bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of very long chain fatty acids in yeast physiology and human diseases
Authors: Erdbrügger Pia , Fröhlich Florian
Published: November 2020

Fatty acids (FAs) are a highly diverse class of molecules that can have variable chain length, number of double bonds and hydroxylation sites. FAs with 22 or more carbon atoms are described as very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs). VLCFAs are synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) through a four-step elongation cycle by membrane embedded enzymes. VLCFAs are precursors for the synthesis of sphingolipids (SLs) and glycerophospholipids. Besides their role as lipid constituents, VLCFAs are also found as precursors of lipid mediators. Mis-regulation of VLCFA metabolism can result in a variety of inherited diseases ranging from ichthyosis, to myopathies and demyelination. The enzymes for VLCFA biosynthesis are evolutionary conserved and many of the pioneering studies were performed in the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A growing body of evidence suggests that VLCFA metabolism is intricately regulated to maintain lipid homeostasis. In this review we will describe the metabolism of VLCFAs, how they are synthesized, transported and degraded and how these processes are regulated, focusing on budding yeast. We will review how lipid metabolism and membrane properties are affected by VLCFAs and which impact mutations in the biosynthetic genes have on physiology. We will also briefly describe diseases caused by mis-regulation of VLCFAs in human cells.
Influence of dietary and activity patterns on weight status of Ukrainian school aged children
Authors: Pavlyshyn Halyna , Kozak Kateryna , Furdela Victoriya , Kovalchuk Tetiana , Luchyshyn Nataliia , Haliyash Nataliya
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Dietary patterns and physical activity have significant influence on weight status. Despite numerous studies related to this topic, there is no existing research which provides complete population-based studies that identify the most significant predictors of pediatric obesity. Therefore, it has become the major goal of our study.

Subjects and methods

Three hundred school students between 10 and 17 years of age were participating in our study. All of them are currently attending various schools in city of Ternopil, Ukraine. Anthropometric measurements were performed for all participants. Information about food consumption and physical activity was obtained from distributed questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to identify the significant predictors of obesity.

Results

Lack of physical activity during week (OR=2.59 [95% CI 1.10–6.08]), long screen time in weekdays (OR=2.94 [95% CI 1.13–7.69]) and weekends (OR=3.63 [95% CI 1.55–8.50]), frequent consumption (OR=2.60 [95% CI 1.30–5.19]) and high amounts (OR=2.52 [95% CI 1.26–5.05]) of sweet beverages, fast-food consumption (OR=30.97 [95% CI 1.46–657.60]) and overeating (OR=3.99 [95% CI 1.26–5.05]) have increased chance to be overweight in children 10–17 years of age (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Decreased frequency in moderate physical activity per week, increased amount of sugar-sweetened beverages, fast-food consumption per day and food consumption without hunger, appear to be the most significant predictors of overweight and obesity among Ukrainian school-aged children.
Fluidization characteristics of wide-size-distribution particles in a gas-solid fluidized bed reactor
Authors: Li Chaojie , Wang Weiwen , Guo Xiuling , Duan Jihai
Published: November 2020

Fluidization characteristics of wide-size-distribution particles in the gas-solid fluidized bed reactor are investigated by applying experiment and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods. In this study, three types of narrow-cut particles and two sets of wide-size-distribution particles are used. A model considering particle size distribution is developed in the Eulerian frame, and good agreement between numerical results and experimental data is observed. The particle size distribution has an important effect on the average bed voidage. The axial particle diameter profiles along bed height have a “S” type feature. Minimum fluidization velocity is determined from the standard deviation of pressure fluctuations and bubble dynamics are analyzed based on power spectra. Results indicate that fine particle composition can reduce the minimum fluidization velocity of wide-size-distribution particle system and the bubble diameter in the fluidized bed.
Robust stabilization control of a spatial inverted pendulum using integral sliding mode controller
Authors: Chawla Ishan , Chopra Vikram , Singla Ashish
Published: November 2020

From the last few decades, inverted pendulums have become a benchmark problem in dynamics and control theory. Due to their inherit nature of nonlinearity, instability and underactuation, these are widely used to verify and implement emerging control techniques. Moreover, the dynamics of inverted pendulum systems resemble many real-world systems such as segways, humanoid robots etc. In the literature, a wide range of controllers had been tested on this problem, out of which, the most robust being the sliding mode controller while the most optimal being the linear quadratic regulator (LQR) controller. The former has a problem of non-robust reachability phase while the later lacks the property of robustness. To address these issues in both the controllers, this paper presents the novel implementation of integral sliding mode controller (ISMC) for stabilization of a spatial inverted pendulum (SIP), also known as anx-y-zinverted pendulum. The structure has three control inputs and five controlled outputs. Mathematical modeling of the system is done using Euler Lagrange approach. ISMC has an advantage of eliminating non-robust reachability phase along with enhancing the robustness of the nominal controller (LQR Controller). To validate the robustness of ISMC to matched uncertainties, an input disturbance is added to the nonlinear model of the system. Simulation results on two different case studies demonstrate that the proposed controller is more robust as compared to conventional LQR controller. Furthermore, the problem of chattering in the controller is dealt by smoothening the controller inputs to the system with insignificant loss in robustness.
Bell-shaped soliton solutions and travelling wave solutions of the fifth-order nonlinear modified Kawahara equation
Authors: Başhan Ali
Published: November 2020

