bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidence of iodine deficiency and congenital goitre in goats and kids of Darreh Garm region, Khorramabad, Iran
Authors: Davoodi Farshid , Zakian Amir , Rocky Alireza , Raisi Abbas
Published: November 2021

One of the thyroid disorders of ruminants is goitre, which is triggered by iodine deficiency. This study evaluates goitre in the goats of the Darreh Garm region in the vicinity of the Khorramabad city. Three goats with congenital enlarged thyroid glands were referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Lorestan University with signs of arrhythmia, dyspnea and anorexia. Clinical examination, radiographic and sonographic evaluations were performed. Afterward, a comprehensive visual observation was accomplished in the outbreak region and blood samples were taken for thyroid hormones measurement in does and kids. Moreover, soil and forage samples were collected to assess the iodine concentration and soil parameters. Results indicated that the thyroid hormone concentration in the serum of the affected does and kids were significantly lower than healthy and treated animals. Treatment with sodium thyroxine significantly increased the concentration of T3 and T4 hormones. Pasture (5.28 ± 1.57 mg/kg) and soil (11.0 ± 1.49 mg/kg) iodine levels were lower than normal levels in this region. Histopathological slides of the thyroid glands from the dead kids indicated thyroid follicles with different sizes and hyperplasia of the glands. Overall, a 0.5 mg/kg iodine in the diet meal of the goats needs to be considered for prevention of the iodine deficiency.
The Weak Gravity Conjecture and axion strings
Authors: Heidenreich Ben , Reece Matthew , Rudelius Tom
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Strong (sublattice or tower) formulations of the Weak Gravity Conjecture (WGC) imply that, if a weakly coupled gauge theory exists, a tower of charged particles drives the theory to strong coupling at an ultraviolet scale well below the Planck scale. This tower can consist of low-spin states, as in Kaluza-Klein theory, or high-spin states, as with weakly-coupled strings. We provide a suggestive bottom-up argument based on the mild p-form WGC that, for any gauge theory coupled to a fundamental axion through a θF ∧ F term, the tower is a stringy one. The charge-carrying string states at or below the WGC scale gMPl are simply axion strings for θ, with charged modes arising from anomaly inflow. Kaluza-Klein theories evade this conclusion and postpone the appearance of high-spin states to higher energies because they lack a θF ∧ F term. For abelian Kaluza-Klein theories, modified arguments based on additional abelian groups that interact with the Kaluza-Klein gauge group sometimes pinpoint a mass scale for charged strings. These arguments reinforce the Emergent String and Distant Axionic String Conjectures. We emphasize the unproven assumptions and weak points of the arguments, which provide interesting targets for further work. In particular, a sharp characterization of when gauge fields admit θF ∧ F couplings and when they do not would be immensely useful for particle phenomenology and for clarifying the implications of the Weak Gravity Conjecture.
Automated segmentation of leukocyte from hematological images—a study using various CNN schemes
Authors: Kadry Seifedine , Rajinikanth Venkatesan , Taniar David , Damaševičius Robertas , Valencia Xiomara Patricia Blanco
Published: November 2021

Medical images play a fundamental role in disease screening, and automated evaluation of these images is widely preferred in hospitals. Recently, Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) supported medical data assessment is widely adopted to inspect a set of medical imaging modalities. Extraction of the leukocyte section from a thin blood smear image is one of the essential procedures during the preliminary disease screening process. The conventional segmentation needs complex/hybrid procedures to extract the necessary section and the results achieved with conventional methods sometime tender poor results. Hence, this research aims to implement the CNN-assisted image segmentation scheme to extract the leukocyte section from the RGB scaled hematological images. The proposed work employs various CNN-based segmentation schemes, such as SegNet, U-Net, and VGG-UNet. We used the images from the Leukocyte Images for Segmentation and Classification (LISC) database. In this work, five classes of the leukocytes are considered, and each CNN segmentation scheme is separately implemented and evaluated with the ground-truth image. The experimental outcome of the proposed work confirms that the overall results accomplished with the VGG-UNet are better (Jaccard-Index = 91.5124%, Dice-Coefficient = 94.4080%, and Accuracy = 97.7316%) than those of the SegNet and U-Net schemes Finally, the merit of the proposed scheme is also confirmed using other similar image datasets, such as Blood Cell Count and Detection (BCCD) database and ALL-IDB2. The attained result confirms that the proposed scheme works well on hematological images and offers better performance measure values.
Gemeinsamer Unterricht auf Kosten der sozialen Inklusion? Analyse der sozialen Lage in inklusiven Schulen am Beispiel der Schwerpunktschulen in Rheinland-Pfalz
Authors: Helbig Marcel , Steinmetz Sebastian
Published: November 2021

