bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment of spontaneous corneal perforation secondary to undiagnosed Sjögren’s syndrome using regenerating agent and autologous serum eye drops
Authors: Tzamalis Argyrios , Matsou Artemis , Anastasopoulos Eleftherios , Ziakas Nikolaos
Published: May 2019

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to report a case of sterile corneal ulcer leading to perforation, which was treated effectively with autologous serum eye drops, topical regenerative agent (poly-carboxymethylglucose sulfate), steroids, and systemic immunosuppression in a patient with undiagnosed primary Sjögren’s syndrome.

Methods:

A 74-year-old female presented with a month’s history of gradually worsening blurry vision in her left eye. Ophthalmic examination revealed a central descemetocele with excessive corneal stromal melting and absence of signs of infection. A bandage contact lens was applied for tectonic support along with topical corticosteroid and antibiotic drops. Autoimmune screen disclosed a diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome, and the patient was commenced on systemic immunosuppression. Forty-eight hours after presentation, the patient developed a localized corneal perforation, presenting with a flat anterior chamber.

Results:

Urgent amniotic membrane transplantation was arranged while topical dexamethasone, moxifloxacin, and autologous serum eye drops were administered. After 24 h of intensive topical treatment, a significant reforming of the anterior chamber and subsequent gradual regeneration of the corneal stroma were noted, thus postponing amniotic grafting. The patient remained under close monitoring, showing progressive clinical improvement. Regenerating agent eye drops (Cacicol20®) were also applied over the next month, with careful and slow tapering of topical dexamethasone. Further improvement of corneal thickness was observed, and visual acuity increased to 20/80.

Conclusion:

This case report demonstrates the successful medical treatment of an autoimmune-related sterile corneal perforation without surgical intervention, highlighting the fact that early diagnosis and rigorous medical treatment with autologous serum and regenerating agent eye drops can effectively aid tissue regeneration and favorable visual rehabilitation.
Flash vaporization of propane in an optically accessible, directly injected engine
Authors: Lacey Joshua , Aditiya Harjon , Poursadegh Farzad , Brear Michael , Gordon Robert , Lakey Charles , Butcher Brendan , Ryan Steve
Published: May 2019

This article presents an experimental and thermodynamic analysis of the direct injection of propane in an optically accessible variant of a downsized production engine. Propane is used as a surrogate for liquefied petroleum gas and is tested at several fuel rail conditions. Imaging of the sprays’ structure is conducted using planar laser Mie scattering. A number of seemingly counter-intuitive trends relating to rail pressure and temperature are observed from the experiments, and thermodynamic investigation is conducted to explain these trends. It is concluded that flash-boiling induced vaporization external to the injector nozzle is largely responsible for the observed behavior, and a new quantity is proposed to describe the severity of this phenomenon.
Do cyber-birds flock together? Comparing deviance among social network members of cyber-dependent offenders and traditional offenders
Authors: Weulen Kranenbarg Marleen , Ruiter Stijn , Van Gelder Jean-Louis
Published: May 2019

The distinct setting in which cyber-dependent crime takes place may reduce the similarity in the deviance of social network members. We test this assumption by analysing the deviance of the most important social contacts of cyber-dependent offenders and traditional offenders in the Netherlands ( N = 344 offenders; N = 1131 social contacts). As expected, similarity in deviance is weaker for cyber-dependent crime. Because this is a strong predictor of traditional offending, this has important implications for criminological research and practice. Additionally, for both crime types the offending behaviour of a person is more strongly linked to the deviance of social ties if those ties are of the same gender and age, and if the offender has daily contact with them. Implications and future criminological research suggestions are discussed.
The Affective Labor and Performance of Live Streaming on Twitch.tv
Authors: Woodcock Jamie , Johnson Mark R.
Published: May 2019

This article explores affective and immaterial labor on the leading live-streaming platform, Twitch.tv, which boasts over one hundred million regular viewers and two million regular broadcasters. This labor involves digitally mediated outward countenance, including being friendly to viewers, soliciting donations, building parasocial intimacy with spectators, and engaging audiences through humor. We offer an examination of streamers broadcasting as a “character,” which we situate within the context of play becoming work, the labor of performance and acting, and the economic compulsions that shape cultural labor on Twitch. We draw on hundred interviews with professional and aspiring-professional game broadcasters conducted in 2016 and 2017 at gaming events across the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, and Poland, alongside ethnographic research. This inquiry into the dynamics of digital games and labor underscores the importance of studying live streaming as part of a wider critical investigation of contemporary digital work.
The Effect of Nitric Oxide on Remote Ischemic Preconditioning in Renal Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Rats
Authors: Jung Hoon , Choi Eun Kyung , Baek Seung Ik , Cho Changhee , Jin Yehun , Kwak Kyung Hwa , Jeon Younghoon , Park Sung-Sik , Kim Sioh , Lim Dong Gun
Published: May 2019

