bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improvement of gastrointestinal discomfort and inflammatory status by a synbiotic in middle-aged adults: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Neyrinck Audrey M. , Rodriguez Julie , Taminiau Bernard , Amadieu Camille , Herpin Florent , Allaert François-André , Cani Patrice D. , Daube Georges , Bindels Laure B. , Delzenne Nathalie M.
Published: January 2021

Several studies suggest that microbial alterations (dysbiosis) are intimately linked to chronic inflammation occurring upon aging. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential interest of a synbiotic approach (co-administration of a probiotic bacteria and a prebiotic dietary fibre) to improve gastrointestinal wellness and inflammatory markers in middle-aged people. Middle-aged subjects were randomized to take synbiotic (Bifidobacterium animalis lactis and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS)) or placebo for 30 days. Stool frequency and consistency were improved in both placebo and synbiotic-treated volunteers while the synbiotic treatment significantly decreased the number of days with abdominal discomfort. Synbiotic treatment had no impact on mood dimensions, quality of life scores or the overall composition of the gut microbiota (16S rRNA gene sequencing of DNA extracted from stool). Importantly, plasma proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-17a and interferon-gamma (IFNγ)) were significantly lower after 30 days of synbiotic supplementation. This effect appears to be independent of the gut barrier function. This study demonstrates that a combination of B. animalis lactis and the well-known prebiotic FOS could be a promising synbiotic strategy to decrease inflammatory status with improvement of gut disorders in middle-aged people.
Inhibition of HIV-1 gene transcription by KAP1 in myeloid lineage
Authors: Ait-Ammar Amina , Bellefroid Maxime , Daouad Fadoua , Martinelli Valérie , Van Assche Jeanne , Wallet Clémentine , Rodari Anthony , De Rovere Marco , Fahrenkrog Birthe , Schwartz Christian , Van Lint Carine , Gautier Virginie , Rohr Olivier
Published: January 2021

HIV-1 latency generates reservoirs that prevent viral eradication by the current therapies. To find strategies toward an HIV cure, detailed understandings of the molecular mechanisms underlying establishment and persistence of the reservoirs are needed. The cellular transcription factor KAP1 is known as a potent repressor of gene transcription. Here we report that KAP1 represses HIV-1 gene expression in myeloid cells including microglial cells, the major reservoir of the central nervous system. Mechanistically, KAP1 interacts and colocalizes with the viral transactivator Tat to promote its degradation via the proteasome pathway and repress HIV-1 gene expression. In myeloid models of latent HIV-1 infection, the depletion of KAP1 increased viral gene elongation and reactivated HIV-1 expression. Bound to the latent HIV-1 promoter, KAP1 associates and cooperates with CTIP2, a key epigenetic silencer of HIV-1 expression in microglial cells. In addition, Tat and CTIP2 compete for KAP1 binding suggesting a dynamic modulation of the KAP1 cellular partners upon HIV-1 infection. Altogether, our results suggest that KAP1 contributes to the establishment and the persistence of HIV-1 latency in myeloid cells.
Risk of postpolypectomy bleeding in patients taking direct oral anticoagulants or clopidogrel
Authors: Kim Gwang-Un , Lee Sinwon , Choe Jaewon , Hwang Sung Wook , Park Sang Hyoung , Ye Byong Duk , Byeon Jeong-Sik , Myung Seung-Jae , Yang Suk-Kyun , Yang Dong-Hoon
Published: January 2021

The usage of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) to prevent and treat thromboembolic events is gradually increasing. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of patients taking DOACs after polypectomy. We retrospectively reviewed 131 patients taking DOACs and 270 taking clopidogrel who underwent polypectomy between November 2010 and December 2017. The risk of delayed postpolypectomy bleeding (PPB) was evaluated and compared. A total of 989 polyps were removed (320 polyps in the DOAC and 669 polyps in the clopidogrel group). DOACs and clopidogrel were discontinued for 2.8 ± 1.7 days and 5.8 ± 2.5 days before polypectomy, respectively. DOACs and clopidogrel were restarted on 1.6 ± 2.9 days and 1.7 ± 1.1 days after polypectomy, respectively. According to per polyp analysis, delayed PPB rate was 1.6% in both groups (p = 0.924). Logistic regression analysis was performed after propensity score matching and revealed that DOACs did not increase the delayed PPB risk compared to clopidogrel (OR 0.929, 95% CI 0.436–1.975, p = 0.847). With the majority following the antithrombotic discontinuation guidelines, the incidence of delayed PPB was 3.1% in the patients taking DOACs. The delayed PPB risk was not greater in those taking DOACs than in those taking clopidogrel.
Evidence that spillover from Marine Protected Areas benefits the spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus) fishery in southern California
Authors: Lenihan Hunter S. , Gallagher Jordan P. , Peters Joseph R. , Stier Adrian C. , Hofmeister Jennifer K. K. , Reed Daniel C.
Published: January 2021

