lucia
Published: October 2020

This article focuses on the outbreak of COVID-19 in the Gulf and examines how different responses to the pandemic are affecting the relationship between state institutions and Islamist actors. Several states and regimes are attempting to contain the spread of COVID-19 by imposing increasingly authoritarian measures and tightening social control, which in turn is causing a renewed wave of social unrest. The article shows how, in this increasingly unstable context, the relationships between state institutions and Islamist actors are developing along two main trends.

As a response to the pandemic, states in the Gulf are increasingly relying on the mobilisation of Islamic institutions and religious bodies to support lockdown and isolation policies, enlisting Islamic authority to compensate for the decreasing levels of popular trust in the regime. The tightening of authoritarian measures is bringing pre-existing tensions between Islamists and authorities back to the fore, resulting in an increased crackdown on religious opposition actors ad movements. This article shows that, while the extent to which these trends are developing depends on the national context under analysis, different state reactions to COVID-19 are already drastically altering the relationship between political institutions and Islamic ones, affecting both domestic and regional balances of power and highlighting the mutual dependency between religion and politics in the Gulf.
Highly sensitive strain sensor based on a long-period fiber grating with chain-shaped structure
Authors: Ma Yiwei , Li Xiaoyang , Wang Senyu , Yi Yang , Chen Xudong , Zhang Shuo , Wang Shengjia , Geng Tao , Tong Chenguo , Sun Weimin , Yuan Libo
Published: October 2020

In this paper, a novel chain-shaped long-period fiber grating (CS-LPFG) for strain measurement is investigated and experimentally demonstrated. This structure is achieved by polishing periodic slant planes on a single-mode fiber with a high-frequency

C
O

2

laser. The chain-shaped structures improved the strain sensitivity of the sensor while shortening the length of the sensing unit. Experimental results show that the strain sensitivity of CS-LPFG is 34.8 pm/

µ
ε

in the range of 0–650 

µ
ε

, and the total length of the sensing unit is significantly reduced to 7.5 mm. Meanwhile, the temperature-strain cross talk is 1.6 

µ
ε

/°C, which is much lower than that of most fiber strain sensors.
Optimization design for edge-lateral support of a medium-aperture lightweight primary mirror
Authors: Sun Qi , Gong Xuefei
Published: October 2020

Lightweight primary mirrors are increasingly applied both in
ground-based and space-based telescopes. Because the absolute
stiffness of the lightweight mirror is much lower than that of the
solid one, the design of lateral support becomes more difficult. Based
on parallel push-pull support, we have proposed a multi-class variable

F

−

θ

optimization approach (MVFOA), where

F

denotes the magnitude of the support
force and

θ

denotes the support position.
Compared with conventional optimization approaches, which have
only one class of design variables,

F

or

θ

, MVFOA considers the impact of

F

and

θ

simultaneously. In addition, we also
study push-pull-shear lateral support and propose an unequal-angle
push-pull-shear support optimization approach (UPSOA). To verify the
advancement of above approaches by means of finite element
calculation, the lateral support optimization of a 2.5 m ultra-low
expansion honeycomb sandwich mirror is described in this paper. For
parallel push-pull support with 24 forces, three optimization
approaches with different variables, including single-class variable

F

, single-class variable

θ

, and multi-class variable

F

−

θ

, are compared, and the RMSs of
surface deformations are 17.60 nm, 15.93 nm, and 14.81 nm,
respectively. For push-pull-shear support with 24 forces, the optimal
result by UPSOA occurs when

β

equals to 0.84 and the RMS of surface
deformations is 10.83 nm. UPSOA also solves the problem that the
forces in the region

x
≈

±

R

are much larger than the ones in the
region

x
≈

0

in the equal-angle push-pull-shear
support optimization approach (EPSOA). Through the analysis of
results, we find that optimal

β

of the honeycomb sandwich mirror is
greater than that of the meniscus mirror in push-pull-shear support.
In addition, both in parallel push-pull support and push-pull-shear
support, it also can be concluded that the position and the magnitude
of optimal lateral support forces depend on the stiffness distribution
of the mirror along the altitude axis rather than the mass
distribution.
Multiclass retinal disease classification and lesion segmentation in OCT B-scan images using cascaded convolutional networks
Authors: Zhong Pan , Wang Jianlin , Guo Yongqi , Fu Xuesong , Wang Rutong
Published: October 2020

Disease classification and lesion segmentation of retinal optical coherence tomography images play important roles in ophthalmic computer-aided diagnosis. However, existing methods achieve the two tasks separately, which is insufficient for clinical application and ignores the internal relation of disease and lesion features. In this paper, a framework of cascaded convolutional networks is proposed to jointly classify retinal diseases and segment lesions. First, we adopt an auxiliary binary classification network to identify normal and abnormal images. Then a novel, to the best of our knowledge, U-shaped multi-task network, BDA-Net, combined with a bidirectional decoder and self-attention mechanism, is used to further analyze abnormal images. Experimental results show that the proposed method reaches an accuracy of 0.9913 in classification and achieves an improvement of around 3% in Dice compared to the baseline U-shaped model in segmentation.
Numerical analysis of beam distortion induced by thermal effects in chirped volume Bragg grating compressors for high-power lasers
Authors: Cho Seryeyohan , Novák Ondřej , Smrž Martin , Lucianetti Antonio , Yu Tae Jun , Mocek Tomáš
Published: October 2020