Rheinland-Pfalz ist das einzige deutsche Bundesland, welches zur Umsetzung der schulischen Inklusion vollständig auf Schwerpunktschulen setzt und Kinder und Jugendliche mit sonderpädagogischem Förderbedarf ausschließlich in ausgewählten Standorten unterrichtet. Mit Daten der amtlichen Schulstatistik können wir erstens zeigen, dass Schwerpunktschulen im Grundschulbereich vor allem an Standorten eingerichtet wurden, an denen der Anteil von Kindern aus einkommensschwachen Haushalten überproportional hoch war. Im Vergleich zu anderen Grundschulen steigt zudem die Armutsquote an Schwerpunktschulen zwischen den Jahren 2012–2019 überproportional an. Dieser Effekt zeigt sich besonders deutlich in städtischen Gebieten, in denen in räumlicher Nähe Wahlalternativen im Grundschulbereich vorhanden sind. In der Konsequenz sind inklusive Schulen in Rheinland-Pfalz zunehmend durch sozial ungünstige Entwicklungsmilieus geprägt, mit Folgen für die Chancengerechtigkeit und das soziale Miteinander.
Ginzburg–Landau Theory of Condensates
Authors: Rosenstein Baruch , Li Dingping
Published: November 2021

Ginzburg–Landau theory is an important tool in condensed matter physics research, describing the ordered phases of condensed matter, including the dynamics, elasticity, and thermodynamics of the condensed configurations. In this systematic introduction to Ginzberg–Landau theory, both common and topological excitations are considered on the same footing (including their thermodynamics and dynamical phenomena). The role of the topological versus energetic considerations is made clear. Required mathematics (symmetry, including lattice translation, topology, and perturbative techniques) are introduced as needed. The results are illustrated using arguably the most fascinating class of such systems, high Tc superconductors subject to magnetic field. This book is an important reference for both researchers and graduate students working in condensed matter physics or can act as a textbook for those taking advanced courses on these topics.
A Comparative Study on Soft Law: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: BOSCHETTI Barbara , POLI Maria Daniela
Published: November 2021

This article aims to map how soft law tools have complemented and supported the overall regulatory strategies implemented by European countries to counter the Covid-19 crisis (the soft law atlas), to shed light on some key topics of general interest for legal theory and practice: how soft law tools interact and complement one another including on different levels (the soft law web), how soft law tools interact and complement the sources of pandemic law (the interplay between soft and hard law), and the positive and negative impacts on governance and policy-making of soft law tools during the pandemic and beyond (soft law bright and dark sides).
TransubstantiatingMiserere: James MacMillan’s Compositional Theology
Authors: PHILLIPS-HUTTON ARIANA
Published: November 2021

The Scottish composer Sir James MacMillan (b. 1959) is a vocal proponent of contemporary sacred music, yet little scholarly analysis looks beyond the surface to explore how theological themes and language influence his work. This article offers a fresh perspective on the relationship between theology and music via an analysis of MacMillan’s characterization of his compositional process as ‘transubstantiation’. Far from being merely an evocative description, transubstantiation is a conceptual metaphor that signifies a distinctively eucharistic logic and practice in music. I trace these implications through MacMillan’sMiserere(2009), which reinscribes past music and rituals as part of refashioning the contemporary imagining of religion.
Demosponges from Ascension Island with a description of nine new species
Authors: Goodwin Claire , Brown Judith , Downey Rachel , Trieu Nhu , Brewin Paul E. , Brickle Paul
Published: November 2021

We surveyed the shallow-water sponges of Ascension Island using scuba diving. In total, we collected 58 sponge specimens from 17 locations at depths of 0.5–30 m. In addition, we compiled historical records of sponges. We describe nine species new to science:Niphates verityaesp. nov.,Petrosia(Petrosia)ernestisp. nov.,Monanchora downesaesp. nov.,Svenzea weberorumsp. nov.,Erylus williamsaesp. nov.,Ircinia nolanaesp. nov.,Ircinia richardsonisp. nov.,Ircinia simaesp. nov. andChondrosia browningorumsp. nov. We provide molecular sequences for three of the new species. We have added 50% to the number of known species and added two new genera and one family to the known Ascension Island sponge fauna. Twenty-six species, from 16 genera, and 13 families, are now reported from Ascension's shallow waters. Many of these may be endemic to the island. We discuss the biogeographic affinities of Ascension Island and emphasize the need for additional survey of the sponge fauna of remote islands such as Ascension.
The COVID-19 pandemic in the WHO African region: the first year (February 2020 to February 2021)
Authors: Impouma Benido , Mboussou Franck , Farham Bridget , Wolfe Caitlin M. , Johnson Krys , Clary Catherine , Mihigo Richard , Nsenga Ngoy , Talisuna Ambrose , Yoti Zabulon , Flahault Antoine , Keiser Olivia , Gueye Abdou Salam , Cabore Joseph , Moeti Matshidiso
Published: November 2021

The World Health Organization African region recorded its first laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) cases on 25 February 2020. Two months later, all the 47 countries of the region were affected. The first anniversary of the pandemic occurred in a changed context with the emergence of new variants of concern (VOC) and growing COVID-19 fatigue. This study describes the epidemiological trajectory of COVID-19 in the region, summarises public health and social measures (PHSM) implemented and discusses their impact on the pandemic trajectory. As of 24 February 2021, the African region accounted for 2.5% of cases and 2.9% of deaths reported globally. Of the 13 countries that submitted detailed line listing of cases, the proportion of cases with at least one co-morbid condition was estimated at 3.3% of all cases. Hypertension, diabetes and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection were the most common comorbid conditions, accounting for 11.1%, 7.1% and 5.0% of cases with comorbidities, respectively. Overall, the case fatality ratio (CFR) in patients with comorbid conditions was higher than in patients without comorbid conditions: 5.5% vs. 1.0% (P < 0.0001). Countries started to implement lockdown measures in early March 2020. This contributed to slow the spread of the pandemic at the early stage while the gradual ease of lockdowns from 20 April 2020 resulted in an upsurge. The second wave of the pandemic, which started in November 2020, coincided with the emergence of the new variants of concern. Only 0.08% of the population from six countries received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. It is critical to not only learn from the past 12 months to improve the effectiveness of the current response but also to start preparing the health systems for subsequent waves of the current pandemic and future pandemics.
Das Rahmencurriculum „Qualifiziert Integriert“
Authors: Lauxen Oliver , Blattert Barbara
Published: November 2021

