bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic manipulation of unknown string by robot arm: realizing momentary string shapes
Authors: Tabata Kenta , Seki Hiroaki , Tsuji Tokuo , Hiramitsu Tatsuhiro , Hikizu Masatoshi
Published: December 2020

We propose a method to realize the dynamic manipulation of a string with unknown characteristics via a high-speed robot arm. We use a mass-spring-damper model for the string and repeat three steps: motion generation, real manipulation, and parameter estimation. Robot motion is given by the joint angular velocities expressed by the Bezier curves. Their control points are randomly positioned to generate various robot motion for dynamic string manipulation. The generated motion is performed by a wire-driven robot arm and, real string movement is captured by the camera. These time-series images are used for the parameter estimation of string. The best parameter set is determined via comparison between real and simulated string movement after changing parameter randomly and logarithmically. This parameter set is not unique, but it simulates the actual string movement well. Since the estimated string parameter is used for the robot motion generation after repeating the above 3 steps, the motion generation reflects string property and motion objective can success without special tests in advance. This is an advantage of our method because it is difficult to know all of string property with very complicated non-linearity beforehand. We focus on realizing the momentary string shape in 2 dimensions in this paper. We confirmed the effectiveness of our proposed method by realizing five momentary shapes and 3 kinds of string properties. We also discussed the reproducibility and compatibility of estimated parameters and motion generation.
A simulation study on using 252Cf for the treatment of esophagus tumor in human phantom
Authors: Rasouli Fatemeh S. , Bakhshandeh Hasan , Salehkoutahi S. Mohsen
Published: December 2020

Due to the sensitivity of this tissue, and the potential for metastasis of its cancer as well, finding accurate methods to be employed for the treatment of esophagus tumors is of especial interest for the researchers. The present study deals with a Monte Carlo simulation of 252Cf neutron brachytherapy for treating these tumors using MCNPX (Version 2.6.0) code. The widely accepted AAPM TG-43 protocol has been used to benchmark the simulated source and to examine the accuracy of the modeling. The MIRD human phantom has been used for dose evaluation in the mentioned tumor and in the surrounding normal tissues as well. To decrease the dose delivered to the healthy tissue, using appropriate shields has been proposed. Through dosimetric calculations for several candidates, Pt-Ir 10% with a thickness of 1 cm has been selected as the optimized shield. The depth-dose results as well as the isodose curves corresponding to the presence of the shielded 252Cf neutron source in the center of the simulated tumor offer this source as an appropriate candidate to be used for the treatment of the esophagus tumors and sparing normal tissues. For a suggested clinical condition of positioning the source inside the esophagus, the damage to the first depth in spine can be avoided by managing the treatment time.
Usefulness of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography in primary cystadenocarcinoma of the mesentery: a case report
Authors: Hozaka Yuto , Mataki Yuko , Kurahara Hiroshi , Tanoue Kiyonori , Idichi Tetsuya , Kawasaki Yota , Iino Satoshi , Nepal Pramod , Arigami Takaaki , Maemura Kosei , Noguchi Hirotsugu , Shinchi Hiroyuki , Tanimoto Akihide , Natsugoe Shoji , Ohtsuka Takao
Published: December 2020

Background

Mesenteric cysts have various histological forms, including mesenteric cystadenomas and borderline cystic neoplasms. Primary cystadenocarcinoma of the mesentery is extremely rare; therefore, the clinical and radiological features of this tumor have not been fully elucidated.

Case presentation

A 50-year-old Japanese woman had a complaint of a left-sided abdominal distention. Enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a unilocular cystic lesion measuring approximately 10 cm located in the left side of the abdomen. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) revealed mottled mild FDG uptake in the cyst wall and intense FDG uptake in several mural nodules. The cystic mass with the descending colon was completely removed. Pathological examination of the specimens revealed various histologic patterns of adenocarcinoma, including mucin production in the mural nodules. We eventually diagnosed a primary cystadenocarcinoma arising from the mesentery of the descending colon.

Conclusions

Malignancy should be suspected in mesenteric or retroperitoneal cystic tumors with high FDG uptake, and complete resection should be performed with adequate margins.
Prevalence of fermented foods in the Dutch adult diet and validation of a food frequency questionnaire for estimating their intake in the NQplus cohort
Authors: Li Katherine J. , Brouwer-Brolsma Elske M. , Burton Kathryn J. , Vergères Guy , Feskens Edith J. M.
Published: December 2020

Background

Humans have a long history of consuming fermented foods. However, their prevalence in human diets remains largely undetermined, and there is a lack of validated dietary assessment tools assessing the intake of different fermented products. This study aimed to identify fermented foods consumed in The Netherlands and determine the relative validity of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) compared to multiple 24-h recalls for estimating their intake.

Methods

The validation population consisted of 809 participants (53.1 ± 11.9 years) from a Dutch observational cohort (NQplus) who completed a FFQ and multiple 24-h recalls. Fermented foods from the FFQ and recalls were identified and aggregated into conventional food groups. Percent difference in mean intakes, quintile cross-classification, Spearman’s correlations, and Bland-Altman analyses were used to evaluate the agreement between the two dietary assessment methods.

