bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stratigraphic variability of Mississippian Meramec chemofacies and petrophysical properties using machine learning and geostatistical modeling, STACK trend, Anadarko Basin, Oklahoma
Authors: Hardisty Laynie , Pranter Matthew J. , Devegowda Deepak , Marfurt Kurt J. , Sondergeld Carl , Rai Chandra , Gupta Ishank , Han Heyleem , Dang Son , McLain Chris T. , Larese Richard E.
Published: May 2021

Mississippian Meramec deposits and reservoirs in the Sooner Trend in the Anadarko (Basin) in Canadian and Kingfisher counties (STACK) play of Oklahoma are comprised of silty limestones, calcareous sandstones, argillaceous-calcareous siltstones, argillaceous siltstones, and mudstones. We used core-derived X-ray fluorescence (XRF) data and established environmental proxies to evaluate the occurrence of specific elements (Al, K, Ti, Zr, Sr, Ca, and Si) and to illustrate their stratigraphic variability. For the Mississippian Meramec, six indicator elements or element ratios serve as proxies for clay (Al and K), detrital sediment (Ti and Zr), carbonate deposits (Sr and Ca), calcite cement (Sr/Ca), and quartz (Si/Ti and Si/Al). We used an unsupervised K-means classification to cluster elemental data from which we interpret three chemofacies: (1) calcareous sandstone, (2) argillaceous-calcareous siltstone, and (3) detrital mudstone. We used random forest to relate core-derived chemofacies to well logs and classify chemofacies in noncored wells with an accuracy of up to 83% based on blind tests. We integrated core-derived XRF, conventional well logs, and chemofacies logs to produce a cross-sectional chemofacies model that trends from the northwest to the southeast across the STACK trend. Chemofacies distribution indicates an upward increase of detrital mudstone from parasequences 1 to 3. Parasequence 3 is capped by a maximum flooding surface. From parasequences 4 to 5, an increase in argillaceous-calcareous siltstone and calcareous sandstone reflects the progradational stacking. Porosity is low in calcareous sandstones primarily due to calcite cement. Water saturation is high in argillaceous-calcareous siltstone, moderate in calcareous sandstone, and low in detrital mudstone. Interpreted biogenic quartz from element profiles corresponds to the calcareous sandstone chemofacies, which can be estimated from well logs and mapped. Effective porosity and water saturation models reflect the stratigraphic variability of chemofacies and rock types and can be predicted within the defined chemostratigraphic framework.
Negative symptoms in schizophrenia: reconsidering evidence and focus in clinical trials
Authors: van der Meer Lisette , Kaiser Stefan , Castelein Stynke
Published: May 2021

Negative symptoms of schizophrenia have been documented in the literature for over a century. Nevertheless, research has not convincingly produced effective interventions for their treatment. We propose to re-analyse currently published evidence on treatment of negative symptoms, using narrower definitions for symptom dimensions, to better understand what works for whom.
Barriers to Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Care in a Community Oncology Practice
Authors: Beeram Muralidhar , Kennedy Andrew , Hales Nathan
Published: May 2021

Complex, coordinated, and collaborative care of patients with head and neck cancer can be challenging yet amazingly rewarding and successful. The high symptom burden across multiple functional domains in patients with head and neck cancer, even in early stages of disease, mandates a multidisciplinary team approach that harnesses the combined contributions of physicians and ancillary providers to drive greater patient-centered care, addressing factors that heavily influence morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. Well-organized community-based multidisciplinary teams fulfill this unmet need and benefit patients with conveniently located comprehensive services that are typically found in large academic centers. Equivalent, if not superior, outcomes can be achieved in a unified community-based multidisciplinary team with shared patient-centered and outcomes-based goals. However, implementing true multidisciplinary team care in today’s complex health care environment is fraught with challenges and pitfalls. So how have some community-based practices managed to create safe and efficient programs with successful outcomes? The purpose of this review is to discuss barriers to reaching this success and emphasize practical solutions to such challenges.
Colorectal Cancer: In the Pursuit of Health Equity
Authors: Musselwhite Laura W. , May Folasade P. , Salem Mohamed E. , Mitchell Edith P.
Published: May 2021

Colorectal cancer mortality has decreased considerably following the adoption of national screening programs, yet, within at-risk subgroups, there continue to be measurable differences in clinical outcomes from variations in screening, receipt of chemotherapy, radiation or surgery, access to clinical trials, research participation, and survivorship. These disparities are well-described and some have worsened over time. Disparities identified have included race and ethnicity, age (specifically young adults), socioeconomic status, insurance access, geography, and environmental exposures. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, colorectal cancer care has necessarily shifted dramatically, with broad, immediate uptake of telemedicine, transition to oral medications when feasible, and considerations for sequence of treatment. However, it has additionally marginalized patients with colorectal cancer with historically disparate cancer-specific outcomes; among them, uninsured, low-income, immigrant, and ethnic-minority patients—all of whom are more likely to become infected, be hospitalized, and die of either COVID-19 or colorectal cancer. Herein, we outline measurable disparities, review implemented solutions, and define strategies toward ensuring that all have a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible.
Breast Sarcomas, Phyllodes Tumors, and Desmoid Tumors: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Staging, and Histology-Specific Management Considerations
Authors: Li George Z. , Raut Chandrajit P. , Hunt Kelly K. , Feng Mary , Chugh Rashmi
Published: May 2021

