bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mobility connects: transposable elements wire new transcriptional networks by transferring transcription factor binding motifs
Authors: Qiu Yichun , Köhler Claudia
Published: June 2020

Transposable elements (TEs) constitute major fractions of plant genomes. Their potential to be mobile provides them with the capacity to cause major genome rearrangements. Those effects are potentially deleterious and enforced the evolution of epigenetic suppressive mechanisms controlling TE activity. However, beyond their deleterious effects, TE insertions can be neutral or even advantageous for the host, leading to long-term retention of TEs in the host genome. Indeed, TEs are increasingly recognized as major drivers of evolutionary novelties by regulating the expression of nearby genes. TEs frequently contain binding motifs for transcription factors and capture binding motifs during transposition, which they spread through the genome by transposition. Thus, TEs drive the evolution and diversification of gene regulatory networks by recruiting lineage-specific targets under the regulatory control of specific transcription factors. This process can explain the rapid and repeated evolution of developmental novelties, such as C4 photosynthesis and a wide spectrum of stress responses in plants. It also underpins the convergent evolution of embryo nourishing tissues, the placenta in mammals and the endosperm in flowering plants. Furthermore, the gene regulatory network underlying flower development has also been largely reshaped by TE-mediated recruitment of regulatory elements; some of them being preserved across long evolutionary timescales. In this review, we highlight the potential role of TEs as evolutionary toolkits in plants by showcasing examples of TE-mediated evolutionary novelties.
Solid-state NMR spectroscopy for characterization of RNA and RNP complexes
Authors: Sreemantula Arun Kumar , Marchanka Alexander
Published: June 2020

Ribonucleic acids are driving a multitude of biological processes where they act alone or in complex with proteins (ribonucleoproteins, RNP). To understand these processes both structural and mechanistic information about RNA is necessary. Due to their conformational plasticity RNA pose a challenge for mainstream structural biology methods. Solid-state NMR (ssNMR) spectroscopy is an emerging technique that can be applied to biomolecular complexes of any size in close-to-native conditions. This review outlines recent methodological developments in ssNMR for structural characterization of RNA and protein–RNA complexes and provides relevant examples.
Effects of Semantic Feature Type, Diversity, and Quantity on Semantic Feature Analysis Treatment Outcomes in Aphasia
Authors: Evans William S. , Cavanaugh Rob , Gravier Michelle L. , Autenreith Alyssa M. , Doyle Patrick J. , Hula William D. , Dickey Michael Walsh
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Semantic feature analysis (SFA) is a naming treatment found to improve naming performance for both treated and semantically related untreated words in aphasia. A crucial treatment component is the requirement that patients generate semantic features of treated items. This article examined the role feature generation plays in treatment response to SFA in several ways: It attempted to replicate preliminary findings from Gravier et al. (2018), which found feature generation predicted treatment-related gains for both trained and untrained words. It examined whether feature diversity or the number of features generated in specific categories differentially affected SFA treatment outcomes.

Method

SFA was administered to 44 participants with chronic aphasia daily for 4 weeks. Treatment was administered to multiple lists sequentially in a multiple-baseline design. Participant-generated features were captured during treatment and coded in terms of feature category, total average number of features generated per trial, and total number of unique features generated per item. Item-level naming accuracy was analyzed using logistic mixed-effects regression models.

Results

Producing more participant-generated features was found to improve treatment response for trained but not untrained items in SFA, in contrast to Gravier et al. (2018). There was no effect of participant-generated feature diversity or any differential effect of feature category on SFA treatment outcomes.

Conclusions

Patient-generated features remain a key predictor of direct training effects and overall treatment response in SFA. Aphasia severity was also a significant predictor of treatment outcomes. Future work should focus on identifying potential nonresponders to therapy and explore treatment modifications to improve treatment outcomes for these individuals.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12462596
Deadbeat predictive current control of permanent magnet synchronous motor based on variable step‐size adaline neural network parameter identification
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Yang Mingbo , Gao Le , Wang Zhixin , Zhang Guozheng , Wang Huimin , Gu Xin
Published: June 2020

The fast and stable inner current loop in the permanent magnet synchronous motor control system is the key factor that ensures the torque control performance of the motor. The deadbeat predictive current control has good dynamic response performance, but it depends heavily on the precise mathematical model of the controlled object. The parameter mismatch will degrade the control performance. A deadbeat predictive current control method based on online parameter identification is proposed in this study. This method does not need to inject additional d ‐axis current to identify the parameters during the operation of the motor; it only needs to make full use of the inherent phenomenon that the q ‐axis current changes when the load of the motor changes during operation, and perform parameter identification. Aiming at the problem that the effect of parameter identification is easily affected by motor speed, a new variable step‐size neural network algorithm is designed in this study. The speed factor is introduced into step function to ensure the performance of the identification algorithm at a different speed. Finally, based on the new online parameter identification algorithm, the deadbeat predictive current control method is used to verify the experiment.
Solving a chipless RFID inverse problem based on tag range estimation
Authors: Babaeian Fatemeh , Forouzandeh Mohammadali (Mazyar) , Karmakar Nemai
Published: June 2020