Results

Approximately 16–18% of foods consumed by this population were fermented, and a further 9–14% were dishes containing a fermented ingredient. Fermented foods with the highest consumption included coffee (~ 453 g/day;~ 0.5% of daily energy intake), yoghurts (~ 88 g/day;~ 2.2%), beer (~ 84 g/day;~ 1.7%), wholegrain bread (~ 81 g/day;~ 9.4%), wine (~ 65 g/day;~ 2.7%), and cheese (~ 32 g/day;~ 5.0%). Mean percent difference between the FFQ and recalls was small for fermented beverages (coffee), breads (brown, white, wholegrain, rye), and fermented dairy (cheeses) (0.3–2.8%), but large for buttermilk and quark (≥53%). All fermented food groups had > 50% of participants classified into the same or adjacent quintile of intake (58%-buttermilk to 89%-fermented beverages). Strong Spearman’s correlations (crude/energy-adjusted rs ≥ 0.50) were obtained for fermented beverages (coffee, beer, wine), cereals/grains (wholegrain bread), and dairy (yoghurts). For ‘other bread’, quark, and buttermilk, correlations were low (rs < 0.20). Bland-Altman analyses revealed good agreement for fermented beverages (coffee, beer), breads (brown, wholegrain, rye, other), pastries, chocolate, and fermented dairy (cheeses) (mean difference: 0.1–9.3).

Conclusions

Fermented food groups with acceptable or good validity across all measures included commonly consumed foods in The Netherlands: fermented beverages (coffee), wholegrain and rye bread, and fermented dairy (cheeses). However, for less frequently consumed foods, such as quark and buttermilk, the levels of agreement were poor and estimates of intake should be interpreted with caution. This report provides the basis for developing a FFQ specific for fermented foods.
A simple and efficient automated microvolume radiosynthesis of [18F]Florbetaben
Authors: Lisova Ksenia , Wang Jia , Chao Philip H. , van Dam R. Michael
Published: December 2020

Background

Current automated radiosynthesizers are generally optimized for producing large batches of PET tracers. Preclinical imaging studies, however, often require only a small portion of a regular batch, which cannot be economically produced on a conventional synthesizer. Alternative approaches are desired to produce small to moderate batches to reduce cost and the amount of reagents and radioisotope needed to produce PET tracers with high molar activity. In this work we describe the first reported microvolume method for production of [18F]Florbetaben for use in imaging of Alzheimer’s disease.

Procedures

The microscale synthesis of [18F]Florbetaben was adapted from conventional-scale synthesis methods. Aqueous [18F]fluoride was azeotropically dried with K2CO3/K222 (275/383 nmol) complex prior to radiofluorination of the Boc-protected precursor (80 nmol) in 10 μL DMSO at 130 °C for 5 min. The resulting intermediate was deprotected with HCl at 90 °C for 3 min and recovered from the chip in aqueous acetonitrile solution. The crude product was purified via analytical scale HPLC and the collected fraction reformulated via solid-phase extraction using a miniature C18 cartridge.

Results

Starting with 270 ± 100 MBq (n = 3) of [18F]Fluoride, the method affords formulated product with 49 ± 3% (decay-corrected) yield,> 98% radiochemical purity and a molar activity of 338 ± 55 GBq/μmol. The miniature C18 cartridge enables efficient elution with only 150 μL of ethanol which is diluted to a final volume of 1.0 mL, thus providing a sufficient concentration for in vivo imaging. The whole procedure can be completed in 55 min.

Conclusions

This work describes an efficient and reliable procedure to produce [18F]Florbetaben in quantities sufficient for large-scale preclinical applications. This method provides very high yields and molar activities compared to reported literature methods. This method can be applied to higher starting activities with special consideration given to automation and radiolysis prevention.
Influence of shoulder stabilization exercises on hand grip strength in children with Down syndrome: randomized clinical trial
Authors: Elserty Noha , Wagdy Eman
Published: December 2020

Background

Children with Down syndrome (DS) are characterized by hypotonia resulting in reduced grip and pinch strength. This study aimed to investigate the influence of shoulder stabilization exercises on hand grip strength in children with Down syndrome. Thirty children with DS assigned randomly into 2 groups each group consists of 15 children. Handheld Dynamometer was used to measure grip strength and different pinch grasps for both groups before and after treatment. Both groups receive the same vocational school activities and the study group receives shoulder stabilization exercises for 3 months.

Results

Results revealed significant increase in the grip strength and different pinch grasps for dominant and non-dominant hands post-treatment in both groups as the main effect of time was statistically significant. Study group showed significant improvement than the control group post-treatment as the main effect of group and time × group interaction effect was statistically significant for dominant and non-dominant hands.

Conclusion

Shoulder stabilization exercises and regular vocational school activities have a positive effect on different grip strength in children with Down syndrome.

Trial registration

PACTR201907896910981. Registered 5 July 2019. A written consent form was introduced to all participant and signed by their parents.
The prevalence of psychiatric comorbid disorders among children with specific learning disorders: a systematic review
Authors: Khodeir Mona Sameeh , El-Sady Safaa Refaat , Mohammed Huda Abd El-Razek
Published: December 2020

Background

Understanding comorbidity of psychiatric disorders with specific learning disorders (SLD) is important because the presence of any additional disorder to the learning disability may affect the severity and prognosis of the SLD symptoms and requires specific treatments and interventions.

