bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating potential hydrological ecosystem services in urban gardens through soil amendment experiments and hydrologic models
Authors: Chapman Eric J. , Small Gaston E. , Shrestha Paliza
Published: January 2022

Among the ecosystem services provided by urban greenspace are the retention and infiltration of stormwater, which decreases urban flooding, and enhanced evapotranspiration, which helps mitigate urban heat island effects. Some types of urban greenspace, such as rain gardens and green roofs, are intentionally designed to enhance these hydrologic functions. Urban gardens, while primarily designed for food production and aesthetic benefits, may have similar hydrologic function, due to high levels of soil organic matter that promote infiltration and water holding capacity. We quantified leachate and soil moisture from experimental urban garden plots receiving various soil amendments (high and low levels of manure and municipal compost, synthetic fertilizer, and no inputs) over three years. Soil moisture varied across treatments, with highest mean levels observed in plots receiving manure compost, and lowest in plots receiving synthetic fertilizer. Soil amendment treatments explained little of the variation in weekly leachate volume, but among treatments, high municipal compost and synthetic fertilizer had lowest leachate volumes, and high and low manure compost had slightly higher mean leachate volumes. We used these data to parameterize a simple mass balance hydrologic model, focusing on high input municipal compost and no compost garden plots, as well as reference turfgrass plots. We ran the model for three growing seasons under ambient precipitation and three elevated precipitation scenarios. Garden plots received 12–16% greater total water inputs compared to turfgrass plots because of irrigation, but leachate totals were 20–30% lower for garden plots across climate scenarios, due to elevated evapotranspiration, which was 50–60% higher in garden plots. Within each climate scenario, difference between garden plots which received high levels of municipal compost and garden plots which received no additional compost were small relative to differences between garden plots and turfgrass. Taken together, these results indicate that garden soil amendments can influence water retention, and the high-water retention, infiltration, and evapotranspiration potential of garden soils relative to turfgrass indicates that hydrologic ecosystem services may be an underappreciated benefit of urban gardens.
Inhibition of phosphorylated calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIα relieves streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathic pain through regulation of P2X3 receptor in dorsal root ganglia
Authors: He Xiao-fen , Kang Yu-rong , Fei Xue-yu , Chen Lu-hang , Li Xiang , Ma Yi-qi , Hu Qun-qi , Qu Si-ying , Wang Han-zhi , Shao Xiao-mei , Liu Bo-yi , Yi-Liang  , Du Jun-Ying , Fang Jian-qiao , Jiang Yong-liang
Published: January 2022

Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) is frequent among patients with diabetes. We previously showed that P2X3 upregulation in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) plays a role in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DNP but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Here, a rat model of DNP was established by a single injection of STZ (65 mg/kg). Fasting blood glucose was significantly elevated from the 1st to 3rd week. Paw withdrawal thresholds (PWTs) and paw withdrawal latencies (PWLs) in diabetic rats significantly reduced from the 2nd to 3rd week. Western blot analysis revealed that elevated p-CaMKIIα levels in the DRG of DNP rats were accompanied by pain-associated behaviors while CaMKIIα levels were unchanged. Immunofluorescence revealed significant increase in the proportion of p-CaMKIIα immune positive DRG neurons (stained with NeuN) in the 2nd and 3rd week and p-CaMKIIα was co-expressed with P2X3 in DNP rats. KN93, a CaMKII antagonist, significantly reduce mechanical hyperalgesia and thermal hyperalgesia and these effects varied dose-dependently, and suppressed p-CaMKIIα and P2X3 upregulation in the DRGs of DNP rats. These results revealed that the p-CaMKIIα upregulation in DRG is involved in DNP, which possibly mediated P2X3 upregulation, indicating CaMKIIα may be an effective pharmacological target for DNP management.
Self-efficacy and behavior patterns of learners using a real-time collaboration system developed for group programming
Authors: Hsu Ting-Chia , Abelson Hal , Patton Evan , Chen Shih-Chu , Chang Hsuan-Ning
Published: January 2022

In order to promote the practice of co-creation, a real-time collaboration (RTC) version of the popular block-based programming (BBP) learning environment, MIT App Inventor (MAI), was proposed and implemented. RTC overcomes challenges related to non-collocated group work, thus lowering barriers to cross-region and multi-user collaborative software development. An empirical study probed into the differential impact on self-efficacy and collaborative behavior of learners in the environment depending upon their disciplinary background. The study serves as an example of the use of learning analytics to explore the frequent behavior patterns of adult learners, in this case specifically while performing BBP in MAI integrated with RTC. This study compares behavior patterns that are collaborative or individual that occurred on the platform, and investigates the effects of collaboration on learners working within the RTC depending on whether they were CS-majors or not. We highlight advantages of the new MAI design during multi-user programming in the online RTC based on the connections between the interface design and BBP as illustrated by two significant behavior patterns found in this instructional experiment. First, the multi-user programming in the RTC allowed multiple tasks to happen at the same time, which promoted engagement in joint behavior. For example, one user arranged components in the interface design while another dragged blocks to complete the program. Second, this study confirmed that the Computer Programming Self-Efficacy (CPSE) was similar for individual and multi-user programming overall. The CPSE of the homogeneous CS-major groups engaged in programming within the RTC was higher than that of the homogeneous non-CS-major groups and heterogeneous groups. There was no significant difference between the CPSE of the homogenous non-CS group and the CPSE of the heterogeneous groups, regardless of whether they were engaged in individual programming or collaborative programming within their groups. The results of the study support the value of engaging with MAI collaboratively, especially for CS-majors, and suggest directions for future work in RTC design.
Effect of Nucleant Particle Agglomeration on Grain Size
Authors: Gao Feng , Fan Zhongyun
Published: January 2022

