bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder in offsprings of bipolar parents
Authors: Sabri Youmna
Published: March 2022

Background

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) was introduced in (DSM-5) as a new diagnostic category to get control on the exaggerated diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents which was elevated more than 40 times in the last decade. Few studies were done recently to explore the role of family history of bipolar disorder in the occurrence of DMDD in children and adolescents. Unfortunately, there is limited number of studies about the familial transmission of DMDD.

The aim of this study is to examine the presence of a relation between DMDD and the presence of a family history of bipolar disorder through comparing the diagnosis of DMDD in offspring of parents with (a) bipolar disorder and (b) a control group.

Results

The distribution of psychiatric disorders among the studied groups highlighted that DMDD and depressive disorder are significantly present in the offsprings of bipolar parents more than in the offsprings of control parents. DMDD is significantly present among offsprings of bipolar parents aged ≤ 11 years old (p = 0.008*). Also, DMDD is significantly (p = 0.02) present among male offsprings of bipolar parents. Also, depressive disorder is significantly (p = 0.002) present among female offsprings of control parents. While significant comorbidity between DMDD and depressive disorders (p = 0.018*) was detected.

Conclusions

This study revealed that DMDD and depressive disorders are significantly present in the offsprings of bipolar parents higher than in the offsprings of control parents. DMDD is significantly present among the offsprings of bipolar parents aged ≤ 11 years old.

The relation between sex and affective disorders among the offsprings was also assessed revealing that DMDD is significantly present among male offsprings of bipolar parents. Also, depressive disorders are significantly present among female offsprings of control parents.

Potential implications

This study has several clinical implications. This study draws attention to the importance of the careful assessment of the offsprings of bipolar patients to check the presence of different childhood psychiatric disorders such as DMDD. Also, symptoms of temper outbursts and persistent irritability in childhood require the necessary of psychiatric evaluation not only for the patients but also for their families. In addition, this study highlights the need for accurate updated diagnostic instruments to differentiate between these overlapping symptoms.

As regards implications for future research, following-up of children diagnosed with DMDD to recognize the prognostic outcome of this new diagnostic category is necessary.
Assessment of variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients: accuracy of multi-detector computed tomography
Authors: Samy Marwa , Gamal Doaa , Othman Mostafa H. M. , Ahmed Shimaa Abdalla
Published: March 2022

Background

Esophageal variceal hemorrhage (EVH) has been shown to be a leading cause of mortality in patients with portal hypertension. Our purpose was to assess the utility of multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) features in the assessment of esophageal varices (EVs) and esophageal variceal hemorrhage (EVH). This prospective study included 85 cirrhotic patients who underwent MDCT and Upper Gastrointestinal Tract (UGIT) endoscopy within 2 weeks. Four radiologists evaluated the presence of EVs and the presence and size of different collaterals. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was calculated to investigate the significant predictors influencing EV and EVH.

Results

Findings of EV with MDCT were the best predictor of EV or EVH. The presence (and/or size) of following collaterals had significant association with both EV and EVH: paraesophageal (p < 0.001, < 0.001), short gastric (p = 0.024, 0.010), gastric varicosities (p < 0.001, < 0.001), coronary (p < 0.001, < 0.001), and main coronary vein (MCV) (p < 0.001, = 0.011). We proposed an imaging-based model (presence of coronary collaterals, main coronary vein size > 3.5 mm, presence of short gastric collaterals, presence of gastric varicosities, size > 1.5 mm) with 97% sensitivity, 91% specificity, and 94% accuracy to predict EVs. We suggested another model (presence of paraesophageal collaterals, presence of short gastric vein (SGC), SGC size > 2.5 mm, main coronary vein size > 3.5 mm, gastric varicosities size > 1.5 mm, size of EVs > 4 mm, and Child C score) to predict EVH with 98% sensitivity, 81% specificity, and 89.5% accuracy. Inter-observer agreement was high in the detection of EVs (W. Kappa = 0.71–0.88).

Conclusion

MDCT is an effective modality in the diagnosis of EVs. At MDCT, the presence and/or size of various collaterals including para-esophageal, short gastric, coronary collaterals, and gastric varicosities are accurate predictors for either EVs existence or EVH. We suggested two computed tomography imaging-based models with high reproducibility and acceptable accuracy for the prediction of EV and EVH. With cirrhotic patients, we recommend that radiologists report collaterals in their daily practice.
Investigation into corrosion-induced bond degradation between concrete and steel rebar with acoustic emission and 3D laser scan techniques
Authors: Tang Fujian , Lin Zhibin , Qu Hongya , Chen Genda
Published: March 2022

