bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of measurement system and analysis method for characterization of linear variable bandpass filters
Authors: Zhou Shun , Song Shigeng , Cai Sijia , Han Daxing , Wu Zhentao , Song Jian , Lu Bo , Jiang Zhengping , Lovering David , Liu Weiguo , Gibson Des
Published: June 2021

An automated measurement system was developed to characterize the spatial gradient, linearity of the spatial gradient, bandwidth and transverse uniformity of a linear variable filter (LVF). To demonstrate this, the LVF fabricated in our group has been measured and analyzed. Simulations for beam spot size effects on measurements were performed for various LVF spectral peak profiles with results indicting significant averaging effect due to beam spot size and this is consistent with experiment results. Moreover, to fit the peak profile more accurately, a modified Pearson VII function was proposed and demonstrated high capability to express complex shapes of peaks mathematically. This provides a methodology for deconvoluting the original LVF peak profile from a measured averaged peak profile and has been verified using actual measured data.
High-efficiency dual-band-multiplexing three-port grating coupler on 220-nm silicon-on-insulator with 248-nm deep-UV lithography
Authors: Cheng Lirong , Mao Simei , Li Zhi , Tu Xin , Fu H. Y.
Published: June 2021

We experimentally demonstrate a novel, to the best of our knowledge, three-port grating coupler (TPGC) for dual-wavelength-band operation. The TPGC can couple light to/from two ports for S/C-band with polarization diversity and a third port for O-band. Such a coupling scheme could be applied in an integrated wavelength-division-multiplexing passive optical network (PON) unit, benefiting a polarization-diverse receiver for downstream S/C-band and transmitter for upstream O-band. The device is fabricated on a multi-project wafer, with peak coupling efficiency measured to be

−

3.8

d
B

and

−

5.4

d
B

for O-band and S/C-band, respectively. We also present a proof-of-concept demonstration for 10-Gb/s PON transmission based on the TPGC.
Inclusion of maintenance energy improves the intracellular flux predictions of CHO
Authors: Széliová Diana , Štor Jerneja , Thiel Isabella , Weinguny Marcus , Hanscho Michael , Lhota Gabriele , Borth Nicole , Zanghellini Jürgen , Ruckerbauer David E. , Rocha Isabel
Published: June 2021

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are the leading platform for the production of biopharmaceuticals with human-like glycosylation. The standard practice for cell line generation relies on trial and error approaches such as adaptive evolution and high-throughput screening, which typically take several months. Metabolic modeling could aid in designing better producer cell lines and thus shorten development times. The genome-scale metabolic model (GSMM) of CHO can accurately predict growth rates. However, in order to predict rational engineering strategies it also needs to accurately predict intracellular fluxes. In this work we evaluated the agreement between the fluxes predicted by parsimonious flux balance analysis (pFBA) using the CHO GSMM and a wide range of 13C metabolic flux data from literature. While glycolytic fluxes were predicted relatively well, the fluxes of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle were vastly underestimated due to too low energy demand. Inclusion of computationally estimated maintenance energy significantly improved the overall accuracy of intracellular flux predictions. Maintenance energy was therefore determined experimentally by running continuous cultures at different growth rates and evaluating their respective energy consumption. The experimentally and computationally determined maintenance energy were in good agreement. Additionally, we compared alternative objective functions (minimization of uptake rates of seven nonessential metabolites) to the biomass objective. While the predictions of the uptake rates were quite inaccurate for most objectives, the predictions of the intracellular fluxes were comparable to the biomass objective function.
Runx1 shapes the chromatin landscape via a cascade of direct and indirect targets
Authors: Hass Matthew R. , Brissette Daniel , Parameswaran Sreeja , Pujato Mario , Donmez Omer , Kottyan Leah C. , Weirauch Matthew T. , Kopan Raphael
Published: June 2021

Runt-related transcription factor 1 (Runx1) can act as both an activator and a repressor. Here we show that CRISPR-mediated deletion of Runx1 in mouse metanephric mesenchyme-derived mK4 cells results in large-scale genome-wide changes to chromatin accessibility and gene expression. Open chromatin regions near down-regulated loci enriched for Runx sites in mK4 cells lose chromatin accessibility in Runx1 knockout cells, despite remaining Runx2-bound. Unexpectedly, regions near upregulated genes are depleted of Runx sites and are instead enriched for Zeb transcription factor binding sites. Re-expressing Zeb2 in Runx1 knockout cells restores suppression, and CRISPR mediated deletion of Zeb1 and Zeb2 phenocopies the gained expression and chromatin accessibility changes seen in Runx1KO due in part to subsequent activation of factors like Grhl2. These data confirm that Runx1 activity is uniquely needed to maintain open chromatin at many loci, and demonstrate that Zeb proteins are required and sufficient to maintain Runx1-dependent genome-scale repression.
Bioecology of fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), its management and potential patterns of seasonal spread in Africa
Authors: Niassy Saliou , Agbodzavu Mawufe Komi , Kimathi Emily , Mutune Berita , Abdel-Rahman El Fatih M. , Salifu Daisy , Hailu Girma , Belayneh Yeneneh T. , Felege Elias , Tonnang Henri E. Z. , Ekesi Sunday , Subramanian Sevgan
Published: June 2021