Solute accumulation/depletion in the liquid around a growing solid particle during the solidification of metallic melts creates a constitutionally supercooled (CS) zone that has a significant effect on the final solidified grain structure. In this paper, we introduce two mechanisms related to the CS zone that affect grain size: one is the grain initiation free zone (GIFZ) that describes the inability of nucleant particles located in the CS zone for grain initiation and the other is re-melting (RM) of solid particles due to overlap of CS zones. Based on these two mechanisms, we have systematically analysed the effect of nucleant particle agglomeration on grain size. We found that nucleant particle agglomeration has a significant effect on grain size and is responsible for the discrepancy between theoretically predicted grain size and the experimental data. In addition, our numerical analysis suggests that under normal solidification conditions relevant to industrial practice solid particle re-melting has little effect on grain size and thus may be ignored during theoretical analysis. A practical implication from this work is that significant grain refinement can be achieved by dispersing the nucleant particles in the melt prior to solidification.
Low in-hospital mortality rate in patients with COVID-19 receiving thromboprophylaxis: data from the multicentre observational START-COVID Register
Authors: Poli Daniela , Antonucci Emilia , Ageno Walter , Prandoni Paolo , Palareti Gualtiero , Marcucci Rossella ,   the START-COVID Investigators, Marcucci Rossella , Poli Daniela , Ageno Walter , Colombo Giovanna , Ambaglio Chiara , Arpaia Guido , Barillari Giovanni , Bitti Giuseppina , Bucherini Eugenio , Chistolini Antonio , Serrao Alessandra , De Gaudenzi Egidio , De Micheli Valeria , Falanga Anna , Lerede Teresa , Barcella Luca , Russo Laura , Galliazzo Silvia , Gandolfo Alberto , Biolo Gianni , Trapletti Valentina , Ghigliotti Giorgio , Grifoni Elisa , Masotti Luca , Imbalzano Egidio , Lessiani Gianfranco , Marchionni Niccolò , Martini Giuliana , Merelli Sara , Mastroianni Franco , Larizza Giovanni , Nozzoli Carlo , Panarello Serena , Fioravanti Chiara , Pedrini Simona , Bertola Federica , Pesavento Raffaele , Pieralli Filippo , Pignatelli Pasquale , Pastori Daniele , Preti Paola , Romano Elias , Morettini Alessandro , Sala Girolamo , Foieni Fabrizio , Provisone Michela , Sarti Luca , Caronna Antonella , Simonetti Federico , Bertaggia Ilaria , Sivera Piera , Fava Carmen , Scancassani Viviana , Spinicci Michele , Bartoloni Alessio , Visonà Adriana , Zalunardo Beniamino , Villalta Sabina
Published: January 2022

COVID-19 infection causes respiratory pathology with severe interstitial pneumonia and extra-pulmonary complications; in particular, it may predispose to thromboembolic disease. The current guidelines recommend the use of thromboprophylaxis in patients with COVID-19, however, the optimal heparin dosage treatment is not well-established. We conducted a multicentre, Italian, retrospective, observational study on COVID-19 patients admitted to ordinary wards, to describe clinical characteristic of patients at admission, bleeding and thrombotic events occurring during hospital stay. The strategies used for thromboprophylaxis and its role on patient outcome were, also, described. 1091 patients hospitalized were included in the START-COVID-19 Register. During hospital stay, 769 (70.7%) patients were treated with antithrombotic drugs: low molecular weight heparin (the great majority enoxaparin), fondaparinux, or unfractioned heparin. These patients were more frequently affected by comorbidities, such as hypertension, atrial fibrillation, previous thromboembolism, neurological disease, and cancer with respect to patients who did not receive thromboprophylaxis. During hospital stay, 1.2% patients had a major bleeding event. All patients were treated with antithrombotic drugs; 5.4%, had venous thromboembolism [30.5% deep vein thrombosis (DVT), 66.1% pulmonary embolism (PE), and 3.4% patients had DVT + PE]. In our cohort the mortality rate was 18.3%. Heparin use was independently associated with survival in patients aged ≥ 59 years at multivariable analysis. We confirmed the high mortality rate of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients in ordinary wards. Treatment with antithrombotic drugs is significantly associated with a reduction of mortality rates especially in patients older than 59 years.
Decoupling the Impacts of Strain Rate and Temperature on TRIP in a Q&P Steel
Authors: Finfrock Christopher B. , Bhattacharya Diptak , McBride Brady N. L. , Ballard Trevor J. , Clarke Amy J. , Clarke Kester D.
Published: January 2022

The individual effects of strain rate and temperature on the strain hardening rate of a quenched and partitioned steel have been examined. During quasistatic tests, resistive heating was used to simulate the deformation-induced heating that occurs during high-strain-rate deformation, while the deformation-induced martensitic transformation was tracked by a combination of x-ray and electron backscatter diffraction. Unique work hardening rates under various thermal–mechanical conditions are discussed, based on the balance between the concurrent dislocation slip and transformation-induced plasticity deformation mechanisms. The diffraction and strain hardening data suggest that the imposed strain rate and temperature exhibited dissonant influences on the martensitic phase transformation. Increasing the strain rate appeared to enhance the martensitic transformation, while increasing the temperature suppressed the martensitic transformation.
Validity of the γ-Ray Evaluation with iodoamphetamine for Cerebral Blood Flow Assessment (REICA) method for quantification of cerebral blood flow including acetazolamide challenge test
Authors: Miyazaki Yoshiaki , Kameyama Masashi , Nakamizo Akira , Noguchi Tomoyuki , Tabata Nobuyuki
Published: January 2022

Objective

The γ-Ray Evaluation with iodoamphetamine for Cerebral Blood Flow Assessment (REICA) is a new method for quantifying cerebral blood flow (CBF) using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and [123I]N-isopropyl-p-iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP). The present study aimed to validate the REICA method using data including acetazolamide challenge test.