Main body of the abstract

The purpose of this systematic review was to describe the prevalence of comorbid psychiatric disorders among children with SLD between 6 and 18 years. English studies published between 2013 and 2018 were located through searches of PubMed and ScienceDirect. In this review, only 5 articles met the inclusion criteria. The quality of the included studies was assessed with the Cochrane risk of the bias assessment tool. The prevalence of ADHD and anxiety disorder was reported in 4 studies. Prevalence of conduct disorder (CD) and depression was reported by 3 studies, and 2 studies reported the prevalence of oppositional defined disorders (ODD). Although this review included a small number of studies that used a diversity of methods to diagnose psychiatric disorders, the results of the prevalence rates were homogenous.

Short conclusion

The included studies reported that ADHD had the highest prevalence rate among children with SLD followed by anxiety and depressive disorders. Both CD and ODD were the least prevalent and are linked to the existence of ADHD. Further worldwide future studies are needed to estimate the prevalence rate of such psychiatric disorders among children with SLD, taking into consideration the use of agreed assessment methods for diagnosing the psychiatric disorders and the SLD.
Relationship of TSH Levels with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in US Youth and Reference Percentiles for Thyroid Function
Authors: Chen Xinlei , Deng Shuliang , Sena Cecilia , Zhou Chuhan , Thaker Vidhu V
Published: December 2020

Context

Thyroid hormones play an important role in metabolic homeostasis, and higher levels have been associated with cardiometabolic risk.

Objective

To examine the association of cardiometabolic risk factors with TSH levels in US youth.

Methods

Cross-sectional study of youth aged 12 to 18 years without known thyroid abnormalities from 5 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles (n = 2818) representing 15.4 million US children. Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) was defined as thyrotropin (TSH) levels of 4.5 to 10 mIU/L. Assessed cardiometabolic risk factors include abdominal obesity (waist circumference >90th percentile), hypertriglyceridemia (triglyceride ≥130 mg/dL), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (<40 mg/dL), elevated blood pressure (systolic and diastolic blood pressure ≥90th percentile), hyperglycemia (fasting blood glucose ≥100 mg/dL, or known diabetes), insulin resistance (homeostatic model for insulin resistance > 3.16), and elevated alanine transferase (≥ 50 for boys and ≥44 U/L for girls). Age and sex- specific percentiles for thyroid parameters were calculated.

Results

In this cohort of youth (51.3% male), 31.2% had overweight/obesity. The prevalence of SH was 2.0% (95% CI 1.2-3.1). The median TSH levels were higher in youth with overweight/obesity (P < 0.001). Adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and obesity, youth with TSH in the fourth quantile had higher odds of abdominal obesity (OR 2.53 [1.43-4.46], P = .002), insulin resistance (OR 2.82 [1.42-5.57], P = .003), and ≥2 cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF) (OR 2.20 [1.23-3.95], P = .009).

Conclusion

The prevalence of SH is low in US youth. The higher odds of insulin resistance and cardiometabolic risk factors in youth with TSH levels >75th percentile requires further study.
Disposition of Urinary and Serum Steroid Metabolites in Response to Testosterone Administration in Healthy Women
Authors: Elings Knutsson Jona , Andersson Alexander , Baekken Lasse Vestli , Pohanka Anton , Ekström Lena , Hirschberg Angelica Lindén
Published: December 2020

Context

Little is known about how exogenous testosterone (T) affects the steroid profile in women. More knowledge would give the antidoping community keys as to how to interpret tests and detect doping.

Objective

This work aimed to investigate the steroid profile in serum and urine in young healthy women after T administration.

Methods

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 48 healthy young women were assigned to daily treatment with T cream (10 mg) or placebo (1:1) for 10 weeks. Urine and blood were collected before and at the end of treatment. Serum steroids were analyzed with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, and urine levels of T, epitestosterone (E), and metabolites included in the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) were analyzed with gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.

Results

In serum, T and dihydrotestosterone levels increased, whereas sex hormone–binding globulin and 17-hydroxyprogesterone decreased after T treatment as compared to placebo. In urine, T and 5α-androstanediol increased in the T group. The median T increase in serum was 5.0-fold (range, 1.2-18.2) and correlated to a 2.2-fold (range, 0.4-14.4) median increase in T/E in urine (rs = 0.76). Only 2 of the 24 women receiving T reached the T/E cutoff ratio of 4, whereas when the results were added to the ABP, 6 of 15 participants showed atypically high T/E (40%). In comparison, 22/24 women in the T group increased serum T more than 99.9% of the upper confidence interval of nontreated values.

