bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pediatric asthma control during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Ferraro Valentina Agnese , Zamunaro Andrea , Spaggiari Silvia , Di Riso Daniela , Zanconato Stefania , Carraro Silvia
Published: March 2021

Background

The lockdown imposed by the COVID‐19 pandemic resulted in a completely different style of life with possible effects on the attitude toward their disease in patients with chronic lung disease, such as asthma. The aim of our study was to investigate in asthmatic children the level of asthma control and the maintenance therapy used during the lockdown.

Methods

Among asthmatic children attending our clinic, we identified those who had been prescribed the same therapy in March‐April 2019 and March‐April 2020. The level of asthma control (GINA‐score) and the maintenance therapy used during the lockdown (March‐April 2020) were compared with those of March‐April 2019. We separately analyzed a small group of children with severe asthma treated with Omalizumab during the lockdown.

Results

We enrolled 92 asthmatic children (67 males). Compared to 2019, in 2020 a higher proportion of children modified their maintenance therapy (38% vs. 15.2%, p < .001), with a significant increase in both the proportion of children who increased (p = .033) and in that of children who decreased their therapy (p = .026). The level of control resulted as significantly higher in 2020 (March p = .023; April p = .007). Also, the 13 children treated with Omalizumab showed a good level of control in 2020.

Conclusions

In asthmatic children, the COVID‐19 pandemic lockdown had a significant impact on their asthma control and on their attitude toward maintenance therapy.
Application of spore morphology to solve identification problems in certain species of family Dryopteridaceae from Malakand Division, Pakistan
Authors: Shah Syed N. , Ahmad Mushtaq , Zafar Muhammad , Hadi Fazal , Khan Muhammad N. , Noor Adil , Malik Khafsa , Rashid Neelam , Kamal Asif , Iqbal Majid , Hussain Murtaza
Published: March 2021

Here we investigate the morphology of the spores of 12 native taxa of Dryopteridaceae that grow in Malakand division, Pakistan; most of these species not fully described before. This study intends to survey the taxonomic significance of spore morphological features and their variation useful for species identification in 7 species of Polystichum and 5 taxa of Dryopteris. The spores examinations were accomplished utilizing a light microscope (LM), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The spores are monolete, medium‐sized, with variable shapes in both equatorial and polar views. The mean estimation of equatorial diameter ranging from 28.3 to 58.3 μm and the polar diameter varied from 27.6 to 45.8 μm. The exospore thickness ranges between 1.6 to 3.8 μm, and the thickness of perispore is 0.8–6.7 μm. The perispore is perforated, ornamentation elements occur in different ways in the studied taxa of Polystichum. In investigated Dryopteris taxa, rugate perispore type is found. Results of multivariate statistical analysis (UPGMA, and PCA) established on quantitative and qualitative morphological traits of spores demonstrate that the species form distinct groups, not reflecting any phylogenetic relationships. A key to the spores types is provided for species identification, which dependent on the diagnostic characters of spores. The results of this study indicate that variation of spore morphological traits; in particular, the ornamentation and perispore characteristics, which is surface texture, have diagnostic value at the species level. Our data will help in the identification of spores of the family Dryopteridaceae in palynological and taxonomic studies.
Integrating Career and Mental Health Counseling: Necessity and Strategies
Authors: Tang Mei , Montgomery Meredith L. T. , Collins Brittany , Jenkins Kalesha
Published: March 2021

Individuals seeking counseling might not recognize the interconnectedness of health, mental health, work, and life concerns. Counselors, however, need to be mindful that a person's wellness is interwoven with their work, life roles, and health. Research supports the interrelationship of career development and mental health as well as the effectiveness of an integrated approach to mental health and career counseling. An integrated approach from an ecological counseling perspective is proposed for conceptualizing client issues and intervention strategies.
Single‐Mode Lasing from a Single 7 nm Thick Monolayer of Colloidal Quantum Wells in a Monolithic Microcavity
Authors: Foroutan‐Barenji Sina , Erdem Onur , Delikanli Savas , Yagci Huseyin Bilge , Gheshlaghi Negar , Altintas Yemliha , Demir Hilmi Volkan
Published: March 2021

In this work, monolithically‐fabricated vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) of densely‐packed, orientation‐controlled, atomically flat colloidal quantum wells (CQWs) using a self‐assembly method is reported and single‐mode lasing from a record thin colloidal gain medium with a film thickness of 7 nm under femtosecond optical excitation is demonstrated. Specially engineered CQWs are used to demonstrate these hybrid CQW‐VCSELs consisting of only a few layers to a single monolayer of CQWs and are achieved the lasing from these thin gain media by thoroughly modeling and implementing a vertical cavity consisting of distributed Bragg reflectors with an additional dielectric layer for mode tuning. Accurate spectral and spatial alignment of the cavity mode with the CQW films is secured with the help of full electromagnetic computations. While overcoming the long‐pending problem of limited electrical conductivity in thicker colloidal films, such ultrathin colloidal gain media can be helpful to enable fully electrically‐driven colloidal lasers.
Post‐transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders After Liver Transplantation: A Retrospective Cohort Study Including 1954 Transplants
Authors: Tajima Tetsuya , Hata Koichiro , Haga Hironori , Nishikori Momoko , Umeda Katsutsugu , Kusakabe Jiro , Miyauchi Hidetaka , Okamoto Tatsuya , Ogawa Eri , Sonoda Mari , Hiramatsu Hidefumi , Fujimoto Masakazu , Okajima Hideaki , Takita Junko , Takaori‐Kondo Akifumi , Uemoto Shinji
Published: March 2021

