bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LSTM Based Forecasting of PV Power for a Second Order Lever Principle Single Axis Solar Tracker
Authors: Kumba Krishna , Simon Sishaj P. , Sundareswaran Kinattingal , Nayak Panugothu Srinivasan Rao
Published: February 2023

Nowadays solar power generation has significantly improved all over the world. Therefore, the power estimation of photovoltaic (PV) using weather parameters presents the future management of energy utilization in power system planning. This article presents the power forecast of the Second Order Lever Principle Single Axis Solar Tracker (SOLPSAST) system. A deep neural network is developed using Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) and is validated on sunny, cloudy and partially cloudy days. The performance of the proposed LSTM in comparison with Support Vector Machine (SVM) has improved the Mean Absolute Proportion Error (MAPE) forecasts accuracy to 4.29%, 5.16%, and 4.82% for sunny, cloudy and partially cloudy days, respectively. Also, the estimated Mean Relative Error (MRE) value of the LSTM model for sunny, cloudy and partially cloudy days is 3.19%, 4.10%, and 4.02%, respectively. Finally, the forecasted power generation of the SOLPSAST system’s monthly average and annual generation is found to be 2.45 Wh, and 29.44 kWh, respectively.
Bilateral combined fractures of the scaphoid and distal radius: a case report
Authors: Meraghni Nadhir , Lahlali Mohamed A , Oussaid Ali Mohand , Derradji Mohamed , Kara Zoubir
Published: February 2023

Introduction: A combination of bilateral scaphoid and distal radius fractures is extremely rare. It may occur as a result of high-energy trauma and can be neglected. The current paper described a case study of this rarely combined fracture. Case Report: A 22-year-old female was admitted to the emergency department following a fall while exercising which resulted in severe pain in both wrists without any neurovascular deficit. X-ray imaging showed bilateral combined fractures of the scaphoid and distal radius. To fix the fractures, the patient underwent closed reduction and internal fixation with Kirschner wires along with immobilization for 3 months. The radius and scaphoid fractures were united within approximately 6 and 10 weeks, respectively. Conclusion: Combined bilateral scaphoid and distal radius fractures are extremely rare resulting from high-energy trauma. The associated fractures require a precise diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic management. Keywords: distal radius, scaphoid, fracture, bilateral, reduction
Acute Paraparesis in a Patient after High Velocity Manipulation of Cervical Spine and its Management
Authors: Nair Vishnu Vikraman , Kundnani Vishal , Anand Manikant , Shetty Abhijith , Jain Mukul , Chodavadiya Sunil Shamjibhai
Published: February 2023

Introduction: In this case report, we question the safety associated with high velocity manipulations of the cervical spine. These procedures do not frequently cause catastrophic adverse effects but few and rare case reports like this make us aware about the possible complications of the maneuvers. Case Report: This case report presents an uncommon presentation of acute neurodeficit to a 57-year-old male following a neck manipulation by a barber in the saloon which recovered partially with Intravenous steroid therapy but required active intervention surgically to treat his complete symptomatology. The magnetic resonance imaging (T2-weighted) showed a high signal intensity within the spinal cord at the C4C5 level (cord edema). Here, we discuss the possible mechanism of injury and the need to educate the lesser common risks of performing such sudden and forceful maneuvers. Conclusion: This case report is a reminder that people should be careful while trying alterative types of therapy which use forceful neck manipulations to relieve pain as this maneuver could cause injuries to the disc complex especially when the patient already has a disc prolapse which is asymptomatic, causing the disc to fail again making it symptomatic. Keywords: Manipulation, neurodeficit, cervical spine, paraparesis.
Mallet Finger Caused by a Villonodular Synovitis: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Benabdallah Otman , Benabdallah Rania
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Mallet finger is a frequent lesion. It represents 2% of sports emergencies and is the most common closed tendon injury seen in contact sports or in work environment. It occurs always after a traumatic etiology. Our case is atypical and exceptional, because it is caused by a villonodular synovitis, condition which has been never reported in the literature. Case Report: A 35-year-old woman presented for a mallet finger deformity of the second right finger. When questioned, the patient did not recall any trauma; she reported that the deformation had developed gradually over a period of more than 20 days preceding the definitive deformation of the finger into a classic mallet finger. She reported experiencing mild pain before the deformation, with burning sensations at the third finger phalanx. On palpation, we noted the presence of nodules at the level of the distal interphalangeal joint and on the dorsal face of the second phalanx of the concerned finger. The X-ray examination showed the classic mallet finger deformity, with no bone associated lesion. The diagnosis of pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) was suspected intraoperatively by the presence of hemosiderin into the tendon sheath and distal articulation. The excision of the mass with tenosynovectomy and reinsertion of the tendon was the essential elements of the treatment. Conclusion:A mallet finger caused by a villonodular tumor is an exceptional condition with local aggressivity and uncertain prognosis. A meticulous surgical procedure could achieve an excellent result. Complete tenosynovectomy, tumor surgical resection, and tendon reinsertion were the mainstay of treatment for a long-lasting excellent result. Keywords: Non-traumatic mallet finger, villonodular tumor of extensor tendon sheat, pigmented villonodular tenosynovitis, extensor tendon injury, finger deformity.
Giant Cell Tumor of Tendon Sheath: A Rare Peri-carpo-metacarpal Location Masquerading as a Recurrent Ganglion Cyst-a Diagnostic Conundrum
Authors: Ganesh Arjun , Rajappa Srinivasan , Rajendiran Subashini
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Giant cell tumors of tendon sheath (GCTTS) are benign soft-tissue lesions commonly affecting the digits, which occasionally cause pressure atrophy of an adjoining bone; but perforating the cortex to expand into the medullary canal is quite uncommon. We report such a case of suspected recurrent ganglion cyst with eventually manifested as a GCTTS with an intra-osseous involvement of the capitate and hamate bone. Case Presentation: A 28-year-old lady had been diagnosed as a case of recurrent ganglion cyst of the dorsum of the left wrist – 6 years ago and 4 years ago – both of which were confirmed histopathologically and were surgically excised. The patient had now presented in July 2021 with similar complaints of pain and swelling over the same site, for 1 year. Our initial clinical diagnosis was a case of recurrent ganglion cyst. Patient also presented with occasional bouts of fever for the past 2 weeks, which made us suspect osteomyelitis as well. Routine blood parameters showed that an elevated ESR and CRP, blood, and urine cultures were negative and magnetic resonance imaging showed features suggestive of osteomyelitis-involvement of capitate and hamate bone. However, to our surprise, intraoperatively, there were no features suggestive of osteomyelitis and the lesion was excised in-toto and the gross specimen resembled a classic ganglion cyst, which was sent for histopathological examination. To our surprise yet again, it was reported as a case of Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath, which in retrospect, clinically and radiologically correlated with an intra-osseous involvement of the capitate and hamate. The patient is on regular follow-up to pick up any further recurrences. Conclusion: "Once a ganglion, always a ganglion” should not be taken as the Gospel truth. Histopathological diagnosis continues to remain as the gold standard, especially in cases of soft-tissue swellings of the hand. Correlation and integration of clinical features, Imaging modalities and histopathological diagnosis are the cornerstone in the management of GCTTS. Keywords: Giant cell tumor of tendon sheath, ganglion, osteomyelitis
Post-traumatic Osteomyelitis of the Rib-point of Care In children, Presenting with chest Wall Pain
Authors: Mishra Pankaj Kumar , Verma Virendra Kumar , Gupta Manu , Jain Siddharth
Published: February 2023