Conclusion

It seems that the T/E ratio is not sufficient to detect exogenous T in women. Serum total T concentrations could serve as a complementary marker of doping.
Histone chaperone APLF level dictate implantation of mouse embryo
Authors: Varghese Pallavi Chinnu , Rajam Sruthy Manuraj , Nandy Debparna , Jory Aurelie , Mukherjee Ananda , Dutta Debasree
Published: December 2020

Our recent findings demonstrated that histone chaperone and DNA repair factor Aprataxin PNK like factor (APLF) could regulate Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) during reprogramming of murine fibroblast and in breast cancer metastasis. So, we investigated the function of APLF in EMT associated with mouse development. Here we show that APLF is predominantly enhanced in trophectoderm and lineages derived from trophectoderm in pre and post-implantation embryos. Downregulation of APLF induced hatching of embryos in vitro with a significant increase in Cdh1 and Cdx2 expression. Aplf shRNA microinjected embryos failed to implant in vivo. Rescue experiments neutralized the knockdown effects of APLF both in vitro and in vivo. Reduced expression of Snai2, Tead4 and the gain in Cdh1 and sFlt1 level marked the differentiation of APLF-knocked down Trophoblast Stem Cells that might contribute towards the impaired implantation of embryos. Hence, our findings suggest a novel role of APLF during implantation and post-implantation development of mouse embryos. We anticipate that APLF might contribute to the establishment of maternal-fetal connection, as its fine balance is required to achieve implantation and thereby attain proper pregnancy.
BPIFB3 interacts with ARFGAP1 and TMED9 to regulate non-canonical autophagy and RNA virus infection
Authors: Evans Azia S. , Lennemann Nicholas J. , Coyne Carolyn B.
Published: December 2020

Autophagy is a degradative cellular pathway that targets cytoplasmic contents and organelles for turnover by the lysosome. Various autophagy pathways play key roles in the clearance of viral infections, and many families of viruses have developed unique methods for avoiding degradation. Some positive stranded RNA viruses, such as enteroviruses and flaviviruses, usurp the autophagic pathway to promote their own replication. We previously identified the endoplasmic reticulum-localized protein BPIFB3 as an important negative regulator of non-canonical autophagy that uniquely impacts the replication of enteroviruses and flaviviruses. Here, we find that many components of the canonical autophagy machinery are not required for BPIFB3 depletion induced autophagy and identify the host factors that facilitate its role in the replication of enteroviruses and flaviviruses. Using proximity-dependent biotinylation (BioID) followed by mass spectrometry, we identify ARFGAP1 and TMED9 as two cellular components that interact with BPIFB3 to regulate autophagy and viral replication. Importantly, our data demonstrate that non-canonical autophagy in mammalian cells can be controlled outside of the traditional pathway regulators and define the role of two proteins in BPIFB3 depletion mediated non-canonical autophagy.
Distinct roles for prominin-1 and photoreceptor cadherin in outer segment disc morphogenesis in CRISPR-altered X. laevis
Authors: Carr Brittany J. , Stanar Paloma , Moritz Orson L.
Published: December 2020

Mutations in prominin-1 (prom1) and photoreceptor cadherin (cdhr1) are associated with inherited retinal degenerative disorders but their functions remain unknown. We used CRISPR-Cas9 to generate prom1-, cdhr1-, and prom1+cdhr1-null X. laevis and then documented the effects of these mutations on photoreceptor structure and function. Prom1-null mutations resulted in severely dysmorphic photoreceptors comprised of overgrown and disorganized disc membranes. Cone outer segments were more severely affected than rods and had an impaired ERG response. Cdhr1-null photoreceptors did not appear grossly dysmorphic, but ultrastructural analysis revealed that some disc membranes were overgrown or oriented vertically within the plasma membrane. Double-null mutants did not differ significantly from prom1-null mutants. Our results indicate that neither prom1 nor cdhr1 are necessary for outer segment disc membrane evagination or the fusion event that controls disc sealing. Rather, they are necessary for the higher-order organization of the outer segment. Prom1 may align and reinforce interactions between nascent disc leading edges, a function more critical in cones for structural support. Cdhr1 may secure discs in a horizontal orientation prior to fusion and regulate cone lamellae size.
The role of exogenous epidermal growth factor on Ki-67 proliferation marker expression in the submandibular salivary gland of albino rats receiving doxorubicin
Authors: Mansy Mohamed , Soliman Malak , Mubarak Rabab , Shamel Mohamed
Published: December 2020

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the role of exogenous epidermal growth factor (EGF) injection on the Ki-67 immuno-expression in submandibular salivary gland tissue of rats receiving doxorubicin (DXR).

Methods: A total of 21 two-month-old male albino rats, of 200 g body weight, were divided into three groups: control group; DXR group, the rats received 20 mg/kg body weight DXR as a single intra peritoneal injection; DXR+EGF group, the rats received the same dose of DXR and on the next day they were injected intraperitoneally with 10 µg/kg body weight of EGF daily for one week. Histological sections and immunohistochemical expression of Ki67 sections were examined using a ZEISS Primo Star light microscopy and images taken using Tucsen IS 1000 10.0MP Camera.

Results: Ki-67 expression was significantly increased in submandibular salivary glands of rats after DXR injection. However, Ki-67 expression in the glandular tissue was restored to normal levels after EGF injection.

