bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pathologische Dissoziation bei Patienten mit einer Borderline-Persönlichkeitsstörung
Authors: Spitzer Carsten , Göbel Philipp , Wilfer Tobias , Dreyße Kathrin , Armbrust Michael , Lischke Alexander
Published: June 2021

Trotz der hohen Relevanz dissoziativer Phänomene bei der Borderline-Persönlichkeitsstörung (BPS) ist das Konzept der pathologischen Dissoziation bisher kaum in diesem Kontext untersucht worden. Zur Operationalisierung von pathologischer Dissoziation wurden diverse Indizes vorgeschlagen, deren klinische Nützlichkeit in der vorliegenden Studie ebenso untersucht wurde wie ihre Häufigkeit, klinischen Korrelate und prädiktive Bedeutung. Hierzu bearbeiteten 487 stationäre BPS-Patienten bei Aufnahme Selbstbeurteilungsverfahren zu Dissoziation (Dissociative Experiences Scale, DES-28) sowie allgemeiner und Borderline-typischer Pathologie (Gesundheitsfragebogen für Patienten [PHQ-D], Borderline Symptom Liste [BSL-95]). Diejenigen Patienten, die mindestens 6 Wochen an der stationären Dialektisch-Behavioralen Therapie (DBT) teilgenommen hatten, füllten am Ende erneut den PHQ‑D und die BSL-95 aus (n zwischen 342 und 361). Je nach Operationalisierung der Dissoziation litten zwischen knapp 20 % und 37 % der BPS-Patienten unter pathologischer Dissoziation. Diese war eng mit allgemeiner und Borderline-typischer Symptomatik bei Aufnahme assoziiert. Ein hohes Ausmaß an pathologischer Dissoziation zu Behandlungsbeginn prädizierte ein schlechteres symptombezogenes Therapieergebnis. Konsistent mit einer Vielzahl anderer Studien unterstreichen diese Befunde die Relevanz von Dissoziation bei der BPS. Die aus nur 8 Items der DES-28 bestehende DES-Taxon (DES-T) kann pathologische Dissoziation anwendungs- und auswertungsfreundlich erheben, erweist sich als mindestens ebenso relevant wie die DES-28 und hat für das symptombezogene Behandlungsergebnis sogar eine höhere prädiktive Relevanz. Daher empfiehlt sich ein Screening aller BPS-Patienten auf pathologische Dissoziation mit der DES‑T.
What is the significance of guidelines in the primary care setting?
Authors: Wangler Julian , Jansky Michael
Published: June 2021

Medical guidelines aim to ensure that care processes take place in an evidence-based and structured manner. They are especially relevant in outpatient primary care due to the wide range of symptoms and clinical pictures. In German-speaking countries, there is a lack of current findings documenting general practitioners’ opinions and experiences regarding guidelines, their expectations and their views on what improvements could be made to increase the use of this type of evidence-based instrument in the primary care setting. Between April and August 2020, a total of 3098 general practitioners were surveyed in the states of Baden–Württemberg, Hesse and Rhineland–Palatinate via an online questionnaire. Alongside the descriptive evaluation, t‑testing was used to determine significant differences between two independent sampling groups. A factor analysis was also used to cluster the expectations of those surveyed regarding the fulfilment of requirements relating to guidelines. A total of 52% of those surveyed have a positive view of guidelines. Overall, guidelines are associated with an increased evidence-based approach (69%), standardisation of diagnosis and treatment (62%) and a reduction in overprovision or underprovision of care (57%). In all, 62% of the physicians who implemented guidelines observed positive effects on the quality of care provided, and 67% reported that the implementation of guidelines improved the quality of their diagnostic or therapeutic skills. However, implementation is often seen as being complicated (43%) and restricting the physician’s ability to act independently (63%). Survey participants suggested that guidelines could be optimised by giving greater consideration to nondrug alternatives (46%), focusing on issues related to quality of life (42%) and offering a comparative assessment of various treatment options (39%). In order to further promote the attractiveness of guidelines for primary care the design of guidelines should be oriented more towards their application; they should be well-presented to make them easier to implement. The scope of action available to the physician should be stressed. The guidelines should provide recommendations on opportunities for the delegation of tasks within practice teams.
Dysregulation of Notch-FGF signaling axis in germ cells results in cystic dilation of the rete testis in mice
Authors: Cao Yin , Liu Lingyun , Lin Jing , Sun Penghao , Guo Kaimin , Li Shengqiang , Li Xian , Lan Zi-jian , Wang Hongliang , Lei Zhenmin
Published: June 2021