The main aim of this work is to investigate numerical solutions of the two different types of the fifth-order modified Kawahara equation namely bell-shaped soliton solutions and travelling wave solutions that occur thereby the different type of the Korteweg–de Vries equation. For this approach, we have used an effective and simple type of finite difference method namely Crank-Nicolson scheme for time integration and third-order modified cubic B-spline-based differential quadrature method for space integration. We preferred the third-order modified cubic B-splines to solve the fifth-order partial differential equation because of by using low energy, less algebraic process and produce better results than earlier works. To display the efficiency and accuracy of the present fresh approach famous test problems namely bell-shaped single soliton that has negative amplitude and travelling wave solutions that have the both of the positive and negative amplitudes are solved and the error norms L
2 and L
∞ are calculated and compared with earlier works. Comparison of the error norms show that present fresh approach obtained superior results than earlier works by using same parameters. At the same time, two lowest invariants of the test problems during the simulations are calculated and reported. Besides those, relative changes of invariants are computed and reported.
Existence and uniqueness of solutions of nonlinear fractional order problems via a fixed point theorem
Authors: Ahmadi Zahra , Lashkaripour Rahmatollah , Baghani Hamid , Heidarkhani Shapour
Published: November 2020

In this paper, we introduce an Caputo fractional high-order problem with a new boundary condition including two orders

γ
∈

(

n
1

−
1
,

n
1

]

$\gamma \in \left({n}_{1}-1,{n}_{1}\right]$

and

η
∈

(

n
2

−
1
,

n
2

]

$\eta \in \left({n}_{2}-1,{n}_{2}\right]$

for any

n
1

,

n
2

∈
ℕ

${n}_{1},{n}_{2}\in \mathrm{ℕ}$

. We deals with existence and uniqueness of solutions for the problem. The approach is based on the Krasnoselskii’s fixed point theorem and contraction mapping principle. Moreover, we present several examples to show the clarification and effectiveness.
A new approach to the bienergy and biangle of a moving particle lying in a surface of lorentzian space
Authors: Körpınar Talat , Ünlütürk Yasin
Published: November 2020

In this research, we study bienergy and biangles of moving particles lying on the surface of Lorentzian 3-space by using their energy and angle values. We present the geometrical characterization of bienergy of the particle in Darboux vector fields depending on surface. We also give the relationship between bienergy of the surface curve and bienergy of the elastic surface curve. We conclude the paper by providing bienergy-curve graphics for different cases.
Effect of mobile phone usage on cognitive functions, sleep pattern, visuospatial ability in Parkinsons patients; a possible correlation with onset of clinical symptoms
Authors: Tuteja Dhruv , Arun Kumar Nayanatara , Pai D. Shivananda , Kunal K.
Published: November 2020

Objectives

The global increase in various neurological disorders is a serious problem to be concerned. This study mainly focused on the changes in cognitive impairment, sleep pattern, visuospatial ability in the Parkinson’s disease (PD) and its possible association with the usage of smartphones durations.

Methods

Parkinson’s patients (40–60 years) visiting neurology clinics were included in this study. Based on their age the grouping was designed as Group I (>60) and Group II (40–60 years). All the patients were evaluated for the various motor symptoms in the presence of a neurologist and graded accordingly. The non-motor symptoms included the analysis cognitive function and sleep patterns. The mobile phone usage time was also collected. The Hoehn and Yahr system was used as assessment tool for gradations of PD signs.

Results

Duration of mobile phone usage in the Parkinson’s patients ranging from 45–60 year was more when compared to the patients aged more than 60 years. The usage of mobile phone did not show significant variation on severity of motor symptoms and cognitive functions. Increased incidence of sleep deprivation was observed in the PD patients aged 40–60 years. Increased usage of mobile phone has been inversely associated with the increased progression of the Parkinson’s disease.

Conclusion

The present study pointed out the significant association of mobile phone usage with the early onset of Parkinsonism.
Alan Bennett’s Single Spies: Lifting the Veil of Personal and Institutional Secrecy
Authors: Park-Finch Heebon
Published: November 2020

This article explores Alan Bennett’s Single Spies (1988), an espionage double bill comprising “An Englishman Abroad” and “A Question of Attribution,” proposing that the personalizing of social, political, and historical themes, as well as the astute documentation of a decaying Englishness and its class system in both plays, are representative of the work of a playwright whose output deserves serious critical attention. The study focuses on how Bennett historicizes the actions of his infamous protagonists (Guy Burgess and Anthony Blunt) while challenging assumptions regarding patriotism. Single Spies is a Cambridge Five franchise, demonstrating the playwright’s characteristic wit, irony, and reflection on personal and national identity, illusion, and sacrifice. The one-act plays each deal with a key figure in the notorious Cambridge spy ring, enhancing the dramatic effect through the use of onstage theatrical and visual allusions. In the first play, references to William Shakespeare’s Hamlet (c 1599), together with English music, highlight Burgess’s duality and the bitter reality of his post-defection life in Russia, while the second play is notable for its use of two paintings (Titian and a Venetian Senator and Allegory of Prudence) as key images and conceits suggesting the gradual uncovering of the Cambridge Five. The paper therefore suggests that Bennett’s ability to lift the veil of personal and institutional secrecy, while airing his own ambivalence, confirms him as a skillful, if academically undervalued, commentator on Englishness.
Storytelling in Apocalyptic Times: Anne Washburn’s Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play
Authors: Snyder Laura
Published: November 2020

