bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arterial spin labeling assessment of myometrial perfusion changes in patients with uterine fibroid and its impact on fertility
Authors: Shady Magda Mohammed Shawky , Gibreel Ahmed Fathy El-said , Rashed Dina Rashed Mohammed , Tharwat Nehal
Published: May 2021

Background

Fibroids are the most common uterine tumor in the reproductive age group. These tumors although benign, their relation to infertility is still controversial. The purpose of this study is to assess the fibroid impact on fertility using arterial spin labeling (ASL) technique.

Results

This prospective study included 40 cases (30 female patients having uterine fibroid and 10 age- and sex-matched control cases). The 30 patients were divided according to their fertility into 2 subgroups: fertile (n = 15) and infertile (n = 15). All cases underwent pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination with ASL technique. The perfusion values were measured in the uterine walls, fibroids, and in the gluteus maximus muscle as control. ASL demonstrated non-significant difference in the perfusion between anterior and posterior uterine walls in the control cases and revealed significant difference in the perfusion between fibroid positive and fibroid negative uterine walls in patients with uterine fibroid (p value < 0.04). Perfusion values of the fertile and infertile subgroups showed no statistically significant difference.

Conclusion

Arterial spin labeling is an evolving technique that can be used to evaluate the myometrial perfusion changes in patients with uterine fibroid without using contrast media. Uterine fibroids were associated with decreased perfusion but with no statistically significant impact on fertility.
The usefulness of 18F-FDG PET/CT in follow-up and recurrence detection for patients with lung carcinoma and its impact on the survival outcome
Authors: Gamal Gihan Hassan
Published: May 2021

Background

We assess the usefulness of 18F-FDG PET/CT for detection of recurrent or residual tumor in post treatment patients with NSCLC and comparing the results with CECT, and we evaluate its impact to the clinical assessment and overall survival of lung cancer patients.

Results

A prospective study of 63 patients with potentially resectable NSCLC, were divided into 2 groups according to the initial staging of the disease and the early response to treatment.

Group A (n=29) patients were treated by curative treatment, and group B (n=34) patients were treated by palliative treatment.

Evaluation of patients was done during the follow-up period clinically every 3 months and by 18F-FDG PET/CT and CECT imaging at 6 months intervals.

In group A, 18F-FDG PET/CT correctly diagnosed all recurrent or residual tumors (n=7) whereas CECT diagnosed only 5 with 2 false negative cases.

In group B, 18F-FDG PET/CT correctly diagnosed all recurrent or residual tumors (n=23) whereas CECT diagnosed 16 patients with 7 false negative cases.

By comparison of 18F-FDG PET/CT and CECT in detection of residual or recurrent lung cancer (n=30), the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT were 100%, 92%, 92%, 100%, and 96% respectively, while of CECT were 72%, 95%, 94%, 79%, and 84% respectively in correlation with reference standard data. The calculated SUV max ranged from 2.1 to 4.9.

There was a significant difference in overall survival between patients in routine scan who had positive 18F FDG PET/CT result (median survival 18 months) and those who had negative result (median survival 45 months) (P<0.0001).

Conclusion

18 F-FDG PET/CT plays an important role in distinguishing post treatment changes from tumor recurrence in patients with lung cancer. Follow-up or surveillance 18 F-FDG PET/CT is a prognostic indicator for overall survival of patients.
Care Disparities Across the Health Care Continuum for Older Adults: Lessons From Multidisciplinary Perspectives
Authors: Dharmarajan Kavita V. , Presley Carolyn J. , Wyld Lynda
Published: May 2021

Older adults comprise a considerable proportion of patients with cancer in the world. Across multiple cancer types, cancer treatment outcomes among older age groups are often inferior to those among younger adults. Cancer care for older individuals is complicated by the need to adapt treatment to baseline health, fitness, and frailty, all of which vary widely within this age group. Rates of social deprivation and socioeconomic disparities are also higher in older adults, with many living on reduced incomes, further compounding health inequality. It is important to recognize and avoid undertreatment and overtreatment of cancer in this age group; however, simply addressing this problem by mandating standard treatment of all would lead to harms resulting from treatment toxicity and futility. However, there is little high-quality evidence on which to base these decisions, because older adults are poorly represented in clinical trials. Clinicians must recognize that simple extrapolation of outcomes from younger age cohorts may not be appropriate because of variance in disease stage and biology, variation in fitness and treatment tolerance, and reduced life expectancy. Older patients may also have different life goals and priorities, with a greater focus on quality of life and less on length of life at any cost. Health care professionals struggle with treatment of older adults with cancer, with high rates of variability in practice between and within countries. This suggests that better national and international recommendations that more fully address the needs of this special patient population are required and that primary research focused on the older age group is urgently required to inform these guidelines.
Apparent diffusion coefficient agreement and reliability using different region of interest methods for the evaluation of head and neck cancer post chemo-radiotherapy
Authors: Anjari Mustafa , Guha Amrita , Burd Christian , Varela Marta , Goh Vicky , Connor Steve
Published: May 2021

Objectives:

Post chemoradiotherapy (CRT) interval changes in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) have prognostic value in head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). The impact of using different region of interest (ROI) methods on interobserver agreement and their ability to reliably detect the changes in the ADC values was assessed.

Methods:

Following ethical approval, 25 patients (mean age 59.5 years, 21 male) with stage 3–4 HNSCC undergoing CRT were recruited for this prospective cohort study. Diffusion weighted MRI (DW-MRI) was performed pre-treatment and at 6 and 12 weeks following CRT. Two radiologists independently delineated ROIs using whole volume (ROIv), largest area (ROIa) or representative area (ROIr) methods at primary tumour (n = 22) and largest nodal (n = 24) locations and recorded the ADCmean. When no clear focus of increased DWI signal was evident at follow-up, a standardised ROI was placed (non-measurable or NM). Bland-Altman plots and interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were assessed. Paired t-tests evaluated interval changes in pre- and post-treatment ADCmean at each location, which were compared to the smallest detectable difference (SDD).

