bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cell-free DNA concentration and fragment size as a biomarker for prostate cancer
Authors: Chen Emmalyn , Cario Clinton L. , Leong Lancelote , Lopez Karen , Márquez César P. , Chu Carissa , Li Patricia S. , Oropeza Erica , Tenggara Imelda , Cowan Janet , Simko Jeffry P. , Chan June M. , Friedlander Terence , Wyatt Alexander W. , Aggarwal Rahul , Paris Pamela L. , Carroll Peter R. , Feng Felix , Witte John S.
Published: March 2021

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed neoplasm in American men. Although existing biomarkers may detect localized prostate cancer, additional strategies are necessary for improving detection and identifying aggressive disease that may require further intervention. One promising, minimally invasive biomarker is cell-free DNA (cfDNA), which consist of short DNA fragments released into circulation by dying or lysed cells that may reflect underlying cancer. Here we investigated whether differences in cfDNA concentration and cfDNA fragment size could improve the sensitivity for detecting more advanced and aggressive prostate cancer. This study included 268 individuals: 34 healthy controls, 112 men with localized prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP), and 122 men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Plasma cfDNA concentration and fragment size were quantified with the Qubit 3.0 and the 2100 Bioanalyzer. The potential relationship between cfDNA concentration or fragment size and localized or mCRPC prostate cancer was evaluated with descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and area under the curve analysis with cross-validation. Plasma cfDNA concentrations were elevated in mCRPC patients in comparison to localized disease (OR5ng/mL = 1.34, P = 0.027) or to being a control (OR5ng/mL = 1.69, P = 0.034). Decreased average fragment size was associated with an increased risk of localized disease compared to controls (OR5bp = 0.77, P = 0.0008). This study suggests that while cfDNA concentration can identify mCRPC patients, it is unable to distinguish between healthy individuals and patients with localized prostate cancer. In addition to PSA, average cfDNA fragment size may be an alternative that can differentiate between healthy individuals and those with localized disease, but the low sensitivity and specificity results in an imperfect diagnostic marker. While quantification of cfDNA may provide a quick, cost-effective approach to help guide treatment decisions in advanced disease, its use is limited in the setting of localized prostate cancer.
Scale-dependent contribution of host-specificity and environmental factors to wood-boring longhorn beetle community assemblage in SW China
Authors: Luo Fang , Meng Ling-Zeng , Aluthwattha S. Tharanga , Lin Mei-Ying , Weigel Andreas , Zhang Wen-Fu , Qi Jin-Hua , Chen Jin
Published: March 2021

Longhorn beetles are extremely rich wood-boring insects possessing larvae that feed on the xylem of trees and/or lianas, which have detrimental effects on plants; in turn, the hosting plants may play a fundamental role in shaping the longhorn beetle community assemblage. However, factors determining the community assemblage of wood-boring longhorn beetles, particularly along the multiple spatial scales is still in need of further exploration. In this study, we designed an experiment across several spatial scales (from local to macro scales) from tropical to temperate climate gradients in Yunnan province, southwest China to examine to what extend the attributes of host-specificity is shaping the community assemblage along different spatial scales. This study concludes that (1) the wood-boring longhorn beetles showed attributes of host-specificity to a certain degree at the community level, (2) biotic (host plant specificity) and abiotic (climatic gradients) factors jointly shaped community composition of this species along the multiple spatial scales, (3) biotic interactions have a prominent effect on the community composition of this species at local-scale while macroclimatic gradients impose the major control on it at macro-scale. Thus, this study highlights the significance of host specificity in affecting the wood-boring longhorn beetle community assemblage, particularly at local scales.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent use may not be associated with mortality of coronavirus disease 19
Authors: Park Jungchan , Lee Seung-Hwa , You Seng Chan , Kim Jinseob , Yang Kwangmo
Published: March 2021

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been widely used in patients with respiratory infection, but their safety in coronavirus disease 19 (Covid-19) patients has not been fully investigated. We evaluated an association between NSAID use and outcomes of Covid-19. This study was a retrospective observational cohort study based on insurance benefit claims sent to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service of Korea by May 15, 2020. These claims comprised all Covid-19-tested cases and history of medical service use for the past 3 years in these patients. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, and the secondary outcome was need for ventilator care. Among 7590 patients diagnosed with Covid-19, two distinct cohorts were generated based on NSAID or acetaminophen prescription within 2 weeks before Covid-19 diagnosis. A total of 398 patients was prescribed NSAIDs, and 2365 patients were prescribed acetaminophen. After propensity score matching, 397 pairs of data set were generated, and all-cause mortality of the NSAIDs group showed no significant difference compared with the acetaminophen group (4.0% vs. 3.0%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63–2.88; P = 0.46). The rate of ventilator care also did not show significantly different results between the two groups (2.0% vs. 1.3%; HR, 1.60; 95% CI 0.53–5.30; P = 0.42). Use of NSAIDs was not associated with mortality or ventilator care in Covid-19 patients. NSAIDs may be safely used to relieve symptoms in patients with suspicion of Covid-19.
Real-time breath recognition by movies from a small drone landing on victim’s bodies
Authors: Saitoh Takeji , Takahashi Yoshiaki , Minami Hisae , Nakashima Yukako , Aramaki Shuhei , Mihara Yuki , Iwakura Takamasa , Odagiri Keiichi , Maekawa Yuichiro , Yoshino Atsuto
Published: March 2021