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) has rapidly spread in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and has emerged as a major pest of maize and sorghum in the continent. For effective monitoring and a better understanding of the bioecology and management of this pest, a Community-based Fall Armyworm Monitoring, Forecasting, Early Warning and Management (CBFAMFEW) initiative was implemented in six eastern African countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi). Over 650 Community Focal Persons (CFPs) who received training through the project were involved in data collection on adult moths, crop phenology, cropping systems, FAW management practices and other variables. Data collection was performed using Fall Armyworm Monitoring and Early Warning System (FAMEWS), a mobile application developed by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Data collected from the CBFAMFEW initiative in East Africa and other FAW monitoring efforts in Africa were merged and analysed to determine the factors that are related to FAW population dynamics. We used the negative binomial models to test for effect of main crops type, cropping systems and crop phenology on abundance of FAW. We also analysed the effect of rainfall and the spatial and temporal distribution of FAW populations. The study showed variability across the region in terms of the proportion of main crops, cropping systems, diversity of crops used in rotation, and control methods that impact on trap and larval counts. Intercropping and crop rotation had incident rate 2-times and 3-times higher relative to seasonal cropping, respectively. The abundance of FAW adult and larval infestation significantly varied with crop phenology, with infestation being high at the vegetative and reproductive stages of the crop, and low at maturity stage. This study provides an understanding on FAW bioecology, which could be vital in guiding the deployment of FAW-IPM tools in specific locations and at a specific crop developmental stage. The outcomes demonstrate the relevance of community-based crop pest monitoring for awareness creation among smallholder farmers in SSA.
Chiral deaza-coelenterazine analogs for probing a substrate-binding site in the Ca2+-binding photoprotein aequorin
Authors: Inouye Satoshi , Sumida Yuto , Tomabechi Yuri , Taguchi Jumpei , Shirouzu Mikako , Hosoya Takamitsu
Published: June 2021

The Ca2+-binding photoprotein aequorin is a complex of apoAequorin (apoprotein) and (S)-2-peroxycoelenterazine. Aequorin can be regenerated by the incubation of apoAequorin with coelenterazine and molecular oxygen (O2). In this study, to investigate the molecular recognition of apoAequorin for coelenterazine using chemical probes, the chiral deaza-analogs of (S)- and (R)-deaza-CTZ (daCTZ) for coelenterazine and of (S)-2- and (R)-2-hydroxymethyl-deaza-CTZ (HM-daCTZ) for 2-peroxycoelenterazine were efficiently prepared by the improvement method. The chiral deaza-analogs of (S)-daCTZ and (S)-HM-daCTZ selectively inhibited the regeneration step to aequorin by binding the catalytic site of coelenterazine in the apoAequorin molecule. The crystal structures of the apoAequorin complexes with (S)-daCTZ and (S)-HM-daCTZ were determined, suggesting that the hydroxy moiety at the C6-hydroxyphenyl group and the carbonyl moiety of the imidazopyrazinone ring in coelenterazine are essential to bind the apoAequorin molecule through hydrogen bonding. Therefore, the chiral deaza-analogs of coelenterazine can be used as a probe to study the interaction between coelenterazine and the related proteins including photoprotein, luciferase, and coelenterazine-binding protein.
General health of patients with diabetic macular edema—The LIPSIA study
Authors: Busch Catharina , Katzmann Julius L. , Jochmann Claudia , Unterlauft Jan Darius , Vollhardt Daniela , Wiedemann Peter , Laufs Ulrich , Rehak Matus
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension or dyslipidemia can influence the incidence and progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME). The aim of this study is to describe the comorbidities in patients with DME.

Methods

Prospective, monocentric observational study. Patients presenting for the treatment of DME received laboratory and clinical examinations including 24-hour blood pressure measurement.

Results

Seventy-five consecutive patients were included in the study. The mean age was 61.0 ± 14.5 years, and 83% had type 2 diabetes. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 32.8 ± 6.0 kg/m2. Overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) was present in 92% of all patients. HbA1c values were > 7.0% in 57%. Although 87% of the patients already received antihypertensive therapy, the blood pressure (BP) of 82% was still above the recommended target values of systolic < 140 mmHg and diastolic < 80 mmHg. An insufficient nocturnal fall of the systolic BP (< 10%, non-dipping or reverse dipping) was observed in 62%. In 83% of the patients the glomerular filtration rate was ≤ 90 ml/min/1.73m2. Despite 65% of the cohort already receiving lipid-lowering therapy, LDL cholesterol was above the target value of 1.4 mmol/l in 93%. All patients had at least one cardiovascular risk factor in addition to diabetes (overweight, hypertension, insufficient nocturnal BP fall, dyslipidemia, or renal dysfunction) and 86% had ≥ 3 risk factors.