Although remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) is an organ-protective maneuver from subsequent ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) by application of brief ischemia and reperfusion to other organs, its mechanism remains unclear. However, it is known that RIPC reduces the heart, brain, and liver IRI, and that nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the mechanism of this effect. To identify the role of NO in the protective effect of RIPC in renal IRI, this study examined renal function, oxidative status, and histopathological changes using N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an NO synthase inhibitor. Remote ischemic preconditioning was produced by 3 cycles of 5 minutes ischemia and 5 minutes reperfusion. Blood urea nitrogen, creatinine (Cr), and renal tissue malondialdehyde levels were lower, histopathological damage was less severe, and superoxide dismutase level was higher in the RIPC + IRI group than in the IRI group. The renoprotective effect was reversed by L-NAME. Obtained results suggest that RIPC before renal IRI contributes to improvement of renal function, increases antioxidative marker levels, and decreases oxidative stress marker levels and histopathological damage. Moreover, NO is likely to play an important role in this protective effect of RIPC on renal IRI.
India in the Oil Palm Era: Describing India’s Dependence on Palm Oil, Recommendations for Sustainable Production, and Opportunities to Become an Influential Consumer
Authors: Sagar H. S. Sathya Chandra , Mabano Amani , Roopa Ramya , Sharmin Mahmuda , Richard Freddie-Jeanne , Clause Julia
Published: May 2019

India is the largest consumer and importer of palm oil in the world. Its demand for palm oil is expected to double by 2030, which cannot be sustained just by increasing the import quantity, as it would be exporting its biodiversity issues to the supplying countries. We support the Government of India’s views to expand oil palm cultivation in India. However, an aggressive push toward domestic oil palm cultivation at the expense of biodiversity is currently underway. Unsustainable expansion of oil palm cultivation in India with short-term economic goals will lead to both biodiversity and social issues. In this article, we outline India's position in the production and trade of palm oil. By reviewing the situation of Malaysia and Indonesia, we also propose necessary, workable solutions for sustainable oil palm cultivation in India. We recommend working within an integrative framework involving scientific research, social measures, and political actions: the ‘SSP framework.’ We believe that such an integrated approach is critical to achieve global sustainability targets from Paris Agreement at COP21 and 2015–2030 United Nation Sustainable Development Goals.
Climate change going deep: The effects of global climatic alterations on cave ecosystems
Authors: Mammola Stefano , Piano Elena , Cardoso Pedro , Vernon Philippe , Domínguez-Villar David , Culver David C , Pipan Tanja , Isaia Marco
Published: May 2019

Scientists of different disciplines have recognized the valuable role of terrestrial caves as ideal natural laboratories in which to study multiple eco-evolutionary processes, from genes to ecosystems. Because caves and other subterranean habitats are semi-closed systems characterized by a remarkable thermal stability, they should also represent insightful systems for understanding the effects of climate change on biodiversity in situ. Whilst a number of recent advances have demonstrated how promising this fast-moving field of research could be, a lack of synthesis is possibly holding back the adoption of caves as standard models for the study of the recent climatic alteration. By linking literature focusing on physics, geology, biology and ecology, we illustrate the rationale supporting the use of subterranean habitats as laboratories for studies of global change biology. We initially discuss the direct relationship between external and internal temperature, the stability of the subterranean climate and the dynamics of its alteration in an anthropogenic climate change perspective. Owing to their evolution in a stable environment, subterranean species are expected to exhibit low tolerance to climatic perturbations and could theoretically cope with such changes only by shifting their distributional range or by adapting to the new environmental conditions. However, they should have more obstacles to overcome than surface species in such shifts, and therefore could be more prone to local extinction. In the face of rapid climate change, subterranean habitats can be seen as refugia for some surface species, but at the same time they may turn into dead-end traps for some of their current obligate inhabitants. Together with other species living in confined habitats, we argue that subterranean species are particularly sensitive to climate change, and we stress the urgent need for future research, monitoring programs and conservation measures.
Application of Spectral Element Method for Dynamic Analysis of Plane Frame Structures
Authors: Çağlar N. Merve , Şafak Erdal
Published: May 2019

The paper presents a methodology to analyze plane frame structures using the Spectral Element Method (SEM) with and without considering Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI). The formulation of spectral element matrices based on higher-order element theories and the assemblage procedure of arbitrarily oriented members are outlined. It is shown that SEM gives more accurate results with much smaller computational cost, especially at high frequencies. Since the formulation is in the frequency domain, the frequency-dependent foundation impedance functions and SSI effects can easily be incorporated in the analysis. As an example, the dynamic response of a plane frame structure is calculated based on the Finite Element Method (FEM) and SEM. FEM and SEM results are compared at different frequency bands, and the effects of SSI on the dynamic response are discussed.
Zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) shift toward aerodynamically efficient flight kinematics in response to an artificial load
Authors: Lapsansky Anthony B. , Igoe Jennifer A. , Tobalske Bret W.
Published: May 2019

We investigated the effect of an added mass emulating a transmitter on the flight kinematics of zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), both to identify proximal effects of loading and to test fundamental questions regarding the intermittent flight of this species. Zebra finch, along with many species of relatively small birds, exhibit flap-bounding, wherein the bird alternates periods of flapping with flexed-wing bounds. Mathematical modeling suggests that flap-bounding is less aerodynamically efficient than continuous flapping, except in limited circumstances. This has prompted the introduction of two major hypotheses for flap-bounding – the fixed-gear and cost of muscle activation/deactivation hypotheses – based on intrinsic properties of muscle. We equipped zebra finches flying at 10 m s−1 with a transmitter-like load to determine if their response was consistent with the predictions of these hypotheses. Loading caused finches to diverge significantly from their unloaded wingbeat kinematics. Researchers should carefully consider whether these effects impact traits of interest when planning telemetry studies to ensure that tagged individuals can reasonably be considered representative of the overall population. In response to loading, average wingbeat amplitude and angular velocity decreased, inconsistent with the predictions of the fixed-gear hypothesis. If we assume that finches maintained muscular efficiency, the reduction in amplitude is inconsistent with the cost of muscle activation/deactivation hypothesis. However, we interpret the reduction in wingbeat amplitude and increase in the proportion of time spent flapping as evidence that loaded finches opted to increase their aerodynamic efficiency – a response which is consistent with the latter hypothesis.
Going strong
Authors: Rawstrone Annette
Published: May 2019