In local and global disaster scenes, rapid recognition of victims’ breathing is vital. It is unclear whether the footage transmitted from small drones can enable medical providers to detect breathing. This study investigated the ability of small drones to evaluate breathing correctly after landing on victims’ bodies and hovering over them. We enrolled 46 medical workers in this prospective, randomized, crossover study. The participants were provided with envelopes, from which they were asked to pull four notes sequentially and follow the written instructions (“breathing” and “no breathing”). After they lied on the ground in the supine position, a drone was landed on their abdomen, subsequently hovering over them. Two evaluators were asked to determine whether the participant had followed the “breathing” or “no breathing” instruction based on the real-time footage transmitted from the drone camera. The same experiment was performed while the participant was in the prone position. If both evaluators were able to determine the participant’s breathing status correctly, the results were tagged as “correct.” All experiments were successfully performed. Breathing was correctly determined in all 46 participants (100%) when the drone was landed on the abdomen and in 19 participants when the drone hovered over them while they were in the supine position (p < 0.01). In the prone position, breathing was correctly determined in 44 participants when the drone was landed on the abdomen and in 10 participants when it was kept hovering over them (p < 0.01). Notably, breathing status was misinterpreted as “no breathing” in 8 out of 27 (29.6%) participants lying in the supine position and 13 out of 36 (36.1%) participants lying in the prone position when the drone was kept hovering over them. The landing points seemed wider laterally when the participants were in the supine position than when they were in the prone position. Breathing status was more reliably determined when a small drone was landed on an individual’s body than when it hovered over them.
Transcriptome analysis reveals brown adipogenic reprogramming in chemical compound-induced brown adipocytes converted from human dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Takeda Yukimasa , Yoshikawa Toshikazu , Dai Ping
Published: March 2021

Brown adipogenesis contributes to controlling systemic energy balance by enhancing glucose and lipid consumptions. We have previously reported chemical compound-induced brown adipocytes (ciBAs) directly converted from human dermal fibroblasts using a serum-free medium. In this study, genome-wide transcriptional analysis was performed in ciBAs in comparison with the control fibroblasts. A broad range of integrated gene expression was enhanced in functional groups including tricarboxylic acid cycle, electron transfer chain, triglycerides metabolism, fatty acid and glucose metabolism, and adaptive thermogenesis. The results suggested that the chemical conversion underwent metabolic and mitochondrial reprogramming closely associated with functions in brown/beige adipocytes. Moreover, we also compared the transcriptional changes to those of adipocyte browning in adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AdMSCs). Transcriptome analysis indicated that the same sets of metabolic and mitochondria-related genes were similarly changed in the adipocyte browning. Interestingly, ciBAs more expressed Ucp1, while AdMSC-derived adipocytes predominantly expressed Ucp2. UCP1 protein was also more expressed in ciBAs than in AdMSC-derived adipocytes. Based on the evidence that UCP1, but not UCP2, is responsible for adrenergic thermogenesis, ciBAs could be a promising model for human beige adipocytes applicable for basic research, drug development, and clinical uses.
PET/CT in therapy control of infective native aortic aneurysms
Authors: Husmann Lars , Huellner Martin W. , Eberhard Nadia , Ledergerber Bruno , Kaelin Marisa B. , Anagnostopoulos Alexia , Kudura Ken , Burger Irene A. , Mestres Carlos-A. , Rancic Zoran , Hasse Barbara
Published: March 2021

Infective native aortic aneurysms (INAA) are aneurysms arising from infection of the aortic wall. Treatment is demanding with 5-year survival rates between 53 and 55%. The aim of our study was to evaluate the usefulness of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in the long-term monitoring of patients with proven INAA. Fifty-three PET/CT were performed in 15 patients with INAA in this single-center retrospective cohort study and retrospective analysis of prospectively collected Vascular Graft Cohort Study (VASGRA) data. Median metabolic activity (as measured by maximum standardized uptake value, SUVmax) of the aneurysms at the initial PET/CT was high (6.8 (IQR 5.7–21.8)), and lower at the last PET/CT prior to the end of antimicrobial therapy (3.9 (IQR 2.7–6.8); n = 11) as well as in the first PET/CT after the end of the treatment (3.9 (IQR 3.0–4.4);n = 6). Compared to the course of C-reactive protein alone, PET/CT provided different (> 20% difference in trend) or altering (opposed trend) information on the course of disease in at least 14 comparisons (56%) in 11 patients (73%). The one-year and five-year freedom from all-cause lethality was 92% (95% confidence interval 57%-99%). As compared to the course of C-reactive protein, PET/CT provides different and occasionally altering information in therapy control of INAA.
Memory consolidation and improvement by synaptic tagging and capture in recurrent neural networks
Authors: Luboeinski Jannik , Tetzlaff Christian
Published: March 2021