Moving toward commercialisation of chipless radio‐frequency identification (RFID) systems, there is a significant challenge for the detection of chipless tag in a practical application, in which the conventional calibration techniques such as background subtraction are insufficient or even impractical. In this study, first, a processing algorithm for an inverse problem based on the range estimation is introduced. In an inverse problem, the tag ID and its distance to the reader are unknown. Employing the proposed algorithm, provided the specification of the reader antenna is known, the desired component of the received signal corresponding to the tag ID can be extracted without the requirement of background calibration. Then, a post‐processing algorithm is proposed for the extraction of the tag ID, which provides a sustained detection outcome at an arbitrary distance. The proposed algorithms are verified with the help of a few datasets acquired from the simulation environment as well as measurement setups. A typical backscattering chipless RFID tag with six resonances is examined. The distance between the tag and the reader antenna is estimated, and the binary tag ID extracted successfully.
End‐users’ requirements underpinned by IoT layered architecture to the development of smart sustainable cities
Authors: Alreshidi Eissa , Alyami Saleh. H.
Published: June 2020

It has been claimed that the adoption of a smart and sustainable city concept is one of the most effective ways to eliminate the risk of unsustainable living. Since the sixties, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was transformed from a country of traditional settlements to a modern urban setting. However, this development has been based on conventional methods of city construction and building practices. Therefore, the main aim of this primary research is to establish the fundamental aspects of developing a sustainable and smart city framework that can be applied to most Saudi Arabian cities and societies. A qualitative research methodology is adopted to determine end‐user requirements, with more than 500 well‐informed participants from 17 different cities. Subsequently, the main contributions here can be summaries as follows: (a) evaluating public willingness regarding smart sustainable city movements, (b) establishing requirements for a sustainable and smart city framework based on end‐user perspectives, (c) providing a decision makers with a robust generic framework of sustainable development across Saudi Arabian cites, and (d) an Internet of Thing (IoT) architecture for SSC Adoption and implementation along with an integrated socio‐organizational, financial, and technical generic framework for smart sustainable city adoption in the Saudi Arabian context.
NLTE modeling and spectroscopically derived abundances of lithium and beryllium for classical nova ejecta
Authors: Shore Steven N. , De Gennaro Aquino Ivan
Published: June 2020

Context. Extreme super-solar abundances of lithium and beryllium have been reported in recent years for classical novae based on absorption lines in ultraviolet and optical spectra during the optically thick stages, but these findings have not been compared with spectrum syntheses of the ejecta.

Aims. We present a grid of nova ejecta models calculated with PHOENIX aimed at simulating the reported Li I and Be II features with super-solar abundances.

Methods. We computed a sequence of models, finely exploring the parameter space of effective temperature, ejecta expansion velocity, and Li and Be overabundances.

Results. Regardless of temperature and expansion velocity, the synthetic spectra for large Li and Be overabundances strongly disagree with those presented in recent literature. Assuming a wide range of Be overabundances (factors of 100 to 10 000 relative to solar), we predict a much stronger spectroscopic feature at Be II 3130 Å than those so far observed. A similar overabundance for Li would instead result in a barely observable change in the emitted flux at Li I 6709 Å. The observed extended absorption feature at 3131 Å reported in V838 Her and other novae appears even in zero-Be models with only solar abundances (which for novae are underestimates).

Conclusions. The computed spectra do not support the lithium and beryllium abundances, and caution is warranted in the interpretation of the phenomenology.
Examination of polarization coupling in a plucked musical instrument string via experiments and simulations
Authors: Brauchler Alexander , Ziegler Pascal , Eberhard Peter
Published: June 2020

In this article, the transient motion of a realistically plucked guitar string is studied experimentally and numerically in both transversal polarizations. The frequency dependent damping and suitable initial conditions are identified in the experiment and used in a simulation. For this reason an experimental set-up consisting of a string, an excitation mechanism and two laser Doppler vibrometers is developed. The excitation mechanism performs a realistic and reproducible plucking motion with a plectrum. Two laser Doppler vibrometers are used to measure the string oscillation transversally in two polarizations. The experimental set-up makes it possible to measure the string’s motion under reproducible conditions and, hence, at different positions for the same oscillation. This capability renders the identification of suitable initial conditions, i.e., initial displacement and velocity as well as the pre-tension, for a string model possible. Furthermore, a finite element model for the string is developed that takes into account the oscillation in both transversal planes of polarization and the coupling between them. Finally, the model results are in good agreement with the measurements. With help of the numerical model it can be vividly shown that the coupling between the polarizations of the oscillation is due to a torsional movement of the string on the saddle.
Numerical study on the applicability to manufacturing of contact-stress-optimised shaft-hub connections joined by lateral extrusion
Authors: Meissner Robert Jean-Phillipp , Liewald Mathias , Ulrich Daniel , Binz Hansgeorg
Published: June 2020