Methods

The REICA and Graph-Plot (GP) methods were used to calculate mean CBF (mCBF) for 92 acquisitions (rest: 57, stress: 35) and cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) in 33 patients. To obtain stress data, 15 mg/kg of acetazolamide was injected intravenously 10 min before the administration of 123I-IMP, and blood samples were collected under the same conditions as rest data. The reference standard was the Autoradiograph (ARG) method using arterial blood sampling, and the accuracy of the REICA method was analyzed by comparing it with each method.

Results

For mCBF, the correlation coefficients (r) were 0.792 for the REICA method and 0.636 for the GP method. For CVR, r values were 0.660 for the REICA method and 0.578 for the GP method. In both acquisitions, the REICA method had a stronger correlation with the ARG method than the GP method. For mCBF, there was a significant difference in the correlation coefficient between the two correlation coefficients (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

The REICA method was more accurate than the GP method in quantifying CBF and closer to the ARG method. The REICA method, which is a noninvasive method of cerebral blood flow quantification using 123I-IMP, has great medical usefulness.
Association between HLA alleles and sub-phenotype of childhood steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Lee Hao , Wang Li , Ni Fen-Fen , Yang Xue-Ying , Feng Shi-Pin , Gao Xiao-Jie , Chi Huan , Luo Ye-Tao , Chen Xue-Lan , Yang Bao-Hui , Wan Jun-Li , Jiao Jia , Wu Dao-Qi , Zhang Gao-Fu , Wang Mo , Yang Hai-Ping , Chan Han , Li Qiu
Published: January 2022

Background

Few studies have addressed the effects of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles on different clinical sub-phenotypes in childhood steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS), including SSNS without recurrence (SSNSWR) and steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome/frequently relapse nephrotic syndrome (SDNS/FRNS). In this study, we investigated the relationship between HLA system and children with SSNSWR and SDNS/FRNS and clarified the value of HLA allele detection for precise typing of childhood SSNS.

Methods

A total of 241 Chinese Han individuals with SSNS were genotyped using GenCap-WES Capture Kit, and four-digit resolution HLA alleles were imputed from available Genome Wide Association data. The distribution and carrying frequency of HLA alleles in SSNSWR and SDNS/FRNS were investigated. Additionally, logistic regression and mediating effects were used to examine the relationship between risk factors for disease process and HLA system.

Results

Compared with SSNSWR, significantly decreased serum levels of complement 3 (C3) and complement 4 (C4) at onset were detected in SDNS/FRNS (C3, P < 0.001; C4, P = 0.018). The average time to remission after sufficient initial steroid treatment in SDNS/FRNS was significantly longer than that in SSNSWR (P = 0.0001). Low level of C4 was further identified as an independent risk factor for SDNS/FRNS (P = 0.008, odds ratio = 0.174, 95% confidence interval 0.048–0.630). The HLA-A*11:01 allele was independently associated with SSNSWR and SDNS/FRNS (P = 0.0012 and P = 0.0006, respectively). No significant HLA alleles were detected between SSNSWR and SDNS/FRNS. In addition, a mediating effect among HLA-I alleles (HLA-B*15:11, HLA-B*44:03 and HLA-C*07:06), C4 level and SDNS/FRNS was identified.

Conclusions

HLA-I alleles provide novel genetic markers for SSNSWR and SDNS/FRNS. HLA-I antigens may be involved in steroid dependent or frequent relapse in children with SSNS as mediators of immunoregulation.
Konzeptualisierung und Messung der Qualität der adaptiven Lernunterstützung in Lernsituationen mit mathematischen Regelspielen im Kindergarten. Eine Studie in Deutschland und der Schweiz
Authors: Meier-Wyder Anuschka , Wullschleger Andrea , Lindmeier Anke , Heinze Aiso , Leuchter Miriam , Vogt Franziska , Moser Opitz Elisabeth
Published: January 2022

Die Qualität der adaptiven Lernunterstützung ist wichtig für die Förderung des mathematischen Lernens von Kindergartenkindern. Entsprechend bedarf es geeigneter Instrumente zur Bewertung der Planung, Durchführung und Reflexion von mathematischen Lernangeboten im Kindergarten. Bestehende Instrumente berücksichtigen vor allem die mikro-adaptive (mathematische) Lernunterstützung, die den Fokus auf die Interaktion zwischen der Fachkraft und den Kindern legt. Die Qualität der makro-adaptiven (mathematischen) Lernunterstützung (Planung und Reflexion von Lernsituationen) wurde im Kindergarten bis jetzt noch nicht umfassend untersucht. Sie gewinnt jedoch im Hinblick auf die zunehmende Bedeutung von Bildungsplänen im Kindergarten und der damit verbundenen Förderung von fachbezogenen Kompetenzen an Bedeutung.

