bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indians in Pensamiento Gonzalo: The Influence of 20th-Century Peruvian Intelligentsia on Shining Path’s Ideology
Authors: Jima-González Alexandra , Paradela-López Miguel
Published: December 2020

During the last decades of the 20th century, Shining Path conceived Indian culture mainly as part of feudalist-capitalist alienation. Consequently, this insurrectionist organization aimed to mobilize the indigenous communities around a class-oriented revolutionary project. Although the academic literature has acknowledged and studied this process, its historical roots in the intelligentsia of the early 20th century remain under-examined. To contribute to their research, this article first analyzes the “neo-indigenist and indigenist discussion” of the first decades of the century, mainly through the works of Manuel González Prada, Luis Eduardo Valcárcel, and José Uriel García. The article will then focus on José Carlos Mariátegui and Víctor Raúl Haya de la Torre to explore the discussion around the implementation of socialist thought in Peru. Finally, this research analyzes the influence of the previous authors on the configuration of Shining Path’s ideology, Pensamiento Gonzalo. The article argues that Shining Path intensified three tendencies of the 20th-century Peruvian intelligentsia: the need to assist Indians in the development of an effective discourse, the legitimation of revolutionary violence, and the Peruvian bourgeoisie’s leadership of the Indians. In conclusion, Shining Path’s ideology should not be regarded as a rara avis, but as the result of a dogmatic application of Maoism to already existing discussions of the Indian problem.
Brief EcoMeditation Associated With Psychological Improvements: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Church Dawson , Stapleton Peta , Sabot Debbie
Published: December 2020

Background

A growing body of clinical research attests to the psychological and physiological benefits of meditation. EcoMeditation is a non-pharmacological therapeutic approach used to promote health and well-being, comprising four evidence-based techniques: The Quick Coherence Technique for regulating heart rate variability (HRV), Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), mindfulness, and neurofeedback.

Objectives

This study investigated changes in psychological symptoms of anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), pain, and happiness following a one-day EcoMeditation training workshop delivered in a large-group format and at 3-months post-intervention.

Methods

A convenience sample of 208 participants (137 women, 71 men) aged between 21 and 87 years ( M = 55.4 years; SD = 12.8 years) attended a one-day EcoMeditation training workshop. Participants completed a pen-and-paper survey pre-workshop and post-workshop, and an online survey three months following the EcoMeditation intervention.

Results

Post-workshop results revealed significant reductions in anxiety (−23.4%, p <  .001), depression (−15.8%, p =  .011), PTSD (−11.8%, p <  .001), and pain (−18.5%, p <  .001), while happiness scores increased significantly (+8.9%, p <  .001). At 3-month follow-up, one-way repeated-measures ANOVA ( N =  65) found significant decreases in anxiety between pre-test and post-test, and pain between pre-intervention and 3-month follow-up. Differences in depression and PTSD scores were not significant over time. Happiness scores significantly increased from pre-test to 3-month follow-up. However, post-hoc analyses suggested that the final sample size was inadequate to detect significant differences between time points.

Conclusion

Findings provide preliminary support for EcoMeditation as a brief group-based stress reduction intervention with benefits for improved psychological functioning.
Social Jetlag and Emerging Adults’ Performance in a Behavioral Weight Loss Trial
Authors: Lanoye Autumn , LaRose Jessica Gokee
Published: December 2020

Social jetlag (SJ)—the shift in sleep timing between workdays and free days—is linked to deleterious cardiometabolic outcomes. SJ is greatest among emerging adults, who are already at high risk for overweight/obesity and experience suboptimal weight loss outcomes. Goals of this ancillary study were to assess SJ among emerging adults enrolled in a 6-month behavioral weight loss trial and examine the association between SJ and treatment outcomes. Bedtime/waketime were self-reported at baseline, and program engagement was monitored throughout the intervention. Weight, waist circumference, and body fat percentage were measured at baseline and post-treatment. Participants (N = 282) reported 1.5 hours of SJ on average, with 30.5% reaching the threshold for clinical significance. There were no significant associations between SJ and program engagement nor between SJ and change in adiposity. Life transitions and chaotic schedules are common during emerging adulthood; thus, further research is needed to capture nuanced patterns of sleep disruption.
Impact of surgical clothing and footwear on operating room contamination during standstill and intraoperative stepping motion
Authors: Tateiwa Toshiyuki , Masaoka Toshinori , Ishida Tsunehito , Shishido Takaaki , Takahashi Yasuhito , Yamamoto Kengo
Published: December 2020

Background:

In view of preventing surgical site infection (SSI) in the orthopedic operating room (OR), evidence concerning types of footwear and clothing is limited. This study aimed to investigate how different footwear and clothing affect the cleanliness of the OR environment.

Methods:

The airborne dust concentration in a bioclean room (NASA class 100) was measured around an operator by using a handheld particle counter under the following conditions: (I) wearing a sterilized full-type space suit with OR dedicated clean sandals; (II) wearing a sterilized full-type space suit with non-dedicated (outside) shoes or severely contaminated outside shoes with surgical glove powder (2 µm mean particle size); and (III) wearing an unsterilized medical scrub uniform with OR dedicated sandals. The participant was standing still or stepping in place at 1 Hz during the testing.