Conclusion

DME patients are characterized by highly prevalent cardiovascular risk factors that are poorly controlled. These comorbidities reduce the prognosis and negatively influence existing DR and DME. The data reveal an important opportunity for improving patient care by interaction of the ophthalmologist with the general practitioner and internal specialists for the detection and treatment of these conditions.
Hybrid 2-[18F] FDG PET/MRI in premanifest Huntington’s disease gene-expansion carriers: The significance of partial volume correction
Authors: Hellem Marie N. N. , Vinther-Jensen Tua , Anderberg Lasse , Budtz-Jørgensen Esben , Hjermind Lena E. , Larsen Vibeke Andrée , Nielsen Jørgen E. , Law Ian
Published: June 2021

Background

Huntington’s disease (HD) is an inherited, progressive neurodegenerative disease that has no cure. Striatal atrophy and hypometabolism has been described in HD as far as 15 years before clinical onset and therefore structural and functional imaging biomarkers are the most applied biomarker modalities which call for these to be exact; however, most studies are not considering the partial volume effect and thereby tend to overestimate metabolic reductions, which may bias imaging outcome measures of interventions.

Objective

Evaluation of partial volume effects in a cohort of premanifest HD gene-expansion carriers (HDGECs).

Methods

21 HDGECs and 17 controls had a hybrid 2-[18F]FDG PET/MRI scan performed. Volume measurements and striatal metabolism, both corrected and uncorrected for partial volume effect were correlated to an estimate of disease burden, the CAG age product scaled (CAPS).

Results

We found significantly reduced striatal metabolism in HDGECs, but not in striatal volume. There was a negative correlation between the CAPS and striatal metabolism, both corrected and uncorrected for the partial volume effect. The partial volume effect was largest in the smallest structures and increased the difference in metabolism between the HDGEC with high and low CAPS scores. Statistical parametric mapping confirmed the results.

Conclusions

A hybrid 2-[18F]FDG PET/MRI scan provides simultaneous information on structure and metabolism. Using this approach for the first time on HDGECs, we highlight the importance of partial volume effect correction in order not to underestimate the standardized uptake value and thereby the risk of overestimating the metabolic effect on the striatal structures, which potentially could bias studies determining imaging outcome measures of interventions in HDGECs and probably also symptomatic HD.
Can moral reasoning be modeled in an experiment?
Authors: Grác Ján , Biela Adam , Mamcarz Piotr Janusz , Kornas-Biela Dorota
Published: June 2021

A review of the literature on moral issues indicates that none of the empirical approaches to moral reasoning proposes an experimental approach which controls for such object-related experimental variables as: knowledge, motivation, acceptance of moral norms and consequences of human behavior in moral situations in a single research procedure. A unique element of the proposed experimental method is a multi-stage model determining morality indicators. In the two-phase design experiment, psychology students were asked to create model ethical stories and then conduct an overall assessment of each of these stories. As a result, a base of ethical stories was created with empirical moral indicators (positive, negative, neutral). The patterns in the moral evaluation of ethical stories were determined by identifying three processes (selection, differentiation and integration). The final result is a confirmed design of the experiment and a set of formulas that can be used in education and research on morality reasoning.
The effect of the combined use of silver diamine fluoride and potassium iodide in disrupting the plaque biofilm microbiome and alleviating tooth discoloration: A systematic review
Authors: Haiat Anahita , Ngo Hien Chi , Samaranayake Lakshman Perera , Fakhruddin Kausar Sadia
Published: June 2021

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is used in minimally invasive dentistry for arresting dental caries. However, discoloration of teeth is a significant side effect that has limited the use of SDF. Hence, the application of potassium iodide (KI) following SDF has been proposed to ameliorate the staining. Although antimicrobial activity is one of the major mechanisms of the caries-arresting effect of SDF, the antimicrobial potency of SDF/KI combination is unclear. Thus, the primary objective of this systematic review was to appraise the studies on the antimicrobial efficacy of SDF/KI combination on cariogenic microbes. The secondary objective was to summarize the evidence on the potential of KI in reducing the discoloration associated with the application of SDF. Electronic databases of Medline via PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and EBSCO host were searched for English language manuscripts from January 2005 to 15thNovember 2020. The reference lists of these manuscripts were manually searched for additional studies. Twelve studies were included in the final analysis, seven of which have investigated the antimicrobial efficacy of SDF/KI, and the rest have examined the anti-staining potential of KI. The exploratory findings from the reviewed articles revealed the promising antimicrobial potential of SDF/KI on cariogenic microbes associated with dentine caries. There is, however, contradictory evidence on the effect of SDF/KI on tooth color. The reviewedin-vitrostudies indicated significant effectiveness of KI in preventing staining. A clinical trial on primary dentition showed 25% reduction in the incidence of staining by SDF after applying KI, while a clinical study on root caries in adults showed no significant effect. Within the methodological limitations of this review, we conclude that for arresting dental caries, SDF could be combined with KI, as there may be a lower likelihood of staining. Further, well-designed clinical trials on the antimicrobial and anti-staining effect of SDF/KI are needed to obtain more robust evidence.
Two for the price of one: Concurrent learning of words and phonotactic regularities from continuous speech
Authors: Benitez Viridiana L. , Saffran Jenny R.
Published: June 2021

