bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extraction automatique de repères vertébraux à partir d’échographies
Authors: Brignol Arnaud , Cheriet Farida , Laporte Catherine
Published: December 2021

Certaines formes de myopathies telles que la dystrophie musculaire de Duchenne entraînent une dégénérescence progressive des muscles chez le patient. Ceci se traduit par l’apparition d’une scoliose dont la gravité augmente au cours du temps. La norme clinique pour le suivi de la scoliose consiste à réaliser un examen radiographique. Malheureusement, l’exposition répétée aux rayons X est nocive pour la santé du patient. L’échographie est une technique d’imagerie médicale non irradiante qui utilise des ondes ultrasonores (US). Cependant, l’interprétation des échographies de vertèbres est souvent difficile en raison de la qualité variable des images. En réponse à ce défi, nous présentons une méthode pour localiser automatiquement les vertèbres sur les échographies. La validation de cette approche reproductible laisse à penser qu’il serait possible, à terme, de remplacer une partie des examens radiographiques standards par l’échographie.
Le registre national SMA France : des résultats déjà encourageants
Authors: Lemoine Margaux , Gomez Marta , Grimaldi Lamiae , Urtizberea J. Andoni , Quijano-Roy Susana
Published: December 2021

L’amyotrophie spinale proximale liée au gène SMN1 (SMA) est une maladie neuromusculaire invalidante dont l’histoire naturelle a été sensiblement modifiée ces dernières années du fait de l’apparition de thérapies innovantes. Le registre SMA France a été mis en place en 2020 afin de mieux connaître la pathologie et répondre au besoin de données en vie réelle induit par l’arrivée de ces nouveaux médicaments. Le but est aussi d’essayer d’identifier les meilleures stratégies thérapeutiques et d’améliorer in fine la prise en charge de ces patients. Ce registre a le statut d’entrepôt de données de santé et collecte des informations rétrospectives et prospectives de patients SMA de tous types, génétiquement confirmés, traités ou non par thérapies innovantes, et suivis dans les centres du réseau FILNEMUS. La population-cible est estimée à 1 000 patients, dont la moitié d’âge pédiatrique. Au 1er octobre 2021, 666 patients ont été inclus dans la base (357 enfants et 309 adultes) par 44 des 51 centres spécialisés du réseau neuromusculaire FILNEMUS ayant accepté de participer. Parmi ces patients, 150 étaient de type 1 (22 %), 278 (42 %) de type 2, 232 (35 %) de type 3, et 4 de type 4 (1 %).
Le suivi multidisciplinaire de patients adultes atteints de dystrophie myotonique de type 1 dans le Sud Aquitain
Authors: Flabeau Olivier , Bisson Thomas
Published: December 2021

DM1 is characterized by a multisystemic involvement. Our objective was to determine the proportion of adequate follow-up for each affected organ in DM1 patients based on the recently published American and Spanish recommendations. To this end, we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional survey by phone in adult, genetically proven DM1 patients followed in the two French neuromuscular centers of Bayonne and Hendaye located in South Aquitaine, France. The questionnaire selected the most stringent criteria of the two international recommendations for each item of follow-up. Seventy-three patients were included, 55% of which were women (mean age of 48 years) with an average number of 467 CTG repeats. The proportion of patients receiving clinical follow-up in accordance with the recommendations was 90% in cardiology, 60% in neurology, 68% in ophthalmology, 53% in physiotherapy, 23% in pneumology, and 12% in rehabilitation. The high rate of neurological, cardiological, and ophthalmological monitoring might be explained by a locally dense medical demography whereas low rate of respiratory follow up and rehabilitation may reflect an incomplete knowledge of both the disease and the questionnaire. These results should be carefully interpretated as cognitive status may influence such a declarative study. Our study nevertheless disclosed important disparities according to the recommended multidisciplinary follow-up criteria in this French cohort of adult DM1 patients. These results highlight the major role of a multidisciplinary care and monitoring in DM1.
Des lieux et des mots : insaisissable
Authors: Lazzarotti Olivier
Published: December 2021

Réactualisé et conceptualisé par une géographie du début du XXIe siècle, l’habiter nomme ainsi la dimension géographique de l’humaine expérience du Monde. L’hypothèse exploratoire de ce texte est que les mots nomment imparfaitement ce que disent les pratiques des lieux. Et que, réciproquement, aucune pratique des lieux ne se laisse totalement nommer. Dès lors, il se pourrait bien que, à la « disjonction » des mots et des pratiques, l’habiter donne à voir, à entendre, à sentir et, peut-être même à comprendre ce vers quoi d’autres chemins ne mèneraient peut-être pas. Ou pas ainsi.
Pratiques de territoires, exclusion et folie
Authors: Biancarelli Lorenza , Douville Olivier
Published: December 2021

Entrecroisant les apports de la topologie à l’anthropologie clinique, nous interrogeons des pratiques de territoire qui peuvent révéler des tentatives de traitement de la rencontre avec le Réel du corps chez les dits psychotiques. Cette méthodologie a été forgée à partir d’une recherche clinique menée dans le territoire de la « Cracolândia » – l’une de plus grandes scènes ouvertes de consommation de crack au Brésil. Dans le cadre de cet article, nous proposons un regard croisé des terrains brésiliens et de l’Afrique de l’Ouest, marqués par la grande précarité du lien social (racisme, grande exclusion, errance) et les fabrications des ritualités et des traitements des restes, dans la tentative de réparation ce qui nous appelons la dignité anthropologique du sujet.
Nul ne sait ce que peut un corps
Authors: Hoffmann Christian
Published: December 2021