Results:

The concentrations of airborne dusts in the operative field were independent of footwear and clothing types under the stand-still condition. However, these values significantly increased 1.96- to 16.23-fold after simple stepping motion in all the test conditions, and often became dissatisfaction level with the NASA100 requirement for the OR cleanliness. The worst contamination occurred when an operator wore the powder-contaminated shoes and also the unsterilized scrub uniform.

Conclusion:

The present study showed that the stepping motion triggered a considerable contamination in the operative field (beyond the level of NASA100 threshold) particularly when an operator used the outside shoes or unsterilized scrub uniform. Therefore, these results tell us that the one-footwear system (i.e., no use of OR dedicated clean shoes) and unsterilized scrub are likely to be a potential risk factor for SSI. Nevertheless, further studies are necessary to conclude the real efficacy of OR dedicated shoes and sterilized clothes on the SSI prevention.
Concentrated Poverty in U.S. Schools and Adolescents’ Risk of Being Overweight
Authors: Augustine Jennifer March , Pivnick Lilla , Olson Julie Skalamera , Crosnoe Robert
Published: December 2020

The economic segregation of U.S. schools undermines the academic performance of students, particularly students from low-income families who are often concentrated in high-poverty schools. Yet it also fuels the reproduction of inequality by harming their physical health. Integrating research on school effects with social psychological and ecological theories on how local contexts shape life course outcomes, we examined a conceptual model linking school poverty and adolescent students’ weight. Applying multilevel modeling techniques to the first wave of data (1994–1995) from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health; n = 18,924), the results revealed that individual students’ likelihood of being overweight increased as the concentration of students from low-income families in their schools increased, net of their own background characteristics. This linkage was connected to a key contextual factor: the exposure of students in high-poverty schools to other overweight students. This exposure may partly matter because of the lower prevalence of dieting norms in such schools, although future research should continue to examine potential mechanisms.
Afterword: They say the Centre cannot hold: Austerity, crisis, and the rise of anti-politics
Authors: Drago Ana
Published: December 2020

This afterword engages in a dialogue with the theoretical prospects opened by this Special Issue. First, it discusses how these articles show that conceptualizations such as anti-politics that aimed to organize a reading on the growing mistrust and disenchantment towards the institutional apparatus of contemporary democracies must not be equated to political voidance – I argue that these articles rather point to a profound legitimization crisis of the political-spatial consensus of neoliberal governance that, as this SI sustains, must be analyzed through the social and geographical configurations of the austerity cycle of the last decade and the situated conflict confronting it. In that sense, anti-politics redefines traditional conflict in liberal democracies, although through contradictory forms: commoning; radical protest; or ethno-nationalist extremism. And secondly, I discuss a most relevant argument that runs through the SI: analysis of anti-politics must engage with everyday spatial practices and geographical imaginaries that point where conflict arises, but also how it is being recrafted. I discuss this proposal of a spatial turn on anti-politics by interpreting it as emerging from the collapse of the aspirational narrative of neoliberalism– its promise of a global post-class conflict order succumbed as post-2008 austerity punitively targeted specific geographies, spaces and social classes, leading to a cycle of politicization organized through spatial or geographical dichotomies: North/South Europe; urban versus periurban/rural; streets versus institutions. After decades of neoliberal depoliticization of class conflict, attempts to relaunch anti-systemic political conflict seem to rely (again) on everyday spatial practices and geographical categories.
CityThings: An integration of the dynamic sensor data to the 3D city model
Authors: Santhanavanich Thunyathep , Coors Volker
Published: December 2020

Devices from the Internet of Things are being increasingly used in everyday life, and they provide a massive amount of data in various formats. While implementing the Smart Cities initiative, these data are integrated and utilized together with the 3D city model for further applications. Based on Open Geospatial Consortium standards, heterogeneous sensor data can be integrated with the Open Geospatial Consortium SensorThings Application Programming Interface. Similarly, the 3D city model data can be stored and exchanged with the Open Geospatial Consortium CityGML format. However, currently, there is no concrete model to integrate these sensor data with the 3D city model using the Open Geospatial Consortium standards. The existing solution for integrating the sensor data into the 3D city model requires an extension or plug-in for adding the data to the CityGML model. In this paper, we introduce the concept of “CityThings” to integrate dynamic sensor data from the Open Geospatial Consortium SensorThings API into the CityGML 3D city models. We demonstrate the implementation of the CityThings concept in the Smart Villages project in the study area of Wüstenrot, Germany, by integrating dynamic sensor data from several systems including solar panels, agro-thermal plants, and weather monitoring sensors to visualize the sensor data with the 3D city model on the web platform. In the future, this concept can be applied to interconnect dynamic sensor data and 3D city model data in other Smart Cities applications.
Immunodeficiency and bone marrow failure with mosaic and germline TLR8 gain of function
Authors: Aluri Jahnavi , Bach Alicia , Kaviany Saara , Chiquetto Paracatu Luana , Kitcharoensakkul Maleewan , Walkiewicz Magdalena A. , Putnam Christopher D. , Shinawi Marwan , Saucier Nermina , Rizzi Elise M. , Harmon Michael T. , Keppel Molly P. , Ritter Michelle , Similuk Morgan , Kulm Elaine , Joyce Michael , de Jesus Adriana A. , Goldbach-Mansky Raphaela , Lee Yi-Shan , Cella Marina , Kendall Peggy L. , Dinauer Mary C. , Bednarski Jeffrey J. , Bemrich-Stolz Christina , Canna Scott W. , Abraham Shirley M. , Demczko Matthew M. , Powell Jonathan , Jones Stacie M. , Scurlock Amy M. , De Ravin Suk See , Bleesing Jack J. , Connelly James A. , Rao V. Koneti , Schuettpelz Laura G. , Cooper Megan A.
Published: December 2020

