bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Muscarinic inhibition of salivary glands with glycopyrronium bromide does not reduce the uptake of PSMA-ligands or radioiodine
Authors: Mohan V. , Bruin N. M. , Tesselaar M. E. T. , de Boer J. P. , Vegt E. , Hendrikx J. J. M. A. , Al-Mamgani A. , van de Kamer J. B. , Sonke J.-J. , Vogel W. V.
Published: March 2021

Rationale

Salivary glands are highly perfused and express the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) receptor as well as the sodium—iodide symporter. As a consequence, treatment with 177Lu/225Ac-PSMA for prostate cancer or 131I for thyroid cancer leads to a high radiation dose in the salivary glands, and patients can be confronted with persistent xerostomia and reduced quality of life. Salivation can be inhibited using an antimuscarinic pharmaceutical, such as glycopyrronium bromide (GPB), which may also reduce perfusion. The primary objective of this work was to determine if inhibition with GPB could provide a considerable (> 30%) reduction in the accumulation of administered 123I or 68Ga-PSMA-11 in salivary glands.

Methods

Ten patients who already received a whole-body 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT scan for (re)staging of prostate cancer underwent a repeat PET/CT scan with tracer administration at 90 min after intravenous injection of 0.2 mg GPB. Four patients in follow-up after thyroid cancer, who had been treated with one round of ablative 131I therapy with curative intent and had no signs of recurrence, received 123I planar scintigraphy at 4 h after tracer administration without GPB and a repeated scan at least one week later, with tracer administration at 30 min after intramuscular injection of 0.4 mg GPB. Tracer uptake in the salivary glands was quantified on PET and scintigraphy, respectively, and values with and without GPB were compared.

Results

No significant difference in PSMA uptake in the salivary glands was seen without or with GPB (Mean SULmean parotid glands control 5.57, intervention 5.72, p = 0.50. Mean SULmean submandibular glands control 6.25, intervention 5.89, p = 0.12). Three out of 4 patients showed increased 123I uptake in the salivary glands after GPB (Mean counts per pixel control 8.60, intervention 11.46).

Conclusion

Muscarinic inhibition of salivation with GPB did not significantly reduce the uptake of PSMA-ligands or radioiodine in salivary glands, and can be dismissed as a potential strategy to reduce toxicity from radionuclide therapies.
Split nitrogen fertilizer application improved grain yield in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) via modulating antioxidant capacity and 13C photosynthate mobilization under water-saving irrigation conditions
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Yu Zhenwen , Zhang Yongli , Shi Yu
Published: March 2021

A water-saving cultivation technique of supplementary irrigation based on soil moisture levels has been adopted for winter wheat production in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of China, due to the enhanced water-use efficiency. However, appropriate split nitrogen management may further improve crop growth and grain yield. Here, we conducted a 2-year field experiment to determine if split nitrogen management might improve wheat productivity by enhancing 13C photosynthate mobilization and the antioxidant defense system under water-saving conditions. Split nitrogen management involved a constant total nitrogen rate (240 kg ha−1) split in four different proportions between sowing and jointing stage, i.e., 10:0 (N1), 7:3 (N2), 5:5 (N3), and 3:7 (N4). The N3 treatment significantly enhanced “soil-plant analysis development” values, superoxide dismutase antioxidant activity, soluble protein content, sucrose content, and sucrose phosphate synthetase activity, although it reduced the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA). The N3 treatment ultimately increased the amount of dry matter assimilation after anthesis significantly. In addition, the 13C isotope tracer experiment revealed that the N3 treatment promoted the assimilation of carbohydrates after anthesis and their partitioning to the developing grains. Compared to the unequal ratio treatments (N1, N2, and N4), the equal ratio treatment (N3) increased grain yield by 5.70–16.72% via increasing 1000-grain weight and number of grains per spike in both growing seasons. Therefore, we recommend the use of a 5:5 basal-topdressing split nitrogen fertilizer application under water-saving irrigation conditions to promote antioxidant enzyme activity and the remobilization of photosynthate after anthesis for improving wheat grain yield.
Expression, structure and function analysis of the sperm-oocyte fusion genes Juno and Izumo1 in sheep (Ovis aries)
Authors: Hu Wenping , Dong Xinlong , Tian Zhilong , Zhang Zhuangbiao , Tang Jishun , Liang Benmeng , Liu Qiuyue , Chu Mingxing
Published: March 2021

Background

JUNO and IZUMO1 are the first receptor-ligand protein pairs discovered to be essential for sperm-oocyte fusion; their interaction is indispensable for fertilization.

Methods

PCR was used to clone the full-length DNA sequence of the Juno gene in sheep. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci of Juno were genotyped by Sequenom MassARRAY®. PCR combined with rapid amplification of cDNA Ends were used to clone the full-length cDNA sequence of Juno and Izumo1. Reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) and real time-quantitative-PCR (RT-qPCR) were used to analyze the genes’ expression in tissues of sheep, and single cell RNA-seq was used to analyze the genes’ expression in oocytes, granulosa cells and follicular theca of polytocous and monotocous Small Tail Han ewes. Bioinformatics was used to analyze advanced structure and phylogeny of JUNO and IZUMO1 proteins.