Corrosion-induced bond degradation of deformed steel rebar in concrete is experimentally investigated with acoustic emission (AE) and 3D laser scan technique. Concrete specimens were fabricated and subjected to direct pullout test after being corroded to different levels. The number and width of cracks present during the corrosion tests and the pull-out tests were recorded. The energy released during the pullout tests were captured with AE probes, and the frequency characteristics was analyzed. After pullout tests, the surface morphology of corroded steel rebars was determined with a 3D laser scanner. A modified bond deterioration model was proposed and the parameters associated with the model were analyzed. Results indicated that two types of AE signals were acquired during pullout tests: concrete cracking in high frequency range of 35 ~ 41 kHz and steel-concrete friction in low frequency range of 3 ~ 15 kHz. The bond strength and the bond-slip characteristics depend upon the level of corrosion as well as the number and width of cracks. The reduction factor of the bond-slip model exponentially decreases as a function of the average cross-sectional area loss and linearly decreases with an increase of the rib area loss.
Inherited metabolic disorders in a cohort of Egyptian children
Authors: Abdelsattar Shimaa , Obada Manar , El-Hawy Mahmoud A. , Abd El Naby Sameh A. , Zaki Osama K. , Elsaid Hala
Published: March 2022

Background

Inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) represent a special challenge in pediatric practice. Despite the unquestionable clinical significance of newborn screening, it just offers a snapshot of an extremely minor subgroup of metabolic disorders. So, it is crucial to use multiple techniques for accurate diagnosis of a wider spectrum of IEMs early in infancy to prevent overwhelming irreversible neurological complications in a cohort of high-risk Egyptian pediatrics. This study included four thousand and eighty suspected IEMs patients. They were referred to the Chromatography Unit, Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratories, National Liver Institute (NLI) for laboratory assessment in the period from March 2016 to November 2020. Separation of amino acids and acylcarnitines using tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and organic acids using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was done.

Results

Three hundred and twenty (320/4080, 7.8%) patients were diagnosed with IEMs. The following disorders were identified: organic acidopathies—200 (62.5%) including methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) (48/320, 15%), glutaric academia (GA) (40/320, 12, 5%), propionic acidemia (PA), (32/320, 10%), isovaleric acidemia (IVA) (40/320, 12.5%), methylcrotonyl glyceinuria (16/320, 5%), and orotic acidemia (24/320, 7.5%); amino acidopathies—80 (25%) including maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) (32/320, 10%), phenylketonuria (24/320, 7.5%), homocystinuria (16/320, 5%), and nonketotic hyperglycinemia (8/320, 2.5%) in addition to fatty acid disorders (FAO): 24 (7.5%) and lactic academia (LA), 16 (5%).

Conclusion

Early detection of IEMs by rapid non-invasive techniques. LC/MS and GC/MS. is a crucial process for early diagnosis of different types of IEMs to install therapeutic clue in a group of high-risk Egyptian pediatrics for proper treatment and better outcome
Targeted newborn hearing screening in the neonatal intensive care unit of Assiut University Hospital
Authors: Omar Kholoud Mohamed , Mohamed Enass Sayed , Said Eman Abdel Fattah , AbdelAziz Nafisa H. R. , Aly Maha Abdelgaber A.
Published: March 2022

Background

Early detection of congenital hearing loss (HL) and appropriate intervention is essential to minimize its dramatic impact. Target-based newborn hearing screening (TNHS) was initially targeted high-risk register (HRR) newborn. The advance techniques in neonatology in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) lead to decrease mortality among low birth weight and preterm infants, but significant morbidities including hearing loss persist. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence of hearing loss and the percentage of different risk factors among the HRR neonates admitted to NICU at Assiut University Hospital.

Results

The prevalence of hearing loss among the study group is 1%. The most common risk factor present between the study group was prematurity associated with the low birth weight (57%). The combination of preterm and low birth weight has statistically significant effect on hearing loss (p < 0.006). There was statistically significant difference in the pass rate of the transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) frequencies included in the screening program. The highest pass rate 91% and 85% was at 4 KH and 3 KH, respectively, while the least pass rate was at 1 KH (11.5%).

Conclusion

TEOAE screener is safe, noninvasive, and doesn’t require sedation and cost-effective method in the newborn hearing screening at NICU. For HRR, it is better to do screening before hospital discharge so allowing enough time for comorbidities of the neonate to improve. Neonatal hearing screening in high-risk neonates in NICU allows early identification of children with hearing loss with early intervention.
Probabilistic analysis of land subsidence due to pumping by Biot poroelasticity and random field theory
Authors: Deng Sirui , Yang Haoqing , Chen Xiaoying , Wei Xin
Published: March 2022