Shaft-hub connections, which are joined by plastic deformation of at least one component (e.g. joining by lateral extrusion), can meet today's contradictory requirements for high power densities with low manufacturing costs. As opposed to classical manufacturing methods, the tight manufacturing tolerances of shafts and hubs are not required here since the shaft is formed in the hub during the process to generate a combined frictional and positive-locking connection. However, plastic deformation generally results in an uneven distribution of contact stress, which causes negative effects such as increased hub stress and deformation, as well as the reduced transmission capacity of the connection. To overcome this effect, an iterative design approach for plastically stressed shaft-hub connections was developed in Ulrich et al. (2019)[1], in which the contact-stress distribution is influenced by contouring of the hub contact surface. Nonetheless, one major challenge in this process is the high sensitivity of the stress distribution to contour changes, particularly in the edge area of the connection, meaning that a dependency on tight manufacturing tolerances is present here, too. Therefore, an investigation is conducted to determine the extent to which deviations in the manufacturing process of the components, in the tool quality and during joining by lateral extrusion influence the resulting contact stress. In order to achieve this goal, numerical investigations are carried out, and the effects on the resulting contact-stress distribution are analysed. Finally, recommendations for manufacturing accuracy and process limits are derived in order to ensure manufacturability and enable the transfer of technology to industrial applications involving shaft-hub connections joined by lateral extrusion.
Sexualité et numérique : illusion de toute-puissance ?
Authors: Haza Marion
Published: June 2020

Après avoir redéfini les enjeux du numérique et le déploiement de la sexualité dans ces espaces, cet article développe deux questionnements autour de la sexualité et du numérique. Tout d’abord, il débat de la pornographie en ligne, des usages et des fantaisies qui y sont rattachées. Puis il est discuté dans ce texte des effets subjectifs et objectaux des rencontres en ligne, foncièrement dépourvues du contact charnel. Le cas de Juliette, femme de 40 ans, permet de repérer l’inscription fantasmatique de ces usages, leurs bénéfices, leurs difficultés et leur paradoxalité. Une ouverture sur les avancées technologiques et leurs apports concernant la sexualité clôture l’article.
De la tablette numérique au robot compagnon : nouvelles médiations thérapeutiques dans la prise en charge des enfants « TSA »
Authors: Duris Olivier
Published: June 2020

Les nouvelles technologies sont aujourd’hui reconnues comme des outils novateurs très intéressants pour accompagner le clinicien dans la prise en charge thérapeutique des enfants autistes. Ce constat est fait depuis de nombreuses années, déjà, à propos des outils numériques, et notamment des jeux vidéo et des tablettes tactiles. Toutefois, l’intérêt de certains chercheurs ou professionnels de santé se porte également aujourd’hui vers les robots sociaux, qu’ils soient humanoïdes ou animaloïdes, en tant qu’outils de médiation thérapeutique. Partant de ce constat, nous avons mis en place, depuis 2014, différents ateliers à médiation numérique et robotique dans notre Hôpital de Jour pour enfants (André Boulloche, association CEREP-Phymentin). À travers le cas de Nathan, autiste de 9 ans ayant suivi, pendant un an, une thérapie à médiation numérique puis, l’année suivante, une thérapie à médiation robotique, nous tenterons de montrer en quoi ces prises en charge thérapeutiques ont permis à cet enfant de mettre en place différentes stratégies lui permettant d’entrer en relation avec son thérapeute, puis avec les autres sujets présents autour de lui. Mots clés
Dispositif de préparation mentale pour l’e-sport: neurosciences, psychanalyse et yoga
Authors: Saint-Jevin Alexandre
Published: June 2020

Cet article propose d’expliquer un dispositif de préparation mentale pour l’e-sportbasé sur le yoga et la psychologie clinique (dans ses différentes orientations, psychanalyse, neurosciences, cognitive, positive, positive). Il s’agit de reprendre synthétiquement l’état de l’art des recherches sur le yoga en psychologie (dans ses différentes orientations), qui nous a permis d’élaborer un dispositif de préparation mentale pour lesprogamers: psychanalyse, neurosciences, psychologie positive, psychologie de la performance.
La clinique trans-spécique des hybrides : humains ou non-humains ?
Authors: Andrieu Bernard
Published: June 2020

Les hybrides sont des cyborgs au corps moins double que composé d’une unité osmotique. Par osmose les hybrides se connectent directement à même le corps ou dans le corps même. La quasiprothèse est si incorporée qu’elle devient un quasi-corps à la fois par sa dimension de nouvelle unité fonctionnelle et par l’extension de l’image du corps à une nouvelle apparence de soi. Mais devenue une osmose trans-spécique, l’hybridation forme un seul corps fonctionnel par la connexion interne du corps biologique et de l’écran neurotechnique de l’implant. L’implant est un écran interactif qui recueille des data pour déployer un algorithme.
Sigmund Freud et la politique. Paul Federn, les siens et leurs amis
Authors: Prado de Oliveira Luiz Eduardo
Published: June 2020

La psychanalyse peut offrir à ceux qui s’y intéressent de nouvelles manières d’aborder la politique, notamment en prenant en considération la surdétermination du sujet. En prenant comme exemple Freud et Federn, nous montrons les engagements politiques des premiers psychanalystes, ce qui, par contraste, permet d’envisager leur supposée neutralité ultérieure.

Nous signalons ici différentes attitudes politiques de Freud au long de sa vie, dans différents contextes, notamment celui de ses relations avec son fils aîné, Martin. Nous examinons les activités politiques de ceux qui entouraient Freud et particulièrement de Paul Federn, avec qui des liens d’amitié se tissèrent à partir du début du siècle de la psychanalyse jusqu’à leur départ en exil, et qui fut aussi son plus proche collaborateur à partir de 1924.
Hepatitis B und C bei Kindern und Jugendlichen
Authors: Wirth Stefan
Published: June 2020

Die Hepatitis B ist bei Kindern, die fast ausschließlich vertikal infiziert werden, zunächst durch eine immuntolerante Phase mit normalen Transaminasen und hoher Viruslast charakterisiert, die im Verlauf von Jahren in die immunreaktive Phase mit erhöhten Transaminasen übergehen kann. In dieser Zeit kann dann eine Serokonversion zu anti-HBe eintreten, die in der Regel mit der Normalisierung der Transaminasen und einer drastischen Reduktion der Viruslast verbunden ist. Die Therapie ist nur in der immunreaktiven Phase indiziert. Man kann mit Peg-Interferon, Entecavir und Tenofovir behandeln. Das Ziel ist die Serokonversion zu anti-HBe, was meist erst nach Jahren erreicht werden kann.