Results

The full-length DNA sequence of the Juno gene in sheep was cloned and nine SNPs were screened. We found a significant association between the g.848253 C > A locus of Juno and litter size of Small Tail Han sheep (P < 0.05). The full-length cDNA sequence of Juno and Izumo1 genes from Small Tail Han sheep were obtained. We found a new segment of the Izumo1 CDS consisting of 35 bp, and we confirmed the Izumo1 gene has 9 exons, not 8. RT-qPCR showed that Juno and Izumo1 genes were highly expressed in ovarian and testicular tissues, respectively (P < 0.01). Single cell RNA-seq showed Juno was specifically expressed in oocytes, but not in granulosa cells or follicular theca, while Izumo1 displayed little to no expression in all three cell types. There was no difference in expression of the Juno gene in oocyte and ovarian tissue in sheep with different litter sizes, indicating expression of Juno is not related to litter size traits. Bioinformatic analysis revealed the g.848253 C > A locus of Juno results in a nonconservative missense point mutation leading to a change from Phe to Leu at position 219 in the amino acid sequence.

Conclusions

For the first time, this study systematically analyzed the expression, structure and function of Juno and Izumo1 genes and their encoded proteins in Small Tail Han sheep, providing the basis for future studies of the regulatory mechanisms of Juno and Izumo1 genes.
Ethical issues in genomics research on neurodevelopmental disorders: a critical interpretive review
Authors: Mezinska S. , Gallagher L. , Verbrugge M. , Bunnik E.M.
Published: March 2021

Background

Genomic research on neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), particularly involving minors, combines and amplifies existing research ethics issues for biomedical research. We performed a review of the literature on the ethical issues associated with genomic research involving children affected by NDDs as an aid to researchers to better anticipate and address ethical concerns.

Results

Qualitative thematic analysis of the included articles revealed themes in three main areas: research design and ethics review, inclusion of research participants, and communication of research results. Ethical issues known to be associated with genomic research in general, such as privacy risks and informed consent/assent, seem especially pressing for NDD participants because of their potentially decreased cognitive abilities, increased vulnerability, and stigma associated with mental health problems. Additionally, there are informational risks: learning genetic information about NDD may have psychological and social impact, not only for the research participant but also for family members. However, there are potential benefits associated with research participation, too: by enrolling in research, the participants may access genetic testing and thus increase their chances of receiving a (genetic) diagnosis for their neurodevelopmental symptoms, prognostic or predictive information about disease progression or the risk of concurrent future disorders. Based on the results of our review, we developed an ethics checklist for genomic research involving children affected by NDDs.

Conclusions

In setting up and designing genomic research efforts in NDD, researchers should partner with communities of persons with NDDs. Particular attention should be paid to preventing disproportional burdens of research participation of children with NDDs and their siblings, parents and other family members. Researchers should carefully tailor the information and informed consent procedures to avoid therapeutic and diagnostic misconception in NDD research. To better anticipate and address ethical issues in specific NDD studies, we suggest researchers to use the ethics checklist for genomic research involving children affected by NDDs presented in this paper.
Tau antibody isotype induces differential effects following passive immunisation of tau transgenic mice
Authors: Bajracharya Rinie , Brici David , Bodea Liviu-Gabriel , Janowicz Phillip W. , Götz Jürgen , Nisbet Rebecca M.
Published: March 2021

One of the main pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the intraneuronal accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau. Passive immunotherapy is a promising strategy for the treatment of AD and there are currently a number of tau-specific monoclonal antibodies in clinical trials. A proposed mechanism of action is to engage and clear extracellular, pathogenic forms of tau. This process has been shown in vitro to be facilitated by microglial phagocytosis through interactions between the antibody-tau complex and microglial Fc-receptors. As this interaction is mediated by the conformation of the antibody's Fc domain, this suggests that the antibody isotype may affect the microglial phagocytosis and clearance of tau, and hence, the overall efficacy of tau antibodies. We therefore aimed to directly compare the efficacy of the tau-specific antibody, RN2N, cloned into a murine IgG1/κ framework, which has low affinity Fc-receptor binding, to that cloned into a murine IgG2a/κ framework, which has high affinity Fc-receptor binding. Our results demonstrate, for RN2N, that although enhanced microglial activation via the IgG2a/κ isotype increased extracellular tau phagocytosis in vitro, the IgG1/κ isoform demonstrated enhanced ability to reduce tau pathology and microgliosis following passive immunisation of the P301L tau transgenic pR5 mouse model.
Indocyanine green fluorescence-guided laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery with prophylactic retrograde transileal conduit ureteral catheter placement after previous total cystectomy: a case report
Authors: Kamada Teppei , Nakaseko Yuichi , Yoshida Masashi , Kai Wataru , Takahashi Junji , Nakashima Keigo , Suzuki Norihiko , Ohdaira Hironori , Yamanouchi Eigoro , Suzuki Yutaka
Published: March 2021

Background

Iatrogenic ureteral injury (UI) is a potentially serious complication of colorectal cancer surgery. Performing perioperative placement of ureteral stents or intraoperative fluorescence navigation surgery for the ureter using indocyanine green (ICG) has been employed as a method of preventing UI. However, transileal conduit stent placement has been considered challenging because it is difficult to identify the ureteral orifice due to the anatomical changes caused by a previous surgery. We report a case in which laparoscopic colectomy was safely performed using a combination of prophylactic transileal conduit ureteral catheter placement and intraoperative ICG fluorescence navigation surgery.