Land subsidence is a global problem in urban areas. The main cause of land subsidence is the pumping of subsurface water. It is of great significance to study the subsurface settlement and water flow of the lands due to pumping. In this study, the probabilistic analysis of land subsidence due to pumping is performed by Biot’s poroelasticity and random field theory based on a case study. The results show that the change of deformation of the aquifer is far less significant than the hydraulic head over the years. When considering the spatial variability of soil strength, the land subsidence suffers from great uncertainty when the correlation length is large. Nevertheless, the spatial variability of soil strength on the uncertainty of hydraulic head can be ignored. When considering the spatial variability of soil hydraulic conductivity, the uncertainty of the hydraulic head is mainly located near the bedrock and increases markedly along with the rise of the correlation length. Time is another important factor to increase the uncertainty of the hydraulic head. However, its contribution to the uncertainty of displacement is insignificant.
The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in individuals with pre-existing mental illness
Authors: Lewis Katie J. S. , Lewis Catrin , Roberts Alice , Richards Natalie A. , Evison Claudia , Pearce Holly A. , Lloyd Keith , Meudell Alan , Edwards Bethan M. , Robinson Catherine A. , Poole Rob , John Ann , Bisson Jonathan I. , Jones Ian
Published: March 2022

Background

There is evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected mental health, but most studies have been conducted in the general population.

Aims

To identify factors associated with mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in individuals with pre-existing mental illness.

Method

Participants (N= 2869, 78% women, ages 18–94 years) from a UK cohort (the National Centre for Mental Health) with a history of mental illness completed a cross-sectional online survey in June to August 2020. Mental health assessments were the GAD-7 (anxiety), PHQ-9 (depression) and WHO-5 (well-being) questionnaires, and a self-report question on whether their mental health had changed during the pandemic. Regressions examined associations between mental health outcomes and hypothesised risk factors. Secondary analyses examined associations between specific mental health diagnoses and mental health.

Results

A total of 60% of participants reported that mental health had worsened during the pandemic. Younger age, difficulty accessing mental health services, low income, income affected by COVID-19, worry about COVID-19, reduced sleep and increased alcohol/drug use were associated with increased depression and anxiety symptoms and reduced well-being. Feeling socially supported by friends/family/services was associated with better mental health and well-being. Participants with a history of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or eating disorder were more likely to report that mental health had worsened during the pandemic than individuals without a history of these diagnoses.

Conclusions

We identified factors associated with worse mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in individuals with pre-existing mental illness, in addition to specific groups potentially at elevated risk of poor mental health during the pandemic.
Management and Care of Patients With Invasive Cervical Cancer: ASCO Resource-Stratified Guideline Rapid Recommendation Update
Authors: Chuang Linus T. , Temin Sarah , Berek Jonathan S. ,   for the Management and Care of Patients with Invasive Cervical Cancer Resource-Stratified Guideline Expert Panel
Published: March 2022

ASCO Rapid Recommendations Updates highlight revisions to select ASCO guideline recommendations as a response to the emergence of new and practice-changing data. The rapid updates are supported by an evidence review and follow the guideline development processes outlined in the ASCO Guideline Methodology Manual. The goal of these articles is to disseminate updated recommendations, in a timely manner, to better inform health practitioners and the public on the best available cancer care options.
Say's Second Visit to Britain: A Career Turning Point
Authors: Alcouffe Alain , Le Bris David
Published: March 2022

Economist turned entrepreneur Say was uncertain about his future in 1814 when he was commissioned by the French government to document British industrial progress at a critical point of the industrial takeoff. This trip offered the opportunity to observe the economic life of a different country and to deepen his knowledge of the economic consequences of parliamentarism or the Corn Laws. He also developed a specific understanding of the changes occurring in Britain stressing economies of scale, the role of coal for steam, and the horrific situation of the working class. As key causes, he identified British naval domination of the seas and, more surprisingly, the general distortion induced by very heavy taxation. Through his travel, Say also imported new views about education that he disseminated in France before turning himself to the teaching of economics, starting, at forty-eight years of age, an academic career.
Decoding Aesop: Blumenberg’s Fabulistic Turn
Authors: Fuchs Florian
Published: March 2022

This article develops Hans Blumenberg’s intensifying interest in fables during the 1970s and 1980s and argues that it marked his decisive turn away from academic philosophy toward a rethinking of storytelling as a philosophical practice. Blumenberg’s simultaneous writings on anecdotes are thus reframed as a testing ground and subsequent application of a philosophy of fabulistic storytelling. The systematic reach of this fabulistic turn is exhibited by tracing a set of concepts—pensiveness (Nachdenklichkeit), nonunderstanding (Unverstand), and disturbance (Störung)—that Blumenberg coined to define the specific phenomenological conditions of being interrupted by a fable-type story. Though no actual “fabulology” ensued from these plans, the fabulistic turn can be contextualized with Blumenberg’s metaphorology as it represents his ultimate attempt to study the role of language for philosophy, however, with a shift from analysis to pragmatism: while metaphorology demanded, retroactively, that absolute metaphors be revisited throughout the history of philosophy to gauge the plasticity lost by philosophical language, Blumenberg’s fabulology proposes, proactively, to change philosophical language itself by conducting narratological experiments with the lifeworld to rethink the relation between lifeworld, reality, and storytelling.
Physiological tissue-specific and age-related reduction of mouse TDP-43 levels is regulated by epigenetic modifications
Authors: Pacetti Miriam , De Conti Laura , Marasco Luciano E. , Romano Maurizio , Rashid Mohammad M. , Nubiè Martina , Baralle Francisco E. , Baralle Marco
Published: March 2022