Inborn errors of immunity (IEI) are a genetically heterogeneous group of disorders with a broad clinical spectrum. Identification of molecular and functional bases of these disorders is important for diagnosis, treatment, and an understanding of the human immune response. We identified 6 unrelated males with neutropenia, infections, lymphoproliferation, humoral immune defects, and in some cases bone marrow failure associated with 3 different variants in the X-linked gene TLR8, encoding the endosomal Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8). Interestingly, 5 patients had somatic variants in TLR8 with <30% mosaicism, suggesting a dominant mechanism responsible for the clinical phenotype. Mosaicism was also detected in skin-derived fibroblasts in 3 patients, demonstrating that mutations were not limited to the hematopoietic compartment. All patients had refractory chronic neutropenia, and 3 patients underwent allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. All variants conferred gain of function to TLR8 protein, and immune phenotyping demonstrated a proinflammatory phenotype with activated T cells and elevated serum cytokines associated with impaired B-cell maturation. Differentiation of myeloid cells from patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells demonstrated increased responsiveness to TLR8. Together, these findings demonstrate that gain-of-function variants in TLR8 lead to a novel childhood-onset IEI with lymphoproliferation, neutropenia, infectious susceptibility, B- and T-cell defects, and in some cases, bone marrow failure. Somatic mosaicism is a prominent molecular mechanism of this new disease.
Comparative in vitro analysis of inhibition of rhinovirus and influenza virus replication by mucoactive secretolytic agents and plant extracts
Authors: Walther Christin , Döring Kristin , Schmidtke Michaela
Published: December 2020

Background

Rhinoviruses and influenza viruses cause millions of acute respiratory infections annually. Symptoms of mild acute respiratory infections are commonly treated with over-the-counter products like ambroxol, bromhexine, and N-acetyl cysteine, as well as of thyme and pelargonium extracts today. Because the direct antiviral activity of these over-the-counter products has not been studied in a systematic way, the current study aimed to compare their inhibitory effect against rhinovirus and influenza virus replication in an in vitro setting.

Methods

The cytotoxicity of ambroxol, bromhexine, and N-acetyl cysteine, as well as of thyme and pelargonium extracts was analyzed in Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) and HeLa Ohio cells. The antiviral effect of these over-the-counter products was compared by analyzing the dose-dependent inhibition (i) of rhinovirus A2- and B14-induced cytopathic effect in HeLa Ohio cells and (ii) of influenza virus A/Hong Kong/68 (subtype H3N2)- and A/Jena/8178/09 (subtype H1N1, pandemic)-induced cytopathic effect in MDCK cells at non-cytotoxic concentrations. To get insights into the mechanism of action of pelargonium extract against influenza virus, we performed time-of-addition assays as well as hemagglutination and neuraminidase inhibition assays.

Results

N-acetyl cysteine, thyme and pelargonium extract showed no or only marginal cytotoxicity in MDCK and HeLa Ohio cells in the tested concentration range. The 50% cytotoxic concentration of ambroxol and bromhexine was 51.85 and 61.24 μM, respectively. No anti-rhinoviral activity was detected at non-cytotoxic concentrations in this in vitro study setting. Ambroxol, bromhexine, and N-acetyl cysteine inhibited the influenza virus-induced cytopathic effect in MDCK cells no or less than 50%. In contrast, a dose-dependent anti-influenza virus activity of thyme and pelargonium extracts was demonstrated. The time-of addition assays revealed an inhibition of early and late steps of influenza virus replication by pelargonium extract whereas zanamivir acted on late steps only. The proven block of viral neuraminidase activity might explain the inhibition of influenza virus replication when added after viral adsorption.

Conclusion

The study results indicate a distinct inhibition of influenza A virus replication by thyme and pelargonium extract which might contribute to the beneficial effects of these plant extracts on acute respiratory infections symptoms.
Hedge effectiveness of put replication, gold, and oil on ASEAN-5 equities
Authors: Robiyanto Robiyanto , Nugroho Bayu Adi , Handriani Eka , Huruta Andrian Dolfriandra
Published: December 2020

The previous studies have shown that capital market integration has increased in the ASEAN-5, implying that investors making investment diversification across ASEAN capital markets could only earn limited diversification advantages. To diversify their portfolios, equity investors must find other assets. The main focus of this research is to analyze the effectiveness of put replication, gold, and oil on hedge equities in the ASEAN-5 (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines). Protective put strategy, DCC-GARCH, and Markowitz optimization are used to measure hedge effectiveness, risk-adjusted-performance such as Sharpe ratio, drawdown, and Omega ratio. The result reveals that gold is a cheaper hedge than oil and oil-hedged strategy is more expensive in ASEAN-5 compared to oil exporting nations. Also, investors with big exposure to the oil-related portfolio should diversify to Philippine equity. From hedging effectiveness and risk-adjusted-performance perspectives, oil is less attractive than money market instruments and gold. This study also implies that risk-averse investors should prefer to put replication or guaranteed financial products compared to commodities-hedged strategy.
Management of 3 Cases of Pheochromocytoma During the COVID-19 Pandemic in New York City: Lessons Learned
Authors: Japp Emily A , Leiter Amanda , Tsomos Effie A , Reda Sarah A , Levine Alice C
Published: December 2020