Introduction: The rib osteomyelitis is a very rare entity and it hardly accounts for 1% of all cases of osteomyelitis. In this case report, we are presenting a case of acute osteomyelitis of rib in a very young child, with a previous history of mediocre trauma over the chest wall. Case Report:It is a case report of a young boy, who had sustained the blunt injury over the chest wall. The X-ray was unremarkable. After sometime, he presented to the hospital with the pain over the chest wall. Now, the X-ray showed the signs of rib osteomyelitis. Conclusion: In children, the clinical presentation of rib osteomyelitis is very non-specific. Sometimes, the injury while playing, which is very usual in this age group may create the confusion. Hence, it may need high index of suspicion by the physician to include is as a possible diagnosis. Keywords: Rib, osteomyelitis, chest wall.
5 × 5  Gbps DWDM optical system with DCF and cascaded repeaters techniques
Authors: Abdulwahid Saif H. , AL-Tamimi Haydar M.
Published: February 2023

Dispersion and attenuation problems are the most important factors that limit dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) system performance. Dispersion causes pulse broadening of the optical spectrum, and the attenuation degrades the optical signal. In this paper, dispersion compensation fiber (DCF) and cascaded repeaters techniques have been proposed to reduce linear and nonlinear problems by using two different modulation formats (carrier-suppressed return zero [CSRZ] and optical modulator) and two various channel spacings (100 and 50 GHz). The cascaded repeater offers the best performance at 100 GHz channel spacing with 37 quality factors for CSRZ and optical modulation schemes; however, the DCF network design is more compatible with the CSRZ modulation format with 27 quality factors. For 50 GHz channel spacing, the cascaded repeater offers the best performance with 31 quality factors for CSRZ and optical modulator techniques; the DCF technique comes in next with 27 quality factors for CSRZ and 19 for optical modulators.
Terahertz imaging of human skin pathologies using laser feedback interferometry with quantum cascade lasers
Authors: Qi Xiaoqiong , Bertling Karl , Stark Mitchell S. , Taimre Thomas , Kao Yung-Ching , Lim Yah Leng , Han She , O’Brien Blake , Collins Angus , Walsh Michael , Torniainen Jari , Gillespie Timothy , Donose Bogdan C. , Dean Paul , Li Lian He , Linfield Edmund H. , Davies A. Giles , Indjin Dragan , Soyer H. Peter , Rakić Aleksandar D.
Published: February 2023

Early detection of skin pathologies with current clinical diagnostic tools is challenging, particularly when there are no visible colour changes or morphological cues present on the skin. In this study, we present a terahertz (THz) imaging technology based on a narrow band quantum cascade laser (QCL) at 2.8 THz for human skin pathology detection with diffraction limited spatial resolution. THz imaging was conducted for three different groups of unstained human skin samples (benign naevus, dysplastic naevus, and melanoma) and compared to the corresponding traditional histopathologic stained images. The minimum thickness of dehydrated human skin that can provide THz contrast was determined to be 50 µm, which is approximately one half-wavelength of the THz wave used. The THz images from different types of 50 µm-thick skin samples were well correlated with the histological findings. The per-sample locations of pathology vs healthy skin can be separated from the density distribution of the corresponding pixels in the THz amplitude–phase map. The possible THz contrast mechanisms relating to the origin of image contrast in addition to water content were analyzed from these dehydrated samples. Our findings suggest that THz imaging could provide a feasible imaging modality for skin cancer detection that is beyond the visible.
On-demand assembly of optically levitated nanoparticle arrays in vacuum
Authors: Yan Jiangwei , Yu Xudong , Han Zheng Vitto , Li Tongcang , Zhang Jing
Published: February 2023

