bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical‐organic aspects along with linear and nonlinear optical properties of benzene sulfonamide compounds: In silico analysis
Authors: Mehboob Muhammad Yasir , Hussain Riaz , Jamil Saba , Ahmed Mahmood , Khan Muhammad Usman , Haroon Muhammad , Janjua Muhammad Ramzan Saeed Ashraf
Published: January 2022

The sulfonamides class of drugs is known due to superb biological and notable nonlinear optical (NLO) applications. The current study reports detailed computational and spectroscopic studies of 16 novel benzene sulfonamides compounds. Computational studies on these compounds (1–16) have been performed with the aid of density functional theory (DFT) at B3LYP/6‐31G (d,p) basis set. B3LYP with the conjunction of 6‐31G(d,p) has been used to gain optimized geometries of these compounds. Different key parameters have been performed to analyze the structural‐property relationship, stability, reactivity, charge transferability, and NLO response of these novel compounds. Electronic properties including frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) alignment, natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, spectroscopic fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), and NLO properties were calculated using B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) and M06‐2X/6‐31G(d,p) basis sets. Natural bonding orbital analysis confirmed the successful electron transferability between donor moiety and acceptor moiety. The molecular electrostatic potential analysis unveils the intramolecular hydrogen bonding along with different reactive sites in these compounds 1–16. Global indices of reactivity were analyzed using energies of frontier molecular orbitals of compounds 1–16, which suggested that these compounds are chemically hard and stable compounds. Absorption maxima of all compounds were estimated with aid of time‐dependent DFT at B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) basis set which disclosed the best agreement between experimental and DFT‐based recorded spectra. FT‐IR analysis (at B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p)) confirmed different modes of vibration in all the title compounds and also exhibit a concrete relation with experimentally recorded IR spectrums. Moreover, all the compounds (1–16) show good NLO response. NLO responses of 1–16 compounds were computed at the same level of B3LYP/6‐31G (d,p), which is found to be greater than the standard molecule. All these analyses suggest that 1–16 benzene sulfonamides compounds are found to be suitable candidates for biological and NLO applications.
Relative configuration of Cys‐Pro ester peptides in thioester formation
Authors: Kawakami Toru , Sasakura Eri , Miyanoiri Yohei , Hojo Hironobu
Published: January 2022

A peptide containing a cysteinyl prolyl ester (CPE) moiety at the C‐terminus (CPE peptide) was transformed into a diketopiperazine (DKP) thioester via an intramolecular N–S acyl shift reaction and was then used for peptide ligation. The difference in reactivity between the CPE peptide stereoisomers was examined. In reactions of the CPE peptides that contained L‐Cys‐L‐Pro or D‐Cys‐D‐Pro, the desired DKP thioester was formed at the preceding amino acid residue. On the other hand, in reactions of the CPE peptides that contained D‐Cys‐L‐Pro or L‐Cys‐D‐Pro, a thiolactone was formed at the C‐terminal prolyl ester, and the ligation occurred at the C‐terminal Pro residue. Using this reaction, it was possible to efficiently prepare a cyclic peptide.
Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in genes of lupus: A Philippine study (SIGLA‐PH)
Authors: Tee Michael L. , Tee Cherica A. , Nevado Jose B. , Santiago Angeline Therese , Abrilla Aedrian A. , Lapid Carlo M. , Tablizo Francis A. , Dizon Joshua A. , Morado El K. B. , Cutiongco‐Dela Paz Eva Maria
Published: January 2022

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex prototypic autoimmune disease, with a prevalence of 20–150 per 100,000, most commonly affecting women at child‐bearing age. Genome‐wide association studies and fine mapping of candidate regions have paved the way for greater understanding of SLE as a disease of genetic–environmental susceptibility and the functions of the genes involved.

Method

This study was conducted to determine the association of selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from established genomic databases based on theoretical risk and protective odds ratios > 2.5 or <0.40) to susceptibility of developing SLE among Filipinos.

Results

We analyzed data from 310 SLE patients and 318 controls. We identified eight significant SNPs namely rs9271100, rs9271366, rs9272105, rs9275328, rs2647087, rs12734338, rs17885098, and rs3883013 to be associated with an increased risk of developing SLE among Filipinos.

Conclusion

Eight SNPs were found to be associated with the development of SLE among Filipinos. Similar to previous genetic studies in lupus patients, majority of the SNPs were found in the major histocompatibilty complex genes in the HLA region. Our study identified two unique SNPs that will be validated as potential diagnostic markers for SLE. The findings of this study may contribute to the development of a polygenic risk score in determining susceptibility to SLE among Filipinos.
Reading wars or reading reconciliation? A critical examination of robust research evidence, curriculum policy and teachers' practices for teaching phonics and reading
Authors: Wyse Dominic , Bradbury Alice
Published: January 2022

Teaching children to read is one of the most fundamental goals of early years and primary education worldwide, and as such has attracted a large amount of research from a range of academic disciplines. The aims of this paper are: (a) to provide a new critical examination of research evidence relevant to effective teaching of phonics and reading in the context of national curricula internationally; (b) to report new empirical findings relating to phonics teaching in England; and (c) examine some implications for policy and practice. The paper reports new empirical findings from two sources: (1) a systematic qualitative meta‐synthesis of 55 experimental trials that included longitudinal designs; (2) a survey of 2205 teachers. The paper concludes that phonics and reading teaching in primary schools in England has changed significantly for the first time in modern history, and that compared to other English dominant regions England represents an outlier. The most robust research evidence, from randomised control trials with longitudinal designs, shows that the approach to phonics and reading teaching in England is not sufficiently underpinned by research evidence. It is recommended that national curriculum policy is changed and that the locus of political control over curriculum, pedagogy and assessment should be re‐evaluated. The video abstract for this article is available at https://youtu.be/bJImJ79JKNI.