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are designed to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services. Some MPAs are also established to benefit fisheries through increased egg and larval production, or the spillover of mobile juveniles and adults. Whether spillover influences fishery landings depend on the population status and movement patterns of target species both inside and outside of MPAs, as well as the status of the fishery and behavior of the fleet. We tested whether an increase in the lobster population inside two newly established MPAs influenced local catch, fishing effort, and catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) within the sustainable California spiny lobster fishery. We found greater build-up of lobsters within MPAs relative to unprotected areas, and greater increases in fishing effort and total lobster catch, but not CPUE, in fishing zones containing MPAs vs. those without MPAs. Our results show that a 35% reduction in fishing area resulting from MPA designation was compensated for by a 225% increase in total catch after 6-years, thus indicating at a local scale that the trade-off of fishing ground for no-fishing zones benefitted the fishery.
Two-photon excited peptide nanodrugs for precise photodynamic therapy
Authors: Cao Hongqian , Qi Yanfei , Gao Xibao , Wei Zi Jin , Xia Jiarui , Wang Lei , Wang Hao , Yang Yang , Li Junbai
Published: January 2021

A peptide nanodrug composed of three functional motifs is used for targeting new-born vessels in tumors and two-photon excited precise photodynamic therapy.
Light-mediated control of activity in a photosensitive foldamer that mimics an esterase
Authors: Pollastrini Matteo , Marafon Giulia , Clayden Jonathan , Moretto Alessandro
Published: January 2021

Photoisomerisation of a fumaramide/maleamide linker within a functionalised helical foldamer brings together a catalytic triad and activates catalytic esterase-like activity.
Selective electrocatalytic hydroboration of aryl alkenes
Authors: Zhang Yahui , Zhao Xiangyu , Bi Ce , Lu Wenqi , Song Mengyuan , Wang Dongdong , Qing Guangyan
Published: January 2021

A CH3CN-involved electrochemical mono- or di-functional borylation reaction with alkenes and HBpin as substrates was reported. Functional group transformation and gram-scale synthesis demonstrated the utility of this method and showed great potential application.
Green synthesis of nano-Al2O3, recent functionalization, and fabrication of synthetic or natural polymer nanocomposites: various technological applications
Authors: Mallakpour Shadpour , Sirous Fariba , Hussain Chaudhery Mustansar
Published: January 2021

Environmentally friendly fabrication of nano-Al2O3, recent functionalization, and preparation of polymer nanocomposites including natural and man-made polymers with various industrial applications are reviewed.
Copper-catalyzed Goldberg-type C–N coupling in deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and water under aerobic conditions
Authors: Cicco Luciana , Hernández-Fernández Jose A. , Salomone Antonio , Vitale Paola , Ramos-Martín Marina , González-Sabín Javier , Presa Soto Alejandro , Perna Filippo M. , Capriati Vito , García-Álvarez Joaquín
Published: January 2021

A scalable CuI-catalyzed Goldberg C–N coupling between aryl iodides and amides is reported either in DESs or in water.
Microwave-assisted coherent control of ultracold polar molecules in a ladder-type configuration of rotational states
Authors: Gong Ting , Ji Zhonghua , Du Jiaqi , Zhao Yanting , Xiao Liantuan , Jia Suotang
Published: January 2021

We demonstrate microwave-assisted coherent control of ultracold85Rb133Cs molecules in a ladder-type configuration of rotational states.
LOFAR imaging of the solar corona during the 2015 March 20 solar eclipse
Authors: Ryan A. M. , Gallagher P. T. , Carley E. P. , Brentjens M. A. , Murphy P. C. , Vocks C. , Morosan D. E. , Reid H. , Magdalenic J. , Breitling F. , Zucca P. , Fallows R. , Mann G. , Kerdraon A. , Halfwerk R.
Published: January 2021

The solar corona is a highly-structured plasma which can reach temperatures of more than ∼2 MK. At low frequencies (decimetric and metric wavelengths), scattering and refraction of electromagnetic waves are thought to considerably increase the imaged radio source sizes (up to a few arcminutes). However, exactly how source size relates to scattering due to turbulence is still subject to investigation. The theoretical predictions relating source broadening to propagation effects have not been fully confirmed by observations due to the rarity of high spatial resolution observations of the solar corona at low frequencies. Here, the LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR) was used to observe the solar corona at 120−180 MHz using baselines of up to ∼3.5 km (corresponding to a resolution of ∼1−2′) during the partial solar eclipse of 2015 March 20. A lunar de-occultation technique was used to achieve higher spatial resolution (∼0.6′) than that attainable via standard interferometric imaging (∼2.4′). This provides a means of studying the contribution of scattering to apparent source size broadening. It was found that the de-occultation technique reveals a more structured quiet corona that is not resolved from standard imaging, implying scattering may be overestimated in this region when using standard imaging techniques. However, an active region source was measured to be ∼4′ using both de-occultation and standard imaging. This may be explained by the increased scattering of radio waves by turbulent density fluctuations in active regions, which is more severe than in the quiet Sun.
Long-term, orbital, and rapid variations of the Be star V923 Aql = HD 183656
Authors: Wolf M. , Harmanec P. , Božić H. , Koubský P. , Yang S. , Ruždjak D. , Šlechta M. , Ak H. , Bakış H. , Bakış V. , Oplištilová A. , Vitovský K.
Published: January 2021

We present the latest results of a long-term observational project aimed at observing, collecting from the literature, and homogenising the light, colour, and spectral variations of the well-known emission-line Be star V923 Aql. Our analysis of these parameters confirms that all of the observables exhibit cyclic changes with variable cycle length between about 1800 and 3000 days, so far documented for seven consecutive cycles. We show that these variations can be qualitatively understood within the framework of the model of one-armed oscillation of the circumstellar disk, with a wave of increased density and prograde revolution in space. We confirm the binary nature of the object with a 214.716 day period and estimate the probable system properties. We also confirm the presence of rapid light, and likely also spectral changes. However, we cannot provide any firm conclusions regarding their nature. A quantitative modelling study of long-term changes is planned as a follow-up to this work.
Therapie der Weichgewebssarkome inklusive GIST – Update 2021
Authors: Reichardt Peter , Pink Daniel
Published: January 2021

Was ist neu?