Post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) are life‐threatening neoplasms after organ transplantation. Because of their rarity and multiple grades of malignancy, the incidence, outcomes, and clinicopathological features affecting patient survival after liver transplantation (LT) remain unclear. We reviewed 1954 LTs in 1849 recipients (1990‐2020), including 886 pediatric (<18 years of age) and 963 adult recipients. The following clinicopathological factors were studied: age, sex, liver etiologies, malignancy grades, Epstein‐Barr virus status, performance status (PS), Ann Arbor stage, international prognostic index, and histopathological diagnosis. Of 1849 recipients, 79 PTLD lesions (4.3%) were identified in 70 patients (3.8%). After excluding 3 autopsy cases incidentally found, 67 (45 pediatric [5.1%] and 22 adult [2.3%]) patients were finally enrolled. Comorbid PTLDs significantly worsened recipient survival compared with non‐complicated cases (P < 0.001). The 3‐year, 5‐year, and 10‐year overall survival rates after PTLD diagnosis were 74%, 66%, and 58%, respectively. The incidence of PTLDs after LT (LT‐PTLDs) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) with earlier onset (P = 0.002) in children, whereas patient survival was significantly worse in adults (P = 0.002). Univariate and multivariate analyses identified the following 3 prognostic factors: age at PTLD diagnosis ≥18 years (hazard ratio [HR], 11.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.63‐47.4; P = 0.001), PS ≥2 at diagnosis (HR, 6.77; 95% CI, 1.56‐29.3; P = 0.01), and monomorphic type (HR, 6.78; 95% CI, 1.40‐32.9; P = 0.02). A prognostic index, the “LT‐PTLD score,” that consists of these 3 factors effectively stratified patient survival and progression‐free survival (P = 0.003 and <0.001, respectively). In conclusion, comorbid PTLDs significantly worsened patient survival after LT. Age ≥18 years and PS ≥2 at PTLD diagnosis, and monomorphic type are independent prognostic factors, and the LT‐PTLD score that consists of these 3 factors may distinguish high‐risk cases and guide adequate interventions.
Synthesis of cucurbit[6]uril pendent upper critical solution temperature type copolymers: self‐assembly and multi‐stimuli‐responsive behavior
Authors: Li Yanli , Yang YeFang , Pei Xinqi , Li Yu , Yuan Yuhui , Huang Xiaoling
Published: March 2021

Cucurbit[6]uril‐derivatized vinyl monomer (cucurbit[6]uril methacrylate) was synthesized. Acrylic acid (AA) was used as the comonomer for copolymerization with the cucurbit[6]uril‐derivatized monomer. A series of copolymers of poly(acrylic acid‐co‐cucurbit[6]uril methacrylate) (PAA‐co‐CB[6]MA) were synthesized by free radical polymerization. The cucurbit[6]uril‐derivatized monomer and PAA‐co‐CB[6]MA copolymers were characterized by 1H NMR spectra, high‐resolution mass spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. The solution behavior was examined using UV–visible spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. The PAA‐co‐CB[6]MA showed an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) in water. The UCST‐type thermoresponsive behavior of these CB[6]‐derivatized copolymers was highly dependent on the composition of the copolymer. For the same type of copolymer, changes in its composition gave rise to different UCSTs. Additionally, the PAA‐co‐CB[6]MA copolymers were successful in trapping azocarmine B. The stimuli‐responsive release of encapsulated azocarmine B was achieved by a combination of temperature and pH value stimuli. According to the results, the novel PAA‐co‐CB[6]MA copolymers can be used as carriers. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Fabrication of PEGylated porphyrin/reduced graphene oxide/doxorubicin nanoplatform for tumour combination therapy
Authors: Ma Weiqian , Yang Huailin , Hu Yanfang , Chen Li
Published: March 2021

In cancer treatment, combination therapy has been considered as an attractive strategy to lower side effects and enhance therapeutic efficacy. Herein, we fabricated a kind of reduced‐graphene‐oxide‐based drug delivery system for combination therapy, in which reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as photothermal agent and drug carrier was modified by PEGylated (PEG, polyethylene glycol) tetrahydroxyphenyl porphyrin (THPPEG) via a π–π stacking interaction. The obtained rGO/THPPEG not only showed good biocompatibility and water solubility, but also realized the combination of photothermal therapy with photodynamic therapy. The rGO/THPPEG nanoparticles with stable nanosize were demonstrated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, TGA, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, TEM images and dynamic light scattering. To verify the feasibility of delivering drugs, doxorubicin (DOX) was chosen to prepare rGO/THPPEG/DOX, realizing synergetic photothermal/photodynamic/chemotherapy. The data of in vitro experiments indicated that rGO/THPPEG/DOX could obviously inhibit tumour growth, outlining the significant potential for future cancer treatment. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
A Synthesis of Quantitative Research on Programs for Struggling Readers in Elementary Schools
Authors: Neitzel Amanda J. , Lake Cynthia , Pellegrini Marta , Slavin Robert E.
Published: March 2021