Zusammenfassung. Aus dem Ausland nach Deutschland zugewanderte Pflegefachpersonen erleben Irritationen ihres beruflichen Selbstverständnisses. (Nach-)Qualifizierungsmaßnahmen in der Phase der Einarbeitung können dabei helfen, solche Irritationen abzufedern und eine nachhaltige betriebliche Integration unterstützen. Der Beitrag liefert einen Einblick in ein im Projekt „WIR im Krankenhaus“ erarbeitetes Rahmencurriculum für entsprechende (Nach-)Qualifizierungsmaßnahmen.
Contribution of Ekman Transport to the ENSO Periodicity Estimated With an Extended Wyrtki Index
Authors: Iwakiri Tomoki , Watanabe Masahiro
Published: November 2021

Off‐equatorial wind stress curl anomalies that mainly drive geostrophic transport are essential for the phase transition of the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) induced by a recharge‐discharge process. The ENSO‐induced zonal wind stress anomaly also drives surface Ekman currents, which may counteract the geostrophic transport, but its effect on ENSO periodicity remains unclear in the recharge oscillator theory. Here, we extended an ENSO diagnostic framework, called the Bjerknes‐Wyrtki‐Jin index, to evaluate Ekman transport. The extended method applied to reanalysis data sets shows that the ENSO period lengthens by approximately 30%, reconciling the discrepancy between the observed ENSO frequency and estimates from the conventional method. This result demonstrates that the self‐inhibitory process by Ekman transport is an inherent feature of the observed ENSO periodicity. In addition, Ekman transport efficiently works with a wide meridional structure of ENSO, suggesting that the meridional width of individual ENSO events explains the difference in their duration.
Bias-corrected CMIP6 global dataset for dynamical downscaling of the historical and future climate (1979–2100)
Authors: Xu Zhongfeng , Han Ying , Tam Chi-Yung , Yang Zong-Liang , Fu Congbin
Published: November 2021

Dynamical downscaling is an important approach to obtaining fine-scale weather and climate information. However, dynamical downscaling simulations are often degraded by biases in the large-scale forcing itself. We constructed a bias-corrected global dataset based on 18 models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis 5 (ERA5) dataset. The bias-corrected data have an ERA5-based mean climate and interannual variance, but with a non-linear trend from the ensemble mean of the 18 CMIP6 models. The dataset spans the historical time period 1979–2014 and future scenarios (SSP245 and SSP585) for 2015–2100 with a horizontal grid spacing of (1.25° × 1.25°) at six-hourly intervals. Our evaluation suggests that the bias-corrected data are of better quality than the individual CMIP6 models in terms of the climatological mean, interannual variance and extreme events. This dataset will be useful for dynamical downscaling projections of the Earth’s future climate, atmospheric environment, hydrology, agriculture, wind power, etc.
High sensitivity-low cost detection of SARS-CoV-2 by two steps end point RT-PCR with agarose gel electrophoresis visualization
Authors: Figueroa Solange , Freire-Paspuel Byron , Vega-Mariño Patricio , Velez Alberto , Cruz Marilyn , Cardenas Washington B. , Garcia-Bereguiain Miguel Angel
Published: November 2021

More than one year since Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak, the gold standard technique for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) detection is still the RT-qPCR. This is a limitation to increase testing capacities, particularly at developing countries, as expensive reagents and equipment are required. We developed a two steps end point RT-PCR reaction with SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid (N) gene and Ribonuclease P (RNase P) specific primers where viral amplicons were verified by agarose gel electrophoresis. We carried out a clinical performance and analytical sensitivity evaluation for this two-steps end point RT-PCR method with 242 nasopharyngeal samples using the CDC RT-qPCR protocol as a gold standard technique. With a specificity of 95.8%, a sensitivity of 95.1%, and a limit of detection of 20 viral RNA copies/uL, this two steps end point RT-PCR assay is an affordable and reliable method for SARS-CoV-2 detection. This protocol would allow to extend COVID-19 diagnosis to basic molecular biology laboratories with a potential positive impact in surveillance programs at developing countries.
Enhanced layered fog architecture for IoT sensing and actuation as a service
Authors: Alammari Abdulsalam , Moiz Salman Abdul , Negi Atul
Published: November 2021