Neoadjuvante und adjuvante Chemotherapie Zur Risikoabschätzung einer perioperativen Chemotherapie kann der „Sarculator“ eingesetzt werden. Unter Einbeziehung von histologischem Subtyp, Tumorgröße, -grading und Patientenalter hilft er, das individuelle Rezidivrisiko zu bestimmen.

Palliative Systemtherapie Zunehmende Hinweise aus Subgruppenanalysen prospektiver Studien und retrospektiven Studien sprechen dafür, dass Patienten mit bestimmten Sarkom-Subtypen auch bezüglich des Gesamtüberlebens von subtypspezifischen Kombinationstherapien schon in der ersten Therapielinie profitieren können. Die Therapieplanung in der metastasierten Situation sollte nicht nur nach patientenindividuellen Gesichtspunkten, sondern auch Sarkom-Subtyp-spezifisch erfolgen.

Gastrointestinaler Stromatumor Mit Avapritinib steht ab sofort eine hochwirksame Therapie für GIST mit der bislang als therapierefraktär angesehenen PDGFRA-Exon-18-D842V-Mutation zur Verfügung. Ripretinib ist eine neue Therapieoption für Patienten, die alle derzeit zugelassenen Substanzen bereits erhalten haben. Durch eine 3-jährige adjuvante Therapie kann bei Patienten mit hohem Rezidivrisiko etwa die Hälfte aller Todesfälle in den ersten 10 Jahren Nachbeobachtung vermieden werden.
Prävention von Schulterverletzungen im Handball
Authors: van Maanen-Coppens Linda
Published: January 2021

Nicht nur Handballspieler können ein Lied davon singen: Immer wieder ist es die Schulter, die Schmerzen bereitet und zu Spielpausen zwingt. Doch kann man Schulterverletzungen effektiv verhindern? Ein Blick auf die aktuelle Studienlage.
Erstversorgung einer traumatischen Schulterluxation
Authors: Neumann Markus
Published: January 2021

Schulterluxationen kommen in einigen Sportarten verhältnismäßig häufig vor. Für manche Betreuer ist die Versuchung groß, die ausgekugelte Schulter sofort wieder einzurenken. Unser Autor erklärt, warum das keine gute Idee ist und wie man es besser macht.
Schlüssel zu nachhaltiger Therapie – Awareness
Authors: Ebert Juliane
Published: January 2021

Besitzen Klienten ein Bewusstsein für ihre Einschränkungen und Fähigkeiten, spricht man von Awareness. Die adäquate Krankheitseinsicht gilt als Voraussetzung, um nachhaltige Therapieerfolge gewährleisten zu können und Klienten Teilhabe zu ermöglichen. Juliane Ebert zeigt auf, wie Awareness-Erarbeitung in der Ergotherapie gelingen kann.
Therapie auf Knopfdruck – Betätigungszentrierung via Teletherapie
Authors: Mohr Sara , Lambracht Sonja , Bühler Sarah , Nicht Daniel
Published: January 2021

In den vergangenen Monaten war es Heilmittelerbringern teilweise möglich, ihre Intervention als Teletherapie durchzuführen. Vier Ergotherapeuten aus verschiedenen Fachbereichen berichten, welche Hürden zu meistern waren und welche Vorteile die Therapie per Video bot.
Insulin Resistance and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Premenopausal Women with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: El-Sehrawy Amr Ali , State Omnia , Elzehery Rasha Rizk , Mohamed Ahmed Salem
Published: January 2021

It is suggested that estrogen protects premenopausal women against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. From another perspective, the relation between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is bidirectional. Role of insulin resistance (IR) in NAFLD continues to be a matter of debate. The present study aimed to assess the relation between IR and NAFLD in premenopausal women with MetS. The study included 51 premenopausal women with MetS. In addition, there were 40 age-matched healthy controls. All participants were subjected to careful history taking and thorough clinical examination. Performed laboratory investigations included fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, lipid profile, and liver functions. Calculation of IR was achieved by the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA-IR). NAFLD was graded into three grades according to findings of abdominal ultrasound. Patients had significantly higher BMI, SBP, DBP, FBG, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL levels when compared with controls. They also had significantly lower HDL levels in comparison to controls. Moreover, they have more advanced grades of NAFLD in contrast to controls. Comparison between patients with various grades of NAFLD regarding the clinical data revealed significant increase of fasting insulin and HOMA-IR levels with advancing NAFLD grade. Using multivariate regression analysis, HOMA-IR was an independent predictor of advanced NAFLD grade. In conclusion, the present study documented a combined inter-relation between MetS, IR, and NAFLD in premenopausal women with MetS. IR is correlated with NAFLD grade.
Genetic and Epigenetic Characteristics of Autosomal Dominant Pseudohypoparathyroidism Type 1B: Case Reports and Literature Review
Authors: Luo Dandan , Qi Xiangyu , Liu Luna , Su Yu , Fang Li , Guan Qingbo
Published: January 2021

