bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
OR16-01 The Expression of the Homeodomain Transcription Factor SIX3 within Kisspeptin Neurons Is Necessary for Reproduction in Mice
Authors: Lavalle Shanna N , Hernandez Jacqueline , Mellon Pamela L
Published: May 2020

The homeodomain transcription factor SIX3 is necessary for normal reproductive processes in mice. The loss of a single allele results in haploinsufficient phenotypes that are reflective of individuals with Kallmann Syndrome, such as hypogonadism, reduced GnRH neurons, and anosmia. Six3 heterozygous mice have reproductive impairments including an increased time to first litter, increased estrous cycle lengths in females, and fewer litters in males compared to wildtype controls. Prior studies found that deleting SIX3 specifically from GnRH neurons did not recapitulate the same phenotypes produced from a global knockout of the Six3 allele and imposed no reproductive abnormalities. This suggests that the role of SIX3 in reproduction is due to SIX3 populations outside of GnRH neurons. Using qPCR and RNA-seq, we have verified that Six3 is expressed in arcuate nucleus (ARC) and anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) populations of kisspeptin neurons and can regulate the kisspeptin promoter in vitro. This led us to hypothesize that SIX3 in kisspeptin neurons is required for Kiss1 regulation and maximal fertility. We selectively deleted Six3 from kisspeptin neurons by crossing a Six3-floxed mouse with a Kiss1-Cre mouse to produce Six3 flox/flox; Kiss1-Cre positive mice (cKO) and Six3 flox/flox, Kiss-Cre negative littermates (controls). In female mice, we found that the loss of SIX3 from kisspeptin neurons disrupted the estrous cycle and reduced fertility. Compared to controls, cKO mice had fewer cycles in a 16-day period (0.38 vs 1.44; p=0.004; n=8-9), and spent a greater percentage of time in diestrus (80.5 vs 61.8; p=0.002; n=8-9) and a smaller percentage of time in estrus (15.6 vs 29.2; p=0.030; n=8-9). The loss of kisspeptin-specific SIX3 also resulted in reduced fecundity, with the cKO female mice having fewer pups within 90 days (15.0 vs 34.4; p=0.048; n=5-6) compared to controls. In addition to its importance in female mice, kisspeptin-specific SIX3 also plays a role in male fertility. We found that male cKO mice had reduced motile sperm (52.2% vs 72.5%; p=0.012; n=7-9) compared to controls. We also assayed levels of Kiss1 mRNA in the male arcuate nucleus and observed decreased Kiss1 levels compared to controls (0.34 vs 1.01; p=0.042; n=3-4). These results support our hypothesis that SIX3 in kisspeptin neurons is necessary for critical reproductive processes in both females and males, including progression through the estrous cycle, fecundity, and sperm motility, potentially through Kiss1 regulation.
SAT-645 An Indication for Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Glucocorticoid-Treated Patients with Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Sandhu Harjyot , Gilden Janice L , Wentz Lynne
Published: May 2020

Introduction: Continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMS) are increasingly used to optimize management of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the outpatient setting. CGMS measure interstitial glucose concentration, which closely approximates plasma glucose after a short time lag, every 5 min for up to 72 h. CGMS provides detailed information regarding nocturnal and postprandial glycemia, whereas standard finger-stick blood glucose (BG) monitoring regimens do not. As such, CGMS has the potential to provide great insight into the glycemic effect of Glucocorticoid (GC) therapy. Case Presentation: A 76-year-old male with past medical history of DM type 2 with retinopathy and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) requiring home oxygen therapy underwent CGMS for 2 weeks for optimization of BG control. Most recent HbA1C was 7.6%. His DM regimen included Levemir 30 units in AM and 50 units in PM, Aspart 22 units with breakfast, 18 units with lunch and 25 units with dinner, and Metformin 500mg PO BID. During this study the average BG for first 10 days on CGMS was 123-154 mg/dL with BG below 80 mg/dL about 5-28% of time. He had an acute flare of IPF during the study and prednisone 10 mg PO daily was required on the last 2 days. After starting prednisone postprandial hyperglycemia (HYPER) was noted and average BG values ranged from 185-238 mg/dL and no hypoglycemia (HYPO) was noted. Discussion: Endogenous GC excess in Cushing’s syndrome predominantly increases post-prandial BG concentration with fasting BG often in the normal range. If exogenous GCs cause a similar pattern of HYPER, current conventional strategies may inadequately treat postprandial HYPER, and use of long-acting basal insulin may precipitate nocturnal HYPO. Avoidance of HYPO is important because it has been implicated as a potential cause of increased mortality in patients receiving intensive insulin therapy. However, few studies have provided a detailed analysis of the effect of various GCs with different half-lives on BG concentration to optimize treatment of GC-induced HYPER. Our findings have important implications for clinical practice. First, prednisone-treated patients should be educated regarding the importance of checking capillary BG concentration after lunch and before and after dinner, because reliance on measurement of morning BG is likely to underestimate prednisone-induced HYPER. Second, glucose-lowering therapy should be predominantly directed at the time period between midday and midnight. Caution should be exercised with the use of long-acting basal insulin, because it may precipitate nocturnal HYPO, when the effect of prednisone wanes. Because the first glucose excursion begins on an average 3 h after prednisone administration, higher insulin doses at lunch and dinner are likely to be required. Furthermore, CGMS can be used to evaluate glycemic control in patients with DM when treated with various glucocorticoids.
SAT-073 Testicular Abnormalities in the Absence of Precocious Puberty in Mccune-Albright Syndrome
Authors: Verma Arushi , Di Blasi Carolina Cecilia
Published: May 2020

Background: Mc-Cune Albright Syndrome (MAS) is a rare disorder characterized by skeletal lesions, skin hyperpigmentation and hyperfunctioning endocrinopathies. Gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty is the most common endocrinopathy, known to be more common in females than males, but little is known about male gonadal pathology in MAS.