This article analyzes Anne Washburn’s wildly popular, and often controversial, Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play (2012) by focusing on the principal retellings that shape Mr. Burns and delineating how Washburn’s adaptations produce the thematic content of the play. Washburn deftly interweaves a variety of high and low culture source material within the plot. Pandemic and apocalyptic tropes provide the ecofictional narrative base to adaptations of Stephen King’s The Stand (1978), Euripides’s Orestes, Martin Scorsese’s Cape Fear (1991), and a variety of episodes of The Simpsons (1989–). Through these retellings, Mr. Burns metatheatrically chronicles how stories shape listeners and their cultures. When the stories told simply pander to the materialism, greed, and commodification that permeate contemporary global capitalist culture, then society proliferates those solipsistic values. Washburn ultimately argues that, in what may seem like apocalyptic times, storytelling as embodied in the theater arts must instead advocate humanitarian collectivist values.
The Sommerfeld problem and inverse problem for the Helmholtz equation
Authors: Kalmenov T. S. , Kabanikhin S. I. , Les Aidana
Published: November 2020

The study of a time-periodic solution of the multidimensional wave equation

∂
2

∂
⁡

t
2

⁢

u
~

-

Δ
x

⁢

u
~

=

f
~

⁢

(
x
,
t
)

{\frac{\partial^{2}}{\partial t^{2}}\widetilde{u}-\Delta_{x}\widetilde{u}=%
\widetilde{f}(x,t)}

,

u
~

⁢

(
x
,
t
)

=

e

i
⁢
k
⁢
t

⁢
u
⁢

(
x
)

{\widetilde{u}(x,t)=e^{ikt}u(x)}

,
over the whole space

ℝ
3

{\mathbb{R}^{3}}

leads to the condition of the Sommerfeld radiation at infinity. This is a problem that describes the motion of scattering stationary waves from a source that is in a bounded area. The inverse problem of finding this source is equivalent to reducing the Sommerfeld problem to a boundary value problem for the Helmholtz equation in a finite domain. Therefore, the Sommerfeld problem is a special inverse problem. It should be noted that in the work of Bezmenov [I. V. Bezmenov,
Transfer of Sommerfeld radiation conditions to an artificial boundary of the region based on the variational principle,
Sb. Math. 185 1995, 3, 3–24] approximate forms of such boundary conditions were found. In [T. S. Kalmenov and D. Suragan,
Transfer of Sommerfeld radiation conditions to the boundary of a limited area,
J. Comput. Math. Math. Phys. 52 2012, 6, 1063–1068], for a complex parameter λ, an explicit form of these boundary conditions was found through the boundary condition of the Helmholtz potential given by the integral in the finite domain Ω:

($*$)

u
⁢

(
x
,
λ
)

=

∫
Ω

ε
⁢

(

x
-
ξ

,
λ
)

⁢
ρ
⁢

(
ξ
,
λ
)

⁢

𝑑
ξ

u(x,\lambda)=\int_{\Omega}\varepsilon(x-\xi,\lambda)\rho(\xi,\lambda)\,d\xi{}

where

ε
⁢

(

x
-
ξ

,
λ
)

{\varepsilon(x-\xi,\lambda)}

are fundamental solutions of the Helmholtz equation,

-

Δ
x

⁢
ε
⁢

(
x
)

-

λ
⁢
ε

=

δ
⁢

(
x
)

,

-\Delta_{x}\varepsilon(x)-\lambda\varepsilon=\delta(x),

ρ
⁢

(
ξ
,
λ
)

{\rho(\xi,\lambda)}

is a density of the potential, λ is a complex number, and δ is the Dirac delta function.
These boundary conditions have the property that stationary waves coming from the region Ω to

∂
⁡
Ω

{\partial\Omega}

pass

∂
⁡
Ω

{\partial\Omega}

without reflection, i.e. are transparent boundary conditions.
In the present work, in the general case, in

ℝ
n

{\mathbb{R}^{n}}

,

n
≥
3

{n\geq 3}

, we have proved the problem of reducing the Sommerfeld problem to a boundary value problem in a finite domain. Under the necessary conditions for the Helmholtz potential (

*

*

), its density

ρ
⁢

(
ξ
,
λ
)

{\rho(\xi,\lambda)}

has also been found.
Variational-hemivariational inverse problem for electro-elastic unilateral frictional contact problem
Authors: Baiz Othmane , Benaissa Hicham , Faiz Zakaria , El Moutawakil Driss
Published: November 2020

In the present paper, we study inverse problems for a class of nonlinear hemivariational inequalities. We prove the existence and uniqueness of a solution to inverse problems. Finally, we introduce an inverse problem for an electro-elastic frictional contact problem to illustrate our results.
Inverse problem with final overdetermination for time-fractional differential equation in a Banach space
Authors: Orlovsky Dmitry , Piskarev Sergey
Published: November 2020

We consider in a Banach space E the inverse problem

(

𝐃
t
α

⁢
u

)

⁢

(
t
)

=

A
⁢
u
⁢

(
t
)

+

ℱ
⁢

(
t
)

⁢
f

,

t
∈

[
0
,
T
]

,

u
⁢

(
0
)

=

u
0

,

u
⁢

(
T
)

=

u
T

,

 0
<
α
<
1

(\mathbf{D}_{t}^{\alpha}u)(t)=Au(t)+\mathcal{F}(t)f,\quad t\in[0,T],u(0)=u^{0}%
,u(T)=u^{T},\,0<\alpha<1

with operator A, which generates the analytic and compact α-times
resolvent family

{

S
α

⁢

(
t
,
A
)