Die Hepatitis C wird ebenfalls fast ausschließlich vertikal übertragen und ist zunächst eine wenig aktive Erkrankung. Die Therapie mit alfa-Interferonen ist aufgrund der neuen oral applizierbaren DAAs (direct antiviral agents) obsolet. Für Kinder ab 12 Jahren sind aktuell drei Kombinationen: Ledipasvir und Sofosbuvir für Genotyp 1 und 4 und Ribavirin mit Sofosbuvir für die Genotypen 2 und 3 sowie pangenotypisch Glecaprevir und Pibrentasvir zugelassen. Dieses Jahr ist mit weiteren Zulassungen für die jüngeren Altersgruppen zu rechnen.
Gallensteine im Kindesalter
Authors: Lang Thomas
Published: June 2020

Gallensteine führen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen selten zu klinischen Symptomen, können aber schon bei Säuglingen nachgewiesen werden.

Unterschieden werden Pigmentsteine, welche durch Bindung von Bilirubin an Kalzium entstehen, Cholesterinsteine, welche durch eine Cholesterinkristallbildung in der Galle entstehen und sogenannte gemischte Steine, welche gehäuft bei Mukoviszidose beobachtet werden.

In den meisten Fällen werden Gallensteine im Rahmen von Sonografien des Abdomens entdeckt, ohne dass sie bis dahin durch Symptome auffielen. Symptomatische Gallensteine manifestieren sich beim Säugling unspezifisch. Erst beim älteren Kind werden kolikartige Bauchschmerzen mit Ausstrahlung in die rechte Schulter beobachtet.

Als Komplikationen treten Cholezystitis, die biliäre Pankreatitis und die Choledocholithiasis auf.

Während man sich bei asymptomatischen Gallensteinen eher zurückhaltend hinsichtlich einer Therapie verhalten sollte, ist bei symptomatischen Steinen die Choleszystektomie indiziert. Eine Lyse mit Ursodeoxycholsäure ist nur bei einem geringen Anteil der Patienten erfolgversprechend, eine Lithotrypsie ist bei Kindern obsolet.
Gallenwegzysten bei Kindern und Jugendlichen
Authors: Grothues Dirk , Vermehren Jan , Melter Michael , Knoppke Birgit
Published: June 2020

Gallenwegzysten sind seltene angeborene Fehlbildungen des Gallenwegsystems, welche zumeist bereits im Kindesalter diagnostiziert werden. Sie sind oft symptomlos, können sich aber auch schon im Kindesalter mit Zeichen einer unklaren zystischen Struktur im rechten Oberbauch, mit Zeichen einer akuten oder chronischen Obstruktion der Gallenwege oder einer Pankreatitis manifestieren. Die am weitesten verbreitete Einteilung der Zysten erfolgt nach Todani, welcher fünf Typen unterscheidet. Typ I und IV stellen dabei die häufigsten Zystenarten dar. Die genaue Beschreibung und Einteilung der Zysten ist von großer Bedeutung, da hiervon die Prognose, aber auch das weitere therapeutische Vorgehen abhängen. Dabei ist es inzwischen allgemein anerkannt, dass Gallenwegzysten eine Präkanzerose darstellen. Die Therapie der Wahl besteht daher in einer möglichst vollständigen Resektion des gesamten extrahepatischen Gallengangsystems mit Anlage einer biliodigestiven Anastomose. Es wird empfohlen, die Operation bereits im Kindesalter durchzuführen, da mit zunehmendem Alter das Risiko einer malignen Entartung signifikant ansteigt, aber auch die Rate an operativen Komplikationen zunimmt.
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on IBD endoscopic procedures in a high-volume IBD Center
Authors: Lopetuso Loris Riccardo , Scaldaferri Franco , Ianiro Gianluca , Bibbò Stefano , Settanni Carlo Romano , Papa Alfredo , Armuzzi Alessandro , Gasbarrini Antonio , Cammarota Giovanni
Published: June 2020

Background and study aims The COVID-19 pandemic is having a major clinical and also organizational impact on national health care systems, particularly in high-volume hospitals that are utilized for several essential clinical needs. We aimed to analyze the short-term impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on management of endoscopic procedures in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Patients and methods This was an observational prospective study exploring major clinical and organizational changes in endoscopic management at the IBD Center – CEMAD of the Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy since the beginning of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Results Our IBD Unit, with up to 1,500 IBD patients receiving biotechnological or experimental therapy, represents a high-volume Italian and European IBD center. Since the beginning of the outbreak, our hospital has been extremely impacted by care related to COVID-19 cases, with a consequent need to dramatically reorganize management of endoscopic procedures for IBD.