Clinical case: 3-year-old boy presented with worsening unilateral limp and was noted to have a pathologic femoral fracture. Bone scan demonstrated extensive fibrous dysplasia in the long bones and skull base. He had a large café au lait spot on the back. He was diagnosed with MAS on clinical criteria.

At 4 years of age, initial exam was normal without signs of precocious puberty. Linear growth followed the 70th percentile, on track for his genetic background (mid parental height 70th percentile). Initial hormonal work up showed normal thyroid function, prolactin, growth factors and pre-pubertal gonadotropins and testosterone.

At 6 years of age, he started to demonstrate bilateral testicular enlargement of 4-6 mL with pubic hair Tanner stage I. Bone age was concordant with chronologic age. Gonadotropins and testosterone level were pre-pubertal. Testicular ultrasound showed bilateral enlargement with punctuate densities without evidence of hydrocele or mass.

By 8 years of age, he had further testicular enlargement to 8 mL bilaterally, normal penile length 5.5 cm (6.2 ± 1.0) and no pubic hair. Biochemical evaluation showed normal thyroid function and pre-pubertal gonadotropins and testosterone. Repeat testicular ultrasound showed heterogeneous echotexture representing microlithiasis, without a focal mass.

Conclusion: Macroorchidism can be present in the absence of gonadotropin independent precocious puberty in MAS. Testicular ultrasound evaluation is important, as hyper-hypoechoic lesions, bilateral microlithiasis, focal calcifications, are the most common testicular abnormality in males with MAS.

Microlithiasis, due to calcium deposits within the seminiferous tubules, have been described often in this condition, and should be considered a marker of male MAS. The natural history of male fertility and testicular cancer risk in the context of microlithiasis and testicular calcifications is unknown. Close observation and testicular imaging at baseline and after age 5, to characterize subclinical involvement, are an appropriate course to follow.
MON-084 Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State as Initial Presentation of Type 1 Diabetes in Children
Authors: D’Ambrosio Fabiola , Marranzini-Rodriguez Isabella , Castaneda Roxana Aguirre , Boucher-Berry Claudia
Published: May 2020

INTRODUCTION: We present 2 pediatric patients with Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS) at diabetes onset.

CASE 1:

3 year old African American female presented to the pediatrician office with a 5 day history of polydipsia, polyuria and emesis. POCT glucose read high and patient was transferred to the PICU. Laboratory studies were significant for serum glucose of 1032 mg/dl, Na 128 mMOL/L (corrected 142mMOL/L), VBG showed pH 7.36, HCO3 20 mMOL/L, Serum osm 331 mOsm/Kg. Patient received a 20ml/kg bolus of 0.9%NaCl, followed by 2 times maintenance IV fluids and glargine 2 units. Glucose dropped from 418 to 122 mg/dl in 3 hours. Due to this Dextrose was added and IVF rate was decreased.

CASE 2:

8 year old African American obese male was admitted to the PICU for management of new onset diabetes. He presented with 3 days of flu-like symptoms and worsening drowsiness. Patient had increased consumption of large quantities of sugary beverages due to increased thirst. Laboratory workup: serum glucose of 2309 mg/dl, Na 133 mMOL/L (corrected 168 mMOL/L), pH 7.13, HCO3 10 mMOL/L. Patient was given 30 cc/kg NS bolus followed by an insulin drip of 0.1 u/kg/hour. Repeat studies 3 hours later showed a serum glucose of 1,414 mg/dl, Na 152 mMol/L (corrected 184 mMOL/L), pH 7.19, HCO3 17 mMOL/L, and serum osmolality of 408 mOsm/Kg. IVF were adjusted to correct the water deficit and insulin drip was decreased to 0.05u/kg/hour.

DISCUSSION: HHS continues to be a challenging diagnosis due to its low frequency compared with Diabetic Ketoacidosis especially when presenting at a very young age. Most practitioners will mistake the presentation for DKA and start an insulin drip. The early use of insulin is not necessary in the setting of HHS due to the risk of complications. A fast drop in glucose decreases the osmotic pressure and compromises the circulatory status with a higher chance of thromboembolism. In mixed HHS and DKA, the management aligns more with the DKA management but the amount of fluids needed is higher and insulin infusion may cause fast drop of glucose with potential decrease of intravascular volume as in our second patient. It is imperative that the diagnosis of HHS is made early so that the appropriate treatment can be instituted.

CONCLUSION: Appropriate fluid administration and delay in insulin administration are key in the management of HHS. The awareness of this possible presentation and the early recognition and appropriate fluid management are needed to improve outcomes.