The synaptic-tagging-and-capture (STC) hypothesis formulates that at each synapse the concurrence of a tag with protein synthesis yields the maintenance of changes induced by synaptic plasticity. This hypothesis provides a biological principle underlying the synaptic consolidation of memories that is not verified for recurrent neural circuits. We developed a theoretical model integrating the mechanisms underlying the STC hypothesis with calcium-based synaptic plasticity in a recurrent spiking neural network. In the model, calcium-based synaptic plasticity yields the formation of strongly interconnected cell assemblies encoding memories, followed by consolidation through the STC mechanisms. Furthermore, we show for the first time that STC mechanisms modify the storage of memories such that after several hours memory recall is significantly improved. We identify two contributing processes: a merely time-dependent passive improvement, and an active improvement during recall. The described characteristics can provide a new principle for storing information in biological and artificial neural circuits.
Enhanced antitumoral activity of TLR7 agonists via activation of human endogenous retroviruses by HDAC inhibitors
Authors: Díaz-Carballo David , Saka Sahitya , Acikelli Ali H. , Homp Ekaterina , Erwes Julia , Demmig Rebecca , Klein Jacqueline , Schröer Katrin , Malak Sascha , D’Souza Flevy , Noa-Bolaño Adrien , Menze Saskia , Pano Emilio , Andrioff Swetlana , Teipel Marc , Dammann Philip , Klein Diana , Nasreen Amber , Tannapfel Andrea , Grandi Nicole , Tramontano Enzo , Ochsenfarth Crista , Strumberg Dirk
Published: March 2021

In this work, we are reporting that “Shock and Kill”, a therapeutic approach designed to eliminate latent HIV from cell reservoirs, is extrapolatable to cancer therapy. This is based on the observation that malignant cells express a spectrum of human endogenous retroviral elements (HERVs) which can be transcriptionally boosted by HDAC inhibitors. The endoretroviral geneHERV-V2codes for an envelope protein, which resembles syncytins. It is significantly overexpressed upon exposure to HDAC inhibitors and can be effectively targeted by simultaneous application of TLR7/8 agonists, triggering intrinsic apoptosis. We demonstrated that this synergistic cytotoxic effect was accompanied by the functional disruption of the TLR7/8-NFκB, Akt/PKB, and Ras-MEK-ERK signalling pathways. CRISPR/Cas9 ablation ofTLR7andHERV-V1/V2curtailed apoptosis significantly, proving the pivotal role of these elements in driving cell death. The effectiveness of this new approach was confirmed in ovarian tumour xenograft studies, revealing a promising avenue for future cancer therapies.
Author Correction: Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 mutations in the United States suggests presence of four substrains and novel variants
Authors: Wang Rui , Chen Jiahui , Gao Kaifu , Hozumi Yuta , Yin Changchuan , Wei Guo-Wei
Published: March 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-021-01867-y
Uniaxial strain-induced phase transition in the 2D topological semimetal IrTe2
Authors: Nicholson Christopher W. , Rumo Maxime , Pulkkinen Aki , Kremer Geoffroy , Salzmann Björn , Mottas Marie-Laure , Hildebrand Baptiste , Jaouen Thomas , Kim Timur K. , Mukherjee Saumya , Ma KeYuan , Muntwiler Matthias , von Rohr Fabian O. , Cacho Cephise , Monney Claude
Published: March 2021

Strain is ubiquitous in solid-state materials, but despite its fundamental importance and technological relevance, leveraging externally applied strain to gain control over material properties is still in its infancy. In particular, strain control over the diverse phase transitions and topological states in two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides remains an open challenge. Here, we exploit uniaxial strain to stabilize the long-debated structural ground state of the 2D topological semimetal IrTe2, which is hidden in unstrained samples. Combined angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy data reveal the strain-stabilized phase has a 6 × 1 periodicity and undergoes a Lifshitz transition, granting unprecedented spectroscopic access to previously inaccessible type-II topological Dirac states that dominate the modified inter-layer hopping. Supported by density functional theory calculations, we show that strain induces an Ir to Te charge transfer resulting in strongly weakened inter-layer Te bonds and a reshaped energetic landscape favoring the 6×1 phase. Our results highlight the potential to exploit strain-engineered properties in layered materials, particularly in the context of tuning inter-layer behavior.
The progress of nanomaterials for carbon dioxide capture via the adsorption process
Authors: Wang Xueyuan , He Ting , Hu Junhua , Liu Min
Published: March 2021

This review article describes the main technologies for CO2 capture, highlights the latest research status of nanomaterials for CO2 capture, and investigates the influence of surface microstructure and modification of materials on CO2 capture.
Standardized hot water extract from the leaves ofHydrangea serrata(Thunb.) Ser. alleviates obesityviathe AMPK pathway and modulation of the gut microbiota composition in high fat diet-induced obese mice
Authors: Han Hee-Soo , Lee Hwi-Ho , Gil Hyo-Sun , Chung Kyung-Sook , Kim Jeon-Kyung , Kim Dong-Hyun , Yoon Jimin , Chung Eun Kyoung , Lee Jong Kil , Yang Woong Mo , Shin Yu-Kyong , Ahn Hye Shin , Lee Sun Hee , Lee Kyung-Tae
Published: March 2021

WHS prevented the HFD-induced obesityviaregulating AMPK and AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. WHS might be a potential dietary supplement for alleviating obesity.
Lactobacillus plantarumandBifidobacterium bifidumalleviate dry eye in mice with exorbital lacrimal gland excision by modulating gut inflammation and microbiota
Authors: Yun Soo-won , Son Young-Hoo , Lee Dong-Yun , Shin Yoon-Jung , Han Myung Joo , Kim Dong-Hyun
Published: March 2021