The COVID-19 crisis placed a pause on surgical management of nonemergency cases of pheochromocytoma, and it was essential for endocrinologists to provide both resourceful and safe care. At the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City during the peak of the pandemic, we encountered 3 patients with pheochromocytoma and mild symptoms that were medically managed for a prolonged period of time (7-18 weeks) prior to adrenalectomy. Patients were monitored biweekly via telemedicine, and antihypertensive medications were adjusted according to signs, symptoms, and adrenergic profiles. These cases demonstrate that prolonged medical management prior to surgery is feasible and effective in pheochromocytoma patients with mild symptoms and well-controlled blood pressures.
Exploring Factors Associated With Morbidity and Mortality in Patients With Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders: A National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database Analysis Within Surgical Groups
Authors: Cobert Julien , Lerebours Reginald , Peskoe Sarah B. , Gordee Alexander , Truong Tracy , Krishnamoorthy Vijay , Raghunathan Karthik , Mureebe Leila
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND:

Anesthesiologists caring for patients with do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders may have ethical concerns because of their resuscitative wishes and may have clinical concerns because of their known increased risk of morbidity/mortality. Patient heterogeneity and/or emphasis on mortality outcomes make previous studies among patients with DNR orders difficult to interpret. We sought to explore factors associated with morbidity and mortality among patients with DNR orders, which were stratified by surgical subgroups.

METHODS:

Exploratory retrospective cohort study in adult patients undergoing prespecified colorectal, vascular, and orthopedic surgeries was performed using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant Use File data from 2010 to 2013. Among patients with preoperative DNR orders (ie, active DNR order written in the patient’s chart before surgery), factors associated with 30-day mortality, increased length of stay, and inpatient death were determined via penalized regression. Unadjusted and adjusted estimates for selected variables are presented.

RESULTS:

After selection as above, 211,420 patients underwent prespecified procedures, and of those, 2755 (1.3%) had pre-existing DNR orders and met above selection to address morbidity/mortality aims. By specialty, of these patients with a preoperative DNR, 1149 underwent colorectal, 870 vascular, and 736 orthopedic surgery. Across groups, 36.2% were male and had a mean age 79.9 years (range 21–90). The 30-day mortality was 15.4%–27.2% and median length of stay was 6–12 days. Death at discharge was 7.0%, 13.1%, and 23.0% in orthopedics, vascular, and colorectal patients with a DNR, respectively. The strongest factors associated with increased odds of 30-day mortality were preoperative septic shock in colorectal patients, preoperative ascites in vascular patients, and any requirement of mechanical ventilation at admission in orthopedic patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

In patients with DNR orders undergoing common surgical procedures, the association of characteristics with morbidity and mortality varies in both direction and magnitude. The DNR order itself should not be the defining measure of risk.
Tumour-directed microenvironment remodelling at a glance
Authors: Boyle Sarah T. , Johan M. Zahied , Samuel Michael S.
Published: December 2020

The tissue microenvironment supports normal tissue function and regulates the behaviour of parenchymal cells. Tumour cell behaviour, on the other hand, diverges significantly from that of their normal counterparts, rendering the microenvironment hostile to tumour cells. To overcome this problem, tumours can co-opt and remodel the microenvironment to facilitate their growth and spread. This involves modifying both the biochemistry and the biophysics of the normal microenvironment to produce a tumour microenvironment. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and accompanying poster, we outline the key processes by which epithelial tumours influence the establishment of the tumour microenvironment. As the microenvironment is populated by genetically normal cells, we discuss how controlling the microenvironment is both a significant challenge and a key vulnerability for tumours. Finally, we review how new insights into tumour–microenvironment interactions has led to the current consensus on how these processes may be targeted as novel anti-cancer therapies.
Aberrant cytoplasmic localization of ARID1B activates ERK signaling and promotes oncogenesis
Authors: Animireddy Srinivas , Kavadipula Padmavathi , Kotapalli Viswakalyan , Gowrishankar Swarnalata , Rao Satish , Bashyam Murali Dharan
Published: December 2020

The ARID1B (BAF250b) subunit of the human SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex is a canonical nuclear tumor suppressor. We employed in silico prediction, intracellular fluorescence and cellular fractionation-based subcellular localization analyses to identify the ARID1B nuclear localization signal (NLS). A cytoplasm-restricted ARID1B-NLS mutant was significantly compromised in its canonical transcription activation and tumor suppressive functions, as expected. Surprisingly however, cytoplasmic localization appeared to induce a gain of oncogenic function for ARID1B, as evidenced from several cell line- and mouse xenograft-based assays. Mechanistically, cytoplasm-localized ARID1B could bind c-RAF (RAF1) and PPP1CA causing stimulation of RAF–ERK signaling and β-catenin (CTNNB1) transcription activity. ARID1B harboring NLS mutations derived from tumor samples also exhibited aberrant cytoplasmic localization and acquired a neo-morphic oncogenic function via activation of RAF–ERK signaling. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry on a tissue microarray revealed significant correlation of ARID1B cytoplasmic localization with increased levels of active forms of ERK1 and ERK2 (also known as MAPK3 and MAPK1) and of β-catenin, as well as with advanced tumor stage and lymph node positivity in human primary pancreatic tumor tissues. ARID1B therefore promotes oncogenesis through cytoplasm-based gain-of-function mechanisms in addition to dysregulation in the nucleus.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Perturbation Approach for NMR Signals with Infinite-Order Corrections and Its Application to Solid-State MAS INADEQUATE Spectra Exhibiting Auto-Correlation Peaks due to Chemically-Equivalent Spin Pairs: Analogy to Renormalization Theory
Authors: Nakai Toshihito
Published: December 2020