The cellular level of TDP-43 (also known as TARDBP) is tightly regulated; increases or decreases in TDP-43 have deleterious effects in cells. The predominant mechanism responsible for the regulation of the level of TDP-43 is an autoregulatory negative feedback loop. In this study, we identified an in vivo cause-effect relationship between Tardbp gene promoter methylation and specific histone modification and the TDP-43 level in tissues of mice at two different ages. Furthermore, epigenetic control was observed in mouse and human cultured cell lines. In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the formation of TDP-43-containing brain inclusions removes functional protein from the system. This phenomenon is continuous but compensated by newly synthesized protein. The balance between sequestration and new synthesis might become critical with ageing, if accompanied by an epigenetic modification-regulated decrease in newly synthesized TDP-43. Sequestration by aggregates would then decrease the amount of functional TDP-43 to a level lower than those needed by the cell and thereby trigger the onset of symptoms.
Modern Infectious Diseases: Macroeconomic Impacts and Policy Responses
Authors: Bloom David E. , Kuhn Michael , Prettner Klaus
Published: March 2022

We discuss and review literature on the macroeconomic effects of epidemics and pandemics since the late twentieth century. First, we cover the role of health in driving economic growth and well-being and discuss standard frameworks for assessing the economic burden of infectious diseases. Second, we sketch a general theoretical framework to evaluate the trade-offs policy makers must consider when addressing infectious diseases and their macroeconomic repercussions. In so doing, we emphasize the dependence of economic consequences on (i) disease characteristics; (ii) inequalities among individuals in terms of susceptibility, preferences, and income; and (iii) cross-country heterogeneities in terms of their institutional and macroeconomic environments. Third, we study pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical policies aimed at mitigating and preventing infectious diseases and their macroeconomic repercussions. Fourth, we discuss the health toll and economic impacts of five infectious diseases: HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, influenza, and COVID-19. Although major epidemics and pandemics can take an enormous human toll and impose a staggering economic burden, early and targeted health and economic policy interventions can often mitigate both to a substantial degree. (JEL E20, H50, I12, I14, I15, I18, J17)
Population attributable risk for colorectal and breast cancer in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the United Kingdom
Authors: Goon Shatabdi , Kim Hanseul , Giovannucci Edward L.
Published: March 2022

Background: The population attributable risk (PAR) is a statistic commonly used for quantifying preventability of cancer. We report here PAR estimates for the United Kingdom (UK) along with its constituent countries for up-to-date risk factor-attributable colorectal cancer (CRC) and breast cancer (BC), focusing on diet and nutrition related factors and tobacco (CRC) using representative national surveys.

Methods: The PAR was calculated using established, modifiable risk factors by the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute of Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR): physical activity, body mass index (BMI), alcoholic drinks, red meat, processed meat, dietary fiber, dietary calcium, as well as cigarette smoking for CRC, and physical activity, BMI, alcoholic drinks, and fruits and vegetable consumption for BC. National prevalence estimates and relative risks (RRs) for CRC and BC were obtained from meta-analyses or large pooled analyses.

Results: Based on eight dietary and lifestyle risk factors, the estimates for attributable cases of CRC for males and females, respectively, were as follows: England: 67% and 60%; Scotland: 68% and 59%, Wales: 66% and 61%; Northern Ireland: 67% and 61%; and UK: 67% and 60%. Excluding smoking, the PAR for the UK was 61% for men and 52% for women. Based on four dietary and lifestyle risk factors, the estimates for BC were as follows: England: 26%, Scotland: 27%; Wales: 25%; Northern Ireland: 26%; and UK: 27%.

Conclusion: Up to 67% for CRC and 27% of BC were attributable to modifiable dietary and lifestyle factors in the UK. Moderate differences in PAR are observed between countries due to different prevalence of exposure to risk factors.
The genome sequence of the small pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly, Boloria selene (Schiffermüller, 1775)
Authors: Lohse Konrad , Setter Derek ,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: March 2022

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Boloria selene (the small pearl-bordered fritillary, also known as the silver meadow fritillary; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Nymphalidae). The genome sequence is 400 megabases in span. The complete assembly is scaffolded into 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the W and Z sex chromosome assembled.
Evolución y relato: más allá del neodarwinismo y el diseño inteligente
Authors: Ortiz de Landázuri Manuel Cruz
Published: March 2022