Lactobacillus plantarumNK151 andBifidobacterium bifidumNK175 alleviated ELA-induced dry eye, colitis, and gut microbiota alteration in mice.
Assessment of the rules related to gaining activity against Gram-negative bacteria
Authors: Ropponen Henni-Karoliina , Diamanti Eleonora , Siemens Alexandra , Illarionov Boris , Haupenthal Jörg , Fischer Markus , Rottmann Matthias , Witschel Matthias , Hirsch Anna K. H.
Published: March 2021

Evaluation of the applicability of Gram-negative activity rules using 16 amino acid modified compounds against a panel of Escherichia coli and its mutant strains.
Aloe-emodin derived azoles as a new structural type of potential antibacterial agents: design, synthesis, and evaluation of the action on membrane, DNA, and MRSA DNA isomerase
Authors: Liang Xin-Yuan , Battini Narsaiah , Sui Yan-Fei , Ansari Mohammad Fawad , Gan Lin-Ling , Zhou Cheng-He
Published: March 2021

Tetrazole aloe-emodin4bdisplayed potent efficacy against MRSA, and it was found to rapidly permeate the bacterial membrane to intercalate into DNA and form supermolecule with MRSA DNA isomerase (PDB code: 2XCS).
Preparation of defected SWCNTs decorated with en-APTAS for application in high-performance nitric oxide gas detection
Authors: Lim Namsoo , Kim Kyeong Heon , Byun Young Tae
Published: March 2021

We demonstrate highly sensitive and selective chemiresistive-type NO gas detection using defected single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) decorated with N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ethylene diamine (en-APTAS) molecules.
Smart edible coating films based on chitosan and beeswax–pollen grains for the postharvest preservation of Le Conte pear
Authors: Sultan Maha , Hafez Omaima M. , Saleh Malaka A. , Youssef Ahmed M.
Published: March 2021

Smart edible coating films can be used in food packaging.
Activated carbon templated synthesis of hierarchical zeolite Y-encapsulated iron catalysts for enhanced gasoline selectivity in CO hydrogenation
Authors: Liu Heyang , Fu Yajie , Li Mingquan , Wang Jiayuan , Noreen Aqsa , Maturura Elton , Gao Xinhua , Yang Ruiqin , Amoo Cederick Cyril , Xing Chuang
Published: March 2021

Activated carbon is employed as a Sacrificial template to synthesize zeolite Y encapsulated Fe catalysts for gasoline production in FTS.
Tyrian purple: an ancient natural dye for cross-conjugated n-type charge transport
Authors: Fallon Kealan J. , Wijeyasinghe Nilushi , Leventis Anastasia , Marin-Beloqui Jose M. , Toolan Daniel T. W. , Al-Hashimi Mohammed , Clarke Tracey M. , Anthopoulos Thomas D. , Bronstein Hugo
Published: March 2021

N-type charge transport from cross-conjugated polymers derived from an ancient dye.
Effect of oxidation temperature on the inhomogeneity of chemical composition and density in nanometric SiO2 films grown on 4H-SiC
Authors: Kamiński Paweł , Budzich Rafał , Gaca Jarosław , Michałowski Paweł Piotr , Kozłowski Roman , Harmasz Anna , Ciuk Tymoteusz , Płocharski Janusz
Published: March 2021

State-of-the-art SIMS, XRR and AFM have been used to determine the effect of oxidation temperature on the inhomogeneity of chemical composition and density in nanometric SiO2 films grown on n-type 4H-SiC by thermal oxidation in dry oxygen.
Geometry-induced enhancement factor improvement in covered-gold-nanorod-dimer antennas
Authors: Ramos Iván A. , León Hilario L. M. , Pedano María L. , Reynoso Andres A.
Published: March 2021

Designs with gold covering far from the gap area applied on nanorod-dimer antennas can enable hybrid electrical and SERS detection. Simulations show promising and robust increasement of the enhancement factor with respect to the uncovered dimer.
Design and property investigation on a five-interaction-based fluorescent anion receptor clip
Authors: Plais Romain , Boufroura Hamza , Gouarin Guy , Gaucher Anne , Haldys Violette , Brosseau Arnaud , Clavier Gilles , Salpin Jean-Yves , Prim Damien
Published: March 2021

A new generation of anion acceptor is designed from three key structural fragments and five simultaneous non-covalent interactions.
Auditory Processing Disorder and Its Comorbidities: A Need for Consistency in Test Cutoff Scores
Authors: Ahmmed Ansar U.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

No gold standard criteria exist for diagnosing developmental auditory processing disorder (APD). This study aimed to identify APD criteria, which are consistent with that used for comorbidities, and how comorbidities predicted APD.

Method

A retrospective study of 167 participants (males = 105, females = 62; age: 6–16 years; nonverbal IQ > 80) with suspected APD is presented. Five SCAN-3 tests evaluated auditory processing (AP). Comorbidities included attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, language impairment, and impaired manual dexterity, which were identified using percentile ≤ 5 in the Swanson, Nolan and Pelham parental rating scale; Children's Communication Checklist-2; and Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2, respectively.