Numb (Nb) and Numb-like (Nbl) are functionally redundant adaptor proteins that critically regulate cell fate and morphogenesis in a variety of organs. We selectively deletedNbandNblin testicular germ cells by breedingNb/Nblfloxed mice with a transgenic mouse lineTex101-Cre. The mutant mice developed unilateral or bilateral cystic dilation in the rete testis (RT). Dye trace indicated partial blockages in the testicular hilum. Morphological and immunohistochemical evaluations revealed that the lining epithelium of the cysts possessed similar characteristics of RT epithelium, suggesting that the cyst originated from dilation of the RT lumen. Spermatogenesis and the efferent ducts were unaffected. In comparisons of isolated germ cells from mutants to control mice, the Notch activity considerably increased and the expression of Notch target geneHey1significantly elevated. Further studies identified that germ cellFgf4expression negatively correlated the Notch activity and demonstrated that blockade of FGF receptors mediated FGF4 signaling induced enlargement of the RT lumen in vitro. The crucial role of the FGF4 signaling in modulation of RT development was verified by the selective germ cellFgf4ablation, which displayed a phenotype similar to that of germ cellNb/Nblnull mutant males. These findings indicate that aberrant over-activation of the Notch signaling in germ cells due toNb/Nblabrogation impairs the RT development, which is through the suppressing germ cellFgf4expression. The present study uncovers the presence of a lumicrine signal pathway in which secreted/diffusible protein FGF4 produced by germ cells is essential for normal RT development.
Correction to: The oxidation and hypoglycaemic effect of sorafenib in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Karbownik Agnieszka , Stachowiak Anna , Urjasz Hanna , Sobańska Katarzyna , Szczecińska Agnieszka , Grabowski Tomasz , Stanisławiak‑Rudowicz Joanna , Wolc Anna , Grześkowiak Edmund , Szałek Edyta
Published: June 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43440-021-00278-4
An FDA Analysis of Inspected Entities After Receiving Official Action Indicated Letters for Good Clinical Practice Violations
Authors: Jung Miah , Swann Rachelle M. , Anantha Michelle S. , Jamali Faranak
Published: June 2021

Background

Limited research has been conducted to examine whether clinical investigators (CIs), sponsors (SPs), contract research organizations (CROs), and sponsor-investigators (SIs) continue conducting clinical trials following issuance of FDA Official Action Indicated (OAI) letters. FDA issues OAI letters for significant regulatory violations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the status of inspected entities who received OAI letters in the conduct of Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)-regulated clinical trials (CRCTs).

Methods

This cross-sectional study included an analysis of inspectional data from CDER’s Good Clinical Practice (GCP) inspections for OAI letters issued from October 1, 2010, to September 30, 2015, with an in-depth analysis of post-OAI status of inspected entities, including OAI follow-up inspections.

Results

Of the 2248 GCP letters issued during this period, 104 (4.6%) OAI letters were sent: 95 (4.2%) to CIs (91% of OAIs), 7 (0.3%) to SPs (7% of OAIs), and 2 (0.08%) to SIs (2% of OAIs). Majority of OAI letters were issued as a result of a for-cause inspection. Five CIs were excluded from analysis. No OAI letters were sent to CROs. Only 30% of CIs (27 out of 90) continued to conduct CRCTs. OAI follow-up inspections were completed for these CIs resulting in 16 No Action Indicated (NAI), 11 Voluntary Action Indicated (VAI), and no OAI letters. Majority (64%) of the VAI letters noted repeated but not significant violations.

Conclusions

Majority (70%) of CIs who received an OAI letter were no longer conducting CRCTs at the time of follow-up. Of the 27 CIs continuing CRCTs, 16 (59%) OAI follow-up inspections resulted in NAI classifications and 11 (41%) in VAI.
Slaves and Slavery in Ancient Greece
Authors: Forsdyke Sara
Published: June 2021

Slavery in ancient Greece was commonplace. In this book Sara Forsdyke uncovers the wide range of experiences of slaves and focuses on their own perspectives, rather than those of their owners, giving a voice to a group that is often rendered silent by the historical record. By reading ancient sources 'against the grain,' and through careful deployment of comparative evidence from more recent slave-owning societies, she demonstrates that slaves engaged in a variety of strategies to deal with their conditions of enslavement, ranging from calculated accommodation to full-scale rebellion. Along the way, she establishes that slaves made a vital contribution to almost all aspects of Greek society. Above all, despite their often brutal treatment, they sometimes displayed great ingenuity in exploiting the tensions and contradictions within the system of slavery.
The Promise of Disease Detection Dogs in Pandemic Response: Lessons Learned From COVID-19
Authors: Otto Cynthia M. , Sell Tara Kirk , Veenema Tener Goodwin , Hosangadi Divya , Vahey Rachel A. , Connell Nancy D. , Privor-Dumm Lois
Published: June 2021

One of the lessons learned from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is the utility of an early, flexible, and rapidly deployable disease screening and detection response. The largely uncontrolled spread of the pandemic in the United States exposed a range of planning and implementation shortcomings, which, if they had been in place before the pandemic emerged, may have changed the trajectory. Disease screening by detection dogs show great promise as a noninvasive, efficient, and cost-effective screening method for COVID-19 infection. We explore evidence of their use in infectious and chronic diseases; the training, oversight, and resources required for implementation; and potential uses in various settings. Disease detection dogs may contribute to the current and future public health pandemics; however, further research is needed to extend our knowledge and measurement of their effectiveness and feasibility as a public health intervention tool, and efforts are needed to ensure public and political support.
Observations of Children With Disability During Arts-Based Multisensory Story and Rhyme Activities: Is It All Just Chimes and Perfumes?
Authors: O’Rourke John , Main Susan , Gray Christina , Lovering Christine
Published: June 2021