Realizing a large-scale fully controllable quantum system is a challenging task in current physical research and has broad applications. In this work, we create a reconfigurable optically levitated nanoparticle array in vacuum. Our optically levitated nanoparticle array allows full control of individual nanoparticles to form an arbitrary pattern and detect their motion. As a concrete example, we choose two nanoparticles without rotation signals from an array to synthesize a nanodumbbell in situ by merging them into one trap. The nanodumbbell synthesized in situ can rotate beyond 1 GHz. Our work provides a platform for studying macroscopic many-body physics and quantum sensing.
Stepwise recombination suppression around the mating-type locus in an ascomycete fungus with self-fertile spores
Authors: Vittorelli Nina , Rodríguez de la Vega Ricardo C. , Snirc Alodie , Levert Emilie , Gautier Valérie , Lalanne Christophe , De Filippo Elsa , Gladieux Pierre , Guillou Sonia , Zhang Yu , Tejomurthula Sravanthi , Grigoriev Igor V. , Debuchy Robert , Silar Philippe , Giraud Tatiana , Hartmann Fanny E.
Published: February 2023

Recombination is often suppressed at sex-determining loci in plants and animals, and at self-incompatibility or mating-type loci in plants and fungi. In fungal ascomycetes, recombination suppression around the mating-type locus is associated with pseudo-homothallism,i.e. the production of self-fertile dikaryotic sexual spores carrying the two opposite mating types. This has been well studied in two species complexes from different families ofSordariales:Podospora anserinaandNeurospora tetrasperma. However, it is unclear whether this intriguing association holds in other species. We show here thatSchizothecium tetrasporum, a fungus from a third family in the orderSordariales, also produces mostly self-fertile dikaryotic spores carrying the two opposite mating types. This was due to a high frequency of second meiotic division segregation at the mating-type locus, indicating the occurrence of a single and systematic crossing-over event between the mating-type locus and the centromere, as inP.anserina. The mating-type locus has the typicalSordarialesorganization, plus aMAT1-1-1pseudogene in theMAT1-2haplotype. High-quality genome assemblies of opposite mating types and segregation analyses revealed a suppression of recombination in a region of 1.47 Mb around the mating-type locus. We detected three evolutionary strata, indicating a stepwise extension of recombination suppression. The three strata displayed no rearrangement or transposable element accumulation but gene losses and gene disruptions were present, and precisely at the strata margins. Our findings indicate a convergent evolution of self-fertile dikaryotic sexual spores across multiple ascomycete fungi. The particular pattern of meiotic segregation at the mating-type locus was associated with recombination suppression around this locus, that had extended stepwise. This association between pseudo-homothallism and recombination suppression across lineages and the presence of gene disruption at the strata limits are consistent with a recently proposed mechanism of sheltering deleterious alleles to explain stepwise recombination suppression.
Towards a bionic IoT: Environmental monitoring using smartphone interrogated plant sensors
Authors: Guo Yunlong , Canning John , Chaczko Zenon
Published: February 2023

The utilisation of plants directly as quantifiable natural sensors is proposed. A case study measuring surface wettability of Aucuba japonica, or Japanese Laurel, plants using a novel smartphone field interrogator is demonstrated. This plant has been naturalised globally from Asia. Top-down contact angle measurements map wettability on-site and characterise a range of properties impacting plant health, such as aging, solar and UV exposure, and pollution. Leaves at an early age or in the shadow of trees are found to be hydrophobic with contact angle θ ~ 99°, while more mature leaves under sunlight are hydrophilic with θ ~ 79°. Direct UVA irradiation at λ = 365 nm is shown to accelerate aging, changing contact angle of one leaf from slightly hydrophobic at θ ~ 91° to be hydrophilic with θ ~ 87° after 30 min. Leaves growing beside a road with heavy traffic are observed to be substantially hydrophilic, as low as θ ~ 47°, arising from increased wettability with particulate accumulation on the leaf surface. Away from the road, the contact angle increases as high as θ ~ 96°. The results demonstrate that contact angle measurements using a portable diagnostic IoT edge device can be taken into the field for environmental detection, pollution assessment and more. Using an Internet connected smartphone combined with a plant sensor allows multiple measurements at multiple locations together in real-time, potentially enabling tracking of parameter change anywhere where plants are present or introduced. This hybrid integration of widely distributed living organic systems with the Internet marks the beginning of a new bionic Internet-of-things (b-IoT).
Reweighted multi-view clustering with tissue-like P system
Authors: Chen Huijian , Liu Xiyu
Published: February 2023