Breast sarcomas arise from connective tissues of the breast and account for fewer than 1% of all breast malignancies. They can be subclassified as primary breast sarcomas, which arise de novo and are histologically diverse, and secondary breast sarcomas, which arise as a result of radiation or lymphedema and are most commonly angiosarcomas. Two other connective tissue neoplasms that occur within the breast include phyllodes tumors and desmoid tumors, which exhibit a spectrum of behaviors. Malignant phyllodes tumors are biologically similar to primary breast sarcomas, whereas desmoid tumors are technically benign but often locally aggressive. Patients with breast sarcomas often present with a rapidly growing mass or, in cases of radiation-associated angiosarcoma, violaceous cutaneous lesions. Core needle biopsy is generally required to confirm the diagnosis of sarcomas. Staging workup includes MRI and chest imaging, although these are not required in the case of benign phyllodes or desmoid tumors. In general, localized breast sarcomas should be resected, with the extent of resection tailored to histologic subtype. Radiation and chemotherapy can be used in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting, but data are limited, so treatment decisions should be made on an individualized basis. Systemic therapy options for metastatic disease and refractory breast desmoids mimic those used for the same histologies when present in other sites. Given the rarity and heterogeneity of breast sarcoma, as well as limited literature describing these entities, expert multidisciplinary evaluation is crucial for optimal decision making.
Η επίδραση της προδιαστολής πριν τη διακαθετηριακή εμφύτευση βιοπροσθετικής αυτοεκπτυσσόμενης αορτικής βαλβίδας στη βραχυπρόθεσμη και μακροπρόθεσμη έκβαση των ασθενών που υποβάλλονται σε αυτήν
Authors: Λάβδα Μαρία
Published: May 2021

Η προδιαστολή της αορτικής βαλβίδας με μπαλόνι πριν τη διακαθετηριακή εμφύτευση αυτοεκπτυσσόμενης αορτικής βαλβίδας (ΔΕΑΒ) αποτελεί συχνά μέρος της διαδικασίας της εμφύτευσης. Στόχος μας ήταν να αξιολογήσουμε την επίδραση της προδιαστολής πριν την εμφύτευση στη βραχυπρόθεσμη και μακροπρόθεσμη έκβαση των ασθενών που υποβάλλονται σε αυτήν. Μελετήσαμε 262 ασθενείς που υποβλήθηκαν σε διακαθετηριακή εμφύτευση βαλβίδας με (ομάδα 2) ή χωρίς (ομάδα 1) προδιαστολή. Το βάθος εμφύτευσης μετρήθηκε αγγειογραφικά στο μη στεφανιαίο άκρο (NCC) και στο αριστερό στεφανιαίο άκρο (LCC) στο: αρχικό σημείο τοποθέτησης (στάδιο-1), πριν (στάδιο-2) και μετά (τελικό-3) την τελική απελευθέρωση της βιοπρόθεσης. Η παραβαλβιδική ανεπάρκεια (ΠΑ) εκτιμήθηκε μετά την εμφύτευση, κατά την έξοδο από το αιμοδυναμικό εργαστήριο, κατά την έξοδο από το νοσοκομείο, τον 1ο και τον 6ο μήνα μετά την επέμβαση και οι ασθενείς παρακολουθήθηκαν για 1 έτος.Συνολικά, από το στάδιο-1 έως το στάδιο-3, η βιοπρόθεση μετατοπίστηκε προς την αριστερή κοιλία, και στα δύο άκρα και στις δυο ομάδες. Στο NCC παρατηρήθηκε μια βαθύτερη μετατόπιση από το στάδιο-1 στο στάδιο-2 και στις δύο ομάδες (p <0,001). Στην ομάδα που υπεβλήθη σε προδιαστολή, στο NCC, μια ανοδική μετατόπιση μείωσε το βάθος εμφύτευσης από το στάδιο-2 στο στάδιο-3 (p = 0,022). Η ΠΑ>=ΙΙ, αμέσως μετά την εμφύτευση παρατηρήθηκε συχνότερα στην ομάδα που υπεβλήθη σε προδιαστολή (37,1% έναντι 10,1%, αντίστοιχα, p <0,001). Ωστόσο, η βαρύτητα και η συχνότητα της ΠΑ ήταν παρόμοια κατά την έξοδο από το αιμοδυναμικό εργαστήριο, κατά την έξοδο από το νοσοκομείο, τον 1ο και τον 6ο μήνα μετά την ΔΕΑΒ. Τα βασικά χαρακτηριστικά ήταν συγκρίσιμα μεταξύ των δύο ομάδων. Στην ομάδα ομάδα που υπεβλήθη σε προδιαστολή παρατηρήθηκε συχνότερα ο αποκλεισμός αριστερού σκέλους (LBBB) έναντι της ομάδας ομάδα που δεν υπεβλήθη σε προδιαστολή (26% έναντι 13%, p = 0,018), αλλά η συχνότητα εμφύτευσης μόνιμου βηματοδότη μετά την επέμβαση δεν διέφερε μεταξύ των δύο ομάδων. Επιπλέον, η προδιαστολή δεν αύξησε τον κίνδυνο αγγειακού εγκεφαλικού επεισοδίου ή θανάτου από οποιαδήποτε αιτία με την πάροδο του χρόνου κατά τη διάρκεια του πρώτου έτους παρακολούθησης. Τέλος, παρατηρήθηκε ότι οι ασθενείς με κλάσμα εξώθησης της αριστερής κοιλίας (LVEF) <50% κατά την έξοδο από το νοσοκομείο φαίνεται να έχουν 15% χαμηλότερη πιθανότητα επιβίωσης κατά το πρώτο έτος παρακολούθησης μετά τη ΔΕΑΒ.Η διενέργεια προδιαστολής πριν από τη ΔΕΑΒ φαίνεται πως έχει επίδραση στην τελική θέση της βιοπρόθεσης, στην ΠΑ αμέσως μετά την εμφύτευση και στον LBBB, αλλά όχι στα βραχυπρόθεσμα και μακροπρόθεσμα κλινικά αποτελέσματα. Η τέλεση της προδιαστολής παραμένει στη κρίση του επεμβατικού καρδιολόγου.
Regular antenatal care visits were associated with low risk of low birth weight among newborns in Rwanda: Evidence from the 2014/2015 Rwanda Demographic Health Survey (RDHS) Data
Authors: Biracyaza Emmanuel , Habimana Samuel , Rusengamihigo Donat , Evans Heather
Published: May 2021