Conclusions Outbreak restrictions have significantly impacted the volume of endoscopic activities for IBD. Specific strategies have been designed to guarantee a high level of safety for both patients with IBD and healthcare personnel dedicated to their treatment.
Die Rolle von Psychopathologie und Nosologie in der ‚Precision‘-Psychiatrie
Authors: Schultze-Lutter Frauke , Theodoridou Anastasia
Published: June 2020

Psychopathologie, die wissenschaftliche Erfassung krankhaft veränderten bzw. gestörten Erlebens und Verhaltens, hat für mehr als ein Jahrhundert eine Gestalt für psychiatrische Störungsbilder und damit die Grundlage der psychiatrischen Nosologie gebildet. So schuf sie die Basis für den klinischen und wissenschaftlichen Fortschritt in der modernen Psychiatrie, verlor jedoch in der Folge des technischen Fortschritts zunehmend gegenüber neurobiologischer Forschung an Bedeutung. Obwohl die präzise, qualifizierte psychopathologische Erhebung die Kernkompetenz der Kliniker darstellte, schenken heutige Kurrikula ihrem Training zunehmend weniger Beachtung. Da aber neurobiologische Verfahren ihre diagnostische Überlegenheit noch unter Beweis zu stellen haben, basieren psychiatrische Diagnosen im DSM-5 und ICD-11 weiterhin ausschließlich auf psychopathologischen Definitionen. Jedoch wird deren kategoriale Nosologie durch Fortschritte in der computerisierten Psychiatrie und der zunehmend empfohlenen ‚Precision‘-Psychiatrie infrage gestellt. Die vorliegende Übersichtsarbeit betrachtet die Rollen von Psychopathologie und Nosologie und die aktuelle Debatte um ihre zukünftigen Rollen in einer ‚Precision‘-Psychiatrie – von der Unterstützung neurobiologischer Forschung durch die Zuordnung neurobiologischer Abweichungen zu subjektiven Erlebnisweisen bis zum Zur-Verfügung-Stellen eines Rahmens für die psychiatrische Begegnung. Sie schlussfolgert, dass die heutige Psychiatrie nicht weniger, sondern eine umfassendere, differenziertere Psychopathologie sowie eine erneuerte, am ehesten dimensional ausgelegte Nosologie benötigt, um die Erlebnisweisen der Patienten und professionelles Wissen angemessen zu integrieren.
A Forensic Aspect of Fetal Shoulder Dystocia
Authors: Habek Dubravko , Cerovac Anis
Published: June 2020

Fetal shoulder dystocia (FSD) is an unpredictable and critical obstetric intrapartum emergency, where an objective problem is the relationship between the mother's pelvis and the child, i. e., an anthropometric disorder of delivery mechanics and dynamics. It is evident that the need to perform other maneuvers indicates the severity of FSD, which in turn correlates with the consequent iatrogenic injury of the fetus and/or mother. FSD is certainly the most controversial forensic obstetric problem, with the most disputes, compensation for damages due to peripartum injury to the child and/or mother, pain suffered, the need for someone else's care, and permanent disability. Suboptimal procedures and inadequate documentation are factors of forensic risk and subsequent litigations. Prevention of FSD is generally not possible, although good antenatal care can sometimes exclude risky cases of FSD, and some rare, chronic intrauterine disorders can result in orthopedic and neurological sequelae, which is especially important in forensic analysis. Because FSD is largely impossible to predict, it must be viewed as an intrapartum acceptable risk. During childbirth, FSD may compromise the safety of the mother and unborn child, therefore education and skills acquisition are necessary for obstetric work. Risk control, proper procedures, and proper documentation, along with good communication with the pregnant women and their families, significantly reduce litigation procedures.
Mütter-Screening in einem COVID-19-Niedrig-Pandemiegebiet: Bestimmung SARS-CoV-2-spezifischer Antikörper bei 401 Rostocker Müttern mittels ELISA und Immunfluoreszenz-Bestätigungstest
Authors: Reisinger Emil C. , von Possel Ronald , Warnke Philipp , Geerdes-Fenge Hilte F. , Hemmer Christoph J. , Pfefferle Susanne , Löbermann Micha , Littmann Martina , Emmerich Petra
Published: June 2020

Hintergrund Bei Kindern verläuft die Infektion mit SARS-CoV-2, dem Erreger von COVID-19, in der Regel weniger schwer und häufiger symptomlos als bei Erwachsenen. Kinder können aber diese Infektion u. a. auf vulnerable Erwachsene übertragen. Daher sind zur Zeit Einrichtungen der Kinderbetreuung und Schulen teilweise geschlossen.

Methoden Da sich der Infektionsstatus bei Kindern unter 13 Jahren und deren Müttern meist ähnlich darstellt, untersuchten wir bei 401 Rostocker Müttern von Kindern zwischen 1 und 10 Jahren Rachenabstriche auf SARS-CoV-2 und Serumproben auf Antikörper gegen diesen Erreger.

Ergebnisse Wir fanden bei keiner der untersuchten Mütter RNA von SARS-CoV-2 im Rachenabstrich. Im ELISA waren IgG-Antikörper in einem Serum positiv, IgA-Antikörper waren in 11 Seren positiv und in 3 Seren grenzwertig. Alle 401 Seren waren im Fluoreszenz-Bestätigungstest (IIFT) mit FITC-markierten IgG-, IgA- und IgM-Antikörpern negativ.