Este artículo analiza la evolución desde una perspectiva filosófica, contraponiendo los problemas que suscita tanto el neodarwinismo como la teoría del diseño inteligente. En primer lugar, trato algunos problemas que presenta la teoría sintética desde el punto de vista científico, así como los problemas filosóficos implicados en el neodarwinismo de Dawkins, Dennett, Monod y Ruse. Defiendo que el neodarwinismo, aunque se presente como un relato científico, en realidad es fundamentalmente filosófico, y presenta problemas de fondo que lo hacen difícilmente creíble. Por otro lado, discuto el alcance del diseño inteligente como postura filosófica acerca de la evolución de los seres vivos, mostrando sus problemas. Finalmente, propongo un relato filosófico verosímil acerca de la evolución que pretende ir más allá de la lectura científica de los datos de experiencia.
The Man of the Shroud of Turin: Is He Dead or Alive?
Authors: Hontanilla Calatayud Bernardo
Published: March 2022

It has been assumed that the person represented on the Shroud of Turin is dead and the image corresponds to a person dead from crucifixion. We have conducted an analysis of the cadaveric data of a body and the presence of face life signs and we could think that the image could corresponds to a living person. Therefore, it might correspond to a man starting a getting up gesture.  If we examine the Gospels, a remarkable symmetry is found between the data obtained from the image and the events described in the Gospels, regarding the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Rationality and Human Fulfilment Clarified by a Thomistic Metaphysics of Participation
Authors: Mullins Andy
Published: March 2022

A Thomistic metaphysics of participation in being offers an account of rationality that is more complete and coherent than that of nonreductive physicalism. It is a reasoned understanding of how an embodied intellectual subject shares in being and intellectual life. This metaphysical framework supports an understanding of rationality as a participated power, and an essential property of human nature empowering persons to know reality and make choices accordingly. Human fulfilment in truth and love is a consequence of the grounding of the transcendentals of truth and goodness in being. In contrast, nonreductive physicalism reduces rationality to processes and subjective experiences and can offer no priority between human material and spiritual fulfilment.  Although a Thomistic metaphysics of participation in being has been effectively absent from Anglo-American hylomorphic philosophy of mind, this paper suggests it is time to reassess the benefits it offers.
Eastern Partnership: The Role and Significance in the Process of Transformation of the Countries of Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus
Authors: Bajor Piotr
Published: March 2022

The publication contains a collection of articles devoted to the most important aspects related to the process of transformation of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus under the Eastern Partnership program. The book covers the results of a research project by an international team of scientists who present their findings on the policy of European integration, the role and importance of the Eastern Partnership in the process of change, and give recommendations for its implementation and activities in the future.
The Role of the Eastern Partnership in Georgian Economic Development
Authors: Lashkhi Mariam , Charaia Vakhtang
Published: March 2022

This paper analyzes EU-Georgia cooperation, with specific attention paid to the role of the initiatives of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) in the process of the economic development and modernization of Georgia. The paper discusses the EaP’s role from the first day of its existence, which continues fully fledged and comprehensive support for Georgia through bilateral and multilateral cooperation, providing technical, intellectual, financial, political, business, and social assistance. The paper specifically focuses on bilateral trade, investments, remittances, tourism and other fields of economic cooperation, all of which have a significant impact on the Georgian economy. The paper shows the EU’s contribution to the Georgian economy field-by-field and also shows its aggregated size relative to the Georgian GDP while comparing the results to those of other countries. The paper provides specific conclusions and recommendations for deepening Georgia-EU cooperation through the EaP and other means.
The Role and Significance of the Eastern Partnership Program in Achieving Armenian Economic Priorities
Authors: Hovhannisyan Samvel
Published: March 2022

In July 2021, the European Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy outlined a proposal on how to take forward priorities for cooperation with the Eastern Partners in the years to come. The economic and investment plan will support post-COVID-19 pandemic recovery using specific EU tools, including blending and guarantees, to foster sustainable development and leverage public and private investment. The plan contains a set of flagship initiatives for each of the partner countries. These are concrete priority projects with tangible results that have been jointly identified with the partner countries, taking into account their priorities, needs and ambitions. On July 9 in Yerevan, the EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi announced that the new aid package would total 2.6 billion euros over five years, or $3.1 billion. This report aims at outlining economic priorities for Armenia and possible investment directions under the EU economic and investment plan for the next five years.
Serotonin Surge: Intravenous Escitalopram as a Rare Cause of Drug-Induced Aplastic Anaemia
Authors: Hussain Murtaza , Boyer Katherine , Ponnapalli Anoosha , Awuah Dominic , Khaneki Sina , Deliwala Smit , Bachuwa Ghassan
Published: March 2022

Escitalopram is a commonly prescribed medication that has infrequently been implicated in drug-induced thrombocytopenia (DITP) but has never been associated with aplastic anaemia in the literature. We present an extremely rare case of hypoproliferative pancytopenia due to self-administered intravenous (IV) injection of escitalopram. The crux of this case is the unusual trilineage cytopenia. Our patient was managed with steroids and supportive care with subsequent clinical and blood count recovery. This case sheds light on this uncommon but important association.
Improving upper extremity function in chronic stroke using occupational therapy task-oriented approach
Authors:   Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, Pongtham Phonprapai , Chingchit Waranya ,   Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, Dhippayom Jananya P ,   Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand
Published: March 2022