Case presentation

A 75-year-old man presented to our hospital complaining of vomiting and abdominal distension. He had a history of open total cystectomy and ileal conduit urinary diversion 11 years prior to admission. Computed tomography confirmed colon dilation with fecal impaction from the ascending colon to the sigmoid colon and wall thickening in the sigmoid colon. Colonoscopy during the transanal ileus tube insertion revealed a Borrmann type II tumor with circumferential stenosis 10 cm distal to the junction between the descending colon and the sigmoid colon. The patient was diagnosed with colorectal ileus due to obstructive sigmoid colon cancer and underwent transanal ileus tube insertion. Severe intra-abdominal adhesions were expected due to the previous total cystectomy, and the left ureter was near the sigmoid colon tumor; therefore, prophylactic retrograde transileal conduit ureteral catheter placement was performed one day before the elective surgery.

During the operation, 20 ml (5.0 × 10–2 mg/ml) ICG was administered from the transileal conduit ureteral catheter, and ICG fluorescence of the ureter was observed in the retroperitoneum. Laparoscopic Hartmann's operation was successfully performed, confirming ureter fluorescence. The operation time was 231 min, with 5 mL of intraoperative bleeding. The ureteral catheter was removed 3 days after the operation. The patient’s postoperative course was good with no complications, and he was discharged on postoperative day 7.

Conclusions

Prophylactic transileal conduit ureteral catheter placement and ICG fluorescence navigation surgery were effective in performing laparoscopic colorectal surgery with severe adhesions after urinary diversion.
In silico identification of compounds from Nigella sativa seed oil as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 targets
Authors: Duru Chidi Edbert , Duru Ijeoma Akunna , Adegboyega Abayomi Emmanuel
Published: March 2021

Background

The growing number of cases, severity and fatality of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the fact that no cure has been found has made infected individuals especially in Africa, to resort to the consumption of different natural products to alleviate their condition. One of such plant materials that have been consumed to remedy the severity of this viral infection is the oil of Nigella sativa seed commonly called black seed oil. In this study, we extracted and characterized the oil from this seed using gas chromatography coupled to a mass selective detector to identify the component phytochemicals. Site-directed multiligand docking of the identified compounds was performed on SARS-CoV-2 molecular targets- Replicase polyprotein 1a, RNA binding protein of NSP9, ADP ribose phosphatase of NSP3, 3-chymotrypsin-like protease 3CLpro, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase RDRP, and ACE2–angiotensin-converting enzyme from the Homo sapiens.

Results

The binding affinity of caryophyllene oxide was the highest on 3CLpro (− 6.0 kcal/mol), NSP3 (− 6.3 kcal/mol), NSP9 (− 6.3 kcal/mol), and RDRP (− 6.9 kcal/mol) targets, while α-bergamotene gave the best binding affinity on RPIA (5.7 kcal/mol) target. The binding affinity of β-bisabolene on the ACE2 target (− 8.0 kcal/mol) was almost the same as Remdesivir (− 8.1 kcal/mol). The ADMET properties of these three phytochemicals showed that they are good drug leads for these SARS-CoV-2 receptors.

Conclusion

The findings from this study strongly indicate that the reported recovery from COVID-19 infection claimed by patients who consumed black seed oil could be linked to the presence of caryophyllene oxide, α-bergamotene, and β-bisabolene in this natural product.
Suicide by homeless patients in England and Wales: national clinical survey
Authors: Culatto Paul , Bojanić Lana , Appleby Louis , Turnbull Pauline
Published: March 2021

Background

Homelessness in England and Wales is on the rise together with the mortality rate among homeless people. Many homeless people have a mental illness, which is a risk factor for suicide.

Aims

This study used data from the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Safety in Mental Health to examine demographic and clinical characteristics of homeless people who died by suicide and were in recent contact with mental health services.

Method

We have compared 514 patients (2% of the total sample) who died by suicide and who were reported as being homeless or having no fixed abode by their clinicians with patients in stable accommodation between 2000 and 2016 to identify differences in sociodemographic characteristics and clinical care.

