bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wenn mehr hinter den Rückenschmerzen steckt: häufige
Wirbelsäulenerkrankungen
Authors: Grundl-Lizama Simone , Weiß Oscar
Published: September 2021

Jeder Mensch kennt das: Rückenschmerzen. Dabei spielt das Alter meist
keine Rolle, da die häufigste Ursache im falschen und zu langen Sitzen
liegt oder durch unvorteilhafte Haltung beim Gehen bedingt sein kann; sie
können aber auch durch Erkrankungen der Wirbelsäule verursacht
werden. Rückenschmerzen können sich in ihrer Entstehung und
Auswirkung unterscheiden, haben aber Gemeinsamkeiten bei Untersuchungen,
Behandlungsmethoden und -zielen.
Toller Einsatz Aller Mitarbeitenden – Teamarbeit
Authors: Holtmeier Lisa
Published: September 2021

Auch wenn die Arbeit der einzelnen Therapeut*innen in einer Praxis eher nebeneinander als miteinander stattfindet, ist Teamarbeit auch dort ein wichtiger Faktor, damit die Praxis erfolgreich ist. Die Kommunikation untereinander und welche Rollen im Team vertreten sind, sind dabei zentrale Faktoren.
Digitale Technik: Datengold schürfen
Authors: Thalmayr Maria
Published: September 2021

Zahlreiche in der Technik erhobene Bites und Bytes landen derzeit weitgehend ungenutzt auf Krankenhaus- oder sonstigen Servern. Höchste Zeit, dieses digitale Gold zu schürfen, findet ÖVKT-Präsident Martin Krammer. Nicht nur der Krankenhausbetrieb an sich, auch die technische Infrastruktur dahinter muss digitaler werden.
Classical restrictions of generic matrix product states are quasi-locally Gibbsian
Authors: Aragonés-Soria Y. , Åberg J. , Park C-Y. , Kastoryano M. J.
Published: September 2021

We show that norm squared amplitudes with respect to a local orthonormal basis (the classical restriction) of finite quantum systems on one-dimensional lattices can be exponentially well approximated by Gibbs states of local Hamiltonians (i.e., they are quasi-locally Gibbsian) if the classical conditional mutual information (CMI) of any connected tripartition of the lattice is rapidly decaying in the width of the middle region. For injective matrix product states, we, moreover, show that the classical CMI decays exponentially whenever the collection of matrix product operators satisfies a “purity condition,” a notion previously established in the theory of random matrix products. We, furthermore, show that violation of the purity condition enables a generalized notion of error correction on the virtual space, thus indicating the non-generic nature of such violations. We make this intuition more concrete by constructing a probabilistic model where purity is a typical property. The proof of our main result makes extensive use of the theory of random matrix products and may find applications elsewhere.
The ∂̄-dressing method and soliton solutions for the three-component coupled Hirota equations
Authors: Wang Zi-Yi , Tian Shou-Fu , Cheng Jia
Published: September 2021

The ∂̄-dressing method is developed to study the three-component coupled Hirota (tcCH) equations. We first start from a ∂̄-problem and construct a new spectral problem. Based on the recursive operator, we successfully derive the tcCH hierarchy associated with the given spectral problem. In addition, the soliton solutions of the tcCH equations are first obtained via determining the spectral transform matrix in the ∂̄-problem. Finally, one-, two-, and three-soliton solutions are analyzed to discuss the dynamic phenomena of the tcCH equations. It is remarked that the interaction between solitons depends on whether the characteristic lines intersect.
Vacuum leakage location based on cross-correlation wavenumber domain imaging method with a 64-element ultrasonic sensor array
Authors: Qi Lei , Rui Xiaobo , Zhang Yu , Sun Lichen , Zheng Yue
Published: September 2021

Vacuum leakage is extremely harmful to aircraft and needs to be discovered as soon as possible. Aiming at the problem of vacuum leakage location, this paper proposes a cross-correlation wavenumber domain imaging method. This method obtains the time–space domain information of the leakage elastic wave through the array sensor and transforms it into the frequency–wavenumber domain through the three-dimensional Fourier transform. The direction of the maximum value of the wavenumber vector represents the direction of the leakage source. In the algorithm, the cross-correlation operation is added, and the synchronous acquisition of multiple array elements is replaced by the polling scan method, which greatly improves the possibility of the realization of the algorithm. A 64-element ultrasonic sensor was fabricated and the method was verified. The results show that the method proposed in this paper can realize the continuous leakage signal direction of the planar structure and is applicable to the leakage holes of different apertures, and it has the potential for application on orbiting spacecraft and aircraft.
Photoelectron transportation dynamics in GaAs photocathodes
Authors: Zhou Rui , Jani Hemang , Zhang Yijun , Qian Yunsheng , Duan Lingze
Published: September 2021