A perturbation approach comprehending infinite-order corrections is proposed so that NMR signals may be simulated without approximations. The present theoretical treatments based on Average Hamiltonian Theory put all the perturbative corrections into several tentative variables and eventually replace them by values resulting from experiments, as the renormalization theory does. The Hamiltonian for strongly-coupled two-spin-1/2 systems and the time evolutions of their coherences are analytically expressed using the proposed theory. The double-quantum excitation functions in 29Si solid-state MAS INADEQUATE measurements are observed for a zeolite sample and reproduced using the formula derived from the present theory. Thereby, it is proved to be possible to determine the internal spin interaction parameters including the J couplings between chemically-equivalent nuclei hidden in solution-state NMR spectroscopy, in addition to the parameters reflecting the high-order solid-state effects.
Estimation of the radiation dose for dental spectral cone-beam CT
Authors: Orhan Kaan , Pauwels Ruben , Chen Yi , Song Dandan , Jacobs Reinhilde
Published: December 2020

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to estimate the radiation dose for a dental spectral cone-beam CT (SCBCT) unit at different scanning parameters.

Methods:

Radiation dose measurements were performed for a commercially available dental SCBCT. Scans were obtained at different exposure times and fields of view (FOV), both for non-spectral (25×18 cm, 14×18 cm, 14×12 cm, 9×9 cm, 6×6 cm) and spectral modes (14×18 cm, 14×12 cm, 9×9 cm, 6×6 cm) with the tube voltage alternating between 80 and 110 kV for spectral mode, and fixed at 110 kV for non-spectral mode. An ion chamber was used for air kerma and dose area product (DAP) measurements. The effective dose was estimated based on the mAs using previously published logarithmic curves for CBCT units with a similar X-ray spectrum.

Results:

The adult effective dose, in non-spectral mode, was 44-269 µSv for small FOVs, 131-336 µSv for the medium FOV, and 163-476 µSv for the large FOV. In spectral mode, the estimated adult effective doses were 96-206 µSv for small, 299 µSv for medium and 372 µSv for large FOV protocols. Paediatric effective doses were estimated to be 75% higher than corresponding adult doses.

Conclusion:

SCBCT showed comparable doses with other CBCT devices, but DAP values were generally above currently published DRLs. Spectral imaging might allow for artefact reduction at comparable dose levels, which should be assessed in further image quality studies at both a technical and diagnostic levels.
Development and validation of two new image receptor-holding devices for overlapping reduction of proximal surfaces in bitewing radiography: a preclinical study
Authors: Cascante-Sequeira Deivi , Gaêta-Araujo Hugo , Peroni Leonardo Vieira , Oliveira-Santos Christiano , Haiter-Neto Francisco
Published: December 2020

Objective:

To create and validate two new Image Receptor-Holding devices (IRHDs) to reduce proximal surfaces overlapping in bitewing radiography in comparison to a regular well-established and commercially available IRHD.

Methods:

Two IRHDs for bitewing radiographs with a wedge on the biting surface were designed and 3D-printed. These IRHDs, with a large wedge (Pr-Lw) and small wedge (Pr-Sw), were compared with a regular commercially available IRHD (Rinn XCP®) during image acquisition of bitewing radiographs of four posterior regions (one upper region and three lower regions) in two dry skulls and mandibles. A total of 156 interproximal regions on bitewing radiographs were radiographed by 13 oral radiology graduate students and independently assessed by two oral radiologists (10 years of experience). IRHDs were compared by Cochran’s Q test regarding the number of overlapped proximal surfaces in the acquired radiographs with a significance level of 5%.

Results:

The observers were in perfect agreement (κ = 1.0) to classify the proximal surfaces overlapping. The Pr-Lw IRHD presented the lowest number of surfaces overlapping (19.2%) followed by the Pr-Sw IRHD (48.1%) and the XCP®IRHD with the highest surfaces overlapping (71.2%). The Pr-Lw IRHD surfaces overlapping was statistically different from the XCP IRHD (p < 0.001), and the Pr-Sw IRHD (p = 0.014).

Conclusions:

The Pr-Lw IRHD demonstrated the most efficient performance in overlapping surfaces reduction, compared with the Pr-Sw IRHD and the XCP® IRHD in adult dry skulls and mandibles.
Expression of TNF, IL1B, and NOS2 in the neural cell after induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis with and without coating antibody anti-Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: Bachtiar Endang Winiati , Putri Citra F. , Soejoedono Retno D. , Bachtiar Boy M.
Published: December 2020

Porphyromonas gingivalis has virulence factors such as gingipain and lipopolysaccharide, causing bacteremia to reach the brain and activate neuroinflammatory release cytokines. This study analyzed the effect of the co-culture of neuron cells with P. gingivalis coated with anti-P. gingivalis antibodies against cytokines produced by neuron cells. The gene expressions of the TNF, IL1B, NOS2 in neurons was evaluated using RT-qPCR. The results showed that P. gingivalis coated with anti-P. gingivalis antibody before co-culture with neuron cells could decrease the gene expression of TNF, IL1B, and NOS2 of neuron cells.
Corneal laser procedure for vision improvement in patients with late stage dry age-related macular degeneration - a retrospective observational cohort study
Authors: Stein Raymond M. , Markowitz Samuel N. , Berry II Michael J. , Berry Michael J.
Published: December 2020

Purpose: To determine the safety and efficacy of corneal photovitrification (CPV), a new corneal laser procedure, for vision improvement in patients with late stage dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Design:  Retrospective observational cohort study

Participants:  32 eyes of 17 patients with late stage dry AMD; each eye received a single CPV corneal laser procedure and had 12 months (12m) post-treatment (Tx) follow-up.