REFERENCE:

Zeitler, Phil, et al. “Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Syndrome in Children: Pathophysiological Considerations and Suggested Guidelines for Treatment.” The Journal of Pediatrics, vol. 158, no. 1, 2011, doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2010.09.048
MON-353 Tumor-Induced Osteomalacia from a Hypervascular Thoracic Paraspinal Mass: Challenges in Diagnosis and Management
Authors: Perez Paola M , Fu Polly , Folick Andrew , Ku Gregory Michael , Shoback Dolores M , Lee Janet Yi Man
Published: May 2020

Background: Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is a paraneoplastic syndrome driven by ectopic production of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), resulting in renal phosphate wasting, hypophosphatemia, and bone demineralization. Successful therapy requires complete resection of the tumor, which is often challenging to localize. Clinical Case: A bedridden 37-year-old woman presented to Endocrine Clinic after 9 years of progressive pain and weakness in her back, hips, and extremities. She had previously been diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease, though an MRI from 5 years ago showed bilateral subacute sacral ala fractures. CT scan on presentation showed generalized osteopenia and numerous subacute to chronic atraumatic fractures (involving ribs, scapula, pubic rami, and right femoral shaft) concerning for osteomalacia. On exam, she had profound lower extremity weakness. Laboratory testing was notable for serum phosphorus 0.6 mg/dL (normal (nl) 2.5-4.9), calcium 8.4 mg/dL (nl 8.5-10.5), PTH 216 pg/mL (nl 13-85), 25-OH vitamin D 26 ng/mL (nl 30-100), alkaline phosphatase 345 U/L (nl 45-130), 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D 28 pg/mL (nl 18-72), renal tubular phosphorus reabsorption TmP/GFR 0.53 mg/dL (nl 2.97-4.45), and inappropriately normal FGF23 level 170 RU/mL (nl<180). Phosphate salts, calcitriol, and cinacalcet were initiated. Octreotide scan was negative, but 18F-FDG PET/CT showed mild hypermetabolic activity in the lower thoracic paraspinal area correlating with a 3.4 cm hypervascular mass near the left 8th rib head and two adjacent nodules on MRI. Due to bleeding risk, biopsy was deferred and further confirmatory studies were pursued. Genetic testing for hereditary forms of hypophosphatemia (FGF23, CLCN5, DMP1, ENPP1, FGFR1, PHEX) was negative. 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT was not available, but selective venous sampling for FGF23 revealed a 3:1 ratio between venous drainage of the tumor bed and general circulation. Based on this localization, surgical resection was performed. Pathology was consistent with a phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor, but clear margins could not be confirmed due to intraoperative tumor fragmentation. Three months of medical management with phosphate salts and calcitriol normalized her phosphorus levels (2.5-3.3 mg/dL), and she underwent surgical repair of her femoral fracture. Although MRI revealed only postsurgical changes in the spine, her continued requirement for phosphate supplementation and persistently elevated FGF23 levels (258 RU/mL) are concerning for residual tumor. Conclusion: This case illustrates the challenges of TIO due to a hypervascular mass in a rare paraspinal site localized by selective venous sampling for the first time at our institution. The patient’s continued FGF23 elevation underscores the importance of advancing medical therapies, such as burosumab, in patients with TIO that are not amenable to complete surgical resection.
OR33-05 Amino Acid Signature of Abdominal Obesity in the TwinsUK Cohort
Authors: Maltais-Payette Ina , Vijay Jinchu , Grunberg Elin , Tchernof Andre
Published: May 2020

Background and aim: Metabolomic studies have shown that circulating amino acid levels are altered in the context of obesity. The branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs, namely leucine, isoleucine and valine) have been the most studied because of their consistent positive association with adiposity and their ability to prospectively predict type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (1). Circulating glutamate has been much less investigated, but some have shown that its specific association with central fat accumulation was stronger than that of BCAAs (2). This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between circulating glutamate and abdominal obesity and the impact of genetic factors on this association. Methods: In the TwinsUK cohort, we selected individuals for whom both metabolomics and DXA trunk fat measurements were available (n=4 665). We used linear regression to assess the correlation between glutamate level and trunk fat. Those with a trunk fat mass greater than 15 kg were considered abdominally obese. We compared the odds of presenting abdominal obesity in each circulating glutamate quintile with logistic regression models. Monozygotic twin pairs discordant for trunk fat were selected to identify analyte differences driven by non-genetic factors. All analyses were also performed with BCAAs for comparison. Results: Circulating glutamate was positively and significantly associated with trunk fat (β: 0.28, 95%CI: 0.26-0.31). Individuals in the highest circulating glutamate quintile had a more than 8-fold higher risk of being characterized by abdominal obesity compared to those in the lowest quintile (OR: 8.44, 95%CI: 6.17-11.55). In the 54 monozygotic twin pairs discordant for trunk fat, the heavier twin had significantly higher glutamate level compared to the leaner co-twin (p-value: 4.05e-07). In all these analyses, the results for glutamate were more significant than with any of the BCAAs. Conclusion: There is a positive relationship between circulating glutamate and trunk fat that is partially independent of genetic background. This often-overlooked metabolite might represent an interesting biomarker of abdominal obesity. References: (1) Newgard (2017). Metabolomics and Metabolic Diseases: Where Do We Stand? Cell Metab, 25(1), 43-56, (2) Kimberly et al. (2017). Metabolite profiling identifies anandamide as a biomarker of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. JCI Insight, 2(9).
MON-342 Severe Hypocalcemia and Psuedotumor Cerebri: Old, Still Not so Well Known Relationship
Authors: Patil Madhuri , Butler Valerie , Cameron Benjamin , Jamil Nadia , Egbe Tiffany
Published: May 2020

Introduction:

Severe headaches with nonspecific characteristics raise concern for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) in a young adult female patient. Clinical features of severe headache, vision loss, and papilledema; normal neuroimaging and elevated opening pressure on lumbar puncture are diagnostic of IIH or pseudotumor cerebri. Etiology is often attributed to obesity in young female patients. We present a rare case of Pseudotumor cerebri in a non-obese female patient with severe hypocalcemia.