Autosomal dominant pseudohypoparathyroidism 1B (AD-PHP1B) is a rare endocrine and imprinted disorder. The objective of this study is to clarify the imprinted regulation of the guanine nucleotide binding-protein α-stimulating activity polypeptide 1 (GNAS) cluster in the occurrence and development of AD-PHP1B based on animal and clinical patient studies. The methylation-specific multiples ligation-dependent probe amplification (MS-MLPA) was conducted to detect the copy number variation in syntaxin-16 (STX16) gene and methylation status of the GNAS differentially methylated regions (DMRs). Long-range PCR was used to confirm deletion at STX16 gene. In the first family, DNA analysis of the proband and proband’s mother revealed an isolated loss of methylation (LOM) at exon A/B and a 3.0 kb STX16 deletion. The patient’s healthy grandmother had the 3.0 kb STX16 deletion but no epigenetic abnormality. The patient’s healthy maternal aunt showed no genetic or epigenetic abnormality. In the second family, the analysis of long-range PCR revealed the 3.0 kb STX16 deletion for the proband but not her children. In this study, 3.0 kb STX16 deletion causes isolated LOM at exon A/B in two families, which is the most common genetic mutation of AD-PHP1B. The deletion involving NESP55 or AS or genomic rearrangements of GNAS can also result in AD-PHP1B, but it's rare. LOM at exon A/B DMR is prerequisite methylation defect of AD-PHP1B. STX16 and NESP55 directly control the imprinting at exon A/B, while AS controls the imprinting at exon A/B by regulating the transcriptional level of NESP55.
Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations and Cardiometabolic Biomarkers in Chinese Rural Population
Authors: Zhang Dongdong , Cheng Cheng , Wang Yan , Xue Yuan , Liu Yiming , Li Wenjie , Li Xing
Published: January 2021

There is a paucity of data on the relation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration and cardiometabolic biomarkers in the Chinese population. To comprehensively and quantitatively examine the association of 25(OH)D and cardiometabolic traits, we conducted a cross-sectional study in the Chinese rural population. Serum 25(OH)D and eight cardiometabolic biomarkers were measured in 1714 individuals from Henan province, China. Scatter plot was used to visualize the distribution and correlation of 25(OH)D and cardiometabolic indicators. Moreover, multivariate linear regressions and restricted cubic spline (RCS) functions were performed to examine the quantitative association between the serum 25(OH)D and cardiometabolic parameters. The median serum 25(OH)D level was 19.94 ng/ml in all participants, with an estimated 50.12% presenting vitamin D deficiency. Serum 25(OH)D level showed significantly modest association with cardiometabolic parameters (p<0.05) except for diastolic blood pressure (r=0.03, p=0.22). Multiple linear regression models showed that 25(OH)D concentration was positively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and negatively associated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and fasting serum glucose (GLU). The results of restricted cubic spline models indicated a positively linear association of 25(OH)D with HDL-C (p for overall<0.001, p for nonlinearity=0.191) and a negatively linear association with GLU (p for overall=0.024, p for nonlinearity=0.095). Overall, vitamin D deficiency was very common among Chinese rural population living near the 34 degrees north latitude. Besides, there were significant association between 25(OH)D concentrations and cardiometabolic biomarkers including HDL-C and GLU levels. Future longitudinal studies and randomized trials are warranted to clarify the causal relationship.
Thoracoscopic Repair of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in Preterm Neonate at 1 Kilogram
Authors: Choudhry Muhammad , Rusu Simona , Brooks Peter , Ogundipe Enitan , Chuang Shu-Ling
Published: January 2021

We report the first successful primary thoracoscopic repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in a preterm infant born at 28 weeks of gestation weighing 1,043 g. Left-sided CDH was incidentally diagnosed on postnatal chest X-ray on day 1. The neonate subsequently underwent thoracoscopic repair with primary closure of the defect on day 8 weighing 1,150 g. Intraoperative arterial blood gas monitoring including end tidal carbon-dioxide remained within normal range throughout. Postoperative recovery was uneventful. One year neurodevelopmental outcome was normal for age with no CDH recurrence.
Degenerative Lumbar Disc Disease: A Questionnaire Survey of Management Practice in India and Review of Literature
Authors: Gopal Vinu V.
Published: January 2021

Objective To identify the current management modalities practiced by neurosurgeons in India for degenerative lumbar disc disease.

Materials and Methods Survey questionnaires were prepared in Google forms. It covered the following aspects of managing the lumbar disc pathology: (1) Demographic, institutional details, experience of surgeons, (2)choice of surgical procedures, (3) use of endoscopy and minimally invasive techniques, and (4) pre- and postoperative care. Responses obtained were entered in SPSS datasheet and analyzed.

Results Of the 300 surveys sent, 80 were returned and response rate was 26.6%. But four surveys were highly incomplete and were discarded from the analysis. So, the study content is from the analysis of practices of 76 spinal surgeons working in different parts of the country. Majority of the spine surgeons (n = 70) were neurosurgeons, while 6 were orthopaedic surgeons. Fifty-four were from urban area, 12 from semiurban area, and 10 from rural area. Forty-seven spine surgeons practiced in a teaching hospital. Total 73.6% of spine surgeons opted initial medical management. Sixty-three percent preferred microlumbar discectomy (MLD) and only eight neurosurgeons preferred minimally invasive techniques. None of the respondents used in situ fusion. Fifty-three percent of spine surgeons preferred early mobilization (first postoperative day). Fifty-nine percent preferred to follow-up patients clinically and opted for magnetic resonance imaging only when recurrence or infection was suspected. The institutional nature (government teaching, government nonteaching, private teaching, and private nonteaching) and location of the hospital (urban/semiurban/rural) were found to be influencing the preferred surgical technique, trial of medical management, or postoperative care and complications. Considerable practice variations exist for medical and perioperative management.