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) remains the global unfinished agenda in most countries of the world especially in low- and middle-income countries. LBW subsequently has harmful effects on the lifestyle, psychosocial and physiological development of the child. Although it is known that antenatal care (ANC) visits are important interventions contributing to prediction of newborn birth weight, little has been conducted on effect of ANC visits on birth weight in Rwanda. This study aimed at determining the association between regular ANC visits and risk of LBW among newborns in Rwanda.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was conducted to analyse the effects of ANC on LBW using the 2014/2015 Rwanda Demographic Health Survey. Associations of socio-demographic, socio-economic, and individual factors of the mother with LBW newborns were performed using bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses.

Results: Prevalences of LBW and macrosomia were 5.8% and 17.6%, respectively. Newborns delivered from mothers attending fewer than four ANC visits were at almost three-times greater risk of having LBW [aOR=2.8; 95%CI (1.5–5.4), p=0.002] compared to those whose mothers attending four or more ANC visits. Residing in a rural area for pregnant women was significantly associated with LBW [aOR=1.1; 95%CI (0.7–1.6), p=0.008]. Maternal characteristics, such as anemia, predicted an increase in LBW [aOR=3.5; 95%CI (1.5–5.4), p<0.001]. Those who received no nutritional counseling [aOR=2.5; 95%CI (2–8.5), p<0.001] and who were not told about maternal complications [aOR=3.3; 95%CI (1.5–6.6), p=0.003] were more prone to deliver newborns with LBW than those who received them. Pregnant women who received iron and folic acid were less likely to have LBW newborns [aOR=0.5; 95%CI (0.3–0.9), p=0.015].

Conclusion: ANC visits significantly contributed to reducing the incidence of LBW. This study underscores the need for early, comprehensive, and high-quality ANC services to prevent LBW in Rwanda.
Study Pre-protocol for “BronchStart - The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Timing, Age and Severity of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Emergency Presentations; a Multi-Centre Prospective Observational Cohort Study”
Authors: Williams Thomas C. , Lyttle Mark D. , Cunningham Steve , Sinha Ian , Swann Olivia V. , Maxwell-Hodkinson Abigail , Roland Damian ,   Paediatric Emergency Research in the UK and Ireland (PERUKI)
Published: May 2021

Background: Bronchiolitis (most frequently caused by respiratory syncytial virus; RSV) is a common winter disease predominantly affecting children under one year of age. It is a common reason for presentations to an emergency department (ED) and frequently results in hospital admission, contributing to paediatric units approaching or exceeding capacity each winter. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the circulation of RSV was dramatically reduced in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Evidence from the Southern Hemisphere and other European countries suggests that as social distancing restrictions for SARS-CoV-2 are relaxed, RSV infection returns, causing delayed or even summer epidemics, with different age distributions.

Study question: The ability to track, anticipate and respond to a surge in RSV cases is critical for planning acute care delivery. There is an urgent need to understand the onset of RSV spread at the earliest opportunity. This will influence service planning, to inform clinicians whether the population at risk is a wider age range than normal, and whether there are changes in disease severity. This information is also needed to inform decision on the timing of passive immunisation of children at higher risk of hospitalisation, intensive care admission or death with RSV infection, which is a public health priority.

Methods and likely impact: This multi-centre prospective observational cohort study will use a well-established research network (Paediatric Emergency Research in the UK and Ireland, PERUKI) to report in real time cases of RSV infection in children aged under two years, through the collection of  essential, but non-identifying patient information. Forty-five centres will gather initial data on age, index of multiple deprivation quintile, clinical features on presentation, and co-morbidities. Each case will be followed up at seven days to identify treatment, viral diagnosis and outcome.  Information be released on a weekly basis and used to support clinical decision making.
El idioma español en sus primeros tiempos
Authors: Menéndez Pidal Ramón , Fernández Alcaide Marta
Published: May 2021