Im Artikel wird erstens die Qualität von (mathematischer) Lernunterstützung in Regelspielsituationen im Kindergarten konzeptualisiert. Dabei wird die Qualität der makro-adaptiven von der mikro-adaptiven Lernunterstützung unterschieden. Letztere wird getrennt in fachunabhängige Unterstützungsqualität (Gruppenmanagement, emotionale Wärme) und in instruktionale, mathematikbezogene Unterstützungsqualität (Lernanregung, Verwendung Fachsprache). Zweitens wird ein Messinstrument (Rating) zur Analyse der Qualität der Lernunterstützung in mathematischen Lernsituationen vorgestellt. Dieses wurde zur Analyse von videografierten Regelspielsituationen und anschließenden Leitfadeninterviews von 145 pädagogischen Fachkräften aus Deutschland und der Schweiz eingesetzt. Pro Fachkraft standen zwei Videosequenzen und zwei Interviews zur Verfügung. Auf der Basis dieser Daten wird das Messinstrument hinsichtlich verschiedener Gütekriterien sowie des Einflusses der Ausbildung der Fachkräfte (akademisch, nicht akademisch) und des Bildungskontextes (Deutschland, Schweiz) analysiert. Die theoretisch angenommene Unterscheidung von Gruppenmanagement, emotionaler Wärme und instruktionaler Unterstützungsqualität lässt sich durch eine konfirmatorische Faktorenanalyse stützen. Die Ergebnisse bestätigen die Bedeutung des Einbezugs von Planung und Reflexion als Dimensionen von adaptiver Lernunterstützungsqualität.
The Role of miRNA in Ovarian Cancer: an Overview
Authors: Zhao Lihui , Liang Xiaolei , Wang Liyan , Zhang Xuehong
Published: January 2022

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a highly malignant disease that seriously threatens women’s health and poses challenges for clinicians. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have recently been intensively studied in the field of oncology due to their regulatory roles in gene expressions through RNA degradation and/or translation inhibition. This review summarizes the current studies on miRNAs in OC and introduces the latest updates of miRNAs in the early screening, treatment, and prognostic prediction of OC, thereby demonstrating the clinical significance of miRNAs in OC. Further exploration on potential targets of miRNAs in OC may provide new insights on optimizing the diagnosis and treatment of OC. MiRNAs are important driving factors for the progression of OC and the dysregulation of miRNAs can serve as biomarkers in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of OC. Therefore, miRNAs are potential biological targets for early screening, targeted therapy, drug resistance monitoring, and prognosis improvement in malignancies such as OC.
Seven-year trajectories of body weight, quality of life and comorbidities following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy
Authors: Nielsen Hans Jørgen , Nedrebø Bjørn Gunnar , Fosså Alexander , Andersen John Roger , Assmus Jörg , Dagsland Vigdis Halvorsen , Dankel Simon Nitter , Gudbrandsen Oddrun Anita , Fernø Johan , Hjellestad Iren , Hjermstad Marianne Jensen , Kolotkin Ronette L. , Thorsen Håvard Luong , Mellgren Gunnar , Flølo Tone Nygaard
Published: January 2022

Background/objectives

There is limited long-term data comparing the outcomes of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) for severe obesity, both with respect to body weight, quality of life (QOL) and comorbidities.

We aimed to determine 7-year trajectories of body mass index (BMI), QOL, obesity-related comorbidities, biomarkers of glucose and lipid metabolism, and early major complications after SG and RYGB.

Subjects/methods

Patients scheduled for bariatric surgery at two Norwegian hospitals, preferentially performing either SG or RYGB, were included consecutively from September 2011 to February 2015.

Data was collected prospectively before and up to 7 years after surgery. Obesity-specific, generic and overall QOL were measured by the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite, Short-Form 36 and Cantril’s ladder, respectively. Comorbidities were assessed by clinical examination, registration of medication and analysis of glucose and lipid biomarkers. Outcomes were examined with linear mixed effect models and relative risk estimates.

Results

Of 580 included patients, 543 (75% women, mean age 42.3 years, mean baseline BMI 43.0 kg/m2) were operated (376 SG and 167 RYGB). With 84.2% of participants evaluable after 5–7 years, model-based percent total weight-loss (%TWL) at 7 years was 23.4 after SG versus 27.3 after RYGB (difference 3.9%, p = 0.001). All levels of QOL improved similarly after the two surgical procedures but remained below reference data from the general population at all timepoints. Remission rates for type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep-apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as well as the rate of de novo GERD significantly favored RYGB. SG had fewer major early complications, but more minor and major late complications combined over follow-up.