We conducted a study on the thermal effects in chirped volume Bragg gratings (CVBGs) used as optical compressors in high-power lasers. A simulation code was developed to predict the distortion of the pulses by the thermal effects. The types and significance of the thermal distortion were analyzed using an Yb:YAG laser with an average power of 250 W. The temperature distribution in the CVBG, the thermal lens effect, the beam propagation path changes due to the thermal lens, and the compression efficiency decrease due to the phase delay were analyzed. As a result, we predict that the peak power decreases to 63.9% due to the thermal effects under the operating conditions of 250 W. We also suggest new designs for the CVBG mount that minimize the peak power loss. We expect the peak power loss to be reduced only by 1.1% when using our new mount design for the CVBG.
Security-enhanced OFDM-PON with two-level coordinated encryption strategy at the bit-level and symbol-level
Authors: Song Xiumin , Liu Bo , Zhang Hongxin , Ullah Rahat , Mao Yaya , Ren Jianxin , Chen Shuaidong , Zhang Jingyi , Zhao Jianye , Han Shun , Liu Xueyang , Zhao Delin , Xin Xiangjun
Published: October 2020

A novel security-enhanced scheme combining improved deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) encoding encryption at the bit-level with matrix scrambling at the symbol-level is proposed in OFDM-PON for the first time in this paper. In our proposed scheme, firstly each subcarrier is encrypted by improved DNA encoding encryption, which includes the functioning of key base series and the cross interchange. And the selected encoding rules, decoding rules, key base series, operating principles and the positions of cross interchange are dynamically changing, which enhances the robustness against malicious attacks by illegal attackers. Then during the matrix scrambling process, the non-equal-length quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) matrix is divided into several squares of equal length according to an optimum method. At the same time, the times of matrix scrambling can be determined randomly. With the multi-fold encryption of the proposed scheme, the achieved key space can reach up to 10154, which can sufficiently ensure the physical layer security. Experimental verification of the proposed security-enhanced strategy was demonstrated in an 8 Gb/s 16QAM orthogonal frequency division multiplexing passive optical network (OFDM-PON) system over 25-km standard single-mode fiber (SSMF). The experimental results prove that the two-level coordinated encryption at the bit-level and symbol-level using chaos and encryption can effectively protect data from violent attacks, differential attacks, etc.
Distributed-feedback blue laser diode utilizing a tunnel junction grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Muziol G. , Hajdel M. , Turski H. , Nomoto K. , Siekacz M. , Nowakowski-Szkudlarek K. , Żak M. , Jena D. , Xing H. G. , Perlin P. , Skierbiszewski C.
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we demonstrate a novel approach utilizing tunnel junction (TJ) to realize GaN-based distributed feedback (DFB) laser diodes (LDs). Thanks to the use of the TJ the top metal contact is moved to the side of the ridge and the DFB grating is placed directly on top of the ridge. The high refractive index contrast between air and GaN, together with the high overlap of optical mode with the grating, provides a high coupling coefficient. The demonstrated DFB LD operates at λ=450.15 nm with a side mode suppression ratio higher than 35dB. The results are compared to a standard Fabry-Perot LD.
Graphene-based low-threshold and tunable optical bistability in one-dimensional photonic crystal Fano resonance heterostructure at optical communication band
Authors: Peng Yuxiang , Xu Jiao , Dong Hu , Dai Xiaoyu , Jiang Jie , Qian Shengyou , Jiang Leyong
Published: October 2020

In this paper, the one-dimensional photonic crystal Fano resonance heterostructure is used to achieve low-threshold and tunable graphene-based optical bistability of the transmitted and reflected light beam at optical communication band. The low-threshold of optical bistability (OB) originates from the local field enhancement owing to the Fano resonance excited by topological edge states mode and Fabry-Perot cavity mode. The study found that it is feasible to continuously adjust the hysteresis behavior and optical bistable thresholds by altering the Fermi energy of the left and right graphene respectively. Furthermore, the OB can also be controlled by changing the number of graphene layers or the angle of incident beam, which makes this structure a feasible object of experimental research at optical communication band in the future.
Orbital angular momentum mode detection of the combined vortex beam generated by coherent combining technology
Authors: Yu Tao , Xia Hui , Xie Wenke , Peng Yiming
Published: October 2020

Coherent beam combining (CBC) technology has distinct advantages in generating high power vortex beam. In this paper, a circularly arranged coherent beam array (CBA) with discrete vortex phases is constructed to generate vortex beams. We demonstrated that the combined vortex beam (CVB) generated by the CBA is a multiplexing vortices optical field, which sidelobe is the coaxial interference pattern of these spiral harmonic components. Using the designed Dammam vortex grating (DVG), the orbital angular momentum (OAM) spectrum of the CVB is detected. Moreover, taking the target OAM mode purity of the CVB as the evaluation function of active phase control system, we realized the closed-loop phase control of the CBA and obtained the phase-locked output of the CVB.
High sensitivity Ge-on-Si single-photon avalanche diode detectors
Authors: Llin Lourdes Ferre , Kirdoda Jarosław , Thorburn Fiona , Huddleston Laura L. , Greener Zoë M. , Kuzmenko Kateryna , Vines Peter , Dumas Derek C. S. , Millar Ross W. , Buller Gerald S. , Paul Douglas J.
Published: October 2020

The performance of planar geometry Ge-on-Si single-photon avalanche diode detectors of