Ce virus a réveillé la conscience de notre condition humaine en nous projetons sur le devant de la scène mondialisée pour y découvrir la précarité du vivant dans son enveloppe humaine sans recours à un Autre secourable. La clinique du libéralisme ou la philosophie clinique ne prendra pas en charge ce réel qui fait obstacle à toute politique du soin, tout en le considérant comme un fait social global. Une approche clinique de ce réel, au-delà de l’horizon de nos connaissances, ne peut se faire qu’à travers un soin global pour juguler la mort par l’élan vital
Emprise et violence sexuelle chez l’artiste. Une étude de cas
Authors: Sens Dominique
Published: December 2021

Les conduites du pervers narcissique s’exercent dans de nombreuses situations qui concernent le travail, la famille, les groupes et les organisations mais restent à explorer dans le domaine de l’art quand il sert l’entreprise de désubjectivation et d’aliénation par l’artiste. L’objectif de cet article est d’apporter une contribution à l’étude psychopathologique des relations entre emprise, perversion narcissique et violence sexuelle fondée sur une étude de cas en s’appuyant sur la trajectoire artistique et biographique de l’artiste viennois Otto Muehl et sur les témoignages d’anciennes victimes ayant subi son emprise et ses violences sexuelles. La trajectoire personnelle et artistique d’Otto Muehl, s’inscrit dans le contexte autrichien de l’après-guerre encore marqué par le nazisme. Si, dans le cas d’Otto Muehl, les modalités d’un fonctionnement pervers narcissique apparaissent assez clairement, la dimension psychotique n’est cependant pas à exclure. La conclusion fait ressortir la difficulté à se dégager de l’emprise du pervers narcissique et le long cheminement pour que la parole des victimes soit prise en compte.
Quinze ans de voyage au pays du « Logement d’abord »
Authors: Chobeaux François
Published: December 2021

Les politiques d’accès à l’hébergement et au logement destinées aux personnes sans domicile fixe ont profondément évolué depuis une quinzaine d’années. Elles sont passées d’une sorte de « jeu de l’oie » aux multiples étapes à la pratique du « logement d’abord » : l’accès au logement doit être la plus rapide possible et les accompagnements sociaux et médicaux l’accompagnent et le soutiennent.

Mais une politique qui se massifie oublie les particularités, les choix, les envies, les possibilités de chaque individu qui sont alors gommées par des propositions devenant stéréotypées.
Psychanalyse et Université à l’orée des années 1950 : l’axe d’une question pérenne; approche succincte
Authors: Aurin Élise , Ottavi Laurent
Published: December 2021

Cet article rapporte les conditions d’introduction d’un enseignement psychanalytique dans les Départements de psychologie, en construction dans les années 50. En examinant les questions organisationnelles d’accueil avant les fondations épistémologiques, il interroge le vœu d’une « unité » annoncé de la psychologie par D. Lagache. Il rapporte les différences fondamentales avec les questions de formation des écoles psychanalytiques. L’article pose la question de l’admission et de l’autorité qui légitime l’enseignement et la formation, dans les Écoles de psychanalyse d’une part, à l’université d’autre part, et se conclut sur les implications de ces rencontres qui, à partir d’un hiatus fondateur, ont façonné un axe des rapports tumultueux entre psychanalyse, ses nouveautés, et l’université dans son dispositif, en évolution depuis plusieurs siècles.
Care of Women with Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Chronic IBD) During Pregnancy
Authors: Schmidt Markus , Kühnert Maritta , Kuschel Bettina , Kehl Sven , Schäfer-Graf Ute Margaretha
Published: December 2021

The incidence of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (chronic IBD) in persons of reproductive age is high. Chronic IBD does not typically lead to impaired fertility. Nevertheless, the percentage of women suffering from chronic IBD who have children is lower than that of the general population, due to self-imposed childlessness. Providing women with open, unbiased information and, if necessary, helping them to overcome baseless fears should therefore be an essential part of preconception counseling. With the exception of methotrexate, most standard drugs can and should be continued during pregnancy. If the pregnancy occurs during an inactive phase of disease, the rate of complications in pregnancy should, in principle, not be higher than normal. Nevertheless, pregnant women with chronic IBD are classed as high-risk pregnancies. Organ screening in accordance with DEGUM II criteria should be carried out in every case, and women must be monitored for the potential development
of placental insufficiency. Any flare-ups which occur during pregnancy should be treated in full. Vaginal delivery can be considered if there is no perianal manifestation of disease; however, the individual risk must be carefully weighed up.
Beckeninsuffizienzfrakturen bei einer älteren Patientin mit
Osteopetrose
Authors: Andresen Julian Ramin , Schrum Anna , Radmer Sebastian , Andresen Reimer
Published: December 2021

Einleitung Bei der Osteopetrose handelt es sich um eine seltene
hereditäre Knochenerkrankung, bei der es durch eine Störung des
Knorpel-Knochenstoffwechsels zu einer pathologischen Anhäufung der
Knochenmatrix mit Sklerosierung des Markraums und konsekutiver
Verdrängung des blutbildenden Knochenmarks kommt. Bei der
autosomal-dominant vererbten Osteopetrose Typ 2 (ADOII) handelt es sich um eine
langsam verlaufende Form, die mit einer erhöhten
Frakturgefährdung einhergeht.