It is generally acknowledged that alternative strategies are required to enable children with disability to access storytelling activities. In this study, we sought to analyse the benefits of one such strategy: an arts-based multisensory story and rhyme program delivered to children with Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder. In order to determine the engagement and impact of the program on the participants, data were collected through a series of multisensory session observations, focus group interviews with parents of participants, and interviews with performing artists delivering the program. The findings of this study revealed multiple benefits of using sensory stimuli to engage children with disability in storytelling processes, including increased engagement, focus, and interaction with other children and family members. The performing artists used their knowledge and skills to create an engaging environment that was responsive to the children’s needs. It was observed that language development could be further enhanced by integrating written text into the performance and increasing the use of nonverbal communication methods. Further, the engagement of siblings without disability in this program suggested that it could be developed to be inclusive of children with and without disability.
Overcoming the Political Exclusion of Migrants: Theory and Experimental Evidence from India
Authors: GAIKWAD NIKHAR , NELLIS GARETH
Published: June 2021

Migrants are politically marginalized in cities of the developing world, participating in destination-area elections less than do local-born residents. We theorize three reasons for this shortfall: migrants’ socioeconomic links to origin regions, bureaucratic obstacles to enrollment that disproportionately burden newcomers, and ostracism by antimigrant politicians. We randomized a door-to-door drive to facilitate voter registration among internal migrants to two Indian cities. Ties to origin regions do not predict willingness to become registered locally. Meanwhile, assistance in navigating the electoral bureaucracy increased migrant registration rates by 24 percentage points and substantially boosted next-election turnout. An additional treatment arm informed politicians about the drive in a subset of localities; rather than ignoring new migrant voters, elites amplified campaign efforts in response. We conclude that onerous registration requirements impede the political incorporation, and thus the well-being, of migrant communities in fast-urbanizing settings. The findings also matter for assimilating naturalized yet politically excluded cross-border immigrants.
Physical and mental health in young adults with heart disease – a national survey of Norwegian university students
Authors: Leirgul Elisabeth , Hysing Mari , Greve Gottfried , Sivertsen Børge
Published: June 2021

Background:

Young adults with heart disease constitute a growing group with the risk of cognitive and physical impairment. The knowledge of their academic performance and mental and physical health is, however, scant. This study aimed to compare young adults with CHDs or arrhythmia with their peers.

Methods:

Information on physical health (Somatic Symptom Scale-8), mental health problems (Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-25), quality of life (Satisfaction With Life Scale), physical activity, and academic performance was collected online in a national cross-sectional survey in Norway among students in higher education (the SHoT2018 study).

Results:

Among 50,054 students, 172 (0.34%) reported CHD and 132 (0.26%) arrhythmias. Students reporting arrhythmias scored significantly higher than the control group on somatic symptoms (OR = 2.3 (95% CI: 1.62–3.27)), anxiety (OR = 1.60 (1.08–2.37)), depression (OR = 1.49 (1.05–2.11)), self-harm, and suicide attempt (OR = 2.72 (1.56–4.75)), and lower quality of life (OR 1.64 (1.16–2.32)) and more loneliness (OR = 1.99 (1.28–3.10)) compared to participants without heart disease. Participants with CHD reported an increased somatic symptom burden (OR = 1.58 (1.16–2.16)). Despite a tendency to a higher score, this group did not differ significantly from the control group on anxiety or depression, quality of life, or loneliness. However, the risk of self-harm thoughts and suicidality was significantly increased (OR for suicide attempt 2.22 (1.3–3.77)). There was no difference between the groups on academic performance.

Conclusions:

Although Norwegian students with heart disease reported more somatic symptoms, their academic progress was not reduced compared to students without heart disease. Students with CHD or arrhythmias showed an increased risk of self-harm thoughts and suicidality.
Das Intensiv-Trauma unserer Kinder
Authors: Kaiser Marvin , Rixe Jacqueline , Wabnitz Pascal
Published: June 2021

Was ist zu diesem Thema bekannt?

Das Überleben einer kritischen Erkrankung ist bei Kindern und Jugendlichen häufig mit einer starken psychotraumatischen Erfahrung verbunden, was ganze Familiensysteme über viele Jahre hinweg belasten kann.

Wie wird eine neue Perspektive eingebracht?

Da diese Thematik in der intensivmedizinischen und psychiatrischen Praxis nur selten berücksichtigt wird, bietet diese Arbeit einen ersten Überblick. Gleichzeitig soll diese Arbeit für einen sorgsamen Umgang mit Überlebenden einer kritischen Erkrankung und deren Familien sensibilisieren.

Was sind die Auswirkungen für die Praxis?

Da weder Risiko- noch Schutzfaktoren ausreichend untersucht sind, braucht es zu diesem Thema dringend weiterführende Forschung.
Ein Verständnis der eigenen Erkrankung erarbeiten
Authors: Nienaber André , Bötel Nora , Schulz Michael , Wabnitz Pascal , Jørgensen Rikke
Published: June 2021

Was ist zu diesem Thema bekannt?

Guided Self-Determination (GSD) ist ursprünglich für die Zusammenarbeit in der Behandlung von Menschen mit der Diagnose Diabetes mellitus Typ 1 entwickelt worden. GSD hat sich auch in der Begleitung von Menschen mit anderen chronischen Erkrankungen als hilfreich erwiesen.

Wie wird eine neue Perspektive eingebracht?

Im Zentrum von GSD steht ein gemeinsamer und geleiteter Reflexionsprozess, in dem strukturiert anhand von Arbeitsblättern an individuellen und komplexen Problemstellungen gearbeitet wird – mit dem Ziel einer personenzentrierten, ressourcenorientierten, und realitätsnahen Lösung.