Conclusion The preferred treatment of choice of majority was MLD, although laminectomy and discectomy were still used by many. Consensus lacks in the operative, perioperative, and postoperative management of degenerative disc disease. Present survey points toward the importance of making management guidelines for this common spinal surgical entity.
Knee Arthroscopy Prior to Revision TKA Is Associated with Increased Re-Revision for Stiffness
Authors: Oganesyan Ruben , Klemt Christian , Esposito John , Tirumala Venkatsaiakhil , Xiong Liang , Kwon Young-Min
Published: January 2021

This is an experimental study. As knee arthroscopy may be used as a suitable temporizing alternative prior to revision surgery, knee arthroscopy potentially may be a risk factor for subsequent adverse outcomes after revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of prior knee arthroscopy on outcomes of subsequent TKA revision surgery. We identified 1,689 consecutive patients who underwent revision TKA: (1) patients with no prior knee arthroscopy (n = 1,549) and (2) patients with knee arthroscopy prior to revision TKA (n = 140). A control group of matched revision TKA patients who did not undergo prior knee arthroscopy was identified (700 patients), using one-to-five matching. Matched patients with prior knee arthroscopy demonstrated an increased likelihood of requiring re-revision (odds ratio [OR], 2.06, p < 0.001), particularly for stiffness (OR, 2.72, p < 0.02) compared with patients who underwent revision TKA without prior knee arthroscopy. Knee arthroscopy demonstrated a time-dependent impact on revision TKA outcomes, with an increased likelihood of requiring re-revision for patients who underwent knee arthroscopy within 6 months prior to revision TKA compared with patients who underwent knee arthroscopy within 6 to 12 months prior to revision TKA (OR, 3.16, p < 0.04). This cohort matched study shows that patients who had prior knee arthroscopy demonstrated a significantly higher likelihood of requiring re-revision compared with patients who underwent revision TKA without prior knee arthroscopy. Additionally, there was a significant increased likelihood in requiring re-revision for patients who had prior knee arthroscopy within 6 months. This provides clinically useful information for counseling of patients who are considering temporizing their symptoms with knee arthroscopy prior to revision TKA.
Neuropsychiatric Complications after Stroke
Authors: Nemani Katlyn , Gurin Lindsey
Published: January 2021

Neuropsychiatric disturbances represent a common and uniquely challenging consequence of stroke. These disorders arise at the intersection of lesion-related brain dysfunction and psychological distress related to the event and its aftermath, making it difficult to identify what symptom is a direct physiological consequence of the stroke. Depression, anxiety, fatigue, apathy, emotionalism, and anger are the most common of these syndromes, and posttraumatic stress disorder related to the stroke event has become increasingly recognized as a relevant entity. Mania, obsessive–compulsive disorder, and psychosis are less commonly encountered but potentially highly debilitating conditions that may be underrecognized. Early identification and treatment may mitigate functional impairment and improve quality of life. Evidence-based guidelines from the general population are often relied upon to guide treatment. Further research is needed to understand and tailor treatment of these disorders in the poststroke population.
Pressure gradient effects on the secondary instability of Mack mode disturbances in hypersonic boundary layers
Authors: Liu Jianxin , Xu Jiakuan , Wang Chen , Yu Peixun , Bai Junqiang
Published: January 2021

In hypersonic boundary layers, Mack mode disturbances play an important role in laminar–turbulence transition. Understanding the secondary instability mechanism of Mack mode disturbances will provide physical insight into turbulence generation for the researchers, which is also meaningful for transition control. According to the previous studies over straight cones and flared cones, it seems that a pressure gradient may affect the primary instability and secondary instability of Mack mode disturbances obviously. In this paper, we are trying to make it clear that what the pressure gradient effect on the secondary instability of Mack modes is and what the influence rule is. Four hypersonic flat plate cases with various pressure gradients at Mach 6 are analyzed through linear stability theory, non-linear parabolized stability equations, and spatial secondary instability theory methods. We found that the essence of the pressure gradient influence on the secondary instability mechanism is by affecting the primary amplitude of Mack modes, rather than other routes or factors. An adverse pressure gradient can enlarge both the primary instability and secondary instability growth rates and advance the transition. Moreover, an adverse pressure gradient will form a larger primary amplitude of the Mack mode, leading to a fundamental resonance dominated secondary instability. In contrast, the favorable pressure gradient will suppress the primary amplitude so that the subharmonic resonance may dominate the secondary instability. Therefore, it is very meaningful and valuable for transition prediction and turbulence generation to conduct the present study of pressure gradient effects on the secondary instability of Mack mode disturbances.
Role of viscoelasticity on the dynamics and aggregation of chemically active sphere-dimers
Authors: Sahoo Soudamini , Singh Sunil Pratap , Thakur Snigdha
Published: January 2021