Results

Percentiles ≤ 9, ≤ 5, and < 2 in two or more AP tests had sensitivities (specificities) of 76% (70.6%), 59.3% (76.5%), and 26% (82.4%), respectively, in predicting comorbidities, which were present in 150 of the 167 participants. The criterion of “≤ 9 percentile in two or more AP tests” (Approach I) diagnosed APD in 119 participants, and criterion “≤ 5 percentile in two or more AP tests or ≤ 5 percentile in one AP plus one or more measures of comorbidities” (Approach II) diagnosed 123. The combination of approaches diagnosed 128 participants (76.6%) with APD, of which 114 were diagnosed by each approach (89%). Language impairment and impaired manual dexterity, but not attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, predicted APD.

Conclusions

“Percentile ≤ 9 in two or more AP tests” or “percentile ≤ 5 in one AP plus one or more measures of comorbidities” are evidence-based APD diagnostic criteria. Holistic and interprofessional practice evaluating comorbidities including motor skills is important for APD.
Coupling Articulatory Placement Strategies With Phonemic Awareness Instruction to Support Emergent Literacy Skills in Preschool Children: A Collaborative Approach
Authors: Becker Robyn , Sylvan Lesley
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The merits of collaboration between teachers and speech-language pathologists have been extensively highlighted in literature on multitiered educational frameworks. Studies also illustrate the link between articulation, phonemic awareness, and, ultimately, reading skills. This article describes the impact of an intervention targeting articulation and phonemic awareness provided collaboratively to preschool children to enhance emergent literacy skills with the long-term goal of preventing later reading difficulties.

Method

This pilot study involved a bidirectional collaboration between a speech-language pathologist and a teacher by providing articulatory placement strategies to link accurate speech production with early phonemic awareness activities in the context of a private early childhood center. Seventeen children (
N
= 17) participated in the study, with ages ranging from 55 to 65 months.

Results

The results indicated significant differences in phonemic segmentation as well as reading phonemically spelled words and nonwords when comparing the baseline to the collaboratively based articulatory placement plus phonemic awareness intervention. Significant differences were also seen when comparing the traditional literacy program to the collaboratively based articulatory placement plus phonemic awareness intervention.

Conclusions

The results suggest there may be a benefit to using articulatory placement strategies with phonemic awareness activities directly in the preschool classroom in collaboration with teachers. This pilot study adds to the literature by transferring principles demonstrated as effective for individual children in the research laboratory to application with a whole class in an authentic setting.
Children Born Prematurely May Demonstrate Catch-Up Growth in Pre-Adolescence
Authors: Mahurin-Smith Jamie , DeThorne Laura S. , Petrill Stephen A.
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Children born prematurely often score lower on standardized tests of language in early childhood. Less is known about longer term outcomes. This investigation considered language outcomes in pre-adolescent children born very preterm/very low birthweight, as assessed by both standardized test scores and language sample measures, and explored attention abilities as a possible moderating factor.

Method

The present investigation provided a longitudinal follow-up to Mahurin Smith et al. (2014) by examining the language outcomes of 84 children at the 11-year time point (39 with a history of prematurity and 45 born at full term) and a total of 82 at the 12-year time point (37 with a history of prematurity, 45 born at full term). Assessments included subtests of the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals– Fourth Edition, productive language measures taken from narrative tasks, and parent and examiner ratings of attention.

Results

Gestational age significantly predicted standardized language scores at age 11 years, but this effect was no longer statistically significant at age 12 years. When parent ratings of attention were considered as additional variables, gestational age was no longer a significant predictor. Gestational age did not serve as a significant predictor for the productive language measures at either time point.

Discussion

Results indicate that catch-up growth in language may take place in pre-adolescence for many children born prematurely. Clinical implications focus on the need to utilize multiple forms of language assessment and to directly consider the potential role of attention on standard test results.
Collaboration public-privé : les rencontres de football professionnel comme métamodèle et le Paris Saint-Germain comme exemple
Authors: Rahib Soufiane , Bodin Dominique
Published: March 2021

La collaboration public-privé en matière de sécurisation des rencontres sportives a vu sa mise en œuvre de manière relativement récente. Elle a fait l’objet d’une régulation légale, la plupart du temps, suite à des incidents qu’il a fallu progressivement prévenir et d’une réglementation qui s’est construite au regard des lois et directives édictées. Deux phases sont observables. La première qui correspond à la genèse de cette coopération imposée par les lois. La seconde plus stratégique qui voit des finalités différentes pour les acteurs publics-privés même si l’objectif de sécurisation reste le même. Cette collaboration accrue s’est construite aussi à partir de finalités propres à chacune des parties : rationalisation de l’action de l’État et des dépenses publiques d’un côté, volonté marketing visant l’expansion commerciale et la création d’une image de marque, d’une autre. Le football professionnel constitue à ce niveau une sorte de métamodèle et le Paris Saint-Germain un exemple particulier. Lois, directives et règlements ont été étudiés à partir d’une analyse chronothématique des documents et archives constituant le cadre légal et réglementaire progressivement mis en place ces 60 dernières années.
Mass Mimicking Autoimmune Pancreatitis—A Report of Two Cases and Review of Literature
Authors: Shah Diva S. , Prajapati Bharat , Sanghavi Kintan , Kanhere Shubhda , Kothari Jagdish , Dubal Jignesh
Published: March 2021