}

t
≥
0

{\{S_{\alpha}(t,A)\}_{t\geq 0}}

, the function

ℱ
⁢

(
⋅
)

∈

C
1

⁢

[
0
,
T
]

{\mathcal{F}(\,\cdot\,)\in C^{1}[0,T]}

and

u
0

,

u
T

∈

D
⁢

(
A
)

{u^{0},u^{T}\in D(A)}

are given and

f
∈
E

{f\in E}

is an unknown element. Under natural conditions
we have proved the Fredholm solvability of this problem. In the special case for a self-adjoint
operator A, the existence and uniqueness theorems for the solution of the inverse problem
are proved. The semidiscrete approximation theorem for this inverse problem is obtained.
The practice of imagery: a review of 25 Years of applied sport imagery recommendations
Authors: Ely Frank O. , Munroe-Chandler Krista J. , O Jenny , McCullagh Penny
Published: November 2020

Objectives

The purpose of the current study was to explore the development of practical imagery recommendations in sport over the past 25 years.

Methods

Empirical journal articles (n=500) were reviewed to identify those that explored imagery in sport, contained original data, and provided practical recommendations for imagery use in applied practice (n=94). Further, a thematic analysis was employed to determine general (i.e., categories of recommendations) and specific (i.e., suggestion for applied practice) recommendations.

Results

Seven distinct general recommendations were found for imagery use in sport with a variety of specific recommendations intended for applied practice. Further, a number of specific recommendations were found repeatedly across time while others increased in complexity over time.

Conclusions

The results of the current study suggest that the literature on applied imagery use in sport is well-developed, however, concerns regarding the adoption of practical recommendations do exist. Future directions for applied imagery researchers are also forwarded.
Time of imagery’s effect on performance and self-efficacy in college baseball players
Authors: Haight Colton , Moritz Sandra , Walch Tanis
Published: November 2020

The relationships among the time of imagery use on performance and self-efficacy in college baseball players during a hitting task was examined. Participants (n=24) were randomly assigned to one of three imagery conditions: (a) before practice, (b) during practice, (c) after practice. A one-shot MG-M imagery intervention was used. Results from a 3 (imagery group) ×2 (pretest and posttest) repeated measures ANOVA showed only a significant time by imagery group interaction for self-efficacy (F (2, 21)=4.67, p<0.05). These findings suggest that imagery had a stronger psychological effect than physical effect.
Influence of dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) technique on the low earth orbit intersatellite systems performance
Authors: Eid Mahmoud M. A. , Rashed Ahmed Nabih Zaki , El-gammal Eman Mohsen
Published: November 2020

This work discusses the effect of wavelength division multiplexing on performance of intersatellite link. Intersatellite optical wireless communication (IsOWC) system is simulated by using OptiSystem software. Number of multiplexing channels involve on system performance. Bit rate is an operating parameter that determines the quality of the signal. Also, wavelength and distance between satellite transmitter and satellite receiver determine the system performance. In this article, the max Q factor, received power, and optical signal/noise ratio are the major leading performance parameters.
PAPR reduction scheme for optical OFDM techniques
Authors: Singh Ompal , Paulus Rajeev , Srivastava Rajiv
Published: November 2020

In both optical wireless and optical fiber communication, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) plays an important role in data transmission. In the similar context, DC-coupled optical (DCO) OFDM and asymmetrically clipped optical (ACO) OFDM are discussed. DCO-OFDM has better peak to average power ratio (PAPR) but bit error rate (BER) performance is poor; however, in case of ACO-OFDM, PAPR is poor but BER performance is good. Moreover, DCO-OFDM is more power hungry; therefore, ACO-OFDM is considered as a preferred choice. Recently, asymmetrically clipped DC-biased optical (ADO)-OFDM is proposed, which shows good PAPR and BER performance. Clipping and µ-law companding techniques are discussed for PAPR reduction. The mathematical model is developed for all the three methods for received signal while considering clipping and companding noises along with channel noise. It is found that ADO-OFDM is better choice in comparison to DCO and ACO-OFDM. However, in case of ADO-OFDM, receiver structure is more complex.
Growth in achondroplasia, from birth to adulthood, analysed by the JPA-2 model
Authors: del Pino Mariana , Fano Virginia , Adamo Paula
Published: November 2020

Objectives

In general population, there are three phases in the human growth curve: infancy, childhood and puberty, with different main factors involved in their regulation and mathematical models to fit them. Achondroplasia children experience a fast decreasing growth during infancy and an “adolescent growth spurt”; however, there are no longitudinal studies that cover the analysis of the whole post-natal growth. Here we analyse the whole growth curve from infancy to adulthood applying the JPA-2 mathematical model.

Methods

Twenty-seven patients, 17 girls and 10 boys with achondroplasia, who reached adult size, were included. Height growth data was collected from birth until adulthood. Individual growth curves were estimated by fitting the JPA-2 model to each individual’s height for age data.

Results

Height growth velocity curves show that after a period of fast decreasing growth velocity since birth, with a mean of 9.7 cm/year at 1 year old, the growth velocity is stable in late preschool years, with a mean of 4.2 cm/year. In boys, age and peak height velocity in puberty were 13.75 years and 5.08 cm/year and reach a mean adult height of 130.52 cm. In girls, the age and peak height velocity in puberty were 11.1 years and 4.32 cm/year and reach a mean adult height of 119.2 cm.