Results

Our analysis suggests that homeless patients who died by suicide had more acute (alcohol: 47% v. 25%, P < 0.01, drug: 39% v. 15%, P < 0.01) and chronic (alcohol: 72% v. 44%, P > 0.01, drug: 64% v. 31%) substance misuse issues than patients in stable accommodation. Homeless patients were also more likely to die as in-patients (21% v. 10%, P < 0.01) or within 3 months of discharge (32% v. 19%, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Homeless patients who died by suicide more often had known risk factors for suicide than patients in stable accommodation. As a result of the higher percentages of post-discharge and in-patient suicides in homeless patients as well as the high prevalence of substance misuse, this study recommends closer integration of services as well as awareness of risks during in-patient admission and in the weeks immediately after discharge.
Global Labor Migration
Authors: Fanning Charlie , Piper Nicola
Published: March 2021

This article discusses the roots of the current governance system of global migration in relation to labor mobility from a critical policy and historical perspectives, by assessing the current state of global migration governance and key protection gaps regarding migrant workers, to then consider future avenues for research and advocacy to forward migrants’ human and labor rights. In the authors’ analysis of global migration governance, they center the historic and contemporary role of the International Labor Organization, whose social justice mandate and body of international labor standards extend to migrant and nonmigrant workers, and its shifting position within the international system. The authors argue that shifting geopolitical concerns and competing institutional mandates within the international system have been obstacles to advancing a rights-based approach to the global regulation of labor migration. Nevertheless, they find that the current institutional and political environment may provide opportunities for enhanced cooperation and action at the global level to empower migrant workers.
Development of conformational BRET biosensors that monitor ezrin, radixin and moesin activation in real time
Authors: Leguay Kévin , Decelle Barbara , He Yu Yan , Pagniez Anthony , Hogue Mireille , Kobayashi Hiroyuki , Le Gouill Christian , Bouvier Michel , Carréno Sébastien
Published: March 2021

Ezrin, radixin and moesin compose the family of ERM proteins. They link actin filaments and microtubules to the plasma membrane to control signaling and cell morphogenesis. Importantly, their activity promotes invasive properties of metastatic cells from different cancer origins. Therefore, a precise understanding of how these proteins are regulated is important for the understanding of the mechanism controlling cell shape, as well as providing new opportunities for the development of innovative cancer therapies. Here, we developed and characterized novel bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)-based conformational biosensors, compatible with high-throughput screening, that monitor individual ezrin, radixin or moesin activation in living cells. We showed that these biosensors faithfully monitor ERM activation and can be used to quantify the impact of small molecules, mutation of regulatory amino acids or depletion of upstream regulators on their activity. The use of these biosensors allowed us to characterize the activation process of ERMs that involves a pool of closed-inactive ERMs stably associated with the plasma membrane. Upon stimulation, we discovered that this pool serves as a cortical reserve that is rapidly activated before the recruitment of cytoplasmic ERMs.
Investigating the effect of e-cigarette use on quitting smoking in adults aged 25 years or more using the PATH study
Authors: Lee Peter N. , Fry John S.
Published: March 2021

Background: The evidence on harms and benefits of e-cigarettes partly concerns whether their use encourages smokers to quit.  We addressed this using data from the nationally representative PATH study, with detailed accounting for potential confounding variables.

Methods: We considered adults aged 25+.  Our original analyses, reported in version 1 of this paper, used data for Waves 1 to 3, separate analyses considering Waves 1 to 2, 2 to 3 and 1 to 3.  These related baseline ever e-cigarette use (or e-product use at Wave 2) to quitting at follow-up, adjusting for confounders derived from 55 candidates.  Sensitivity analyses omitted ever other product users, linked quitting to current e-cigarette use, and used values of some predictors modified using follow-up data.  Additional analyses used data for Waves 1 to 4, separately considering sustained, delayed and temporary quitting during Waves 1 to 3, 2 to 4 and 1 to 4.  Sensitivity analyses considered 30-day quitting, restricted attention to smokers attempting to quit, and considered ever smokeless tobacco or snus use.

Results: In the original analyses, unadjusted odds ratios (ORs) of quitting smoking forever e-cigarette use were 1.29 (95% CI 1.01-1.66), 1.52 (1.26-1.83) and 1.47 (1.19-1.82) for the Wave 1 to 2, 2 to 3, and 1 to 3 analyses.  These reduced after adjustment, to 1.23 (0.94-1.61), 1.51 (1.24-1.85) and 1.39 (1.11-1.74).  Quitting rates remained elevated in users in all sensitivity analyses.  The additional analyses found associations of e-cigarette use with sustained, delayed and temporary quitting, associations little affected by considering 30-day quitting, and only slightly reduced restricting attention to quit attempters.  Ever use of smokeless tobacco or snus also predicted increased quitting.  