Context and implications

Rationale for this study

Teaching children to read is one of the most important elements of primary education because it is fundamental to children's educational development. For this reason it is vital that the teaching of reading, and curriculum policies on reading, are informed by robust research.

Why the new findings matter

If children are not being taught to read in the most appropriate way, because curriculum policy and teaching practices are not informed sufficiently by robust research evidence, then children's education will not be as effective as it should be.

Implications for practitioners, policy makers, researchers

The outcomes of the survey of teachers in England, and the new analysis of systematic reviews and meta analyses, and randomised controlled trials with longitudinal designs, reported in the paper show the need for changes to the teaching of reading and to national curriculum policy on the teaching of reading.

The teaching of phonics and reading in curriculum policy and practice should more closely reflect the evidence that contextualised teaching of reading, or balanced instruction, is the most effective way to teach reading.
A Closer Look at Chemotherapy-Induced Flagellate Dermatitis
Authors: Constantinou A. , Kotecha D. , Laouris P. , de Paula B.
Published: January 2022

Background

Flagellate dermatitis (FD) is a rare skin rash, which may occur following the administration of antineoplastic agents. It has been reported following the administration of bleomycin, docetaxel, trastuzumab, cisplatin, bendamustine and doxorubicin. We provide a summary of the epidemiology, aetiology, pathophysiology, and distribution of chemotherapy-induced FD.

Methods

PubMed was searched using ((flagellat*) AND (Dermat*)) OR ((Flagellat*) AND (Erythema)). The search yielded 206 publications, out of which 54 individual case reports were identified which fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Statistical analysis was performed where appropriate.

Results

Female patients were slightly more likely to develop FD compared to males. In the majority of cases FD appeared on the upper and lower limbs and pruritus was an accompanying feature in 51% of cases. Most cases developed after the first cycle of chemotherapy and females were statistically more likely to present within the first 72 hr (p <0.05). Skin biopsies were taken in 41% of cases and this was not statistically associated with the patient’s gender, (p = 0.651), presentation within 72 hr (p = 0.076) or cancer diagnosis. Chemotherapy was stopped in 62% of patients and was associated with female gender (p = 0.0098). Most patients who received treatment were managed with topical steroids. Time for rash resolution ranged from a few weeks to four months following the discontinuation of the causative drug.

Conclusion

FD is a rare adverse skin effect of chemotherapeutic treatment, most commonly presenting on the upper and lower limbs of patients following their first cycle of chemotherapy. Early presentation is more common in females leading to increased likelihood of stopping chemotherapy. Biopsy findings poorly correlate with disease severity. Continuation of chemotherapy treatment in combination with topical steroids may not adversely affect rash resolution.
Severe Childhood Lichen Planus Pemphigoides after Hepatitis a Vaccination
Authors: Lahouel M. , Aounallah A. , Mokni S. , Sriha B. , Belajouza C. , Denguezli M.
Published: January 2022

Background

Lichen planus (LP) pemphigoides (LPP) is a very rare autoimmune bullous disorder, that is, exceptional in children.

Case Report

We report a case of LP pemphigoides with severe cutaneous and mucosal involvement in an 8-year-old girl who consulted for multiple vesicular and bullous lesions associated with shiny erythematous-purple plaques. The eruption occurred 2 months after vaccination against hepatitis A virus. The diagnosis of LP pemphigoides was confirmed by histopathology and immunofluorescence examination. The patient received oral corticosteroid therapy with rapid improvement.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first report of LPP following hepatitis A vaccination, among adults and children.
g‐C3N4 Homophase Junction with High Crystallinity Using MoS2 as Cocatalyst for Robust Visible‐Light‐Driven Photocatalytic Pollutant Degradation
Authors: Liu Ying , Han Jun , Zeng Xianpeng , Tian Zongju , Yu Feifan , Sun Xiyin , Liu Qinghua , Wang Wei
Published: January 2022

We exhibit the reasonable design and architect of MoS2@g‐C3N4/g‐C3N4 hierarchical hetero‐homojunction structure by ultrasonically pulverize and vibrate MoS2 nanoparticles into the ultrasonically exfoliated hierarchical g‐C3N4/g‐C3N4 homojunction slit for efficient organic pollutant photodegradation, where the g‐C3N4/g‐C3N4 homojunction is fabricated using recrystallized urea and recrystallized dicyandiamide as double‐source precursor for better photogenerated charges separation and transfer. Oil bath thermal‐treatment enhances the interaction between MoS2 nanoparticles and g‐C3N4/g‐C3N4 nanosheets. The distinctive design accelerates the separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers, provide larger specific surface area and more active sites for organic pollutant degradation. In the composite catalyst, MoS2 serves as the electron convergence center. Profiting from the hetero‐homojunction structural merits, the optimized UOMSHCN‐25 displays excellent photocatalysis activity and high stability for organic pollutant degradation (MO (96.3% within 40 min), Rh B (98.7% within 10 min) and TC (83.9% within 60 min)). Finally, a reasonable photocatalysis mechanism is proposed and discussed in detailed.
Optimising the efficacy of a stress‐reducing psychological intervention using placebo mechanisms: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Salzmann Stefan , Wilhelm Marcel , Schindler Sebastian , Rief Winfried , Euteneuer Frank
Published: January 2022