Was sind die Auswirkungen für die Praxis?

Menschen in komplexen Problemlagen, die durch eine Erkrankung mit langfristigem Verlauf ausgelöst oder beeinflusst sind, können mit GSD gemeinsam mit professionell Helfenden strukturiert, individuell und ergebnisorientiert ihre Situation reflektieren und zu ihren Bedürfnissen passende Lösungsmöglichkeiten entwickeln.
Results of the Electron Drift Instrument on Cluster
Authors: Paschmann G. , Quinn J. M. , Torbert R. B. , McIlwain C. E. , Vaith H. , Haaland S. , Matsui H. , Kletzing C. A. , Baumjohann W. , Haerendel G.
Published: June 2021

The electron drift instrument (EDI) on Cluster pioneered a new method of measuring electric fields, using a beam of electrons to sample the drift velocity over a km‐scale gyro orbit. The technique is especially well suited to measuring weak, sub‐mV/m, convection fields due to its sensitivity (to both components in the plane perpendicular to B) and because it is unaffected by the anomalous local electric fields that are generated by spacecraft‐plasma interactions. Because EDI requires exquisite beam pointing with active tracking of the firing directions, measurements are less regular, or even impossible, in rapidly varying electric and magnetic fields; however, in the many regimes where tracking is successful the resulting measurements are reliably accurate. We review the EDI technique and instrumentation, and present six areas of investigation using Cluster data: (1) Detailed comparisons of EDI data with the electric field and waves double probe measurements show excellent agreement in many cases but identify large discrepancies where strong ion outflow in the polar regions creates local spacecraft wake effects. (2) The wake effect is exploited to infer quantitative ion outflow rates. Detailed convection patterns in the (3) polar cap, (4) lobe, and (5) inner magnetosphere are derived under various driver conditions using statistical analyses of long term measurements during the Cluster mission. (6) EDI's large geometric‐factor detector is used for extremely high time resolution measurements of electrons at a specified energy and pitch angle.
Cluster Multi‐Probing of the Aurora During Two Decades
Authors: Marklund Göran , Lindqvist Per‐Arne
Published: June 2021

The Cluster spacecraft, launched in the year 2000, were pioneers using multi‐point measurements to explore the dynamic space plasma environment of Earth. This capability offered a new, powerful approach to study in situ fundamental space plasma processes of the solar‐terrestrial interaction. Although not a major science objective of the mission, the aurora and associated processes proved to be a very fruitful target for exploration by the Cluster fleet. Here, results are presented from a selection of Cluster auroral studies using the multi‐point measurements capability to further our understanding on various open issues on the aurora. These include the nature and properties of the auroral acceleration region, in particular the altitude distribution of the quasi‐static parallel electric field and potential, the auroral density cavity and its relation to the acceleration region, the role of and relative contribution by quasi‐static and Alfvénic acceleration processes in producing aurora. A related topic addressed by Cluster is acceleration processes and dynamics of the downward current region and its relation to black aurora. To get a broader perspective on these phenomena, event and statistical studies were used, supported by, in a few cases, numerical simulation studies.
Effects of renal transplantation on erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Rahman Irham Arif , Rasyid Nur , Birowo Ponco , Atmoko Widi
Published: June 2021

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a major global health burden commonly observed in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Although renal transplantation improves the problem in some patients, it persists in ≈20–50% of recipients. Studies regarding the effects of kidney transplantation on ED present contradictory findings. We performed a systematic review to summarise the effects of kidney transplantation on ED. A systematic literature search was performed across PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus databases in April 2020. We included all prospective studies that investigated the pre and posttransplant international index of erectile function (IIEF-5) scores in recipients with ED. Data search in PubMed and Google Scholar produced 1326 articles; eight were systematically reviewed with a total of 448 subjects. Meta-analysis of IIEF-5 scores showed significant improvements between pre and post transplantation. Our findings confirm that renal transplantation improves erectile function. Furthermore, transplantation also increases testosterone level. However, the evidence is limited because of the small number of studies. Further studies are required to investigate the effects of renal transplantation on erectile function.
Author Correction: A retrospective clinical analysis of pediatric paragonimiasis in a Chinese children’s hospital from 2011 to 2019
Authors: Qian Manning , Li Fei , Zhang Yuhan , Qiao Zhongwei , Shi Yingyan , Shen Jun
Published: June 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Detection of carbapenemase producing enterobacteria using an ion sensitive field effect transistor sensor
Authors: Kotsakis Stathis D. , Miliotis Georgios , Tzelepi Eva , Tzouvelekis Leonidas S. , Miriagou Vivi
Published: June 2021