The impact of complex media on the dynamics of active swimmers has gained a thriving interest in the research community for their prominent applications in various fields. This paper investigates the effect of viscoelasticity on the dynamics and aggregation of chemically powered sphere-dimers by using a coarse-grained hybrid mesoscopic simulation technique. The sphere-dimers perform active motion by virtue of the concentration gradient around the swimmer’s surface, produced by the chemical reaction at one end of the dimer. We observe that the fluid elasticity enhances translational and rotational motion of a single dimer; however, for a pair of dimers, clustering in a particular alignment is more pronounced. In the case of multiple dimers, the kinetics of cluster formation along with their propulsive nature is presented in detail. The key factors influencing the enhanced motility and the aggregation of dimers are the concentration gradients, hydrodynamic coupling, and the microstructures present in the system.
Diagnostic blood RNA profiles for human acute spinal cord injury
Authors: Kyritsis Nikos , Torres-Espín Abel , Schupp Patrick G. , Huie J. Russell , Chou Austin , Duong-Fernandez Xuan , Thomas Leigh H. , Tsolinas Rachel E. , Hemmerle Debra D. , Pascual Lisa U. , Singh Vineeta , Pan Jonathan Z. , Talbott Jason F. , Whetstone William D. , Burke John F. , DiGiorgio Anthony M. , Weinstein Philip R. , Manley Geoffrey T. , Dhall Sanjay S. , Ferguson Adam R. , Oldham Michael C. , Bresnahan Jacqueline C. , Beattie Michael S.
Published: January 2021

Diagnosis of spinal cord injury (SCI) severity at the ultra-acute stage is of great importance for emergency clinical care of patients as well as for potential enrollment into clinical trials. The lack of a diagnostic biomarker for SCI has played a major role in the poor results of clinical trials. We analyzed global gene expression in peripheral white blood cells during the acute injury phase and identified 197 genes whose expression changed after SCI compared with healthy and trauma controls and in direct relation to SCI severity. Unsupervised coexpression network analysis identified several gene modules that predicted injury severity (AIS grades) with an overall accuracy of 72.7% and included signatures of immune cell subtypes. Specifically, for complete SCIs (AIS A), ROC analysis showed impressive specificity and sensitivity (AUC: 0.865). Similar precision was also shown for AIS D SCIs (AUC: 0.938). Our findings indicate that global transcriptomic changes in peripheral blood cells have diagnostic and potentially prognostic value for SCI severity.
Characterising the most rapidly rotating AdS5-Kerr black holes
Authors: McInnes Brett
Published: January 2021

Classical censorship permits AdS5-Kerr black holes with arbitrarily large angular momenta per unit mass, which does not seem reasonable from a holographic point of view. However, it has been shown that, when these black holes are embedded in string theory, their angular momentum per unit mass is in fact bounded by

2

2

L

, where L is the asymptotic curvature scale. One might suppose that the most rapidly rotating AdS5-Kerr black holes, with angular momentum per unit mass close to this bound, might be unstable, for example, to a superradiant instability. We show that this is not always true: there is a small domain in the AdS5-Kerr parameter space corresponding to black holes which are stable against superradiance and yet nearly saturate the stringy bound.
Quasi-classical rules for qubit spin-rotation error suppression
Authors: Su Qile David
Published: January 2021

A frequently encountered source of systematic error in quantum computations is imperfections in the control pulses which are the classical fields that control qubit gate operations. From an analysis of the quantum-mechanical time-evolution operator of the spin wavefunction, it has been demonstrated that composite pulses can mitigate certain systematic errors and an appealing geometric interpretation was developed for the design of error-suppressing composite pulses. Here we show that these same pulse sequences can be obtained within a quasi-classical framework. This raises the question of whether error-correction procedures exist that exploit entanglement in a manner that can not be reproduced in the quasi-classical formulation.
The impact of distinct loss mechanisms on multi-photon states
Authors: Fraser Patrick
Published: January 2021

Quantum optics plays an important role in many contemporary applications of quantum information processing and quantum metrology. Experimental implementations of these protocols, however, inevitably exhibit loss. This loss has two distinct forms, stochastic loss and deterministic loss, which impact quantum mechanical systems in distinct ways. In this exposition, we offer a straightforward experimental illustration of the impact of both forms of loss on multi-photon states. Specifically, we show that heralding statistics for two-photon states decrease in the obvious way under stochastic loss, and yet are unchanged in the presence of deterministic loss. This demonstration offers an intuitive clarification of loss for multi-photon systems for the student familiar with elementary quantum mechanics, and emphasizes the difference between pure and mixed states in quantum theory more generally. This presentation is targeted towards advanced undergraduate students familiar with quantum optics.
Some inverse problems for wave equations with fractional derivative attenuation
Authors: Kaltenbacher Barbara , Rundell William
Published: January 2021

The damped wave equation with the attenuation proportional to velocity is ubiquitous in science and engineering and a common situation is when the attenuation depends on frequency. The usual way to incorporate this effect is to introduce fractional order derivatives either as a replacement for u

t
or as modifier through a spatial component with space fractional derivatives. Models for these are very well developed and the effort in this paper is towards the analysis of the inverse problem of recovering critical coefficients or initial states although we also develop constructive methods for these and analyse their degree of ill-conditioning.
Phonon blockade and strong anti-correlation between phonons and phonons in the optomechanical system with an auxiliary mechanical oscillator
Authors: Li Lingchao , Liu Longjiang
Published: January 2021