This study examined whether i) brief videos aiming to optimise outcome expectations would augment the efficacy of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and ii) whether participants' characteristics would moderate these effects. Sixty‐eight healthy subjects randomized to one of three experimental manipulations before undergoing a single PMR session either watched i) a video displaying a neutral expert, ii) a video with a warm expert, or iii) were part of an active control condition. Constrained linear mixed models indicated increased relaxation and decreased stress levels for all participants after the PMR session. The primary outcome was the change of perceived relaxation/stress from pre to post. Participants with high neuroticism and trait anxiety indicated an augmented PMR's efficacy and increased outcome expectations when watching the warm expert video compared to the control group or the less warm expert. Brief videos displaying an expert aiming to optimise outcome expectations regarding a brief stress‐reducing psychological intervention may boost or decrease an intervention's efficacy. Effects may depend on the viewer's personality and the (video) expert's communication style.

Trial Registration: The study protocol was approved by the local Ethics Committee of the University of Marburg, Germany. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03330431).
Hollow Mesoporous Manganese Oxides: Application in Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy
Authors: Xu Wenjing , Qing Xin , Liu Shengli , Yang Dongliang , Dong Xiaochen , Zhang Yewei
Published: January 2022

The precision, minimal invasiveness, and integration of diagnosis and treatment are critical factors for tumor treatment at the present. Although nanomedicine has shown the potential in tumor precision treatment, nanocarriers with high efficiency, excellent targeting, controlled release, and good biocompatibility still need to be further explored. Hollow mesoporous manganese oxides nanomaterials (HM‐MONs), as an efficient drug delivery carrier, have attracted substantial attention in applications of tumor diagnosis and therapy due to their unique properties, such as tumor microenvironment stimuli‐responsiveness, prominent catalytic activity, excellent biodegradation, and outstanding magnetic resonance imaging ability. The HM‐MONs can not only enhance the therapeutic efficiency but also realize multimodal diagnosis of tumors. Consequently, it is necessary to introduce applications based on HM‐MONs in cancer diagnosis and therapy. In this review, the representative progress of HM‐MONs in synthesis is discussed. Then, several promising applications in drug delivery, bio‐imaging, and bio‐detection are highlighted. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of the anticancer applications are summarized, which is expected to provide meaningful guidance on further research.
Controlled growth of ultrathin ferromagnetic β‐MnSe semiconductor
Authors: Zou Jingyun , Yang Yumeng , Hu Dianyi , Kang Lixing , Zhu Chao , Tian Dan , Lv Xiaodong , Kutty Govindan , Guo Yuxi , Xu Manzhang , Li Fengyu , Hong Guo , Liu Zheng
Published: January 2022

Two‐dimensional (2D) magnetic crystals with intrinsic ferromagnetism are highly desirable for novel spin‐electronic devices. However, the controllable synthesis of 2D magnets, especially the direct growth of 2D magnets on substrate surfaces, is still a challenge. Here, we demonstrate the synthesis of ultrathin zinc‐blende phase manganese selenide (β‐MnSe) nanosheets using the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique. The 2D β‐MnSe crystals exhibit distinct ferromagnetic properties with a Curie temperature of 42.3 K. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the ferromagnetic order in β‐MnSe originates from the exchange coupling between the unsaturated Se and Mn atoms. This study presents significant progress in the CVD growth of ultrathin 2D magnetic materials by thinning bulk magnets, and it will pave the way for the building of energy‐efficient spintronic devices in the future.
Uranium induces kidney cells apoptosis via reactive oxygen species generation, endoplasmic reticulum stress and inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in culture
Authors: Hu Qiaoni , Zheng Jifang , Xu Xiao Na , Gu Chaohao , Li Wanting
Published: January 2022

Uranium (U) induces generation of excessive intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is generally considered as a possible mediator of U‐triggered kidney tubular cells injury and nephrotoxicity. Our goal is designed to elucidate that the precise molecular mechanism in ROS downstream is association with U‐induced NRK‐52E cells apoptosis. The results show that U intoxication in NRK‐52E cells reduced cell activity and triggered apoptosis, as demonstrated by flow cytometry and apoptotic marker cleaved Caspase‐3 expression. U exposure triggered endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which is involvement of apoptosis determined by marker molecules including GRP78, PERK, IRE1, ATF6, CHOP, cleaved Caspase‐12, and Caspase‐3. Administration of antioxidant N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) effectively blocked U‐triggered ROS generation, ER stress, and apoptosis. U contamination evidently decreased the expression of phosphorylation PI3K, AKT, and mTOR and ratios of their respective phosphorylation to the corresponding total proteins. Application of a PI3K activator IGF‐1 significantly abolished these adverse effects of U intoxication on PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and subsequently abrogated U‐triggered apoptosis. NAC also effectively reversed down‐regulation of phosphorylated PI3K induced by U exposure. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that U treatment induces NRK‐52E cells apoptosis through ROS production, ER stress, and down‐regulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. Targeting ROS formation‐, ER stress‐, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway‐mediated apoptosis could be a novel approach for attenuating U‐triggered nephrotoxicity.
Downregulation of estrogen receptor‐α36 expression attenuates metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Wang Ruobing , Chen Jiaming , Yu Haiyan , Wei Zhixuan , Ma Min , Ye Xueyan , Wu Weiqi , Chen Hongfei , Fu Zhengqi
Published: January 2022