To acquire the words of their language, learners face the challenge of tracking regularities at multiple levels of abstraction from continuous speech. In the current study, we examined adults’ ability to track two types of regularities from a continuous artificial speech stream: the individual words in the speech stream (token level information), and a phonotactic pattern shared by a subset of those words (type level information). We additionally manipulated exposure time to the language to examine the relationship between the acquisition of these two regularities. Using a ratings test procedure, we found that adults can extract both the words in the language and their phonotactic patterns from continuous speech in as little as 3.5 minutes of listening time. Results from a 2AFC testing method provide converging evidence that adults rapidly learn both words and their phonotactic patterns. Together, the findings suggest that adults are capable of concurrently tracking regularities at multiple levels of abstraction from brief exposures to a continuous stream of speech.
Evaluation of liver enzyme elevations and hepatotoxicity in patients treated with checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy
Authors: Cunningham Morven , Iafolla Marco , Kanjanapan Yada , Cerocchi Orlando , Butler Marcus , Siu Lillian L. , Bedard Philippe L. , Ross Kendra , Hansen Bettina , Spreafico Anna , Feld Jordan J.
Published: June 2021

Background and aims

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are increasingly used in cancer therapy. Elevated liver enzymes frequently occur in patients treated with ICI but evaluation is poorly described. We sought to better understand causes of liver enzyme elevation, investigation and management.

Methods

Patients treated with anti-PD-1, PDL-1 or CTLA-4 therapy in Phase I/II clinical trials between August 2012 and December 2018 were included. Clinical records of patients with significant liver enzyme elevations were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Of 470 ICI-treated patients, liver enzyme elevation occurred in 102 (21.6%), attributed to disease progression (56; 54.9%), other drugs/toxins (7; 6.9%), other causes (22; 21.6%) and ICI immunotoxicity (17; 16.7%; 3.6% of total cohort). Immunotoxicity was associated with higher peak ALT than other causes of enzyme elevation (N = 17; M = 217, 95% CI 145–324 for immunotoxicity, N = 103; M = 74, 95% CI 59–92 for other causes; ratio of means 0.34, 95% CI 0.19–0.60, p = <0.001) and higher ALT:AST ratio (M = 1.27, 95% CI 0.78–2.06 for immunotoxicity, M = 0.69, 95% CI 0.59–0.80 for other causes, ratio of means 0.54, 95% CI 0.36–0.82, p = 0.004). Immunotoxicity was more often seen in patients with prior CPI exposure (41.2% of immunotoxicity vs 15.9% of patients without, p = 0.01), anti-CTLA-4 –containing ICI treatments (29.4% of immunotoxicity vs 6.8% of patients without, p = <0.001) and other organ immunotoxicity (76.5% of immunotoxicity vs 19.2% of patients without, p = <0.001). Cause for enzyme elevation was established in most patients after non-invasive investigation. Liver biopsy was reserved for four patients with atypical treatment response.

Conclusions

Liver enzyme elevation is common in patients receiving ICI, but often has a cause other than immunotoxicity. A biochemical signature with higher ALT and ALT/AST ratio, a history of prior ICI exposure and other organ immunotoxicities may help to identify patients at a higher likelihood of immunotoxicity. Liver biopsy can be safely deferred in most patients. We propose an approach to diagnostic evaluation in patients with liver enzyme elevations following ICI exposure.
High pyocyanin production and non-motility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates are correlated with septic shock or death in bacteremic patients
Authors: Gupte Asmita , Jyot Jeevan , Ravi Malleswari , Ramphal Reuben
Published: June 2021

Studies of the outcome of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia (Pab) have focused mainly on antibiotic appropriateness. However, P. aeruginosa possesses many virulence factors whose roles in outcomes have not been examined in humans, except for the type III secretion system (T3SS) toxins. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of virulence factors other than the T3SS toxins. Bacterial isolates were collected from 75 patients who suffered from Pa blood stream infections. Host factors such as neutropenia, immunosuppression, comorbidities, time to effective antibiotics, source of bacteremia, and presence of multidrug resistant (MDR) isolate were studied. The isolates were analyzed for the presence of toxin genes, proteolytic activity, swimming and twitching motility, and pyocyanin production. The data were analyzed to ascertain which virulence factors correlated with poor outcomes defined as septic shock or death (SS) within 7 days. Septic shock or death occurred in 25/75 patients. Univariate analysis identified age as a host factor that exerted a significant effect on these outcomes. Ineffective antibiotics administered during the first 24 hours of treatment or MDR P. aeruginosa did not influence the frequency of SS, nor did the presence of lasB, exoA, exoS exoU, plcH genes and proteolytic activity. However, 6/8 patients infected with non-motile isolates, developed SS, p = 0.014 and 5/6 isolates that produced large amounts of pyocyanin (>18ug/ml), were associated with SS, p = 0.014. Multivariate analysis indicated that the odds ratio (OR) for development of SS with a non-motile isolate was 6.8, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.37, 51.5), p = 0.030 and with high pyocyanin producing isolates, an OR of 16.9, 95% CI = (2.27, 360), p = .017. This study evaluating the role of microbial factors that significantly effect outcomes following Pa bloodstream infection suggests that P. aeruginosa strains showing high pyocyanin production and the lack of motility independently increase the risk of SS.
Sickle-trait hemoglobin reduces adhesion to both CD36 and EPCR by Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes
Authors: Petersen Jens E. V. , Saelens Joseph W. , Freedman Elizabeth , Turner Louise , Lavstsen Thomas , Fairhurst Rick M. , Diakité Mahamadou , Taylor Steve M.
Published: June 2021