Case:

A 26 year old Hispanic female patient with past medical history of hypocalcemia, but off her medications, presented to ER for worsening headache for over a month. Without any specific triggers, she began having headaches in her bitemporal region. The pain was continuous, pressure-type, and 9/10 intensity at its worst. It was associated with nausea and blurring of vision and was refractory to ibuprofen. Patient endorsed severe muscle cramps on review of systems. Physical examination demonstrated mild distress due to the headache, positive Trousseau’s sign, and bilateral papilledema. Laboratory studies revealed serum total calcium level of 4.8 mg/dL, albumin 3.5 g/dL, ionized calcium 0.71 mmol/L, serum phosphate 5.3 mg/dL, intact PTH 300.1 pg/mL, 25-OH Vitamin D 14.3 ng/mL and 1, 25-Dihydoxy Vitamin D 14.1 pg/mL, alkaline phosphatase 131 IU/L, 24-hour urinary calcium 48mg/d and 24 hour urinary calcium/creatinine ratio 50 mg/g. Her MRI brain and MR venogram were unremarkable. Lumbar puncture had elevated opening pressure of 46 cm of H2O. The patient was started on Acetazolamide, oral calcium, and calcitriol without resolution of headaches and hypocalcemia. Acetazolamide was discontinued when she developed severe hypokalemia. With diagnosis of pseudohypoparathyroidism, the dose of elemental calcium was doubled and calcitriol dose increased to 1 mcg BID with improvement of serum calcium, symptoms, and papilledema.

Discussion:

While IIH could be associated with certain medications and systemic conditions, obesity or recent weight gain are the most commonly cited causes of IIH. Severe hypocalcemia is a rare and less known etiology of IIH. Cases of adult patients are reported with a variety of etiologies of severe hypocalcemia. Severe hypocalcemia leading to hypersecretion of cerebrospinal fluid is postulated as a possible mechanism but evidence is lacking in literature. Chronic, rather than acute, severe hypocalcemia is likely to precipitate IIH. Visual symptoms, headache and papilledema are difficult to resolve with conventional medical therapy without correction of underlying severe hypocalcemia. We conclude that before considering surgical interventions for cases which are refractory to medical therapy, rare underlying conditions like severe hypocalcemia must be investigated and treated optimally.
SUN-513 Severe Hyperthyroidism in a Complete Molar Pregnancy
Authors: Proudan Nikoletta , Andre Kersthine
Published: May 2020

Hydatidiform mole (HM), a type of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), is a rare cause of clinical hyperthyroidism. The development of hyperthyroidism requires an elevation of HCG >100,000 mlU/mL for several weeks. Complete mole has a marked HCG elevation compared to partial mole thus presents with a higher incidence of thyrotoxicosis. Surgical uterine evacuation is the treatment of choice for HM. However, untreated hyperthyroidism can pose a risk for the development of thyroid storm and high-output cardiac failure in the perioperative period. To our knowledge, there are no specific guidelines for management at this time. We present a case of hyperthyroidism secondary to complete molar pregnancy successfully treated with propylthiouracil (PTU), potassium iodide (SSKI), and atenolol in the preoperative period.

A 42-year-old female with history of migraines presented to her gynecologist with a 3-week history of lower abdominal cramping, vomiting, loss of appetite, and abnormal vaginal bleeding. She also endorsed a 6-pound weight loss, intermittent tachycardia, exertional dyspnea, and increased anxiety. Pregnancy test was positive, and ultrasound was concerning for GTD. Laboratory work up was significant for HCG 797,747 mIU/mL (< 5mlU/mL), TSH <0.005 mIU/mL (0.4-4.0 mlU/mL), Free T4 3.09 ng/dL (0.9-1.9 ng/dL), and Free T3 11.48 pg/dL (1.76-3.78 pg/dL). The patient was admitted to the hospital and started on PTU 100 mg Q6H, SSKI 200 mg TID following the first dose of PTU, and atenolol 25 mg daily. She underwent an uncomplicated D & C the next day. On post-op day 1, HCG decreased to 195,338 mIU/mL and Free T4 to 2.39 ng/dL. The patient was discharged on the aforementioned doses of PTU and atenolol. One-week follow-up labs showed HCG 8,917 mIU/mL and Free T4 1.22 ng/dL. Surgical pathology confirmed a complete hydatidiform mole. PTU was decreased to 50 mg TID. On post-op day 14, HCG had risen to 15,395 mIU/mL with onset of nausea and vomiting. Repeat Free T4 remained within reference range. Patient was taken back to surgery for a laparoscopic total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy. Pathology confirmed an invasive hydatidiform mole. Two-week follow-up lab work showed HCG 155 mIU/mL, TSH 1.5 mIU/mL, and Free T4 1.19 ng/dL. PTU and atenolol were then discontinued.

The development of hyperthyroidism in molar pregnancy is largely influenced by the level of HCG and usually resolves with treatment of GTD (1). However, it’s crucial to control thyrotoxicosis to avoid perioperative complications. This case also highlights the importance of monitoring HCG levels following a complete molar pregnancy due to an increased risk for invasive neoplasm.