This study aimed to examine the role of estrogen receptor (ER)‐α36 in the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and in the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). HCC HepG2 and Huh7 cells with the knocked‐down level of ER‐α36 expression were established. Cell growth and migration of the HepG2 and Huh7 cell variants were studied using MTS, transwell, and wound‐healing assays, and the metastatic abilities of HepG2 cell variants were examined using a tail‐vein injection model in nude mice. Levels of EMT markers, Src phosphorylation in HepG2 and Huh7 cell variants, and tumors formed by HepG2 cell variants in the nude mice were examined using Western blot and immunohistochemistry. We found that the growth and metastatic abilities of HepG2 and Huh7 cells with the knocked‐down level of ER‐α36 expression (HepG2/Si36 and Huh7/Si36) were significantly reduced, with increased levels of cytokeratin and E‐Cadherin expression, and decreased levels of Vimentin, Snail, Slug and the Src phosphorylation, compared to the HCC cells transfected with an empty vector (HepG2/Vector and Huh7/Vector). We also found ER‐α36 knockdown suppressed the lung metastasis of HepG2 cells with the involvement of EMT and the Src pathway in vivo. The Src inhibitor PP2 suppressed the growth and migration of HepG2/Vector and Huh7/Vector cells with decreased Vimentin, Snail, and Slug and increased cytokeratin and E‐Cadherin expressions, but failed to induce the migration and the EMT markers in HepG2/Si36 and Huh7/Si36 cells. ER‐α36 is involved in the metastasis of HCC cells through the regulation of EMT and the Src signaling pathway.
Strategic shoeing adjustment is imperative in solving complicated hoof problems while managing distal phalanx rotation in a laminitic horse with sheared heels
Authors: Poochipakorn Chanoknun , Sanigavatee Kanokpan , Watchrarat Krisana , Rattanamas Khate , Chanda Metha
Published: January 2022

A 22‐year‐old gelding pony, diagnosed with bilateral chronic laminitis and sheared heels, underwent strategic shoeing management to solve the complicated hoof problems in both front legs. The left hoof was shod with a conventional bar shoe with an unsupported toe, while a modified Z‐bar shoe with an unsupported toe was applied on the right front hoof. The severity of lameness declined following the application of the two different shoeing styles, although the sheared heel condition was improved only in the right forelimb. Accidental nailing into the compromised medial hoof wall occurred, causing lameness in the right front hoof. Orthopaedic casting tape and the conventional bar shoe with the unsupported toe were applied, decreasing the lameness severity in the affected hoof. Strategic shoeing adjustments are essential in solving complicated hoof problems while managing distal phalanx rotation in a laminitic horse with sheared heels.
Quasi-normal modes and microscopic description of 2D black holes
Authors: Cadoni M. , Oi M. , Sanna A. P.
Published: January 2022

Abstract

We investigate the possibility of using quasi-normal modes (QNMs) to probe the microscopic structure of two-dimensional (2D) anti-de Sitter (AdS2) dilatonic black holes. We first extend previous results on the QNMs spectrum, found for external massless scalar perturbations, to the case of massive scalar perturbations. We find that the quasi-normal frequencies are purely imaginary and scale linearly with the overtone number. Motivated by this and extending previous results regarding Schwarzschild black holes, we propose a microscopic description of the 2D black hole in terms of a coherent state of N massless particles quantized on a circle, with occupation numbers sharply peaked on the characteristic QNMs frequency $$ \hat{\omega} $$

ω
̂

. We further model the black hole as a statistical ensemble of N decoupled quantum oscillators of frequency $$ \hat{\omega} $$

ω
̂

. This allows us to recover the Bekenstein-Hawking (BH) entropy S of the hole as the leading contribution to the Gibbs entropy for the set of oscillators, in the high-temperature regime, and to show that S = N. Additionally, we find sub-leading logarithmic corrections to the BH entropy. We further corroborate this microscopic description by outlining a holographic correspondence between QNMs in the AdS2 bulk and the de Alfaro-Fubini-Furlan conformally invariant quantum mechanics. Our results strongly suggest that modelling a black hole as a coherent state of particles and as a statistical ensemble of decoupled harmonic oscillators is always a good approximation in the large black-hole mass, large overtone number limit.
Rho Kinases in Embryonic Development and Stem Cell Research
Authors: Shi Jianjian , Wei Lei
Published: January 2022