Conclusion

In routine health care, both SG and RYGB are safe procedures with significant long-term weight-loss, improvement of QOL and amelioration of comorbidities. Long-term weight-loss and remission rates of main obesity-related comorbidities were higher after RYGB.
Sensitivity and reliability of screening measures for paternal postpartum depression: an integrative review
Authors: Kennedy Erin , Munyan Kristen
Published: January 2022

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends screening mothers for Postpartum Depression (PPD) during the postpartum period. Research shows depression in parents is associated with impaired growth and development in their children. The National Perinatal Association (NPA) encourages screening fathers for depression at least twice during the first postpartum year, however a preferred screening tool has yet to be determined. To promote optimal outcomes for children, providers must assess the mental health of all new parents, regardless of gender. Therefore, the purpose of this integrative review is to examine previous scientific evidence regarding the sensitivity of screening measures for postpartum depression in fathers. Future research should be directed towards describing the psychometric properties of a tool to assess postpartum mood disorders in American fathers while analyzing appropriate screening intervals during the postpartum period.
Far-field super-resolution ghost imaging with a deep neural network constraint
Authors: Wang Fei , Wang Chenglong , Chen Mingliang , Gong Wenlin , Zhang Yu , Han Shensheng , Situ Guohai
Published: January 2022

Ghost imaging (GI) facilitates image acquisition under low-light conditions by single-pixel measurements and thus has great potential in applications in various fields ranging from biomedical imaging to remote sensing. However, GI usually requires a large amount of single-pixel samplings in order to reconstruct a high-resolution image, imposing a practical limit for its applications. Here we propose a far-field super-resolution GI technique that incorporates the physical model for GI image formation into a deep neural network. The resulting hybrid neural network does not need to pre-train on any dataset, and allows the reconstruction of a far-field image with the resolution beyond the diffraction limit. Furthermore, the physical model imposes a constraint to the network output, making it effectively interpretable. We experimentally demonstrate the proposed GI technique by imaging a flying drone, and show that it outperforms some other widespread GI techniques in terms of both spatial resolution and sampling ratio. We believe that this study provides a new framework for GI, and paves a way for its practical applications.
Light People: Professor Byoungho Lee
Authors: Wang Hui , Yu Cun
Published: January 2022

Editorial

Major developments were made recently in both VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality) technologies, which became the focus of attention. In recent years, MR (mixed reality) technology has also emerged, and optical components play an irreplaceable role in these technologies.

Professor Byoungho Lee, who graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and currently works at Seoul National University in South Korea, has been committed to the development of optical components used in VR and AR technologies. As a pioneer of optical electronics in Korea, he is involved in various well-known academic organizations in the optical field, such as the Optica, SPIE, and IEEE, as well as serving as the president of the Optical Society of Korea, leading the direction of the development of optical industry in Korea. As the ambassador of China-Korea Optoelectronics Exchange, Prof. Lee has also played an active role in Chinese optical events and activities. Over the years, he and the Journal Light: Science & Applications (LIGHT) have made progress together and have both made their names in the vast field of optoelectronics.

So where did the story between Prof. Lee and the LIGHT journal begin? And what kind of link does the professor have with Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics (CIOMP)? How did he become a pioneer in optoelectronics technology? These are the questions we are eager to ask Prof. Byoungho Lee.

The future cannot be predicted, but it can be invented, said Dennis Gabor who had invented holography. The pace of human technological advancements has never stopped. Who is to say that we cannot take a virtual tour of the Palace Museum or explore the north and south poles in the future? Scientists like Prof. Lee are working hard to use technology to provide mankind with an intelligent lifestyle, and lead a new technological trend. I am sure we are all looking forward to it.
A flexible capacitive photoreceptor for the biomimetic retina
Authors: Vijjapu Mani Teja , Fouda Mohammed E. , Agambayev Agamyrat , Kang Chun Hong , Lin Chun-Ho , Ooi Boon S. , He Jr-Hau , Eltawil Ahmed M. , Salama Khaled N.
Published: January 2022

Neuromorphic vision sensors have been extremely beneficial in developing energy-efficient intelligent systems for robotics and privacy-preserving security applications. There is a dire need for devices to mimic the retina’s photoreceptors that encode the light illumination into a sequence of spikes to develop such sensors. Herein, we develop a hybrid perovskite-based flexible photoreceptor whose capacitance changes proportionally to the light intensity mimicking the retina’s rod cells, paving the way for developing an efficient artificial retina network. The proposed device constitutes a hybrid nanocomposite of perovskites (methyl-ammonium lead bromide) and the ferroelectric terpolymer (polyvinylidene fluoride trifluoroethylene-chlorofluoroethylene). A metal-insulator-metal type capacitor with the prepared composite exhibits the unique and photosensitive capacitive behavior at various light intensities in the visible light spectrum. The proposed photoreceptor mimics the spectral sensitivity curve of human photopic vision. The hybrid nanocomposite is stable in ambient air for 129 weeks, with no observable degradation of the composite due to the encapsulation of hybrid perovskites in the hydrophobic polymer. The functionality of the proposed photoreceptor to recognize handwritten digits (MNIST) dataset using an unsupervised trained spiking neural network with 72.05% recognition accuracy is demonstrated. This demonstration proves the potential of the proposed sensor for neuromorphic vision applications.
Ultrafast imaging of terahertz electric waveforms using quantum dots
Authors: Heindl Moritz B. , Kirkwood Nicholas , Lauster Tobias , Lang Julia A. , Retsch Markus , Mulvaney Paul , Herink Georg
Published: January 2022