Multi-view clustering has received substantial research because of its ability to discover heterogeneous information in the data. The weight distribution of each view of data has always been difficult problem in multi-view clustering. In order to solve this problem and improve computational efficiency at the same time, in this paper, Reweighted multi-view clustering with tissue-like P system (RMVCP) algorithm is proposed. RMVCP performs a two-step operation on data. Firstly, each similarity matrix is constructed by self-representation method, and each view is fused to obtain a unified similarity matrix and the updated similarity matrix of each view. Subsequently, the updated similarity matrix of each view obtained in the first step is taken as the input, and then the view fusion operation is carried out to obtain the final similarity matrix. At the same time, Constrained Laplacian Rank (CLR) is applied to the final matrix, so that the clustering result is directly obtained without additional clustering steps. In addition, in order to improve the computational efficiency of the RMVCP algorithm, the algorithm is embedded in the framework of the tissue-like P system, and the computational efficiency can be improved through the computational parallelism of the tissue-like P system. Finally, experiments verify that the effectiveness of the RMVCP algorithm is better than existing state-of-the-art algorithms.
Casirivimab and imdevimab: Cost-effectiveness analysis of the treatment based on monoclonal antibodies on outpatients with Covid-19
Authors: Ruggeri Matteo , Signorini Alessandro , Caravaggio Silvia
Published: February 2023

Background and objectives

In 2020, the world was profoundly affected by the spread of SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus first identified in December 2019, that was the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), a severe respiratory disease classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. Covid-19 had a significant negative impact on the healthcare facilities and the economies of many countries. A need for pharmacological treatments for Covid-19 patients rapidly emerged to limit the damage caused by the disease and allow for more efficient management of hospital resources. A possible alternative treatment that has achieved encouraging results on Covid-19 is the use of monoclonal antibodies. This research aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a type of monoclonal antibody, specifically the combination of casirivimab and imdevimab, and assess its impact on the Italian healthcare system.

Methods

The casirivimab and imdevimab treatment efficacy on outpatients with Covid-19 was tested using a predictive Markov model. Research endpoints include hospitalizations, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions, and deaths. This was translated into terms of benefits (savings) and costs for the Italian National Health Service (NHS). The model operates on a predictive time frame of 20 weeks starting from September 2021 until January 2022. The data used to populate the model comes from international academic studies and open-access resources on online databases.

Results

The model estimates the effects that can be achieved by administering casirivimab and imdevimab treatment on outpatients with Covid-19. According to the estimates, the treatment can prevent approximately 4,000 hospitalizations, 3,589 ICU admissions, and 1,500 deaths in the considered 20-week period. The potential cost savings amount to EUR 78 million, mainly attributable to the reduction in the number of hospitalizations and access to ICU. More specifically, a difference of EUR 15,4 million can be observed due to the reduction in the number of hospitalizations, a difference of EUR 59,3 million due to the reduction in the number in intensive care, and a difference of EUR 20,3 million due to the reduction in deaths as a consequence of the reduction of hospitalizations. These results are already very significant, considering that in Italy, only 4.76% of the population is eligible for monoclonal antibody treatment.

Conclusion

The administration of casirivimab and imdevimab in outpatients with Covid-19 can accelerate recovery from the disease for patients, make hospital resource management more efficient and significantly reduce costs for healthcare facilities.
Modifying the five-time sit-to-stand test to allow use of the upper limbs: Assessing initial evidence of construct validity among lower limb prosthesis users
Authors: Gaunaurd Ignacio A. , Morgan Sara J. , Balkman Geoffrey S. , Kristal Anat , Rosen Rachael E. , Haynes Jessica S. , Gailey Robert S. , Hafner Brian J.
Published: February 2023

The Five-time Sit-to-Stand (5xSTS) Test is a performance-based measure used by clinicians and researchers to assess the body functions needed to accomplish sit-to-stand transitions (e.g., lower limb strength, balance, and trunk control). The current requirements for performance of the 5xSTS Test (i.e., crossing arms over the chest) may not be appropriate for many, if not most lower limb prosthesis (LLP) users. The study aims were to (1) develop a modified five-time sit-to-stand (m5xSTS) Test protocol; (2) to examine initial evidence of known-groups construct validity among LLP users by comparing differences in performance by amputation level, amputation etiology, and functional level; and (3) to assess initial evidence of convergent construct validity by examining the correlations between m5xSTS performance with self-reported mobility (Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility (PLUS-M)), self-reported balance confidence (Activities-balance Confidence Scale (ABC)) and functional capability (comfortable walking speed). Three-hundred sixty-one LLP users participated in this cross-sectional study. The investigators developed a m5xSTS Test protocol that allows tested individuals to use different assistance strategies (i.e., use of upper limbs to push off thighs, push up from the armrests, or use a walker) when needed to perform the test. The investigators recorded m5xSTS Test times and assistance strategies. Significant differences in m5xSTS Test times were found between those who did and did not use an assistance strategy, as well as between participants grouped by different amputation level, etiology, and functional level. Significant moderate negative correlations were found between m5xSTS Test times and PLUS-M T-score (ρ = -0.42, p<0.001), ABC score (ρ = -0.42, p<0.001), and comfortable walking speed (ρ = -0.64, p<0.001), respectively. The m5xSTS Test allows LLP users to perform sit-to-stand transitions in a manner that accounts for their functional impairments, is consistent with post-amputation training, and is safe for the tested individual. Results from this study provide preliminary evidence of known groups and convergent construct validity for the m5xSTS Test with a large national sample of LLP users.
Antenatal corticosteroid administration-to-birth interval and neonatal outcomes in very preterm infants: A secondary analysis based on a prospective cohort study
Authors: Wang Duan , Ming Li , Zhu Yong
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Despite the prevalent use of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) to prevent preterm infants’ adverse neonatal complications, there is currently no consensus on administration-to-birth intervals of ACS. International guidelines broadly agree that the administration of antenatal corticosteroids should be within 7 days prior to preterm birth. However, there is little evidence to support narrower optimal ACS administration-to-birth interval time. This study was undertaken to investigate the association between the administration-to-birth interval of ACS which is bounded by 48 hours and neonatal outcomes in very preterm infants.