26

µ

m

diameter is presented. Record low dark count rates are observed, remaining less than 100 K counts per second at 6.6% excess bias and 125 K. Single-photon detection efficiencies are found to be up to 29.4%, and are shown to be temperature insensitive. These performance characteristics lead to a significantly reduced noise equivalent power (NEP) of

7.7
×

10

−
17

W

H
z

−

1
2

compared to prior planar devices, and represent a two orders of magnitude reduction in NEP compared to previous Ge-on-Si mesa devices of a comparable diameter. Low jitter values of

134
±
10

p
s

are demonstrated.
Ramsey interferometry through coherent A2Πu−X2Σg+−B2Σu+ coupling and population transfer in N2+ air laser
Authors: Li Zheng , Kuan Yu-Hung , Mu Xiangxu , Miao Zhiming , Wu Chengyin , Liao Wen-Te
Published: October 2020

Motivated by the hot debate on the mechanism of laser-like emission at 391 nm from

N

2

gas irradiated by a strong 800 nm pump laser and a weak 400 nm seed laser, we theoretically study the temporal profile, optical gain, and modulation of the 391 nm signal from

N

2
+

. Our calculation sheds light on the long standing controversy on whether population inversion is indispensable for optical gain and show the Ramsey fringes of the emission intensity at 391 nm formed by additionally injecting another 800 nm pump or 400 nm seed, which provides strong evidence for the coherence driven modulation of transition dipole moment and population transfer between the

A
2

Π
u

(
ν
=
2
)
−

X
2

Σ
g
+

states and the

B
2

Σ
u
+

(
ν
=
0
)
−

X
2

Σ
g
+

states. Our results show that the 391 nm optical gain is susceptible to the population inversion within

N

2
+

states manipulated by the Ramsey technique and thus clearly reveal their symbiosis. This study reveals not only the physical picture of producing

N

2
+

population inversion but also versatile control of the

N

2
+

air laser.
Generating a 64 × 64 beam lattice by geometric phase modulation from arbitrary incident polarizations
Authors: Fu Shiyao , Han Xu , Song Rui , Huang Lei , Gao Chunqing
Published: October 2020

A laser beam lattice from tailoring spatial dimensions of lights is a kind of structured optical field, which already have found many applications in lots of domains. Here we propose a geometric phase element made from polymerized liquid crystals to transform Gaussian beams into a

64

×
64

beam lattice with high performance. Different from other geometric phase elements, the proposed element can introduce identical phase modulations for any polarizations, indicating that the beam lattice could be well generated with arbitrary incident homogeneous polarizations but not limited to specific circular polarizations. In the experiment, a

64

×
64

beam lattice is well generated. It is estimated that the uniformity of the obtained lattice fluctuates about 60% among various incident polarizations, which is very close to the prediction. This work opens a new site for producing high-dimensional beam lattices and will inspire more advanced applications.
Design procedure for ultra-thin free-form micro-optical elements allowing for large DHR values and uniform irradiance distributions of ultrathin direct-lit luminaires
Authors: Leiner Claude , Nemitz Wolfgang , Schweitzer Susanne , Wenzl Franz P. , Sommer Christian
Published: October 2020

Freeform (FF) optical elements offer new opportunities in many fields of applications since they allow the generation of tailored irradiance distributions, which would be difficult to achieve using conventional optical elements. However, FF optical elements are very challenging with respect to mastering and replication, for which techniques like diamond turning, milling, grinding and polishing are common methods for the manufacturing of the tools required for injection molding, which is a common method for fabrication. In contrast, the possibility of mastering FF micro-optical elements (FF-MOEs) with a laser direct writing method and their large-scale fabrication in roll-to-roll processes offers a cost-effective alternative. Still, for such production techniques, the maximum height of the FF-MOEs must be limited, which requires new design strategies. On the other hand, besides producibility, such ultrathin FF-MOEs also allow for new strategies for the integration of optical elements in miniaturized systems and products. Here, we present an improved design concept for extremely thin FF-MOEs with a confined maximal structure height of 50 µm. They allow for uniform illumination in ultrathin direct-lit based luminaire systems with a DHR (distance between the LEDS : height of the system) ratio of 3 by seamlessly stitching the hexagonal-shaped irradiance distributions provided by the individual FF-MOEs. The applicability of the as-designed FF-MOEs is demonstrated by optical ray-tracing simulations of a simple direct-lit luminaire consisting of an array of 14 LEDs and a target plane in a distance of 10 mm. The simulation results confirm a very high degree of uniformity for the overall irradiance distribution on the target plane.
A Bayesian non-parametric mixed-effects model of microbial growth curves
Authors: Tonner Peter D. , Darnell Cynthia L. , Bushell Francesca M. L. , Lund Peter A. , Schmid Amy K. , Schmidler Scott C.
Published: October 2020

Substantive changes in gene expression, metabolism, and the proteome are manifested in overall changes in microbial population growth. Quantifying how microbes grow is therefore fundamental to areas such as genetics, bioengineering, and food safety. Traditional parametric growth curve models capture the population growth behavior through a set of summarizing parameters. However, estimation of these parameters from data is confounded by random effects such as experimental variability, batch effects or differences in experimental material. A systematic statistical method to identify and correct for such confounding effects in population growth data is not currently available. Further, our previous work has demonstrated that parametric models are insufficient to explain and predict microbial response under non-standard growth conditions. Here we develop a hierarchical Bayesian non-parametric model of population growth that identifies the latent growth behavior and response to perturbation, while simultaneously correcting for random effects in the data. This model enables more accurate estimates of the biological effect of interest, while better accounting for the uncertainty due to technical variation. Additionally, modeling hierarchical variation provides estimates of the relative impact of various confounding effects on measured population growth.
Dual function of perivascular fibroblasts in vascular stabilization in zebrafish
Authors: Rajan Arsheen M. , Ma Roger C. , Kocha Katrinka M. , Zhang Dan J. , Huang Peng
Published: October 2020