Sickle-trait hemoglobin protects against severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Severe malaria is governed in part by the expression of the Plasmodium falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Protein 1 (PfEMP1) that are encoded by var genes, specifically those variants that bind Endothelial Protein C Receptor (EPCR). In this study, we investigate the effect of sickle-trait on parasite var gene expression and function in vitro and in field-collected parasites. We mapped var gene reads generated from RNA sequencing in parasite cultures in normal and sickle-cell trait blood throughout the asexual lifecycle. We investigated sickle-trait effect on PfEMP1 interactions with host receptors CD36 and EPCR using static adhesion assays and flow cytometry. Var expression in vivo was compared by assembling var domains sequenced from total RNA in parasites infecting Malian children with HbAA and HbAS. Sickle-trait did not alter the abundance or type of var gene transcripts in vitro, nor the abundance of overall transcripts or of var functional domains in vivo. In adhesion assays using recombinant host receptors, sickle-trait reduced adhesion by 73–86% to CD36 and 83% to EPCR. Similarly, sickle-trait reduced the surface expression of EPCR-binding PfEMP1. In conclusion, Sickle-cell trait does not directly affect var gene transcription but does reduce the surface expression and function of PfEMP1. This provides a direct mechanism for protection against severe malaria conferred by sickle-trait hemoglobin.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02645604.
Long non-coding RNA KIKAT/LINC01061 as a novel epigenetic regulator that relocates KDM4A on chromatin and modulates viral reactivation
Authors: Yang Wan-Shan , Yeh Wayne W. , Campbell Mel , Chang Lung , Chang Pei-Ching
Published: June 2021

KDM4A is a histone lysine demethylase that has been described as an oncogene in various types of cancer. The importance of KDM4A-mediated epigenetic regulation in tumorigenesis is just emerging. Here, by using Kaposi’s sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV) as a screening model, we identified 6 oncogenic virus-induced long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) with the potential to open chromatin. RNA immunoprecipitation revealed KSHV-induced KDM4A-associated transcript (KIKAT)/LINC01061 as a binding partner of KDM4A. Integrated ChIP-seq and RNA-seq analysis showed that the KIKAT/LINC01061 interaction may mediate relocalization of KDM4A from the transcription start site (TSS) of the AMOT promoter region and transactivation of AMOT, an angiostatin binding protein that regulates endothelial cell migration. Knockdown of AMOT diminished the migration ability of uninfected SLK and iSLK-BAC16 cells in response to KIKAT/LINC01061 overexpression. Thus, we conclude that KIKAT/LINC01061 triggered shifting of KDM4A as a potential epigenetic mechanism regulating gene transactivation. Dysregulation of KIKAT/LINC01061 expression may represent a novel pathological mechanism contributing to KDM4A oncogenicity.
Post-operative radiographic measures of pelvic limb alignment in dogs with medial patellar luxation after trochlear wedge recession versus trochlear block recession surgery
Authors: Garnoeva Radka Stayova , Paskalev Mihail Dimitrov
Published: June 2021

Background and Aim: Anatomical and mechanical femoral angles are quite different among dog breeds. Most published data are about large dog breeds, however, medial luxation of patella is more common in small breeds. Measures of pelvic limb alignment are important for outcome of patellar luxation surgery. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the values of anatomical and mechanical femoral and tibial angles in dogs before, immediately after, and 1 month after surgery for correction of medial patellar luxation (MPL).

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with 54 dogs (67 stifle joints) from four small breeds that underwent surgery by either trochlear block recession (36 stifle joints) or trochlear wedge recession (31 stifle joints) techniques.

Results: In both trochleoplasty techniques, statistically significant differences in the values of the anatomical medial proximal femoral angle (aMPFA), anatomical lateral distal femoral angle (aLDFA), and femoral varus angle (in MPL Grade II) and of aMPFA and Q-angle (in MPL Grade III) were found out.

Conclusion: After block recession surgery, more angles were positively influenced and this effect was more pronounced in patients with MPL Grade II.
Students' preference for the use of gamification in virtual learning environments
Authors: Acosta-Medina Julieth Katherin , Torres-Barreto Martha Liliana , Cárdenas-Parga Andrés Felipe
Published: June 2021

Virtual education faces tremendous challenges such as lack of motivation and high dropout rates. However, one solution to this problem is the incorporation of digital pedagogical strategies based on gamification, which promote interest, facilitate the learning process, and contribute to reducing dropout. In this sense, we evaluated the student's preference for using the gamified tool Didactic City, by using a quantitative methodology and structural equation models. This preference included fundamental factors such as utility, knowledge, engagement, enjoyment, motivation, and ease of use. The results are expected to contribute to create a more informed decision-making process not only for video game designers but also for pedagogues, and educational managers who could perform game improvements, redesigns, inclusion, or exclusion of individual elements that would make students prefer to use gamification tools in the future. The results indicate that the students' utility, the enjoyment generated by the tool, and the improvement of knowledge are the critical factors in terms of preference for using gamified tools in virtual learning environments.