We report here a general theory describing photoelectron transportation dynamics in GaAs semiconductor photocathodes. Gradient doping is incorporated into the model through the inclusion of directional carrier drift. The time-evolution of electron concentration in the active layer upon the injection of an excitation pulse is solved both numerically and analytically. The predictions of the model are compared with experiments via a carrier-induced transient reflectivity change, which is measured for gradient-doped and uniform-doped photocathodes using femtosecond pump–probe reflectometry. An excellent agreement is found between the experiments and the theory, leading to the characterization of key device parameters, such as diffusion constant and electron decay rates. Comparisons are also made between uniform doping and gradient doping for their characteristics in photoelectron transportation. Doping gradient is found to be able to accelerate electron accumulation on the device surface. These results offer new insights into the dynamics of III–V photocathodes and potentially open a new avenue toward experimental characterization of device parameters.
Pool boiling enhancement through induced vibrations in the liquid pool due to moving solid bodies—A numerical study using lattice Boltzmann method (LBM)
Authors: Mondal Kaushik , Bhattacharya Anandaroop
Published: September 2021

This study uses a single-component multiphase multiple relaxation time-based lattice Boltzmann method to study the effect of induced vibrations in a liquid pool for enhancement of pool boiling heat transfer. The ebullition cycles of bubbles from a single and multiple nucleation sites with different nucleation densities are modeled in a liquid pool in quiescent condition (SQ) and in fluid motion with the aid of the moving solid boundaries (SMSB), in a periodic motion with a particular frequency fMSB* and amplitude AMSB*. The numerical results throw insight into the bubble dynamics, viz., nucleation, growth, and departure in both of these media. It is found that the induced vibrations in the liquid pool lead to a higher growth rate and bubble departure frequency f* due to the additional forces acting on the bubble, which facilitates its growth and early detachment. This results in a higher heat flux in SMSB for a given surface superheat. The evolution of the bubble and its shape with time (t*) is represented by the area-equivalent bubble diameter De* and height h*. A force balance analysis on the bubble is conducted to explain the growth rate and shape evolution for both SQ and SMSB. A sensitivity study of the induced frequency (fMSB*) and amplitude (AMSB*) of the MSBs shows that the bubble departure frequency (f*) increases to a maximum value and then decreases with the continuous increase in both fMSB* and AMSB*.
A semi-analytical model for laser induced densification in fused silica at elevated temperatures
Authors: Browar Allison E. M. , Ray Nathan J. , Matthews Manyalibo J. , Shen Nan , Guss Gabe , Carlie Nathan , Ellis Jonathan D.
Published: September 2021

A semi-analytical model for deterministic surface smoothing of fused silica below the evaporation temperature threshold is presented. Using this model, a method for calculating deterministic track depths for laser polishing fused silica is derived and validated with experiments. Model predictions were in good agreement with experiment across varying laser preheating temperature and power. With the semi-analytical method presented here, deterministic laser smoothing can be achieved in the densification regime to close the process loop of laser polishing.
Correlation between sidewall surface states and off-state breakdown voltage of AlGaN/GaN HFETs
Authors: Aghayan Mehrnegar , Valizadeh Pouya
Published: September 2021

Correlation between the sidewall surface states and off-state breakdown voltage of AlGaN/GaN heterojunction field effect transistors (HFETs) is investigated for the first time. HFETs explored in this work were realized on a variety of isolation features including conventional mesa, non-slanted fin, and slanted fin. The output and transfer characteristics of the devices from all categories of the fabricated AlGaN/GaN HFETs were studied, and a link between the separation of isolation feature sidewalls in the drain access region and the breakdown voltage was observed. Simulation results showed that by shrinking the width of the isolation feature geometry, the peak of the electric field at the drain edge of the gate is reduced as a result of tailoring its profile when a more resistive path is imposed on the drain access region. While HFETs realized on fins of smaller width benefit more from the depleting effect of acceptor sidewall surface states and consequently a higher off-state breakdown voltage, they suffer from a lower current density in the on-state. The slanted fin isolation feature geometry that we proposed here, while maintaining high breakdown voltage in the off-state, reduces the resistance in the on-state, which is represented by its highest Baliga's figure of merit among the three categories of isolation feature geometries. The proposed solution for achieving an improvement to the off-state breakdown voltage of AlGaN/GaN HFETs relies on a technology that has already been explored as a successful alternative for the realization of enhancement-mode transistors (i.e., with positive threshold voltage).
Ferromagnetic resonance of superparamagnetic nanoparticles: The effect of dipole–dipole interactions
Authors: Slay David , Cao Dongmei , Ferré Eric C. , Charilaou Michalis
Published: September 2021

Superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles play an important role in a wide range of applications and determining their magnetic state is crucial. Typically, it is assumed that dipole–dipole interactions are not relevant in the superparamagnetic state due to thermal fluctuations. Here, we show evidence of how dipole–dipole interactions modify the collective magnetic state. Ferromagnetic resonance spectroscopy of iron-oxide nanoparticles with a diameter of 10 nm reveals that the configuration of the particles has a strong effect on their effective magnetic anisotropy in short time scales. Fits of the experimental spectra with a theoretical model enable the quantification of these anisotropy fields. Particles in suspension exhibit an easy-axis anisotropy due to the field-induced alignment, whereas condensed dry particles exhibit easy-plane anisotropy due to clustering, and the difference between uniaxial anisotropy in suspension and in the condensed state is on the order of 0.1 T. These findings highlight that dipole–dipole interactions have a strong effect on the collective magnetic state despite thermal fluctuations and should be taken into account in any high-frequency application because in short time scales, the configuration of the particles exhibits effective anisotropy that is an order of magnitude larger than the intrinsic magnetocrystalline anisotropy.
High accuracy ab initio potential energy surface for the H2O–H van der Waals dimer
Authors: McCarver Gavin A. , Hinde Robert J.
Published: September 2021