The Rho-associated coiled-coil containing kinases (ROCKs or Rho kinases) belong to the AGC (PKA/PKG/PKC) family of serine/threonine kinases and are major downstream effectors of small GTPase RhoA, a key regulator of actin-cytoskeleton reorganization. The ROCK family contains two members, ROCK1 and ROCK2, which share 65% overall identity and 92% identity in kinase domain. ROCK1 and ROCK2 were assumed to be functionally redundant, based largely on their major common activators, their high degree kinase domain homology, and study results from overexpression with kinase constructs or chemical inhibitors. ROCK signaling research has expanded to all areas of biology and medicine since its discovery in 1996. The rapid advance is befitting ROCK’s versatile functions in modulating various cell behavior, such as contraction, adhesion, migration, proliferation, polarity, cytokinesis, and differentiation. The rapid advance is noticeably driven by an extensive linking with clinical medicine, including cardiovascular abnormalities, aberrant immune responsive, and cancer development and metastasis. The rapid advance during the past decade is further powered by novel biotechnologies including CRISPR-Cas and single cell omics. Current consensus, derived mainly from gene targeting and RNA interference approaches, is that the two ROCK isoforms have overlapping and distinct cellular, physiological and pathophysiology roles. In this review, we present an overview of the milestone discoveries in ROCK research. We then focus on the current understanding of ROCK signaling in embryonic development, current research status using knockout and knockin mouse models, and stem cell research.
The microbiota–gut–brain axis: pathways to better brain health. Perspectives on what we know, what we need to investigate and how to put knowledge into practice
Authors: Chakrabarti Anirikh , Geurts Lucie , Hoyles Lesley , Iozzo Patricia , Kraneveld Aletta D. , La Fata Giorgio , Miani Michela , Patterson Elaine , Pot Bruno , Shortt Colette , Vauzour David
Published: January 2022

The gut and brain link via various metabolic and signalling pathways, each with the potential to influence mental, brain and cognitive health. Over the past decade, the involvement of the gut microbiota in gut–brain communication has become the focus of increased scientific interest, establishing the microbiota–gut–brain axis as a field of research. There is a growing number of association studies exploring the gut microbiota’s possible role in memory, learning, anxiety, stress, neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Consequently, attention is now turning to how the microbiota can become the target of nutritional and therapeutic strategies for improved brain health and well-being. However, while such strategies that target the gut microbiota to influence brain health and function are currently under development with varying levels of success, still very little is yet known about the triggers and mechanisms underlying the gut microbiota’s apparent influence on cognitive or brain function and most evidence comes from pre-clinical studies rather than well controlled clinical trials/investigations. Filling the knowledge gaps requires establishing a standardised methodology for human studies, including strong guidance for specific focus areas of the microbiota–gut–brain axis, the need for more extensive biological sample analyses, and identification of relevant biomarkers. Other urgent requirements are new advanced models for in vitro and in vivo studies of relevant mechanisms, and a greater focus on omics technologies with supporting bioinformatics resources (training, tools) to efficiently translate study findings, as well as the identification of relevant targets in study populations. The key to building a validated evidence base rely on increasing knowledge sharing and multi-disciplinary collaborations, along with continued public–private funding support. This will allow microbiota–gut–brain axis research to move to its next phase so we can identify realistic opportunities to modulate the microbiota for better brain health.
Correlates and impact of DSM-5 binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa and recurrent binge eating: a representative population survey in a middle-income country
Authors: Appolinario Jose C. , Sichieri Rosely , Lopes Claudia S. , Moraes Carlos E. , da Veiga Gloria V. , Freitas Silvia , Nunes Maria A. A. , Wang Yuan-Pang , Hay Phillipa
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Binge eating disorder (BED), bulimia nervosa (BN) and recurrent binge eating (RBE) are binge eating spectrum conditions causing a significant impact in individual’s health and functioning. Information regarding those conditions came mostly from high-income countries. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of DSM-5 BED, BN and RBE and correlates in a representative sample from a metropolitan area of a middle-income country.

Methods

The data were obtained from a cross-sectional population-based household survey in two stages in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Noninstitutionalized residents aged 18–60 years were assessed by lay interviewers using the Questionnaire of Eating and Weight Patterns-5 (QEWP-5). Positive cases and a paired sample screen-negative cases were reassessed by phone with the Eating Disorders Section of SCID-I-P (adapted for DSM-5). The data were collected from September 2019 to February 2020.

Results

Overall, 2297 individuals were interviewed. Prevalence of BED was 1.4%, BN 0.7%, RBE 6.2%. Psychiatric comorbidities, such as depression, anxiety and ADHD were significantly more prevalent in people with BED, BN and RBE than in people without these eating problems. Several medical conditions, when controlling for body mass index, were significantly more prevalent in people with BED, BN and RBE. People with BED and BN had marked impairments in work/school, social and family life, reduced mental and physical HRQoL and under half had sought treatment.