Methods: Pre- and post-Tx examinations included slit-lamp biomicroscopy, subjective manifest refraction, best corrected distance and near visual acuity (BCDVA and BCNVA), and potential visual acuity (PVA). Additional examinations including contrast sensitivity (CS), corneal topography (CT), ray tracing aberrometry (RTA) and microperimetry (MP) were obtained for a subgroup (n=12) of eyes.

Main Outcome Measures:  BCDVA, BCNVA, PVA, CS, CT, RTA and MP measurements

Results:  Safety – There were no complications or adverse events.   Efficacy – Mean (± SD) BCDVA improved significantly (p < 0.004) from 20/238 (1.08 logMAR) at baseline to 20/144 (0.86 logMAR) at 12m post-Tx corresponding to 11.0 (± 13.1) letters gained.  Mean contrast sensitivity improved significantly (p < 0.05) by a factor of 1.86 from baseline at 12m post-Tx.

Conclusions:  Subject to the limitation of a small sample size, this pilot study indicates that the CPV corneal laser procedure is safe and efficacious for vision improvement in patients with late stage dry AMD.  The CPV Tx mechanism of action involves retinal irradiance distribution modifications that may stimulate patient use of functional, rather than atrophied, retinal regions.
A review of jumping plant lice of the genus Ctenarytaina (Hemiptera, Psylloidea, Aphalaridae) associated with Syzygium (Myrtaceae)

Authors: BURCKHARDT DANIEL , GILIOMEE JAN H. , HAMILTON-ATTWELL VICTOR L. , QUEIROZ DALVA L.
Published: December 2020

Twelve Ctenarytaina species with confirmed or suspected associations with Syzygium are revised. The following six new species are diagnosed, described and illustrated: Ctenarytaina baliota Burckhardt sp. nov. (from Malaysia: Sabah), C. daleae Burckhardt sp. nov. (Malaysia: Sabah), C. loebli Burckhardt sp. nov. (Malaysia: Sabah), C. melanota Burckhardt sp. nov. (South Africa), C. picea Burckhardt sp. nov. (Thailand) and C. taylori Burckhardt sp. nov. (Malaysia: Sabah). One new generic synonym is proposed (Ctenarytaina = Eurhinocola syn. nov.) as are two new combinations: Ctenarytaina aurata (Li), comb. nov. from Neophyllura, and Ctenarytaina gravelyi (Crawford), comb. nov. from Eurhinocola.  A key is provided to adults and, as far as known, to the fifth instar immatures. Two African species (Ctenarytaina fomenae Tamesse and C. melanota sp. nov.) induce witches’ broom on their hosts. Confirmed host plants of Ctenarytaina species are from Syzygium (6 spp.), Eucalyptus (5 spp.) and other Myrtaceae, as well as from one genus in each of the families Onagraceae, Rutaceae and Theaceae. More than two thirds of the species with confirmed hosts are monophagous, the others are narrowly oligophagous. About one fifth of the described Ctenarytaina species have adventive populations outside their natural range. Key words: adventive, distribution, host plant, Phytoplasma, Spondyliaspidinae, Sternorrhyncha, taxonomy, witches’ broom
En torno a la permeabilidad de la teoría cinematográfica: Una reflexión sobre las  correlaciones  en el marco de la escuela clásica soviética
Authors: Caballero Molina Juan José
Published: December 2020

Dins de la intensa escena teòrica que es desplega en el context soviètic postrevolucionari, amb l'objecte d'explorar i desentranyar els engranatges sobre els quals s'articula la pràctica creativa de qualsevol tipus, l'expressió cinematogràfica es veurà erigida a mode de plataforma privilegiada on es donen cita els dominis reflexius propis de la teoria literària i de la musicologia.Així, en el si de la primerenca tradició teoritzadora emanada substancialment de l'exercici muntatgista resulta convocat un apassionat diàleg especulatiu al voltant de ritmes, metàfores i intervals. Desvetllar des d'una perspectiva integradora les íntimes connexions que es teixeixen al seu interior constitueix l'objecte d'aquest article.
Ser corpo, ser obra: exposição O Corpo é a Casa de Erwin Wurm
Authors: Alves Adriana Andrade
Published: December 2020

Ressenya de l'exposició “El cos és la casa” de l'artist Erwim Wurm (2017).
2  J, 10  Hz, 1047  nm Nd:YLF master oscillator power amplifier laser
with near-diffraction-limited beam quality
Authors: Makarov A. M. , Kornev A. F. , Katsev Yu. V. , Stupnikov V. K.
Published: December 2020