A representation of the three-dimensional potential energy surface (PES) of the H2O–H van der Waals dimer is presented. The H2O molecule is treated as a rigid body held at its experimentally determined equilibrium geometry, with the OH bond length set to 1.809 650 34 a0 and the HOH bond angle set to 1.824 044 93 radians. Ab initio calculations are carried out at the coupled-cluster single, double, and perturbative triple level, with scalar relativistic effects included using the second-order Douglas–Kroll–Hess approximation. The ab initio calculations employ the aug-cc-pVnZ-DK series of basis sets (n = D, T, Q), which are recontracted versions of the aug-cc-pVnZ basis sets that are appropriate for relativistic calculations. The counterpoise method is used to reduce the basis set superposition error; in addition, results obtained using the aug-cc-pVTZ-DK and aug-cc-pVQZ-DK basis sets were extrapolated to the complete basis set (CBS) limit. The PES is based on calculations carried out at 1054 symmetry-unique H2O–H geometries for which the distance R between the H-atom and the H2O center of mass ranges from R = 2.5–9.0 Å. The reproduction of the PES along the orientational degrees of freedom was performed using Lebedev quadrature and an expansion in spherical harmonics. The mean absolute error of the reproduced PES is <0.02 cm−1 for R ≥ 3.0 Å and <0.21 cm−1 for R between 2.5 and 3.0 Å. The global minimum for the CBS PES is a coplanar H2O–H geometry, with R = 3.41 Å, in which the angle formed between the H2O C2 symmetry axis and the H-atom is 122.25°; the CBS binding energy for this geometry is 61.297 cm−1. In addition, by utilizing the symmetry of the H2O molecule, the spherical harmonic expansion was simplified with no loss in accuracy and a speedup of ∼1.8 was achieved. The reproduced PES can be used in future molecular dynamics simulations.
Resistivity size effect in epitaxial iridium layers
Authors: Jog Atharv , Gall Daniel
Published: September 2021

The resistivity size effect in Ir is quantified with in situ and ex situ transport measurements at 295 and 77 K using epitaxial layers with thickness d = 5–140 nm deposited on MgO(001) and Al2O3(0001) substrates. Data fitting with the Fuchs–Sondheimer model of the measured resistivity ρ vs d for single-crystal Ir(001)/MgO(001) layers deposited at Ts = 1000 °C yield an effective electron mean free path λeff = 7.4 ± 1.2 nm at 295 K, a room-temperature bulk resistivity ρo = 5.2 μΩ cm, and a temperature-independent product ρoλeff = (3.8 ± 0.6)×10−16 Ω m2, which is in good agreement with first-principles predictions. Layers deposited at Ts = 700 °C and stepwise annealed to 1000 °C exhibit a unique polycrystalline multi-domain microstructure with smooth renucleated 111-oriented grains that are >10 μm wide for d = 10 nm, resulting in a 26% lower ρoλeff. Ir(111)/Al2O3(0001) layers exhibit two 60°-rotated epitaxial domains with an average lateral grain size of 88 nm. The grain boundaries cause a thickness-independent resistivity contribution Δρgb = 0.86 ± 0.19 and 0.84 ± 0.12 μΩ cm at 295 and 77 K, indicating an electron reflection coefficient R = 0.52 ± 0.02 for this boundary characterized by a 60° rotation about the ⟨111⟩ axis. The overall results indicate that microstructural features including strain fields from misfit dislocations and/or atomic-level roughness strongly affect the resistivity size effect in Ir. The measured ρoλeff for Ir is smaller than for any other elemental metal and 69%, 43%, and 25% below reported ρoλ products for Co, Cu, and Ru, respectively, indicating that Ir is a promising alternate metal for narrow high-conductivity interconnects.
Donor-based qubits for quantum computing in silicon
Authors: McCallum J. C. , Johnson B. C. , Botzem T.
Published: September 2021

Spin-qubits based on impurities such as phosphorus in silicon (Si) have attractive attributes for the development of quantum computing devices. Very long coherence times can be achieved for donor-based qubits in Si due to the availability of isotopically pure 28Si layers where the 29Si atoms, which otherwise lead to decoherence, are largely absent in the active region of the device. Well-behaved single donor qubits in Si can routinely be formed using ion implantation, and the key performance criteria needed to demonstrate the basis of a viable platform for quantum computing have been achieved. The crucial next stage of development is to demonstrate suitable pathways for scale-up that allow patterned arrays of donor qubits to be controllably coupled and that are robust against the inherent donor placement tolerances and material processing constraints that exist. Here, we review progress on the fabrication and measurement of donor-based qubits in silicon via the ion implantation pathway and discuss the key developmental milestones that have been achieved. We also provide an overview of the key scale-up strategies that are being actively pursued to take donor-based quantum computing in Si to the next stage.
Nonvolatile voltage-tunable ferroelectric-superconducting quantum interference memory devices
Authors: Suleiman Mohammad , Sarott Martin F. , Trassin Morgan , Badarne Maria , Ivry Yachin
Published: September 2021