Fallbeschreibung und Ergebnisse Wir berichten über eine
80-jährige Patientin mit akut aufgetretenen, immobilisierenden
lumbosakralen Schmerzen ohne vorangegangenes Trauma. Anamnestisch ergab sich
kein Anhalt für das Vorliegen eines Malignoms, eine Osteoporose war
nicht bekannt. Laborchemisch fand sich ein Vitamin D Mangel und eine
erhöhte alkalische Phosphatase, der Calciumwert lag im Normbereich, eine
Anämie oder Thrombozytopenie waren nicht nachweisbar. Die Sonographie
des Abdomens war bis auf eine leichte Splenomegalie unauffällig. Zur
weiteren Abklärung der Schmerzen erfolgten konventionelle
Röntgenaufnahmen, ein CT sowie ein MRT der LWS und des Beckens. Des
Weiteren erfolgten a.p. Röntgenaufnahmen der rechten Hüfte und
Schulter. In der LWS zeigte sich eine charakteristische 3-Schichtung der
Wirbelkörper mit Mehrsklerosierung der Grund- und Deckplatten, die
sogenannten Sandwichwirbel, ohne Anhalt für eine Fraktur. In den
Beckenaufnahmen zeigte sich eine ausgeprägte Dichtezunahme mit diffusen,
inhomogenen Sklerosierungen sowie abgelaufenen Frakturen im vorderen Beckenring.
Ein „Knochen im Knochen“ – Bild fand sich im Caput
humeri und Caput femoris. Als schmerzursächlich fanden sich eine
beidseitige komplexe Fraktur des Os sacrum sowie Frakturen im vorderen
Beckenring in den CT-Schnittbildern. In der zusätzlich
durchgeführten Knochenmineralgehaltsbestimmung mittels spinaler QCT und
CTXA der Hüften fand sich ein stark erhöhter
Knochenmineralgehalt. Die Patientin wurde schmerztherapeutisch eingestellt,
schmerzadaptiert mobilisiert und physiotherapeutisch behandelt. Hierunter fand
sich eine deutliche Schmerzreduktion von initial VAS 8 auf VAS 3. Mit einer
Verbesserung des Barthel-Index von 35 auf 75 Punkte konnte die Patientin nach
3-wöchiger multimodaler Komplextherapie in die häusliche
Umgebung entlassen werden. Der bestehende Vitamin D Mangel wurde auf
> 30 ng/ml substituiert.

Diskussion Passend zu einer ADOII fand sich bei unserer Patientin eine
deutlich erhöhte Knochenmasse und -dichte mit inhomogenen
knöchernen Sklerosierungen. Die Beckeninsuffizienzfrakturen waren
Ausdruck des erhöhten Frakturrisikos einer ADOII und ursächlich
für die immobilisierenden Schmerzen. Da es unter konservativer Therapie
zu einer deutlichen Schmerzreduktion kam, und die Patientin mobilisiert werden
konnte, wurde von einer interventionellen oder osteosynthetischen Versorgung der
Frakturen abgesehen.
Anticoagulation Therapy in Cancer Patients with Thrombosis in the Outpatient Sector of Germany (The CERTIFICAT Initiative)—German Practice of Anticoagulation Therapy of Cancer Patients with Thrombosis
Authors: Riess Hanno , Kretzschmar Albrecht , Heinken Andreas , Mohebbi Damon , May Melanie , Schellong Sebastian
Published: December 2021

Objective This article aims to investigate the reality of anticoagulation treatment for cancer patients with thrombosis in the outpatient sector of Germany.

Methods For the analysis period 2012 to 2015, anonymized data from 4.1 million statutory insured patients were analyzed. Cancer patients with incident thrombosis and an outpatient prescription of anticoagulant drugs were identified and evaluated for three subsequent quarters with regard to anticoagulant use.

Results A total of 7,313 cancer patients with incident thrombosis (ICD-10: I80*) were evaluated. About, 90% of patients with thromboses were diagnosed and treated in the ambulatory sector. More than 80% of the prescriptions were issued by general practitioners. And 57% of patients were anticoagulated predominantly (>50% of the time) with different low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs), 24% predominantly with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), and 17% with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Anticoagulants were prescribed for an average of 4.5 months. LMWH had a substantially longer prescription period (90–135 days) than VKA (53 days) or DOAC (47 days). Gastrointestinal bleeding in conjunction with hospitalization was documented in 1.76% of patients with a range of 1.3 to 3% for the different LMWHs.

Conclusion The prescription practice documented by this representative and comprehensive evaluation demonstrates an anticoagulation duration in accordance with the guidelines, although the choice of the respective anticoagulant was often not in compliance with the contemporary label or guidelines.
Finanzierung von Tageshospizen und palliativmedizinischen Tageskliniken: Ergebnisse quantitativer Befragungen von Einrichtungsleitungen und Krankenkassen in Deutschland
Authors: Apolinarski Beate , Burger Birte , Stahmeyer Jona T. , Röwer Hanna A. A. , Schneider Nils , Stiel Stephanie , Herbst Franziska A.
Published: December 2021

Zielsetzung Versorgungsverträge von Tageshospizen und palliativmedizinischen Tageskliniken werden untersucht sowie Versorgungsumfang und Ausstattungsmerkmale zwischen bezuschussten und nicht bezuschussten Einrichtungen verglichen.

Methodik Alle Allgemeinen Ortskrankenkassen (AOKs) wurden zu Vertrags- und Abrechnungsdaten sowie Tageshospize und palliativmedizinische Tageskliniken zu einrichtungsrelevanten Merkmalen befragt.

Ergebnisse Drei Viertel der befragten Einrichtungen finanzieren sich über Zuschüsse von Krankenkassen. Sie bieten ihre Tagesversorgung an mehr Tagen pro Woche an und verfügen über mehr Räumlichkeiten als nicht bezuschusste Einrichtungen.