Conclusions: EGF preserved glandular architecture after DXR injection and maintained Ki-67 immune-expression within the glandular tissue near to the normal level.
Isolation and primary culture of Galleria mellonella hemocytes for infection studies
Authors: Senior Nicola J. , Titball Richard W.
Published: December 2020

Galleria mellonella larvae are increasingly used to study the mechanisms of virulence of microbial pathogens and to assess the efficacy of antimicrobials.  The G. mellonella model can faithfully reproduce many aspects of microbial disease which are seen in mammals, and therefore allows a reduction in the use of mammals. The model is now being widely used by researchers in universities, research institutes and industry. An attraction of the model is the interaction between pathogen and host. Hemocytes are specialised phagocytic cells which resemble neutrophils in mammals and play a major role in the response of the larvae to infection. However, the detailed interactions of hemocytes with pathogens is poorly understood, and is complicated by the presence of different sub-populations of cells. We report here a method for the isolation of hemocytes from Galleria mellonella.  A needle-stick injury of larvae, before harvesting, markedly increased the recovery of hemocytes in the hemolymph. The majority of the hemocytes recovered were granulocyte-like cells. The hemocytes survived for at least 7 days in culture at either 28°C or 37°C. Pre-treatment of larvae with antibiotics did not enhance the survival of the cultured hemocytes. Our studies highlight the importance of including sham injected, rather than un-injected, controls when the G. mellonella model is used to test antimicrobial compounds. Our method will now allow investigations of the interactions of microbial pathogens with insect hemocytes enhancing the value of G. mellonella as an alternative model to replace the use of mammals, and for studies on hemocyte biology.
Analyzing Genre of Character-Describing Cards in ‘Clash Royale’ Android Game
Authors: Kurniawan Muhammad Hafiz
Published: December 2020

Playing games is the most enjoyable activity for some teenagers. However, playing games nowadays can be considered both a wasting time activity because by playing games some of teenagers spend much time playing it and an addicting activity making the players anti-social persons because they tend to isolate them from their surroundings while playing. However, some android games can offer the good example as the learning materials for Discourse Analysis course. One of those is the game from Supercell ‘Clash Royale’ which is considered the famous games which most game players have ever played. The unique way of describing the game characters through the cards is the object of this analysis. The method of collecting the data of these games is by capturing the pictures of the Clash Royale games and other similar games using the screenshot feature which is available in smartphone. After capturing the pictures, they are transcribed into text and analyze them by comparing the way in describing the characters in the cards. The pictures are used to compare the structure of cards which are used to describe the game characters. The use of bending and blending genre which appear in describing the characters is used to arouse the humorous feeling among the game players without breaking the conventional structure of the genre.
Polystructural Model of Natural Science as a Basis of Integration Processes in Natural Science Education at School
Authors:   Kirovograd Regional In-Service Teachers’ Training Institute named after Vasyl Suchomlynskyi, Drobin Andrii
Published: December 2020

The article deals with the problem of building and structuring the integrated course «Natural Science» in high school. In particular, the analysis of the current legislative framework governing the field of education in Ukraine has been carried out, the existing normative legal acts that determine the content and structure of the subject «Natural Science», regulate it and set development priorities have been established. It has been discovered that in the modern branch of Natural Science such mutually opposite processes of differentiation and integration of natural sciences occur simultaneously that are also inherent in school Natural Science. In addition, the article has analyzed the main approaches proposed by leading scientists to the construction of integrated courses of Natural Science in school. It has been established that it is natural and appropriate to consider the integrative approach to Natural Science from the standpoint of consistency and polystructurality. The article considers the content of the concept of polystructurality and proposes a polystructural model of Natural Science in school that is built as an interconnected system of partially scientific pictures of the world of individual natural sciences and united around a central core which includes the natural scientific picture of the world and general scientific concepts, principles, laws and theories that are fundamental and methodologically significant. The author proposes the formation of the structure and content of the integrated course on the basis of end-to-end meaningful trajectories which have been defined and listed.
A COVID-19 vaccine—dare to dream
Authors: Phillis Alison
Published: December 2020

The global desire to produce and deploy a safe and effective vaccine to protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection and the morbidity and mortality subsequent to COVID-19 is unprecedented. The unparalleled speed of research development and access to funding is perhaps equally unique in the history of therapeutic achievement. This article, the third in a series of dedicated to exploring the origins and developments of SARS-CoV-2 within the context of the strategies of infection prevention and control, investigates the theatre behind the extraordinary efforts underpinning the research for therapeutic interventions to halt the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chair of the UK Vaccine Taskforce has stated that the exit strategy depends on a vaccine that is effective in reducing mortality, improving population health by reducing serious disease and protecting the NHS and social care system. This article introduces the major COVID-19 vaccine contenders and considers the challenges and opportunities of an effective global vaccination strategy.
You can do it!
Authors: Hutchinson Georgina
Published: December 2020

General practice to hospital and community care: Georgina Hutchinson looks to inspire those dental nurses who are considering making a move…
A spotlight on indemnity
Authors: Ingham Joe
Published: December 2020

Joe Ingham explains what discretionary indemnity means for you
On Properties of Semipositive Cones and Simplicial Cones
Authors: Hisabia Aritra Narayan , Saha Manideepa
Published: December 2020