In this article, we review research on the outcomes of diverse reading programs on the achievement of struggling readers in elementary schools. Sixty‐five studies of 51 different programs met rigorous standards. Eighty‐three percent were randomized experiments and 17% quasi‐experiments. Outcomes were positive for one‐to‐one tutoring and were positive but not as large for one‐to‐small group tutoring. There were no differences in outcomes between teachers and teaching assistants as tutors. Whole‐class approaches (mostly cooperative learning) and whole‐class/whole‐school approaches incorporating tutoring for struggling readers obtained outcomes for struggling readers as large as those found for all forms of tutoring, on average, and benefited many more students. Technology‐supported adaptive instruction did not have statistically significant positive outcomes for struggling readers, however. In agreement with findings of previous reviews, in this synthesis, we found that substantial impacts can be obtained for struggling readers, with interventions aligned within a Response to Intervention network.
The Contribution of Play Experiences in Early Literacy: Expanding the Science of Reading
Authors: Rand Muriel K. , Morrow Lesley Mandel
Published: March 2021

Children’s experiences in preschool and kindergarten influence their future literacy learning. Although emergent literacy has traditionally been supported by play‐based experiences, there has been a decline in play opportunities in recent years. Media publications citing the science of reading have called for more focus on systematic, direct instruction of skills in phonics and phonemic awareness. However, from the perspective of the simple view of reading, the process of learning to read involves developing both decoding and linguistic comprehension skills. In this article, we review the research that has linked play experiences to three areas: (1) the development of language skills necessary for linguistic comprehension, including vocabulary, decontextualized language, and oral narrative competence; (2) opportunities for functional literacy behaviors, including emergent reading and writing behaviors; and (3) skills related to decoding, including print awareness, phonological awareness, word recognition, and reading fluency. The research also has demonstrated the value of adult guidance during play experiences in optimizing literacy learning. This review of the literature linking play and literacy in early childhood expands the scope of the science of reading to include a wider range of skills that support reading development.
Beyond the Simple View of Reading: The Role of Executive Functions in Emergent Bilinguals’ and English Monolinguals’ Reading Comprehension
Authors: Taboada Barber Ana , Cartwright Kelly B. , Hancock Gregory R. , Klauda Susan Lutz
Published: March 2021

The simple view of reading describes reading as the product of decoding (D) and listening comprehension (LC). However, the simple view of reading has been challenged, and evidence has proved it to be too simple to explain the complexities of reading comprehension in the elementary school years. Hypotheses have been advanced that there are cognitive‐linguistic factors that underlie the common variance between D and LC, which are malleable, although there is no clarity at this point regarding what these are. We propose that one such group of malleable cognitive factors is executive function (EF) skills. Further, we posit that EF skills play equally strong roles in explaining reading comprehension variance in emergent bilinguals and English monolinguals. We used multigroup structural equation modeling to determine the contribution of these constructs (D, LC, and EF) to reading comprehension in 425 emergent bilinguals and 302 English monolinguals in grades 2–4. The shared variance between D and LC was explained by direct and indirect effects in the models tested, with strong indirect effects for the EFs of cognitive flexibility and working memory through D and LC, respectively, for both language groups. The indirect effect of cognitive flexibility through LC on reading comprehension was considerably larger for emergent bilinguals than for English monolinguals. Considerations for a more nuanced view of the simple view of reading and its implications for practice are discussed.
Teaching Reading Is More Than a Science: It’s Also an Art
Authors: Paige David D. , Young Chase , Rasinski Timothy V. , Rupley William H. , Nichols William D. , Valerio Meghan
Published: March 2021

The role of the teacher, specifically teacher craft, is central to engaging students in effective reading instruction. However, the science of reading has revealed that the content taught is also important to reading acquisition. Although the science of reading was aggregated some two decades ago to result in what became known as the five big pillars, it has not been fully incorporated into instructional practice. Subsequent research has continued to inform and strengthen what we understand about reading, and new energy has now emerged to bring the science of reading fully into practice. However, the science of reading and teacher craft are each insufficient without the other. In this article, we discuss the art of teaching and advocate that it must be given serious consideration if the science of reading is to be adopted en masse by teachers. We also discuss several reading strategies and their role in effective reading instruction and the art of teaching.
Retracted: An unmanned aerial vehicles navigation system on the basis of pattern recognition applications—Review of implementation options and prospects for development
Authors: Al Said Nidal , Gorbachev Yuri , Avdeenko Aleksei
Published: March 2021