Materials and methods

This is a single-center prospective observational study. Data were collected prospectively from eligible infants from January 2008 to April 2014 at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, neonatal outcomes were compared between two groups based on the interval of antenatal corticosteroid administration-to-birth: the interval of <48h, and the interval of >48h. It was noted that the entire study was completed by Dongli Song et al., and uploaded the data to the DATADRYAD website. The author only used this data for secondary analysis.

Results

After adjusting potential confounders (gestational age, sex, birth weight, duration of cord clamping and delivery mode), the interval of >48h group compared to the interval of <48h group had significant reductions in mortality (OR: 0.17; 95% CI: 0.05–0.59), any retinopathy of prematurity (OR: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.16–0.82), severe retinopathy of prematurity (OR: 0.07; 95% CI: 0.01–0.45), any intubation (OR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.20–0.75) and higher 1 min Apgar (β: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.10–1.02).

Conclusion

This study shows that in very preterm infants, compared with the interval of ACS<48h, the interval of ACS>48 hours has a significant health promotion effect.
Making sense of and working with COVID-19 related guidelines and information in Danish general practice–A qualitative study
Authors: Andersen Julie Høgsgaard , Møller Anne , Due Tina Drud
Published: February 2023

Background

Attempts to manage the COVID-19 pandemic have involved a massive flow of guidelines and information to health professionals on how to reorganize clinical work and handle patients with COVID-19. The aim of this paper is to investigate how Danish general practitioners (GPs) made sense of and worked with guidelines and associated information on COVID-19 in the first months of the pandemic.

Methods

We conducted qualitative interviews with 13 GPs in the beginning of the pandemic and again approximately three months later. Between the two interviews, they wrote daily notes for 20 days. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed, and the material was analyzed using thematic network analysis.

Results

The interviewed GPs found the situation urgent and serious, and they spent a lot of time reading and working with COVID-19 related guidelines and associated information. Keeping up-to-date with and implementing guidelines was challenging due to the many sources of information and the constant guideline revisions. The GPs were able to assess patients’ risk status but were challenged by the changing guidelines regarding this. The GPs found that deciding whether a COVID-19 patient needed to be admitted to hospital was relatively straightforward. An important final challenge was discrepancies between the government’s public announcements regarding which patients could be tested for COVID-19, the guidelines provided to GPs, and the local testing capacities, which gave GPs extra work.

Conclusion

In an urgent situation like the COVID-19 pandemic it is crucial to secure good communication between the government, health authorities, professional medical societies, and health professionals. Improved practices of collaboration between health authorities and professional societies could improve communication in future health crises and relieve GPs of some of the work involved in keeping up-to-date with information flows, constantly reviewing new guidelines, and dealing with communicative inconsistencies.
Mitogenome of the leaf-footed bug Notobitus montanus (Hemiptera: Coreidae) and a phylogenetic analysis of Coreoidea
Authors: Tian Xiaoke , Li Yongqin , Chen Qin , Chen Qianquan
Published: February 2023

Notobitus montanus Hsiao, 1963 is a major pest of bamboos. The mitogenome of N. montanus (ON052831) was decoded using next-generation sequencing. The mitogenome, with 42.26% A, 30.54% T, 16.54% C, and 10.65% G, is 16,209 bp in size. Codon usage analysis indicated that high frequently used codons used either A or T at the third position of the codon. Amino acid usage analysis showed that leucine 2, phenylalanine, isoleucine and tyrosine were the most abundant in 31 Coreoidea species. Thirteen protein-coding genes (PCGs) were evolving under purifying selection, nad5 and cox1 had the lowest and strongest purifying selection stress, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that evolutionary rate had positive correlation with A+T content. No tandem repeat was detected in the non-coding region of N. montanus. The phylogenetic tree showed that Alydidae and Coreidae were not monophyletic. However, the topology of phylogenetic trees, based on 13 PCGs, was in accordance with that of tree based on both mitochondrial and nuclear genes but not ultraconserved element loci or combination of 13 PCGs and two rRNAs. It seems that their relationships are complex, which need revaluation and revision. The mitogenomic information of N. montanus could shed light on the evolution of Coreoidea.
Studies on geochemical characteristics and biomineralization of Cambrian phosphorites, Zhijin, Guizhou Province, China
Authors: Gao Lei , Yang Ruidong , Wu Tong , Luo Chaokun , Xu Hai , Ni Xinran
Published: February 2023

Phosphate rocks, an important ore resource in Guizhou Province, China, are mainly hosted within the Sinian Doushantuo Formation and the Cambrian Meishucun Formation. In addition, the phosphate rocks of the Cambrian Meishucun Formation are rich in biological fossils. Although numerous studies investigating the genesis of phosphate deposits have been performed, the relationship between biological activity and the formation of phosphate deposits in the lower Cambrian Meishucun Formation has not been convincingly explained. This study focuses on the biological fossil assemblage, the characteristics of phosphorus, and the relationship between biological and phosphorus enrichment of the lower Cambrian phosphorites. The primary objectives of our study are to analyze the role of organisms in the formation of phosphorites, restore the phosphorus-formation environment of the Cambrian Meishucun Formation, and construct a sedimentary model of the phosphorites in the Meishucun Formation. The results indicate that there is a significant positive correlation between biological activity and the deposition of phosphorites, that is, the higher the degree of biological enrichment and differentiation, the stronger the deposition. The geochemical analysis of several profiles in the Zhijin phosphorite block shows that the phosphorite block was deposited in an oxygen-rich environment and was affected by a high-temperature hydrothermal fluid. Upwelling ocean currents supplied abundant phosphorus and other nutrients, which provided the conditions for small shells and algae to flourish. Biochemical activity was a crucial factor in the deposition of the phosphorite.
Electron microscope loading and in situ nanoindentation of water ice at cryogenic temperatures
Authors: Dubosq Renelle , Woods Eric , Gault Baptiste , Best James P.
Published: February 2023