The reduced service cost offered by Sensing and Actuation as a Service paradigm, particularly in Internet of Things (IoT) era, has encouraged many establishments to start without worrying about having their own infrastructure. Such a paradigm is typically managed by a centralized cloud service provider. Fog paradigm has emerged as a mini-cloud that if designed with care to assist the cloud, together will achieve better performance. This article introduces a layered fog architecture called Sensors and Actuator Layered Fog Services Delivery (SALFSD) for IoT ecosystems. The significance of SALFSD is being fault resistant; it dynamically reassigns tasks of the failed node to the nearest active node to maintain the network connection. Besides, SALFSD monitors end users pre-specified cases closer to the physical devices hired by end users to fasten generating the actuation commands. Such node may offload its monitoring responsibility to its parent node in case it is overloaded. SALFSD is evaluated using Yet Another Fog Simulator in different scenarios (numbers of users, sensors, actuators, and areas). A comparison was made for Sensing and Actuating as a Service (SAaaS) with/without layered fog, and layered fog with/without (failure reassignment, pre-specified cases in fog nodes, and offloading). The comparison was conducted in terms of computing/communication latencies and the number of missed messages for both observations and actuation commands. Results show that failure reassignment prevented losing messages and maintained network connectivity. Also, wisely selecting the monitoring fog node per end user pre-specified cases and the offloading scheme decreased actuation latency.
Sugary drink consumption and risk of kidney and bladder cancer in Japanese adults
Authors: Leung Chi Yan , Abe Sarah Krull , Sawada Norie , Ishihara Junko , Takachi Ribeka , Yamaji Taiki , Iwasaki Motoki , Hashizume Masahiro , Inoue Manami , Tsugane Shoichiro
Published: November 2021

Globally, sugary drinks are widely consumed, however, few epidemiologic studies have investigated the association between sugary drink consumption and risk of kidney and bladder cancer. We examined the association of sugary drinks with risk of kidney and bladder cancer in 73,024 participants from the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study who reported no history of cancer. Sugary drink consumption was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire at study baseline (1995–1999). Individuals were followed to December 31, 2013. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). During 1,069,815 person years of follow-up, 169 kidney cancer and 297 bladder cancer cases were documented. After adjusting for potential confounders, no greater risk of kidney and bladder cancer was observed. However, sugary drink consumption was positively associated with the risk of kidney cancer (HR for 100 ml/day increase in consumption was 1.11 [95% CI 1.01–1.22]) and bladder cancer (HR for 100 ml/d increase in consumption was 1.11 [95% CI 1.01–1.22]) among women after exclusion of cases diagnosed in the first three years of follow-up. In this large prospective cohort, consumption of sugary drinks was significantly associated with a small increase in hazard ratio for kidney and bladder cancer among women after exclusion of cases diagnosed within the first three years.
Preferences and patterns of response to public health advice during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Nov Oded , Dove Graham , Balestra Martina , Lawrence Katharine , Mann Devin , Wiesenfeld Batia
Published: November 2021

With recurring waves of the Covid-19 pandemic, a dilemma facing public health leadership is whether to provide public advice that is medically optimal (e.g., most protective against infection if followed), but unlikely to be adhered to, or advice that is less protective but is more likely to be followed. To provide insight about this dilemma, we examined and quantified public perceptions about the tradeoff between (a) the stand-alone value of health behavior advice, and (b) the advice’s adherence likelihood. In a series of studies about preference for public health leadership advice, we asked 1061 participants to choose between (5) strict advice that is medically optimal if adhered to but which is less likely to be broadly followed, and (2) relaxed advice, which is less medically effective but more likely to gain adherence—given varying infection expectancies. Participants’ preference was consistent with risk aversion. Offering an informed choice alternative that shifts volition to advice recipients only strengthened risk aversion, but also demonstrated that informed choice was preferred as much or more than the risk-averse strict advice.
Trace of evanescent wave polarization by atomic vapor spectroscopy
Authors: Mosleh M. , Ranjbaran M. , Hamidi S. M.
Published: November 2021

Various efforts have been made to determine the polarization state of evanescent waves in different structures. The present study shows the reliability of magneto-optical spectroscopy of D1 and D2 lines of rubidium metal and polarization-dependent transitions to investigate and trace the changes in the polarization state of evanescent fields during total internal reflection over different angles. For this purpose, we design and fabricate atomic- evanescent Rb vapor cells and examine the effect of polarization changes of evanescent waves, depending on the propagation direction of evanescent waves in anisotropic rubidium vapor media under 88 mT external magnetic field by different configurations theoretically and experimentally. The results confirm the dependency of allowed $$\sigma^{ \pm } { }\;{\text{and}}\;\pi$$

σ
±

and

π

transitions on the magneto optical configuration as a tool to determine changes in the polarization of evanescent waves in more complicated wave states in anisotropic media.
In situ assessment of mitochondrial respiratory activity and lipid metabolism of mouse oocytes using resonance Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Ishigaki Mika , Kashiwagi Shinsuke , Wakabayashi Satoru , Hoshino Yumi
Published: November 2021

The respiratory activity and lipid metabolism depending on the degree of oocyte maturation can be assessed using resonance Raman spectroscopy in a non-invasive manner.
Tuning the selectivity of electrochemical levulinic acid reduction to 4-hydroxyvaleric acid: a monomer for biocompatible and biodegradable plastics
Authors: Lucas Francisco W. S. , Fishler Yuval , Holewinski Adam
Published: November 2021

Levulinic acid (LA) is a biomass-derived feedstock; herein, we present an efficient electrochemical method for converting LA into 4-hydroxyvaleric acid, a valuable monomer for bio-polyesters, as well as γ-valerolactone (a green fuel/solvent).
Red blood cell membrane-coated biomimetic upconversion nanoarchitectures for synergistic chemo-photodynamic therapy
Authors: Li Minghui , Cui Xinyu , Wei Feng , Wang Zhao , Han Xiaojun
Published: November 2021