For a given nonsingular $n\times n$ matrix $A$, the cone $S_{A}=\{x:Ax\geq 0\}$ , and its subcone $K_A$ lying on the positive orthant, called as semipositive cone, are considered. If the interior of the semipositive cone $K_A$ is not empty, then $A$ is named as semipositive matrix. It is known that $K_A$ is a proper polyhedral cone. In this paper, it is proved that $S_{A}$ is a simplicial cone and properties of its extremals are analyzed. An one-one relation between simplicial cones and invertible matrices is established. For a proper cone $K$ in $\mathbb{R}^n$, $\pi(K)$ denotes the collection of $n\times n$ matrices that leave $K$ invariant. For a given minimally semipositive matrix (no column-deleted submatrix is semipositive) $A$, it is shown that the invariant cone $\pi(K_A)$ is a simplicial cone.
Biomechanical comparison of medial sustainable nail and proximal femoral nail antirotation in the treatment of an unstable intertrochanteric fracture
Authors: Nie Shaobo , Li Ming , Ji Hui , Li Zhirui , Li Wenwen , Zhang Hao , Licheng Zhang , Tang Peifu
Published: December 2020

Aims

Restoration of proximal medial femoral support is the keystone in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures. None of the available implants are effective in constructing the medial femoral support. Medial sustainable nail (MSN-II) is a novel cephalomedullary nail designed for this. In this study, biomechanical difference between MSN-II and proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA-II) was compared to determine whether or not MSN-II can effectively reconstruct the medial femoral support.

Methods

A total of 36 synthetic femur models with simulated intertrochanteric fractures without medial support (AO/OTA 31-A2.3) were assigned to two groups with 18 specimens each for stabilization with MSN-II or PFNA-II. Each group was further divided into three subgroups of six specimens according to different experimental conditions respectively as follows: axial loading test; static torsional test; and cyclic loading test.

Results

The mean axial stiffness, vertical displacement, and maximum failure load of MSN-II were 258.47 N/mm (SD 42.27), 2.99 mm (SD 0.56), and 4,886 N (SD 525.31), respectively, while those of PFNA-II were 170.28 N/mm (SD 64.63), 4.86 mm (SD 1.66), and 3,870.87 N (SD 552.21), respectively. The mean torsional stiffness and failure torque of MSN-II were 1.72 N m/° (SD 0.61) and 16.54 N m (SD 7.06), respectively, while those of PFNA-II were 0.61 N m/° (SD 0.39) and 6.6 N m (SD 6.65), respectively. The displacement of MSN-II in each cycle point was less than that of PFNA-II in cyclic loading test. Significantly higher stiffness and less displacement were detected in the MSN-II group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The biomechanical performance of MSN-II was better than that of PFNA-II, suggesting that MSN-II may provide more effective mechanical support in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2020;9(12):840–847.
Three-dimensional pre-operative planning of primary hip arthroplasty: a systematic literature review
Authors: Moralidou Maria , Di Laura Anna , Henckel Johann , Hothi Harry , Hart Alister J.
Published: December 2020

Three-dimensional (3D) pre-operative planning in total hip arthroplasty (THA) is being recognized as a useful tool in planning elective surgery, and as crucial to define the optimal component size, position and orientation. The aim of this study was to systematically review the existing literature for the use of 3D pre-operative planning in primary THA. A systematic literature search was performed using keywords, through PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar, to retrieve all publications documenting the use of 3D planning in primary THA. We focussed on (1) the accuracy of implant sizing, restoration of hip biomechanics and component orientation; (2) the benefits and barriers of this tool; and (3) current gaps in literature and clinical practice. Clinical studies have highlighted the accuracy of 3D pre-operative planning in predicting the optimal component size and orientation in primary THAs. Component size planning accuracy ranged between 34–100% and 41–100% for the stem and cup respectively. The absolute, average difference between planned and achieved values of leg length, offset, centre of rotation, stem version, cup version, inclination and abduction were 1 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, 4°, 7°, 0.5° and 4° respectively. Benefits include 3D representation of the human anatomy for precise sizing and surgical execution. Barriers include increased radiation dose, learning curve and cost. Long-term evidence investigating this technology is limited. Emphasis should be placed on understanding the health economics of an optimized implant inventory as well as long-term clinical outcomes.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:845-855. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.200046
Mechanical behavior of sandwich structure composites for helicopters
Authors: PELIN George , PELIN Cristina-Elisabeta , STEFAN Adriana , PETRE Alexandra , DRAGOMIRESCU Alina
Published: December 2020

The visible part of the floors of a commercial aircraft has long been a standard issue for virtually every commercial aircraft, mainly due to the weight of the materials from which they were made. Floor parts must provide mechanical strength and dimensional stability, while keeping the weight of the aircraft as low as possible for maximum efficiency. The design of the 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A380 aircraft brought new opportunities in the use of the sandwich composite structure, mainly due to their light weight and high strength-to-weight ratio. Thus, this paper investigates the mechanical behavior of sandwich composite panels composed of two sides of carbon fiber laminate and Nomex honeycomb core obtained in the autoclave and developed under the RoRCraft CompAct grant. The technical approaches of this work are mainly focused on the compression behavior and especially on the compression after impact behavior of the hybrid sandwich composite structure, for defining and obtaining an optimal structure for the floors. These mechanical tests are decisive for such materials and have been performed in accordance with international ASTM standards.
Experimental Analysis of Small Solar Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to Predict Aerodynamic Performance
Authors: RAJENDRAN Parvathy , SMITH Howard
Published: December 2020