En 2019 se cumplieron 150 años del nacimiento de D. Ramón Menéndez Pidal. Su monumental trabajo filológico sigue formando, motivando y entusiasmando a nuevas generaciones de lingüistas históricos (cf. Antelo Iglesias 1993; Perez Pascual 2014) y su huella puede encontrarse en lugares insospechados1. Conmemorarlo es lo que pretenden estas páginas que preceden a la reedición de una de sus numerosísimas obras, El idioma español en sus primeros tiempos2. La primera edición en la editorial Espasa-Calpe es de 1942 y la que ha servido para reeditarlo ahora ha sido la séptima, fechada en 1968, año en que D. Ramón falleció y, por tanto, la última en la que hubo modificaciones, aunque llego a existir hasta una novena, de 1979, que fue solo ya reimpresión. No obstante, la obra apareció anteriormente en la colección de Manuales Hispania (Serie B, Cultura 2) en la editorial madrileña Voluntad en 1927, es decir, quince años antes de la primera de Espasa.
Anglicismos léxicos en la prensa italiana, francesa y española
Authors: Policastro Ponce Gisella
Published: May 2021

El presente trabajo aborda el estudio de los anglicismos léxicos presentes en los textos de índole periodística en italiano, francés y español. Para ello, se ha elaborado un corpus con los textos periodísticos más destacados durante el año 2018 en la prensa italiana, francesa y española, se han extraído los préstamos lingüísticos procedentes del inglés y, en las páginas siguientes, se llevará a cabo un análisis contrastivo al objeto de considerar la presencia de dichos préstamos léxicos en cada lengua.
Price Salience and Product Choice
Authors: Blake Tom , Moshary Sarah , Sweeney Kane , Tadelis Steve
Published: May 2021

We analyze a large-scale field experiment on StubHub.com and show that disclosing fees upfront reduces both the quantity and quality of purchases.
Teaching in the British Army
Authors: Jewell Sgt Ty
Published: May 2021

In this instalment of Paramedic Roles, Sgt Ty Jewell shares some insight into his role as a paramedic in the British Army and how things operate, reflecting on his own contributions and passion for teaching
MULTICRITERIA DECISION-MAKING IN THE SELECTION OF WARSHIPS: A NEW APPROACH TO THE AHP METHOD
Authors: Santos Marcos dos , Costa Igor Pinheiro de Araujo , Gomes Carlos Francisco Simões
Published: May 2021

The budgetary constraints for the Brazilian Navy (BN) have caused several negative effects, resulting in an undersized fleet, decreasing the capacity to protect marine oil and natural gas fields, combat marine pollution from ships, and monitor other illegal activities at sea and inland waters. This paper aims to choose a medium-sized warship to be built by the BN, through the application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. After a bibliometric study on Multiple-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM), the AHP was chosen as the most appropriate method for the proposed case study. We analyzed three ship projects with regard to nine operational and economic criteria, taking into account the evaluations of BN officers with recognized experience and knowledge in military operations. We also introduced a sensitivity analysis based on the relationship between standard deviation and mean scores in order to verify and increase the reliability of the ranking. As a result, the methodology suggested that the best option is to build a brand-new ship with more significant modernizations to provide for the operational needs of the BN.
Integral absorbance measurement for a non-uniform flow field using wavelength modulation absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Song Junling , Xin Mingyuan , Rao Wei , Hong Yanji , Feng Gaoping
Published: May 2021

Combined with computed tomography (CT), the laser absorption spectroscopy technique is used to measure the two-dimensional distribution information of the flow field. The CT method needs an “integral parameter” as a known quantity. The integrated absorbance satisfies the criterion in the laser absorption spectral measurement. The direct absorption spectroscopy method directly measures the integrated absorbance. However, fitting the absorbance curve is difficult due to the distorted baseline in harsh environments. By contrast, the wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) method has satisfactory noise rejection capability. The difficulty that introduces WMS method to measure the non-uniform flow distribution is the integrated absorbance cannot be written in a mathematical expression. Previous efforts focused on solving the average temperature, concentration, and pressure and recalculating the integrated absorbance. This paper aims to develop an integrated absorbance measurement based on the calibration-free WMS method for non-uniform flow, which is called the calibration-free WMS-A method. First, the relationship between the transmissivity and integrated absorbance was established. Then, integrated absorbance was written into the WMS harmonic signals and solved by comparing the measured and simulated signals. The systematic comparison between the WMS-A and the previous WMS method showed the effectivity of the WMS-A method for non-uniform flow measurement. The reliable integrated absorbance can considerably improve the two-dimensional reconstruction quality.
Ultra-compact electro-optic modulator based on alternative plasmonic
material
Authors: Wei Qiqin , Xiao Jing , Yang Daoguo , Cai Kaida
Published: May 2021

We propose an ultra-compact electro-optic microring modulator based on
a hybrid plasmonic waveguide. In comparison to previously proposed
structures, the present structure utilizes aluminum-doped zinc oxide
(AZO), rather than noble metals, for plasmon excitation. AZO can be
used to simultaneously tune both the real and imaginary parts of the
dielectric constant by changing the carrier concentration. The
modulation depth and insertion loss of the microring modulator are
18.70 and 2.76 dB. The proposed modulator has a high modulation speed
because its capacitance is 0.22 fF. This device could be used in
high-density integrated optical circuits.
Theoretical model of the polarizability due to transitions between exciton states in transition metal dichalcogenides: application to WSe2
Authors: Henriques J. C. G. , Martins Quintela M. F. C. , Peres N. M. R.
Published: May 2021

In this paper we present a method to study the polarizability due to transitions between exciton states in transition metal dichalcogenides. We apply our method to the description of the excitation of

2
p

dark states. These states are not observable in absorption experiments but can be excited in a pump-probe experiment. As an example we consider