Schlussfolgerungen Versorgungsverträge mit gesetzlichen Krankenkassen können den Einrichtungen eine planbare Finanzierungsperspektive geben, Versorgungsqualität sicherstellen und den Versorgungsumfang langfristig ausweiten.
Optische Technologien, digital unterstützt: Operationsmikroskop – quo vadis?
Authors: Adler Leon Marcel , Guthoff Rudolf F. , Stachs Oliver
Published: December 2021

Eine ausreichende Vergrößerung und die richtige Beleuchtung sind entscheidend für den Erfolg einer mikrochirurgischen Intervention. Operationsmikroskope sind daher aus der modernen Ophthalmochirurgie schon lange nicht mehr wegzudenken und haben sich zum Kernstück eines modernen Operationssaals entwickelt. Wir geben in diesem Beitrag zunächst eine kurze Übersicht über die historische Entwicklung ophthalmologischer Operationsmikroskope – von den ersten Entwicklungen der Mitte des 19. Jahrhunderts bis hin zum derzeitigen Stand der Technik mit leistungsfähigen Koaxialbeleuchtungen und glasfasergeführten Xenon- oder LED-Lichtquellen. Weiterhin gehen wir auf aktuelle Entwicklungen, insbesondere im Bereich der Workflowunterstützung und Integration zusätzlicher Technologien, wie intraoperative OCT oder „Augmented Reality“ bzw. dem Operateur nützliche Dateneinspiegelungen, ein. Im letzten Teil wird ein Ausblick auf künftige Entwicklungen gegeben, wobei hier vor allem die
Digitalisierung der Bildkette und intelligente Assistenzautomatisierung im Vordergrund stehen.
Digitaler Workflow zur Herstellung eines modifizierten Transpalatinalbogens zur Scherenbisskorrektur
Authors: Bertl Michael H. , Astl Elisabeth
Published: December 2021

Der isolierte Scherenbiss im Bereich der zweiten Molaren stellt ein oftmals therapieresistentes Problem im klinischen Alltag dar. Konventionelle Gummizüge zur Scherenbisskorrektur verstärken dabei die Extrusion der Molaren und sind abhängig von der Mitarbeit der Patienten und Patientinnen. Daher hat sich ein intramaxillärer Kraftansatz mithilfe eines modifizierten Transpalatinalbogens mit distalen Extensionen als vorteilhaft herausgestellt, der einerseits die Palatinakippung der oberen Molaren mit eine Intrusionsbewegung kombiniert und andererseits compliance-unabhängig arbeitet.

In diesem Artikel wird der digitale Workflow zur Herstellung einer solchen Apparatur anhand eines klinischen Falles präsentiert. Die digitale Planung eines solchen Transpalatinalbogens erfolgt dabei in wenigen Schritten unter Zuhilfenahme gängiger kieferorthopädischer Softwaretools. Nach der Herstellung im CAM-Verfahren kann diese einfache Apparatur adhäsiv im Mund befestigt werden.

Der vorgestellte Workflow stellt einerseits eine alternative Herstellungsmethode eines TPAs zur Scherenbisskorrektur dar und soll andererseits eine einfache klinische Anwendung präsentieren, die sich zum Einstieg in die Welt der digital geplanten und CAM-hergestellten kieferorthopädischen Apparaturen eignet.
Plyometric Training in Normobaric Hypoxia improves Jump Performance
Authors: Coşkun Betül , Aras Dicle , Akalan Cengiz , Kocak Settar , Hamlin Michael J.
Published: December 2021

Strength training in hypoxia has been shown to enhance hypertrophy and function of skeletal muscle, however, the effects of plyometric training in hypoxia is relatively unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of plyometric training in hypoxia compared to normoxia on body composition, sprint and jump parameters. Twenty-three male physical education students (20.4±2.0 years, mean±SD) participated in the study and were divided into a plyometric training in hypoxia (PTH, n=8), plyometric training in normoxia (PTN, n=7) or control group (C, n=8). The PTH group trained in normobaric hypoxia (approximately 3536 m) 3 days/week for 8 weeks, while the PTN trained in normoxia. PTH induced significant improvements from baseline to post-testing in countermovement-jump (37.8±6.7 cm, 43.4±5.0 cm, p<0.05), squat-jump (35.4±6.2 cm, 41.1±5.7 cm, p<0.05), drop-jump height (32.8±6 cm, 38.1±6 cm, p<0.05) and 20-m sprint performance (3257.1±109.5 ms, 3145.8±83.6 ms, p<0.05); whereas PTN produced significant improvement only in countermovement-jump (37.3±4.8 cm, 40.5±4.5 cm, p<0.05) and 20-m sprint performance (3209.3±76.1 ms, 3126.6±100.4 ms, p<0.05). Plyometric training under hypoxic conditions induces greater improvement in some jump measures (drop-jump and squat-jump) compared to similar training in normoxia.
Opportunities for Drug Repurposing of Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors:
Potential Uses in Inflammation, Infection, Cancer, Neuroprotection, and
Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention
Authors: Nykamp Madeline J. , Zorumski Charles F. , Reiersen Angela M. , Nicol Ginger E. , Cirrito John , Lenze Eric J.
Published: December 2021