The timely and accurate detection of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) is imperative to manage this worldwide problem in an effective fashion. Herein we addressed the question of whether the protons produced during imipenem hydrolysis could be detected using an ion sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET). Application of the methodology on enzyme preparations showed that the sensor is able to detect carbapenemases of the NDM, IMP, KPC and NMC-A types at low nanomolar concentrations while VIM and OXA-48 responded at levels above 100 nM. Similar results were obtained when CPE cell suspensions were tested; NDM, IMP, NMC-A and KPC producers caused fast reductions of the output potential. Reduction rates with VIM-type and especially OXA-48 producing strains were significantly lower. Based on results with selected CPEs and carbapenemase-negative enterobacteria, a threshold of 10 mV drop at 30 min was set. Applying this threshold, the method exhibited 100% sensitivity for NDM, IMP and KPC and 77.3% for VIM producers. The OXA-48-positive strains failed to pass the detection threshold. A wide variety of carbapenemase-negative control strains were all classified as negative (100% specificity). In conclusion, an ISFET-based approach may have the potential to be routinely used for non OXA-48-like CPE detection in the clinical laboratory.
Local and systemic inflammation after implantation of a novel iron based porous degradable bone replacement material in sheep model
Authors: Wegener Bernd , Behnke Maik , Milz Stefan , Jansson Volkmar , Redlich Christian , Hermanns Walter , Birkenmaier Christof , Pieper Korbinian , Weißgärber Thomas , Quadbeck Peter
Published: June 2021

Despite the high potential of healthy bone to regenerate, the reconstruction of large bone defects remains a challenge. Due to the lack of mechanical stability of existing bone substitutes, recently developed degradable metallic alloys are an interesting alternative providing higher load-bearing capabilities. Degradable iron-based alloys therefore might be an attractive innovation. To test the suitability of a newly-designed iron-based alloy for such applications, an animal experiment was performed. Porous iron-based degradable implants with two different densities and a control group were tested. The implants were positioned in the proximal tibia of Merino sheep. Over a period of 6 and 12 months, blood and histological parameters were monitored for signs of inflammation and degradation. In the histological evaluation of the implants` environment we found degraded alloy particles, but no inflammatory reaction. Iron particles were also found within the popliteal lymph nodes on both sides. The serum blood levels of phosphorus, iron and ferritin in the long term groups were elevated. Other parameters did not show any changes. Iron-based degradable porous bone replacement implants showed a good biocompatibility in this experiment. For a clinical application, however, the rate of degradation would have to be significantly increased. Biocompatibility would then have to be re-evaluated.
Weather constraints on global drone flyability
Authors: Gao Mozhou , Hugenholtz Chris H. , Fox Thomas A. , Kucharczyk Maja , Barchyn Thomas E. , Nesbit Paul R.
Published: June 2021

Small aerial drones are used in a growing number of commercial applications. However, drones cannot fly in all weather, which impacts their reliability for time-sensitive operations. The magnitude and global variability of weather impact is poorly understood. We explore weather-limited drone flyability (the proportion of time drones can fly safely) by comparing historical wind speed, temperature, and precipitation data to manufacturer-reported thresholds of common commercial and weather-resistant drones with a computer simulation. We show that global flyability is highest in warm and dry continental regions and lowest over oceans and at high latitudes. Median global flyability for common drones is low: 5.7 h/day or 2.0 h/day if restricted to daylight hours. Weather-resistant drones have higher flyability (20.4 and 12.3 h/day, respectively). While these estimates do not consider all weather conditions, results suggest that improvements to weather resistance can increase flyability. An inverse analysis for major population centres shows the largest flyability gains for common drones can be achieved by increasing maximum wind speed and precipitation thresholds from 10 to 15 m/s and 0–1 mm/h, respectively.
Arrhythmogenic and antiarrhythmic actions of late sustained sodium current in the adult human heart
Authors: Ton Anh Tuan , Nguyen William , Sweat Katrina , Miron Yannick , Hernandez Eduardo , Wong Tiara , Geft Valentyna , Macias Andrew , Espinoza Ana , Truong Ky , Rasoul Lana , Stafford Alexa , Cotta Tamara , Mai Christina , Indersmitten Tim , Page Guy , Miller Paul E. , Ghetti Andre , Abi-Gerges Najah
Published: June 2021

Late sodium current (late INa) inhibition has been proposed to suppress the incidence of arrhythmias generated by pathological states or induced by drugs. However, the role of late INa in the human heart is still poorly understood. We therefore investigated the role of this conductance in arrhythmias using adult primary cardiomyocytes and tissues from donor hearts. Potentiation of late INa with ATX-II (anemonia sulcata toxin II) and E-4031 (selective blocker of the hERG channel) slowed the kinetics of action potential repolarization, impaired Ca2+ homeostasis, increased contractility, and increased the manifestation of arrhythmia markers. These effects could be reversed by late INa inhibitors, ranolazine and GS-967. We also report that atrial tissues from donor hearts affected by atrial fibrillation exhibit arrhythmia markers in the absence of drug treatment and inhibition of late INa with GS-967 leads to a significant reduction in arrhythmic behaviour. These findings reveal a critical role for the late INa in cardiac arrhythmias and suggest that inhibition of this conductance could provide an effective therapeutic strategy. Finally, this study highlights the utility of human ex-vivo heart models for advancing cardiac translational sciences.
Risk score to stratify miscarriage risk levels in preconception women
Authors: Choo Xin Hui , Ku Chee Wai , Cheung Yin Bun , Godfrey Keith M. , Chong Yap-Seng , Shek Lynette Pei-Chi , Tan Kok Hian , Tan Thiam Chye , Nadarajah Sadhana , Yap Fabian Kok Peng , Colega Marjorelee T. , Chong Mary Foong-Fong , Chan Shiao-Yng , Loy See Ling , Chan Jerry Kok Yen
Published: June 2021