 

Implications for policy and practice:

In virtual learning environments, higher education institutions and instructors can include gamified tools to create pleasant environments that increase students' motivation and facilitate learning.

Designers and developers of gamified educational tools should measure their acceptance, as this factor is decisive for fulfilling the purposes of these pedagogical tools.

Researchers could evidence more factors that influence the preference for the use of gamified educational tools.
Papież Franciszek wobec problemu alienacji i osamotnienia osób starszych
Authors: Szafulski Andrzej
Published: June 2021

W XXI wieku nauczanie papieża Franciszka, a także wcześniej Jana Pawła II i Benedykta XVI, ukazując rolę i miejsce osób starszych w społeczeństwie, przywraca im szacunek. Papież chce, by osoby w podeszłym wieku były szanowane i z właściwą uwagą otoczone troską. Udowadnia on, że ludzie starsi są nie tylko beneficjentami, lecz także dawcami. Dlatego seniorzy stanowią cenne oparcie dla młodszych pokoleń, ponieważ niosą mądrość i doświadczenie życiowe, historię rodziny i narodu, a także są świadkami wiary. Według papieża, w przeszłości szacunek wobec osób starszych był pewnego rodzaju czynnikiem warunkującym humanizm. Niewątpliwie tak również powinno być i teraz, aby pozytywnie świadczyć o jakości cywilizacji XXI wieku. Toteż starsi ludzie nie mogą być lekceważeni i odrzucani.
Obligations de travail dans les économies palatiales du Bronze récent
Authors: Rougemont Françoise , Vita Juan-Pablo
Published: June 2021

Palatial economic archives from various regions — from the Aegean world to Mesopotamia — and from various periods of the Bronze Age, attest to the use by palatial administrations of procedures in which workers were obliged to perform a task, whether craft or agricultural, on behalf of the palace. This article examines the possibility that such a procedure existed also in Ugarit, since a group of administrative texts relating to metals appear comparable to these systems of work-assignments. The material from Ugarit and the conclusions reached allow, then, a comparison with the system of work-assignment attested in the Mycenaean texts and calledta-ra-si-ja. Mycenaean and Ugaritic documentations present typological, structural and chronological analogies, which add to the interest of the comparison.
“Both my Cleansed Hands”
Authors: Wagensonner Klaus
Published: June 2021

This short contribution edits for the first time a small fragment housed in the Horn Archaeological Museum at St Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan. This fragment contains the meagre remains of what once was a letter addressed to the goddess Ištar sent by a woman named Abī-tukultī. Literary letters of the Old Babylonian period are fairly scarce, and the present text is the first known letter to Ištar and hence a welcome addition to the corpus.
Self-Control Preferences and Status-Quo Bias
Authors: Barokas Guy
Published: June 2021

In a setting of choice with an observable status quo, we model an agent who struggles with temptation by exercising (costly) self-control, and who views the status quo as a commitment opportunity that allows him to avoid the self-control costs incurred when making an active choice. Our model is rational in that the agent always maximizes the same ex-post utility function; hence, when the standard indirect utility property holds, the model reduces to classic rational choice model. However, when we allow for costly self-control, our theory provides a rationale for three well-documented phenomena that cannot be captured by the standard model: the status-quo bias, the compromise effect, and the satisficing choice procedure (when ignoring the information on the status quo). A notable feature of our theory is that while it relaxes the indirect utility property, it still allows for a complete identification of an agent’s preference relation over menus. This is found to be important in many practical situations.
International teleconferences in EGAP courses: preparing students for prospective professional situations
Authors: Scott-Monkhouse Anila R. , Tal Michal , Yelenevskaya Maria
Published: June 2021

This paper describes a joint programme developed in 2018 by the University of Parma Language Centre (Italy) and the Humanities and Arts Department of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. The aim of the project was to involve students of English for General Academic Purposes in delivering presentations to an unfamiliar foreign audience on a topic relevant to their academic interests. The students were required to prepare for the presentation by exploring and personalising the chosen topic so as to be able to explain it to a group which they had had no previous contact with or information about. Through the active involvement of the students in a realistic implementation of their prospective professional use of English, language learning became a holistic experience where a traditional approach to language learning focusing mainly on vocabulary and macro-skills was integrated with a pragmatic approach which addressed the so-called ‘21st-century skills’ (specifically critical thinking, communication, collaboration and digital literacy). The simulation of situations that they are likely to encounter in their professional lives helped students build their confidence, with the whole learning experience carrying both emotional and social implications. This paper offers an insight into the challenges and issues which arose, and ideas for improving the learning experience. We describe the preparation carried out by the teachers at both universities, and the guided and autonomous work carried out by students in the different stages. A post-conference survey triggered the students’ self-reflection in relation to learning and personal development. The survey was also valuable for the teachers regarding reassessment of teaching strategies and preparation for future joint projects.
Using electrostatic potential maps as visual representations to promote better understanding of chemical bonding
Authors: Tsaparlis Georgios , Pantazi Giannoula , Pappa Eleni T. , Byers Bill
Published: June 2021