2
p

dark states in

W
S
e

2

. We find a good agreement between recent experimental measurements and our theoretical calculations.
Tailoring bolometric properties of a TiOx/Ti/TiOx tri-layer film for integrated optical gas sensors
Authors: Shim Joonsup , Lim Jinha , Geum Dae-Myeong , Kim Bong Ho , Ahn Seung-Yeop , Kim SangHyeon
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we systematically investigated tailoring bolometric properties of a proposed heat-sensitive TiOx/Ti/TiOx tri-layer film for a waveguide-based bolometer, which can play a significant role as an on-chip detector operating in the mid-infrared wavelength range for the integrated optical gas sensors on Ge-on-insulator (Ge-OI) platform. As a proof-of-concept, bolometric test devices with a TiOx single-layer and TiOx/Ti/TiOx tri-layer films were fabricated by varying the layer thickness and thermal treatment condition. Comprehensive characterization was examined by the scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses in the prepared films to fully understand the microstructure and interfacial properties and the effects of thermal treatment. Quantitative measurements of the temperature- and time-dependent resistance variations were conducted to deduce the minimum detectable change in temperature (ΔTmin) of the prepared films. Furthermore, based on these experimentally obtained results, limit-of-detection (LoD) for the carbon dioxide gas sensing was estimated to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed waveguide-based bolometer with the TiOx/Ti/TiOx tri-layer film as an on-chip detector on the Ge-OI platform. It was found that the LoD can reach ∼3.25 ppm and/or even lower with the ΔTmin of 11.64 mK in the device with the TiOx/Ti/TiOx (47/6/47 nm) tri-layer film vacuum-annealed at 400 °C for 15 min, which shows great enhancement of ∼7.7 times lower value compared to the best case of TiOx single-layer films. Our theoretical and experimental demonstration for tailoring bolometric properties of a TiOx/Ti/TiOx tri-layer film provides fairly useful insight on how to improve LoD in the integrated optical gas sensor with the bolometer as an on-chip detector.
Band engineering method to create Dirac cones of accidental degeneracy in general photonic crystals without symmetry
Authors: Chu Hongchen , Zhang Yang , Luo Jie , Xu Changqing , Xiong Xiang , Peng Ruwen , Wang Mu , Lai Yun
Published: May 2021

Symmetry usually plays a key role in the formation of the Dirac cone in the band structure of triangular or hexagonal systems. In this work, we demonstrate a systematic method to create Dirac cones of accidental degeneracy in general photonic crystals without symmetry. With this method, a band gap can be closed gradually through a series of modification to the unit structure based on the eigenfields of the band edges, and consequently a Dirac point is formed with Dirac conical dispersions in its vicinity. The validity of this approach is demonstrated by three examples. We further show that the Dirac cones of accidental degeneracy have the same properties as the symmetry-induced Dirac cones, such as finite group velocity and pseudo-diffusive transmission. Our finding opens a route for the engineering of accidental degeneracy in general photonic crystals beyond the scope of high-symmetry ones.
Thermally tunable polarization-insensitive ultra-broadband terahertz metamaterial absorber based on the coupled toroidal dipole modes
Authors: Pan Hao , Zhang Haifeng
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we propose a thermally tunable ultra-broadband polarization-insensitive terahertz (THz) metamaterial absorber (MMA) excited by the toroidal dipole moments. Due to the destructive interference resulting from two anti-parallel toroidal dipole moments, which depends on the twelve-fold trapezoidal metallic loops rotated by the axis parallel to the z-axis, the proposed MMA can achieve the absorption over 0.9 in a wide band of 2.38-21.13 THz, whose relative absorption band is 159.5%, at the temperature of 340 K. Meanwhile, by virtue of tuning the conductivity of vanadium dioxide (VO2) controlled by temperature, the tunability of absorption, maximum reaching 0.57, in the above band can be attained. On the other hand, the MMA is insensitive to the polarization angle owing to its symmetric configuration and can simultaneously keep the absorption above 0.9 in the high-frequency band from 15 to 25 THz under the incidence with a large angle of nearly 60°. In this study, a new way to enhance the absorption in a wide band which is based on the toroidal dipole modes is presented. Such a metamaterial can assist in further understanding the underlying mechanism with respect to the toroidal dipole electromagnetic responses.
Broadband radio-frequency signal synthesis by photonic-assisted channelization
Authors: Yin Feifei , Yin Zikai , Xie Xiangzhi , Dai Yitang , Xu Kun
Published: May 2021

A channelized radio-frequency (RF) signal synthesis scheme is proposed to generate broadband RF signals with reconfigurable waveform, center frequency and instantaneous bandwidth. Based on dual optical frequency combs (OFCs) with different free spectrum ranges (FSRs), multiple narrowband signals are up-converted and synthesized into a broadband signal. Reconfigurable waveforms are generated in the simulation, including a symmetrical triangular linear frequency modulation continuous wave (STLFMCW) signal and a binary phase shift keying (BPSK) signal. In addition, to realize phase stability among channels, dual OFCs are differently modulated through polarization-multiplexing electro-optical modulators (EOMs). An RF signal synthesis experiment shows the relative phase fluctuation among channels is only 1.8°.
Simple and precise characterization of differential modal group delay arising in few-mode fiber
Authors: Fu Zhe , Zhang Junjie , Zhang Ziheng , Fu Songnian , Qin Yuwen , Shen Lei , Cheng Mengfan , Yang Qi , Tang Ming , Liu Deming , Deng Lei
Published: May 2021