Interest in the technique of low temperature environmental nanoindentation has gained momentum in recent years. Low temperature indentation apparatuses can, for instance, be used for systematic measurements of the mechanical properties of ice in the laboratory, in order to accurately determine the inputs for the constitutive equations describing the rheologic behaviour of natural ice (i.e., the Glen flow law). These properties are essential to predict the movement of glaciers and ice sheets over time as a response to a changing climate. Herein, we introduce a new experimental setup and protocol for electron microscope loading andin situnanoindentation of water ice. Preliminary testing on pure water ice yield elastic modulus and hardness measurements of 4.1 GPa and 176 MPa, respectively, which fall within the range of previously published values. Our approach demonstrates the potential of low temperature,in situ, instrumented nanoindentation of ice under controlled conditions in the SEM, opening the possibility for investigating individual structural elements and systematic studies across species and concentration of impurities to refine to constitutive equations for natural ice.
Correlating global trends in COVID-19 cases with online symptom checker self-assessments
Authors: Zobel Marc , Knapp Bernhard , Nateqi Jama , Martin Alistair
Published: February 2023

Background

Online symptom checkers are digital health solutions that provide a differential diagnosis based on a user’s symptoms. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, symptom checkers have become increasingly important due to physical distance constraints and reduced access to in-person medical consultations. Furthermore, various symptom checkers specialised in the assessment of COVID-19 infection have been produced.

Objectives

Assess the correlation between COVID-19 risk assessments from an online symptom checker and current trends in COVID-19 infections. Analyse whether those correlations are reflective of various country-wise quality of life measures. Lastly, determine whether the trends found in symptom checker assessments predict or lag relative to those of the COVID-19 infections.

Materials and methods

In this study, we compile the outcomes of COVID-19 risk assessments provided by the symptom checker Symptoma (www.symptoma.com) in 18 countries with suitably large user bases. We analyse this dataset’s spatial and temporal features compared to the number of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases published by the respective countries.

Results

We find an average correlation of 0.342 between the number of Symptoma users assessed to have a high risk of a COVID-19 infection and the official COVID-19 infection numbers. Further, we show a significant relationship between that correlation and the self-reported health of a country. Lastly, we find that the symptom checker is, on average, ahead (median +3 days) of the official infection numbers for most countries.

Conclusion

We show that online symptom checkers can capture the national-level trends in coronavirus infections. As such, they provide a valuable and unique information source in policymaking against pandemics, unrestricted by conventional resources.
Impacto de la pandemia COVID-19 en los trastornos del oído y el laberinto
Authors: Martín Villares Cristina , Manzanares López-Rendo Carmen , Rodríguez Ana , Gancedo Silvia , Durán Carlos , González Mercedes , Blanco Antonio , Álvarez-Álvarez Ignacio
Published: February 2023

Introducción y objetivo: En los últimos años se ha detectado un aumento en la incidencia de efectos adversos ototóxicos sobre el oído interno por medicamentos y/o vacunas, que parecen haberse incrementado exponencialmente durante la pandemia COVID-19. El análisis de las notificaciones de efectos adversos en las bases de datos sanitarias como Fedra (España) o EudraVigilance (Europa) puede permitir profundizar en el conocimiento de nuevos fármacos causantes de RAM ototóxicas, de variables epidemiológicas y factores pronósticos. El objetivo de este trabajo es investigar sobre el impacto de la pandemia COVID-19 en la Ototoxicidad con sintomatología de hipoacusia, acúfenos y vértigo.Método: Hemos realizado un estudio observacional, descriptivo y retrospectivo, de las notificaciones espontáneas de reacciones adversas a medicamentos (RAM) que generaron algún síntoma de ototoxicidad, englobando la hipoacusia (hypoacusis), el vértigo (vértigo) y el acúfeno (tinnitus)registradas en la base de datos europea EudraVigilance entre 2010 y 2022.Resultados y Discusión: El mayor número de notificaciones RAM ototóxicas ocurrió en 2021 con 10.548 casos de vértigo, 8.812 de tinnitus y 1.697 de hipoacusia. En los años anteriores (2010-2020), los rangos de casos anuales de RAM de ototoxicidad por fármacos y vacunas oscilaron entre 311-2.255 pata el vértigo, 150-1.000 para los acúfenos y 129-548 para la hipoacusia.Conclusiones: La pandemia COVID-19 ha disparado la notificación de RAM ototóxicas desde 2021. A la vista de la frecuencia, gravedad y discapacidad persistente o secuelas que genera la ototoxicidad como RAM, se deben implementar programas de monitorización de la función coclear y vestibular, para detectar de forma precoz la aparición de ototoxicidad, identificando a los pacientes más susceptibles en función de su patología, tratamiento necesario, comorbilidades y demás factores asociados. Los sistemas de Farmacovigilancia realizan una labor importantísima, proporcionando una valiosa base de datos de las que los otorrinolaringólogos podemos extraer gran cantidad de conocimiento útil para nuestros pacientes.
Carcinoma neuroendocrino supraglótico
Authors: Salvador-Ramírez Carlos Miguel , Mesuro-Domínguez Nuria , Tavarez-Rodríguez Juan José , Hernández-De los Santos María de Lourdes , Durán-Álvarez Marcela Adriana
Published: February 2023