1. Walkington, L et al. “Hyperthyroidism and human chorionic gonadotrophin production in gestational trophoblastic disease.” British journal of cancer vol. 104,11 (2011): 1665-9. doi:10.1038/bjc.2011.139
Chaucer’s “Summoner’s Tale” and the Logic of Literature
Authors: Perry R. D.
Published: May 2020

This essay discusses the fart joke that ends Geoffrey Chaucer’s “Summoner’s Tale.” It argues that the joke uses the language of medieval philosophy to satirize the work of medieval Scholastic philosophers. The essay begins by examining Chaucer’s relationship to philosophy more broadly and the scholarly controversies over Chaucer’s familiarity with this field of knowledge. It focuses on the way Chaucer uses disciplinary-specific jargon from philosophy, and from medieval logic more particularly, in “The Summoner’s Tale.” The language and content of the joke in “The Summoner’s Tale” are a burlesque play on the interests of the Merton Calculators, who used the logical thinking Scholasticism had developed in response to theological problems to investigate problems associated with natural philosophy. Chaucer’s joke reveals the way that the logical work of philosophers like Thomas Aquinas and the Merton Calculators relies on formal qualities more closely associated with literature, namely, character and narrative. In making a case that literature and logic rely on these same formal structures, Chaucer affirms literature’s capacity to present examples, concrete manifestations of philosophical or logical problems. He suggests that logic is attempting to make stories to work out problems, something that literature can do more effectively.
From Heritage to Refugee Heritage
Authors: Hochberg Gil
Published: May 2020

As a contemporary concept, heritage bridges legal discourse and ethical discourse, national affiliations and a global imaginary, colonial pasts and neocolonial presents. The term often circulates beliefs in cultural authenticity, collective memory, and historical merit under the logic of neoliberal markets and legitimate capital gain, hence the tight connections between cultural heritage, industry, and tourism. While the concept developed as early as the nineteenth century in postrevolutionary France, its expansive political, juridical, and symbolic use has matured only after the Second World War, primarily as a reaction to the mass destruction experienced in European cities. Managing “heritage” in the context of the global political imagination created after the war, UNESCO has become the key player, lead actor, and sole orchestrator of all things/sites/memories—tangible and intangible—defined as World Cultural Heritage. This article looks at recent critical engagement with heritage, and with UNESCO's role in identifying heritage sites, by exploring Refugee Heritage, a recent project of DAAR (Decolonizing Architecture Art Residency).
Introduction
Authors: Schäfers Marlene , Düzel Esin
Published: May 2020

How are resistance movements able to sustain political commitment and morale amid ongoing state violence? How do conflicts over sovereignty find articulation in contestations over affective belonging and moral values, thereby shaping intimate lives and gendered subjectivities? The five articles gathered in this special section take up these questions by ethnographically considering the complex internal dynamics of resistance movements in Kurdistan, Kashmir, and Western Sahara. They explore how these movements' struggles for alternative sovereignties and against colonial occupation and dispossession are translated into gendered expectations of loyalty, accusations of betrayal, and practices of critique. Investigating how Kurdish, Sahrawi, and Kashmiri militants, activists, and followers of resistance movements navigate the binary logics of loyalty and critique that violent conflict and occupation have rendered central to their lives, this special section shines new light on the morality of resistance and the gender of militancy.
Walking a Fine Line
Authors: Schäfers Marlene
Published: May 2020

The Kurdish resistance movement, one often hears in Kurdistan, Turkey, and beyond, has brought momentous change to a deeply patriarchal society and in this way paved the way for the empowerment of Kurdish women. Instead of discussing whether such empowerment has “actually” materialized, this article seeks to investigate what moral expectations, normative standards, and gendered subjectivities this narrative generates. The Kurdish case reveals how narratives of empowerment form a crucial part of the moral and gendered bargains that sustain and legitimate resistance movements. As they tie personal lives to political projects of resistance and liberation through notions like sacrifice, gift, and debt, such narratives shape political belonging and render critique a perilous undertaking. Tracing how Kurdish women seek to reconcile the dilemmas that arise as a result, the article reflects on the ways in which the political comes to be refracted in intimate realms of kinship and family. It contends that familial and personal relationships are crucial sites where expectations of political loyalty and allegiance take on shape and substance but are also negotiated and contested.
Beauty for Harmony
Authors: Düzel Esin
Published: May 2020

Beauty can be a source of self-making within a political community, and that self can display moral autonomy via publicly visible and invisible practices while still adhering to a community. At a time of transition during the early 2000s from militarized resistance to urban civil politics, radical democracy, and gender ideals, older militarized notions of the Kurdish self, body, and beauty were changing. In a context of heightened visibility within the movement, women active in the Kurdish movement responded by recrafting their femininities, using beautification practices as a modern, urban, and empowering political tool. But beautification of the new self also entailed often sticky negotiations over the moral boundaries between the self and the movement, producing anxieties over what and who should constitute the moral. As women's actions, public roles, and visibilities became important indicators of the Kurdish movement's political success, their beauty practices and beautiful visibilities came to be viewed through the urgent need for moral unity. Central to Kurdish women activists' experience of and response to the political and social transformations going on around them, the integration of beauty practices into their politics placed moral autonomy at the center of the construction of new models of Kurdish femininity.
Introduction
Authors: Elshakry Marwa
Published: May 2020

The seven reviews invited here by the editorial board engage with the question posed by the very title of Shahab Ahmed's book What Is Islam? Collectively, they consider how history can both illuminate and at times obscure our understanding of both the question and the attempt to answer it.
The Coherence of Contradiction
Authors: Sseremba Yahya
Published: May 2020

Shahab Ahmed shows that the magnitude of contradiction in Islam is far greater than modern analysts realize. Yet there is, he says, something in this contradiction that makes it coherent—something for which whoever seeks to understand Islam in its multifaceted entirety should look at. I propose that the insights of the book should be utilized to study the unity of conflicting traditions even in non-Muslim societies of Africa before colonialism downsized custom.
Procedure for Recording the Sale of the Founder’s Share in the Authorized Capital of the Enterprise
Authors: Ermakova Mariya
Published: May 2020