Schlussfolgerung Im Untersuchungszeitraum waren bei den getesteten Rostocker Müttern weder RNA von SARS-CoV-2 noch spezifische Antikörper nachweisbar.
Epidural Catheter-Assisted Percutaneous Transforaminal Endoscopic Diskectomy: A Technical Note
Authors: Kim Ki Joon , Jang JeeSoo , Jang Il-Tae
Published: June 2020

Background With advances in techniques and instruments, percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar diskectomy (PETLD) is now widely used for lumbar disk herniation. Although the indication for PETLD is expanding, the technique still has limitations. To overcome them, we performed the epidural catheter-assisted PETLD described here.

Methods A 49-year-old woman had severe radiating pain in a left L5 dermatomal distribution. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed left paramedial disk herniation at L4–L5 and a small downward-migrated disk fragment. We performed epidural catheter-assisted PETLD. Mechanical outward pushing and normal saline injection through the epidural catheter were performed for removal of hidden disk remnants. In the second case, a 26-year-old man presented with severe radiating pain in the L5–S1 dermatoms on both sides. MRI revealed massive disk herniation at L4–L5. A unilateral approach was used, and the ruptured disk could be moved using an epidural catheter.

Results The patients' pain improved immediately after the procedures. With this method, neural decompression can be performed more easily and effectively.

Conclusions Epidural catheter-assisted PETLD has several advantages and can overcome the limitations of conventional PETLD.
Alkylation of Phosphinite/Phosphonite-Boranes via Temporary Protection of the P–H Bond
Authors: Sowa Sylwia , Modzelewski Kamil
Published: June 2020

A new alkylation protocol for the synthesis of tertiary phosphonite­/phosphinite-boranes is developed. P-Alkylation products are obtained exclusively in moderate to very good yields from easily accessible (1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)/(1-hydroxy-1-cyclohexyl) phosphonite/phosphinite-boranes upon reaction with a variety of electrophiles under mild conditions. The methodology opens up new synthetic routes for organophosphorus chemistry and offers access to valuable alkyl phosphonite/phosphinite-boranes. In contrast to previously reported oxidative removal–substitution sequences for the preparation of optically active phosphinite-boranes, our protocol provides a one-step procedure that occurs without loss of stereochemical information at phosphorus. This new approach provides a rather advantageous protocol when compared to direct alkylation methods (which may undergo P-epimerization) and occurs in a stereoselective manner even at 0 °C.
Anodic Oxidation as an Enabling Tool for the Synthesis of Natural Products
Authors: Opatz Till , Geske Leander , Sato Eisuke
Published: June 2020

Electrochemistry provides a valuable toolbox for organic synthesis and offers an appealing, environmentally benign alternative to the use of stoichiometric quantities of chemical oxidants or reductants. Its potential to control current efficiency along with providing alternative reaction conditions in a classical sense makes electrochemistry a suitable method for large-scale industrial transformations as well as for laboratory applications in the synthesis of complex molecular architectures. Even though research in this field has intensified over the recent decades, many synthetic chemists still hesitate to add electroorganic reactions to their standard repertoire, and hence, the full potential of preparative organic electrochemistry has not yet been unleashed. This short review highlights the versatility of anodic transformations by summarizing their application in natural product synthesis.

1 Introduction

2 Shono-Type Oxidation

3 C–N/N–N Bond Formation

4 Aryl–Alkene/Aryl–Aryl Coupling

5 Cycloadditions Triggered by Oxidation of Electron-Rich Arenes

6 Spirocycles

7 Miscellaneous Transformations

8 Future Prospects
Spinal Cord Stimulation as a Treatment Option for Refractory Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: Case Report
Authors: Lopes Arthur , Duarte Kleber , Lins Catarina , Kubota Gabriel , Silva Valquíria , Galhardoni Ricardo , Menezes Luciana Mendes Bahia , Raicher Irina , Teixeira Manoel J. , Andrade Daniel C.
Published: June 2020

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common oncological diseases. Chemotherapy is usually recommended as an adjuvant treatment for stage-II, -III, and -IV tumors. Approximately 10% of the patients develop neuropathic pain after chemotherapy, and they may remain refractory despite the administration of drugs that are commonly used to treat neuropathic pain. Spinal cord stimulation is a good treatment option for neuropathic pain of the lower limbs, and it should be trialed in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. We report the case of a patient with oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy and neuropathic pain refractory to oral medication who was successfully treated by spinal cord stimulation.
Safety and Efficacy of Blood Flow Restriction Therapy after Operative Management of Distal Radius Fractures: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Sgromolo Nicole M. , Cancio Jill M. , Rhee Peter C.
Published: June 2020

Background Blood flow restriction (BFR) therapy is an emerging addition to rehabilitative programs that allows patients to increase strength at lower loads over shorter time periods. Therefore, we conducted a study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a rehabilitation program using BFR to a traditional rehabilitation protocol following operative fixation of distal radius fractures.

Methods A randomized controlled study was conducted comparing a standardized rehabilitation protocol alone to a combined protocol with the use of BFR therapy in patients treated with volar plate fixation following a displaced distal radius fracture. The same exercises done in the control group were performed by the BFR group with a restrictive tourniquet in place. Patients were followed with serial radiographs to ensure fracture stability. Outcome measures included wrist range of motion, grip strength, pinch strength, visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores at rest and during activity, patient rated wrist evaluation scores (PRWE), and disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand scores.