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) consists of two clinically histologically distinct forms (type I and II) of chronic pancreatitis that are histologically different. These forms of AIP classically respond to oral steroids. The focal form of AIP resembles pancreatic carcinoma both clinically and radiologically and it is of utmost importance to make an early correct diagnosis between these two diseases in order to identify the optimal therapeutic strategy and to avoid unnecessary laparotomy or pancreatic resection in AIP patients. Here we report focal forms of type I and II AIP with clinical and imaging features closely mimicking pancreatic carcinoma.
The Nodovenous Shunt and Reduction Surgery for Post-Filarial Lymphedema—Surgical Technique and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Victor Jonathan , Stephen Tovia , Guin Devajyoti , Victor Joseph
Published: March 2021

Background Most of the patients in our Indian setting present with grade 4 lymphedema in which no other surgical option is available and in these debilitating cases the nodovenous shunt followed by reduction surgery provides acceptable outcomes. We would like to describe the surgical technique used for the nodovenous shunt procedure and debulking surgery done in post-filarial lymphedema and share our experience with clinical outcomes.

Materials and Methods This was a descriptive study. The study period was from 2010 to 2019. Patient records were reviewed retrospectively, and the data was analyzed. All patients with post-filarial lymphedema, operated by two surgeons, were studied. The surgical technique was described.

Results In the study period, 16 patients with lymphedema were treated surgically. The number of procedures done was 32. In 14 of them nodovenous shunt followed by debulking surgery was done. Two of the patients with post-filarial lymphedema had multiple nodules following secondary skin changes and in them sculpting surgery was done following the nodovenous shunt. Most of the patients presented with grade 4 lymphedema. In all the patients there was significant (>5 cm) reduction in limb circumference postoperatively.

Conclusion Nodovenous shunt followed by reduction surgery for lymphedema is a reliable surgical option to reduce disease morbidity in patients with post-filarial lymphedema.
Medial Plication Using an Arthroscopic All-Inside Technique for Treatment of Patellar Instability in Adolescents
Authors: Ji Gang , Zhou Jianwei , Gao Jinbao , Bai Weixia , Wang Fei
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this study was to present a medial plication using an arthroscopic all-inside technique for the treatment of patellar instability in adolescents. From July 2009 to June 2012, 19 patients with acute patellar dislocation were operated by this technique. Of these patients, follow-up was available in 17 patients at an average of 3 years (range: 1.5–4 years). At the follow-up, we evaluated the patients with physical examinations, radiographs, computed tomography scan, as well as the Lysholm and Kujala scoring scales. No recurrence of patellar instability has been found. The recovery of knee mobilization resulted to be good. We think this could be a valid technique to treat patellar instability in adolescents with less associated morbidity and good cosmetic results.
Deficiency of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist: New Genetic Autoinflammatory Disease as a Diagnostic Challenge for Pediatricians
Authors: Rivera-Sepulveda Andrea , Colón-Fontánez Francisco , López Maricarmen , Puig-Ramos Gilberto
Published: March 2021

Deficiency of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist is a rare autoinflammatory disease that affects infants early in life. It often presents with systemic inflammation, skin and bone involvement. We present a 5-month-old boy who was hospitalized due to generalized erythematous pustular eruption with secondary impetigo, cellulitis, bronchiolitis, and elevated inflammatory markers. The patient was unresponsive to multiple courses of intravenous antibiotics, systemic, and topical steroid medications. The patient was evaluated by dermatology and rheumatology services among other subspecialities. Skin biopsy showed changes consistent with psoriasiform dermatitis, while bone scans showed multifocal osteomyelitis. The patient was started empirically on anakinra with improvement at 72 hours upon administration. This is one of the youngest reported case in the literature to be started on anakinra empirically prior to genetic confirmation of the mutation. A comprehensive literature review revealed that approximately 20 genetically confirmed patients, including our patient, have been reported with this genetic disease. It is imperative to recognize this disease early to achieve adequate response and remission. Therefore, clinical symptoms and the associated differential diagnosis for this disease should be constantly reassessed and reviewed by pediatricians and subspecialists to detect the disease as early as possible and reduce the high morbidity and mortality associated with delayed diagnosis and treatment.
Phenotype and Genotype Profile of Children with Primary Distal Renal Tubular Acidosis: A 10-Year Experience from a North Indian Teaching Institute
Authors: Dawman Lesa , Tiewsoh Karalanglin , Barman Prabal , Pratyusha Kambagiri , Chaakchhuak Lalawmpuia , Sharawat Indar Kumar
Published: March 2021