Blood vessels are vital to sustain life in all vertebrates. While it is known that mural cells (pericytes and smooth muscle cells) regulate vascular integrity, the contribution of other cell types to vascular stabilization has been largely unexplored. Using zebrafish, we identified sclerotome-derived perivascular fibroblasts as a novel population of blood vessel associated cells. In contrast to pericytes, perivascular fibroblasts emerge early during development, express the extracellular matrix (ECM) genescol1a2andcol5a1, and display distinct morphology and distribution. Time-lapse imaging reveals that perivascular fibroblasts serve as pericyte precursors. Genetic ablation of perivascular fibroblasts markedly reduces collagen deposition around endothelial cells, resulting in dysmorphic blood vessels with variable diameters. Strikingly,col5a1mutants show spontaneous hemorrhage, and the penetrance of the phenotype is strongly enhanced by the additional loss ofcol1a2. Together, our work reveals dual roles of perivascular fibroblasts in vascular stabilization where they establish the ECM around nascent vessels and function as pericyte progenitors.
DOT-1.1-dependent H3K79 methylation promotes normal meiotic progression and meiotic checkpoint function in C. elegans
Authors: Lascarez-Lagunas Laura I. , Herruzo Esther , Grishok Alla , San-Segundo Pedro A. , Colaiácovo Mónica P.
Published: October 2020

Epigenetic modifiers are emerging as important regulators of the genome. However, how they regulate specific processes during meiosis is not well understood. Methylation of H3K79 by the histone methyltransferase Dot1 has been shown to be involved in the maintenance of genomic stability in various organisms. InS.cerevisiae, Dot1 modulates the meiotic checkpoint response triggered by synapsis and/or recombination defects by promoting Hop1-dependent Mek1 activation and Hop1 distribution along unsynapsed meiotic chromosomes, at least in part, by regulating Pch2 localization. However, how this protein regulates meiosis in metazoans is unknown. Here, we describe the effects of H3K79me depletion via analysis ofdot-1.1orzfp-1mutants during meiosis inCaenorhabditis elegans. We observed decreased fertility and increased embryonic lethality indot-1.1mutants suggesting meiotic dysfunction. We show that DOT-1.1 plays a role in the regulation of pairing, synapsis and recombination in the worm. Furthermore, we demonstrate that DOT-1.1 is an important regulator of mechanisms surveilling chromosome synapsis during meiosis. In sum, our results reveal that regulation of H3K79me plays an important role in coordinating events during meiosis inC.elegans.
AKH-FOXO pathway regulates starvation-induced sleep loss through remodeling of the small ventral lateral neuron dorsal projections
Authors: He Qiankun , Du Juan , Wei Liya , Zhao Zhangwu
Published: October 2020

Starvation caused by adverse feeding stresses or food shortages has been reported to result in sleep loss in animals. However, how the starvation signal interacts with the central nervous system is still unknown. Here, the adipokinetic hormone (AKH)—Fork head Box-O (FOXO) pathway is shown to respond to energy change and adjust the sleep of Drosophila through remodeling of the s-LNv (small ventral lateral neurons) dorsal projections. Our results show that starvation prevents flies from going to sleep after the first light-dark transition. The LNvs are required for starvation-induced sleep loss through extension of the pigment dispersing factor (PDF)-containing s-LNv dorsal projections. Further studies reveal that loss of AKH or AKHR (akh receptor) function blocks starvation-induced extension of s-LNv dorsal projections and rescues sleep suppression during food deprivation. FOXO, which has been reported to regulate synapse plasticity of neurons, acts as starvation response factor downstream of AKH, and down regulation of FOXO level considerably alleviates the influence of starvation on s-LNv dorsal projections and sleep. Taking together, our results outline the transduction pathways between starvation signal and sleep, and reveal a novel functional site for sleep regulation.
Function of multiple sclerosis-protective HLA class I alleles revealed by genome-wide protein-quantitative trait loci mapping of interferon signalling
Authors: Lundtoft Christian , Pucholt Pascal , Imgenberg-Kreuz Juliana , Carlsson-Almlöf Jonas , Eloranta Maija-Leena , Syvänen Ann-Christine , Nordmark Gunnel , Sandling Johanna K. , Kockum Ingrid , Olsson Tomas , Rönnblom Lars , Hagberg Niklas
Published: October 2020