Superconductivity serves as a unique solid-state platform for electron interference at a device-relevant lengthscale, which is essential for quantum information and sensing technologies. As opposed to semiconducting transistors that are operated by voltage biasing at the nanometer scale, superconductive quantum devices cannot sustain voltage and are operated with magnetic fields, which impose a large device footprint, hindering miniaturization and scalability. Here, we introduce a system of superconducting materials and devices that have a common interface with a ferroelectric layer. An amorphous superconductor was chosen for reducing substrate-induced misfit strain and for allowing low-temperature growth. The common quantum pseudowavefunction of the superconducting electrons was controlled by the nonvolatile switchable polarization of the ferroelectric by means of voltage biasing. A controllable change of 21% in the critical temperature was demonstrated for a continuous film geometry. Moreover, a controllable change of 54% in the switching current of a superconducting quantum interference device was demonstrated. The ability to voltage bias superconducting devices together with the nonvolatile nature of this system paves the way to quantum-based memory devices.
Application of lead-free BaZr0.1Ti0.9O3 in polarized tunable charge transfer perovskite solar cells
Authors: Chen Shikai , Wang Duanyang , Zhang Qiang , Wang Ming-Zi , Feng Hong-Jian
Published: September 2021

In this article, we provide the evidence of domain wall (DW) conduction in 90° BaZr0.1Ti0.9O3 (BZT) DWs by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Experimental characterizations prove the existence of ferroelectric domains and DWs in as-prepared BZT films, and the measured electrical conductivity of the BZT films reaches ∼2.53 × 10−4 S/cm, which further confirms DW conduction. Furthermore, we designed BZT-based polarization tunable photovoltaic devices with DW conduction. The rearrangement of interfacial type-II band alignment upon different poling tends to regulate the charge transfer across the interface, confirmed by DFT calculations, resulting in a ferroelectric-tunable photovoltaic property. A positive polarization tends to improve the photovoltaic performance of the device, which has also been well verified in the experiments. Zr ion-implanted BaTiO3 provides a new route to fabricate an electronic transfer layer for high-efficiency perovskite solar cells. Our results reveal the mechanism of DW conduction, inspiring future improvements of photovoltaic devices which can be tuned by ferroelectric polarization.
Spread of virus laden aerosols inside a moving sports utility vehicle with open windows: A numerical study
Authors: Sen Nirvik , Singh K. K.
Published: September 2021

A three dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model to study the dispersion of virus laden aerosols in a car moving with its windows open is reported. The aerosols are generated when a possibly infected passenger speaks. A sports utility vehicle having three rows of seats has been considered. As the vehicle moves forward, its interior will exchange air from the surroundings. The CFD model captures the flow patterns generated both outside and inside the vehicle. This internal aerodynamics will in turn dictate how aerosols will spread across the interior and whether or not they will be transported outside the vehicle. A Lagrangian approach is used to determine the transport of the aerosol particles and the effect of particle size on the simulation result has been studied. Four sets of scenarios of practical interest have been considered. The first set shows the effect of vehicle speed on aerosol transport, and the second set describes what happens when some of the windows are closed, while the third set describes how aerosol transport is affected by the location of the passenger speaking. The fourth set describes how a gush of cross wind affects aerosol transport. Simulation results reveal that when all windows are open, aerosols can go out of one window and then return back to the vehicle interior through another window. Results also reveal that when a passenger sitting in the second row speaks, the aerosols generated span across the entire volume of the car interior before going out through the open windows.
Interactions and non-magnetic fractional quantization in one-dimension
Authors: Kumar S. , Pepper M.
Published: September 2021

In this Perspective article, we present recent developments on interaction effects on the carrier transport properties of one-dimensional (1D) semiconductor quantum wires fabricated using the GaAs/AlGaAs system, particularly the emergence of the long predicted fractional quantization of conductance in the absence of a magnetic field. Over three decades ago, it was shown that transport through a 1D system leads to integer quantized conductance given by N·2e2/h, where N is the number of allowed energy levels (N = 1, 2, 3, …). Recent experiments have shown that a weaker confinement potential and low carrier concentration provide a testbed for electrons strongly interacting. The consequence leads to a reconfiguration of the electron distribution into a zigzag assembly which, unexpectedly, was found to exhibit quantization of conductance predominantly at 1/6, 2/5, 1/4, and 1/2 in units of e2/h. These fractional states may appear similar to the fractional states seen in the Fractional Quantum Hall Effect; however, the system does not possess a filling factor and they differ in the nature of their physical causes. The states may have promise for the emergent topological quantum computing schemes as they are controllable by gate voltages with a distinct identity.
Experimental study on spray characteristics of octanol biodiesel and modification of spray tip penetration model
Authors: Tian Junjian , Liu Yu , Li Fengyu , Han Kai , Zhou Wenliang , Lin Qizhao , Meng Kesheng
Published: September 2021