Conclusions: As does most evidence from clinical trials, other analyses of PATH, and other epidemiological studies, our results suggest using e-cigarettes helps adult smokers to quit.
DEVELOPING ENGKLEK GAME USING LEARNING STYLES APPROACH TO TEACH ENGLISH VOCABULARY FOR 4TH GRADE STUDENTS OF SD MUHAMMADIYAH KAUMAN YOGYAKARTA IN ACADEMIC YEAR 2015/2016
Authors: Maulida Agustia Pristiana , Sucipto Sucipto
Published: March 2021

This study was intended to develop Engklek Game using learning style approach as a media to teach English vocabulary for 4th grade students of SD Muhammadiyah Kauman Yogyakarta in academic year 2015/2016.The subject of the research was 4th grade students of SD Muhammadiyah Kauman Yogyakarta in academic year 2015/2016. The data of students’ needs and learning style was collected by the researcher by giving questionnaire, doing interviews and doing observations. The result of the data then was used to become considerations in developing Engklek Game. Then, the prototype of the product was evaluated by experts. There were English teacher as the expert in ELT and lecture of Elementary Education Department as the expert in learning styles. In order to find the effectiveness of Engklek Game, the implementation was done by giving pre-test, treatment and post-test to students. The data was calculated by using SPSS 16.00. After the implementation, the researcher did evaluation by analyzing the students’ responses to the media.The result of the evaluation done by the experts of ELT and learning styles showed that Engklek Game is suitable to be used as media to teach English vocabulary for 4th grade students of SD Muhammadiyah Kauman Yogyakarta in academic year 2015/2016. In other side, after the result of pre test and post test had been calculated, it can be seen that there was a significant enhancement of students in learning English vocabulary after taught using Engklek Game. While based on students’ response, it can be concluded that Engklek Game is appropriate to be used.
INTEGRATING CRITICAL THINKING IN TEACHING ACADEMIC WRITING
Authors: Wahyuni Dewi Sri
Published: March 2021

One of targets issued by UN through SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) in education is ensuring that all youth and adults have to achieve literacy and numeracy skills through long live education for both men and women. It is due to facts that education does not nationally wide spread among the developing and mostly, the third world countries. In those countries, the citizens whom literacy and numeracy skills are built up well are only them whose motivation in learning is high. Simply, it can be said that literacy awareness of those countries is unsatisfying. Realizing this fact, Indonesian government revises the National Curriculum of 2013 by the year 2017 and puts some important issues in learning process: (1) integrating five characters building; (2) elaborating literacy skills and 21st century skills (4C); and (3) integrating High Order Thinking Skill. Not only applied in lower education, these rules can be adopted also in higher education, such as university. Based on the literacy awareness and 4C skills that have to be developed during learning process, this research is aimed at increasing students’ soft skills through integrated character building, literacy skills habit, and critical thinking awareness in academic writing class. By enrolling action research to gain the objectives and taking whole semester, this research works on increasing students’ autonomy and honesty in learning, literacy in reading through article journal comprehension, and critical thinking through article journal summarizing.
Attribution theory in EFL teacher’s resistance of using technology
Authors: Kamilah Nur
Published: March 2021

It is now a trend to research the teacher's perspectives of using technology in a language class. However, the reasons why teachers keep perspectives are not well studied. It is known in the view of naive psychology, that what a person regards something matters more than how it actually is.  To view success or failure, it is very humane to make excuses or reasons for how it happened. In the case of teacher’s reluctance of using technology in a language class, the present study aimed at explaining what could have underlain their resistance to using technology in their language classes, especially from the view of attribution theory. The study applied a qualitative approach using the phenomenology research design. The participants of the study were three high school language teachers from Situbondo, Indonesia. Added to the researcher as the primary research instrument were the interview and field notes. The findings of the study indicate that teachers have personally considered their resistance as something stable and uncontrollable. They believe that they become resistant because they do not have control over their ability as they believe the younger fellows are gifted with the ability to use IT fluently in the classroom. The findings imply that teachers are reluctant to use technology in the class because they fear failure when using technology in the classroom. It suggests that the magnitude of teachers’ attribution could determine what they could achieve in their professional development.
Sati tradition its origin and change as reflected in Around the World in 80 Days: A sociological approach
Authors: Attasyriky Zakiyyah , Darmawan Hendra
Published: March 2021

This research aims at investigating the main character's disobedience toward Sati tradition in Around the World in 80 Days: a Sociological Approach. The research method used in this research is a descriptive qualitative method so the researcher analyzes the data in this research through description. There are two main results of this research. First, the main character’s disobedience toward Sati tradition are (1) the main character’s disobedience in India Forest (being displeased with government authority, hope of reform); (2) the main character’s disobedience in Calcutta (law enforcement); (3) the main character’s disobedience in United States of America (injustice occur). Second, the moral values can be taken from the novel are divided into positive and negative values.
Plot your route to success
Authors: Hempsall James
Published: March 2021

Creating a business plan that navigates change and supports sustainability is vital for providers in the current climate. James Hempsall explains how a new business tool can assist with this and help to identify new opportunities.
Bold, bright, beautiful
Authors: Harries Judith
Published: March 2021

Introduce children to the award-winning author and illustrator Lois Ehlert and equip them to create colourful collages with a range of resources including coloured paper, glue, wire, thread and recycled textiles.
Kreativität und Formelhaftigkeit in der Realisierung von Komplimenten: Ein deutsch-kamerunischer Vergleich
Authors: Farenkia Bernard Mulo
Published: March 2021