Here we propose a scheme to realize phonon blockade in a cascaded coupling optomechanical system, where a quadratically coupled optomechanical system couples with a mechanical oscillator. The strong nonlinear interaction between photons and phonons in the quadratically coupled optomechanical system is induced by an external field. Meanwhile the linear coupling between the mechanical resonator and the oscillator provides interference paths. Based on the destructive quantum interference, the two mechanical oscillators both can exhibit phonon blockade even that the nonlinearities in the optomechanical system are weak. The optimal condition of phonon blockade is analytically calculated and coincides with the numerical simulation. In the condition of weak driving on cavity, the two oscillators can exhibit phonon blockade in the same parameter regime. In addition, the strong anti-correlation between phonons and phonons can be observed and the correlated phonon pairs is generated in the weak nonlinear coupling condition. Utilizing the cascaded coupling optomechanical system, our scheme provides a possible way to experimentally generate the anti-correlated phonons as well as a two-phonon gateway.
First Latin American and Caribbean interlaboratory comparison exercise for SSDLs on reference irradiation capabilities in personal dose equivalent
Authors: Khoury H J , de Barros V S M , Asfora V K , Toroi P
Published: January 2021

A comparison exercise of Latin American and Caribbean Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratories (SSDLs) was jointly organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Ionizing Radiation Metrology Laboratory at the Federal University of Pernambuco (LMRI-DEN/UFPE). This exercise was organized during an IAEA regional meeting on the review and update of calibration capabilities in Latin America, held in Recife, during the period from 23 to 27 April 2018 under the technical cooperation project ME-RLA 9085-170572. Fifteen participating SSDLs were required to irradiate optically stimulated personal dosimeters in terms of the personal dose equivalent Hp(10) in 137Cs radiation quality. In addition, the IAEA Dosimetry Laboratory in Seibersdorf, Austria, and the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington, Middlesex, UK participated in this exercise as reference institutes. Each participant received 10 dosimeters that were hand-carried directly to the SSDL. Two nominal dose values of 2 mSv and 4 mSv were selected for this exercise. The participants irradiated the dosimeters using the setup and the procedures which are normally used in their standard laboratory for Hp(10) dosimeter irradiations. The dosimeters were evaluated as they were received by the coordinating laboratory, using a single BeOSL Reader. The results show that, except for one laboratory, the differences between the dosimeter reading and the assigned values were within 10%; this is consistent with the expanded uncertainty. The results indicate that most of the participant laboratories have a good capability to irradiate personal dosimeters in the quantity Hp(10).
Study, measurement and mitigation of radon activity concentration in the School of Computer Science of A Coruña in the North West of Spain
Authors: Arias-Ferreiro Goretti , Otero-Pazos A , Ares-Pernas Ana , Fernández-Ibáñez I , Rodríguez-Gómez B A , Calvo-Rolle J L
Published: January 2021

A study of the radon activity concentration was carried out at the School of Computer Science of ‘Universidade da Coruña’ (UDC, Spain). For this purpose, building location, the type of soil and the construction materials were analysed. Subsequently, the radon activity concentration was determined using two different techniques: measurement in situ with an on-site ionization chamber detector (short term) and measurement with trace detectors (long term). Based on the results obtained, and according with the Spanish Law (Spanish Official Bulletin—Boletín Oficial del Estado, of 21 December 2011, IS-33 Instruction), corrective works were performed, consisting on the installation of a forced ventilation system underneath the extent of the suspended floor in order to mitigate the high radon specific activity in the building. Four months and 3 years after the works, new measurements were carried out in order to verify the effectiveness of the new ventilation system, obtaining a decrease of the radon gas values ranging between 87% and 90%, which confirmed long term effectivity.
A skin-friction balance for shock tunnel applications
Authors: Kshetrimayum Maitri , Menezes Viren , Yerramalli Chandra Sekher
Published: January 2021

An acceleration-compensated skin-friction balance based on the floating-head technique was developed to measure skin friction in a hypersonic impulse facility. The balance consisted of measurement and acceleration units, the outputs of which can be coupled using a full-Wheatstone bridge to obtain pure shear output. The working of the balance was tested on a flat plate model exposed to a laminar flow with Mach number, stagnation enthalpy and Reynolds number of 8.2, 0.65 MJ kg−1 and 2.9 × 106 m−1, respectively. The measured wall shear stress agreed reasonably well with that predicted by Reynolds analogy.
High-resolution linearity measurements of photovoltaic devices using digital light processing projection
Authors: Koutsourakis George , Eales Timothy , Kroeger Ingo , Blakesley James C
Published: January 2021

Although photovoltaic (PV) devices are rated at standard testing conditions (STCs), these STCs are rarely met, either outdoors, or when PV devices are used for indoor applications. Thus, it is beneficial to fully characterise the linearity of PV devices with respect to irradiance. Moreover, high accuracy linearity measurements are essential for reference cells (RCs), as they ensure the precision of the measured irradiance. This work presents a new technique for linearity measurements of PV devices based on digital light processing (DLP). The proposed system uses a digital micromirror device coupled with projection optics and a high-power LED array. By creating a series of patterns projected on the device under test with a specific number of bright and dark pixels, linearity measurements can be implemented through a spatial dithering process. Since the dithering process is mechanical, it is expected that any spectral variability effects for the different dithering levels or electrical non-linearities of the light source are avoided. The developed system can provide thousands of measurement points on the linearity curve of a device in seconds, which is impossible with any other currently established methods. Measurements of RCs with known linearity curves are acquired and are validated by conventional methods. Results demonstrate that the DLP method provides equal measurement accuracy compared to conventional systems, but at significantly higher resolution (points on the linearity curve) and order of magnitude higher measurement speed.
Phase-field simulation of radiation-induced phase transition in binary alloys
Authors: L’vov P E , Svetukhin V V
Published: January 2021