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) are safe and widely used for a variety of
indications including depressive disorders, anxiety, and chronic pain. Besides
inhibiting the serotonin transporter, these medications have broad-spectrum
properties in many systems. Their roles have been studied in cancer,
Alzheimer’s disease, and infectious processes. The COVID-19 pandemic
highlighted the importance of drug repurposing of medications already in use. We
conducted a narrative review of current evidence and ongoing research on drug
repurposing of SRIs, with a focus on immunomodulatory, antiproliferative, and
neuroprotective activity. SRIs may have clinical use as repurposed agents for a
wide variety of conditions including but not limited to COVID-19,
Alzheimer’s disease, and neoplastic processes. Further research,
particularly randomized controlled trials, will be necessary to confirm the
utility of SRIs for new indications.
Telemedicine for Neurosurgery Consultations at a Pituitary Center of Excellence: Patient Preference and Willingness to Proceed with Surgery
Authors: Greven Alexander Craig McConnell , Douglas James Miller , Couceyro Jordan , Nakirikanti Anudeep , Dawoud Reem , Revuelta-Barbero Manuel , Ward Elisabeth , Giraldi Erica Alexandra , Ioachimescu Adriana , Hoang Kimberly Bojanowski , Bray David Painton , Oyesiku Nelson M.
Published: December 2021

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate pituitary tumor patient satisfaction with telemedicine, patient preference for telemedicine, potential socioeconomic benefit of telemedicine, and patients' willingness to proceed with surgery based on a telemedicine visit alone.

Method In total, 134 patients who had pituitary surgery and a telemedicine visit during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (April 23, 2020–March 4, 2021) were called to participate in a 13-part questionnaire. Chi-square, ANOVA, and Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests were used to determine significance.

Result Of 134 patients contacted, 90 responded (67%). Ninety-five percent were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their telemedicine visit, with 62% stating their visit was “the same” or “better” than previous in-person appointments. Eighty-two percent of the patients rated their telemedicine visit as “easy” or “very easy.” On average, patients saved 150 minutes by using telemedicine compared with patient reported in-person visit times. Seventy-seven percent of patients reported the need to take off from work for in-person visits, compared with just 12% when using telemedicine. Forty-nine percent of patients preferred in-person visits, 34% preferred telemedicine, and 17% had no preference. Fifty percent of patients said they would feel comfortable proceeding with surgery based on a telemedicine visit alone. Patients with both initial evaluation and follow-up conducted via telemedicine were more likely to feel comfortable proceeding with surgery based on a telemedicine visit alone compared with patients who had only follow-up telemedicine visits (p = 0.051).

Conclusion Many patients are satisfied with telemedicine visits and feel comfortable proceeding with surgery based on a telemedicine visit alone. Telemedicine is an important adjunct to increase access to care at a Pituitary Center of Excellence.
Synthesis of Alicyclic 2-Methylenethiazolo[2,3-b]quinazolinone Derivatives via Base-Promoted Cascade Reactions
Authors: Palkó Márta , El Haimer Mohamed , Faragó Tünde , Schelz Zsuzsanna , Zupkó István
Published: December 2021

The synthesis of alicyclic 2-methylenethiazolo[2,3-b]quinazo­l­inones is performed via base-promoted cascade reactions, starting from either alicyclic β-amino propargylamides using carbon disulfide, or from alicyclic ethyl 2-isothiocyanatocarboxylates by addition of propargylamine. In both cases the cascade reaction proceeds by way of a favoured 5-exo-dig process during the second ring closure, as confirmed by full NMR spectroscopic assignments. Moreover, a high-yielding retro­-Diels–Alder (RDA) reaction is performed on the norbornene derivatives leading to 2-methylene-2H-thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-5(3H)-ones. The obtained compounds exert modest antiproliferative activities against a panel of human gynaecological cancer cell lines.
Traumatic Optic Neuropathy: Our Experience with Combined Therapy
Authors: Kumar Sudesh , Joshi Amit , Tuli Rajeev , Chauhan Narvir
Published: December 2021

Objective Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is an important cause of severe vision impairment after sustaining a closed head injury. This study describes the safety and efficacy of combined therapy in the management of TON.

Methods A retrospective analysis of 23 consecutive cases of unilateral TON managed with combined therapy (steroid and surgery) were performed. Statistical analysis of patient characteristic, timing of vision loss, radiological and intraoperative findings, and pre- and post-treatment vision were compared to assess the prognostic factors.

Results Seventeen patients (85%) had vision improvement with combined therapy. Three patients (15%), who recorded no improvement, initially presented with no perception of light, and loss was sudden and immediate. With steroids, 9 patients improved, all of them presented with perception of light (PL) or better and vision improved to (6/6 in five, 6/9 in one, 6/18 in 3). Eleven patients (6 PL–ve and 5 PL + ve after failed steroid therapy) underwent endoscopic optic nerve decompression and eight had improvement in vision. The status of vision at presentation was only statically significant prognostic factor (p < 0.02). Others prognostic factors, for example, time of starting treatment, surgery, and presence of fracture in optic canal, were not found statistically significant (p > 0.05). There were no significant intra- and postoperative complications.