How one setting in south London is supporting children who have mental health and well-being issues. By Annette Rawstrone
managing equality and diversity, part 5: race and ethnicity On identity
Authors: Jozwiak Gabriella
Published: May 2019

How can early years settings help stop children being disadvantaged by racial bias? By Gabriella Jozwiak
Cone-constrained rational eigenvalue problems
Authors: Seeger Alberto
Published: May 2019

This work deals with the eigenvalue analysis of a rational matrix-valued function subject to complementarity constraints induced by a polyhedral cone $K$. The eigenvalue problem under consideration has the general structure \[ \left(\sum_{k=0}^d \lambda^k A_k + \sum_{k =1}^m \frac{p_k(\lambda)}{q_k(\lambda)} \,B_k\right) x = y , \quad K\ni x \perp y\in K^\ast, \] where $K^\ast$ denotes the dual cone of $K$. The unconstrained version of this problem has been discussed in [Y.F. Su and Z.J. Bai. Solving rational eigenvalue problems via linearization. \emph{SIAM J. Matrix Anal. Appl.}, 32:201--216, 2011.] with special emphasis on the implementation of linearization-based methods. The cone-constrained case can be handled by combining Su and Bai's linearization approach and the so-called facial reduction technique. In essence, this technique consists in solving one unconstrained rational eigenvalue problem for each face of the polyhedral cone $K$.
Discovering child citizens' understandings and experiences of social justice
Authors: Du Preez Hannelie , Joubert Ina , Middeljans Hilda
Published: May 2019

Among the contemporary needs of democratic societies are citizens learning to be adaptable, ethical, innovative, literate and aware of socio-scientific issues. To cultivate such citizens requires coherent early childhood civics curricula and teachers who are specialists in teaching and learning civics education. Civics education in the early years is crucial; however, the young child's cognisance is rarely expressed in empirical data. This qualitative inquiry gave voice to 60 (approximately 9 years old) child citizens' understandings and experiences of social justice in a democracy utilizing narratives and artefacts. By inductively analysing and interpreting the data, the findings revealed the intense yearning of children to live in fair and just democratic societies. These child citizens' accounts of lived experiences echo the significance of relevant civic education in schools, governmental policy and acts as well as citizens' active involvement in all facets of civic and social upliftment.
Reviews
Authors: Davies Ian , Torney-Purta Judith , Yang Peidong , Chow Lee-Tat
Published: May 2019

Political Turbulence: How Social Media Shape Collective Action, Helen Margetts, Peter John, Scott Hale and Taha Yasseri (2016) Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press, 279 pp., ISBN: 978-0-69115-922-5, h/bk, £22.95

Young People and Active Citizenship in Post-Soviet Times: A Challenge for Citizenship Education, Beata Kyzywosz-Rynkiewicz, Anna M. Zalewska and Kerry J. Kennedy (EDS) (2018) Abington and New York: Routledge, 274 pp., ISBN: 978-1-13867-977-1, h/bk, $160 (USD)

The Meaning of Citizenship in Contemporary Chinese Society, Sicong Chen (2018) Singapore: Springer, 162 pp., ISBN 978-9-81134-854-9, softcover, $109.99 (USD)
Children’s rights in South Africa: Perceptions of urban high school teachers in Johannesburg
Authors: Munongi Lucia , Pillay Jace
Published: May 2019

This article explores South African teachers’ perceptions of children’s rights in South Africa and points out several implications for teaching. Data were collected from 40 high school teachers from the Johannesburg South Education District. An open-ended, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Thematic data analysis using manual coding to group data into categories and themes was used since the findings were qualitative in nature. The findings of this study show both positive and negative perceptions among teachers. While 45 per cent of the teachers perceived that it was important to teach children about their rights, about 47.5 percent believed that teaching children about their rights was causing problems. The themes that emerged from the findings are discussed using Urie Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological systems theory, which states that the development of human beings is influenced by different environmental systems. These are the microsystem, mesosystem, exosytem, macrosysytem and the chronosystem. Several recommendations are made in line with the findings.
Liberation psychology and urban civic education
Authors: Epstein Shira Eve
Published: May 2019

This article uses theories of liberation psychology to analyse a youth civic engagement project enacted in a US urban school. Drawing on classroom observations and student and teacher interviews, the analysis illustrates the possibility of fostering students’ character development – in this case, what the teacher and students called ‘positivity’ – while supporting their broader social understandings and commitment to a collective good. The project’s intertwined focus on character and social structures troubles the potential tensions between these areas. The article raises conversations about the enacted civic curriculum as well as about the value of using theories of liberation psychology to inform and analyse such curriculum.
The puzzle of low voter turnout: On the association between Swedish special educators’ self-efficacy for inclusive education and attitudes toward encouraging pupils with intellectual disability to vote
Authors: Reichenberg Monica , Löfgren Kent
Published: May 2019