Conclusion

As in high income countries, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, BED, BN and RBE are prevalent conditions and are associated with elevated BMI, functional impairment, psychiatric and medical comorbidity and poorer HRQoL.
Lateral flow–based nucleic acid detection of SARS-CoV-2 using enzymatic incorporation of biotin-labeled dUTP for POCT use
Authors: Agarwal Saloni , Warmt Christian , Henkel Joerg , Schrick Livia , Nitsche Andreas , Bier Frank F.
Published: January 2022

The degree of detrimental effects inflicted on mankind by the COVID-19 pandemic increased the need to develop ASSURED (Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-friendly, Rapid and Robust, Equipment-free, and Deliverable) POCT (point of care testing) to overcome the current and any future pandemics. Much effort in research and development is currently advancing the progress to overcome the diagnostic pressure built up by emerging new pathogens. LAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) is a well-researched isothermal technique for specific nucleic acid amplification which can be combined with a highly sensitive immunochromatographic readout via lateral flow assays (LFA). Here we discuss LAMP-LFA robustness, sensitivity, and specificity for SARS-CoV-2 N-gene detection in cDNA and clinical swab-extracted RNA samples. The LFA readout is designed to produce highly specific results by incorporation of biotin and FITC labels to 11-dUTP and LF (loop forming forward) primer, respectively. The LAMP-LFA assay was established using cDNA for N-gene with an accuracy of 95.65%. To validate the study, 82 SARS-CoV-2-positive RNA samples were tested. Reverse transcriptase (RT)-LAMP-LFA was positive for the RNA samples with an accuracy of 81.66%; SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was detected by RT-LAMP-LFA for as low as CT-33. Our method reduced the detection time to 15 min and indicates therefore that RT-LAMP in combination with LFA represents a promising nucleic acid biosensing POCT platform that combines with smartphone based semi-quantitative data analysis. 

Graphical abstract
Absolute SESAM characterization via polarization-resolved non-collinear equivalent time sampling
Authors: Nussbaum-Lapping Alexander , Phillips Christopher R. , Willenberg Benjamin , Pupeikis Justinas , Keller Ursula
Published: January 2022

Semiconductor saturable absorber mirrors (SESAMs) have enabled a wide variety of modelocked laser systems, which makes measuring their nonlinear properties an important step in laser design. Here, we demonstrate complete characterization of SESAMs using an equivalent time sampling apparatus. The light source is a free-running dual-comb laser, which produces a pair of sub-150-fs modelocked laser outputs at 1051 nm from a single cavity. The average pulse repetition rate is 80.1 MHz, and the full time window is scanned at 240 Hz. Cross-correlation between the beams is used to calibrate the time axis of the measurements, and we use a non-collinear pump-probe geometry on the sample. The measurements enable fast and robust determination of all the nonlinear reflectivity and recovery time parameters of the devices from a single setup, and show good agreement with conventional nonlinear reflectivity measurements. We compare measurements to a rate equation model, showing good agreement up to high pulse fluence values and revealing that the samples tested exhibit a slightly slower recovery at higher fluence values. Lastly, we examine the polarization dependence of the reflectivity, revealing a reduced rollover if cross-polarized beams are used or if the sample is oriented optimally around the beam axis.
Automated foveal location detection on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in geographic atrophy patients
Authors: Montesel Andrea , Gigon Anthony , Mosinska Agata , Apostolopoulos Stefanos , Ciller Carlos , De Zanet Sandro , Mantel Irmela
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To develop a fully automated algorithm for accurate detection of fovea location in atrophic age-related macular degeneration (AMD), based on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scans.

Methods

Image processing was conducted on a cohort of patients affected by geographic atrophy (GA). SD-OCT images (cube volume) from 55 eyes (51 patients) were extracted and processed with a layer segmentation algorithm to segment Ganglion Cell Layer (GCL) and Inner Plexiform Layer (IPL). Their en face thickness projection was convolved with a 2D Gaussian filter to find the global maximum, which corresponded to the detected fovea. The detection accuracy was evaluated by computing the distance between manual annotation and predicted location.

Results

The mean total location error was 0.101±0.145mm; the mean error in horizontal and vertical en face axes was 0.064±0.140mm and 0.063±0.060mm, respectively. The mean error for foveal and extrafoveal retinal pigment epithelium and outer retinal atrophy (RORA) was 0.096±0.070mm and 0.107±0.212mm, respectively. Our method obtained a significantly smaller error than the fovea localization algorithm inbuilt in the OCT device (0.313±0.283mm, p <.001) or a method based on the thinnest central retinal thickness (0.843±1.221, p <.001). Significant outliers are depicted with the reliability score of the method.

Conclusion

Despite retinal anatomical alterations related to GA, the presented algorithm was able to detect the foveal location on SD-OCT cubes with high reliability. Such an algorithm could be useful for studying structural-functional correlations in atrophic AMD and could have further applications in different retinal pathologies.
Understanding the relationships between information technology and lean and agile supply chain strategies: a systematic literature review
Authors: Oliveira-Dias Diéssica , Moyano-Fuentes José , Maqueira-Marín Juan Manuel
Published: January 2022

This study analyzes the relationships studied in the literature between Information Technologies (IT) and two supply chain strategies that have similar mechanisms of action: Lean Supply Chain (LSC) and Agile Supply Chain (ASC). The purpose is to identify and understand the role that IT plays in the two strategies depending on the way that it is conceptualized, and whether this is transferred to performance. The Systematic Literature Review is the methodology used to locate articles, select and analyze their content. In general terms, research to date shows a positive association between IT and these two supply chain strategies and that this association improves business results. However, the study shows that research into LSC and ASC has used different conceptualizations of IT and, in some cases, these conceptualizations can have different effects on the study’s outcomes. This paper proposes directions for future research and theoretical development are suggested.
Detection of occludable angle with anterior segment optical coherence tomography and Pentacam as non-contact screening methods
Authors: Benitez-del-Castillo Javier , Nowrouzi Ali , Rodriguez-Calzadilla Mario , Mota-Chozas Inmaculada , Pinazo-Duran Maria Dolores
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To evaluate diagnostic capacity for occludable anterior chamber angle detection with anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and Pentacam.