Conclusion Combined therapy is safe and effective in management of TON. Mild form injury with some preserved vision at presentation respond well to steroids, while endoscopic nerve decompression should be reserved in cases with failed steroid therapy.
Vanishing White Matter Disease Presenting as Acute Febrile Encephalopathy: Case Report
Authors: Goswami Jyotindra Narayan , K.P Shijith , Simalti Ashish Kumar , Patnaik Saroj Kumar
Published: December 2021

A 3.5-year-old male child patient with mild developmental delay presented with history of acute onset fever, encephalopathy, and dyskinesia. The patient was investigated for common etiologies and was managed supportively. His neuroimaging was suggestive of vanishing white matter (VWM) disease which was confirmed by clinical exome sequencing. The child had an eventful hospital stay followed by near-total recovery after 4 weeks. The case attempts to sensitize readers about the current perspectives pertaining to VWM disease.
“Our migrant” and “the other migrant”: migration discourse in the Albanian media, 2015–2018
Authors: Dhëmbo Elona , Çaro Erka , Hoxha Julia
Published: December 2021

The expansion of research on migration over recent decades has neglected sending and transit countries. Whether in terms of their internal development, their diaspora policy, their shift from primarily sending countries to (potential) transit or destination countries, or the issue of return migration and reintegration into home societies – all these topics deserve further exploration. This paper seeks to redress this by examining Albania, a sending country with almost a third of its population living externally, and which is recently shifting to a transit and potential destination country. Media discourse on migration was analysed, recalling its power to reflect as well as shape public opinion. Employing a quantitative approach, media discourse on migrants from 2015 to 2018 was examined. Some 55 web-based media were identified, along with twenty TV channels, 61 TV programs, and 317 articles. A qualitative analysis was then used to detect the tone of the discourse and gain a deeper understanding of the messages conveyed. Results showed that migration from the perspective of a sending country has dominated Albanian media discourse over the monitoring period. Major identified issues include: migration and demographic challenges, migration and multiculturalism in societies receiving Albanian migrants, and asylum seeking as a recent trend in Albanian emigration often standing in the way of potential Albanian EU membership. The regional migration “crisis” and the potential of Albania becoming a transit or destination country for refugees has only gained limited attention. The binary of “our migrant” versus “the other migrant” became a key distinction.
Improved quantum hypercontractivity inequality for the qubit depolarizing channel
Authors: Beigi Salman
Published: December 2021

The hypercontractivity inequality for the qubit depolarizing channel Ψt states that ‖Ψt⊗n(X)‖p≤‖X‖q, provided that p ≥ q > 1 and t≥lnp−1q−1. In this paper, we present an improvement of this inequality. We first prove an improved quantum logarithmic-Sobolev inequality and then use the well-known equivalence of logarithmic-Sobolev inequalities and hypercontractivity inequalities to obtain our main result. As applications of these results, we present an asymptotically tight quantum Faber–Krahn inequality on the hypercube and a new quantum Schwartz–Zippel lemma.
Conduction characteristics of lightning dart leader channel and its influence on the corresponding return stroke discharge intensity
Authors: Huang Xin , Yuan Ping , Wan Ruibin , An Tingting , Liu Guorong , Wang Xuejuan , Deng Hong , Wang Wangsheng
Published: December 2021

Conductivity characteristics of lightning dart leader channel significantly affect the discharge features of the following return stroke process. Based on spectral quantitative analysis, the electrical conductivity, electron density of the dart leader, and the corresponding subsequent return stroke plasma were investigated, and their changes along the height of the discharge channel were calculated; furthermore, the effects of the conduction characteristics of the dart leader channel on the return stroke discharge intensity were investigated. The results indicated that the electrical conductivity distribution along the height of the return stroke channel was approximately consistent with that of the corresponding dart leader; there was a good linear correlation between the electron density of the dart leader tip as it approaches the ground and the bottom of the return stroke channel. It was inferred that the electron density in the dart leader tip is positively correlated with the discharge intensity of the return stroke.
Si photonic crystal optical antenna serial array and frequency-modulated continuous-wave light detection and ranging action
Authors: Tetsuya Ryo , Tamanuki Takemasa , Ito Hiroyuki , Abe Hiroshi , Kurahashi Ryo , Seki Miyoshi , Ohtsuka Minoru , Yokoyama Nobuyuki , Okano Makoto , Baba Toshihiko
Published: December 2021

Photonic crystal waveguide slow-light grating emits a free-space optical beam and steers it widely by changing the optical wavelength or waveguide refractive index. In the reverse process, returned light is coupled into the device again. We have proposed to use this optical transmission and reception antenna as a beam scanner for light detection and ranging (LiDAR). Ideally, a large-aperture antenna can narrow the transmission beam and enhance the reception efficiency. Actually, however, the transmission and reception performance is not scalable owing to waveguide loss even though the waveguide is simply lengthened. A serial array configuration in which the waveguide is divided into multiple antennas is effective for mitigating this problem. In this study, we fabricated such a device using Si photonics technology and obtained a small beam divergence of 0.02° at a telecom wavelength. Then, we observed the ranging operation by adding an optical setup of frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) LiDAR and confirmed that the divided antenna device improved the reception intensity by 12 dB. Moreover, we fabricated a FMCW LiDAR chip in which the serial array antennas were integrated in parallel with switch trees and Ge photodiodes and obtained point cloud images by two-dimensional beam scanning.
A new class of chimeras in locally coupled oscillators with small-amplitude, high-frequency asynchrony and large-amplitude, low-frequency synchrony
Authors: Kaper Tasso J. , Vo Theodore
Published: December 2021

Chimeras are surprising yet important states in which domains of decoherent (asynchronous) and coherent (synchronous) oscillations co-exist. In this article, we report on the discovery of a new class of chimeras, called mixed-amplitude chimera states, in which the structures, amplitudes, and frequencies of the oscillations differ substantially in the decoherent and coherent regions. These mixed-amplitude chimeras exhibit domains of decoherent small-amplitude oscillations (phase waves) coexisting with domains of stable and coherent large-amplitude or mixed-mode oscillations (MMOs). They are observed in a prototypical bistable partial differential equation with oscillatory dynamics, spatially homogeneous kinetics, and purely local, isotropic diffusion. They are observed in parameter regimes immediately adjacent to regimes in which common large-amplitude solutions exist, such as trigger waves, spatially homogeneous MMOs, and sharp-interface solutions. Also, key singularities, folded nodes, and folded saddles arising commonly in multi-scale, bistable systems play important roles, and these have not previously been studied in systems with chimeras. The discovery of these mixed-amplitude chimeras is an important advance for understanding some processes in neuroscience, pattern formation, and physics, which involve both small-amplitude and large-amplitude oscillations. It may also be of use for understanding some aspects of electroencephalogram recordings from animals that exhibit unihemispheric slow-wave sleep.
Three-dimensional chemical-state imaging with reflection-mode soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Suzuki-Sakamaki M. , Amemiya K.
Published: December 2021