In this Letter, we propose a simple and high-precision differential modal group delay (DMGD) characterization method for few-mode fibers (FMF) by using the frequency-modulated continuous wave. Since the detected signals are located at the low-frequency range, our DMGD characterization method waives the use of expensive equipment, such as vector network or optical spectrum analyzers. Due to the high linearity of the used Mach–Zehnder modulator, our DMGD measurement is free from the complex auxiliary interferometer, leading to an improvement of characterization precision. Meanwhile, we propose a novel spectrum recovery algorithm to overcome the shortcoming that the traditional fast Fourier transform (FFT) method is incapable to deal with spectrum features arising in a periodic signal. Therefore, the characterization precision is no longer limited by the FFT length. When a commercial 23299.8 m two-mode fiber is used in the experiment, the DMGD measurement of

L
P

11

mode relative to

L
P

01

mode has a high precision of

±

0.007

p
s

/

m

over the C-band. Our proposed method shows the potential for characterizing the wavelength-dependent DMGD of FMF with more than two LP modes.
On-chip erbium-doped lithium niobate microring lasers
Authors: Luo Qiang , Yang Chen , Zhang Ru , Hao Zhenzhong , Zheng Dahuai , Liu Hongde , Yu Xuanyi , Gao Feng , Bo Fang , Kong Yongfa , Zhang Guoquan , Xu Jingjun
Published: May 2021

Lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI), regarded as an important candidate platform for optical integration due to its excellent nonlinear, electro-optic, and other physical properties, has become a research hotspot. A light source, as an essential component for an integrated optical system, is urgently needed. In this Letter, we reported the realization of 1550 nm band on-chip LNOI microlasers based on erbium-doped LNOI ring cavities with loaded quality factors higher than 1 million at

∼

970

n
m

, which were fabricated by using electron beam lithography and inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching processes. These microlasers demonstrated a low pump threshold of

∼

20

µ

W

and stable performance under the pump of a 980 nm band continuous laser. Comb-like laser spectra spanning from 1510 to 1580 nm were observed in a high pump power regime, which lays the foundation of the realization of pulsed laser and frequency combs on a rare-earth ion-doped LNOI platform. This Letter effectively promotes the development of on-chip integrated active LNOI devices.
Immature wild orangutans acquire relevant ecological knowledge through sex-specific attentional biases during social learning
Authors: Ehmann Beatrice , van Schaik Carel P. , Ashbury Alison M. , Mörchen Julia , Musdarlia Helvi , Utami Atmoko Suci , van Noordwijk Maria A. , Schuppli Caroline
Published: May 2021

As a part of growing up, immature orangutans must acquire vast repertoires of skills and knowledge, a process that takes several years of observational social learning and subsequent practice. Adult female and male orangutans show behavioral differences including sex-specific foraging patterns and male-biased dispersal. We investigated how these differing life trajectories affect social interest and emerging ecological knowledge in immatures. We analyzed 15 years of detailed observational data on social learning, associations, and diet repertoires of 50 immatures (16 females and 34 males), from 2 orangutan populations. Specific to the feeding context, we found sex differences in the development of social interest: Throughout the dependency period, immature females direct most of their social attention at their mothers, whereas immature males show an increasing attentional preference for individuals other than their mothers. When attending to non-mother individuals, males show a significant bias toward immigrant individuals and a trend for a bias toward adult males. In contrast, females preferentially attend to neighboring residents. Accordingly, by the end of the dependency period, immature females show a larger dietary overlap with their mothers than do immature males. These results suggest that immature orangutans show attentional biases through which they learn from individuals with the most relevant ecological knowledge. Diversifying their skills and knowledge likely helps males when they move to a new area. In sum, our findings underline the importance of fine-grained social inputs for the acquisition of ecological knowledge and skills in orangutans and likely in other apes as well.
Mechanistic model of nutrient uptake explains dichotomy between marine oligotrophic and copiotrophic bacteria
Authors: Norris Noele , Levine Naomi M. , Fernandez Vicente I. , Stocker Roman
Published: May 2021

Marine bacterial diversity is immense and believed to be driven in part by trade-offs in metabolic strategies. Here we consider heterotrophs that rely on organic carbon as an energy source and present a molecular-level model of cell metabolism that explains the dichotomy between copiotrophs—which dominate in carbon-rich environments—and oligotrophs—which dominate in carbon-poor environments—as the consequence of trade-offs between nutrient transport systems. While prototypical copiotrophs, like Vibrios, possess numerous phosphotransferase systems (PTS), prototypical oligotrophs, such as SAR11, lack PTS and rely on ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, which use binding proteins. We develop models of both transport systems and use them in proteome allocation problems to predict the optimal nutrient uptake and metabolic strategy as a function of carbon availability. We derive a Michaelis–Menten approximation of ABC transport, analytically demonstrating how the half-saturation concentration is a function of binding protein abundance. We predict that oligotrophs can attain nanomolar half-saturation concentrations using binding proteins with only micromolar dissociation constants and while closely matching transport and metabolic capacities. However, our model predicts that this requires large periplasms and that the slow diffusion of the binding proteins limits uptake. Thus, binding proteins are critical for oligotrophic survival yet severely constrain growth rates. We propose that this trade-off fundamentally shaped the divergent evolution of oligotrophs and copiotrophs.
Mobile nudges and financial incentives to improve coverage of timely neonatal vaccination in rural areas (GEVaP trial): A 3-armed cluster randomized controlled trial in Northern Ghana
Authors: Levine Gillian , Salifu Amadu , Mohammed Issah , Fink Günther
Published: May 2021

Background

Despite progress in vaccination coverage, timeliness of childhood vaccination remains a challenge in many settings. We aimed to assess if mobile phone-based reminders and incentives to health workers and caregivers could increase timely neonatal vaccination in a rural, low-resource setting.