The popularity of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) kept growing over the past few decades. UAVs are widely used in various fields for monitoring, mapping, aerial photography, rescue operations, and so forth. However, the UAV navigation may be difficult in areas where global positioning systems is not available. This article presents an analytical review of the promising methods of creating a navigation system based on a pattern recognition algorithm. Linear algebra and mathematical morphology to describe the operation of pattern recognition applications in UAV's navigation systems, classification of images through profound research of intelligent navigation systems, analysis and digital image processing to identify options for the implementation of artificial intelligent systems of visual navigation were used to identify existing pattern recognition applications in the process of constructive systematization. It was shown that the UAV navigation requires objects in the image to be recognized and the distance to a possible obstacle to be estimated using deep learning method for image segmentation and depth map estimation. An obligatory initial point in the image recognition algorithm is the image preprocessing procedures based on machine vision techniques. The results of this study may be useful in developing efficient UAV applications for military and civil purposes.
State Immunity and the Execution of Investment Arbitration Awards
Authors: Winch Phoebe D.
Published: March 2021

The doctrine of state immunity occupies a fundamental place in international law. The application of the doctrine, largely left to the national laws of states, is not consistent. One particular area of inconsistency is the treatment of the plea of state immunity from execution of arbitral awards resulting from investor-state disputes. The issue of state immunity from execution has come to the fore in light of a number of recent attempts by award-creditors to attach their awards against the assets of a foreign state located in jurisdictions considered to be “pro-enforcement”, such as France and Belgium. This chapter considers the plea of state immunity and the execution of investment arbitration awards from the perspective of the forum state. In particular, it addresses the introduction of procedural and substantive amendments to French and Belgian laws on state immunity following these attempts by award-creditors to seize foreign state assets located in their respective jurisdictions. The chapter posits a way forward for investors seeking to navigate the landscape governing state immunity from execution.
Trends and ISDS Backlash Related to Non-Disputing Treaty Party Submissions
Authors: Magraw Kendra
Published: March 2021

Some international investment agreements (IIAs) allow states that are parties to a treaty, but are not party to a specific dispute under that treaty, to intervene on a limited basis in order to make submissions on matters of treaty interpretation. Such mechanisms have proved to be highly valued by treaty parties, as evident by the many recently-concluded IIAs containing increasingly sophisticated non-disputing treaty party (NDTP) provisions. This chapter: (1) provides the background on NDTPs mechanisms, with a focus on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (the first-known IIA to contain such a provision); (2) examines the possible connection between tribunals failing to give due regard to treaty parties’ interpretive positions (again focusing on NAFTA) and the current backlash against investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS); and (3) analyses trends in recently-concluded IIAs. It is argued that the apparent lack of deference given by tribunals to NDTP submissions may be contributing to the current backlash against ISDS, based on two discernible trends: (1) an increase in the number of IIAs containing NDTPs provisions; and (2) provisions that now state that not only are treaty interpretations made by treaty parties binding on tribunals (such provisions also have their genesis in NAFTA), but that, in addition, tribunals’ decisions must be consistent with such agreed interpretations (the latter an innovation of a NAFTA party in 2003). Such trends are also visible at the institutional and multilateral levels, such as the revision of the Arbitration Rules of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and the Mauritius Convention on Transparency in ISDS of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), and show no sign of slowing down.
Not a Third Party: Home State Participation As a Matter of Right in Investment Treaty Arbitration
Authors: Khan Rebecca E.
Published: March 2021

Host states are not the only sovereign parties that an investment dispute can impact. The sovereign interests of an investor’s home state are also potentially affected by an investment claim initiated by a national against an investment treaty partner, and more mechanisms should be put in place to ensure that the home state has access to the arbitration proceedings. This chapter argues for non-disputing state party participation as a matter of right in investment treaty arbitration cases. Whether or not the home state of the investor is informed of and allowed to participate in an investment dispute has largely been left to the discretion of arbitral tribunals; arbitration rules and jurisprudence have regarded the home state no differently than non-governmental third parties seeking to participate in the arbitration asamici curiae. From the perspective of increased transparency in the investor-state dispute settlement system, this chapter posits that non-disputing state parties must be accorded an elevated status in investor-state arbitration, with the following rights: first, to be formally notified at the outset about an investment treaty dispute; second, to have access to the documents of the arbitration case; and, third, to make written submissions with respect to the interpretation of the international investment agreement invoked in the claim. The analysis begins by identifying the sovereign interests of the home state that come into play in an investment treaty arbitration. The perils of diplomatic protection are examined in this chapter, to provide the perspective from which to delimit the parameters for non-disputing state party participation. A survey of arbitration rules and jurisprudence outlines the level of participation thus far accorded to home states in investment treaty arbitration.
Investor-State Dispute Prevention: The Perspective of Peru
Authors: Valderrama Carlos José
Published: March 2021

This chapter examines state perspectives on investor-state dispute prevention drawing on the author’s personal experience and practice in Peru’s legal defence team. First, it focuses on identifying risks states experience when confronted with investor-state dispute settlement. Next, the chapter turns to particular experiences and general considerations regarding dispute prevention. Finally, it concludes with some recommendations for the implementation of certain dispute prevention practices.
The Implications of Political Risk Insurance in the Governance of Energy Projects: Τhe Case of Japan’s Public Insurance Agencies
Authors: Papanastasiou Thomas-Nektarios
Published: March 2021