Background: Recovery of upper extremity function in chronic stroke requires functional rehabilitation. Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of task-oriented occupational therapy on the upper extremity function of chronic stroke clients. Materials and methods: Twenty participants were selected for the study, which was carried out through purposeful sampling process. The participants were then divided into two groups: the intervention and the control groups. Both groups were given a conventional rehabilitation program. The intervention group was also provided with occupational therapy task-oriented training within the duration of 6 weeks, with the consistency of 3 sessions a week, and 1 hour each session. The training program was individually designed based on an analysis of the three most important activities identified by the participants from the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). Each training session consisted of task-oriented training (75%) and supplementary exercise (25%). The Functional Test of the Hemiparetic Upper Extremity-Thai version (FTHUE-Thai Version) and COPM were used as outcome measurements before and after the training programs. Results: The FTHUE-Thai version study showed that the intervention group had significant improvement in the function of paretic upper extremity (p<0.05). The COPM’s report found a dramatical change in performance and satisfaction of the intervention group after the training program (p<0.05). These changes were also significantly different when compared between groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study indicated the effect of occupational therapy task-oriented training based on client-centered approach on improving functions of paretic upper extremities, occupational performance, and satisfaction in people with chronic stroke.
The Rectangular Bin Challenge: Using 3D Simulation to Explore New Bin Filler Methods for Apple Harvest Platforms
Authors: Halali Nadav , Reshef Liad , Salzer Yael
Published: March 2022

Highlights

Bin filler design and bin dimensions determine the apple distribution in the bin.

The performance of new apple distribution systems was estimated with 3D simulations.

A simulated lemniscate path showed improved apple distribution in rectangular bins.

3D simulation provides an efficient tool for design decisions before prototype production.

Abstract. Mechanical harvest platforms equipped with conveyors are meant to replace the traditional apple-picking ladders and buckets; however, their feasibility has not yet been exhaustively established. The conveyors transport picked apples to the bin filler, which distributes the fruit into the bins. Commercial harvest platforms are designed to perform well with square bins; however, Israeli apple industry bins are rectangular. This results in non-uniform apple distribution, which requires human intervention and contributes to apple bruising and economic loss. In this study, 3D simulation was used to quantitatively evaluate the performance of three novel bin filler designs (back-and-forth, double disk, and lemniscate) and compare them to commercial bin fillers. The bin filler models were tested for the uniformity of the apple distribution in square and rectangular bins. The angle of repose and the standard deviation of the height of the top layer of apples were calculated. The commercial bin filler model performed better when filling a square bin (angle = 12°, SD height = 31 mm) than a rectangular bin (angle = 18°, SD height = 71 mm). The lemniscate model (angle = 10°, SD height = 41 mm) outperformed the two other novel models as well as the commercial bin filler model (angle = 18°, SD height = 67 mm). A machine design for the lemniscate model is proposed. The quantitative method described in this study illustrates the potential benefit of 3D simulation as an inexpensive means to explore the feasibility of new harvest devices. Keywords: 3D simulation, Apple, Bin filler, Fruit distribution, Harvest, Mechanical platform.
AUTOAVALIAÇÃO COMO SUBSÍDIO À GESTÃO ACADÊMICA DE CURSOS DE GRADUAÇÃO: A VISÃO DOS COORDENADORES
Authors: Oliveira Filho Egidio de , Haas Celia Maria
Published: March 2022

Este artigo apresenta os resultados de uma pesquisa que teve como foco analisar o processo de autoavaliação de uma Universidade, no contexto do Sistema Nacional de Avaliação da Educação Superior (Sinaes), em conformidade com a Lei nº 10.861/2004. Objetivou-se compreender os efeitos e o uso dos resultados da autoavaliação no âmbito da gestão do curso. Como percurso metodológico, foi analisada a legislação específica e o referencial teórico pertinente ao tema. Por meio de pesquisa de natureza quanti-qualitativa, com características exploratórias e apoiando-se em análise documental e em questionário, colheram-se informações da visão que eles têm do processo de autoavaliação e do uso que fazem dos resultados. A análise apontou que, apesar de o processo de autoavaliação ser considerado uma ferramenta importante para o processo decisório, seu uso não se confirma como fundamental para a gestão.
CORRELAÇÕES ENTRE PESQUISA-AÇÃO E PRÁXIS PEDAGÓGICA FREIREANA: UMA EDUCAÇÃO DIALÓGICA A PARTIR DO CONTEXTO CULTURAL
Authors: Moser Lilian Maria , Pacheco Hualan , Servo Ernesto Eduardo
Published: March 2022