Conclusions

The study of individual growth curves in achondroplasia children by the JPA-2 model shows the three periods, infancy, childhood and puberty, with a similar shape but lesser in magnitude than general population.
Impact of sodium phenylbutyrate treatment in acute management of maple syrup urine disease attacks: a single-center experience
Authors: Zubarioglu Tanyel , Dede Elif , Cigdem Humeyra , Kiykim Ertugrul , Cansever Mehmet S. , Aktuglu-Zeybek Cigdem
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Accurate management of metabolic decompensation in maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) has a crucial role, as acute attacks can cause neurological sequels and can be life threatening. Here, we aimed to evaluate effect of sodium phenylbutyrate (NaPBA) in acute management of MSUD attacks.

Methods

Episodes with an initial plasma leucine (Leu) level above 750 µmoL/L and that require hospitalization due to clinical findings of Leu neurotoxicity and/or feeding difficulties were included to the study. Patients who had no molecular diagnosis and a regular follow-up were excluded. Clinical findings, laboratory results and therapy responses were reviewed, retrospectively.

Results

Ten patients who experienced 19 distinct episodes of MSUD attacks were enrolled. Initial median Leu level was 901.67 (range 756–1989.11) and 33.9 µmoL/L (range 7.91–347.3 µmoL/L) at the end of therapy. None of our patients underwent extracorporeal toxin removal during the course of attack. In patients with serial plasma quantitative amino acid sampling, mean Leu reduction rate was calculated to be 529.68 ± 250.08 µmoL/L/day at the 24th h of treatment and 318.72 ± 191.52 µmoL/L/day at the 48th h of treatment.

Conclusions

This study is the first original study that investigates the effect of NaPBA in management of acute attacks of MSUD patients from Turkey. We suggest that NaPBA treatment in MSUD attacks can ameliorate clinical and biochemical findings. This therapeutic option should be considered especially in smaller centers without the toxin removal chance and for patients who were not appropriate for extracorporeal toxin removal like hemodynamic instability.
Ectopic ACTH production by thymic and appendiceal neuroendocrine tumors – two case reports
Authors: Moszczyńska Elżbieta , Pasternak-Pietrzak Katarzyna , Prokop-Piotrkowska Monika , Śliwińska Anna , Szymańska Sylwia , Szalecki Mieczysław
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Ectopic adrenocorticotropic syndrome (EAS) causes approximately 10–18% of cases of Cushing’s syndrome (CS) in adults, while in children it occurs much less frequently.

Case presentation

We report two cases of neuroendocrine tumors (of the thymus and the appendix) in a 12-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl who presented with the clinical features of CS. Elevated serum cortisol, ACTH, and chromogranin levels were observed in both patients. Diagnoses were made on the basis of a mass in the thymus/appendix region visualized with chest/abdominal CT scan and radiotracer accumulation in scintigraphy in the same areas. Histopathological examinations confirmed the diagnoses of NET.

Conclusion

EAS is an extremely rare endocrine disorder. However, it should be taken into consideration in the diagnostic process of every case of ACTH-dependent CS.
Impact of lockdown for COVID-19 pandemic in Indian children and youth with type 1 diabetes from different socio-economic classes
Authors: Shah Nikhil , Karguppikar Madhura , Bhor Shital , Ladkat Dipali , Khadilkar Vaman , Khadilkar Anuradha
Published: November 2020

Objectives

In March 2020, lockdown was imposed in India to combat spread of Coronavirus, which was extended till 31st May. Implementation of lockdown and limited outdoor activities resulted in changes in routines of children with diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of lockdown on glycemic control, weight and body mass index (BMI) patterns of children with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) from different socio-economic (SE) classes.

Methods

This observational study included 77 children and youth (5–20 years) with T1DM having disease duration of ≥6 months. Demographic data and investigations were recorded at two time points (post lockdown when the children came for follow up, pre lockdown data from medical records).

Results

Glycemic control improved (pre lockdown HbA1C 79.4±19.2 vs. post lockdown Hba1C 74.5±16.9 mmol/mol, p<0.05) and there was weight gain post lockdown (pre lockdown weight z-score −0.4±0.8 vs. post lockdown weight z-score −0.2±0.8, p<0.05) without any significant change in BMI and insulin requirements. Improved glycemic was seen in the lower SE group control post lockdown (p<0.05), whereas in higher SE group, it remained unchanged. Children whose parents were at home during lockdown showed an improved glycemic control (p<0.05) as compared to children whose parents continued to work during lockdown (p>0.01)

Conclusions

During coronavirus lockdown, glycemic control was adequately maintained in children with T1DM, highlighting importance of stronger family support system leading to more steady daily routine.
The current review of adolescent obesity: the role of genetic factors
Authors: Yılmaz Birsen , Gezmen Karadağ Makbule
Published: November 2020

Obesity, a complex, multi-factor and heterogeneous condition, is thought to result from the interaction of environmental and genetic factors. Considering the result of adolescence obesity in adulthood, the role of genetic factors comes to the fore. Recently, many genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been conducted and many loci associated with adiposity have been identified. In adolescents, the strongest association with obesity has been found in single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the FTO gene. Besides FTO, GWAS showed consistent effects between variants in MC4R, TMEM18, TNNI3K, SEC16B, GNPDA2, POMC and obesity. However, these variants may not have similar effects for all ethnic groups. Although recently genetic factors are considered to contribute to obesity, relatively little is known about the specific loci related to obesity and the mechanisms by which they cause obesity.
Products Liability Law – Lessons from the Military and Industrial Contexts
Authors: Schachtman Nathan A.
Published: November 2020