Interferons (IFNs) are cytokines that are central to the host defence against viruses and other microorganisms. If not properly regulated, IFNs may contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory autoimmune, or infectious diseases. To identify genetic polymorphisms regulating the IFN system we performed an unbiased genome-wide protein-quantitative trait loci (pQTL) mapping of cell-type specific type I and type II IFN receptor levels and their responses in immune cells from 303 healthy individuals. Seven genome-wide significant (p < 5.0E-8) pQTLs were identified. Two independent SNPs that tagged the multiple sclerosis (MS)-protective HLA class I alleles A*02/A*68 and B*44, respectively, were associated with increased levels of IFNAR2 in B and T cells, with the most prominent effect in IgD–CD27+memory B cells. The increased IFNAR2 levels in B cells were replicated in cells from an independent set of healthy individuals and in MS patients. Despite increased IFNAR2 levels, B and T cells carrying the MS-protective alleles displayed a reduced response to type I IFN stimulation. Expression and methylation-QTL analysis demonstrated increased mRNA expression of the pseudogeneHLA-Jin B cells carrying the MS-protective class I alleles, possibly driven via methylation-dependent transcriptional regulation. Together these data suggest that the MS-protective effects of HLA class I alleles are unrelated to their antigen-presenting function, and propose a previously unappreciated function of type I IFN signalling in B and T cells in MS immune-pathogenesis.
Sugar feeding patterns of New York Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are affected by saturation deficit, flowers, and host seeking
Authors: Fikrig Kara , Peck Sonile , Deckerman Peter , Dang Sharon , St Fleur Kimberly , Goldsmith Henry , Qu Sophia , Rosenthal Hannah , Harrington Laura C.
Published: October 2020

Background

Sugar feeding is an important behavior which may determine vector potential of female mosquitoes. Sugar meals can reduce blood feeding frequency, enhance survival, and decrease fecundity, as well as provide energetic reserves to fuel energy intensive behaviors such as mating and host seeking. Sugar feeding behavior can be harnessed for vector control (e.g. attractive toxic sugar baits). Few studies have addressed sugar feeding ofAedes albopictus, a vector of arboviruses of public health importance, including dengue and Zika viruses. To address this knowledge gap, we assessed sugar feeding patterns ofAe.albopictusfor the first time in its invasive northeastern USA range.

Methodology/Principal findings

Using the cold anthrone fructose assay with robust sample sizes, we demonstrated that a large percentage of both male (49.6%) and female (41.8%)Ae.albopictusfed on plant or homopteran derived sugar sources within 24 hrs prior to capture. Our results suggest that sugar feeding behavior increases when environmental conditions are dry (high saturation deficit) and may vary by behavioral status (host seeking vs. resting). Furthermore, mosquitoes collected on properties with flowers (>3 blooms) had higher fructose concentrations compared to those collected from properties with few to no flowers (0–3).

Conclusions/Significance

Our results provide the first evidence ofAe.albopictussugar feeding behavior in the Northeastern US and reveal relatively high rates of sugar feeding. These results suggest the potential success for regional deployment of toxic sugar baits. In addition, we demonstrate the impact of several environmental and mosquito parameters (saturation deficit, presence of flowers, host seeking status, and sex) on sugar feeding. Placing sugar feeding behavior in the context of these environmental and mosquito parameters provides further insight into spatiotemporal dynamics of feeding behavior forAe.albopictus, and in turn, provides information for evidence-based control decisions.
Schistosoma japonicum cathepsin B2 (SjCB2) facilitates parasite invasion through the skin
Authors: Zhu Bingkuan , Luo Fang , Shen Yi , Yang Wenbin , Sun Chengsong , Wang Jipeng , Li Jian , Mo Xiaojin , Xu Bin , Zhang Xumin , Li Yongdong , Hu Wei
Published: October 2020

Cercariae invasion of the human skin is the first step in schistosome infection. Proteases play key roles in this process. However, little is known about the related hydrolytic enzymes in Schistosoma japonicum. Here, we investigated the biochemical features, tissue distribution and biological roles of a cathepsin B cysteine protease, SjCB2, in the invasion process of S. japonicum cercariae. Enzyme activity analysis revealed that recombinant SjCB2 is a typical cysteine protease with optimum temperature and pH for activity at 37°C and 4.0, respectively, and can be totally inhibited by the cysteine protease inhibitor E-64. Immunoblotting showed that both the zymogen (50 kDa) and mature enzyme (30.5 kDa) forms of SjCB2 are expressed in the cercariae. It was observed that SjCB2 localized predominantly in the acetabular glands and their ducts of cercariae, suggesting that the protease could be released during the invasion process. The protease degraded collagen, elastin, keratin, fibronectin, immunoglobulin (A, G and M) and complement C3, protein components of the dermis and immune system. In addition, proteomic analysis demonstrated that SjCB2 can degrade the human epidermis. Furthermore, it was showed that anti-rSjCB2 IgG significantly reduced (22.94%) the ability of the cercariae to invade the skin. The cysteine protease, SjCB2, located in the acetabular glands and their ducts of S. japonicum cercariae. We propose that SjCB2 facilitates skin invasion by degrading the major proteins of the epidermis and dermis. However, this cysteine protease may play additional roles in host-parasite interaction by degrading immunoglobins and complement protein.
Actomyosin forces and the energetics of red blood cell invasion by the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Blake Thomas C. A. , Haase Silvia , Baum Jake
Published: October 2020