By purchasing political risk insurance (PRI), investors can successfully strengthen their position in the host state, allocating the burden of political risk to third parties (insurance agencies). PRI is provided by international organisations, such as the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and state-sponsored insurance agencies, known as export credit agencies (ECAs) or public insurance agencies. This chapter focuses on the insurance schemes of NEXI, Japan’s officially sponsored ECA, which plays a dominant role in providing PRI to Japanese nationals. The benefits of insurance agencies providing PRI schemes go beyond cash indemnification. PRI mechanisms include various policy requirements, operational conditions, and performance standards that not only influence the engagement of the insured investors, but also shape the regulatory authority of host governments and affect local communities. PRI plays a particularly crucial role in the governance of energy projects due to the complexity of this sector and its importance to states and local communities. However, there are policy and operational implications of PRI provision in the governance of energy projects with an adverse effect on local communities. In response, most insurance agencies like NEXI, have taken measures for socially and environmentally responsible investments, requiring their insured clients to comply with various social and environmental standards and establishing surveillance mechanisms and in-house grievance facilities. Even if these practices are moving in the right direction, their true functionality and effectiveness have not yet been proved.
Un-crewed aerial vehicle population survey of three sympatrically breeding seabird species at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands
Authors: Dunn M. J. , Adlard S. , Taylor A. P. , Wood A. G. , Trathan P. N. , Ratcliffe N.
Published: March 2021

Surveying seabirds in polar latitudes can be challenging due to sparse human populations, lack of infrastructure and the risk of disturbance to wildlife or damage to habitats. Counting populations using un-crewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) is a promising approach to overcoming these difficulties. However, a careful validation of the approach is needed to ensure comparability with counts collected using conventional methods. Here, we report on surveys of three Antarctic bird species breeding on Signy Island, South Orkney Islands; Chinstrap (Pygoscelis antarctica) and Gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) Penguins, and the South Georgia Shag (Leucocarbo atriceps georgianus). We show that images from low-altitude UAV surveys have sufficient resolution to allow separation of Chinstrap Penguins from contiguously breeding Adélie Penguins (Pygoscelis adéliae), which are very similar in appearance when viewed from overhead. We compare data from ground counts with manual counts of nesting birds on images collected simultaneously by low-altitude aerial photography from multi-rotor UAVs at the same colonies. Results at this long-term monitoring site confirmed a continued population decline for Chinstrap Penguins and increasing Gentoo Penguin population. Although both methods provided breeding pair counts that were generally within ~ 5%, there were significant differences at some locations. We examine these differences in order to highlight potential biases or methodological constraints that should be considered when analysing similar aerial census surveys and comparing them with ground counts.
Fertilität – Mythos und Realität
Authors: Wölfler Monika Martina
Published: March 2021

Obwohl die Lebenserwartung des Menschen in den letzten Jahrhunderten drastisch zugenommen hat, bleibt die Fertilität stark altersabhängig und auf das biologische Zeitfenster der reproduktiven Lebensphase beschränkt. In den letzten Jahrzehnten zeichnet sich ein deutlicher Trend der Verschiebung der Familienplanung in die späte reproduktive Lebensphase ab mit der Konsequenz, dass die Voraussetzungen für eine Spontankonzeption und einen unkomplizierten Schwangerschaftsverlauf mit steigendem maternalem Alter stark reduziert sind. Aufklärung über diese Zusammenhänge und eine Verbesserung der „fertility awareness“ sind unbedingt erstrebenswert, um die Wahrscheinlichkeit für unerfüllten Kinderwunsch zu reduzieren.

Fertilitätsstörungen sind häufig, über alle Altersgruppen gemittelt ist ungefähr jedes sechste Paar mit Kinderwunsch davon betroffen. Bei Fertilitätsstörungen sind frühzeitige Diagnostik und Ausschöpfen der Behandlungsoptionen von zentraler Bedeutung, da der Faktor Zeit – sei es durch die zunehmende Sterilitätsdauer oder zunehmendes Alter – jeweils mit der Abnahme der Wahrscheinlichkeit für die Geburt eines Kindes assoziiert ist. Mittels reproduktionsmedizinischer Maßnahmen können viele Fertilitätsstörungen erfolgreich behandelt werden, der Faktor maternales Alter kann jedoch nicht ausgeglichen, sondern gegebenenfalls nur mithilfe einer Eizellspende behoben werden. Bei drohendem frühzeitigem Verlust der Ovarialfunktion stehen darüber hinaus fertilitätsprotektive Maßnahmen im Rahmen mittlerweile gut etablierter Methoden zur Verfügung.
ENT UK coronavirus disease 2019 adult tonsillitis and quinsy guidelines: translating guidance into practice
Authors: Edwards M J , James T W , Dalton C L
Published: March 2021

Objectives

This study examined the uptake of ENT UK coronavirus disease 2019 adult tonsillitis and quinsy guidelines at our tertiary centre, and assessed perceived barriers to uptake.

Methods

A retrospective case series of tonsillitis and quinsy patients was analysed in two arms: before and after the introduction of new ENT UK management guidelines. A survey assessed perceptions and practice differences between ENT and emergency department doctors.