The voter turnout among citizens with intellectual disability (ID) is alarmingly low. This raises the question of why people with ID do not show up to vote. The overall aim of this study was to describe the role of self-efficacy for inclusive education as a predictor of special educators’ attitudes towards encouraging voting behaviour among pupils with ID. Consequently, our research question was the following: To what extent does self-efficacy for inclusive education predict Swedish special educators’ attitudes towards voting encouragement among pupils with ID? We studied 148 special educators from northern and western Sweden by using a non-random sample survey. In addition, we used an exploratory factor analysis and fit an ordinal logistic regression. We argue that the relative strength of civic education and, more precisely, attitudes towards encouraging voter behaviour are positively associated with teachers’ self-efficacy as special educators. Special educators who feel that they have mastered dealing with special-education tasks contribute to increasing the propensity of positive attitudes towards encouraging voting behaviour. Our study is – to our knowledge – the first to address the association between efficacy and voting encouragement among pupils with ID.
The cultivation and emergence of global citizenship identity
Authors: Sherman Paul David
Published: May 2019

Higher education institutions worldwide are focal points for demonstrating leadership in cultivating global citizenship. Given the importance of this academic focus, efforts in higher education to promote a global citizenship ethic are an area of educational research that deserves attention. This article reports findings from case study research on the cultivation of global citizenship identity at Soka University Japan (SUJ). The research identified SUJ as an environment that promotes global awareness as a necessary pathway to global citizenship engagement. A key finding portrays SUJ students as ‘emergent global citizens’ – individuals undertaking a humanistic path of self-discovery that extends outwardly to the local and global community. The research findings have implications for global citizenship education (GCE) programmes in higher education – particularly those that wish to take on a leadership role in better preparing students for taking action to contribute to the well-being and sustainability of our diverse global community.
GLOBAL EVOLUTION AND PALEOGEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF
MID - CRETACEOUS ORBITOLINIDS
Authors: Boudagher-Fadel Marcelle , Price G. David
Published: May 2019

Members of the Larger Benthic Foraminiferal (LBF) family Orbitolinidae occured from the Cretaceous to the Paleogene, however, they were most diverse during the mid-Cretaceous, and dominated the agglutinated LBF assemblages described from limestones of that period. Various orbitolinid species have been used to zone and date lithologies formed in the shallow, warm waters of the Aptian to the Early Cenomanian, and many, sometimes inaccurate, generic and sub-generic nomenclatures have been proposed to differentiate the often subtle morphological changes that orbitolinids exhibit over time. Until now, it has not been possible to develop an effective global overview of their evolution and environmental development because descriptions of specimens from Asia have been relatively rare. Following our recent study of over 1800 orbitolinid-rich thin sections of material from 13 outcrops of the Langshan Limestone, from the Southern Tibetan Plateau, and from the Barito Basin, South Kalimantan, Indonesia, it has been possible to compare the stratigraphic ranges of these orbitolinids with previously described Tethyan and American forms, based on the use of a planktonic zonal (PZ) scheme, itself tied to the most recent chronostratigraphic scale. This has allowed the reconstruction of the phylogenetic and paleogeographic evolution of the orbitolinids from their Valanginian origin in the Tethys. Although Tethys remained the paleogeographic focus for the orbitolinids, it is inferred here for the first time that a bi-directional paleogeographic migration of some orbitolinid genera occurred from Tethys to the Americas and also to the Western Pacific region. Our observations and dating confirm that global marine regressions in the Aptian were coincident with, and may well have facilitated, these orbitolinid transoceanic migrations. However, migration stopped after rising sea-level in the Early Albian appears to have again isolated these provinces from each other. Tectonic forces associated with the subduction of the Farallon Plate and further sea-level raises led to the opening of the Western Interior Seaway in the North America, which correlates with, and may have been the cause of, the Middle Albian (top of PZ Albian 2) extinction of the American orbitolinids. The extinction of the orbitolinids revealed that the Western Pacific province was split into two sub-provinces, with extinction occurring at the end of the Early Albian (top of PZ Albian 1) in the Northwest Pacific sub-province, and at the end of the Albian (top of PZ Albian 4) in the sub-province that is today South East Asia (on the margins and west of the Wallace Line). The final virtual extinction of the orbitolinids occurred at the end of the Cenomanian in the Tethyan province, which coincides with, and may have been caused by, global anoxic oceanic events that correlate with a near-peak Mesozoic eustatic sea-level high-stand that led to the overall global collapse of the paleotropical reef ecosystem at that time.
Estratégias de internacionalização da educação e do currículo: Das universidades aos territórios da Educação Básica
Authors: Thiesen Juarues da Silva
Published: May 2019