We report on a joule-level, 1047 nm Nd:YLF master oscillator power
amplifier laser with near-diffraction-limited beam quality. The master
oscillator and two-stage two-pass amplifier were all-flashlamp-pumped.
The laser produced 2 J output pulses with 3 ns duration at 10 Hz pulse
repetition rate. High beam quality was achieved by using a liquid
stimulated Brillouin scattering mirror and additional
astigmatism compensation.
Performance of an OFDM STBC-MISO system in uplink terrestrial-satellite laser communication
Authors: Wang Yi , Wang Qianqian
Published: December 2020

We propose a space-time block coded multiple input single output (STBC-MISO) terrestrial-satellite laser communication uplink system based on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation. It further uses Málaga distribution to simulate near-ground turbulence. Considering the combined effects of the uplink light intensity scintillation, beam wander, and angle-of-arrival fluctuation, a closed expression of the terrestrial-satellite uplink bit error rate for the proposed system is derived. The simulation analyzes the influence of transmitting radius, receiving aperture, beam divergence, zenith angle, and signal-to-noise ratio on the system’s error performance, and compares it with OFDM modulated single input single output (SISO) and differential phase-shift keying-modulated SISO schemes. Finally, the experimental data are verified by the Monte Carlo method. This research provides a theoretical basis for research on MISO terrestrial-satellite laser communication uplink system coding technology.
Direct reconstruction of two ultrashort pulses based on non-interferometric frequency-resolved optical gating
Authors: Hidalgo-Rojas Diego , Rojas-Aedo Ricardo , Alastair Wheatley Robert , Gence Loïk , Seifert Birger
Published: December 2020

We describe a non-interferometric ultrashort-pulse measurement technique based on frequency-resolved optical gating (FROG) with which pulses can be reconstructed directly, i.e. non-iteratively. Two different FROG spectrograms are measured, which represent the only information required to reconstruct the amplitudes and phases of two independent input pulses. The direct reconstruction method is demonstrated with a single-shot FROG setup used to obtain the spectrograms generated from two synchronized input pulses. To demonstrate and determine the reconstruction quality for complex pulses, a programmable pulse shaper is used to modify the pulses sourced from a Kerr-lens mode-locked Ti:sapphire oscillator.
Frequency division combined machining method to improve polishing efficiency of continuous phase plate by bonnet polishing
Authors: Zhong Bo , Deng Wenhui , Chen Xianhua , Wen Shenglin , Wang Jian , Xu Qiao
Published: December 2020

Continuous phase plate (CPP), as a key diffractive optical element, is difficult to manufacture owing to its random and small features. In this paper, a novel frequency division combined machining (FDCM) method was proposed to improve polishing efficiency of CPP by optimizing the tool influence functions (TIFs) over targeted frequency bands. In addition, the convergence rate of power spectral density (CR-PSD) was proposed to evaluate the correct ability of TIF in different frequency bands, and to determine the division frequency for the combined processing. Through simulation verification, the combined processing with optimized TIFs by FDCM enabled high precision in less total time than that with single TIF processing. The experimental results verified that the method could imprint a 300 × 300 mm CPP with residual root-mean-square 24.7 nm after approximately 6-h bonnet polishing. Comparing the focal spots of designed and fabricated CPPs, the deviation of their energy concentration within 500 microns is only 0.22%. Hence, bonnet polishing using the FDCM is a new technical option for the production of large-aperture CPPs. Furthermore, the FDCM method shows a significant increase in efficiency, and it could be a generic method for CPP processing through other technologies, including magnetorheological and ion beam finishing.
Single-frame coherent diffraction imaging of extended objects using triangular aperture
Authors: Kang Jungmin , Takazawa Shuntaro , Ishiguro Nozomu , Takahashi Yukio
Published: December 2020

We propose a method of single-frame coherent diffraction imaging using a triangular aperture, which can not only reconstruct the projection image of extended objects from a single-frame coherent diffraction pattern, but also improve the image of the wavefield of the probe. In this method, a plane-wave illuminates a triangular aperture. An object is placed immediately after the aperture or in the image plane of the aperture through a lens. A far-field coherent diffraction pattern is collected by a two-dimensional detector. The object image is reconstructed from the single-frame diffraction pattern using a phase retrieval algorithm without support constraints. We simulate feasible experimental setups in the hard X-ray regime and show that this method can be practical use for single-frame coherent diffraction imaging. The present method has the potential exploring dynamic phenomena in materials science and biology with high spatiotemporal resolution using synchrotron radiation/free-electron lasers.
Spectrally efficient pilot tone-based compensation of inter-channel cross-phase modulation noise in a WDM coherent transmission using injection locking
Authors: Kan Takashi , Sato Kozo , Yoshida Masato , Hirooka Toshihiko , Kasai Keisuke , Nakazawa Masataka
Published: December 2020

We propose the precise and wideband compensation of the nonlinear phase noise caused by cross-phase modulation (XPM) among WDM channels using a pilot tone (PT) and injection locking for short-reach, higher-order QAM transmission. A high spectral efficiency is maintained by sharing a single PT among multiple channels. We describe a 60 ch, 3 Gbaud PDM−256 QAM transmission over 160 km, where the bit error rate was improved from 6 × 10−3 to 2 × 10−3 by employing the proposed XPM compensation technique, with a spectral efficiency of 10.3 bit/s/Hz. We also analyze the influence of the group delay caused by fiber chromatic dispersion that determines the compensation range achievable with a single PT. We obtained good agreement with the experimental results.
Delivery of CW laser power up to 300 watts at 1080 nm by an uncooled low-loss anti-resonant hollow-core fiber
Authors: Zhu Xinyue , Wu Dakun , Wang Yazhou , Yu Fei , Li Qiurui , Qi Yunfeng , Knight Jonathan , Chen Shufen , Hu Lili
Published: December 2020