The large literature on compliments so far reveals that the way these speech acts are uttered depends on languages, countries or cultures. A look at the compliment behaviour of Germans and Americans for instance shows that they are fond of formulaic expressions. The present paper aims at underscoring that most Cameroonians, unlike most Germans, use variable, complex and imaginative structures to express praise or admiration. The study particularly focuses on stylistic and lexical devices.
Problembezeichnung und Problemerlebnis - Gedanken zum problematischen Selbstverständnis einer Übersetzungswissenschaft
Authors: Işcen Ismail
Published: March 2021

This study, related to the discussion concerning the basis of an "ÜW" (Science of Translation), aims to show the connection between the problems, which are concretely lived in the praxis of studies and researches (concentrated on the general topic "translation"), and the definitions of these problems. The main arguments, which have been expressed in particular since the early 80's, can be described as against or for the "pure" disciplinary structure of a science of translation (ÜW). The study tries to make clear that these arguments have their origin in other disciplines, which aim to incorporate the translation researches.
Concerning the theoretical basis of an ÜW (as an opposite/alternative to TS, translation studies) the study discusses the possibilities given by the arguments named, particularly those emphasizing the precipice between the "Ü-Theorie" and "Ü-Praxis", the interdisciplinary spectrum of several sciences, the complexity of the subject etc.
At the end of the study a proposal is formulated for resolving the main problem (of the discussion itself) based on extra-disciplinary approaches. The discussion on the basis of a science of Translation (ÜW) must be clarified by a logical order of proceedings and the "dynamic structure" of principle analyses in ÜW, which can be defined as subordination and coordination aspects of the discipline.
Ikonographie, Ikonizität und Ikonizismus: Drei Begriffe und ihre Bedeutung für die Phraseologieforschung
Authors: Farø Ken
Published: March 2021

Three key concepts in the research of idioms are discussed: iconography, iconicity, and iconicism. These concepts all have a role to play in phraseology (and beyond), although in quite different ways: Iconography is the mental picture that may be created on the basis of the literal reading of an idiom; it is thus a genuine semiotic concept and not a matter of free associations. However, its functional relevance in discourse should always be questioned. Iconicity in phraseology is the phenomenon that many idioms seem to reflect their semantic content through their form. Although this seems intuitively correct, idiom iconicity is quite relative and always overruled by the arbitrariness of the idiom sign - an arbitrariness which is not relative, but in fact fundamental. Iconicity is therefore often an obstacle to more thorough empirical investigations and cross-linguistic contexts. Iconicism is the tendency found in research and applied contexts that more attention is paid to iconography than to the idioms' rules of use. Iconicism is among other things responsible for textual non-equivalence and non-native style in translations, and it is a "natural", but nevertheless problematic consequence of the iconography and iconicity of idioms.
On the Change of Thematic Openings of Linguistic Journal Articles in Finnish and German
Authors: Szurawitzki Michael
Published: March 2021

The article summarizes the main findings of a contrastive and diachronic study of a corpus of 109 Finnish and German thematic openings of linguistic journal articles from the periodicals Virittäjä and Beiträge zur Geschichte der deutschen Sprache und Literatur. The methodology used is based on a modification of Fredrickson/Swales (1994).
A Sociolinguistic Study of Deviant Orthographic Representation of Graduating Students' Names in a Nigerian University
Authors: Faleye Oladunjoye J. , Adegoju Adeyemi
Published: March 2021

It is habitual for graduating students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, to roll out the drums the very day they finish writing their final examination. Characteristic of such a ritualistic exercise, among other things, are the brand names the students coin for themselves from their original names. This study focuses on the creative rewriting of the names on such an occasion and examines the linguistic habits exhibited therein. It analyses the phonological/graphematic features that mark the rewritng of the names and discusses the sociolinguistic implications for the phenomena of social identity construction and language contact situation. Data for the study was sourced mainly through participant-observation technique with a supplemment of an oral interview conducted for some of the subjects between year 2007 and 2009. The data was selected through a purposive random sampling technique which yielded fifty names that were considered representative of the respelling conventions. The paper employs mainly Hempenstall's (2003) Phonological Sensitivity Skills to analyse the linguistic practices in the reconfigured names and then applies Tajfel's and Turner's (1979) Social Identity Theory to explain how it is that people develop a sense of membership and belonging in particular groups. The article reveals that the deviant orthographic conventions are a major fallout of youth culture with great influence from computer-mediated communication. It also shows that their linguistic experimentation foray in the discourse greatly undermines the orthographic system of the indigenous language (Yoruba) and the cultural values embedded in the original names.
La synonymie du point de vue de la pensée linguistique de Coseriu : Étude sur un corpus slovène
Authors: Zorman Marina
Published: March 2021