In this paper, the effects of octanol on the spray characteristics of biodiesel are investigated. Four kinds of blends fuel are used to explore the variation of spray tip penetration, spray cone angle, spray area, and spray tip velocity under different injection pressure and environmental pressure conditions. In addition, this article also uses the experimental data to verify the model of Hiroyasu and Arai. The results showed that with the increase in octanol proportion, the spray tip penetration decreased at first and then increased while the spray cone angle and the peak tip velocity increased at first and then decreased. Only the spray area increased gradually. Among various fuels, the blended fuel with 30% octanol has the longest spray tip penetration and the largest spray area, while the blended fuel with 20% octanol has the largest spray cone angle. The prediction data of the Hiroyasu and Arai model is greater than the experimental data. Therefore, this article revises the model by introducing the density term, viscosity term, and the correction factor. Compared with the Hiroyasu and Arai model, the modified spray model is in good agreement with the experimental data and is more suitable for predicting the macroscopic spray characteristics of the blended fuel under high injection pressure.
Trapping or slowing the diffusion of T cell receptors at close contacts initiates T cell signaling
Authors: Chen Kevin Y. , Jenkins Edward , Körbel Markus , Ponjavic Aleks , Lippert Anna H. , Santos Ana Mafalda , Ashman Nicole , O'Brien-Ball Caitlin , McBride Jemma , Klenerman David , Davis Simon J.
Published: September 2021

Significance

Despite the success of T cell–redirecting immunotherapies for blood cancers, toxic, off-target side effects prevent their safe application to other diseases. Part of the challenge lies in our incomplete understanding of T cell receptor (TCR) triggering. Although we know signaling requires TCR phosphorylation, how extracellular TCR/ligand binding produces intracellular phosphorylation is unclear. Using live-cell imaging, we found that just reducing TCR mobility induces T cell signaling. Since native ligands also restrict TCR mobility, our findings suggest that trapping TCRs in tight cell–cell interaction spaces, where large negative-regulatory phosphatases are depleted, might generally initiate T cell signaling. This implies that parameters beyond TCR–ligand affinity could be exploited to fine-tune the specificity and potency of T cell–redirecting agents.
Citizens from 13 countries share similar preferences for COVID-19 vaccine allocation priorities
Authors: Duch Raymond , Roope Laurence S. J. , Violato Mara , Fuentes Becerra Matias , Robinson Thomas S. , Bonnefon Jean-Francois , Friedman Jorge , Loewen Peter John , Mamidi Pavan , Melegaro Alessia , Blanco Mariana , Vargas Juan , Seither Julia , Candio Paolo , Gibertoni Cruz Ana , Hua Xinyang , Barnett Adrian , Clarke Philip M.
Published: September 2021

Significance

How to allocate COVID-19 vaccines is one of the most important decisions currently facing governments. With limited supplies, what is most pressing is deciding who gets priority in the vaccine allocation rollout. Some governments are exploring allowing private purchases of COVID-19 vaccines. Many countries are debating whether COVID-19 vaccines should be mandated. There is little evidence on what policies are preferred by the global public. Our survey of 15,536 adults in 13 countries confirms that priority should be given to health workers and those at high risk but also, to a broad range of key workers and those with lower incomes. The public favors allocating COVID-19 vaccines solely via government programs but was polarized in some countries on mandatory vaccinations.
Early-life midazolam exposure persistently changes chromatin accessibility to impair adult hippocampal neurogenesis and cognition
Authors: Doi Hiroyoshi , Matsuda Taito , Sakai Atsuhiko , Matsubara Shuzo , Hoka Sumio , Yamaura Ken , Nakashima Kinichi
Published: September 2021

Significance

There is abundant evidence that environmental insults, such as exposure to anesthetics, at early-life stages impair brain functions in later life, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Neural stem cells (NSCs) express inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors that are the main target of most anesthetics, including midazolam (MDZ). We found that early-life exposure to MDZ persistently alters chromatin accessibility and global transcription to reinforce long-lasting NSC dormancy in the mouse hippocampus until adulthood, resulting in reduced neurogenesis and cognitive decline. Furthermore, a simple physical activity, running, could overcome these adverse outcomes by normalizing MDZ-induced transcriptomic alterations. Our study provides insights for further understanding and developing therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders induced by early-life exposure to anesthetics.
The need for recognition of practical animal welfare as a profession.
Authors: Sommerville Rebecca
Published: September 2021

This introductory chapter describes the contents of the other chapters in this book, including the scientific theories and principles that underpin human behaviour and systemic change to enhance companion, farm, working and wild animal welfare, and the realities in practice, based on the work experiences of animal welfare practitioners in different sectors.
It takes a village: community engagement for sustainable animal welfare.
Authors: Liszewski Melissa
Published: September 2021

This describes key principles, frameworks, practical guidance and real-life examples of community engagement for sustainable animal welfare in order to assist animal welfare practitioners.
timeOmics: an R package for longitudinal multi-omics data integration
Authors: Bodein Antoine , Scott-Boyer Marie-Pier , Perin Olivier , Lê Cao Kim-Anh , Droit Arnaud
Published: September 2021

Motivation

Multi-omics data integration enables the global analysis of biological systems and discovery of new biological insights. Multi-omics experimental designs have been further extended with a longitudinal dimension to study dynamic relationships between molecules. However, methods that integrate longitudinal multi-omics data are still in their infancy.