Th e article considers the procedure for forming the authorized capital of joint-stock companies and limited liability companies. Th e method of accounting for the sale of the founder’s share in the authorized capital of the enterprise is described in detail, and an example is given.
La epidemiología crítica y el despojo de tierras y territorios: una reflexión teórica
Authors: Paredes Hernández Natalia
Published: May 2020

Introducción: la epidemiología crítica, como propuesta epistémica para comprender los procesos de la salud, articula un sistema conceptual e instrumental que permite explicar cómo la salud y la enfermedad están determinadas socialmente. Para el caso de la población rural, el impacto de fenómenos geopolíticos como el acaparamiento y el despojo de tierras y territorios es determinante de sus procesos de salud-enfermedad. A lo largo de este artículo de reflexión teórica, se presentan una serie de enfoques y categorías propuestas por Jaime Breilh, quien ha sido pionero en la materia, e identifica su potencial para explicar la incidencia de dichos fenómenos en la modificación de los modos de vida y en la situación de salud de la población rural. Desarrollo: algunos componentes sustanciales de la epidemiología crítica, en relación con su pertinencia teórica y metodológica para analizar el despojo de tierras y los procesos de salud, son: la presencia de lo social en la epidemiología; la dimensión procesual y espacio-temporal; lo macro y lo micro: unidad y jerarquía; procesos protectores y destructores de la salud; y el concepto de metabolismo sociedad-naturaleza. Conclusiones: el despojo de tierras en Colombia ha sido de gran magnitud, y su resolución se considera un tema central para la construcción de la paz en el posconflicto. Desde el marco teórico de la epidemiología crítica, se posibilita adelantar investigaciones para abordar la incidencia del despojo, y el acaparamiento de tierras y territorios, en la situación de salud colectiva de la población rural. Este tipo de abordajes ha tenido poco desarrollo en el país y cobra importancia en el contexto actual, bajo el cual el extractivismo creciente amenaza los procesos vitales de las comunidades agrarias.
La técnica extractiva en la determinación social de la salud de las familias mineras de Potosí (Bolivia)
Authors: Kukoc Paz Isaac
Published: May 2020

Introducción: en este artículo, se presenta un análisis de la relación directa entre la técnica y la tecnificación extractivista de minerales en el histórico cerro Rico de Potosí (Bolivia) y la determinación social de la salud y la vida de la población potosina, a escalas general, particular y singular de relaciones de producción, poder y consumo generadoras de procesos críticos de salud-enfermedad. Desarrollo: desde la perspectiva de la transformación del espacio que propone Milton Santos, se analiza cómo, derivada del contexto histórico colonial de la minería en Potosí, surge la transformación instrumental que la explotación minera ha generado en el paisaje y la vida cotidiana de la población, de cuya fuerza de trabajo se abastece la mina. Conclusiones: se ilustran estas condiciones haciendo una descripción de las ocupaciones y de las enfermedades asociadas, así como de los inminentes efectos de la contaminación ambiental general, haciendo visible la naturalización de la enfermedad y la muerte en el trabajo minero por parte de las propias familias y de las instituciones involucradas.
UMA LEITURA STEAMPUNK DA OBRA A LIÇÃO DE ANATOMIA DO TEMÍVEL DR. LOUISON (2014), DE ENÉIAS TAVARES
Authors: Martins Adriana Claudia , Da Silva Suellen Cordovil
Published: May 2020

Neste artigo temos como objetivo analisar os elementos do subgênero de ficção científica intitulado steampunk a partir da obra A lição de anatomia do temível Dr. Louison (2014), de autoria de Enéias Tavares. Os estudos de Causo (2015), Pegoraro (2012a; 2012b) e Roberts (2018) são as bases que fundamentam teoricamente o estudo. Neste texto consideramos a relação dos personagens de domínio público dos clássicos da literatura nacional e investigamos como esses personagens foram recriados nesta narrativa steampunk. Assim, averiguamos as características ficcionais dessa narrativa imbricando-as à ficção considerada. Neste ínterim, apreendemos que a ficção científica alcançou seu espaço com a Revolução Industrial e com a mobilização dos recursos da ciência, os quais contribuíram para o desenvolvimento dos conceitos científicos.
ANÁLISIS A PRIORI DE UN INSTRUMENTO DE EVALUACIÓN SOBRE DIVISIBILIDAD DE NÚMEROS ENTEROS CON ANÁLISIS ESTADÍSTICO IMPLICATIVO
Authors: Espinoza Ricardo Fabián , Caputo Liliana Noemí , Bordón Paula Daniela , Ayala María Rocío , Porcel Eduardo Adolfo
Published: May 2020

Se presenta el análisis a priori de un cuestionario sobre divisibilidad de números enteros, mediante Análisis Estadístico Implicativo. Para realizarlo se construyó una matriz booleana en cuyas filas se consignaron los saberes requeridos para resolver los ítems en evaluación; éstos constituyen las columnas de la matriz Luego se realizó un análisis de similaridad de las variables determinándose cuatro clases de cuasi-equivalencia. Finalmente se construyó el grafo implicativo correspondiente a cada una de ellas a fin de establecer que relaciones de tipo causa-efecto existen entre las variables. Este estudio servirá de referencia para analizar, con la misma metodología, las respuestas de los alumnos que sean evaluados con este instrumento.Palabras clave: Análisis Estadístico Implicativo - Análisis a priori – Divisibilidad - Matriz MAP - Árbol de similaridad - Cuasi-implicaciones.
DECISÃO MULTICRITÉRIO DE SOFTWARE PARA ANÁLISE ECONOMÉTRICA
Authors: Serra Costa José Fabiano Da , Moreira Ana Paula Alves , Arruda Fernanda Helena Xavier de , Torquato Marina Christina De Melo
Published: May 2020