Spontaneous miscarriage is one of the most common complications of pregnancy. Even though some risk factors are well documented, there is a paucity of risk scoring tools during preconception. In the S-PRESTO cohort study, Asian women attempting to conceive, aged 18-45 years, were recruited. Multivariable logistic regression model coefficients were used to determine risk estimates for age, ethnicity, history of pregnancy loss, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol intake and dietary supplement intake; from these we derived a risk score ranging from 0 to 17. Miscarriage before 16 weeks of gestation, determined clinically or via ultrasound. Among 465 included women, 59 had miscarriages and 406 had pregnancy ≥ 16 weeks of gestation. Higher rates of miscarriage were observed at higher risk scores (5.3% at score ≤ 3, 17.0% at score 4–6, 40.0% at score 7–8 and 46.2% at score ≥ 9). Women with scores ≤ 3 were defined as low-risk level (< 10% miscarriage); scores 4–6 as intermediate-risk level (10% to < 40% miscarriage); scores ≥ 7 as high-risk level (≥ 40% miscarriage). The risk score yielded an area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve of 0.74 (95% confidence interval 0.67, 0.81; p < 0.001). This novel scoring tool allows women to self-evaluate their miscarriage risk level, which facilitates lifestyle changes to optimize modifiable risk factors in the preconception period and reduces risk of spontaneous miscarriage.
Data-driven analysis of facial thermal responses and multimodal physiological consistency among subjects
Authors: Sonkusare Saurabh , Breakspear Michael , Pang Tianji , Nguyen Vinh Thai , Frydman Sascha , Guo Christine Cong , Aburn Matthew J.
Published: June 2021

Facial infra-red imaging (IRI) is a contact-free technique complimenting the traditional psychophysiological measures to characterize physiological profile. However, its full potential in affective research is arguably unmet due to the analytical challenges it poses. Here we acquired facial IRI data, facial expressions and traditional physiological recordings (heart rate and skin conductance) from healthy human subjects whilst they viewed a 20-min-long unedited emotional movie. We present a novel application of motion correction and the results of spatial independent component analysis of the thermal data. Three distinct spatial components are recovered associated with the nose, the cheeks and respiration. We first benchmark this methodology against a traditional nose-tip region-of-interest based technique showing an expected similarity of signals extracted by these methods. We then show significant correlation of all the physiological responses across subjects, including the thermal signals, suggesting common dynamic shifts in emotional state induced by the movie. In sum, this study introduces an innovative approach to analyse facial IRI data and highlights the potential of thermal imaging to robustly capture emotion-related changes induced by ecological stimuli.
Publisher Correction: Imaging the transmembrane and transendothelial sodium gradients in gliomas
Authors: Khan Muhammad H. , Walsh John J. , Mihailović Jelena M. , Mishra Sandeep K. , Coman Daniel , Hyder Fahmeed
Published: June 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Probing penile hemodynamics by using photoplethysmography as objective indicators for male erection quality and sexual function
Authors: Pong Yuan-Hung , Chang Yi-Kai , Hsu Ching-En , Chen Po-Cheng , Lu Yu-Chuan , Tsai Vincent F. S. , Chang Hong-Chiang , Lo Men-Tzung , Lin Chen
Published: June 2021

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is mostly due to the lack of blood flow into the penis. In the past 20 years, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used in measuring the concentrations and temporal dynamics of different hemoglobin types. However, the dynamics of the light absorption (photoplethysmography; PPG) have not been applied to survey penile hemodynamics and erection quality. This paper compared the use of photoplethysmography (PPG) to study vascular ED with standard penile Doppler ultrasonography. Men diagnosed with vascular ED for at least 6 months and nominated for penile ultrasonography were included. PPG signals were collected during the ultrasound examination. All beat-to-beat PPG waveforms were aligned with the peak and averaged to one representative template waveform for feature analysis, including amplitude differences (APD) index, reflection time index (RTI), augmentation index (AI), and perfusion index (PI). An inverse correlation was found between end-erection amplitude and both erection hardness score (EHS) and resistive index (RI). APD index and EHS as well as the international index of erectile function-5 (IIEF) and RI were positively correlated. RTI and AI were inversely correlated to IIEF and RI. PI was positively correlated to RI. PPG may therefore be useful as a noninvasive, convenient, technique for sexual function evaluation.
Author Correction: A systems pharmacology approach to identify the autophagy‑inducing effects of Traditional Persian medicinal plants
Authors: Mosaddeghi Pouria , Eslami Mahboobeh , Farahmandnejad Mitra , Akhavein Mahshad , Ranjbarfarrokhi Ratin , Khorraminejad‑Shirazi Mohammadhossein , Shahabinezhad Farbod , Taghipour Mohammadjavad , Dorvash Mohammadreza , Sakhteman Amirhossein , Zarshenas Mohammad M. , Nezafat Navid , Mobasheri Meysam , Ghasemi Younes
Published: June 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Author Correction: Clustering of neuropsychological traits of preschoolers
Authors: Treviño Mario , Beltrán‑Navarro Beatriz , León Ricardo Medina‑Coss y , Matute Esmeralda
Published: June 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Insight into the reversible conversion–(de)incorporation of redox-active dopants within a polymer-based electrode
Authors: Cao Mu-Fan , Xu Cheng-Yang , Xiao De-Wei , Li Zi-Han , Xue Min , Hou Yu-Wei , Wang Ling , Zhang Xiao-Gang , Dou Hui
Published: June 2021