Introducción y objetivo: Los carcinomas neuroendocrinos laríngeos representan menos del 1% de los tumores de laringe. La variedad de células pequeñas es poco común y afecta principalmente a varones fumadores, entre los 50-60 años de edad. La localización más habitual es a nivel supraglótico ( cara laríngea de la epiglotis) y el RAE. Es el tumor más letal de la laringe y debe considerarse diseminado al momento del diagnóstico. Los sitios más comunes de metástasis son : Ganglios cervicales, hígado, pulmón, huesos y médula ósea.

Método: Varón de 58 años, antecedentes: fumador desde los 15 años, actual 15-20 cig/dia, enfermedad de Crohn, hipertrigliceridemia, epilepsia, enfisema pulmonar, ansiedad. Acude refiriendo odinofagia progresiva de aproximadamente 3 meses de evolución y en el último mes aparición de tumoración cervical izquierda y disminución de peso.

Exploración : Lesión vegetante hipopigmentada que se extiende desde el pie de epiglotis hacia la cara laríngea a predominio derecho. CV Móviles sin lesiones. Adenopatia nivel III izquierdo indurada de aproximadamente 2 cm de diámetro mayor y otra de menor tamaño nivel II derecho. Se indica MCL-Biopsia. Resultados: AP: Carcinoma neuroendocrino de célula pequeña. Citoqueratina en patrón “dot” , CD56 homogeneo, Ki67 prácticamente 100%. TC Cuello : Tumoración supraglótica de 22 mm, se extiende a espacio para glótico derecho, obliterando plano graso. Adenopatías cervicales bilateral áreas II-III lado derecho hasta 12mm y en el lado izquierdo hasta 17mm. PET-TC : Incremento metabólico de lesión supraglótica derecha que afecta espacio pre-epiglótico SUV max 19,61. Adenopatias laterocervicales derecho niveles II-V hasta SUV max 27,89 y niveles II-III izquierdos SUV max 21,67. Captación en región parahiliarderecha con SUV max 13,93. Focos hipermetabólicos en parénquima hepático SUV max 11,85. Múltiples captaciones en estructuras óseas SUV max 26,85 en cuerpo esternal. Derivación a Oncología Médica, se indica tratamiento quimioterapia y luego de las primeras sesiones, paciente presenta complicaciones que motivan ingreso hospitalario, falleciendo a los 5 meses del diagnóstico. Discusión: En el caso presentado se cumplieron las características de un paciente con carcinoma neuroendocrino laríngeo : Varón quinta década de la vida, fumador, localización supraglótica y con metástasis cervicales y a distancia al momento del diagnóstico. Conclusiones: Los carcinomas neuroendocrinos son muy infrecuentes y agresivos, por lo que el diagnóstico certero resulta fundamental. El diagnóstico definitivo es por anatomía patológica por detalles de microscopia y confirmación inmunohistoquímica.

El tratamiento de estos tumores es por quimio-radioterapia, con una tasa de supervivencia  del 5% a los 5 años.
Vezetői kihívások és válaszok a „képernyőkorszakban”
Authors: Keczer Gabriella , Tóth Nikolett
Published: February 2023

Az elmúlt időszak meghatározó válsághelyzete, a Covid-19 pandémia
radikális változásokat hozott a legtöbb szervezet életében, a munkavégzés
részben vagy egészben home office-ban történt. A tanulmány a pandémiának a
vezetői munkára gyakorolt hatásait mutatja be. Elsősorban a munkavégzés és
a dolgozókkal való kapcsolattartás online térbe helyeződésével járó
kihívásokra és az ezekre adott vezetői válaszokra fókuszálunk. Hét
szervezet tizenegy vezetőjével készítettünk interjút, ezeken keresztül
mutatjuk be, hogyan élték meg alanyaink azt, hogy hosszú ideig a számítógép
képernyőjén keresztül kellett ellátniuk azokat a munkaszervezési,
irányítási, motiválási, kommunikációs és kontroll funkciókat, amelyeket
korábban fizikai jelenlét és közvetlen kapcsolattartás keretei között
oldhattak meg. Kitérünk arra is, hogy a vezetők milyen reakciókat
tapasztaltak a dolgozók részéről a kényszerűen és hirtelen érkezett
„képernyőkorszakkal” kapcsolatban.
Georgiego Gospodinowa zmagania z kategorią czasu w dobie kryzysu
Authors: Szwat-Gyłybowa Grażyna
Published: February 2023

The article is devoted to a reflection on the category of time in Georgi Gospodinov’s novel Vremeubežiŝte (2020), where the author undertakes a reflection on the processes of culpable and non-culpable self-destruction of societies that have rejected the rules of Enlightenment rationalism. Using the tools of dystopia, he creates a world gripped by collective madness, the sources of which he derives from extra-literary reality and links to contemporary political and cultural processes. Leszek Kolakowski’s concept of time as the vault of the human home, which is based on four pillars: reason, God, love, death, remains the philosophical point of reference for my deliberations. In turn, the concept of retroutopia of the sociologist of culture Zygmunt Bauman provided me with tools to reflect on a new type of rationalism after the conservative turn. René Girard’s concept of mimetic competition was helpful in considering the structure of the world presented in the novel.
The Slavonic Literary Studies at the Crossroads: Redefining, or Preserving?
Authors: Pospíšil Ivo
Published: February 2023