Methods

Observational cross-sectional study with AS-OCT and Pentacam. AS-OCT measures: angle opening distance from Schwalbe line (SL) perpendicular (AOD-SL-Perp) and vertical to iris (AOD-SL-Vert), and iridotrabecular angle (ITA). Pentacam measures: anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber volume (ACV), and anterior chamber angle (ACA). We analysed Spearman’s correlation with gonioscopic classification. Area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) for occludable angle detection were compared. Agreement between iridocorneal values of methods was evaluated.

Results

Seventy-four left eyes of 74 patients. Correlation between temporal AS-OCT and gonioscopy: 0.83 (p < 0.0001) AOD-SL-Perp temporal, 0.82 (p < 0.0001) AOD-SL-Vert temporal, and 0.69 (p < 0.0001) ITA temporal. Correlation between AS-OCT nasal and gonioscopy: 0.74 (p < 0.0001) AOD-SL-Perp nasal, 0.74 (p < 0.0001) AOD-SL-Vert nasal, and 0.70 (p < 0.0001) ITA nasal. Correlation of Pentacam with temporal gonioscopy: 0.57 (p < 0.0001) ACD, 0.56 (p < 0.0001) ACV, and 0.63 (p < 0.0001) ACA. Correlation of Pentacam with nasal gonioscopy: 0.47 (IC 0.27–0.73, p < 0.0001) ACD, 0.49 (p < 0.0001) ACV, and 0.56 (CI 0.38–0.7, p < 0.0001) ACA. AS-OCT AUCs: AOD-SL-Perp temporal 0.89 (CI 0.80–0.95), AOD-SL-Vert 0.87 (CI 0.77–0.94), ITA temporal 0.88 (CI 0.78–0.94), AOD-SL-Perp nasal 0.83 (CI 0.72–0.91), AOD-SL-Vert nasal 0.87 (CI 0.77–0.94), and ITA nasal 0.91 (IC 0.81–0.96). Pentacam AUCs: ACD 0.76 (CI 0.64–0.85), ACV 0.75 (CI 0.63–0.84), and ACA 0.84 (CI 0.74–0.92). No statistical differences between different AUCs. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of ACA (Pentacam) with ITA temporal (AS-OCT) 0.59 and with nasal ITA nasal (AS-OCT) 0.65.

Conclusion

Both systems show high capacity for non-contact occludable angle detection. But agreement between methods is moderate or low.
An analysis of the main driving factors of renewable energy consumption in the European Union
Authors: Camacho Ballesta José Antonio , da Silva Almeida Lucas , Rodríguez Mercedes
Published: January 2022

Climate change is a major global concern closely related to the strategies aimed at reducing energy consumption and increasing energy efficiency. Over the last decades, the interest in the development of renewable energy (RE) has grown exponentially. In the case of the European Union (EU), the Renewable Energy Directive sets rules to achieve a 32% of total energy consumption to be covered through RE by 2030. In order to achieve this goal, it is important to know what are the main driving factors of RE consumption (REC). This study aims to analyze the impact of economic and social factors on the share of REC in total energy consumption in the EU over the period 2001–2015. For doing so, we estimate a Panel Corrected Standard Error (PCSE) model. The results obtained show that economic factors have a negative effect on REC. In contrast, social factors like education exert a positive effect. This suggests that it is necessary to adopt a holistic approach that includes not only economic but also social aspects in order to foster REC.
ParaDis: a family and paradigm model
Authors: Hathout Nabil , Namer Fiammetta
Published: January 2022

The unification of inflectional and derivational morphology is an issue that is often debated but on which there is no consensus. On the other hand, it is well known that inflectional morphology is organized into paradigms. This paper contributes to the convergence between inflection and derivation by offering a new paradigmatic model of derivational morphology. This model, called ParaDis, is based on two types of objects, families and paradigms, and on an architecture made up of three levels of representation (formal, categorical and semantic) and a morphological level, which connects the other three. Morphological descriptions are distributed at three levels, where they organize into formal, categorical and semantic families and paradigms. In this way, the analysis of a phenomenon adjusts closely to its level-specific regularities. The paper describes ParaDis and shows how it can be used to analyze a wide range of canonical and non-canonical derivational constructions in a simple and intuitive way. It compares ParaDis to five frameworks (Bochner, 1993; Bonami & Strnadová, 2019; Booij, 2010; Jackendoff & Audring, 2020b; Koenig, 1999) and illustrates its contributions through the analysis of parasynthetic derivatives.
Static Analysis of Controller Area Network Communication for Attack Detection
Authors: Laufenberg Jo , Kropf Thomas , Bringmann Oliver
Published: January 2022