Results

We introduce the R package timeOmics, a generic analytical framework for the integration of longitudinal multi-omics data. The framework includes pre-processing, modeling and clustering to identify molecular features strongly associated with time. We illustrate this framework in a case study to detect seasonal patterns of mRNA, metabolites, gut taxa and clinical variables in patients with diabetes mellitus from the integrative Human Microbiome Project.

Availabilityand implementation

timeOmics is available on Bioconductor and github.com/abodein/timeOmics.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease: the quandary continues
Authors: Caesar-Peterson Shannon , Yoon Dosuk , Tulla Katrina , Nahidi Seyed M , Tickoo Sharang , Sheikh Mudnia , Depaz Hector
Published: September 2021

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a rare lymphohistiocytic disorder with an unknown etiopathogenesis. Due to its non-specific lymphadenopathy presentation, treatment is complicated by the frequency by which it is misdiagnosed—for example up to one-third of cases are misdiagnosed as malignant lymphoma, leading to expensive clinical testing and overtreatment of this typically self-limiting illness. KFD has a strong association with SLE, although its transience and rarity make it difficult to investigate. We present a case of KFD to illustrate the variance in presentation and typical outcome of KFD. We want to increase awareness and shed some light on some typical and atypical clinical presentations of KFD to reduce the incidence of misdiagnosis.
The diffuse ionized gas (DIG) in star-forming galaxies: the influence of aperture effects on local H ii regions
Authors: Mannucci F , Belfiore F , Curti M , Cresci G , Maiolino R , Marasco A , Marconi A , Mingozzi M , Tozzi G , Amiri A
Published: September 2021

The diffuse ionized gas (DIG) contributes to the nebular emission of galaxies, resulting in emission line flux ratios that can be significantly different from those produced by H ii regions. Comparing the emission of [SII]λ6717,31 between pointed observations of H ii regions in nearby galaxies and integrated spectra of more distant galaxies, it has been recently claimed that the DIG can also deeply affect the emission of bright, star-forming galaxies, and that a large correction must be applied to observed line ratios to recover the genuine contribution from H ii regions. Here, we show instead that the e?ect of DIG on the integrated spectra of star-forming galaxies is lower than assumed in previous work. Here we show that, in contrast, aperture effects on the spectroscopy of nearby H ii regions are largely responsible for the observed difference: When spectra of local H ii regions are extracted using large enough apertures while still avoiding the DIG, the observed line ratios are the same as in more distant galaxies. This result is highly relevant for the use of strong-line methods to measure metallicity.
The vibrational properties of benzene on an ordered water ice surface
Authors: Clark Victoria H J , Benoit David M
Published: September 2021

We present a hybrid CCSD(T) + PBE-D3 approach to calculating the vibrational signatures for gas-phase benzene and benzene adsorbed on an ordered water ice surface. We compare the results of our method against experimentally recorded spectra and calculations performed using PBE-D3-only approaches (harmonic and anharmonic). Calculations use a proton ordered XIh water ice surface consisting of 288 water molecules, and results are compared against experimental spectra recorded for an ASW ice surface. We show the importance of including a water ice surface into spectroscopic calculations, owing to the resulting differences in vibrational modes, frequencies, and intensities of transitions seen in the IR spectrum. The overall intensity pattern shifts from a dominating ν11 band in the gas-phase to several high-intensity carriers for an IR spectrum of adsorbed benzene. When used for adsorbed benzene, the hybrid approach presented here achieves an RMSD for IR active modes of 21 cm−1, compared to 72 cm−1 and 49 cm−1 for the anharmonic and harmonic PBE-D3 approaches, respectively. Our hybrid model for gaseous benzene also achieves the best results when compared to experiment, with an RMSD for IR active modes of 24 cm−1, compared to 55 cm−1 and 31 cm−1 for the anharmonic and harmonic PBE-D3 approaches, respectively. To facilitate assignment, we generate and provide a correspondence graph between the normal modes of the gaseous and adsorbed benzene molecules. Finally, we calculate the frequency shifts, Δν, of adsorbed benzene relative to its gas-phase to highlight the effects of surface interactions on vibrational bands and evaluate the suitability of our chosen dispersion-corrected density functional theory.
Flickering around the outburst cycle in Kepler dwarf novae
Authors: Bruch Albert
Published: September 2021

Taking advantage of the unparalleled quantity and quality of high-cadence Kepler light curves of several dwarf novae, the strength of the flickering and the high-frequency spectral index of their power spectra are investigated as a function of magnitude around the outburst cycle of these systems. Previous work suggesting that the flickering strength (on a magnitude scale) is practically constant above a given brightness threshold and only rises at fainter magnitudes is confirmed for most of the investigated systems. As a new feature, a hysteresis in the flickering strength is seen in the sense that at the same magnitude level flickering is stronger during decline from outburst than during the rise. A similar hysteresis is also seen in the spectral index. In both cases, it can qualitatively be explained under plausible assumptions within the disc instability model model for dwarf nova outbursts.
Chemical capping improves template switching and enhances sequencing of small RNAs
Authors: Wulf Madalee G , Maguire Sean , Dai Nan , Blondel Alice , Posfai Dora , Krishnan Keerthana , Sun Zhiyi , Guan Shengxi , Corrêa Ivan R
Published: September 2021