In this paper, we report the use of a 3-meter low-loss anti-resonant hollow-core fiber (AR-HCF) to deliver up to 300 W continuous-wave laser power at 1080 nm wavelength from a commercial fiber laser source. A near-diffraction-limited beam is measured at the output of the AR-HCF and no damage to the uncooled AR-HCF is observed for several hours of laser delivery operation. The limit of AR-HCF coupling efficiency and laser-induced thermal effects that were observed in our experiment are also discussed.
All-optical self-switching with ultralow incident laser intensity assisted by a bound state in the continuum
Authors: Han Zhanghua , Cai Yangjian
Published: December 2020

We present a new, to the best of our knowledge, scheme of realizing all-optical switching by exploiting the phenomenon of the bound state in the continuum (BIC) supported by an array of slotted silicon disks. The air slot in an individual silicon disk works as a void antenna and can then help to excite the quasi-BIC (QBIC) mode by a linearly polarized plane wave. Thanks to the high quality factor of the QBIC resonance and the associated large local electric field enhancement, the self-switching effect is quite pronounced, and a laser power intensity level less than

1

K
W

/

c
m

2

is required to achieve a change of transmittance from 0 to above 65%.
Multidimensional topological strings by curved potentials: Simultaneous realization of a mobility edge and topological protection
Authors: Lin Chun-Yan , Marcucci Giulia , Wan Gang , Chuang You-Lin , Conti Claudio , Lee R.-K.
Published: December 2020

By considering a cigar-shaped trapping potential elongated in a proper curvilinear coordinate, we discover a new form of wave localization that arises from the interplay of geometry and topological protection. The potential is undulated in its shape such that local curvature introduces a geometrical potential. The curvature varying along the trap curvilinear axis encodes a topological Harper modulation. The varying geometry maps our system in a one-dimensional Andre-Aubry-Harper grating. We show that a mobility edge exists and topologically protected states arise. These states are extremely robust against disorder in the shape of the string. The results may be relevant to localization phenomena in Bose-Einstein condensates, optical fibers and waveguides, and new laser devices.
Biparental contributions of the H2A.B histone variant control embryonic development in mice
Authors: Molaro Antoine , Wood Anna J. , Janssens Derek , Kindelay Selina M. , Eickbush Michael T. , Wu Steven , Singh Priti , Muller Charles H. , Henikoff Steven , Malik Harmit S.
Published: December 2020

Histone variants expand chromatin functions in eukaryote genomes. H2A.B genes are testis-expressed short histone H2A variants that arose in placental mammals. Their biological functions remain largely unknown. To investigate their function, we generated a knockout (KO) model that disrupts all 3 H2A.B genes in mice. We show that H2A.B KO males have globally altered chromatin structure in postmeiotic germ cells. Yet, they do not show impaired spermatogenesis or testis function. Instead, we find that H2A.B plays a crucial role postfertilization. Crosses between H2A.B KO males and females yield embryos with lower viability and reduced size. Using a series of genetic crosses that separate parental and zygotic contributions, we show that the H2A.B status of both the father and mother, but not of the zygote, affects embryonic viability and growth during gestation. We conclude that H2A.B is a novel parental-effect gene, establishing a role for short H2A histone variants in mammalian development. We posit that parental antagonism over embryonic growth drove the origin and ongoing diversification of short histone H2A variants in placental mammals.
LSM12-EPAC1 defines a neuroprotective pathway that sustains the nucleocytoplasmic RAN gradient
Authors: Lee Jongbo , Park Jumin , Kim Ji-hyung , Lee Giwook , Park Tae-Eun , Yoon Ki-Jun , Kim Yoon Ki , Lim Chunghun
Published: December 2020

Nucleocytoplasmic transport (NCT) defects have been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases such as C9ORF72-associated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia (C9-ALS/FTD). Here, we identify a neuroprotective pathway of like-Sm protein 12 (LSM12) and exchange protein directly activated by cyclic AMP 1 (EPAC1) that sustains the nucleocytoplasmic RAN gradient and thereby suppresses NCT dysfunction by the C9ORF72-derived poly(glycine-arginine) protein. LSM12 depletion in human neuroblastoma cells aggravated poly(GR)-induced impairment of NCT and nuclear integrity while promoting the nuclear accumulation of poly(GR) granules. In fact, LSM12 posttranscriptionally up-regulated EPAC1 expression, whereas EPAC1 overexpression rescued the RAN gradient and NCT defects in LSM12-deleted cells. C9-ALS patient-derived neurons differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (C9-ALS iPSNs) displayed low expression of LSM12 and EPAC1. Lentiviral overexpression of LSM12 or EPAC1 indeed restored the RAN gradient, mitigated the pathogenic mislocalization of TDP-43, and suppressed caspase-3 activation for apoptosis in C9-ALS iPSNs. EPAC1 depletion biochemically dissociated RAN-importin β1 from the cytoplasmic nuclear pore complex, thereby dissipating the nucleocytoplasmic RAN gradient essential for NCT. These findings define the LSM12-EPAC1 pathway as an important suppressor of the NCT-related pathologies in C9-ALS/FTD.