O presente estudo tem como objetivo propor correlações entre Pesquisa-ação e o método de alfabetização de Paulo Freire (2019a). Nesse viés, discutimos sobre a pesquisa-ação com vistas a produção de novos conhecimentos em ciências humanas a partir da resolução de problemas sociais em diálogo com a práxis pedagógica freireana, vislumbrando-se no campo da Educação pesquisas que possam viabilizar cooperação entre sujeitos. O método de Paulo Freire é visto quanto aos processos de ensino e aprendizagem, à alfabetização e/ou escolarização das classes populares tendo nos temas geradores junto aos aspectos culturais pontos de convergências epistemológicas a pesquisa-ação. Nesse sentido, interessam os questionamentos e a dialogicidade dos problemas e/ou situações dos cotidianos. Em termos metodológicos recorreu-se a materiais bibliográficos para a concatenação das ideias chave de Freire e destaca-se que a Pesquisa-ação apresenta estreito debate com o método de Freire, bem como sobre a relação do pesquisador/professor e o público da pesquisa que torna este método uma ação de cooperação e promoção de conhecimentos com vistas a solucionar problemas sociais.
BRINCAR NA CRECHE: UM OLHAR SOBRE TESES E DISSERTAÇÕES BRASILEIRAS
Authors: Soares de Araújo Sá Fabrícia , Adriana Rodrigues Sílvia , Alves de Souza Garcia Rosemary
Published: March 2022

Este texto é um recorte da pesquisa desenvolvida com objetivo geral de mapear e compreender as concepções do brincar na Educação Infantil, especificamente na creche, discutidas em teses e dissertações produzidas na área da Educação. A investigação, com abordagem quanti-qualitativa, do tipo Estado do Conhecimento, teve como fonte para obtenção dos dados a “Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações”. A busca, com delimitação temporal no período de 1999 a 2018, resultou em um número final de quatro produções, indicando claramente a quase inexistência de pesquisas envolvendo o brincar que tenha como contexto a creche. Acreditamos que o cenário revelado denuncia o descaso ainda sofrido por esse espaço quando se trata de uma abordagem educacional/pedagógica envolvendo suas práticas cotidianas também nos trabalhos acadêmicos; bem como, certa desvalorização do brincar no espaço de atendimento educativo.
Les débuts de la phraséologie et les premières « phraséologies historiques » italo-françaises
Authors: Autelli Erica
Published: March 2022

Phraseological studies are prospering, as there have been many important publications over the last years. However, while most researchers date phraseology studies back to Charles Bally (1909), they have a long tradition that has been ignored for years. Indeed, the term phraseology has been found in lots of works dating back centuries, even in the title of works going back to the 16th century (cf. also Autelli 2021a, 2021b). The main goals of this paper are to illustrate the concept of phraseology throughout the years and to investigate some of the works found, as they do not all look alike and still play an important role for terminology, phraseography and phraseodidactics. In particular, some of the most significant bilingual works (from the 19th and 20th century) based on French and Italian so-called “phraseologiae” (that contain terms such as “phraséologie” or “fraseologia” in the title of the works) will be analysed, as there are significantly more of them than in other languages.
Effect of Groove Size on Aerodynamic Performance of a Low Reynolds Number UAV Propeller
Authors: SEENI Aravind
Published: March 2022

Small-scale propellers typically have low aerodynamic efficiency. Improving the aerodynamic performance and efficiency of these propellers will enhance the endurance and operational range of UAVs. The desired requirement is a propeller design that can produce improved thrust and reduced torque. In order to fulfil such an objective, a novel technique known as the grooved design is studied on a small-scale propeller. Numerical investigations are performed on Applied Precision Composites 10×7 Slow Flyer propeller. Computational Fluid Dynamics is used to analyze this novel design. The grooved cross-sections considered have a rectangular geometry measuring 0.1×0.1mm and 0.1×0.2mm which are placed at 0.09c, 0.17c, 0.32c and 0.42c from the leading edge. The results of the study showed that the presence of grooves had modified the flow characteristics only to detrimentally impact the thrust performance. However, the grooves improved power performance due to torque reduction. The analysis of the KP results showed, in most models, the low torque relative to the baseline in the operational range of the low to medium advance ratio range. The improvement in torque, however, did not improve efficiency in all models.
Tunable liquid crystal core refractive index sensor based on surface
plasmon resonance in gold nanofilm coated photonic crystal fiber
Authors: Fan Zhenkai , Chu Shichao , Qin Jianye , Zhang Yinping , Liu Haishan
Published: March 2022