Results

Each study arm examined 82 patients. Following the introduction of new ENT UK guidelines, ENT clinicians demonstrated significant changes in practice, unlike their emergency department counterparts. Survey results from emergency department doctors highlighted a lack of appreciation of guideline change and identified barriers to guideline uptake.

Conclusion

The introduction of new management guidelines for tonsillitis and quinsy patients during the pandemic resulted in disparate uptake within ENT and emergency department departments at the tertiary centre. Clearer dissemination to all affected clinicians is paramount for future rapidly introduced changes to practice, to ensure clinician safety.
AVICENNA ON GRASPING MATHEMATICAL CONCEPTS
Authors: Zarepour Mohammad Saleh
Published: March 2021

According to Avicenna, some of the objects of mathematics exist and some do not. Every existing mathematical object is a non-sensible connotational attribute of a physical object and can be perceived by the faculty of estimation. Non-existing mathematical objects can be represented and perceived by the faculty of imagination through separating and combining parts of the images of existing mathematical objects that are previously perceived by estimation. In any case, even non-existing mathematical objects should be considered as properties of material entities. They can never be grasped as fully immaterial entities. Avicenna believes that we cannot grasp any mathematical concepts unless we first have some specific perceptual experiences. It is only through the ineliminable and irreplaceable operation of the faculties of estimation and imagination upon some sensible data that we can grasp mathematical concepts. This shows that Avicenna endorses some sort of concept empiricism about mathematics.
NOTE SUR L'EXTRACTION DE LA RACINE CARRÉE D'UN ENTIER CHEZ IBN AL-HAYṮAM ET COMPARAISON AVEC AL-BAĠDĀDĪ
Authors: Hamouda Leïla , Hachaichi Yassine
Published: March 2021

Dans le cadre des algorithmes numériques introduits et élaborés par les mathématiciens arabes, à partir du ixe siècle, figure l'algorithme de l'extraction de la racine carrée d'un entier naturel. Cet algorithme a été étudié chez plusieurs d'entre eux et surtout bien expliqué par alBaġdādī (mort vers 1037) dans le chapitre « Comment extraire la racine des nombres entiers » de son livre « La complétion du calcul », Al-takmila fī al-ḥisāb 1. Dans ce chapitre, al-Baġdādī expose son travail pédagogiquement en six sections traitant de plusieurs manières différentes le problème de l'extraction de la racine carrée d'un entier 2. À la même époque, dans un texte isolé intitulé « Sur la cause de la racine, de son doublement et de son déplacement 3 », Ibn al-Hayṯam (mort vers 1040) donne une justification géométrique de l'algorithme en se basant sur des notions algébriques précises.
Limits of the current implementation of incremental housing
Authors: Marinovic Goran Ivo
Published: March 2021

In the case of conventional public housing, urban planners and policymakers design the layout of a housing project in a specific location and then estimate how many households can afford a home. This housing policy has been pursued as a legitimate solution for housing low- and middle-income households where the houses are individually financed by bank loans or mortgages raised by the occupants. John Turner criticised conventional housing solutions by affirming that ‘developing governments take the perspective of the elite and act as if the process of low-income houses were the same as in high-income countries and the same as for the small upper-middle class of their own countries’.1 Bruce Ferguson and Jesus Navarrete extend this argument with their critique of distributing finished houses to low-income populations and then requiring long-term payments, which are harmful to the beneficiaries. They note that ‘governments think of housing as complete units built by developers that households must purchase with a long-term loan rather than as a progressive process’.2
Autismus-Spektrum-Störungen
Authors: Teufel Karoline , Soll Sophie
Published: March 2021

Das Unterrichten von Schülerinnen und Schülern mit der Diagnose „Autismus-Spektrum-Störung“ (ASS) stellt für Lehrkräfte oftmals eine Herausforderung dar, denn die Besonderheiten der Betroffenen wirken sich sowohl auf lernpsychologische Prinzipien als auch auf das soziale Miteinander im Klassenverband aus. Das Buch bietet zunächst einen Überblick zu aktuellen wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnissen über ASS: Es werden Erscheinungsbilder, mögliche Ursachen sowie (lernpsychologische) Folgen erläutert. Dies beinhaltet auch Erläuterungen zu den daraus resultierenden herausfordernden Verhaltensweisen wie z.B. impulsive und (auto-)aggressive Durchbrüche, mangelnde Flexibilität oder Festhalten an Routinen. Der theoretische Teil endet mit der Darstellung des diagnostischen Prozesses. Auf dieser Wissengrundlage werden praktische Hilfsmöglichkeiten vorgestellt, die im schulischen Alltag eingesetzt werden können, um eine förderliche Lernsituation für alle zu schaffen. So werden z.B. Werkzeuge zur Stärkung der Handlungsplanung sowie zum Ausbau der Orientierungs- und Strukturierungsfähigkeiten aufgezeigt. Darüber hinaus werden Tipps für die Gestaltung offenerer Situationen (wie Pausen) und zur Kontaktgestaltung mit Gleichaltrigen an die Hand gegeben. Auch sozialrechtliche Aspekte wie Teilhabeassistenz, Nachteilsausgleich etc. werden erläutert. Dieses Buch gibt Lehrkräften eine fundierte und praxisbezogene Unterstützung im Umgang mit autismusspezifischen Besonderheiten an die Hand, damit Lernende mit einer ASS ihr Potential bestmöglich entfalten können.
Gut dysbiosis and mortality in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Lin Ting-Yun , Wu Ping-Hsun , Lin Yi-Ting , Hung Szu-Chun
Published: March 2021