Microscopic electric fields govern the majority of elementary excitations in condensed matter and drive electronics at frequencies approaching the Terahertz (THz) regime. However, only few imaging schemes are able to resolve sub-wavelength fields in the THz range, such as scanning-probe techniques, electro-optic sampling, and ultrafast electron microscopy. Still, intrinsic constraints on sample geometry, acquisition speed and field strength limit their applicability. Here, we harness the quantum-confined Stark-effect to encode ultrafast electric near-fields into colloidal quantum dot luminescence. Our approach, termed Quantum-probe Field Microscopy (QFIM), combines far-field imaging of visible photons with phase-resolved sampling of electric waveforms. By capturing ultrafast movies, we spatio-temporally resolve a Terahertz resonance inside a bowtie antenna and unveil the propagation of a Terahertz waveguide excitation deeply in the sub-wavelength regime. The demonstrated QFIM approach is compatible with strong-field excitation and sub-micrometer resolution—introducing a direct route towards ultrafast field imaging of complex nanodevices in-operando.
Singleton exome sequencing of 90 fetuses with ultrasound anomalies revealing novel disease-causing variants and genotype–phenotype correlations
Authors: Smogavec Mateja , Gerykova Bujalkova Maria , Lehner Reinhard , Neesen Jürgen , Behunova Jana , Yerlikaya-Schatten Gülen , Reischer Theresa , Altmann Reinhard , Weis Denisa , Duba Hans-Christoph , Laccone Franco
Published: January 2022

Exome sequencing has been increasingly implemented in prenatal genetic testing for fetuses with morphological abnormalities but normal rapid aneuploidy detection and microarray analysis. We present a retrospective study of 90 fetuses with different abnormal ultrasound findings, in which we employed the singleton exome sequencing (sES; 75 fetuses) or to a lesser extent (15 fetuses) a multigene panel analysis of 6713 genes as a primary tool for the detection of monogenic diseases. The detection rate of pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in this study was 34.4%. The highest diagnostic rate of 56% was in fetuses with multiple anomalies, followed by cases with skeletal or renal abnormalities (diagnostic rate of 50%, respectively). We report 20 novel disease-causing variants in different known disease-associated genes and new genotype–phenotype associations for the genes KMT2D, MN1, CDK10, and EXOC3L2. Based on our data, we postulate that sES of fetal index cases with a concurrent sampling of parental probes for targeted testing of the origin of detected fetal variants could be a suitable tool to obtain reliable and rapid prenatal results, particularly in situations where a trio analysis is not possible.
An update on long-acting therapies in chronic sight-threatening eye diseases of the posterior segment: AMD, DMO, RVO, uveitis and glaucoma
Authors: Ghanchi Faruque , Bourne Rupert , Downes Susan M. , Gale Richard , Rennie Christina , Tapply Ian , Sivaprasad Sobha
Published: January 2022

In the real-world setting, there is suboptimal compliance with treatments that require frequent administration and assessment visits. This undertreatment frequently has negative consequences in eye disease and carries a real risk to vision. For example, patients with glaucoma risk progression of visual loss even with a small number of missed doses, and patients with neovascular age-related degeneration (nAMD) who fail to attend a bi-monthly clinic appointment to receive an intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drug injections may lose the initial vision gains in vision. Protracted regular treatment schedules represent a high burden not only for patients and families, but also healthcare professionals, systems, and ultimately society too. There has been a clear need for longer-acting therapies that reduce the frequency, and therefore the burden, of treatment interventions. Several longer-acting interventions for nAMD, diabetic macular oedema, retinal vein occlusion, uveitis and glaucoma have either been developed or are in late-phase development, some of which employ novel mechanisms of actions, and all of which of promise longer (≥3 month) treatment intervals. This review delivers an overview of anti-VEGF agents with longer durations of action, DARPins, bispecific anti-VEGF/Ang2 therapies, anti-PDGF and anti-integrin therapy, Rho-kinase inhibitors, the Port Delivery System, steroids, gene therapy for retina and uveitis, and for glaucoma, ROCK inhibitors, implants and plugs, and SLT laser and MIGS. The review also refers to the potential of artificial intelligence to tailor treatment efficacy with a resulting reduction in treatment burden.
Electrophysiological and fundoscopic detection of intracranial hypertension in craniosynostosis
Authors: Rufai Sohaib R. , Marmoy Oliver R. , Thompson Dorothy A. , van de Lande Lara S. , Breakey R. William , Bunce Catey , Panteli Vasiliki , Schwiebert Kemmy , Mohamed Shafquet , Proudlock Frank A. , Gottlob Irene , Dunaway David J. , Hayward Richard , Bowman Richard , Jeelani Noor ul Owase
Published: January 2022

Aims

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of fundoscopy and visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in detecting intracranial hypertension (IH) in patients with craniosynostosis undergoing spring-assisted posterior vault expansion (sPVE).

Methods

Children with craniosynostosis undergoing sPVE and 48-hour intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring were included in this single-centre, retrospective, diagnostic accuracy study. Data for ICP, fundoscopy and VEPs were analysed. Primary outcome measures were papilloedema on fundoscopy, VEP assessments and IH, defined as mean ICP > 20 mmHg. Diagnostic indices were calculated for fundoscopy and VEPs against IH. Secondary outcome measures included final visual outcomes.

Results

Fundoscopic examinations were available for 35 children and isolated VEPs for 30 children, 22 of whom had at least three serial VEPs. Sensitivity was 32.1% for fundoscopy (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 15.9–52.4) and 58.3% for isolated VEPs (95% CI 36.6–77.9). Specificity for IH was 100% for fundoscopy (95% CI: 59.0–100) and 83.3% for isolated VEPs (95% CI: 35.9–99.6). Where longitudinal deterioration was suspected from some prVEPs but not corroborated by all, sensitivity increased to 70.6% (95% CI: 44.0–89.7), while specificity decreased to 60% (95% CI: 14.7–94.7). Where longitudinal deterioration was clinically significant, sensitivity decreased to 47.1% (23.0–72.2) and specificity increased to 100% (47.8–100). Median final BCVA was 0.24 logMAR (n = 36). UK driving standard BCVA was achieved by 26 patients (72.2%), defined as ≥0.30 logMAR in the better eye.