The policy bases for American products liability law have developed largely through a series of state court cases that involved products sold to ordinary consumers. These cases featured significant disparities between manufacturers and injured consumers in understanding latent risks from product use, and in their ability to avoid the risks and to absorb and to distribute the costs of the risks. The policy bases that appear cogent for consumer products fail to explain or justify the imposition of liability in many industrial settings, which involve military or industrial customers that are well aware of the products’ latent risks and that have moral, common law, statutory, and regulatory duties to ensure that the industrial products are used safely.
What Practitioners can Teach Academics About Tort Litigation – The Plaintiff’s Perspective in Medical Malpractice Litigation
Authors: Albro Thomas E. , Hendell Thomas M.
Published: November 2020

Although medical errors are a leading cause of injury and death in the United States, only a small fraction of claims result in litigation, and the number of paid claims continues to decline. There are many reasons for the relatively small number of medical errors that result in medical malpractice litigation, including the prohibitive cost of procuring medical experts, caps on recovery, the long timeline of a med mal case from intake to verdict or settlement, and the outsized success rate of defendant doctors at trial. This article explores all of these topics, as well as common causes of action and notable plaintiff types.
Serrated lesions of the colon and rectum: Emergent epidemiological data and molecular pathways
Authors: Sacco Michele , De Palma Fatima Domenica Elisa , Guadagno Elia , Giglio Mariano Cesare , Peltrini Roberto , Marra Ester , Manfreda Andrea , Amendola Alfonso , Cassese Gianluca , Dinuzzi Vincenza Paola , Pegoraro Francesca , Tropeano Francesca Paola , Luglio Gaetano , De Palma Giovanni Domenico
Published: November 2020

In 2010, serrated polyps (SP) of the colon have been included in the WHO classification of digestive tumors. Since then a large corpus of evidence focusing on these lesions are available in the literature. This review aims to analyze the present data on the epidemiological and molecular aspects of SP. Hyperplastic polyps (HPs) are the most common subtype of SP (70–90%), with a minimal or null risk of malignant transformation, contrarily to sessile serrated lesions (SSLs) and traditional serrated adenomas (TSAs), which represent 10–20% and 1% of adenomas, respectively. The malignant transformation, when occurs, is supported by a specific genetic pathway, known as the serrated-neoplasia pathway. The time needed for malignant transformation is not known, but it may occur rapidly in some lesions. Current evidence suggests that a detection rate of SP ≥15% should be expected in a population undergoing screening colonoscopy. There are no differences between primary colonoscopies and those carried out after positive occult fecal blood tests, as this screening test fails to identify SP, which rarely bleed. Genetic similarities between SP and interval cancers suggest that these cancers could arise from missed SP. Hence, the detection rate of serrated-lesions should be evaluated as a quality indicator of colonoscopy. There is a lack of high-quality longitudinal studies analyzing the long-term risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC), as well as the cancer risk factors and molecular tissue biomarkers. Further studies are needed to define an evidence-based surveillance program after the removal of SP, which is currently suggested based on experts’ opinions.
Mobil, taktil und nah am Körper – Über den Gebrauch von Beuteln
Authors: Strohmaier Patricia
Published: November 2020

Medieval bags or pouches have survived mainly in church treasuries, preserved in reliquaries and altars. Usually made of silk, they vary considerably in form, colour, motif and size. Although most surviving pouches have been interpreted as containers for relics that were safely stored away in church treasuries, the form of a sewn bag was not mandatory for wrapping a relic to be placed inside a reliquary or an altar. Nor were all bags intended for ecclesiastical use, as is evident from the number of alms bags preserved in church treasuries. Through an analysis of textual sources and surviving items this article explores alternative uses of these highly tactile textiles that served as containers for valued personal belongings, either as an amulet while traveling, as a container of an individual’s relic donation to a church or even by means of theft. Worn close to the body, around the waist on a belt, around the neck and above or underneath garments, the softness and lightness of bags offered high comfort. Ornaments such as fringes, tassels or ribbons with beads invited wearers to touch it and play with it, thus deepening their engagement with the bag and its content.
Passive photonic diodes based on natural van der Waals heterostructures
Authors: Li Jie , Du Lin , Huang Jing , He Yuan , Yi Jun , Miao Lili , Zhao Chujun , Wen Shuangchun
Published: November 2020

Van der Waals heterostructures are composed of stacked atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) crystals to provide unprecedented functionalities and novel physics. Franckeite, a naturally occurring van der Waals heterostructure consisting of superimposed SnS2-like and PbS-like layers alternately, shows intriguing potential in versatile optoelectronic applications. Here, we have prepared the few-layer franckeite via liquid-phase exfoliation method and characterized its third-order nonlinearity and ultrafast dynamics experimentally. We have found that the layered franckeite shows low saturable intensity, large modulation depth and picosecond ultrafast response. We have designed the passive photonic diodes based on the layered franckeite/C60cascaded film and suspension configuration and found that the passive photonic diodes exhibit stable nonreciprocal transmission of light. The experimental results show the excellent nonlinear optical performance and ultrafast response of the layered franckeite, which may make inroad for the cost effective and reliable high-performance optoelectronic devices.
Recent advances in fluorescence probes based on carbon dots for sensing and speciation of heavy metals
Authors: Li Pingjing , Li Sam F. Y.
Published: November 2020