All symptoms of malaria disease are associated with the asexual blood stages of development, involving cycles of red blood cell (RBC) invasion and egress by the Plasmodium spp. merozoite. Merozoite invasion is rapid and is actively powered by a parasite actomyosin motor. The current accepted model for actomyosin force generation envisages arrays of parasite myosins, pushing against short actin filaments connected to the external milieu that drive the merozoite forwards into the RBC. In Plasmodium falciparum, the most virulent human malaria species, Myosin A (PfMyoA) is critical for parasite replication. However, the precise function of PfMyoA in invasion, its regulation, the role of other myosins and overall energetics of invasion remain unclear. Here, we developed a conditional mutagenesis strategy combined with live video microscopy to probe PfMyoA function and that of the auxiliary motor PfMyoB in invasion. By imaging conditional mutants with increasing defects in force production, based on disruption to a key PfMyoA phospho-regulation site, the absence of the PfMyoA essential light chain, or complete motor absence, we define three distinct stages of incomplete RBC invasion. These three defects reveal three energetic barriers to successful entry: RBC deformation (pre-entry), mid-invasion initiation, and completion of internalisation, each requiring an active parasite motor. In defining distinct energetic barriers to invasion, these data illuminate the mechanical challenges faced in this remarkable process of protozoan parasitism, highlighting distinct myosin functions and identifying potential targets for preventing malaria pathogenesis.
MAVS regulates the quality of the antibody response to West-Nile Virus
Authors: O’Ketch Marvin , Williams Spencer , Larson Cameron , Uhrlaub Jennifer L. , Wong Rachel , Hall Brenna , Deshpande Neha R. , Schenten Dominik
Published: October 2020

A key difference that distinguishes viral infections from protein immunizations is the recognition of viral nucleic acids by cytosolic pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Insights into the functions of cytosolic PRRs such as the RNA-sensing Rig-I-like receptors (RLRs) in the instruction of adaptive immunity are therefore critical to understand protective immunity to infections. West Nile virus (WNV) infection of mice deficent of RLR-signaling adaptor MAVS results in a defective adaptive immune response. While this finding suggests a role for RLRs in the instruction of adaptive immunity to WNV, it is difficult to interpret due to the high WNV viremia, associated exessive antigen loads, and pathology in the absence of a MAVS-dependent innate immune response. To overcome these limitations, we have infected MAVS-deficient (MAVSKO) mice with a single-round-of-infection mutant of West Nile virus. We show that MAVSKO mice failed to produce an effective neutralizing antibody response to WNV despite normal antibody titers against the viral WNV-E protein. This defect occurred independently of antigen loads or overt pathology. The specificity of the antibody response in infected MAVSKO mice remained unchanged and was still dominated by antibodies that bound the neutralizing lateral ridge (LR) epitope in the DIII domain of WNV-E. Instead, MAVSKO mice produced IgM antibodies, the dominant isotype controlling primary WNV infection, with lower affinity for the DIII domain. Our findings suggest that RLR-dependent signals are important for the quality of the humoral immune response to WNV.
Pathways to Teaching: The Cluttered Online Infrastructure for Potential Teacher Candidates
Authors: Wieczorek Kim M.
Published: October 2020

This paper examines a sampling of messages available to potential teacher candidates when searching online and querying, “How do I become a teacher?” Methodology used was discourse analysis of online search results using critical questions informed by Ellsworth’s (1997) notions of mode of address. Results reported here are from targeted searches on Google leading to hyperlink networks within institutional websites and social media platforms. In response to the search query on how to become a teacher, institutions present programmatic information that addresses viewers as already knowledgeable about the discourses of teacher education. Search results require browsers to sort through a cluttered landscape of requirements. Questions remain about whether or not there are comprehensible pathways presented to potential teacher candidates within one state context where teacher education enrollments are declining and teacher shortages exist across geographical regions and specific content positions like STEM education.
Urban-Rural Disparities and Temporal Trends in Peptic Ulcer Disease Epidemiology, Treatment, and Outcomes in the United States
Authors: Guo Howard , Lam Angela Y. , Shaheen Abdel Aziz , Forbes Nauzer , Kaplan Gilaad G. , Andrews Christopher N. , Laffin Michael , Singh Siddharth , Jairath Vipul , Teriaky Anouar , Lee Jeffrey K. , Ma Christopher
Published: October 2020

INTRODUCTION:

The incidence of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) has been decreasing over time with Helicobacter pylori eradication and use of acid-suppressing therapies. However, PUD remains a common cause of hospitalization in the United States. We aimed to evaluate contemporary national trends in the incidence, treatment patterns, and outcomes for PUD-related hospitalizations and compare care delivery by hospital rurality.

METHODS:

Data from the National Inpatient Sample were used to estimate weighted annual rates of PUD-related hospitalizations. Temporal trends were evaluated by joinpoint regression and expressed as annual percent change with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We determined the proportion of hospitalizations requiring endoscopic and surgical interventions, stratified by clinical presentation and rurality. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess independent predictors of in-hospital mortality and postoperative morbidity.

RESULTS:

There was a 25.8% reduction (P < 0.001) in PUD-related hospitalizations from 2005 to 2014, although the rate of decline decreased from −7.2% per year (95% CI: 13.2% to −0.7%) before 2008 to −2.1% per year (95% CI: 3.0% to −1.1%) after 2008. In-hospital mortality was 2.4% (95% CI: 2.4%–2.5%). Upper endoscopy (84.3% vs 78.4%, P < 0.001) and endoscopic hemostasis (26.1% vs 16.8%, P < 0.001) were more likely to be performed in urban hospitals, whereas surgery was performed less frequently (9.7% vs 10.5%, P < 0.001). In multivariable logistic regression, patients managed in urban hospitals were at higher risk for postoperative morbidity (odds ratio 1.16 [95% CI: 1.04–1.29]), but not death (odds ratio 1.11 [95% CI: 1.00–1.23]).