Synonymy is a subject of research in various subfields of linguistics and related disciplines, each of these focussing on particular aspects of this phenomenon. Through the use of Coseriu's theory, it is possible to refine our understanding of 'expressions with the same or similar meaning' and to provide a coherent description of the causes and the effects arising from the choice between them in texts that may otherwise remain non-transparent and inexplicable. This paper presents a method for analyzing the actual relationships between such expressions in a corpus, a way of exploring their functions in texts, and some possible benefits for understanding the notion of synonymy as well as for understanding implicitly conveyed information in texts.
Peculiar Patterns of Juxtapositional Assimilations in Educated Nigerian Spoken English Variety
Authors: Josiah Ubong E. , Soneye Taiwo
Published: March 2021

Research into the specific phonological features that distinguish Educated Nigerian Spoken English (ENSE) within the purview of the New Englishes is still scarce. In particular, there is hardly any systematic, corpus-driven study on the juxtapositional assimilatory processes in Nigerian English to date, hence this current study. Its main objective is to examine the variety of English spoken by university students categorized as "Educated Nigerian English" (see Eka 1985, 2000; Odumuh 1987; Udofot 2004) and to identify patterns of juxtapositional assimilation that are peculiar to it. This is with a view to increasing the quantum of available data on this variety of English. The study is based on the corpus gathered from one hundred final-year university students from five Federal Government-owned universities in Nigeria. The respondents were drawn from nineteen linguistic groups including the three major Nigerian languages (Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo) and some "minor-group" and "medium-group" languages (see Egbokhare 2003). Such a selection is an attempt to make the data fairly representative of the different parts of Nigeria because of its densely multilingual nature. The study adopts both the taxonomic and generative approaches for its framework. The findings from the research reveal, among others, that 66% of the experimental group (EG) representing Nigerian respondents realized watch you /wɒtʃ juː/ as /wɔtʃ dʒu:/, eliding the palatal glide /j/, and replacing it with the palato-alveolar affricate /dʒ; and 59% of them articulated coach him /kəʊtʃ hɪm/ as /kotʃim/ with the [–h] deletion – expressions not found in the "Control", which is an exponent of the Standard British English (SBE). The work draws the conclusion that Educated Nigerian Standard English is largely endonormative and indicative of an emerging Nigerian English variety.
How Old Are the River Names of Europe?
A Glottochronological Approach
Authors: Peust Carsten
Published: March 2021

The names of large rivers are among the diachronically most stable of all words. The present glottochronological study aims to quantify the lexical preservation rate of this set of words, more specifically of the names of the largest rivers of Europe. 210 river names are taken into consideration. Their preservation rate during the past 2000 years turns out to have been about 87%. Under the assumption that this observed rate can be extrapolated into the prehistoric periods, a statistical distribution of the name creation dates can be estimated. One conclusion is that 50% of the large modern rivers of Europe are likely to have received their present names prior to 8000 BC. This implies that the greater part of these names cannot be of Indo-European origin as has usually been assumed.
Simulations of vehicular optical wireless communication systems and
comparisons with DSRC systems
Authors: Zhang Jianan , Alharbi Omar , Kane Timothy J.
Published: March 2021

Optical wireless communication (OWC) has been proposed as a complementary technique to
radio frequency (RF) communications for vehicular applications. OWC
systems can be categorized into two types based on the transmitters:
the first one is the light-emitting diode (LED)-based OWC system, and
the second is the laser diode (LD)-based OWC system. Simulations of
both types of OWC systems are presented in this paper. To simulate the
OWC systems precisely, outdoor experiments of OWC systems have been
done and the measurements of background noise are applied in the
simulations. In terms of the LED-based OWC system, the impulse
responses are obtained by an improved ray tracing algorithm. To reduce
the computational complexity, visibility graphs are applied in the
improved ray tracing algorithm. Compared with the brute force
algorithm, our improved algorithm is able to reduce the computational
complexity from

O
(

n
3

)

to

O
(

n
2

log
⁡
(
n
)
)

, where

n

is the number of mobile terminals. In
LD-based OWC systems, the performance and stability are highly
dependent on the tracking system in vehicular applications. Therefore,
this paper also analyzes the requirements of tracking accuracy in
LD-based OWC systems. Finally, the simulated LED-based OWC system is
compared with the dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) system
under different traffic densities. Our experimental and simulation
results have demonstrated that OWC can be a complementary technique
for DSRC under conditions of high traffic density.
Development of a multi-functional preclinical device for the treatment of glioblastoma
Authors: Metwally Khaled , Bastiancich Chiara , Correard Florian , Novell Anthony , Fernandez Samantha , Guillet Benjamin , Larrat Benoit , Mensah Serge , Estève Marie-Anne , Da Silva Anabela
Published: March 2021