A pesquisa da qual resulta o texto tem como objetivo analisar implicações dos movimentos de internacionalização curricular no/do ensino superior sobre atuais políticas e reconfigurações curriculares da Educação Básica, particularmente nos cenários de Brasil e Portugal. Como um dos recortes da investigação mais ampla, organiza-se o presente trabalho no qual se apresenta e discute um conjunto de estratégias que vem sendo formuladas e/ou adotas pelo estado brasileiro e por organizações não estatais visando alinhar a Educação Superior e os currículos da Educação Básica aos movimentos que se colocam em defesa da internacionalização. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório de base empírica que tem como referência trabalhos de outros pesquisadores e como fontes primárias textos oficiais da política educacional e curricular brasileira, além de projetos de instituições privadas relacionados com internacionalização curricular. Dentre outros aspectos, conclui-se que há um significativo processo de alinhamento da educação brasileira às expectativas e demandas da internacionalização e que várias estratégias adotadas na Educação Superior são readequadas para adoção nos territórios curriculares da Educação Básica.
“Prueba de la Competencia en Ciencia y Tecnología,” un modelo de evaluación externa de Educación Primaria en España
Authors: Martín-Páez Tobías , Vílchez-González José Miguel , Carrillo-Rosúa Francisco Javier
Published: May 2019

Esta investigación se centra en el análisis de la “Prueba de la competencia en ciencia y tecnología” elaborada como prueba modelo para el sexto curso de Educación Primaria por el Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte (MECD) de España. El análisis comprueba si la “Prueba de la competencia de ciencia y tecnología” se ajusta a sus marcos teóricos de referencia, y caracteriza la presencia de la competencia científica en los ítems de la misma. Se trata de un análisis documental exploratorio descriptivo, que utiliza una parrilla de observación diseñada a partir del Marco General de la evaluación final de Educación Primaria, actuando como observadores cuatro docentes de Educación Primaria. Los resultados nos permiten concluir que la distribución de algunas de las variables analizadas no se ajusta a lo especificado en los marcos de referencia, y que las subcompetencias asociadas a la competencia científica en los marcos internacionales de evaluación no aparecen en la prueba de forma equitativa. Se finaliza con propuestas de mejora para la elaboración de estas pruebas.
Accounting for laser beam characteristics in the design of freeform optics for laser material processing
Authors: Völl Annika , Wester Rolf , Berens Michael , Buske Paul , Stollenwerk Jochen , Loosen Peter
Published: May 2019

Recently, freeform optics have been introduced for application adapted beam shaping in laser heat treatment. There, intensity distributions are generated that induce previously defined temporal and spatial temperature profiles. To this end, a two-step simulation strategy is necessary, where in the first step the intensity distribution must be derived for which in the second step the freeform optics is calculated. To provide a design that can successfully be integrated in an experimental setup, the incoming laser beam’s characteristics must be accounted for in the derivation of the adapted intensity distribution as well as in the freeform optics design. Here, the two most relevant quantities are the beam’s maximum output power as well as the divergence angle. In this work, strategies are presented that account for the beam’s maximum output power in the derivation of the adapted intensity distribution. Furthermore, stabilizing methods are introduced to enhance the performance of a previously introduced freeform optics design algorithm that takes into account the laser beam’s finite divergence angle but suffers from numerical noise and oscillation problems. A simulation example that uses both techniques is given for (nano)ceramic thin-film laser processing.
Screening of chemical libraries in pursuit of kallikrein-5 specific inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory dermatoses
Authors: Di Paolo Caitlin T. , Filippou Panagiota S. , Yu Yijing , Poda Gennadiy , Diamandis Eleftherios P. , Prassas Ioannis
Published: May 2019

Background

Aberrant kallikrein activity is observed in a number of inflammatory dermatoses. Up-regulation of kallikrein-5 (KLK5) activity leads to uncontrolled skin desquamation and cleavage of proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR2), causing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and disruption of epidermal barrier function. This study aimed to identify KLK5-specific small molecule inhibitors which can serve as the foundation of a novel therapeutic for inflammatory skin disorders.

Methods

Five chemical libraries (13,569 compounds total) were screened against recombinant KLK5 using a fluorogenic enzymatic assay. Secondary validation was performed on the top 22 primary hits. All hits were docked in the KLK5 crystal structure to rationalize their potential interactions with the protein.

Results

A naturally occurring compound derived from the wood of Caesalpinia sappan (Brazilin) was identified as a novel KLK5 inhibitor (IC50: 20 μM, Ki: 6.4 μM). Docking suggests that the phenolic moiety of Brazilin binds in the S1-pocket of KLK5 and forms a H-bond with S195 side chain. KLK14 was also found to be susceptible to inhibition by Brazilin with a calculated IC50 value of 14.6 μM.

Conclusions

Natural KLK5 small molecule inhibitors such as Brazilin, are ideal for topical skin disease drug design and remain a promising therapeutic for severe cases of inflammatory skin disorders. Optimized KLK inhibitors may have increased efficacy as therapeutics and warrant further investigation.
Controversies in diagnosis: contemporary debates in the diagnostic safety literature
Authors: Bergl Paul A. , Wijesekera Thilan P. , Nassery Najlla , Cosby Karen S.
Published: May 2019

Since the 2015 publication of the National Academy of Medicine’s (NAM) Improving Diagnosis in Health Care (Improving Diagnosis in Health Care. In: Balogh EP, Miller BT, Ball JR, editors. Improving Diagnosis in Health Care. Washington (DC): National Academies Press, 2015.), literature in diagnostic safety has grown rapidly. This update was presented at the annual international meeting of the Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine (SIDM). We focused our literature search on articles published between 2016 and 2018 using keywords in Pubmed and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)’s Patient Safety Network’s running bibliography of diagnostic error literature (Diagnostic Errors Patient Safety Network: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Available from: https://psnet.ahrq.gov/search?topic=Diagnostic-Errors&f_topicIDs=407). Three key topics emerged from our review of recent abstracts in diagnostic safety. First, definitions of diagnostic error and related concepts are evolving since the NAM’s report. Second, medical educators are grappling with new approaches to teaching clinical reasoning and diagnosis. Finally, the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to advance diagnostic excellence is coming to fruition. Here we present contemporary debates around these three topics in a pro/con format.
Battery-Free Classroom Response System Using Piezo-Electric Buttons
Authors: Mathis Heinz , Malacarne Selina , Fleischmann Patrick
Published: May 2019