Esse artigo apresenta uma utilização de metodologia multicritério, especificamente do método de análise hierárquica (AHP) para escolha do software mais adequado para uma empresa de porte médio que atua no mercado financeiro, para análise econométrica na área de pesquisa e estudo macroeconômico. São definidos alternativas, critérios e especialistas e, apresentados o modelo desenvolvido com os respectivos resultados e a análise de consistência, que apontaram o software matlab como o mais adequado.Palavras-chaves: AHP; Software Econométrico; Decisão Multicritério.
Phase-shift laser range finder technique based on optical carrier phase modulation
Authors: He Hongyu , Sun Jianfeng , Lu Zhiyong , Xu Mengmeng , Lao Chenzhe , Han Ronglei , Cai Xinyu , Li Yuexin
Published: May 2020

A coherent laser range finder based on optical phase modulation and phase shift measurement is presented. In the proposed laser range finder, the emitted laser is modulated by an electro-optic phase modulator using a 20 MHz sine signal, and the received laser is mixed with a local oscillator using a 90° optical hybrid. Compared with traditional laser phase shift range finders, the proposed laser range finder can measure the velocity and range at high precision simultaneously. An algorithm to calculate the range and velocity is deduced. Our preliminary experiments on moving targets indicate that when the measurement rate is 100 kHz, the root mean square errors of range and velocity, respectively, are

9.35
×

10

−
4

m

and

4.74
×

10

−
4

m

/

s

.
Plastic optical fiber sensor for temperature-independent high-sensitivity detection of humidity
Authors: Zhong Nainbing , Xin Xin , Liu Huimin , Yu Xiaoyi , Chang Haixing , Tang Bing , Zhong Dengjie , Zhao Mingfu , Zhang Hongmin , Zhao Jie
Published: May 2020

A simple U-shaped plastic optical fiber evanescent-wave sensor was fabricated for temperature-independent highly sensitive detection of humidity. The sensing region of the sensor was subjected to five cycles of heating–cooling to improve temperature independence. The effects of the polyimide (PI) coating thickness, number of graphene oxide (GO) coating layers, and alternate PI–GO coating sequence were investigated to optimize sensitivity. The fabricated sensor exhibited high-temperature independence and good sensitivity of

0.17

×

10

−
2

(% relative

h
u
m
i
d
i
t
y

)

−
1

in the temperature range of 10°C to 70°C.
Skeleton extraction and inpainting from poor, broken ESPI fringe with an M-net convolutional neural network
Authors: Liu Chenxiu , Tang Chen , Xu Min , Hao Fugui , Lei Zhenkun
Published: May 2020

Extracting skeletons from fringe patterns is the key to the fringe skeleton method, which is used to extract phase terms in electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI). Because of massive inherent speckle noise, extracting skeletons from poor, broken ESPI fringe patterns is challenging. In this paper, we propose a method based on a modified M-net convolutional neural network for skeleton extraction from poor, broken ESPI fringe patterns. In our method, we pose the problem as a segmentation task. The M-net performs excellent segmentation, and we modify its loss function to suit our task. The broken ESPI fringe patterns and corresponding complete skeleton images are used to train the modified M-net. The trained network can extract and inpaint the skeletons simultaneously. We evaluate the performance of the network on two groups of computer-simulated ESPI fringe patterns and two groups of experimentally obtained ESPI fringe patterns. Two related recent methods, the gradient vector fields based on variational image decomposition and the U-net based method, are compared with our method. The results demonstrate that our method can obtain accurate, complete, and smooth skeletons in all cases, even where fringes are broken. It outperforms the two compared methods quantitatively and qualitatively.
Improving carrier transport in AlGaN deep-ultraviolet light-emitting diodes using a strip-in-a-barrier structure
Authors: Velpula Ravi Teja , Jain Barsha , Bui Ha Quoc Thang , Shakiba Fatemeh Mohammadi , Jude Jeffrey , Tumuna Moses , Nguyen Hoang-Duy , Lenka Trupti Ranjan , Nguyen Hieu Pham Trung
Published: May 2020

This paper reports the illustration of electron blocking layer (EBL)-free AlGaN light-emitting diodes (LEDs) operating in the deep-ultraviolet (DUV) wavelength at

∼

270

n
m

. In this work, we demonstrated that the integration of an optimized thin undoped AlGaN strip layer in the middle of the last quantum barrier (LQB) could generate enough conduction band barrier height for the effectively reduced electron overflow into the

p
-

G
a
N

region. Moreover, the hole injection into the multi-quantum-well active region is significantly increased due to a large hole accumulation at the interface of the AlGaN strip and the LQB. As a result, the internal quantum efficiency and output power of the proposed LED structure has been enhanced tremendously compared to that of the conventional

p
-

t
y
p
e

EBL-based LED structure.
Announcing the Advances in Optics and Photonics advisory board: editorial
Authors: Li Guifang
Published: May 2020

Editor-in-Chief Guifang Li announces the new editorial advisory board for the Journal.
Photonics-based simultaneous distance and velocity measurement of multiple targets utilizing dual-band symmetrical triangular linear frequency-modulated waveforms
Authors: Peng Shaowen , Li Shangyuan , Xue Xiaoxiao , Xiao Xuedi , Zheng Xiaoping
Published: May 2020