DISCUSSION:

The rate of decline in hospitalization rates for PUD has stabilized over time, although there remains significant heterogeneity in treatment patterns by hospital rurality.
Recommendations for switching patients with highly active multiple sclerosis from other disease modifying drugs for multiple sclerosis to cladribine tablets
Authors: Totolyan N. A. , Alifirova V. M. , Bakhtiyarova K. Z. , Boyko A. N. , Vlasov Ya. V. , Goncharova Z. A. , Zakharova M. N. , Kasatkin D. S. , Kotov S. V. , Nilov A. I. , Sivertseva S. A. , Sokolova A. A. , Spirin N. N. , Khabirov F. A. , Paradnika D.
Published: October 2020

The need for optimal treatment of the active forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), especially highly active MS (HAMS), poses a number of difficult problems for specialists, including not only the choice of a highly effective disease-modifying drug for MS (DMDMS), but also conditions for the timely and safe switching from other DMDMS. A group of expert neurologists from various clinics in Russia presents a consensus on the practical aspects of switching patients with HAMS from other DMDMS to cladribine tablets, which has been registered in Russia in March 2020. The paper discusses indications for changing therapy and gives indications, contraindications, and conditions for initiating cladribine therapy. It details the procedure and results of the expert consensus, on the basis of which the recommendations have been developed to switch to cladribine tablets from each of the DMDMS registered in Russia for the treatment of MS.
The polymorphic variants DRD2 rs1800497 and ABCB1 3435C>T are associated with antipsychotic safety parameters in adolescents with an acute psychotic episode: the results of a pilot study
Authors: Ivashchenko D. V. , Khoang S. Z. , Tazagulova M. Kh. , Makhmudova B. V. , Buromskaya N. I. , Shimanov P. V. , Deitch R. V. , Dorina I. V. , Nastovich M. I. , Akmalova K. A. , Kachanova A. A. , Grishina E. A. , Savchenko L. M. , Shevchenko Yu. S. , Sychev D. A.
Published: October 2020

Children and adolescents are more likely than adults to experience adverse side effects when taking antipsychotics. Pharmacogenetic testing allows one to more accurately choose the initial dose of a drug. The genes of pharmacokinetic factors have been shown to be of high prognostic value for the safety of antipsychotics in adults.

Patients and methods. The study enrolled 36 adolescents (58.3% male) (mean age, 14.83±1.84 years). All the patients took an antipsychotic. The follow-up lasted 28 days. On 14 and 28 days of treatment, its efficiency and safety were evaluated using the Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS), the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersњgelser Side Effects Rating Scale (UKU-SERS), the Simpson-Angus Scale (SAS), and the Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale (BARS). The patients were genotyped for CYP3A4*22, CYP3A5*3, CYP2D6*4, *9, *10, ABCB1 1236C>T, 2677G>T/A, 3435C>T, DRD2 rs1800497, DRD4 rs1800955, and HTR2A rs6313.

Results and discussion. The decrease in the mean score of the PANSS subscale “Productive symptoms” was more pronounced in carriers of the DRD2 rs1800497 polymorphic variant (-6.5 [-10.25; -3.75] vs -3 [-6.5; -2 ] on 14 day (p=0.028) and (-11 [-13; -9.5] vs -5 [-9; -3.5] on 28 day (p=0.001) compared to baseline. The carriage of ABCB1 3435CT+TT was associated with worse tolerance to pharmacotherapy on 14 day (the total score of the UKU-SERS M, 8 [3; 11.75] vs M, 2 [1; 6]; p=0.034). The carriers of DRD2 rs1800497 reported a greater severity of antipsychotic-induced neurological disorders (UKU-SERS subscale score M, 1 [0; 2.25] vs M 0 [0; 1]; p=0.029).

Conclusion. The polymorphic variants DRD2 rs1800497 and ABCB1 3435C>T were established to be significantly associated with the efficacy and safety of antipsychotics in adolescents with an acute psychotic episode.
NMDA receptor antagonists in the treatment of neurological diseases
Authors: Preobrazhenskaya I. S.
Published: October 2020

The paper reviews clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists used to treat various neurological diseases: neurodegenerative dementias, vascular cognitive disorders, including post-stroke cognitive impairment. It discusses the possibility of treating cognitive disorders with NMDA receptor antagonists in Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, and some other diseases, as well as the potential possibilities of using drugs of this pharmacotherapeutic group in childhood. The paper describes a clinical case illustrating the use of akatinol memantine in a child with a delay in speech and mental development in the presence of fetal alcohol syndrome. The possibilities of using akatinol memantine in the treatment of childhood cognitive impairments are sure to be of particular interest; however, in view of the small amount of data, this aspect requires further clinical trials.
THE FEATURES OF PERCEPTUAL PROCESSES DURING QUALITATIVE BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS
Authors: Pomerantsev A
Published: October 2020

Aim. The paper aims to identify the features of perceptual processes during qualitative biomechanical analysis. Materials and methods. The following methods were used: the study of literature on the psychology of perception and sports biomechanics; methods of experimental psychology; high-speed video recording; authors’ methods for assessing the perception of sports technique and eidos; mathematical and statistical analysis. Results. The study consisted of 3 sequential stages. The first stage of the study showed that experts' assessments did not correlate well; each expert had his individual opinion. The second stage made it possible to identify two main types of movement perception: 1) the first type is based on an analytical approach, when experts sought to decompose the movement into a set of angles to obtain as much numerical information as possible; 2) the second type is based on gestalt-perception, when experts concentrated on a holistic movement image, i. e. without dividing the movement into details. The gestalt type was more effective, accurate and quick. The third stage revealed a different level of movement perception and its correlation with special memory. The clearer and more accurate the mo­vement was, the longer it stored in the memory of experts. Conclusion. Gestalt-perception, eidolon technique and special memory form a triad of perceptual processes during evaluation of sports movements. The effectiveness of qualitative biomechanical analysis depends on maturity of each triad component.
Trwałość warsztatu pracy producenta rolnego jako cel wsparcia w ramach wybranych działań Programu Rozwoju Obszarów Wiejskich 2014–2020
Authors: Kazimierczuk Marcin
Published: October 2020