Methods

We conducted an open-label cluster randomized controlled 1:1:1 trial with three arms in 15 communities in Northern Ghana. Communities were randomized to 1) a voice call reminder intervention; 2) a community health volunteer (CHV) intervention with incentivized rewards; 3) control. In the voice call reminder arm, a study staff member made voice calls to mothers shortly after birth to encourage vaccination and provide personalized information about available vaccination services. In the incentive arm, CHVs promoted infant vaccination and informed women with recent births about available vaccination opportunities. Both CHVs and women were provided small monetary incentives for on-time early infant vaccination in this arm, delivered using mobile phone-based banking applications. No study activities were conducted in control communities. A population-based survey compared vaccination coverage across arms in the pre-intervention and intervention periods. The primary endpoint was completion of at least one dose of Polio vaccine within 14 days of life and BCG vaccination within 28 days of life.

Results

Six-hundred ninety births were identified; 106, 88, and 88 from pre-intervention and 150, 135, and 123 in the intervention period, in the control, voice call reminder and CHV incentive arms, respectively. In adjusted intent-to-treat analysis, voice call reminders were associated with 10.5 percentage point (95% CI: 4.0, 17.1) higher coverage of on-time vaccination, while mobile phone-based incentives were associated with 49.5 percentage point (95% CI: 26.4, 72.5) higher coverage.

Conclusion

Community-based interventions using mobile phone technologies can improve timely early vaccination coverage. A CHV approach with incentives to community workers and caregivers was a more effective strategy than voice call reminders. The impact of vaccination “nudges” via voice calls may be constrained in settings where network coverage and phone ownership are limited.

Trial registration

This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT03797950.
Vitreous expression of cytokines and growth factors in patients with diabetic retinopathy—An investigation of their expression based on clinical diabetic retinopathy grade
Authors: Deuchler Svenja , Schubert Ralf , Singh Pankaj , Chedid Adonis , Brui Natallia , Kenikstul Ninel , Kohnen Thomas , Ackermann Hanns , Koch Frank
Published: May 2021

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is an inflammatory condition that affects the posterior of the eye; yet, there are limited published data on techniques measuring the expression of growth and inflammatory factors (GIF) from the posterior segment. The purpose of the current study was two-fold: to sample the vitreous fluid from the eyes of patients with DR and assess the expression of GIF. As DR is an inflammatory disease, the second objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the status of DR and the expression of vitreous GIF. This non-randomized clinical trial was approved by BfARM for the analysis and evaluation of 12 eyes from patients with diabetic macular edema. Vitreous sampling was performed before treatment with fluocinolone acetonide and the extracted vitreous material was examined for the determination of GIF including interleukins 6 (IL-6) and 8 (IL-8), interferon gamma-inducible protein (IP-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), placental growth factor (PIGF), pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and intercellular adhesion molecule (CD54). These were linearly compared with the grade of inflammation in the vitreous assessed via DR score and ART. Additionally, all eyes were grouped based on their diabetic retinopathy status. All cytokine levels, except MCP-1 and PEDF, were numerically higher in DME patients with proliferative DR than those with non-proliferative DR. DR grade was found to linearly correlate with the expression of CD54 (p = 0.02, rho = 0.64), IL-8 (p = 0.03, rho = 0.64) and PIGF (p = 0.007, rho = 0.76). A correlation was found between ART and CD54 (p = 0.02, rho = 0.66) and also between ART and IL-8 (p = 0.04, rho = 0.60). A trend was found between ART and PIGF (p = 0.08, rho 0.52). For IL-6, there appeared to be a trend with DR grade (p = 0.14, rho = 0.45) and ART (p = 0.09, rho = 0.51). Proliferative DR was shown to be associated with a significant higher expression of CD54, IL-8 and PIGF, thus suggesting that they are potentially important in defining and monitoring the effectiveness of a patients’ therapy. Vitreous probes may be helpful in deciding which therapy to administer (i.e. anti-VEGF or corticosteroid or both) based on the expression of GIF.

RegistryEudraCT number:2016-004488-38; DRKS-ID: DRKS00014915.
Bootstrap simulations for evaluating the model estimation of the extent of cross-pollination in maize at the field-scale level
Authors: Kuo Bo-Jein , Jhong Yun-Syuan , Yiu Tien-Joung , Su Yuan-Chih , Lin Wen-Shin
Published: May 2021