The distance and velocity measurement can be obtained by the round-trip time and Doppler effect on the down-chirp and the up-chirp of the linear frequency-modulated waveform (LFMW), but false targets will appear in a multi-target situation, resulting in erroneous detection. Here, we report a photonics-assisted approach to realize unambiguous simultaneous distance and velocity measurement in multi-target situations utilizing a dual-band symmetrical triangular LFMW. Dual-band observation invariance is proposed, to effectively resolve the false targets. The de-chirped signals can be obtained from parallel de-chirping processing to the dual-band echoes. By measuring and calculating the beat frequencies of the de-chirped signals in the two frequency bands, the actual parameter measurements can be acquired according to the authenticity criterion. In the experiments, detections to three targets are performed, and the distance and velocities are acquired without false targets. The absolute measurement errors of the distance and the velocity are less than 9 mm and 0.16 m/s, respectively. These results show the feasibility of the proposed approach.
Effects of disorder on two-photon absorption in amorphous semiconductors
Authors: Dutta Nikita S. , Almeida Juliana M. P. , Mendonça Cleber R. , Arnold Craig B.
Published: May 2020

Structural disorder inherent to amorphous materials affords them unique, tailorable properties desirable for diverse applications, but our ability to exploit these phenomena is limited by a lack of understanding of complex structure-property relationships. Here we focus on nonlinear optical absorption and derive a relationship between disorder and the two-photon absorption (2PA) coefficient. We employ an open-aperture Z-scan to measure the 2PA spectra of arsenic (III) sulfide (

A
s

2

S

3

) chalcogenide glass films processed with two solvents that impart different levels of structural disorder. We find that the effect of solvent choice on 2PA depends on the energy of the exciting photons and explain this as a consequence of bonding disorder and electron state localization. Our results demonstrate how optical nonlinearities in

A
s

2

S

3

can be enhanced through informed processing and present a fundamental relationship between disorder and 2PA for a generalized amorphous solid.
Lasing in a medium with the properties of a Christiansen filter
Authors: Burdukova Olga , Petukhov Vladimir , Senatsky Yuri
Published: May 2020

Dye lasing in a dense slurry-like mixture, similar to the optical medium of the Christiansen filter, is first reported. A cuvette with lithium fluoride (LiF) crystal particles and an immersion liquid containing pyrromethene 567 dye was placed in a two plane mirror resonator and pumped by pulses of the second harmonic of the neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. Twenty nanosecond pulses at 545–570 nm wavelengths with energies up to 0.6 mJ were obtained at the output of this slurry laser. The central part of the laser beam with a divergence of 6 mrad was usually accompanied by a ring structure of scattered radiation. The conditions of the generation development and formation of the output beam profile in a slurry laser as well as its possible applications are discussed.
Transmission filters forming orthogonal basis for spectral imaging purposes
Authors: Flinkman Mika , Saastamoinen Toni , Pääkkönen Pertti , Lehtolahti Joonas , Fält Pauli , Laamanen Hannu
Published: May 2020

Hyperspectral imaging has become a common technique in many different applications, enabling accurate identification of materials based on their optical properties; however, it requires complex and expensive technical implementation. A less expensive way to produce spectral data, spectral estimation, suffers from complex mathematics and limited accuracy. We introduce a novel, to the best of our knowledge, method where spectral reflectance curves can be reconstructed from the measured camera responses without complex mathematics. We have simulated the method with seven non-negative broadband transmission filters extracted from Munsell color data through principal component analysis and used sensitivity and noise levels characteristic of the Retiga 4000DC 12-bit monochrome camera. The method is sensitive to noise but produces sufficient reproduction accuracy even with six filters.
Incorporating Fecal Calprotectin Into Clinical Practice for Patients With Moderate-to-Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis Treated With Biologics or Small-Molecule Inhibitors
Authors: Dulai Parambir S. , Battat Robert , Barsky Maria , Nguyen Nghia H. , Ma Christopher , Narula Neeraj , Mosli Mahmoud , Vande Casteele Niels , Boland Brigid S. , Prokop Larry , Murad M. Hassan , D'Haens Geert , Feagan Brian G. , Sandborn William J. , Jairath Vipul , Singh Siddharth
Published: May 2020

INTRODUCTION:

We applied the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation framework to evaluate the performance of fecal calprotectin (FC) as an alternative to endoscopy in patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) treated with a biologic agent or tofacitinib.

METHODS:

Individual participant data from the trials of infliximab, golimumab, vedolizumab, and tofacitinib for UC were pooled to generate prevalence of endoscopic activity (Mayo endoscopy score) across different combinations of the rectal bleeding score (RBS) and stool frequency score (SFS). These estimates were then combined with the data from an updated systematic review of the operating properties of FC to generate clinical scenario–specific assessments of the performance of FC as a predictor of endoscopic disease activity. A prespecified threshold of acceptability for false-negative (FN) and false-positive (FP) test results was set at 5%.

RESULTS:

For patients with UC achieving RBS 0 + SFS 0/1, FC ≤ 50 μg/g may avoid endoscopy in 50% patients with a FN rate <5%. Similarly, for patients with RBS 2/3 + SFS 2/3, FC ≥ 250 μg/g potentially avoids endoscopy in approximately 50% patients with an FP rate <5%. The greatest uncertainty in the diagnostic performance for FC was observed in patients with UC achieving RBS 0 but having SFS 2/3, where FN and FP rates were consistently >10%, and endoscopic evaluation may be warranted.

DISCUSSION:

Two clinical scenarios were identified where FC can be used with confidence for monitoring treatment response to biologics or tofacitinib in patients with UC without the requirement for endoscopy.