We combined a microporous polymer backbone with an organic redox-active dopant to construct a reversible electrode system based on the conversion–(de)incorporation behaviour of the dopant.
Metal–organic complex-derived 3D porous carbon-supported g-C3N4/TiO2as photocatalysts for the efficient degradation of antibiotic
Authors: Wang Yanru , Wang Ani , Pan Jie , Xue Zhenzhen , Li Jinhua , Wang Guoming
Published: June 2021

g-C3N4/TiO2/CNOT heterojunction photocatalysts exhibit efficient synergistic adsorption–photocatalysis performance for the removal of chlortetracycline hydrochloride (CTC-HCl).
Supramolecular tuning of thioflavin-T aggregation hosted by polystyrene sulfonate
Authors: Pandey Shrishti P. , Awasthi Ankur A. , Singh Prabhat K.
Published: June 2021

A tunable and controllable emission arising from the modulation of monomer–aggregate equilibrium of a thioflavin-T–polystyrene sulfonate system has been demonstrated using a supramolecular host molecule.
A fast and robust direct solid sampling method for the determination of 27 trace, main and minor elements in soda-lime glass based on ETV-ICP OES and using a gaseous halogenating modifier
Authors: Hommel C. , Hassler J. , Matschat R. , Vogt T. , Detcheva A. K. , Recknagel S.
Published: June 2021

ETV-ICP OES was successfully developed for elemental determination in glasses and validated by participation in certification for a glass standard.
Thermal effect on the pseudocapacitive behavior of high-performance flexible supercapacitors based on polypyrrole-decorated carbon cloth electrodes
Authors: Liu Jia-hua , Xu Xiao-ying , Liu Chen , Chen Da-Zhu
Published: June 2021

The electrochemical performance of flexible CC/PPy supercapacitors was systematically investigated at various surrounding temperatures.
A home run for human NaCT/SLC13A5/INDY: cryo-EM structure and homology model to predict transport mechanisms, inhibitor interactions and mutational defects
Authors: Jaramillo-Martinez Valeria , Ganapathy Vadivel , Urbatsch Ina L.
Published: June 2021

NaCT (SLC13A5) is a Na+-coupled transporter for citrate, which is expressed in the liver, brain, testes, and bone. It is the mammalian homolog of Drosophila INDY, a cation-independent transporter for citrate, whose partial loss extends lifespan in the organism. In humans, loss-of-function mutations in NaCT cause a disease with severe neurological dysfunction, characterized by neonatal epilepsy and delayed brain development. In contrast with humans, deletion of NaCT in mice results in a beneficial metabolic phenotype with protection against diet-induced obesity and metabolic syndrome; the brain dysfunction is not readily noticeable. The disease-causing mutations are located in different regions of human NaCT protein, suggesting that different mutations might have different mechanisms for the loss of function. The beneficial effects of NaCT loss in the liver versus the detrimental effects of NaCT loss in the brain provide an opportunity to design high-affinity inhibitors for the transporter that do not cross the blood-brain barrier so that only the beneficial effects could be harnessed. To realize these goals, we need a detailed knowledge of the 3D structure of human NaCT. The recent report by Sauer et al. in Nature describing the cryo-EM structure of human NaCT represents such a milestone, paving the way for a better understanding of the structure-function relationship for this interesting and clinically important transporter.
Multidimensional time-of-flight spectroscopy
Authors: Ouyang Zhenyu , Zhou Ninghao , McNamee Meredith G. , Yan Liang , Williams Olivia F. , You Wei , Moran Andrew M.
Published: June 2021

Experimental methods based on a wide range of physical principles are used to determine carrier mobilities for light-harvesting materials in photovoltaic cells. For example, in a time-of-flight experiment, a single laser pulse photoexcites the active layer of a device, and the transit time is determined by the arrival of carriers at an acceptor electrode. With inspiration from this conventional approach, we present a multidimensional time-of-flight technique in which carrier transport is tracked with a second intervening laser pulse. Transient populations of separate material components of an active layer may then be established by tuning the wavelengths of the laser pulses into their respective electronic resonances. This experimental technique is demonstrated using photovoltaic cells based on mixtures of organohalide perovskite quantum wells. In these “layered perovskite” systems, charge carriers are funneled between quantum wells with different thicknesses because of staggered band alignments. Multidimensional time-of-flight measurements show that these funneling processes do not support long-range transport because of carrier trapping. Rather, our data suggest that the photocurrent is dominated by processes in which the phases of the thickest quantum wells absorb light and transport carriers without transitions into domains occupied by quantum wells with smaller sizes. These same conclusions cannot be drawn using conventional one-dimensional techniques for measuring carrier mobilities. Advantages and disadvantages of multidimensional time-of-flight experiments are discussed in the context of a model for the signal generation mechanism.
Quantum phases of spin-1 system on 3/4 and 3/5 skewed ladders
Authors: Das Sambunath , Dey Dayasindhu , Ramasesha S. , Kumar Manoranjan
Published: June 2021