Conclusion

Papilloedema present on fundoscopy reliably indicated IH, but its absence did not exclude IH. VEP testing boosted sensitivity at the expense of specificity, depending on method of analysis.
Ethane dehydrogenation performance and high temperature stability of silica supported cobalt phosphide nanoparticles
Authors: Muhlenkamp Jessica A. , LiBretto Nicole J. , Miller Jeffrey T. , Hicks Jason C.
Published: January 2022

Cobalt phosphide catalysts exhibit remarkable stability and selectivity for ethane dehydrogenation.
Effect of the chitosan second layer on the gelation and controlled digestion of Citrem–chitosan bilayer emulsions
Authors: Kadiya Kunal , Sharma Manisha , Ghosh Supratim
Published: January 2022

This research aimed to induce repulsive gelation in Citrem-stabilized O/W emulsions by creating a secondary layer of chitosan around the droplets.
Blended vinylogous urethane/urea vitrimers derived from aromatic alcohols
Authors: Haida Philipp , Signorato Gloria , Abetz Volker
Published: January 2022

An in-depth investigation of the condensation, substitution and transamination reactions in blended vinylogous urethane/urea vitrimers derived from commercially relevant alcohols, proven by detailed model studies and 16 prepared vitrimer networks.
Cancer in the Adolescent and Young Adults (AYA) and Children: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Epidemiology and Psychosocial Morbidity in the Indian Population
Authors: Guleria Bhupesh , Viswanath S. , Soneji Dharmesh , Kapoor Rajan , Guleria Prerna , Suresh P. , Kumar Manish , Patel Amol , Swamy Shivshankar
Published: January 2022

Aims Adolescent and young adults (AYAs), children with cancer, and their guardians have unique psychosocial morbidities adversely effecting quality of life (QOL). This is measurable using patented tools. We analyzed epidemiological and clinicopathological patterns of solid organ cancers in this subgroup. We also assessed psychosocial morbidity and changes in QOL faced by them.

Methods All patients aged 2 to 39 years, newly diagnosed with cancer from April 2017 to March 2019 were included. Clinical history, diagnosis, staging, treatment, outcomes, and follow-up were recorded. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) distress thermometer and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ C-30) were used to assess psychosocial morbidity of AYAs, children ≥ 12 years, and parents of children < 12 years. Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (Peds QL) version 3.0 was used for children < 12 years. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results A total of 571 patients (512 AYAs, 59 children) were enrolled. Median age was 30 years with male predominance (58.1%). Most cases (98.6%) were absent from school or work. Carcinoma breast was the most common in females (29.3%) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in males (12.6%). 91.06% had overall NCCN distress score ≥ 4. Also, 73.81 and 79.49% had “quite a bit” or “very much” responses on functional and symptom scales, respectively, in EORTC QLQ C-30 questionnaire. Peds QL version 3.0 revealed total score ranging from 276 to 523 for each patient.

Conclusion AYAs and children with cancer are extremely vulnerable to psychological stress and morbidity. Use of well-established tools help in assessing their mental status and timely psychiatric referral can be initiated.
Cancer Scenario in Kashmir—A Study Conducted in a Tertiary Care Center, Srinagar, Kashmir, India
Authors: Waheed Dar Abdul , Sumaira Saba , Ahmad Lone Mushtaq , Ain Qurat Ul , Kuchay Sanaullah , Dar Nazir Ahmad
Published: January 2022

Background Cancer can have profound social and economic consequences for the people in India, often leading to family impoverishment and societal inequity. Reported age-adjusted incidence rates for cancer are still quite low in the demographically young country. Slightly more than 1 million new cases of cancer are diagnosed every year in a population of 1.2 billion. It accounts for about 23 and 7% deaths in United States and India, respectively. The world's population is expected to be 7.5 billion by 2020 and approximations predict that about 15.0 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed, with deaths of about 12.0 million cancer patients. Early detection of cancers is a challenging task because clinical symptoms develop slowly.

Objective The aim of the present study was to analyze the cancer scenario in the Kashmir valley.

Materials and Methods This was a retrospective study. So, all patients were included who had histopathologically confirmed neoplasm registered at Regional Cancer Centre of Government Medical College Srinagar, Kashmir between 2015 and 2018. All the patient characteristics including age, sex, and anatomical site of the disease were studied in detail.

Results The number of cancer patients in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 were 230, 239, 391, and 511, respectively, with a combined total of 1,371. Thus, it is clear from these figures that the number of cancer cases has increased gradually with time. Stomach cancer is the most common cancer in the Kashmir territory. In males the most common cancer is stomach cancer with 175 (12.8%) reported cases and in females the most common cancer is breast cancer with 151 (11%) reported cases. The male to female ratio was 1.4:1.