In this study, we simulate the radiation-induced phase transition in the binary alloy employing the modified Cahn–Hilliard (CH) equation that accounts for the process of radiation-enhanced diffusion, ballistic mixing, and compositional fluctuations. The influence of displacement rate on the dynamics of the average radius, number density, nucleation rate, and volume fraction of the second phase is discussed. Also, the mechanism of precipitate vanishing under irradiation condition is revealed.
Assemble of Bi-doped TiO2 onto 2D MoS2: an efficient p–n heterojunction for photocatalytic H2 generation under visible light
Authors: Bera Susmita , Kumari Ankita , Ghosh Srabanti , Basu Rajendra N
Published: January 2021

Fabrication of noble‐metal‐free, efficient and stable hybrid photocatalyst is essential to address the rapidly growing energy crisis and environmental pollution. Here, MoS2 has been used as the co-catalyst on Bi-doped TiO2 to form a novel heterostructure to increase the utilization of the photogenerated charge carriers for improving photocatalytic H2 evolution activity through water reduction. Significantly increased photocatalytic H2 generation has been achieved on the optimized MoS2/Bi-TiO2 nanocomposite (∼512 μmol g–1) after 4 h of visible light illumination, which is nine times higher than that of the pristine TiO2 (∼57 μmol g–1). The measurements of photocurrent, charge transfer resistance and photo-stability of MoS2/Bi-TiO2 photoanode imply that charge separation efficiency has been improved in comparison to the pure MoS2 and TiO2 photoanodes. Further, the Mott–Schottky study confirmed that a p–n heterojunction has been formed between n-type MoS2 and p-type Bi-doped TiO2, which provides a potential gradient to increase charge separation and transfer efficiency. On the basis of these experimental results, this enhanced photocatalytic activity of MoS2/Bi-TiO2 heterostructures could be ascribed to the significant visible light absorption and the efficient charge carrier separation. Thus, this work demonstrates the effect of p–n junction for achieving high H2 evolution activity and photoelectrochemical water oxidation under visible light illumination.
Two-dimensional layered WS2 nanosheets as peroxidase mimetics in a colorimetric chemosensor for simple and rapid detection of acetone
Authors: Hu Yang , Tang Yue , Zeng Hong , Tao Han , Wu Yuangen
Published: January 2021

Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials with catalytic activity have attracted considerable attention from researchers, but their application in the detection of hazardous substances needs to be further expanded. Herein, layered tungsten sulfide (WS2) nanosheets with peroxidase-mimicking activity were used to construct a colorimetric chemosensor for rapid detection of acetone. WS2 nanosheets can decompose H2O2 to generate hydroxyl radicals (·OH), which will further oxidize o-phenylenediamine (OPD) through hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) to form the yellow product 2,3-diaminophenazine. Acetone can block the HAT from OPD to ·OH, thus causing obvious inhibition of the peroxidase activity of WS2 nanosheets, making the solution appear pale yellow or even colorless. The investigation of catalytic kinetics indicates that the catalytic reaction consists of the ‘ping pong’ mechanism, and the regulatory effect of acetone on WS2 nanosheets is confirmed to be an irreversible inhibition. The chemosensor can easily distinguish a trace amount of acetone by the naked eye in less than 20 min, and has a limit of detection for acetone of as low as 3.08 mg  l−1. The application in actual samples displays the accuracy and stability of the chemosensor, suggesting that such a method is promising for acetone detection.
Enhanced photoluminescence of boron nitride quantum dots by encapsulation within polymeric nanoparticles
Authors: Abu Saleh Doaa , Sosnik Alejandro
Published: January 2021

Boron nitride quantum dots (BNQDs) have been proposed as probes for bioimaging owing their to outstanding photoluminescent properties, although their hydrophobic nature and strong aggregation tendency in aqueous media limit their application in the biomedical field. In this work, we synthesize BNQDs by a liquid exfoliation–solvothermal process under pressure from boron nitride nanoparticles in N,N-dimethylformamide. The BNQDs display an average size of 3.3 ± 0.6 nm, as measured by transmission electron microscopy, and a (100) crystalline structure. In addition, a quantum yield of 21.75 ± 0.20% was achieved. To ensure complete dispersibility in water and prevent possible elimination by renal filtration upon injection, the BNQDs (20% w/w) are encapsulated within poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) nanoparticles by a simple and scalable nanoprecipitation method, and hybrid nanocomposite particles with significantly stronger photoluminescence than their free counterparts are produced. Finally, their optimal cell compatibility and bioimaging features are demonstrated in vitro in murine macrophage and human rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines.
A wall of death experiment
Authors: Cross Rod
Published: January 2021

A small scale ‘wall of death’ experiment was set up to illustrate and to measure the forces involved. The experiment involved rotating a ball or a cylindrical tube inside a transparent tennis ball container so that the rotation frequency could be measured from video film. Static friction prevents the object falling even though the object rotates around a vertical wall.