A completely energy autarkic design for a classroom response system is presented. Maloperation by the user is prevented with the chosen design (no unnecessary buttons and switches). Electronic classroom response systems have been around for quite a while and do exist in various forms and flavors. Most commercially available solutions, however, have several disadvantages. The new device is an easy-to-use, robust form of a clicker, which takes its energy from the click itself, due to a very low-power system using only an energy of around 15 μ J per wireless telegram transmitted from each student to the teacher’s computer. The described system serves as both, a method to check students’ progress in any field of lecturing as well as a tool that (by its development) instructs students in the field of “Energy Harvesting for Small Wireless Devices”. The system also contributes to raising awareness of the material and energy balance in today’s electronics.
Designing Thermally Actuated Bimorph as Energy Harvester
Authors: Bhuyan Satyam
Published: May 2019

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are micrometre-size systems that are capable of transforming electrical signals to mechanical signals. In this paper, the use of MEMS devices as a method for harvesting waste heat is explored. A background for the technology and methods is discussed and a method proposed for a working device based upon a thermally heated bimorph actuated by waste radiation alone is investigated. A chopper interrupts the radiant energy inducing an oscillation in the bimorph temperature and thus creates a mechanical motion which can be taken advantage of using piezoelectric materials. Difficulties in harvesting radiant energy with this method are highlighted and suggestions for non-passive energy generation are made based on the outlined principles.
Evolution of wood cell wall nanopore size distribution in the hygroscopic range
Authors: Shi Jingbo , Avramidis Stavros
Published: May 2019

Owing to technical difficulties, experimental assessment of wood cell wall pore size distribution (PSD) in the hygroscopic range still remains challenging. Here, a “trial-and-error” approach was proposed to calculate such distribution through bridging experimental and simulated sorption isotherms presented by the authors in the past. Two main assumptions were made in the calculations, namely, the generation of new and the swelling of existing cell wall pores during water sorption. The nanopore size distribution of dried cell wall derived from the experimental CO2 gas sorption isotherms was used as the initial boundary condition. Predicted pore size distributions were assessed to be fairly reasonable by comparing them at 95% relative humidity with the PSD of fully saturated cell walls derived from the solute exclusion method. The predicted distribution was relatively wide with several major peaks evolving in the hygroscopic range. The present work also showed that confounded by a wide PSD that includes mostly micropores, the shape of the experimental sorption isotherms was not reliable in assessing the sorption mechanism. The simulations suggested an alternative water sorption mechanism for wood, i.e. micropore filling of cell wall nanopores.
Comparative studies of Aspergillus fumigatus 2-methylcitrate synthase and human citrate synthase
Authors: Schlachter Caleb R. , Klapper Vincent , Radford Taylor , Chruszcz Maksymilian
Published: May 2019

Aspergillus fumigatus is a ubiquitous fungus that is not only a problem in agriculture, but also in healthcare. Aspergillus fumigatus drug resistance is becoming more prominent which is mainly attributed to the widespread use of fungicides in agriculture. The fungi-specific 2-methylcitrate cycle is responsible for detoxifying propionyl-CoA, a toxic metabolite produced as the fungus breaks down proteins and amino acids. The enzyme responsible for this detoxification is 2-methylcitrate synthase (mcsA) and is a potential candidate for the design of new anti-fungals. However, mcsA is very similar in structure to human citrate synthase (hCS) and catalyzes the same reaction. Therefore, both enzymes were studied in parallel to provide foundations for design of mcsA-specific inhibitors. The first crystal structures of citrate synthase from humans and 2-methylcitrate synthase from A. fumigatus are reported. The determined structures capture various conformational states of the enzymes and several inhibitors were identified and characterized. Despite a significant homology, mcsA and hCS display pronounced differences in substrate specificity and cooperativity. Considering that the active sites of the enzymes are almost identical, the differences in reactions catalyzed by enzymes are caused by residues that are in the vicinity of the active site and influence conformational changes of the enzymes.
Herrschaftsübernahme durch Multilingualismus. Die Sprachen der arabisch-islamischen Expansion nach Westen
Authors: König Daniel G.
Published: May 2019