In this study, a method for reflection-mode soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy was developed to realize three-dimensional chemical-state imaging. Soft x rays from a pinhole were reflected by the sample, and the magnified image was observed with a two-dimensional detector. This technique was applied to a Co film with an Au-island-covered surface to obtain the surface chemical state images with a spatial resolution of several tens of micrometers. Furthermore, the soft x-ray reflection spectra within and outside the Au layer were extracted from the images by changing the photon energy. Distinct differences were observed at the Co absorption edge. By considering anomalous x-ray scattering around the Co L-edges in the simulation, the reflection spectrum near the absorption edge in the nm depth resolution was reproduced. In the region without the Au layer, the results were well reproduced, assuming that 4 nm CoO was formed at the surface. These results demonstrate the feasibility of three-dimensional imaging of the chemical states in multilayer films.
Effect of parameter mismatch and dissipative coupling on amplitude death regime in a coupled nonlinear aeroelastic system
Authors: Raj Arvind , Raaj Ashwad , Venkatramani J. , Mondal Sirshendu
Published: December 2021

Amplitude death (AD) has been recently identified as a phenomenon that can be exploited to stop unwanted large amplitude oscillations arising from instabilities in engineering systems. These oscillations are a consequence of the occurrence of dynamic instability, for example, the flutter instability, which results in the manifestation of sustained limit cycle oscillations. Recent studies have demonstrated amplitude death in coupled aeroelastic systems with identical parameters using suitable reactive coupling. Deriving impetus from the same, the dynamical signatures of coupled non-identical aeroelastic systems under a variety of coupling characteristics are investigated in the present study. The coupling characteristics between the individual airfoils here are assumed to possess both reactive and dissipative terms and are represented via a linear torsional spring and a damper, respectively. Explicit parameter mismatch is introduced via the use of different structural parameters such as frequency ratio and air–mass ratio for the individual airfoils. We demonstrate that a nonlinear coupled aeroelastic system with parameter mismatch and combined coupling characteristics gives rise to broader regimes of AD in aeroelastic systems. Specifically, the possibility of encountering large amplitude oscillations, usually found with pure reactive coupling can be avoided by adding a dissipative coupling term. On introducing dissipative coupling, the regime of AD was found to increase substantially, for both identical and non-identical scenarios, which in turn aids in serving as an effective tool to be developed further toward the application of flutter instability suppression.
Fracture toughness of radiation-damaged zircon studied by nanoindentation pillar-splitting
Authors: Beirau Tobias , Rossi Edoardo , Sebastiani Marco , Oliver Warren C. , Pöllmann Herbert , Ewing Rodney C.
Published: December 2021

Nanoindentation micro-pillar splitting was employed to measure the fracture toughness (KC) of growth-zones in radiation-damaged zircon with varying degrees of disorder (∼45%–80% amorphous fraction). The radiation-induced amorphization is caused by α-decay events from incorporated U and Th (∼0.22–0.43 wt. % UO2 and ∼0.02–0.08 wt. % ThO2). KC has been found to increase with the increase in the amorphous fraction (∼2.39 to 3.15 MPa*m1/2). There is a good correlation with the modulus/hardness (E/H) ratio evolution over the investigated zones. As zircon has been proposed as a nuclear waste form for the incorporation and disposal of Pu, a deeper knowledge of KC as a function of radiation damage is important, as radiation-induced cracking provides diffusion paths for the release of incorporated actinides. Zoned zircon provides a model for the development of multilayer coatings and complex ceramics that can be designed to be resistant to crack propagation.
How molecular aggregation affects internal quantum efficiency in organic phosphorescent light-emitting diodes
Authors: Hadidi Zahra , Ansari-Rad Mehdi , Hessami Pilehrood Saeid
Published: December 2021

We investigate whether typical host–guest phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes are at an intrinsic efficiency limit due to the long-range nature of the bimolecular loss mechanism in these devices. Using kinetic Monte Carlo simulations and developing models that can mimic realistic and ideal distributions of emitter molecules, we discuss how the interplay among exciton relaxation, transport, and annihilation is affected by the prevalent molecular aggregation in state-of-the-art emission layers. Regarding the internal quantum efficiency, we find a potential increase of ∼15% (and a minimum relative increase of 20%) for devices with suppressed aggregate formation. We also discuss conditions under which the system reaches its inherent limitation of efficiency.
Acoustic particle migration and focusing in a tilted acoustic field
Authors: Xue Sen , Zhang Xiwen , He Feng , Liu Zhaomiao , Hao Pengfei
Published: December 2021