Static visual representations (VRs) of chemical structures are necessary for an understanding of chemical bonding, a topic which continues to lead to learning difficulties and misconceptions for many students. The efficacy and problems associated with the use of VRs of chemical structures and chemical bonding in the form of electrostatic potential maps resulting from accurate quantum mechanical calculations are the subject of this study, which involved a sample of first year, second semester students, studying the elective course “Science Education” (N = 31). Students distinguished between nonpolar and polar covalent bonding, however, they encountered difficulties with concepts related to ionic bonding. Most students did not employ multistructural thinking (in the sense of the SOLO taxonomy), when providing explanations about the variation of bond polarity. Persistence of a covalent-ionic bond dichotomy was apparent, while for some, ions can be involved in both ionic and covalent bonding. Many students preferred to use their established high school knowledge. On a positive note, many students were clearly affected by the information provided by the colored VRs. Finally, the minimal experience of our students with these VRs leads us to believe that a more systematic and extensive coverage would be likely to produce improved outcomes.
Process optimization of chili flavor beef tallow and analysis of its volatile compounds by GC-IMS
Authors: Li Hang , Liu Jiamin , Wang Zhanzhong , Liu Xiaodong , Yan Xichun , Liu Shoushan , Li Xu , Liao Zhenyu , He Xinyi
Published: June 2021

With chili and liquid beef tallow as the main raw materials, the processing conditions of chili flavor beef tallow were explored. Gas chromatograpy-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) was used to determine the volatile compounds in chili flavor beef tallow. The capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in chili flavor beef tallow were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The optimum technological conditions were determined, and the index of chromatic aberration, cholesterol was also determined. Based on GC-IMS analysis, 102 kinds of volatile compounds were detected, and the sample III (the ratio of solid–liquid was 1:5, the frying temperature was 120 °C, and the frying time was 15 min) performed better than other samples. The preparation of chili beef tallow improves its antioxidant activity and makes its aroma more intense and more in line with the taste of Chinese people, which provides a theoretical and practical basis for the development of spice beef tallow in the future.
Microcontroller-based simulation of a nonlinear resistive-capacitive-inductance shunted Josephson junction model and applications in electromechanical engineering
Authors: Kadjie Arnaud Notué , Tchakounté Hyacinthe , Kemajou Isaac , Woafo Paul
Published: June 2021

The equations, modelling a nonlinear resistive-capacitive-inductance shunted Josephson junction (NRCLJJ) subjected to various signal shapes of the electrical current, are simulated experimentally using the Arduino Uno-type microcontroller that takes benefit of its simplicity, lost cost, high precision, ease of implementation, and stability compared to the voltage-controlled oscillators (VCO) circuitry. Real time electrical signals are observed presenting various dynamics. Shapiro steps (SS) from the IV-characteristics are also obtained. These real electrical signals are then used to power an electromechanical pendulum in the second part of this work. Bifurcation diagram shows that the pendulum exhibits periodic and chaotic dynamics.
SARS-CoV-2 in pregnancy and possible transfer of immunity: assessment of peripartal maternal and neonatal antibody levels and a longitudinal follow-up
Authors: Rathberger Katharina , Häusler Sebastian , Wellmann Sven , Weigl Marco , Langhammer Florian , Bazzano Maria Victoria , Ambrosch Andreas , Fill Malfertheiner Sara
Published: June 2021

Objectives

In the current Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic there is still great uncertainty about the effects of an infection in pregnancy especially regarding a possible fetal transmission of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and the longevity of this immunity.

Methods

Sixteen women who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy and their offspring were included. The antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 was measured in mother and umbilical cord blood peripartum and in a follow-up examination 6–11 weeks after birth. Medical history, symptoms regarding SARS-CoV-2, obstetric and neonatal information were queried following recommendations by the WHO.

Results

A total of 73% of the women and one third of the infants developed antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein receptor binding domain (RBD), with a long interval between infection and birth proving favorable for a transplacentar transfer of antibodies to the neonates. All infants showed declining or vanishing antibody-titers in the follow-up examination, while the titers of their mothers were stable or even increased.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that transplacental transfer of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies is possible, but also indicate that the immunity that may be gained as a result might decrease in newborns postpartum. This provides important evidence that could be useful for further studies covering vaccination during pregnancy.
The Courts and Corporate Executive Compensation in Canada
Authors: McGinty Sean
Published: June 2021