The author of the present study tries to answer the question from the title about the contemporary state and the future of Slavonic literary studies in connection with other disciplines, e.g., comparative and genre studies, their crises and shifts of methodological emphases. According to the author, the future perspectives of Slavonic studies are associated with the relatively constant entity of the subject, the Slavonic phenomenon or the Slavonic world as marking or delimiting the boundaries of Slavonic studies as an independent or autonomous discipline, and with their open or semi-open character in the philological framework, dynamicborders and transcending towards the cultural-area concept without losing their philological kernel.
Die China Woche an der TU Clausthal als eine interkulturelle Kommunikationsplattform für Wissenschaft, Wirtschaft und Politik
Authors: Hou Michael Z. , Gottfried Lara M. , Yue Ye
Published: February 2023

Im Rahmen der Fördermaßnahme „Innovative Konzepte zum Ausbau der China-Kompetenz an deutschen Hochschulen“ des Bundesministeriums für Bildung und Forschung, wurde 2018 ein China-Kompetenzzentrum an der TU Clausthal errichtet. Mit dem Ziel die deutsch-chinesische Zusammenarbeit zu stärken, sollten u. a. der Auf- und Ausbau von China-Kompetenz aller Hochschulangehörigen als auch die Kooperationen mit bestehenden aber auch neuen chinesischen Partnerhochschulen intensiviert werden. Die dazu im Rahmen der Eröffnung des China-Kompetenzzentrums initiierte, seither jährlich stattfindende China Woche hat sich dabei in kürzester Zeit zu einer überregional und international bekannten Veranstaltung entwickelt. Sie versteht sich als interkulturelle Kommunikationsplattform für einen konstruktiven Dialog, an dem sich prominente Akteur*innen der Wissenschaft, Wirtschaft und Politik aus Deutschland und China beteiligen.

Der folgende Beitrag beschreibt den genauen Entstehungshintergrund und analysiert die Entwicklung der Veranstaltung seit 2018, um schließlich den Beitrag zur interkulturellen Kommunikation zwischen Deutschland und China darzustellen.
Ist ein Verhandlungstraining für den Umgang mit chinesischen Geschäftsleuten effektiv? – Eine Analyse der Überzeugungen und Bedürfnisse von Führungskräften aus drei Ländern
Authors: Zhu Xiaoshu , Gao Chang , Kopernik Martina
Published: February 2023

Vor der China International Import Expo (CIIE) im November 2021 führten wir eine Studie mit Geschäftsleuten aus Brasilien, Mexiko und Deutschland durch, die eine auf Verhandlungen mit Chinesen ausgerichtete Fortbildung angefragt hatten, um gut auf diese Messe vorbereitet zu sein. Um mehr über deren besonderen Bedürfnisse herauszufinden, verteilten wir einen Fragebogen vor dem Verhandlungstraining, in dem wir ihre Ansichten über Verhandlungen im Allgemeinen und ihre genauen Bedürfnisse in Bezug auf Verhandlungen mit chinesischen Geschäftsleuten erfragten. Unserer Analyse der 57 Rückantworten zufolge interessierten sich die befragten Geschäftsleute am meisten für die Entwicklung von Verhandlungsdenken, den Umgang mit vertragsbezogenen Themen und den Aufbau von Vertrauen und stabilen Geschäftsbeziehungen. Hinsichtlich der Verhandlungen mit chinesischen Geschäftsleuten legten die Teilnehmer einen besonderen Fokus auf das Erkennen von Entscheidungsträgern im chinesischen Verhandlungsteam, den Umgang mit rechtlichen Belangen in Verhandlungen und die typisch chinesischen moralischen Wertvorstellungen in Bezug auf das Geschäftsleben. In Kooperation mit dem Trainingsanbieter wurden unsere Studienergebnisse dazu verwendet, um das nachfolgende Training auf die Bedürfnisse der zukünftigen Teilnehmer zuzuschneiden. Um die Auswirkungen eines solchen modifizierten Trainings zu untersuchen, baten wir die ehemaligen Fortbildungsteilnehmer – nach der Gelegenheit, das Gelernte im realen Umfeld der CIIE anzuwenden – in einem zweiten Fragebogen verschiedene Aspekte ihres Trainings zu evaluieren und sich zu zukünftigen Fortbildungsinteressen zu äußern. Das äußerst positive Feedback der 49 Umfrageteilnehmer bestärkt unsere Annahme, dass die Inhalte von Verhandlungstrainings auf die Bedürfnisse der Teilnehmer zugeschnitten sein sollten und dass wir einen möglichen Weg aufgezeigt haben, wie solche Daten erhoben und evaluiert werden können.
Crystal structure of sodium catena-poly[bis(thiourea-κ1
S)-tetrakis(μ
2-thiourea-κ2
S,S)tricopper(I)] difumarate, C14H29Cu3N12NaO8S6
Authors: Shin Jiehye , Do Junghwan
Published: February 2023

C14H29Cu3N12NaO8S6, monoclinic, P2/n (no. 13), a = 15.357(2) Å, b = 5.441(2) Å, c = 19.885(2) Å, β = 106.386(3)°, V = 1594.1(6) Å3, Z = 2, R

gt
(F) = 0.0374, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.1069, T = 100 K.