Results Nine patients were randomized and enrolled within the BFR group (n = 5) and control (n = 4) groups. Patients within the BFR group had a significantly greater reduction in pain with activity over the course of the rehabilitation program. Additionally, the BFR group had a significant improvement in PRWE scores during the 8-week rehabilitation program. There was no difference in radiographic measures after initiation of BFR, and all patients tolerated therapy without noted complications.

Conclusion BFR therapy is safe and well tolerated after operatively treated distal radius fractures. The addition of BFR therapy can result in quicker reduction in pain with activity and improvement in patient disability when used early following operative management of a distal radius fracture.

Level of Evidence This is a Level 1, prognostic study.
Intracranial Hypertension and Intra-abdominal Pressure. Is it Worth Measuring?
Authors: Bonatto Simonei , Matias Danielle Pacheco , Welling Leonardo Christiaan
Published: June 2020

Patients with refractory intracranial hypertension who have already undergone all the measures recommended by the current guidelines can benefit from having their intra-abdominal pressure monitored since its increase generates hemodynamic repercussions and secondary elevation of intracranial pressure. In this context, a bibliographic research was performed on PubMed with the terms intra-abdominal pressure, abdominal compartment syndrome, intracranial pressure, intracranial hypertension. Altogether, 146 articles were observed, 87 of which were from the year 2000, and only 15 articles were considered relevant to the topic. These studies indicate that patients with refractory intracranial hypertension can benefit from the measurement of intraabdominal pressure, since there is evidence that an increase in this pressure leads to organic dysfunctions with an indirect impact on cerebral venous return and, consequently, an increase in intracranial pressure. In those who underwent decompression laparotomy, direct effects were observed in reducing intracranial hypertension and survival.
Resection of a Nonampullary Adenoma with the New Gastroduodenal Full-Thickness Resection Device
Authors: Gericke Maximilian , Mende Matthias , Hartmann Dirk , Faiss Siegbert
Published: June 2020

Introduction Surgical resection of adenomas or subepithelial tumors in the duodenum has a high morbidity compared with endoscopic resection which also has a significant risk of complication. Endoscopic full-thickness resection has shown its feasibility and safety in the colorectum and in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Patient and Methods We present the new gastroduodenal full-thickness resection device (FTRD) for full-thickness resection in a patient with a recurrent nonlifting adenoma in the nonampullary duodenum.

Results The procedure was successful with R0 resection without major complications. A control gastroscopy showed no recurrence of the adenoma.

Conclusion The gastroduodenal FTRD seems to be a promising new technique for resecting nonlifting adenomas in the nonampullary duodenum.
A conservative approach to scaling magneto-inertial fusion concepts to larger pulsed-power drivers
Authors: Schmit P. F. , Ruiz D. E.
Published: June 2020

The Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) experimental platform [M. R. Gomez et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 155003 (2014)] represents the most successful demonstration of magneto-inertial fusion (MIF) techniques to date in pursuit of ignition and significant fusion yields. The pressing question remains regarding how to scale MIF concepts like MagLIF to more powerful pulsed-power drivers while avoiding significant changes in physical regimes that could adversely impact performance. In this work, we propose a conservative approach for scaling general MIF implosions, including MagLIF. Underpinning our scaling approach is a theoretical framework describing the evolution of the trajectory and thickness of a thin-walled, cylindrical, current-driven shell imploding on preheated, adiabatic fuel. By imposing that scaled implosions remain self-similar, we obtain a set of scaling rules expressing key target design parameters and performance metrics as functions of the maximum driver current Imax. We identify several scaling paths offering unique, complementary benefits and trade-offs in terms of physics risks and driver requirements. Remarkably, when scaling present-day experiments to higher coupled energies, these paths are predicted to preserve or reduce the majority of known performance-degrading effects, including hydrodynamic instabilities, impurity mix, fuel energy losses, and laser-plasma interactions, with notable exceptions clearly delineated. In the absence of α heating, our scaling paths exhibit neutron yield per-unit-length scaling as Ŷ∝[Imax3,Imax4.14] and ignition parameter scaling as χ∝[Imax,Imax2.14]. By considering the specific physics risks unique to each scaling path, we provide a roadmap for future investigations to evaluate different scaling options through detailed numerical studies and scaling-focused experiments on present-day facilities. Overall, these results highlight the potential of MIF as a key component of the national ignition effort.
Paramagnetism, hopping conduction, and weak localization in highly disordered pure and Dy-doped Bi2Se3 nanoplates
Authors: Gupta Anu , Srivastava S. K.
Published: June 2020

Breaking the topological protection of surface states of topological insulators is an essential prerequisite for exploring their applications. This is achievable by magnetic doping, in reduced dimensions, and predictably by introducing disorder beyond a critical level. In certain cases, the former is also known to induce a transition from weak anti-localization (WAL) to weak localization (WL). Here, we report the occurrence of paramagnetism, hopping conduction, and WL in chemically prepared unannealed DyxBi2−xSe3 (x=0, 0.1, and 0.3) nanoplates primarily via dc magnetization, resistivity, and magnetoconductance measurements. The paramagnetism in the magnetic-atom-free Bi2Se3 nanoplates is ascribed, using density functional theory calculations, to the acquisition of magnetic moments by defects. The defect density in pure Bi2Se3 is estimated to be high (∼1019 defects/cm3). Successive Dy doping brings in further incremental disorder, apart from the Dy atomic moments. The nanoplates are shown to sequentially exhibit thermally activated band conduction, nearest neighbor hopping, Mott variable range hopping (VRH), and Efros–Shklovskii VRH with decreasing temperature. WL is evident from the observed positive magnetoconductance. Annealing converts the WL behavior to WAL, arguably by setting in the topological protection on a substantial reduction of the disorder.
Finite-temperature-based time-dependent density-functional theory method for static electron correlation systems
Authors: Yoshikawa Takeshi , Doi Toshiki , Nakai Hiromi
Published: June 2020