Little is known about the relationship between gut dysbiosis, inflammation, and adverse outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease. We examined the association of microbial diversity with all-cause mortality in hemodialysis patients. The gut microbiota was assessed by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. During a median follow-up of 2.1 years, the adjusted risk of death among patients with higher diversity (above median) was 74% lower than that among patients with lower diversity (below median). We then compared the microbial composition between nonsurvivors and survivors in a matched case-control study. We observed significantly lower microbial diversity and higher proinflammatory cytokines among nonsurvivors than survivors. Specifically, the relative abundance of Succinivibrio and Anaerostipes, two short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, was markedly reduced in nonsurvivors. Thus, a unique gut microbial composition is associated with an increased risk of mortality among hemodialysis patients and may be used to identify subjects with a poor prognosis.
Weeding through the haze: a survey on cannabis use among people living with Parkinson’s disease in the US
Authors: Feeney Megan P. , Bega Danny , Kluger Benzi M. , Stoessl A. Jon , Evers Christiana M. , De Leon Rebeca , Beck James C.
Published: March 2021

Symptomatic management of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is complex and many symptoms, especially non-motor symptoms, are not effectively addressed with current medications. In the US, cannabis has become more widely available for medical and recreational use, permitting those in the PD community to try alternative means of symptom control. However, little is known about the attitudes towards, and experiences with, cannabis use among those living with PD. To address this shortcoming, we distributed an anonymous survey to 7,607 people with PD in January 2020 and received 1339 responses (17.6%). 1064 complete responses were available for analysis. Respondents represented 49 states with a mean age of 71.2 years (±8.3) and mean PD duration of 7.4 years (±6.2). About a quarter of respondents (24.5%) reported cannabis use within the previous six months. Age and gender were found to be predictors of cannabis use in this sample (Age OR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.93 to 0.97; Male OR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.03). Users reported learning about cannabis use from the internet/news (30.5%) and friends or other people with PD (26.0%). Cannabis users were more likely to report insufficient control of their non-motor symptoms with prescription medications than non-users (p = 0.03). Cannabis was primarily used for PD (63.6%) and was most often used to treat nonmotor symptoms of anxiety (45.5%), pain (44.0%), and sleep disorders (44.0%). However, nearly a quarter of users (23.0%) also reported they had stopped cannabis use in the previous six months, primarily due to a lack of symptom improvement (35.5%). Three quarters of respondents (75.5%) did not use cannabis, primarily because there was a lack of scientific evidence supporting efficacy (59.9%). Our results suggest that the lack of formal guidance or research evidence about cannabis for PD may in part underlie inconsistencies in both use and reported effectiveness.
The genetic determinants of language network dysconnectivity in drug-naïve early stage schizophrenia
Authors: Du Jingnan , Palaniyappan Lena , Liu Zhaowen , Cheng Wei , Gong Weikang , Zhu Mengmeng , Wang Jijun , Zhang Jie , Feng Jianfeng
Published: March 2021

Schizophrenia is a neurocognitive illness of synaptic and brain network-level dysconnectivity that often reaches a persistent chronic stage in many patients. Subtle language deficits are a core feature even in the early stages of schizophrenia. However, the primacy of language network dysconnectivity and language-related genetic variants in the observed phenotype in early stages of illness remains unclear. This study used two independent schizophrenia dataset consisting of 138 and 53 drug-naïve first-episode schizophrenia (FES) patients, and 112 and 56 healthy controls, respectively. A brain-wide voxel-level functional connectivity analysis was conducted to investigate functional dysconnectivity and its relationship with illness duration. We also explored the association between critical language-related genetic (such as FOXP2) mutations and the altered functional connectivity in patients. We found elevated functional connectivity involving Broca’s area, thalamus and temporal cortex that were replicated in two FES datasets. In particular, Broca’s area - anterior cingulate cortex dysconnectivity was more pronounced for patients with shorter illness duration, while thalamic dysconnectivity was predominant in those with longer illness duration. Polygenic risk scores obtained from FOXP2-related genes were strongly associated with functional dysconnectivity identified in patients with shorter illness duration. Our results highlight the criticality of language network dysconnectivity, involving the Broca’s area in early stages of schizophrenia, and the role of language-related genes in this aberration, providing both imaging and genetic evidence for the association between schizophrenia and the determinants of language.
Functional connectivity abnormalities of the long-axis hippocampal subregions in schizophrenia during episodic memory
Authors: Dugré Jules R. , Dumais Alexandre , Tikasz Andras , Mendrek Adriana , Potvin Stéphane
Published: March 2021