We propose, to the best of our knowledge, a novel kind of tunable liquid crystal core refractive index (RI) sensor based on photonic crystal fiber (PCF) covered with a nanoring gold film. The finite element method is used to discuss and analyze the sensing performance of the RI sensor. Gold is used as the excitation material for surface plasmon resonance, and a gold nanoring is embedded around the first cladding of the PCF. The liquid analytes penetrate the outermost layer of the cladding, and the central hole is filled with liquid crystal E7. Complete coupling and incomplete coupling are excited as the analyte RI increases, and the resonance strength of complete coupling is stronger than that of incomplete coupling. It can be proved by calculation that at different wavelengths, resonant coupling of fifth-order and sixth-order surface plasmon polaritons is obtained. The RI of liquid analytes ranges from 1.405 to 1.445. The diameters of the liquid crystal cores are 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 µm; their average sensitivities are 10700, 10566, 10167, and 9166 nm/RIU; and the linear fitting constants are 0.98025, 0.97387, 0.96597, and 0.95507, respectively. In short, the RI sensor has the advantages of tunability, wide range, and high sensitivity, and is expected to be applied in various fields.
Improving the generalization of glaucoma detection on fundus images via feature alignment between augmented views
Authors: Zhou Chengfeng , Ye Juan , Wang Jun , Zhou Zhiyong , Wang Linyan , Jin Kai , Wen Yaofeng , Zhang Chun , Qian Dahong
Published: March 2022

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are commonly used in glaucoma detection. Due to the various data distribution shift, however, a well-behaved model may be plummeting in performance when deployed in a new environment. On the other hand, the most straightforward method, data collection, is costly and even unrealistic in practice. To address these challenges, we propose a new method named data augmentation-based (DA) feature alignment (DAFA) to improve the out-of-distribution (OOD) generalization with a single dataset, which is based on the principle of feature alignment to learn the invariant features and eliminate the effect of data distribution shifts. DAFA creates two views of a sample by data augmentation and performs the feature alignment between that augmented views through latent feature recalibration and semantic representation alignment. Latent feature recalibration is normalizing the middle features to the same distribution by instance normalization (IN) layers. Semantic representation alignment is conducted by minimizing the Topk NT-Xent loss and the maximum mean discrepancy (MMD), which maximize the semantic agreement across augmented views from individual and population levels. Furthermore, a benchmark is established with seven glaucoma detection datasets and a new metric named mean of clean area under curve (mcAUC) for a comprehensive evaluation of the model performance. Experimental results of five-fold cross-validation demonstrate that DAFA can consistently and significantly improve the out-of-distribution generalization (up to +16.3% mcAUC) regardless of the training data, network architectures, and augmentation policies and outperform lots of state-of-the-art methods.
Future of optical glass education
Authors: Ballato John , Seddon Angela , Clare Alexis , Petit Laeticia , Hu Juejun , Richardson Kathleen
Published: March 2022

In homage to the United Nations International Year of Glass 2022 (IYoG
2022), this article discusses the past, present, and future of glass
education, with a focus on inorganic systems of value to optical and
photonic applications.
Epitaxial indium antimonide for multiband photodetection from IR to millimeter/terahertz wave
Authors: Tong Jinchao , Luo Heng , Suo Fei , Zhang Tianning , Zhang Dawei , Zhang Dao Hua
Published: March 2022

Conventional photodetection converts light into electrical signals only in a single electromagnetic waveband. Multiband detection technology is highly desirable because it can handle multispectral information discrimination, identification, and processing. Current epitaxial solid-state multiband detection technologies are mainly within the IR wave range. Here, we report epitaxial indium antimonide on gallium arsenide for IR and millimeter/terahertz wave multiband photodetection. The photoresponse originates from interband transition in optoelectrical semiconductors for IR wave, and surface plasmon polaritons induced nonequilibrium electrons for a millimeter/terahertz wave. The detector shows a strong response for an IR wave with a cutoff wavelength of 6.85 μm and a blackbody detectivity of

1.8
×

10

9

Jones at room temperature. For a millimeter/terahertz wave, the detector demonstrates broadband detection from 0.032 THz (9.4 mm) to 0.330 THz (0.9 mm); that is, from

K

a

to the

W

and

G

bands, with a noise equivalent power of

1.0
×

10

−
13

  

W
 
Hz

−
1
/
2

at 0.270 THz (1.1 mm) at room temperature. The detection performance is an order of magnitude better while decreasing the temperature to 170 K, the thermoelectric cooling level. Such detectors, capable of large scale and low cost, are promising for advanced uncooled multiband detection and imaging systems.
Topological protection of partially coherent light
Authors: Tschernig Konrad , Martinez-Niconoff Gabriel , Busch Kurt , Bandres Miguel A. , Perez-Leija Armando
Published: March 2022

Topological physics exploits concepts from geometry and topology to implement systems capable of guiding waves in an unprecedented fashion. These ideas have led to the development of photonic topological insulators, which are optical systems whose eigenspectral topology allows the creation of light states that propagate along the edge of the system without any coupling into the bulk or backscattering even in the presence of disorder. Indeed, topological protection is a fully coherent effect, and it is not clear to what extent topological effects endure when the wavefronts become partially coherent. Here, we study the interplay of topological protection and the degree of spatial coherence of classical light propagating in disordered photonic topological insulators. Our results reveal the existence of a well-defined spectral window in which partially coherent light is topologically protected. This opens up the design space to a wider selection of light sources, possibly yielding smaller, cheaper, and more robust devices based on the topological transport of light.