Various studies have been done in recent years on unmanned solar-powered aircraft for non-stop flight at a specified location or area. However, if a solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can achieve a non-stop flight around the world, it may lead to the possibility of a pseudolite (i.e., pseudo-satellite) operation. These solar UAVs capable of operating as a satellite enable sustainable aviation that provides cheaper communication accessibility. Recently, we have developed a mathematical model for solar UAVs that was followed by the fabrication of a solar UAV model. Both the mathematical design model and the prototype model have been published. Thus, this work aims to determine the actual flight performance characteristics of the fabricated solar UAV. In this work, the bench and flight tests of the prototype solar and non-solar UAV model were compared in terms of aerodynamic characteristics and performance. These characteristics are determined using the flight test data and then compared with simulation data using a mathematical design model published earlier. Both accelerated and un-accelerated methods have been applied to predict the polar drag curve, and a distinct band of data obtained for both UAV prototypes. The predicted zero-lift drag coefficients were similar to the theoretical prediction in these UAVs.
Pitch damping identification in high speed regimes with a free-to-tumble rig
Authors: PIRVU Catalin , PRICOP Mihai Victor , PRÉAUD Jean-Philippe , WALPOT Louis
Published: December 2020

Many re-entry bodies, even if they are debris or not, have nonlinear dynamic stability characteristics that produce oscillations in flight. The free-to-tumble techniques can be used to extract damping coefficient of specific body for planetary entry. The curve fitting approach is used to predict oscillatory behavior and the damping coefficient for the various test conditions of the wind tunnel obtained after the experimental data. The analysis presented provides an overview of the free-to-tumble test techniques and illustrates the effects of dynamic stability of the inter-stage tronconical system. It is proposed that these test techniques and curve fitting solution be refined in the future to better define the dynamic stability curves for the re-entry bodies.
A Semi-Autonomos Drone for Surveillance and Security
Authors: JANGRA VISHAL , SUNIL
Published: December 2020

A semi-autonomous aircraft to provide a real time surveillance in combat and rescue operation. It will fly autonomously ahead of user to find out the threats like distant enemies and traps like landmines. It will provide data about their position and things or ammunitions they have. It will use infrared and thermal imaging for night vision and powerful metal detection to find landmines and other traps. All data can be transmitted directly to the user on a helmet display or wrist screen. It will also provide warning about its findings. For positioning the threats it will provide GPS coordinates of threat. User can also operates it using the control unit.
‘Period poverty’ in Stoke-on-Trent, UK: new insights into gendered poverty and the lived experiences of austerity
Authors: Briggs Alison
Published: December 2020

The term ‘period poverty’ describes a growing problem among women and girls from low-income households in the UK struggling to afford period products. Drawing on findings from a qualitative study, this article contributes to burgeoning debates with new insights into gendered poverty. Findings illustrate how an inability to afford sanitary wear is experienced as embarrassing, causing considerable distress and anxiety arising from the need to keep menstruation hidden to avoid social disclosure and attendant stigmatisation. The study highlights the need for longitudinal research to investigate wider implications for health inequalities and educational outcomes for girls who are already socio-economically disadvantaged.
Dividing between ‘us’ and ‘them’: the framing of gender and sexuality by online followers of the Dutch populist radical right
Authors: Fiers Ruud , Muis Jasper
Published: December 2020

This article investigates the ways in which online followers of the Dutch populist radical right discuss gender and sexuality. Analysing comments on the Facebook pages of the Party for Freedom and Forum for Democracy, we show that they use these issues to pit ‘us’ against ‘them’ – groups that are defined differently, depending on the context. Women’s emancipation and gay acceptance are defended and used to divide ‘civilised’ Dutch and ‘backward’ immigrants. This ‘liberal’ immigration critique is especially characteristic of Party for Freedom followers. Other progressive causes, such as transgender rights and feminism more broadly, are framed as elite projects, out of touch with ‘ordinary people’. This backlash standpoint is more often articulated by Forum for Democracy followers.
Two-dimensional angle multiplexing by segmented spherical holography
Authors: Liu Chan-Juan , Jin Feng-Ming , Wu Yang , Wang Jun , Chen Chun
Published: December 2020

The crosstalk noise produced in the multiplexing technology of curved computer-generated holograms has caused great damage to reconstructed objects. In order to solve this problem, we propose a method to realize three-dimensional object reconstruction with low crosstalk noise impact. By multiplexing the spherical holograms in the horizontal and vertical directions, the complex amplitudes of the multiple spherical holograms with different curvatures are added to form a composed hologram. The generated hologram records many unrelated scenes of the object. According to the different angles used to generate the hologram, the original object under different viewpoints can be rebuilt, and the multiview multiplexing and reconstruction of three-dimensional objects can be realized. Simulation and optical experiments verify the feasibility of this method.
Secure key generation and distribution scheme based on two independent local polarization scramblers
Authors: Huang Peng , Song Qiuheng , Peng Hekuo , Huang Jingwei , Wu Hongyan , Xiao Qian , Jia Bo
Published: December 2020