Conclusion A careful reading the reported cancer cases indicates an increased number of cancer patients every year in Indian-occupied Kashmir. Kashmir is a growing state in India playing a crucial role in the development of India and, hence, it needs special attention on this issue. A multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment is essential and this has to be made available at all regional cancer centers. Cancer control is an area in which we need participation from all sectors of the society.
Novel Use of Dual Guiding Catheters Technique to Prevent Distal Embolization and Slow Flow during PCI of Coronary Stent Thrombosis
Authors: Trehan Vijay Kumar , Jain Gagan , Gupta Puneet
Published: January 2022

Despite having an incidence of 0.5 to 2%, stent thrombosis has an in-hospital mortality of 15% and myocardial infarction (MI) incidence of 67%. Even with the usage of thrombus aspiration devices and microvasculature vasodilators such as nitroprusside, verapamil, adenosine, and Gp2b/3a inhibitors, the angiographic result of percutaneous coronary intervention of coronary stent thrombosis remains frequently suboptimal due to distal embolization and subsequent slow flow. We describe a novel use of dual guide catheter technique, where one guide acts as conduit for thrombus aspiration catheter and the other for distal placement of balloon trap to prevent distal embolization while managing a case of coronary stent thrombosis to improve the angiographic outcome in this scenario.
Reconstruction of the Distal Oblique Bundle for DRUJ Instability
Authors: Thomsen Niels O.B. , Björkman Anders
Published: January 2022

Background Treatment algorithm for disruption of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) from the ulnar fovea includes direct TFCC repair, tendon reconstruction of the radioulnar ligaments, or a salvage procedure in cases with painful distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) degeneration.

Case Description We describe our surgical technique for reconstruction of the distal oblique bundle (DOB), to attain DRUJ stability in a young man, after failed attempts of direct TFCC reinsertion and radioulnar ligament reconstruction with the Adams procedure.

Literature Review Reconstruction of the central band of the interosseous membrane is well recognized for Essex-Lopresti injuries that demonstrate longitudinal forearm instability. The role for reconstruction/reinforcement of the DOB to restore DRUJ stability after TFCC injury has not gained the same recognition and needs further clarification.

Clinical Relevance DOB reconstruction technique described is extra-articular and technically straightforward. We believe that the procedure could be considered for patients with an irreparable TFCC injury as a part of the treatment algorithm for younger patients, who otherwise would face a more extensive salvage procedure.
Visibility of Transcondylar Screw Fractures in Standard and Extended Scale Computed Tomography Images
Authors: Brash Robert , Labrador Jose , Holdsworth Andrew
Published: January 2022

Objective Application of extended computed tomography scale (ECTS) reconstruction to diagnose metal implant failure has been described in a single case report. The purpose of this study was to compare the features and visibility of humeral transcondylar screw fractures in standard CT scale (SCTS) and ECTS images.

Study Design Case series: CT images of dogs with fractured transcondylar screws were retrospectively reviewed and described in both SCTS and ECTS images.

Results Five dogs with a total of six transcondylar screw failures (five right and one bilateral) were reviewed. All cases had an ongoing humeral intercondylar fissure with varying degrees of stress remodelling. The fracture was seen in all screws on ECTS images, however only in three implants on SCTS images. The measured fracture gap was larger in ECTS images in all cases (range: + 0.14 mm to + 0.28mm). The three smallest fracture gaps were not seen on SCTS images. A subtle hypoattenuating streak (artefact) was visible adjacent to the screw fracture in 5/6 of cases using SCTS images. All screw fractures occurred parallel and often slightly medial to the humeral intercondylar fissure.

Conclusion Implant failure is only seen with larger fracture gaps in SCTS images, with 3/6 screw fractures not visible in SCTS compared with ECTS. A hypoattenuating streak extending perpendicular to the implant in SCTS images is suggestive of screw fracture even if this is not directly visible.
Hardwired to attack. Candidates’ personality traits and negative campaigning in three European countries
Authors: Nai Alessandro , Tresch Anke , Maier Jürgen
Published: January 2022

A growing body of studies shows that the reasons for competing candidates to “go negative” on their opponents during elections—that is, attacking their opponents instead of promoting their own programs or ideas stem from strategic considerations. Yet, existing research has, at this stage, failed to assess whether candidates’ personality traits also play a role. In this article, we bridge the gap between existing work in political psychology and political communication and study to what extent the personality traits of competing candidates are linked with their use of negative campaigning strategies. We rely on candidate survey data for recent elections in three countries—Germany (2017), Switzerland (2019), and Finland (2019). The data includes self-reported measures for candidates’ “Big Five” personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, openness) and the the use of attacks towards their opponents during the campaign. Controlling for the usual suspects driving the use of negative campaigning we show that this latter is associated with low agreeableness and (marginally) with high extraversion and low conscientiousness. The role of personality for the focus of an attack (issue vs. character attacks) is somewhat less clear-cut. All in all, kinder and more stable candidates tend to go less negative; when they do, they tend to stay away from character-based attacks and somehow focus on issues.
X-ray observatory spots a possible planet in another galaxy
Authors: Wilson R. Mark
Published: January 2022

Even if the discovery is never confirmed, the method it uses may spawn a new generation of exoplanet searches.
A laser selectively kicks carbon out of a foil
Authors: Hill Heather M.
Published: January 2022

Experiments and simulations show how the shape of a laser’s profile determines which target atoms make up the resulting ion beam.
Staff scientists in academia and government labs follow rewarding careers
Authors: Feder Toni
Published: January 2022

Being a faculty member is not the only way for scientists to stay in basic research.
Advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion: a how-to guide
Authors: Thomson Rowan M.
Published: January 2022

Physics remains one of the least diverse fields in science. Here’s how individuals at all career stages can contribute to fostering an inclusive environment for everyone.