Heavy metal (HM) pollution is a major global concern. Carbon dots (CDs) have demonstrated unique properties as sensing platforms for HMs detection. This review summarizes the progress made in recent years in fluorescence methods to determine HMs and their species using CDs. First, the strategies to synthesize and purify CDs are reviewed. The photoluminescence principles of CDs and their sensing mechanisms as HMs sensors are then summarized. The binding strategies between CDs and HMs are proposed to provide salient principles to design desirable CD-based HMs sensors. The preparation and merits of “turn-on” and ratiometric CDs for HMs detection with higher accuracy are discussed compared with commonly used “turn-off” sensors. Subsequently, the progress on detecting single HM ions, multi-HMs, and different metal species in solution, and the development of gel/solid-state sensor platforms such as paper-based devices, sensor arrays, hydrogels, polymer films, and ion-imprinted polymers are critically accessed. Furthermore, the advances in the cell, bacterial, plant, and animal bioimaging of HMs with CDs as promising bioimaging reagents are presented. Finally, the challenges and prospects of CDs as HMs sensors in future investigations are discussed.
A new polymorph of tetrakis(dimethylammonium) catena-poly[tetrakis(μ
2-sulfato-κ
2
O:O′)dizinc(II)], Zn2C8H32N4O16S4
Authors: Meng Gaoxiang , Li Zhou , Yang Yongming
Published: November 2020

Zn

2

C
8

H

32

N
4

O

16

S
4

${\text{Zn}}_{2}{\text{C}}_{8}{\text{H}}_{32}{\text{N}}_{4}{\text{O}}_{16}{\text{S}}_{4}$

, triclinic,

P

1
‾

$P‾{1}$

(no. 2), a = 9.0313(9) Å, b = 9.6075(14) Å, c = 15.3044(15) Å, α = 89.933(2)°, β = 78.579(1)°, γ = 68.878(1)°, V = 1210.6(2) Å3, Z = 2,

R

g
t

${R}_{gt}$

(F) = 0.0323,

w

R

ref

$w{R}_{\mathit{ref}}$

(F
2) = 0.1043, T = 100(2) K.
The crystal structure of 5H-dibenzo[b,e]azepine-6,11-dione, C14H9NO2
Authors: Wang Li-Hua , Zhou Xiao-Jing , Liu Li-Li , Zhang Ai-Ling , Tai Xi-Shi
Published: November 2020

C14H9NO2, orthorhombic, Pca21 (no. 29), a = 27.190(4) Å, b = 4.3317(6) Å, c = 17.297(2) Å, V = 2037.2(5) Å3, Z = 8, R
gt(F) = 0.0524, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.1122, T = 150.0(1) K.
The crystal structure of 2,4-dimethylimidazole monohydrate, C5H10N2O
Authors: Hosten Eric C. , Betz Richard
Published: November 2020

C5H10N2O, monoclinic, Ia (no. 9), a = 4.7212(4) Å, b = 11.1424(8) Å, c = 12.8211(9) Å, β = 94.349(3)°, V = 672.52(9) Å3, Z = 4, R

gt
(F) = 0.0280, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.0821, T = 200 K.
The crystal structure of 1,2-dimethylimidazole, C5H8N2
Authors: Hosten Eric C. , Betz Richard
Published: November 2020

C5H8N2, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 8.2492(6) Å, b = 7.2496(5) Å, c = 9.2882(7) Å, β = 99.214(2)°, V = 548.30(7) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt
(F) = 0.0477, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1400, T = 200 K.
Interactive effects of Potato virus Y and Potato leafroll virus infection on potato yields in Uganda
Authors: Byarugaba Arinaitwe Abel , Mukasa Settumba B. , Barekye Alex , Rubaihayo Patrick R.
Published: November 2020

Potatoes are prone to attack by multiple viruses, which contribute greatly to yield and quality decline depending on the cultivar and the virus involved. This study investigated the effect of co-infection involving Potato virus Y (potyvirus) and Potato leafroll Virus (pelero virus) on productivity of five potato cultivars in Uganda and the nature of virus interaction during co-infection process. Variety response to virus infection by PVY, PLRV and co-infection (PVY + PLRV) varied across different varieties. The plants that were infected with PLRV had leaf rolling, stuntedness, leaf distortion, reduction in leaf size and mottling and light yellow mosaics, and in some cases, purple or red margins were observed, while single infection of PVY induced necrosis, leaf rugosity, crinkling, stunting, interveinal necrosis, blotching of the margins, leaf distortion and mottling. When the two viruses were combined during co-infection with PVY + PLRV, the symptoms were characterized by bright blotching and necrotic leaf margins with purpling of the leaf tips and leaf margins, stuntedness and leaf distortions. The virus disease severity was higher under mixed infected plants than single infected plants. The high disease severity culminated in a significant effect on yield, marketable tuber number per plant, plant growth height and plant vigor, which were different across the varieties. Co-infection involving PVY and PLRV caused a reduction in the marketable yield of 95.2% (Kinigi), 94% (Victoria), 89.5 (Rwagume), 45.3% (Royal) and 23.7% (Sifra). Single infection by PLRV caused a reduction in a marketable yield in Victoria (91.8%), Kinigi (84.8%), Rwagume (73.3%), Royal (47.2%) and Sifra 22.1%, while PVY caused a marketable yield reduction in Victoria (87.2%), Rwagume (85.9.7%), Kinigi (85.1%), Royal (37.4%) and Sifra (14.1%). The effects associated with the co-infection of PVY and PLRV were lower than the combined value of the single infections, suggesting that the two viruses were interacting to affect the potato productivity. The high yield loss suggested that effective resistance strategy targeting PVY, PLRV and their combination was required to save the potato industry in Uganda.
Why the Hardship? Islam, Christianity, and Instrumental Affliction
Authors: Pieper Christopher Nicolas
Published: November 2020