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common and aggressive malignant primary brain tumors in adults. The treatment of GBM is limited by the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which limits the diffusion of appropriate concentrations of therapeutic agents at the tumor site. Among experimental therapies, photo-thermal therapy (PTT) mediated by nanoparticles is a promising strategy. To propose a preclinical versatile research instrument for the development of new PTT for GBM, a multipurpose integrated preclinical device was developed. The setup is able to perform: i) BBB permeabilization by focused ultrasound sonication (FUS); ii) PTT with continuous wave laser; iii) in situ temperature monitoring with photo-acoustic (PA) measurements. In vivo preliminary subcutaneous and transcranial experiments were conducted on healthy or tumor-bearing mice. Transcranial FUS-induced BBB permeabilization was validated using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. PTT capacities were monitored by PA thermometry, and are illustrated through subcutaneous and transcranial in vivo experiments. The results show the therapeutic possibilities and ergonomy of such integrated device as a tool for the validation of future treatments.
Phase flicker minimisation for crosstalk suppression in optical switches based on digital liquid crystal on silicon devices
Authors: Nie Jiewen , Dong Linyu , Tong Xiaowen , Xu Yifan , Lin Weihuan , Yang Haining
Published: March 2021

The phase flicker in digital liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) device introduces temporal phase noise to the phase pattern displayed on the device. Such temporal phase noise could elevate the power of unwanted diffraction orders and ultimately cause crosstalk in optical switches based on the LCOS technology. Building on our previous work, this paper demonstrated an automated phase flicker optimisation process by using the genetic algorithm. The method developed in this work further shortened the optimisation process by 10x. It was also demonstrated that the optimised digital driving waveform set was able to reduce the crosstalk level in the optical switches by at least 3 dB.
Phase of white light and its compatibility to the optical path
Authors: Bouchal Petr , Chmelík Radim , Bouchal Zdeněk
Published: March 2021

The phase of monochromatic light directly relates to the optical path difference (OPD), but finding this connection for spectrally broadband light is challenging. Due to a missing concept of the compatibility between the phase of randomly fluctuating fields and the OPD, demanding scanning is the only proven way for a highly accurate OPD measurement in white light. Here, we use the self-coherence function (SCF) of the spatially incoherent light to reveal the connection between the white-light phase and the OPD. Our method uses an associated field assigned to the SCF to mimic the intensity oscillation of a correlation pattern. The associated field allows restoring a cumulative OPD integrated into the SCF across all spectral constituents. The method is essential for quantitative phase microscopy, in which the SCF is available even in white light, but its processing beyond the quasi-monochromatic approach is still lacking. Improper assessment of the white-light phase may result in a loss of measurement accuracy, as we demonstrate theoretically and experimentally. Deploying our method in coherence-controlled holographic microscopy, we measured the cumulative OPD in the broadband light with a strongly asymmetric spectrum (bandwidth of 150 nm), achieving accuracy better than 5 nm in the measuring depth range of 2 µm.
Simultaneous measurement of temperature and acoustic impedance based on forward Brillouin scattering in LEAF
Authors: Zhang Zelin , Lu Yuangang , Peng Jianqin , Ji Zhengyuan
Published: March 2021

The detection of the surrounding environment is one of the most fundamental challenges in optical fiber sensors research. In this Letter, we report two new, to the best of our knowledge, phenomena in large effective area fiber (LEAF), which are the linear dependence of the radial acoustic mode induced forward Brillouin scattering (FBS) spectral linewidth on temperature and the linear dependence of the radial acoustic mode induced FBS spectral frequency shift on acoustic impedance. By utilizing these linear relationships, we present a novel temperature and acoustic impedance simultaneous measurement method based on FBS in LEAF. With a fiber Sagnac loop structure, the obtained measurement uncertainties of temperature and acoustic impedance surrounding LEAF are 0.1°C and

0.006

k
g

/

(

s

⋅

m
m

2

)

, respectively. The corresponding measurement uncertainties in the form of relative percentage values are 0.5% and 0.4%, respectively.
GPU-accelerated wave-optical model for external-cavity diode lasers
Authors: Adams Martin , Holly Carlo , Rauch Simon , Traub Martin
Published: March 2021

The spatial distribution of the optical feedback field in an external-cavity diode laser (ECDL) is an important parameter influencing its lifetime and filamentation. From a modeling point of view, the evaluation of the full diffraction integral is required to calculate the propagation of light through thick lenses such as fast axis collimation lenses or beam transformation systems used for high-power diode lasers. In this Letter, we illustrate an algorithm for the accelerated computation of the Rayleigh–Sommerfeld diffraction integral on a graphics processing unit. We further show a validation of the results by measurements on an ECDL.
Quantifying quantum coherence of optical cat states
Authors: Zhang Miao , Kang Haijun , Wang Meihong , Xu Fengyi , Su Xiaolong , Peng Kunchi
Published: March 2021

The optical cat state plays an essential role in quantum computation and quantum metrology. Here, we experimentally quantify quantum coherence of an optical cat state by means of relative entropy and the

l

1

norm of coherence in a Fock basis based on the prepared optical cat state at the rubidium D1 line. By transmitting the optical cat state through a lossy channel, we also demonstrate the robustness of quantum coherence of the optical cat state in the presence of loss, which is different from the decoherence properties of fidelity and Wigner function negativity of the optical cat state. Our results confirm that quantum coherence of optical cat states is robust against loss and pave the way for the application of optical cat states.