Template-switching reverse transcription is widely used in RNA sequencing for low-input and low-quality samples, including RNA from single cells or formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. Previously, we identified the native eukaryotic mRNA 5′ cap as a key structural element for enhancing template switching efficiency. Here, we introduce CapTS-seq, a new strategy for sequencing small RNAs that combines chemical capping and template switching. We probed a variety of non-native synthetic cap structures and found that an unmethylated guanosine triphosphate cap led to the lowest bias and highest efficiency for template switching. Through cross-examination of different nucleotides at the cap position, our data provided unequivocal evidence that the 5′ cap acts as a template for the first nucleotide in reverse transcriptase-mediated post-templated addition to the emerging cDNA—a key feature to propel template switching. We deployed CapTS-seq for sequencing synthetic miRNAs, human total brain and liver FFPE RNA, and demonstrated that it consistently improves library quality for miRNAs in comparison with a gold standard template switching-based small RNA-seq kit.
Effects of a Low-Carbohydrate Ketogenic Diet on Reported Pain, Blood Biomarkers and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Pain: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Field Rowena , Pourkazemi Fereshteh , Rooney Kieron
Published: September 2021

Background

A low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet has been reported to improve chronic pain by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and sensitivity within the nervous system. The main aim of this trial is to evaluate the effects of a ketogenic diet on reported pain, blood biomarkers and quality of life in patients with chronic pain.

Methods

Participants with chronic musculoskeletal pain were recruited for a 12-week diet intervention that commenced with a 3-week run-in diet removing ultra-processed foods, followed by randomization to either a whole-food/well-formulated ketogenic diet (WFKD) or to continue with the minimally processed whole-food diet (WFD). Outcome measures included: average pain (visual analogue scale VAS), blood biomarkers, anthropometrics, adherence, depression, anxiety, sleep, ketones, quality of life, diet satisfaction, and macronutrient intake.

Results

Average weekly pain improved for both groups. WFKD group VAS reduced by 17.9 ± 5.2 mm (P = .004) and the WFD group VAS reduced 11.0 ± 9.0 mm (P = .006). Both groups also reported improved quality of life (WFKD = 11.5 ± 2.8%, P = .001 and WFD = 11.0 ± 3.5%, P = .014). The WFKD group also demonstrated significant improvements in pain interference (P = 0.013), weight (P < .005), depression (P = .015), anxiety (P = .013), and inflammation (hsCRP) (P = .009). Significant average pain reduction remained at three-month follow-up for both groups (WFKD P = .031, WFD P = .011).

Conclusions

The implementation of a whole-food diet that restricts ultra-processed foods is a valid pain management tool; however, a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diets may have potentially greater pain reduction, weight loss and mood improvements.
Functional Outcomes and Physical Performance of Knee Osteoarthritis Patients After Ultrasound-Guided Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation
Authors: Chang Yi-Wei , Tzeng I-Shiang , Lee Kun-Chang , Kao Ming-Chang
Published: September 2021

Objective

To elucidate the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation in alleviating pain as well as its effects on functional outcomes, quality of life and physical performance in knee osteoarthritis patients.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

Patients were recruited within one community hospital.

Subjects

Patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Methods

The subjects underwent ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of genicular nerves after showing a positive response to a diagnostic block. Outcome assessments were performed at baseline and at 2 and 12 weeks posttreatments using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and a physical performance evaluation including balance tests, quadriceps muscle strength test, two-minute walking test and knee joint proprioception test.

Results

Thirteen out of 38 patients were eligible for genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation. There were significant improvements from baseline to posttreatment in the numeric rating scale score, physical health domain score of SF-36, and pain and stiffness domain scores of the WOMAC. Regarding physical performance, the step test result significantly improved over the 12 weeks of follow-up. On the other hand, no significant deteriorations in the single leg stance test, isokinetic quadriceps muscle strength test, knee joint proprioception test or two-minute walking test results were observed after radiofrequency ablation of genicular nerves.

Conclusions

Radiofrequency ablation of genicular nerves may significantly alleviate pain and improve functional outcomes in knee osteoarthritis patients. More importantly, static balance control and quadriceps muscle strength were preserved and there was a change of proprioception in the good direction.
Collecting Biospecimens and Obtaining Biobank Consent From Patients in an Academic Health Care Setting: Practical and Ethical Considerations
Authors: Kasperbauer T.J. , Waltz Amy , Hudson Brenda , Hawryluk Bridget , Moore Courtney , Schmidt Karen , Schwartz Peter H.
Published: September 2021

Academic health centers and health systems increasingly ask patients to enroll in research biobanks as part of standard care, raising important practical and ethical questions for integrating biobank consent processes into health care settings. This article aims to assist academic health centers and health systems considering implementing these integrated consent processes by outlining the 5 main issues—and the key practical and ethical considerations for each issue—that Indiana University Health and the Indiana Biobank faced when integrating biobank consent into their health system, as well as the key obstacles encountered. The 5 main issues to consider include the specimen to collect (leftover, new collection, or add-ons to clinical tests), whether to use opt-in or opt-out consent, where to approach patients, how to effectively use digital tools for consent, and how to appropriately simplify consent information.
Risk Factors Associated with Aggravation of Cervical Spine Lesions in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Inoue Tetsuhiko , Higashi Takayuki , Kobayashi Naomi , Ide Manabu , Harigane Kengo , Mochida Yuichi , Inaba Yutaka
Published: September 2021

Study Design.