The red blood cell (RBC) membrane camouflaged core–shell upconversion/mesoporous silica nanoparticles (UCNPs@mSiO2 NPs) were constructed for synergistic chemo-photodynamic therapy.
Construction of polysubstituted spiro[2.3] or [3.3] cyclic frameworks fused with a tosylated pyrrolidine promoted by visible-light-induced photosensitization
Authors: Gu Xintao , Wei Yin , Shi Min
Published: November 2021

A novel visible-light-induced intramolecular [2 + 2] cycloaddition of methylenecyclopropanes (MCPs) for the rapid construction of polysubstituted spiro[2.3] or [3.3] cyclic frameworks fused with a tosylated pyrrolidine.
Categorical Perception of Chinese Lexical Tones by Late Second Language Learners With High Proficiency: Behavioral and Electrophysiological Measures
Authors: Xi Jie , Xu Hongkai , Zhu Ying , Zhang Linjun , Shu Hua , Zhang Yang
Published: November 2021

Purpose:

Although acquisition of Chinese lexical tones by second language (L2) learners has been intensively investigated, very few studies focused on categorical perception (CP) of lexical tones by highly proficient L2 learners. This study was designed to address this issue with behavioral and electrophysiological measures.

Method:

Behavioral identification and auditory event-related potential (ERP) components for speech discrimination, including mismatch negativity (MMN), N2b, and P3b, were measured in 23 native Korean speakers who were highly proficient late L2 learners of Chinese. For the ERP measures, both passive and active listening tasks were administered to examine the automatic and attention-controlled discriminative responses to within- and across-category differences for carefully chosen stimuli from a lexical tone continuum.

Results:

The behavioral task revealed native-like identification function of the tonal continuum. Correspondingly, the active oddball task demonstrated larger P3b amplitudes for the across-category than within-category deviants in the left recording site, indicating clear CP of lexical tones in the attentive condition. By contrast, similar MMN responses in the right recording site were elicited by both the across- and within-category deviants, indicating the absence of CP effect with automatic phonological processing of lexical tones at the pre-attentive stage even in L2 learners with high Chinese proficiency.

Conclusion:

Although behavioral data showed clear evidence of categorical perception of lexical tones in proficient L2 learners, ERP measures from passive and active listening tasks demonstrated fine-grained sensitivity in terms of response polarity, latency, and laterality in revealing different aspects of auditory versus linguistic processing associated with speech decoding by means of largely implicit native language acquisition versus effortful explicit L2 learning.
Bidirectional Associations of Childhood Stuttering With Behavior and Temperament
Authors: Koenraads Simone P. C. , Jansen Pauline W. , Baatenburg de Jong Robert Jan , van der Schroeff Marc P. , Franken Marie-Christine
Published: November 2021

Purpose:

Behavior and temperament (e.g., emotional reactivity, self-regulation) have been considered relevant to stuttering and its developmental course, but the direction of this relation is still unknown. Knowledge of behavior difficulties and temperament in childhood stuttering can improve screening and intervention. The current study examined both directions of the relationship between stuttering and behavior difficulties and temperament and between persistent stuttering and behavior difficulties and temperament across childhood.

Method:

This study was embedded in the Generation R Study, a population-based cohort from fetal life onward in the Netherlands. We analyzed data from 145 children (4.2%) with a history of stuttering (118 recovered, 27 persistent) and 3,276 children without such a history. Behavior and temperament were repeatedly assessed using parental questionnaires (Child Behavior Checklist) and Infant/Child Behavior Questionnaire between 0.5 and 9 years of age. Multiple logistic and linear regression analyses were performed.

Results:

Six-month-old children who were less able to “recover from distress,” indicating poor self-regulation, were more likely to develop persistent stuttering later in childhood (odds ratio = 2.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.03, 4.05],
p
= .04). In the opposite direction, children with a history of stuttering showed more negative affectivity (β = 0.19, 95% CI [0.02, 0.37],
p
= .03) at 6 years of age than children without such a history. Stuttering persistence was associated with increased internalizing behaviors (β = 0.38, 95% CI [0.03, 0.74],
p
= .04) and higher emotional reactivity (β = 0.53, 95% CI [0.09, 0.89],
p
= .02) at the age of 9 years.

Conclusions:

Behavior and temperament were associated with stuttering persistency—seemingly as both predictor and consequence—but did not predict a history of stuttering. We suggest that children who persist in stuttering should be carefully monitored, and if behavioral or temperamental problems appear, treatment for these problems should be offered.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.16869479
Post-chemotherapy modified template retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumours
Authors: Zor Murat , Yilmaz Sercan , Topuz Bahadir , Kaya Engin , Yalcin Serdar , Coguplugil Adem Emrah , Ince Mehmet Emin , Gurdal Mesut
Published: November 2021

Introduction/background: Although a full bilateral template RPLND
is thought to be the standard of care for the management of postchemotherapy retroperitoneal
residual masses for nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT), in the past decade modified
templates have become increasingly popular. In this study, we aimed to present our oncological
and perioperative outcomes of consecutive seventeen NSGCT patients who underwent a modified
template unilateral PC-RPLND for retroperitoneal residual disease.

Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the medical
records of 17 consecutive NSGCT patients who underwent modified template unilateral PC-RPLND
in our university hospital between 2017 and 2020. All patients had normal serum tumour markers
with residual disease in the retroperitoneum. Surgical characteristics including the size of
the retroperitoneal residual mass, residual tumor pathology, removed lymph nodes, positive
percentage of removed lymph nodes, accompanying operations, complications, mean operation time
and hospital stay, and long-term results including survival and antegrade ejaculation were
evaluated.

Results: Eleven patients underwent left and six right-sided
surgery. Median residual lymph node diameter was 41mm. Median hospitalisation time was 3.5
days. Median follow-up time was 10.5 months. Necrosis/fibrosis was seen in 6 patients, and
teratoma in 11 patients. No viable tumour was seen. No patients died in the follow-up period.
None of the patients relapsed during follow-up. Ten/seventeen patients had antegrade
ejaculation.

Conclusions: Modified template unilateral PC-RPLND leads to very
good oncological outcomes with decreased perioperative morbidity as well as better antegrade
ejaculation rates. Low volume retroperitoneal disease seems to fit this procedure best.
Physische und psychische Komorbiditäten der Interstitiellen Zystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrom
Authors: Doggweiler Regula , Bschleipfer Thomas
Published: November 2021

Das Risiko von Komorbiditäten chronischer Schmerzstörungen ist bei IC/BPS Patienten höher als
in der gesunden Population. Die häufigsten sind: Endometriose, Reizdarmsyndrom, Fibromyalgie,
chronischem Erschöpfungssyndrom (CFS), Migräne, Panikattacken, Multiple Chemische
Sensitivität, rheumatologische und Autoimmunerkrankungen. Das Leiden unter chronischem Schmerz
kann zu Depression führen. Nicht selten folgt ein sozialer Rückzug. Chronische Schmerzen
können nur erklärt und behandelt werden, wenn die biopsychosoziale Einheit des Menschen
betrachtet wird. Wechselbeziehungen zwischen Umwelt und Individuum sind von zentraler
Bedeutung für die Aufrechterhaltung der Gesundheit sowie die Entstehung und den Verlauf der
Krankheit. Die Situation wird noch delikater, dadurch dass sich die Schmerzen im
Urogenitalbereich lokalisieren. Hier sind gleich drei Funktionsebenen angesiedelt:
Ausscheidung, Reproduktion und Lust. Diese Konstellation prädisponiert zu hoher Anfälligkeit
für ein psychosomatisches Geschehen. Dies bedeutet, dass urogenitale Schmerzen neben der
Erfahrung unangenehmer Sinneserlebnisse auch Gefühlserlebnisse beinhalten, zu welchen neben
der Angst vor Schaden auch Scham und Versagen zählen.
Association of Serum Calcium and Vitamin D with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
Authors: Thomas Ron Jacob , Goutham M. K. , Bhat Vadisha Srinivas , Kamath Shrinath D. , Aroor Rajeshwary , Bhandary Satheesh Kumar
Published: November 2021

Introduction Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one of the common disorders of the peripheral vestibular system. The prevalence of BPPV is found to be higher among middle-aged women.

Objectives To estimate the serum levels of calcium and vitamin D in patients with BPPV, and to study their association.

Methods The present is a hospital-based prospective case-control study. Venous blood samples of the 49 patients with BPPV and an equal number of age- and gender-matched individuals were recruited and submitted to an analysis of the serum levels of calcium and vitamin D.

Results Among the cases, 67.3% were found to be females, and 32.7% were males. Most of the 30 cases (61.3%) were aged > 40 years. The mean age of the cases was 44.39 years. The mean serum level of vitamin D in the cases was of 21.26 ng/ml compared with 17.59 ng/ml in the controls. The mean serum level of calcium was of 9.33 mg/dl in the cases, compared with 8.95 mg/dl in the controls. There was no significant difference in the serum levels of vitamin D and calcium between cases and controls.

Conclusion We could not establish any correlation between the serum levels of calcium and vitamin D with BPPV. However, a negative relationship was found between the serum levels of vitamin D and the number of episodes of BPPV (p = 0.012).
A multipurpose power supply for constant current, constant voltage, and constant power applications
Authors: Pandeswara Geethanjali , Pasula Naresh , R Geshma Kumari
Published: November 2021

Constant current (CC), constant voltage (CV), and constant power (CP) find numerous applications in different stages of the power supply chain and are often a part of various industrial and commercial needs. Although several conventional power supplies are available in the market to provide CC, CV, and CP, their outputs are specific and limited to one or two of these power modes. In light of this, this paper introduces a multipurpose power supply that can deliver power in all three modes (CC, CV, and CP) irrespective of load dynamics. A novel branch type resonant converter comprising three inductors and a capacitor is investigated for the design and development of the power supply. Consumers can choose their preferred mode of operation by switching the operating frequency. This multipurpose power supply subsidizes the space, technology, time, and economy required for three individual supplies and bags magnificent features such as simple control with efficiency greater than 95% in the CC mode and above 80% in CV and CP modes, subjected to loading constraints. The versatility of the power supply is validated by a hardware prototype tested at different load conditions. Regardless of the changes in load resistance, the proposed power supply remained rigid and efficient in each of the mentioned modes.
Enhanced pulsed thermoacoustic imaging by noncoherent pulse compression
Authors: Alzuhiri Mohand , Song Jian , Li Bo , Kumar Deepak , Qiu Zhen , Qian Jianliang , Deng Yiming
Published: November 2021