Past evidence suggests that hippocampal subregions, namely the anterior and posterior parts, may be engaged in distinct networks underlying the memory functions which may be altered in patients with schizophrenia. However, of the very few studies that have investigated the hippocampal longitudinal axis subdivisions functional connectivity in patients with schizophrenia, the majority was based on resting-state data, and yet, none aimed to examine these during an episodic memory task. A total of 41 patients with schizophrenia and 45 healthy controls were recruited for a magnetic resonance imaging protocol in which they performed an explicit memory task. Seed-based functional connectivity analysis was employed to assess connectivity abnormalities between hippocampal subregions and voxel-wise connectivity targets in patients with schizophrenia. We observed a significantly reduced connectivity between the posterior hippocampus and regions from the default mode network, but increased connectivity with the primary visual cortex, in patients with schizophrenia compared to healthy subjects. Increased connectivity between the anterior hippocampus and anterior temporal regions also characterized patients with schizophrenia. In the current study, we provided evidence and support for studying hippocampal subdivisions along the longitudinal axis in schizophrenia. Our results suggest that the abnormalities in hippocampal subregions functional connectivity reflect deficits in episodic memory that may be implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
Author Correction: A dataset of 137Cs activity concentration and inventory in forests contaminated by the Fukushima accident
Authors: Hashimoto Shoji , Imamura Naohiro , Kawanishi Ayumi , Komatsu Masabumi , Ohashi Shinta , Nishina Kazuya , Kaneko Shinji , Shaw George , thiry Yves
Published: March 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-021-00855-5.
Gut microbiota resilience in horse athletes following holidays out to pasture
Authors: Mach Núria , Lansade Léa , Bars-Cortina David , Dhorne-Pollet Sophie , Foury Aline , Moisan Marie-Pierre , Ruet Alice
Published: March 2021

Elite horse athletes that live in individual boxes and train and compete for hours experience long-term physical and mental stress that compromises animal welfare and alters the gut microbiota. We therefore assessed if a temporary period out to pasture with conspecifics could improve animal welfare and in turn, favorably affect intestinal microbiota composition. A total of 27 athletes were monitored before and after a period of 1.5 months out to pasture, and their fecal microbiota and behavior profiles were compared to those of 18 horses kept in individual boxes. The overall diversity and microbiota composition of pasture and control individuals were temporally similar, suggesting resilience to environmental challenges. However, pasture exposure induced an increase in Ruminococcus and Coprococcus that lasted 1-month after the return to individual boxes, which may have promoted beneficial effects on health and welfare. Associations between the gut microbiota composition and behavior indicating poor welfare were established. Furthermore, withdrawn behavior was associated with the relative abundances of Lachnospiraceae AC2044 group and Clostridiales family XIII. Both accommodate a large part of butyrate-producing bacterial genera. While we cannot infer causality within this study, arguably, these findings suggest that management practices maintained over a longer period of time may moderate the behavior link to the gut ecosystem beyond its resilience potential.
Understanding intracellular nanoparticle trafficking fates through spatiotemporally resolved magnetic nanoparticle recovery
Authors: Sheridan Emily , Vercellino Silvia , Cursi Lorenzo , Adumeau Laurent , Behan James A. , Dawson Kenneth A.
Published: March 2021

We describe how magnetic nanoparticles can be used to study intracellular nanoparticle trafficking, and how magnetic extraction may be integrated with downstream analyses to investigate nanoscale decision-making events.
Hole-mediated photoredox catalysis: tris(p-substituted)biarylaminium radical cations as tunable, precomplexing and potent photooxidants
Authors: Wu Shangze , Žurauskas Jonas , Domański Michał , Hitzfeld Patrick S. , Butera Valeria , Scott Daniel J. , Rehbein Julia , Kumar Ajeet , Thyrhaug Erling , Hauer Jürgen , Barham Joshua P.
Published: March 2021

Triarylamines are demonstrated as novel, tunable electroactivated photocatalysts that use dispersion precomplexation to harness the full potential of the visible photon (>4.0 V vs. SCE) in anti-Kasha photo(electro)chemical super-oxidations of arenes.
High-performance anion exchange membrane alkaline seawater electrolysis
Authors: Park Yoo Sei , Lee Jooyoung , Jang Myeong Je , Yang Juchan , Jeong Jaehoon , Park Jaeho , Kim Yangdo , Seo Min Ho , Chen Zhongwei , Choi Sung Mook
Published: March 2021

Seawater electrolysis is a promising technology for the production of hydrogen energy and seawater desalination. To produce hydrogen energy through seawater electrolysis, highly active electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction are required.
Influencing prototropy by metal ion coordination: supramolecular transformation of a dynamer into a Zn-based toroidal species
Authors: Čonková Miroslava , Drożdż Wojciech , Miłosz Zygmunt , Cecot Piotr , Harrowfield Jack , Lewandowski Mikołaj , Stefankiewicz Artur R.
Published: March 2021

The work provides a previously unknown example of the desymmetrisation of an organic component resulting from the metal-ion induced tautomerisation which led to the generation of a new type of toroidal coordination species at a solid–liquid interface.