Der Artikel befasst sich mit der sprachlichen Dimension der muslimischen Herrschaftsübernahme in Ägypten, Nordafrika und der Iberischen Halbinsel im 7. und 8. Jahrhundert. Teil I beschäftigt sich mit den sprachlichen Voraussetzungen der Expansion. Er stellt fest, dass die muslimischen Expansionskräfte zwar von einer arabischsprachigen Elite mit wahrscheinlich geringen Fremdsprachenkenntnissen geführt wurden, aber heterogen genug waren, um einen gewissen Grad an Vielsprachigkeit zu gewährleisten. Die Teile II bis IV beschreiben die jeweilige sprachliche Konstellation in Ägypten, im byzantinisch-berberischen Nordafrika sowie auf der Iberischen Halbinsel. Unter Berücksichtigung expliziter und impliziter Hinweise auf Multilingualismus in Form von etymologischen, papyrologischen, numismatischen, epigraphischen und historiographischen Belegen versuchen sie – soweit möglich – zu rekonstruieren, auf welche Weise die muslimischen Eroberer Sprachbarrieren zwischen dem Arabischen einerseits, dem Griechischen, Koptischen, Berberischen, Lateinischen und Romanischen andererseits überwanden. Teil V kommt zu dem Schluss, dass die Geschwindigkeit der arabisch-islamischen Expansion wie auch die erfolgreiche muslimische Herrschaftsübernahme in durchaus verschiedenen Regionen westlich der Arabischen Halbinsel auch vor dem Hintergrund eines frühmittelalterlichen mediterranen Raumes erklärt werden muss, der sich durch einen hohen Grad an Multilingualismus und regionenübergreifende sprachliche Fluidität auszeichnete.
Von Bad Homburg nach Macau. Ursprung und Entwicklung der Casinostadt
Authors: Torp Cornelius
Published: May 2019

Zahlreiche Städte setzen derzeit weltweit auf die Casino City als urbanes Wachstumsmodell, um städtische Entwicklung zu generieren. Anders als von der Urbanisierungsforschung angenommen, reicht der historische Stammbaum der Casinostadt nicht nur bis nach Las Vegas in der Mitte des 20. Jahrhunderts zurück, sondern weit länger bis zu den deutschen Spielbädern der 1830er Jahre. Vor dem Hintergrund des globalen Booms der Glücksspielindustrie in den letzten Jahrzehnten zeichnet der Artikel in einem ersten Schritt die im frühen 19. Jahrhundert beginnende Geschichte der Casinostadt von Bad Homburg, Wiesbaden und Baden-Baden über Monte Carlo, Las Vegas und Atlantic City bis zum heutigen Macau nach. In einem zweiten Schritt etabliert er Casino und Casinostadt als paradigmatische „Orte der Moderne“, in denen sich zentrale Züge und Entwicklungstendenzen der modernen Lebenswelt in besonderer Weise verdichten. Zu den Hauptmerkmalen wirtschaftlich erfolgreicher Casinostädte zählt, erstens, ihre territoriale Sonderlage, in der sich das ambivalente Verhältnis moderner Gesellschaften zum Glücksspiel räumlich manifestiert. Zweitens waren und sind sie durch die Ausrichtung der städtischen Regierungs- und Verwaltungspraxis an unternehmerischen Handlungslogiken und durch eine Verschiebung der Grenze zwischen öffentlichem und privatem Raum gekennzeichnet. Drittens schlugen sich transnationale Transfers und Globalisierung in Casinostädten stets in einem Nebeneinander von homogenisierender Angleichung und lokaler Divergenz nieder. Viertens waren Casino Cities und die Casinos selbst stets prominente Orte der Neuaushandlung sozialer Differenz. Schließlich stellen Casinostädte, fünftens, Konsumräume und Erlebniswelten dar, in denen allgemeine Trends der Moderne wie die „Implosion“ verschiedener Konsumtypen oder die zunehmende Bedeutung von Überwachungs- und Kontrollsystemen in besonderer Deutlichkeit hervortreten.
Antibacterial activity of cuminaldehyde on food-borne pathogens, the bioactive component of essential oil from Cuminum cyminum L. collected in Thailand
Authors: Wongkattiya Nalin , Sanguansermsri Phanchana , Fraser Ian Hamilton , Sanguansermsri Donruedee
Published: May 2019

Background

Cuminum cyminum L., commonly known as cumin, has been traditionally used in Thai traditional medicine and traditional food flavoring. The present study investigated the chemical composition, antimicrobial activity against all tested major food-borne pathogenic bacteria, and bioactive components of essential oil extracted from C. cyminum L. collected in Thailand.

Methods

The main components of the essential oil were investigated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. Antibacterial activities against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella Typhi were investigated by disk diffusion and microdilution method. The presence of the biologically active antibacterial components was also confirmed by the thin-layer chromatography (TLC)-bioautography.

Results

The main components of the essential oil investigated by GC-MS were cuminaldehyde (27.10%), beta-pinene (25.04%) and gamma-terpinene (15.68%). The essential oil exhibited antibacterial activity against B. cereus, S. aureus, E. coli and S. Typhi. The essential oil showed the strongest antimicrobial activity against B. cereus with a comparable inhibition zone to tetracycline. TLC confirmed the presence of biologically active antibacterial component in the essential oil against all tested food-borne bacteria. It is further demonstrated that cuminaldehyde was the most active compound in TLC-bioautography which inhibited all of tested bacteria.