We propose a practical secure key generation and distribution (SKGD) scheme for actual application. Based on the experiment results of the polarization properties of the actual optical-fiber link, we propose a SKGD method by the active modulation of the state of polarization of the optical-fiber by two polarization scramblers placed at the local end of the legal users in the point-to-point communication system. Experiment results prove that the signals received by legal users share high correlation using 20 km standard single-mode fiber and 1 KHz polarization scrambling rate, and the bit generation rate can reach to 1216 bit/s with a bit error rate of

∼

0.33

%

. Security of the system is also analyzed in terms of the polarization properties of the system; the theoretical and experimental results indicate that the proposed scheme possesses high security due to the invisibility of the key signal and the technical difficulty of the recovery of the key sequence.
Image scanning microscopy with a long depth of focus generated by an annular radially polarized beam
Authors: Wang Weibo , Zhang Baoyuan , Wu Biwei , Li Xiaojun , Ma Jie , Sun Pengyu , Zheng Shenghao , Tan Jiubin
Published: December 2020

Image scanning microscopy (ISM) is a promising tool for bioimaging owing to its integration of signal to noise ratio (SNR) and super resolution superior to that obtained in confocal scanning microscopy. In this paper, we introduce the annular radially polarized beam to the ISM, which yields an axially extended excitation focus and enhanced resolution, providing a new possibility to obtain the whole information of thick specimen with a single scan. We present the basic principle and a rigorous theoretical model for ISM with annular radially polarized beam (ISM-aRP). Results show that the resolution of ISM-aRP can be enhanced by 4% compared with that in conventional ISM, and the axial extent of the focus is longer than 6λ. The projected view of the simulated fluorescent beads suspension specimen demonstrates the validity of ISM-aRP to obtain the whole information of volume sample. Moreover, this simple method can be easily integrated into the commercial laser scanning microscopy systems.
Intracavity interrogation of an array of fiber Bragg gratings
Authors: Margulis Walter , Lindberg Robert , Laurell Fredrik , Hedin Gunnar
Published: December 2020

In this work, we explore the interrogation of an array of fiber Bragg gratings as part of a laser cavity. A semiconductor optical amplifier in a sigma-shaped fiber cavity provides gain and is gated periodically at a rate that matches the roundtrip time associated with each grating of the array. The interrogator exhibits clear laser properties such as a threshold and linewidth narrowing. Besides improving the signal-to-noise ratio and enabling the re-use of wavelengths, it is found that this interrogation scheme enables monitoring of weak gratings spaced by less than 1 cm. Intracavity grating interrogation studied here is found to be a simple and powerful way to increase the number of sensor points for industrial applications.
High-extinction CROW filters for scalable quantum photonics
Authors: Kumar Rakesh Ranjan , Tsang Hon Ki
Published: December 2020

We report an integrated tunable-bandwidth optical filter with a passband to stop-band ratio of over 96 dB using a single silicon chip with an ultra-compact footprint. The integrated filter is used in filtering out the pump photons in non-degenerate spontaneous four-wave mixing (SFWM), which is used for producing correlated photon pairs at different wavelengths. SFWM occurs in a long silicon waveguide, and two cascaded second-order coupled-resonator optical waveguide (CROW) filters were used to spectrally remove the pump photons. The tunable bandwidth of the filter is useful to adjust the coherence time of the quantum correlated photons and may find applications in large-scale integrated quantum photonic circuits.
Coherence effects on estimating two-point separation
Authors: Liang Kevin , Wadood S. A. , Vamivakas A. N.
Published: December 2020

The quantum Fisher information (FI), when applied to the estimation of the separation of two point sources, has been shown to be non-zero in cases where the coherence between the sources is known. Although it has been claimed that ignorance of the coherence causes the quantum FI to vanish (a resurgence of Rayleigh’s curse), a more complete analysis including both the magnitude and phase of the coherence parameter is given here. Partial ignorance of the coherence is shown to potentially break Rayleigh’s curse, whereas complete ignorance guarantees its resurgence.
Solution of the Helmholtz equation within volumes bounded by convex polygonal surfaces
Authors: Zia Haider
Published: December 2020

We present a surface integral algorithm, utilizing Fourier integrals to solve optical fields within a volume bounded by a complicated polygonal surface. The method enables the full electric field to be solved from electric field values on the bounding surface at any point within the volume. As opposed to FDTD and FEM methods, volume discretization and the need to iteratively solve the E-field at every discrete volume element is not needed with this method. Our new surface integral algorithm circumvents the limitations that exist in current surface methods. Namely, in present methods, the need to determine a Green’s function only allows for simple bounding surfaces, and these methods generally use integrals that cannot utilize computationally fast Fourier integrals. Here, we prove the algorithm mathematically, show it with a numerical example, and outline important cases where the algorithm can be used. These cases include the design of free-form reflectors and near field optical scanning microscopy (SNOM). We then briefly analyze the algorithm's computational scaling.