Microwave-induced thermoacoustic imaging (TAI) is a hybrid imaging technique that combines electromagnetic radiation and ultrasonic waves to achieve high imaging contrast and submillimeter spatial resolution. These characteristics make TAI a good candidate to detect material anomalies that change the material electric properties without a noticeable variation in material density. Conventional pulsed TAI systems work by sending a single short pulse to the imaged target and then detecting the generated pressure signal; therefore, a very high peak power microwave pulse or data averaging is needed to produce images with a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In this paper, we propose to enhance the SNR of pulsed TAI systems by using non-coherent pulse compression. In this approach, a predefined pulse coded signal is used to illuminate the imaged sample and the received pressure signal is cross correlated with a template that is related to the power profile of the excitation signal. The proposed approach can be easily deployed to pulsed TAI systems without the need for major system modifications to the RF source because it only requires a timing circuit to control the triggering time of the RF pulses. In this paper, we demonstrate experimentally that the proposed approach highly improves the SNR of TAI signals and images and can be used to reduce the acquisition time by lowering the number of data averaging or reduce the required peak power from RF sources.
The Neumann and Robin problems for the Korteweg–de Vries equation on the half-line
Authors: Himonas A. Alexandrou , Madrid Carlos , Yan Fangchi
Published: November 2021

The well-posedness of the Neumann and Robin problems for the Korteweg–de Vries equation is studied with data in Sobolev spaces. Using the Fokas unified transform method, the corresponding linear problems with forcing are solved and solution estimates are derived. Then, using these, an iteration map is defined, and it is proved to be a contraction in appropriate solution spaces after the needed bilinear estimates are derived.
Three-dimensional quasiperiodic torsional flows in rotating spherical fluids at very low Prandtl numbers
Authors: Sánchez Umbría J. , Net M.
Published: November 2021

The aim of this study is to determine through numerical simulations the extent and robustness of the three-dimensional torsional dynamics of the thermal convection in rotating spherical fluids at very low Prandtl numbers. It is known that the kinetic energy of the periodic axisymmetric flows propagates latitudinally on the surface of the sphere. Here, it is shown that when the axisymmetry is broken at a secondary Hopf bifurcation, the flow starts to drift in the azimuthal direction giving rise to a quasiperiodic motion that propagates the energy in latitude and longitude. The double direction of propagation gives rise to a meandering path of the kinetic energy, which is still concentrated on the surface, but highly localized. Several new stable states of convection with different symmetries have been identified in a large range of Rayleigh numbers, all of them retaining the torsional motion of the basic velocity field. Particular attention is paid to their dependence on the Rayleigh number and on the values of the frequencies, of the mean zonal flow, and of the kinetic energy of the fluid.
Mechanisms of prompt and delayed ignition and combustion of explosively dispersed aluminum powder
Authors: Posey Jacob W. , Roque Brayden , Guhathakurta Swagnik , Houim Ryan W.
Published: November 2021

A multidimensional numerical study was performed to explore the ignition and combustion mechanisms of an annular aluminum particle shell surrounding a trinitrotoluene (TNT) charge. The model equations consist of a fully compressible reacting gas coupled to a kinetic-theory-based Eulerian granular multiphase model. The parametric study explored the influence of thickness of the Al particle layer, initial Al packing, and diameter of the Al particles. The computed results show ignition and flame structures that are consistent with both delayed and prompt ignition of explosively dispersed reactive powder. In delayed ignition, the Al particles ignite several milliseconds after the dispersal when the particles interact with the surface of the TNT fireball during the negative phase of the blast. The resulting turbulent Al dust flame propagates from the inside toward the outside of the dispersed Al dust cloud. The results show that smaller-diameter Al particles ignite more quickly and propagate through the dispersed dust cloud more rapidly. Paradoxically, larger amounts of smaller Al particles are unburned after the turbulent flame propagates through the dust cloud in comparison to larger-diameter particles. Prompt ignition occurs when the Al particles ignite in the shock-heated air almost immediately as the particles start to disperse. The flame structure for prompt ignition scenarios is a non-premixed dust flame where the fuel and air are mixed by velocity slip between the gas and particles.
Phonon and optical properties of transition metal and rare earth ion doped BaTiO3
Authors: Apostolova I. N. , Apostolov A. T. , Wesselinowa J. M.
Published: November 2021

We have calculated the phonon energy and damping of ω0=264cm−1 in Fe, Mn, and Dy doped BaTiO3 using a microscopic model. By doping with Fe ions, the phonon energy ω and damping γ show anomalies at the two phase transition temperatures. ω increases whereas γ decreases with the increase in the magnetic field and the kink at TCfm vanishes. ω and TCfe decrease or increase with the increase in Mn or Fe dopants, respectively. TCfe and ω of ω0=718cm−1 decrease with the increase in Dy ion doping on the Ba site. γ is enhanced for all three ions. The changes in the phonon properties by ion doping are due to the different strain caused by the different ionic radii of the host and doping ions. The effects of Fe, Mn, and Sm doping on the bandgap energy are also discussed.
Surfactant aggregate size distributions above and below the critical micelle concentration
Authors: Ben-Amotz Dor , Mendes de Oliveira Denilson
Published: November 2021