Primary distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) or Type 1 RTA in children is caused by a genetic defect (involved genes ATP6V0A4, ATP6V1B1, SLC4A1, FOXI1, or WDR72), which causes tubular transport defects characterized by an inability to appropriately acidify urine with resultant persistent hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. Retrospective analysis of 28 children (14 males) under the age of 14 years with dRTA seen from 2010 to 2019 was reviewed, and detailed clinic records were analyzed. The clinical features, investigations, and response to treatment were recorded. The median age of the children at presentation was 30 months (range: 9.25–72 months), and the median age at onset of symptoms was 2 months. All the children had growth failure, polyuria, and polydipsia at presentation. Mean serum potassium, pH, bicarbonate, and anion gap at presentation was 2.3 ± 0.5 mmol/L, 7.22 ± 0.09, 13.28 ± 4.37 mmol/L, and 9.3 ± 2.18, respectively. Mean serum potassium, pH, bicarbonate at follow-up was 3.88 ± 0.6 mmol/L, 7.35 ± 0.06, and 20.13 ± 4.17 mmol/L, respectively. The median z-score for the weight for age and height for age at initial presentation was −4.77 (–7.68 to –3.74) and –4.21 (–5.42 to –2.37) and at follow-up was –3.35 (–5.29 to –1.55) and –3.84 (–5.36 to –1.63), respectively. Twenty-two (78.6%) children had medullary nephrocalcinosis. Four children had sensorineural hearing loss. Seven children had genetic testing done, and six had pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in ATP6V1B1 and ATP6V0A4 gene. Children with dRTA have a guarded prognosis and ATP6V1B1 and ATP6V0A4 mutations are the most common implicated genetic defect in Indian children with distal RTA.
Analysis of thermoelastic damping limited quality factor and critical dimensions of circular plate resonators based on axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric vibrations
Authors: R Resmi , Babu V. Suresh , Baiju M. R.
Published: March 2021

Thermoelastic damping effects are very important intrinsic losses in microelectromechanical system/nanoelectromechanical system based sensors and filters, which limit the maximum achievable quality factor. Thermoelasticity arises due to coupling between the temperature field and elastic field of the material and its interaction within the material structure. The impacts of axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric vibrations, plate dimensions, material parameters, boundary conditions, mode switching, and temperature on thermoelastic damping limited quality factors (QTED) and critical thickness (hc) were analyzed, and the conditions for an enhanced quality factor were optimized in this work. The analytical models of circular plate resonators have been developed in terms of material performance indices for axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric vibrations. QTED and hc were analyzed based on two boundary conditions: simply supported and clamped–clamped. In order to obtain maximum QTED, micro-circular plates with diamond as the structural material operating at a lower temperature and with non-axisymmetric vibrations are proposed in this paper.
Spin–orbit torque characterization in a nutshell
Authors: Nguyen Minh-Hai , Pai Chi-Feng
Published: March 2021

Spin current and spin torque generation through the spin–orbit interactions in solids, of bulk or interfacial origin, is at the heart of spintronics research. The realization of spin–orbit torque (SOT) driven magnetic dynamics and switching in diverse magnetic heterostructures also pave the way for developing SOT magnetoresistive random access memory and other novel SOT memory and logic devices. Of scientific and technological importance are accurate and efficient SOT quantification techniques, which have been abundantly developed in the last decade. In this article, we summarize popular techniques to experimentally quantify SOTs in magnetic heterostructures at micro- and nano-scale. For each technique, we give an overview of its principle, variations, strengths, shortcomings, error sources, and any cautions in usage. Finally, we discuss the remaining challenges in understanding and quantifying the SOTs in heterostructures.
A multiscale approach for modeling metal laser welding
Authors: Badawy Khaled , Syarif Junaidi
Published: March 2021

The growing application of laser welding in the industry motivates the development of computational models to help improve and understand the details of the laser welding process. Classical molecular dynamic (MD) or finite element (FE) methods are insufficient to model the process due to several limitations. The coupling of both methods provides a unique approach for modeling the laser welding process. A laser welding model that accounts for free-electron conduction and three-dimensional laser beam growth was developed on the basis of this coupling. The model was tested on a Cu sample, and the results showed that the amount of energy required to weld the interface was much lower than the energy used in previous studies of MD laser processes. The temperatures in the weld pool and the heat-affected zones were similar to those in previous FE studies. The crystal structure near the weld pool matched the observations of the previous MD studies. Moreover, the scanning speeds associated with this model were relatively higher than those of previous MD models due to the effects of fast electron conduction.
High-pressure high-temperature synthesis and thermal equation of state of high-entropy transition metal boride
Authors: Iwan Seth , Burrage Kaleb C. , Storr Bria C. , Catledge Shane A. , Vohra Yogesh K. , Hrubiak Rostislav , Velisavljevic Nenad
Published: March 2021

A high-entropy transition metal boride (Hf0.2 Ti0.2 Zr0.2 Ta0.2 Mo0.2)B2 sample was synthesized under high-pressure and high-temperature starting from ball-milled oxide precursors (HfO2, TiO2, ZrO2, Ta2O5, and MoO3) mixed with graphite and boron-carbide. Experiments were conducted in a large-volume Paris–Edinburgh press combined with in situ energy dispersive x-ray diffraction. The hexagonal AlB2 phase with an ambient pressure volume V0 = 27.93 ± 0.03 Å3 was synthesized at a pressure of 0.9 GPa and temperatures above 1373 K. High-pressure high-temperature studies on the synthesized high-entropy transition metal boride sample were performed up to 7.6 GPa and 1873 K. The thermal equation of state fitted to the experimental data resulted in an ambient pressure bulk-modulus K0 = 344 ± 39 GPa, dK/dT = −0.108 ± 0.027 GPa/K, and a temperature dependent volumetric thermal expansion coefficient α = α0 + α1T + α2 T−2. The thermal stability combined with a high bulk-modulus establishes this high-entropy transition metal boride as an ultrahard high-temperature ceramic material.
Criticality, Complexity, and Allied Dynamics
Authors: Marro Joaquin , Torres Joaquin J.
Published: March 2021