In this study, we developed a time-dependent density-functional theory (TDDFT) with a finite-temperature (FT) scheme, denoted as FT-TDDFT. We introduced the concept of fractional occupation numbers for random phase approximation equation and evaluated the excited-state electronic entropy terms with excited-state occupation number. The orbital occupation numbers for the excited state were evaluated from the change in the ground-state electron configuration with excitation and deexcitation coefficients. Furthermore, we extended the FT formulation to the time-dependent density-functional tight-binding (TDDFTB) method for larger systems, denoted as FT-TDDFTB. Numerical assessment for the FT-(TD)DFT method showed smooth potential curves for double-bond rotation of ethylene in both ground and excited states. Excited-state calculations based on the FT-TDDFTB method were applied to the uniform π-stacking columns composed of trioxotriangulene, possessing neutral radicals in strong correlation systems.
Electrochemically driven degradation of chemical solution deposited ferroelectric thin-films in humid ambient
Authors: Dahl-Hansen Runar Plünnecke , Polfus Jonathan Marc , Vøllestad Einar , Akkopru-Akgun Betul , Denis Lyndsey , Coleman Kathleen , Tyholdt Frode , Trolier-McKinstry Susan , Tybell Thomas
Published: June 2020

The ambient humidity significantly accelerates the degradation of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) films in microelectromechanical systems; the cause of such degradation is under debate. Here, it is shown that the degradation of chemical solution derived PZT thin-films in humid conditions is driven by the system's electrochemical activity toward water electrolysis. The layer stacks with Pt-based electrodes exhibited a faster degradation rate owing to their higher electrocatalytic activity compared to Au. A degradation model is proposed based on the electrolysis of liquid or gaseous H2O, involving the evolution of oxygen and hydrogen gas at the top and bottom electrodes. Degradation proceeds above the threshold voltage for a given electrode system and is driven by the evolution and pressure build-up of gaseous species at the PZT/electrode interfaces. The pressure build-up causes film cracking, delamination of the film and electrodes, electrothermal breakdown events, and eventually time-dependent dielectric breakdown. Significantly larger post-breakdown crater sizes in humid than in dry conditions suggests that larger cracks through which dielectric breakdown through humidified air can occur. Overall, these effects are shown to cause sample failure up to six orders of magnitude of time earlier than for operation in dry conditions. Thus, in order to improve the resilience of thin-film systems in humid conditions, it is imperative to protect the electrochemically active electrode components of the device.
Thermal conductivity and thermal boundary resistance of amorphous Al2O3 thin films on germanium and sapphire
Authors: Paterson Jessy , Singhal Dhruv , Tainoff Dimitri , Richard Jacques , Bourgeois Olivier
Published: June 2020

Sub-nanometer thickness accuracy and excellent conformity make atomic layer deposited films prevalent in modern electronics, continuously shrinking in size. The thermal resistance of these films plays a major role in the overall energy efficiency of miniaturized devices. We report very sensitive thermal conductivity measurements of amorphous Al2O3 thin films grown using atomic layer deposition in the temperature range of 100–300 K. The 3ω method is used to characterize these films ranging from 17.0 to 119.4 nm in thickness, using a series-resistor model to deconvolve the intrinsic thermal conductivity of the film from thermal boundary resistances inherently present in the multilayer system. The thermal conductivity of amorphous alumina films with a density of 2.77±0.14 g cm−3 is measured to be 1.73±0.08 W m−1 K−1 at 300 K. Measurements were carried out on germanium and sapphire substrates, leading to no substrate dependence of the films’ thermal conductivity, within experimental accuracy. On the other hand, thermal boundary resistances of the systems Pt/Al2O3/substrate are observed to be strongly substrate-dependent, with values ranging from 2.1×10−8 m2 K W−1 to 3.7×10−8 m2 K W−1 at 300 K for films deposited on sapphire and germanium, respectively. These results provide further insights into the significance of interfaces in thermal transport across layered materials, in particular, for potential germanium-based devices.
Magnetized plasma sheath in the presence of negative ions
Authors: Paul R. , Adhikari S. , Moulick R. , Kausik S. S. , Saikia B. K.
Published: June 2020

The sheath formation in a weakly magnetized collisionless electronegative plasma consisting of electrons and negative and positive ions has been numerically investigated using the hydrodynamic equations. The electrons and negative ions are assumed to follow the Boltzmann relation. A sheath formation criterion has been analytically derived. This paper focuses on studying the sheath structure by varying the electronegativity. It has been observed that the presence of negative ions has a substantial effect on the sheath structure. The observations made in the present work have profound significance on processing plasmas, specifically in the semiconductor industry as well as in fusion studies.