We study the quantum phase transitions of frustrated antiferromagnetic Heisenberg spin-1 systems on the 3/4 and 3/5 skewed two leg ladder geometries. These systems can be viewed as arising by periodically removing rung bonds from a zigzag ladder. We find that in large systems, the ground state (gs) of the 3/4 ladder switches from a singlet to a magnetic state for J1≥1.82; the gs spin corresponds to the ferromagnetic alignment of effective S=2 objects on each unit cell. The gs of antiferromagnetic exchange Heisenberg spin-1 system on a 3/5 skewed ladder is highly frustrated and has spiral spin arrangements. The amplitude of the spin density wave in the 3/5 ladder is significantly larger compared to that in the magnetic state of the 3/4 ladder. The gs of the system switches between singlet state and low spin magnetic states multiple times on tuning J1 in a finite size system. The switching pattern is nonmonotonic as a function of J1 and depends on the system size. It appears to be the consequence of a higher J1 favoring a higher spin magnetic state and the finite system favoring a standing spin wave. For some specific parameter values, the magnetic gs in the 3/5 system is doubly degenerate in two different mirror symmetry subspaces. This degeneracy leads to spontaneous spin-parity and mirror symmetry breaking, giving rise to spin current in the gs of the system.
Structural and optoelectronic properties change in Bi/In2Se3 heterostructure films by thermal annealing and laser irradiation
Authors: Priyadarshini P. , Sahoo D. , Alagarasan D. , Ganesan R. , Varadharajaperumal S. , Naik Ramakanta
Published: June 2021

The amorphous materials are sensitive to external radiations and thermal annealing that brings changes in their structural and optical properties for optoelectronic applications. The present report shows the amorphous to crystalline structure transformation in Bi/In2Se3 by energy radiation and thermal annealing that modifies the linear as well as the nonlinear optical properties. The thermally evaporated Bi/In2Se3 film was subjected to 2.35 eV energy irradiation and 150 °C thermal annealing. The structural transition was probed by XRD, which revealed the formation of BiSe, Bi4Se3, and Bi2Se3 phases by replacing indium with an average crystallite size of ∼20 nm. The diffusion of Bi into In2Se3 host matrix modified the interfacial region as noticed from the field effect scanning electron microscopy pictures. The linear and nonlinear optical constants were evaluated from the UV–Visible data that show a significant change in the irradiated and annealed films due to the new phases. The change in direct and indirect bandgap is explained on the basis of density of defect states and degree of disorder. The significant change in the refractive index brings more freedom in designing multifunctional optoelectronic devices. The σopt and σelect changed noticeably with heat and energy treatment. The high value of χ3 (18.81 × 10−10 esu) for the Bi/In2Se3 film decreased significantly to 3.68 × 10−10 and 2.13 × 10−10 esu for the annealed and irradiated film. All the optical parameter changes due to annealing and irradiation are confined between the two-host materials In2Se3 and Bi/In2Se3. The corresponding changes were also observed in Raman spectroscopy data. The tuning of these linear and nonlinear parameters is useful for optoelectronics and photovoltaics.
Controllable probe absorption spectrum via vortex beams excitation in a cascaded atomic system
Authors: Dai Xiao , Hao Xiangying , Jin Rui-Bo , Peng Chen , Ding Chunling
Published: June 2021

Dynamic control of probe absorption spectrum via vortex beams in multilevel systems has attracted much attention because it provides an avenue to observe unique transport properties. In this paper, we employ experimentally accessible parameters to flexibly control the probe absorption spectrum that shows vortex-induced transparency (VIT) and absorption (VIA) phenomena. Specifically, this system can be served as an optical switch while the vortex beams can act as the control knob, which has the ability to switch from a transparency dip to an absorption peak. Differing from a conventional electromagnetically induced transparency technique, our proposed scheme investigates VIT and VIA by tuning the orbital angular momentum of vortex beams in the resonance and non-resonance cases. Moreover, the collective feature caused by constructive or destructive interference is also studied via adjustable frequency detuning. Our results may provide an efficient approach to study similar phenomena in multilevel quantum systems driven by optical vortex beams.
Stochastic effects on a Hopf adaptive frequency oscillator
Authors: Li XiaoFu , Shougat Md. Raf E. Ul , Mollik Tushar , Beal Aubrey N. , Dean Robert N. , Perkins Edmon
Published: June 2021

This paper explores the stochastic dynamics of a Hopf adaptive frequency oscillator when driven by noise. Adaptive oscillators are nonlinear oscillators that store information via plastic states. As noise is ubiquitous in physical systems, it is important to gain an understanding of the stochastic effects on adaptive oscillators. Previously, it has been shown that a simplified analysis of the Fokker–Planck equation results in affecting the plastic frequency state of these oscillators. However, when the full Fokker–Planck equation is considered, new behaviors are observed due to changes in oscillation amplitudes in addition to frequencies. The plastic frequency state of these oscillators may benefit from enhanced learning due to small amplitudes of noise, converge to incorrect values for medium amplitudes of noise, and even collapse to zero in the limit of large amplitudes of noise. Interestingly, not all averaged states collapse equally, which leads a two dimensional limit cycle to collapse into single dimensional oscillations when considering the averaged dynamics. These behaviors are compared analytically through the Fokker–Planck equation, numerically using the Euler–Maruyama simulations, and finally validated experimentally using an analog, electronic circuit. These results show that noise can enhance, mislead, or even reduce the dimensionality of the averaged adaptive Hopf oscillator.