Surface acoustic wave-based particle/bioparticle manipulation has emerged as a promising tool for disease diagnosis. The effects of the titled angle of the acoustic field θ and the microchannel aspect ratios β on the particle migration mode, the force of particle, and the three-dimensional focusing behavior are studied by using simulation and high-speed microscopic visualizations experiments. The acoustic field tilt range is from 0° to 15°, and the wavelength is 160 μm. Particle migration trajectory is observed from high-speed photographic images. Compared with most parallel acoustic fields, the particle migration efficiency of the tilted acoustic field is higher because the acoustic radiation force (Fr) continues to act on the particles in the lateral direction. The tilted angle of the acoustic field is not a fixed value (usually 15°), and there is an optimal angle to match the maximum lateral migration of the target particles. A model is put forward to predict the optimal acoustic field tilt-angle for acoustofluidic devices, which can achieve 96% separation of 15 μm target particles. The change in the direction of the Fr drives the particles to create two typical migration states during the lateral migration process, named continuous migration and intermittent migration. The phenomenon of multi-layer particle focus in the vertical Z-direction of the microchannel is experimentally observed for the first time, which mainly depends on whether the microchannel has enough height to make multiple acoustic pressure nodes in the vertical direction. Two or even three layers of particle focus lines can be observed in the vertical direction at the microchannel aspect ratios β > 0.5. The research results provide new insight into the high-throughput development of microfluidic devices.
Scale effects in the nanoscale heat transfer of molecular interfaces with different lattice orientations
Authors: Al Hossain Jaber , Kim BoHung
Published: December 2021

Non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations were performed in this study to apply a temperature gradient across various embedded atom method (EAM)/EAM solid–solid interfaces with different lattice orientations. The simulation cell size was increased gradually from one unit cell, and we observed that the atomic surface density and volume density fluctuated at the nanometer scale. The density difference between two different crystal orientation grains of the same material fluctuated at the nanometer scale and became constant when the system size became much larger depending on the definition of the boundary. Moreover, the gap between two atomic layers becomes dominant in the calculations of the density of the lattice cell, affecting the grain boundary energy. This gap also affects the interfacial thermal transport for analyses at the nanoscale, and it is crucial to account for this gap during nanoscale thermal transport studies. In this regard, the necessity of considering proper boundary definitions has been discussed in this paper, and we have shown how this consideration affects the interfacial thermal transport analysis.
A compact extreme ultraviolet high-throughput spectrometer based on the multilayer varied-line-spacing grating
Authors: Yang Xiaowei , Weng Tsu-Chien
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we propose a compact extreme ultraviolet high-throughput spectrometer covering the 50–70 eV energy band. The key element in this spectrometer is a multilayer varied-line-spacing grating that operates in near-normal incidence geometry. The spectrometer can obtain one order of magnitude higher throughput compared to the traditional grazing incidence grating spectrometer in this energy band. The spectrum collection time and sample radiation damage can be largely reduced using the presented design.
Sensitivity and effectivity of Kim’s novel electro-thermodynamic cycle over Olsen cycle on waste heat recovering with high fluctuating temperature source using lead-free pyroelectric Ba(Zr0.1Ti0.9)O3
Authors: Ngo Nguyen Chi Trung , Sugiyama Hironari , Sodige Buddhika Amila Kumara , Wiff Juan Paulo , Yamanaka Satoru , Kim Yoonho , Suzuki Tsuneo , Baba Masaaki , Takeda Masatoshi , Yamada Noboru , Niihara Koichi , Nakayama Tadachika
Published: December 2021

A novel electro-thermodynamic cycle with a higher waste heat recovery efficiency than the conventional Olsen cycle was introduced by Kim et al. in 2015. Thus, in the present study, the importance of the temperature factors was investigated, revealing the sensitivity and effectiveness of the Kim cycle on the fluctuating properties of the applied heat source over the Olsen cycle. Power generation tests at different frequencies and temperature ranges were performed using nontoxic lead-free Ba(Zr0.1Ti0.9)O3 pyroelectric ceramics. As the frequency increased, the original isodisplacement process of the Kim cycle successfully improved the pyroelectricity and increased the internal electric field of the sample, thereby enhancing the energy density of the recovery process. This phenomenon compensated for the energy density loss from the poor heat conduction, which was the factor that saturated the power density when measured with the Olsen cycle. Therefore, the Kim cycle was more effective than the Olsen cycle when considering the fluctuating frequency factor. In addition, adjusting the temperature range factor induced a power density enhancement owing to the internal electric field increase mechanism. The power generation ability of the Kim cycle was significantly improved compared to that of the Olsen cycle. This research study revealed the sensitivity and effectiveness of the Kim cycle for recovering waste heat from a high-fluctuating rate source. Thus, the new Kim cycle has the potential to be investigated for its energy conversion ability in the next decade.
Design study of a W-band high power extended interaction klystron based on the coaxial high-order mode
Authors: Zhang Xu , Zhang Rui , Wang Yong , Chao Quangui , Xie Bingchuan , Chen Hao , Guo Naining
Published: December 2021

In this paper, a W-band multi-beam extended interaction klystron operating in the coaxial high order mode (HOM) is proposed. The HOM coaxial cavity with large transverse dimensions is suitable for accommodating multiple electron beams, promising to achieve high output power in the millimeter-wave frequency band. However, the operating method also brings lower characteristic impedance and a higher risk of mode competition. Based on the angular boundary condition of the coaxial HOM electric field, we propose a coaxial multi-gap cavity with a ridge structure to solve these problems. The TM51-2π mode is selected as the operating mode, of which the characteristic impedance can overwhelm that of the competing mode. The corresponding five-beam gun with a total current of 7 A (5 × 1.4 A) at a voltage of 25 kV is focused by a 0.65 T permanent magnet system. To demonstrate the capability of the device, the 3D particle-in-cell simulation predicts an output power of up to 30 kW at 94.4 GHz. The gain and electric efficiency are 54.8 dB and 17.2%, respectively.