A retrospective cohort study.

Objective.

To examine factors related to severe aggravation of preexisting cervical lesions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) under current pharmacologic treatments with biologics.

Summary of Background Data.

Advanced RA cervical lesions carry a risk of irreversible damage to the spinal cord; however, risk factors for aggravation are unclear after the use of biologics became more popular.

Methods.

Of 166 patients with preexisting cervical lesions at baseline, 87 who had cervical X-ray images taken at baseline and at the final visit (with an interval of more than 1 yr) were evaluated retrospectively. Aggravated instabilities determined at the final visit, were defined as follows: atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS) = atlantodental interval ≧ 10 mm; vertebral subluxation (VS) = a Ranawat value < 10 mm; and subaxial subluxation (SAS) = an anterior vertebral slip ≧ 4 mm or a multilevel slip ≧ 2 mm. Patients were divided into two groups based on the radiographic results: severe aggravation and non-severe aggravation. Explanatory variables were gender, age of RA onset, duration of disease, average observation period, Disease Activity Score 28 based on C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) at baseline, drug treatment history, presence of mutilating deformities in the hands, presence of RA-related joint surgery, and the prevalence of each cervical lesion at baseline.

Results.

The severe group comprised 14 patients (16.1%). There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to demographic data. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that preexisting SAS lesions (odds ratio: 7.59, 95% confidence interval: 1.16–49.6) and no history of biologic treatment (odds ratio, 0.10; 95% confidence interval, 0.17–0.58) were associated with aggravation.

Conclusion.

Preexisting SAS lesions were associated with aggravation. Meanwhile, biologics may be effective at preventing aggravation.

Level of Evidence: 3
Prospective study of clinical characteristics of melanoma patients with retinopathy caused by a high-dose interferon α-2b
Authors: Lan Shijie , Cui Zhihua , Yin Qiliang , Liu Zhigang , Liang Lingling , He Hua , Liu Hesong , Guo Zhen , Yu Yingying , Wu Di
Published: September 2021

Retinopathy is a rare side effect of interferon α-2b treatment. The goal of this study was to prospectively investigate the clinical characteristics of Chinese patients with melanomas who developed retinopathy following high doses of interferon α-2b (HD-IFN) therapy. The study included 56 melanoma stage I–III patients that were treated with HD-IFN. Fourty-three patients developed HD-IFN-induced retinopathies. Forty-three melanoma patients (76%) developed retinopathy after being treated with HD-IFN. Among these patients, 49% had cotton–wool spots, 19% had retinal hemorrhage, and 30% had retinal hemorrhage. The median time of occurrence of retinopathy was 4 weeks after treatment, and the median time of duration was 4 weeks. No patient showed other symptoms except one who had blurred vision. A comparison of clinical characteristics (age, gender, primary site, stage, and ulceration) and laboratory examinations (white blood cell and platelet counts, hemoglobin, serum lactate dehydrogenase, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and lipid) between the HD-IFN-induced retinopathy patients and nonretinopathy patients did not show any significant differences (P > 0.05). Although all patients that developed retinopathy had diabetes or hypertension, an equal percentage of patients were without retinopathy had diabetes or hypertension. HD-IFN therapy in patients with melanomas may induce mild retinopathy. Our results; however, do not necessarily suggest to discontinue the HD-IFN treatment because retinopathy is a reversible disorder.
Hip disarticulation and hemipelvectomy prostheses: A review of the literature
Authors: Gholizadeh Hossein , Baddour Natalie , Botros Michael , Brannen Kelly , Golshan Farshad , Lemaire Edward D.
Published: September 2021

Background:

Although the global population of people with a hip disarticulation (HD) or hemipelvectomy (HP) amputation is small, the degree of disability is high, affecting function and independence. A comprehensive literature review is needed to examine the evidence for prostheses in these amputation levels.

Method:

A scoping literature review was conducted to examine related research documents from 1950 to September 2020, found using Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. Studies evaluated (retrospectively or prospectively) HD or HP prostheses and were written in English. Study design and protocol, research instrument, sample size, and outcome measures were reviewed.

Results:

In the past 70 years, 53 articles that evaluated HD or HP prostheses were published. Most research was conducted in the United States (24 articles) and Japan (nine articles). In 42 articles, authors prospectively evaluated the effects of prostheses in these amputation levels. On average, prospective studies had four (SD = 5) participants. Since 1950, only five prospective studies evaluated HD or HP prostheses with 10 or more participants. Moreover, sufficient information was often unavailable for research replication.

Conclusion:

More evidence is needed regarding the effects of HD or HP prosthetic components (i.e. hip, knee, ankle, socket type, and suspension system) on gait, patient satisfaction, prosthetic use, interface pressure, and energy expenditure. Articles mostly have small sample sizes that reduce confidence in the reliability of their findings and limit generalizability. Future investigations are needed with vigorous methodology and larger sample sizes to provide strong statistical conclusions.