There are concepts, ideas, perspectives, and nuances in physics that, after appearing or becoming widely celebrated, have then affected, to a greater or lesser extent, the development of other fields of science. This extrapolation process is not without its difficulties. Imagine Galileo Galilei trying to convince theologians that the planets were ruled by the same laws as a vulgar stone or an ephemeral goose feather. We imagine them complaining: how could those majestic bodies under the reign of divinities follow the same norms as such prosaic objects? Today, the need to use identical laws to describe the back and forth of a swing and the motion of planets in their orbits is easily admitted, but there may still be a few of those who are not sufficiently aware that the laws of physics must also prevail, for example, in the world of neuroscience and hence surely determine our minds. There is even more reluctance to admit that interactions between a multitude of neurons can trigger phenomena in a manner (to be qualified) similar to those one observes when the same number of atoms are interacting in a metal. In this chapter, we briefly elaborate familiar ideas in physics that today are inevitable to understand fundamental aspects of nature and, in particular, brain structure and mental processes. We also reflect here on tactics and methods and open paths to that necessary world of concepts and tools.
Oral health care in urban general practice: what are the support and training needs?
Authors: Fung Thomas , Abbott Penelope , Arora Amit , George Ajesh , Villarosa Amy , Reath Jennifer
Published: March 2021

Patients with oral health problems often attend GPs instead of dentists, particularly in rural areas. There has been little research exploring challenges in providing oral health care in urban general practice. A cross-sectional survey of GPs in Greater Western Sydney explored their experiences, knowledge, confidence, and their oral health educational needs. Descriptive statistics and content analysis was undertaken. Forty-nine GPs reported experience of a wide range of oral health presentations. Approximately 60% were confident to undertake oral health examinations and determine the cause of acute toothache. Although 87% were confident providing preventative oral health advice, most did not include this in routine health assessments. Only 41% were confident explaining eligibility for public dental services. Barriers to providing oral health care were time constraints, lack of equipment and limited oral health training. Our research highlights oral health support and training needs in urban Australian general practice, as well as the need for systems-wide change to oral health training in outer urban settings to tackle health inequity, similar to those advocated in rural Australia.
On Sino-Turkic verbal functional expressions
Authors: Lim An-King
Published: March 2021

Turkic conquest and rule of China since 386 CE for nearly two hundred years had exerted its profound and long-lasting influence on many levels of Chinese society. Turkic sinification policy had induced the Xianbei National Language (XNL), which was Turkic language with selected set of Chinese characters for phonetic spelling. XNL, being spelt in Chinese characters, managed to function in Turkic-Chinese code-mixing in the bilingual communities as evidenced in bianwen變文. Because of the Turkic politico-socio-economical dominance, some the Turkic elements in the code-mixing eventually gained prominance and have become permanent part of the northern vernacular, predecessor of modern Mandarin. This paper discusses twelve such Turkic-rooted verbal functional expressions: (1). The causative-passivequ取; (2). Transitive passivesha殺,sha煞,si死; (3). Causativedou鬥,dou逗; (4). Continuativehai還,que卻; (5). Resultativeque卻; (6). Reflexivenə呢(7). Positive indirectivemo shi莫是; (8). Negative indirectivebu dao不道; (9). Future participlecai才,cai纔; (10). Conditionalyao shi要是,yao要,yao bu shi要不是; (11). INDUCE-basenong弄; (12). The speech quote verbdao道.
EU photonics cuts worry Nobel laureates
Authors: Allen Michael
Published: March 2021

Three Nobel-prize-winning physicists claim that the European Commission is planning to “drastically cut” funding for photonics in its next €100bn research and innovation programme
Wrapping up on the wrap-up
Authors: Durrani Matin
Published: March 2021

This issue of Physics World is the first to be delivered in a more sustainable wrapper
Underwater success
Authors: Kouchner Antoine
Published: March 2021

In response to the news story “Neutrino observatory set for the Pacific Ocean” (October p14) about the planned Pacific Ocean Neutrino Experiment, which, once built by the end of the decade, will be one of the world’s largest neutrino telescopes.
Following the first stars
Authors: Randall Ian
Published: March 2021

Reindeers’ UV vision crops up as one of many fun asides in physicist Emma Chapman’s effervescent new book First Light: Switching on Stars at the Dawn of Time.
Little book, big science
Authors: Appell David
Published: March 2021

As Lyman Page – the eminent Princeton University cosmologist – recounts in The Little Book of Cosmology, it was the discovery of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) that started the age of cosmology we’re in now
Advances in modelling electron energy loss spectra from first principles
Authors: Nicholls Rebecca J
Published: March 2021

Electron energy loss (EEL) spectroscopy carried out within a (scanning) transmission electron microscope can provide chemical and bonding information with atomic resolution. The information that lies within the spectrum can be difficult to extract, and often reference spectra are used to identify atomic bonding environments. First principles simulations are able to relate features in spectra to atomistic models and are particularly important in the interpretation of spectra where there are no appropriate bulk references, such as those from nanomaterials or interfaces. This paper reviews the recent developments in first principles simulations of EEL spectra and highlights the potential for advances in our understanding of materials.