Viewing hardship through the Western tradition of theodicy, Western theologians and philosophers sometimes approach their Muslim neighbors with questions about the Islamic perspective on suffering. But merely by asking about “suffering,” these Western friends already project a theological category foreign to most Muslims, particularly those from a non-Western background. In order for Christian and post-Christian Westerners to understand the Islamic approach to hardship, they must first learn to distinguish between affliction and suffering. This requires a careful look at the creation narratives each tradition tells: for example, does God initiate human affliction? And what does the answer to this question say about the nature of affliction, if God is also good? Answering these queries helps one to distinguish Christian and Islamic responses to catastrophe, pain, and even violence. Furthermore, examining the koranic reply may redirect Western persons to teachings within the biblical tradition, which Christians often overlook or avoid. The instrumental role of affliction is relatively unpopular in the West, but dialogue with Islam uncovers the fact that it is a concept neither alien nor unimportant to biblical teaching. In fact, God’s repurposing of affliction is vital to Christian doctrine. Dialogue with Islam may help to recover this Christian lesson.
Calculation of focal values for first-order non-autonomous equation with algebraic and trigonometric coefficients
Authors: Akram Saima , Nawaz Allah , Abdeljawad Thabet , Ghaffar Abdul , Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy
Published: November 2020

This article concerns with the development of the number of focal values. We analyzed periodic solutions for first-order cubic non-autonomous ordinary differential equations. Bifurcation analysis for periodic solutions from a fine focus {\mathfrak{z}}=0 is also examined. In particular, we are interested to detect the maximum number of periodic solutions for various classes of higher order in which a given solution can bifurcate under perturbation of the coefficients. We calculate the maximum number of periodic solutions for different classes, namely, {C}_{10,5} and {C}_{12,6} with trigonometric coefficients, and they are found with nine and eight multiplicities at most. The classes {C}_{8,3} and {C}_{8,4} with algebraic coefficients have at most eight limit cycles. The new formula {\varkappa }_{10} is developed by which we succeeded to find highest known multiplicity ten for class {C}_{\mathrm{9,3}} with polynomial coefficient. Periodicity is calculated for both trigonometric and algebraic coefficients. Few examples are also considered to explain the applicability and stability of the methods presented.
Possible role of Unani Pharmacology in COVID-19 – a narrative review
Authors: Alam Md Anzar , Gani Mohd Abdul , Shama G. , Sofi Ghulamuddin , Quamri Mohd Aleemuddin
Published: November 2020

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), viral diseases continue to rise, and pose a significant public health problem. Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. The pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of COVID-19 is close to Amraz-e-Wabai (epidemic diseases) which was described by Hippocrates, Galen, Aristotle, Razes, Haly Abbas, Avicenna, Jurjani etc. Presently, there is no specific or challenging treatment available for COVID-19. Renowned Unani Scholars recommended during epidemic situation to stay at home, and fumigate the shelters with aromatics herbs like Ood kham (Aquilaria agallocha Roxb.), Kundur (Boswellia serrata Roxb), Kafoor (Cinnamomum camphora L.), Sandal (Santalum album L), Hing (Ferula foetida L.) etc. Use of specific Unani formulations are claimed effective for the management of such epidemic or pandemic situation like antidotes (Tiryaqe Wabai, Tiryaqe Arba, Tiryaqe Azam, Gile Armani), Herbal Decoction (Joshandah), along with Sharbate Khaksi, Habbe Bukhar, Sharbate Zanjabeel, Khamira Marwareed, Jawarish Jalinus, and Sirka (vinegar). Such drugs are claimed for use as antioxidant, immunomodulatory, cardiotonic, and general tonic actions. The study enumerates the literature regarding management of epidemics in Unani medicine and attempts to look the same in the perspective of COVID-19 prevention and management.
COVID-19 in age-related neurodegenerative diseases: is there a role for vitamin D3 as a possible therapeutic strategy?
Authors: de Barros Viana Milena , Rosário Bárbara dos Anjos , de Fátima Santana de Nazaré Maria , Estadella Débora , Ribeiro Daniel Araki , Socorro de Barros Viana Glauce
Published: November 2020

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19), identified in Wuhan, China, on December 2019, was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, on March, 2020. Since then, efforts have been gathered to describe its clinical course and to determine preventive measures and treatment strategies. Adults older than 65 years of age are more susceptible to serious clinical symptoms and present higher mortality rates. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a major receptor for some coronavirus infection, including SARS-COV-2, but is also a crucial determinant in anti-inflammation processes during the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) functioning – converting angiotensin II to angiotensin 1–7. The decline in ACE2 expression that occurs with aging has been associated to the higher morbidity and mortality rates in older adults. These observations highlight the importance of investigating the association between COVID-19 and age-related neurodegenerative disorders, i.e., Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. A possible option to reduce the risk of COVID-19 is vitamin D supplementation, due to its anti-inflammatory and immune-system-modulating effects. It has also been suggested that vitamin D supplementation plays a role in slowing progression of Parkinson and Alzheimer. The present study is a literature review of articles published on the theme COVID-19, Parkinson and Alzheimer’s diseases, and the role played by vitamin D. PUBMED, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases were consulted. Results confirm neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory effects of COVID-19, aggravated in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s patients, and the important role of vitamin D as a possible therapeutic strategy. Nevertheless, randomized controlled trials and large population studies are still warranted.