With the recent advent of genetic engineering, numerous genetically modified (GM) crops have been developed, and field planting has been initiated. In open-environment cultivation, the cross-pollination (CP) of GM crops with wild relatives, conventional crops, and organic crops can occur. This exchange of genetic material results in the gene flow phenomenon. Consequently, studies of gene flow among GM crops have primarily focused on the extent of CP between the pollen source plot and the adjacent recipient field. In the present study, Black Pearl Waxy Corn (a variety of purple glutinous maize) was used to simulate a GM-maize pollen source. The pollen recipient was Tainan No. 23 Corn (a variety of white glutinous maize). The CP rate (%) was calculated according to the xenia effect on kernel color. We assessed the suitability of common empirical models of pollen-mediated gene flow (PMGF) for GM maize, and the field border (FB) effect of the model was considered for small-scale farming systems in Asia. Field-scale data were used to construct an optimal model for maize PMGF in the maize-producing areas of Chiayi County, southern Taiwan (R.O.C). Moreover, each model was verified through simulation and by using the 95% percentile bootstrap confidence interval length. According to the results, a model incorporating both the distance from the source and the FB can have optimal fitting and predictive abilities.
Increased cognitive workload evokes greater neurovascular coupling responses in healthy young adults
Authors: Csipo Tamas , Lipecz Agnes , Mukli Peter , Bahadli Dhay , Abdulhussein Osamah , Owens Cameron D. , Tarantini Stefano , Hand Rachel A. , Yabluchanska Valeriya , Kellawan J. Mikhail , Sorond Farzaneh , James Judith A. , Csiszar Anna , Ungvari Zoltan I. , Yabluchanskiy Andriy
Published: May 2021

Understanding how the brain allocates resources to match the demands of active neurons under physiological conditions is critically important. Increased metabolic demands of active brain regions are matched with hemodynamic responses known as neurovascular coupling (NVC). Several methods that allow noninvasive assessment of brain activity in humans detect NVC and early detection of NVC impairment may serve as an early marker of cognitive impairment. Therefore, non-invasive NVC assessments may serve as a valuable tool to detect early signs of cognitive impairment and dementia. Working memory tasks are routinely employed in the evaluation of cognitive task-evoked NVC responses. However, recent attempts that utilized functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) or transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) while using a similar working memory paradigm did not provide convincing evidence for the correlation of the hemodynamic variables measured by these two methods. In the current study, we aimed to compare fNIRS and TCD in their performance of differentiating NVC responses evoked by different levels of working memory workload during the same working memory task used as cognitive stimulation. Fourteen healthy young individuals were recruited for this study and performed an n-back cognitive test during TCD and fNIRS monitoring. During TCD monitoring, the middle cerebral artery (MCA) flow was bilaterally increased during the task associated with greater cognitive effort. fNIRS also detected significantly increased activation during a more challenging task in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and in addition, widespread activation of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) was also revealed. Robust changes in prefrontal cortex hemodynamics may explain the profound change in MCA blood flow during the same cognitive task. Overall, our data support our hypothesis that both TCD and fNIRS methods can discriminate NVC evoked by higher demand tasks compared to baseline or lower demand tasks.
The impact of textual elements on the comprehensibility of drug label instructions (DLIs): A systematic review
Authors: Maghroudi Ekram , van Hooijdonk Charlotte Miriam Joyce , van de Bruinhorst Heidi , van Dijk Liset , Rademakers Jany , Borgsteede Sander Diederik
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Correct interpretation of drug labels instructions (DLIs) is needed for safe use and better adherence to prescribed drugs. DLIs are often too difficult for patients, especially for those with limited health literacy. What is yet unknown, is how specific textual elements in DLIs (e.g., the presentation of numbers, or use of medical jargon) and patients’ health literacy skills are related to the comprehension of DLIs. In order to provide concrete directions for health professionals on how to optimize drug prescriptions, we performed a systematic review to summarize the available research findings on which textual elements facilitate or hinder the correct interpretation of DLIs in relation to patients’ health literacy.

Method

A systematic search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, PsychINFO, and Smartcat (until April 2019) to identify studies investigating textual elements that facilitate or hinder the correct interpretation of DLIs in relation to patients’ health literacy.

Results

A total of 434 studies were identified of which 28 studies met our inclusion criteria. We found that textual elements contributing to the correct interpretation of DLIs were: using explicit time periods in dosage instructions, using plain language, presenting numbers in a numerical format, and providing DLIs in patients’ native language. Multistep instructions per instruction line, using abbreviations and medical jargon seem to hinder the correct interpretation of DLIs. Although health literacy was taken into account in a majority of the studies, none of them assessed the effectiveness of specific textual elements on patients’ comprehensibility of DLIs.

Conclusion

Based on our findings, we provide an overview of textual elements that contribute to the correct interpretation of DLIs. Optimizing the textual instruction on drug labels may increase the safety and adherence to prescribed drugs, taking into account that a significant proportion of patients has low health literacy.
A numerical study on heat transfer performances of horizontal ground heat exchangers in ground-source heat pumps
Authors: Zou Hang , Pei Peng , Wang Chen , Hao Dingyi
Published: May 2021

Horizontal ground heat exchangers (HGHEs) have advantages such as convenient construction and low cost; however, their application and popularization are restricted owing to traditional linear HGHEs occupying large space and presenting low total heat transfer capacity. Spiral-coil and slinky-coil HGHEs have been proposed, but currently a comprehensive comparison and evaluation for these types of HGHEs are still needed. In this study, a three-dimensional heat transfer model of the three types of HGHEs for ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) was established. Based on the simulation results, the long-term heat transfer performances were investigated, including the temperature field of surrounding energy-storage soils, outlet working fluid temperature, coefficient of performance (COP) of units, and surplus temperature of the energy-storage soils. A new concept named heat transfer capacity per heat-affected area was proposed in this paper. It is found that the spiral-coil HGHEs have the best performances in terms of working-fluid outlet temperature, unit COP, total heat transfer capacity, heat transfer rate heat-affected area. The linear HGHEs shows the best performances in terms of mitigating heat imbalance risk and heat transfer rate per length. The results provide a reliable basis for selection of HGHE types in engineering practice and improvement guide in the future.