Aggregate size distributions in an aqueous solution containing either charged or neutral surfactants are investigated using Raman multivariate curve resolution (Raman-MCR) spectroscopy and analyzed with the aid of a multi-aggregation chemical potential surface (MCPS) modeling strategy. Total least squares decompositions of the concentration-dependent Raman-MCR spectra are used to quantify the free and micelle surfactant populations, and the surfactant’s C–H stretch frequency is used as a measure of its average aggregation state. MCPS predictions relate the experimental measurements to the underlying surfactant aggregate size distribution by fitting either the component concentrations or the average C–H frequency to MCPS predictions, and thus determine the critical micelle concentration (CMC) and estimate the corresponding micelle size and polydispersity. The Raman-MCR spectra of aqueous 1,2-hexanediol, sodium octanoate, and sodium dodecyl sulfate, measured both below and above CMC, provide critical tests of the assumed functional form of the MCPS and the presence of low-order premicellar aggregates. Our results indicate that the low-order aggregate population gradually emerges as the CMC is approached and then remains nearly concentration-independent after the appearance of micelles.
Influence of the rounded rear edge on wake bi-stability of a notchback bluff body
Authors: He Kan , Minelli Guglielmo , Su Xinchao , Gao Guangjun , Krajnović Siniša
Published: November 2021

The wake bi-stability behind notchback Ahmed bodies is investigated by performing wind tunnel experiments and large eddy simulations (LESs). The focus of this study is on the suppression of bi-stable wakes achieved by rounding the roof's trailing edge of the body. The suppression effect is found to depend on the Reynolds number (Re). The wake behind a sharp edge remains bi-stable for all tested Re. However, for a rounded edge with small radius, wake bi-stability at Re=0.5×105 and wake symmetrization with 0.75×105≤Re≤1.5×105 are observed. Increasing Re with Re≥1.75×105, the wake returns to the bi-stable state. Particularly, with Re≥2×105, a stable asymmetric wake state with no switches is observed for long periods. Performing LES confirms the expected wake asymmetry at Re=0.5×105 and symmetry at Re=1×105 for the case of rounded edge with a small radius. Besides, another wake symmetry is observed for the rounded edge with a large radius at Re=0.5×105. For the two wake symmetries shown in the LES results, the symmetrization is attributed to wake suppression in the notchback region, forcing the flow separation from the rear roof to attach to the slant on both sides of the body.
Bearing all Down Under: the role of Australasian countries in the illegal bear trade
Authors: Cassey Phillip , Gomez Lalita , Heinrich Sarah , García-Díaz Pablo , Stoner Sarah , Shepherd Chris R.
Published: November 2021

Context Illegal wildlife trade (IWT) is a leading concern for conservation and biosecurity agencies globally, and involves multiple source, transit, and destination countries smuggling species on a transnational scale. The contribution of non-range countries for driving demand in IWT is often overlooked. Aims We analysed the dynamics (source, type and quantity) of bear seizures in Australia and New Zealand to gain a deeper understanding of the IWT, and to raise awareness among enforcement agencies for mitigating the international smuggling of bear parts and derivatives, and reducing the global threat to bears from illegal exploitation. Methods We collated biosecurity and conservation enforcement agency records of CITES seizures from Australia and New Zealand. All of the seizures were declared for ‘personal use’. Key results We report on 781 seizures of bear parts and derivatives in Australia and New Zealand from 33 countries over the past decade. The majority of seizures were medicinal (gall bladder and bile) products, but also included a range of body parts, hunting trophies and meat. China was the source of the greatest number of seizures, however, 32 additional source and transit countries/territories (from Asia, Europe, Americas, Middle East and Africa) were also involved in the seizures of bear parts and their derivatives. Conclusions The widespread trade of bears is an example of the far-reaching consequences commercial use can have on threatened species. Australia and New Zealand have no native bear species, and yet are frequently involved in wildlife seizures, and illegal bear trade continues to be an enforcement issue. Implications IWT has a detrimental impact on the conservation of bears. Conservation research in non-range countries needs to be conducted to determine the demand and threats from IWT, and to increase collaborative strategies to counter transnational smuggling.
An intrinsically disordered pathological prion variant Y145Stop converts into self-seeding amyloids via liquid–liquid phase separation
Authors: Agarwal Aishwarya , Rai Sandeep K. , Avni Anamika , Mukhopadhyay Samrat
Published: November 2021

Significance

Biology has evolved to achieve precise spatiotemporal control of crucial cellular functions through liquid–liquid phase separation of highly flexible proteins and nucleic acids into membraneless organelles. However, these liquid-like intracellular condensates can undergo irreversible phase transitions into solid-like aggregates associated with deadly human diseases. Here, we show that a pathological truncation variant of the prion protein comprising the N-terminal unstructured domain spontaneously phase-separates into liquid droplets under physiological conditions. These liquid-like condensates gradually mature into solid-like self-replicable amyloids reminiscent of toxic misfolded proteinaceous aggregates involved in transmissible prion diseases. This aberrant phase-transition propensity is suppressed in the full-length protein, which may indicate an evolutionarily conserved role of an intriguing relationship between different domains in modulating the protein phase behavior.