Conclusions

Essential oil extracted from C. cyminum L. exhibited antibacterial activity against all tested major food-borne pathogenic bacteria. Cuminaldehyde is a major bioactive component. Our results suggest that the essential oil extracted from C. cyminum L. could be applied as an alternative natural preservative to control food-borne disease and have the potential for further development of new antibacterial agents.
Micro-Inertia Effects in Material Flow
Authors: Mwasame Paul M. , Wagner Norman J. , Beris Antony N.
Published: May 2019

The mechanics of understanding a new application of the bracket theory of Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics that allows for the incorporation of microstructural inertia effects within conformation tensor-based constitutive models of macroscopic material behavior is presented. Introducing inertia effects generally requires the replacement of a first order in time evolution equation for the conformation tensor by a second order one. Through the analysis of a simple damped oscillator we bring forward here the close connection to the structural dissipation brackets present in the two cases, with the weights being inverted as one transitions from the inertialess to the inertial description. Moreover, one may also describe inertial effects in material flow in certain situations through a simple modification of the first order evolution equation for the conformation tensor, which consists of adding a new non-affine term that couples the conformation and the vorticity tensors, as detailed in a recent publication (P. M. Mwasame, N. J. Wagner and A. N. Beris, Phys. Fluids, 30 (2018), 030704). As shown there, when applied to the low particle Reynolds flow of dilute emulsions, this reduced inertial flow model provides predictions consistent with literature-available microscopically based asymptotic results.
Clinical evaluation of point-of-care testing for wide-range C-reactive protein (wr-CRP) in neonates with suspected sepsis
Authors: Billetop Amiel , Grant Kerry , Beasmore Jennifer , Mills Francesca , Odd David , Heep Axel
Published: May 2019

Background

The aim of this study was to validate a point-of-care C-reactive protein (CRP) test (QuikRead, wide-range [wr] CRP) against standard laboratory testing in neonates with suspected sepsis.

Methods

This was a single-centre prospective cohort study of neonates (n = 91). The main outcome measure was the paired evaluation of the wr-CRP point-of-care test and automated laboratory CRP tests in neonates with suspected sepsis.

Results

There were 126 measured CRP-sample pairs. The mean difference between the laboratory CRP and the wr-CRP point-of-care test values was 0.19 (95% confidence interval [CI]:‒1.0–0.65). Pearson’s correlation coefficient was 0.94. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.98–1.00). At a QuikRead CRP cut-off of ≥6.2, the sensitivity and specificity were 77% and 100%, respectively.

Conclusions

Point-of-care wr-CRP testing can be used as a screening test in neonates with suspected sepsis. Rapid bed-side diagnostics and minimal blood volume requirements present an attractive alternative to common laboratory CRP testing.
Crystal structure of ethyl 2,2-difluoro-2-(7-methoxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)acetate, C14H12F2O5
Authors: He Linfeng , Wang An-Jun
Published: May 2019

C14H12F2O5, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 6.8723(2) Å, b = 27.0231(7) Å, c = 7.3669(2) Å, β = 109.235(3)°, Z = 4, V = 1291.75(7) Å3, R
gt(F) = 0.0484, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1335, T = 100 K.
The crystal structure of poly[(μ5-2-((5-bromo-3-formyl-2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)benzenesulfonato-κ6
O:O:O,O′:O′:O′′)sodium(I)], C13H9O4NSBrNa
Authors: Tai Xi-Shi , Wang Li-Hua
Published: May 2019

C13H9O4NSBrNa, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 26.1300(15) Å, b = 6.1547(4) Å, c = 8.3908(5) Å, β = 91.760(5)°, V = 1348.79(14) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0402, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0866, T = 100 K.
Halogen and hydrogen bonding in the layered crystal structure of 2-iodoanilinium triiodide, C6H7I4N
Authors: Reiss Guido J.
Published: May 2019

C6H7I4N, monoclinic, P21/m (no. 11), a = 9.2818(2) Å, b = 6.55289(16) Å, c = 11.0561(3) Å, β = 114.051(3)°, V = 614.08(3) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0180, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0367, T = 109(2) K.
The crystal structure of bis(acetato-κ1
O)-bis(N′-hydroxypyrimidine-2-carboximidamide-κ2
N,N′)manganese(II) — methanol (1/2), C14H18MnN8O6, 2(CH3OH)′
Authors: Yin Xiu-Ju , Zhu Long-Guan
Published: May 2019

C16H26MnN8O8, monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 15.3188(9) Å, b = 10.9014(7) Å, c = 14.3601(9) Å, β = 90.516(5)°, Z = 4, V = 2398.0(3) Å3, R
gt(F) = 0.0377, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0942, T = 293(2) K.
Crystal structure of 2-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)-1-naphthaldehyde, C14H10O2
Authors: Aljohani Ghadah , Lentz Dieter , Said Musa A. , Alraqa Shaya Y. , Ali Adeeb A. , Basar Norazah
Published: May 2019

C14H10O2, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 7.498(3) Å, b = 7.973(3) Å, c = 9.660(4) Å, α = 67.211(13)°, β = 84.489(14)°, γ = 72.224(14)°, V = 506.8(4) Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0394, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1135, T = 100(2) K.
Crystal structure and photochromic properties of 1-(2-methyl-5-phenyl-3-thienyl)-2-{2-methyl-5-[4-(9-fluorenone hydrazone)-phenyl]-3-thienyl}perfluorocyclopentene, C41H26F6N2S2
Authors: Xu Dongming , Zheng Chunhong , Pu Shouzhi
Published: May 2019

C41H26F6N2S2, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 11.7525(12) Å, b = 12.2430(12) Å, c = 13.4210(13) Å, α = 84.914(1)°, β = 66.860(1)°, γ = 82.543(1)°, V = 1759.2(3) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0459, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1268, T = 296(2) K.