Corporate executive compensation in Canada, as in many developed economies, has risen significantly since the 1980s relative to that of the average worker. This has posed an issue for corporate governance due to concerns that the trend may not be serving the corporation and its stakeholders well, and also an issue for society as a whole due to its impact on income inequality more generally. This has raised interest in the role played by institutions in shaping executive pay decisions and also in what role they might play in resolving these issues. This paper looks at the role played by one such institution, the courts, with two ends in mind. The first is to gain an empirical understanding of what the courts actually do with respect to executive pay disputes. It does so by examining a set of decisions by Canadian courts between 1876 and 2018 collected by the author in which the claim of a corporate executive to their pay was at issue in order to get a better picture of how the courts are accessed, who relies on them, what rules they use, how the courts respond and how trends in these have evolved over time. It finds that the litigation of executive pay disputes has varied widely over time with a variety of stakeholders using a variety of legal areas – corporate law, contract law and bankruptcy/arrangement law in particular – to dispute the entitlement of executives to their pay. In recent years however litigation has come to be dominated by oppression remedy applications, with plaintiffs being successful in challenging pay in a majority of decisions. This paints a significantly different picture of the role of the courts than that developed in the American literature which focuses almost exclusively on shareholder use of derivative actions to monitor pay decisions. The second is to examine how better use might be made of the courts in order to remedy the broader problems for corporate stakeholders and society as a whole that corporate executive pay practice presents. It suggests that an expanded role for the oppression remedy by corporate employees should be considered as a policy option which would better reflect a stakeholder model of governance and address broader inequality concerns at the same time.
Analysis of the ROA of an anaerobic digestion process via data-driven Koopman operator
Authors: Garcia-Tenorio Camilo , Mojica-Nava Eduardo , Sbarciog Mihaela , Wouwer Alain Vande
Published: June 2021

Nonlinear biochemical systems such as the anaerobic digestion process experience the problem of the multi-stability phenomena, and thus, the dynamic spectrum of the system has several undesired equilibrium states. As a result, the selection of initial conditions and operating parameters to avoid such states is of importance. In this work, we present a data-driven approach, which relies on the generation of several system trajectories of the anaerobic digestion system and the construction of a data-driven Koopman operator to give a concise criterion for the classification of arbitrary initial conditions in the state space. Unlike other approximation methods, the criterion does not rely on difficult geometrical analysis of the identified boundaries to produce the classification.
Extraction of optical solitons in birefringent fibers for Biswas-Arshed equation via extended trial equation method
Authors: Tahir Muhammad , Awan Aziz Ullah , Abro Kashif Ali
Published: June 2021

This article obtains optical solitons to the Biswas-Arshed equation for birefringent fibers with higher order dispersions and in the absence of four-wave mixing terms, in a media with Kerr type nonlinearity. Optical dark, singular and bright soliton solutions are articulated by applying an imaginative integration technique, the extended trial equation scheme. Various additional traveling wave solutions are produced with this integration technique, which include rational solutions, Jacobi elliptic function solutions and periodic singular solutions. From the mathematical analysis some constraints are recognized that ensure the actuality of solitons.
Application of modified cellulose nanofibrils as coating suspension on recycled paper using size press
Authors: Fidan Hakan , Tozluoğlu Ayhan , Tutuş Ahmet , Poyraz Bayram , Arslan Recai , Sertkaya Selva , Sözbir Tamer , Kıllı Ufuk
Published: June 2021

Cellulose based nanomaterials have the great potential to be applied to paper as bulk additive or coating material to improve overall final properties, especially in secondary fiber. In the present work, the effect of applying different kinds of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) to papers obtained from recycled fibers using size press on physical, mechanical and barrier properties was investigated and compared with the sole use of starch as coating material. The coating process of CNF was carried out by the addition of size press grade starch to coating suspension. As a cellulose source, wheat straw was evaluated and CNF was obtained through oxidative and enzymatic pretreatments. Results indicate that starch/CNF suspension improves the overall paper properties. As a result of the deposition of coating suspension contains of 4 % wt. periodate-oxidized CNF onto paper surface, tensile and burst indices of papersheets increased as 52.2 % and 194.4 %. Significant decreases were observed in air permeability as 69.8 %. Compression tests also have been conducted to evaluate papersheets end-use properties. In comparison to the other pretreated CNF, due to is lower viscosity, applying periodate-oxidized CNF as size press significantly increased the mechanical properties of the papers fabricated from the recycled pulps.
Solvent regulation synthesis of single-component white emission carbon quantum dots for white light-emitting diodes
Authors: Rao Longshi , Zhang Qing , Wen Mingfu , Mao Zhongfa , Wei Huaxian , Chang Han-Jui , Niu Xiaodong
Published: June 2021

White light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) hold great promise in lighting, display, and visible light communication devices, and single-component white emission carbon quantum dots (SCWE-CQDs) as the key component of WLEDs have many outstanding advantages. However, rapid and efficient synthesis of SCWE-CQDs with high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and stability remains challenging. Here, we report a novel solvent engineering strategy to obtain highly photoluminescent SCWE-CQDs by controlling the dilution ratios between N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and pristine red carbon quantum dots (RCQDs) solution. By optimizing synthesis conditions, the relative PLQY of the SCWE-CQDs solution reached 53%. Morphological, structural, and optical property characterizations indicate that the combined action of the hydrogen bond (HB) effect and the size effect leads to the blue shift of RCQDs, but the HB effect is more dominant than the particle size in causing large spectral shifts. In addition, the WLEDs with high color rendering index of 89 and remarkable reliability were obtained based on the highly photoluminescent SCWE-CQDs. This facile solvent engineering approach for synthesizing tunable emission CQDs will promote the progress of carbon-based luminescent materials for applications in optoelectronic devices.