The vulnerability of modern cars increases due to their multiple connections to the environment, which offers the possibility of remote attacks in the worst case with fatal outcome. The controller area network (CAN) is still highly used and includes no security features, so intrusion detection systems are a promising approach to secure the communication. The proposed method monitors the CAN communication and uses static checks to differentiate between normal and attack traffic. This enables reliable and comprehensible attack detection and achieves a detection rate up to 100%, generating zero false alarms for the investigated data sets.
Efficient transformation capabilities of single database private block retrieval
Authors: Bhat Radhakrishna , Sunitha N. R.
Published: January 2022

Private information retrieval (PIR) is one of the promising techniques to preserve user privacy in the presence of trusted-but-curious servers. The information theoretically private query construction assures the highest user privacy over curious and unbounded computation servers. Therefore, the need for information-theoretic private retrieval was fulfilled by various schemes in a variety of PIR settings. But, there is a lack of efficient encryption switching scheme which supports efficient switching between information-theoretic to/from computationally bounded PIRs. We propose a combination of new bit connection methods called rail-shape and signal-shape and new quadratic residuosity assumption based family of trapdoor functions for generic single database private block retrieval (PBR). The main goal of this work is to show that the possibility of mapping from computationally bounded privacy to information theoretic privacy or vice-versa in a single database setting using newly constructed bit connection and trapdoor function combinations. Notably, the proposed schemes are single round, memoryless and plain database schemes (at their basic constructions).
Von Neumann Stability Analysis of DG-Like and PNPM-Like Schemes for PDEs with Globally Curl-Preserving Evolution of Vector Fields
Authors: Balsara Dinshaw S. , Käppeli Roger
Published: January 2022

This paper examines a class of involution-constrained PDEs where some part of the PDE system evolves a vector field whose curl remains zero or grows in proportion to specified source terms. Such PDEs are referred to as curl-free or curl-preserving, respectively. They arise very frequently in equations for hyperelasticity and compressible multiphase flow, in certain formulations of general relativity and in the numerical solution of Schrödinger’s equation. Experience has shown that if nothing special is done to account for the curl-preserving vector field, it can blow up in a finite amount of simulation time. In this paper, we catalogue a class of DG-like schemes for such PDEs. To retain the globally curl-free or curl-preserving constraints, the components of the vector field, as well as their higher moments, must be collocated at the edges of the mesh. They are updated using potentials collocated at the vertices of the mesh. The resulting schemes: (i) do not blow up even after very long integration times, (ii) do not need any special cleaning treatment, (iii) can operate with large explicit timesteps, (iv) do not require the solution of an elliptic system and (v) can be extended to higher orders using DG-like methods. The methods rely on a special curl-preserving reconstruction and they also rely on multidimensional upwinding. The Galerkin projection, highly crucial to the design of a DG method, is now conducted at the edges of the mesh and yields a weak form update that uses potentials obtained at the vertices of the mesh with the help of a multidimensional Riemann solver. A von Neumann stability analysis of the curl-preserving methods is conducted and the limiting CFL numbers of this entire family of methods are catalogued in this work. The stability analysis confirms that with the increasing order of accuracy, our novel curl-free methods have superlative phase accuracy while substantially reducing dissipation. We also show that PNPM-like methods, which only evolve the lower moments while reconstructing the higher moments, retain much of the excellent wave propagation characteristics of the DG-like methods while offering a much larger CFL number and lower computational complexity. The quadratic energy preservation of these methods is also shown to be excellent, especially at higher orders. The methods are also shown to be curl-preserving over long integration times.
Too much or too little information: how unknown uncertainty fuels time inconsistency
Authors: Kim Inhwa , Gamble Keith J.
Published: January 2022

Under uncertainty, there is considerable heterogeneity in expectations of results, and the outcome of each choice is a reflection of those expectations. This study aims to understand the role of subjective probabilistic inference in updating information for decision-making procedures under uncertainty. We show that adding uncertainty of trade-offs in decision-making criteria induces more inconsistent present preferences. We find that subjective probabilistic inference results in different levels of information acquisition, which plays a central role in many everyday cases of forecasting. The result of forecasting exerts substantive constraints on cognitive processes and shapes a type of restriction or stimulus in decision-making procedures. As uncertainty increases, generated fear of losses turns into an obstacle to the information acquisition process, and especially participants with low probabilistic inference tend to overestimate or underestimate future unknown rewards. In addition, our experiment shows that risk preference does not play a key role in decision-making procedures under unknown uncertainty. This finding is an experimental manifestation of Knight’s argument (Risk, uncertainty, and profit, Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 1921), which explains unknown uncertainty, and shows the relationship between cognitive ability and time inconsistency.
The Hera of Zeus
Authors: Pirenne-Delforge Vinciane , Pironti Gabriella , Graf Fritz
Published: January 2022

The goddess Hera is represented in mythology as an irascible wife and imperfect mother in the face of a frivolous Zeus. Beginning with the Iliad, many narrative traditions depict her wrath, the infidelities of her royal husband and the persecutions to which she subjects his illegitimate offspring. But how to relate this image to the cults of the sovereign goddess in her sanctuaries across Greece? This book uses the Hera of Zeus to open up new perspectives for understanding the society of the gods, the fate of heroes and the lives of men. As the intimate enemy of Zeus but also the fierce guardian of the legitimacy and integrity of the Olympian family, she takes shape in more subtle and complex ways that make it possible to rethink the configuration of power in ancient Greece, with the tensions that inhabited it, and thus how polytheism works.