Rozważania koncentrują się na analizie regulacji zawartych w Programie Rozwoju Obszarów Wiejskich 2014-2020 dotyczących instrumentów wsparcia inwestycji zapobiegających zniszczeniu oraz przywracających potencjał produkcji rolnej. Ich celem jest próba odpowiedzi na pytanie, czy i w jakim stopniu te formy wsparcia chronią producenta rolnego i zapewniają trwałość jego warsztatu pracy. W konkluzji autor stwierdza, że dwie z nich, czyli „Inwestycje mające na celu ochronę wód przed zanieczyszczeniem azotanami pochodzącymi ze źródeł rolniczych” oraz „Wsparcie inwestycji w środki zapobiegawcze, których celem jest ograniczenie skutków prawdopodobnych klęsk żywiołowych, niekorzystnych zjawisk klimatycznych i katastrof” ze względu na korzystne możliwości finansowe oraz jasne regulacje prawne przyczyniają się do przyjmowania przez rolników postawy aktywnego zarządzania ryzykiem działalności rolniczej, a tym samym do zwiększenia ich odporności na pojawiające się sytuacje kryzysowe. W przypadku „Przywracania potencjału produkcji rolnej zniszczonego w wyniku wystąpienia klęsk żywiołowych” narzędzie to nie wpływa istotnie na ochronę warsztatu producentów rolnych i wymaga zmian legislacyjnych.
Are Coumarin Derivatives The New Keys in Depression Treatment? In silico Key-lock Fitting Analysis of Coumarin Derivatives with Monoamine Oxidase-A
Authors: Karaman Dilara , YELEKCI Kemal , ALTUNTAS Serkan
Published: October 2020

The research of ligand-protein interactions with in silico molecular modeling studies on the atomic level gives an opportunity to be understood the pharmacokinetic metabolism of anti-depressant drug candidates. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzymes are important targets for the treatment of depressive disorder. MAOs have two isoforms as MAO-A and MAO-B being responsible for catalyzing of neurological amines. In this study a new series of coumarin derivatives were designed for selective and reversible inhibition of MAO-A enzyme. 3rd, 5th and 7th positions were selected to be placed of five different side groups. Docking procedures of each ligand in M series of these novel 125 compounds were executed with 10 runs by using AutoDock4.2 software. Docking results were analyzed via Discovery Studio 3.1 (Biovia Inc.). The most promising compounds were M118 and M123 according to selectivity index, SI (MAO-B/MAO-A)=180 fold and 209 fold and Ki values 7.25 nM and 12.01 nM, respectively. Overall, the current study provided significant knowledge for the development of new anti-depressant drugs.
Seven-channel 1 Gbps TWDM coexistence architecture supporting 65 Gbps optical link for next-generation passive optical network 2–based FTTX access networks
Authors: Pagare Rajendraprasad A. , Kumar Santosh , Mishra Abhilasha
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we have presented the design and simulation of a 7-channel next-generation passive optical network (NG-PON2) network for the deployment of Fiber-to-the-X (FTTX) access network. Coexistence architecture is proposed, designed and simulated for the implementation of NG-PON2 access network. In a coexistence architecture approach, legacy PON networks like Gigabit passive optical network (GPON) PON, 10GPON, etc. and wavelength division multiplexing (WDM)-PON supporting point-to-point connectivity are designed and simulated together. A 4 × 4 WDM-PON in which each channel carrying data at 2.5 Gbps data rate is capable of supporting a throughput channel capacity of 65.5 Gbps. NG-PON2 network is designed and simulated at 187.1, 187.2, 187.3 and 187.5 to 187.8 THz wavelengths in downstream direction for different link distances from 40 to 80 km looking into the requirement of reach of access network for future cities. The network performance parameters such as bit error rate (BER), quality factor (Q-factor), signal-to-noise ratio using the Optisystem-16 simulator at above data rates and link distances. Further, channel capacity estimation is done for single-mode fiber channel coexistence NG-PON2 configuration up to 80 km supporting BER e-13 and Q-factor 7 for WDM link and BER e-12 and Q-factor 7 for a legacy network supporting almost-1 Gbps data rate to 65 users and 100 Mbps to 512 user.
Incorporating Unilateral Variations of Weightlifting and Powerlifting Movements Into the Training Program of College-Level Dancers to Improve Stability
Authors: Pistilli Emidio E. , Mitchell Mikaela , Florence Lindsey
Published: October 2020

Properly structured resistance training can induce sport-specific neuromuscular adaptations, such as muscular strength, power, neuromuscular coordination, and joint range of motion in competitive athletes. Adapting traditional weightlifting and powerlifting-associated resistance exercises to be performed unilaterally can also be used to enhance stability. The purpose of this training program is to introduce weightlifting and powerlifting-associated exercises to members of a college-level dance team, with the goal to incorporate unilateral variations of these exercises to enhance stability in preparation for a dance performance. The training program follows the phases of periodization, with unilateral training occurring in the peak phase just before the performance.