Results:

Excellent agreement was obtained for all ROI methods at pre-treatment (ICC 0.94–0.98) and 6-week post-treatment (ICC 0.94–0.98). At 12-week post-treatment, agreement was excellent (ICC 0.91–0.94) apart from ROIr (ICC 0.86) and the NM nodal disease (ICC 0.87). There were significant interval increases in ADCmean between pre-treatment and post-treatment studies, which were greater than the SDD for all ROIs.

Conclusions:

ADCmean values can be reproducibly obtained in HNSCC using the different ROI techniques on pre- and post-CRT MRI, and this reliably detects the interval changes.
Μελέτη της παρστατίνης σε οφθαλμικά κύτταρα
Authors: Γαρταγάνης Πάνος
Published: May 2021

Στόχος: Η παρστατίνη, το Ν-τελικό πεπτίδιο 41-αμινοξέων που απελευθερώνεται μετά την πρωτεολυτική ενεργοποίηση του PAR 1 υποδοχέα της θρομβίνης, αποδείχθηκε εξαιρετικά αποτελεσματική στην πρόληψη της οφθαλμικής αγγειογένεσης και ως εκ τούτου έχει πιθανές εφαρμογές στις οφθαλμικές νεοαγγειακές παθήσεις. Στο πλαίσιο ενός προγράμματος ασφάλειας για προκλινική ανάπτυξη διερευνήθηκε εάν και κατά πόσο η παρστατίνη ασκεί κυτταροτοξική επίδραση σε ζωτικά οφθαλμικά κύτταρα. Υλικά και Μέθοδοι: Η χρωματομετρική δοκιμασία ΜΤΤ [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] χρησιμοποιήθηκε για τη σύγκριση της κυτταροτοξικότητας δύο πεπτιδίων παρστατίνης (πλήρους μήκους και περικομμένου) σε ανθρώπινα κύτταρα ΑRPE-19 και σε R-Ret-508 κύτταρα αμφιβληστροειδούς αρουραίου σε καλλιέργεια. Τα πεπτίδια χρησιμοποιήθηκαν για 24, 48 και 72 ώρες σε ένα εύρος συγκεντρώσεων από 0.1 μΜ έως 30 μΜ. Αποτελέσματα: Η πλήρους μήκους παρστατίνη (Ρ 1-41) μείωσε σημαντικά τη μεταβολική δραστηριότητα των κυττάρων ARPE-19 σε συγκεντρώσεις 30 μΜ και 10 μΜ, με περίπου 50% μείωση της βιωσιμότητας μετά από 24 και 72 ώρες θεραπείας, αντίστοιχα. Ουδεμία επίδραση παρατηρήθηκε στη βιωσιμότητα των ARPE-19 κυττάρων μετά από θεραπεία με το περικομμένο πεπτίδιο παρστατίνης (Ρ 24-41) σε οποιαδήποτε από τις ελεγχόμενες συγκεντρώσεις ή χρονικές περιόδους. Η πλήρους μήκους παρστατίνη αποδείχθηκε επίσης ότι μειώνει τη μεταβολική δραστηριότητα των πρωτογενών αμφιβληστροειδικών κυττάρων αρουραίου R-Ret-508 σε συγκεντρώσεις 3 μΜ και 10 μΜ με περίπου 50% βιωσιμότητα μετά από 48 ώρες θεραπείας. Παρόμοια με τα κύτταρα ARPE-19, δεν παρατηρήθηκε επίδραση στη βιωσιμότητα με το περικομμένο πεπτίδιο παρστατίνης. Συμπέρασμα: Η παρστατίνη έχει σαφώς επιβλαβή επίδραση στη βιωσιμότητα των κυττάρων του αμφιβληστροειδούς που φαίνεται να εξαρτάται από το χρόνο και τη δόση. Τα αποτελέσματα αυτής της μελέτης δημιουργούν ερωτηματικά σχετικά με τη χρήση της στον οφθαλμό λόγω των πιθανών τοξικών επιδράσεων.
Topical ozonated virgin coconut oil improves wound healing and increases HSP90α, VEGF-A, EGF, bFGF and CD34 in diabetic ulcer mouse model of wound healing
Authors: Yuniati Renni , Subchan Prasetyowati , Riawan Wibi , Khrisna Matthew Brian , Restiwijaya Maryam , Dyan Kusumaningrum Niken Safitri , Nur Muhammad
Published: May 2021

Background: Diabetes is a disease that affects people worldwide, including in Indonesia. The prevalence of diabetes in Indonesia is increasing from year to year. One of the most devastating complications of diabetes mellitus is diabetic ulcers, which is a limb-threatening complication. Over the past few decades, ozone generated using plasma medical technology has been investigated as an agent that helps wound healing. This study aims to evaluate the effects of topical ozonated virgin coconut oil (VCO) in a diabetic wound mouse model.

Methods: This study was an experimental study with a post-test control design. An ulcer wound model was made in 50 diabetic male Wistar mice, divided into five groups, and a control group of 10 non-diabetic mice. The control groups were given conventional therapy only and the treatment groups were also given topical ozonated VCO with different flow durations (0 min, 90 min, 7 h, 14 h). Macroscopic appearance and wound contraction were observed. HSP90β, VEGF-A, EGF, bFGF and CD34 levels were measured from the immunostained slices of wound margins.

Results: The reduction of wound length was proportionally related to the duration of ozone flow. Ozonated VCO with a longer duration of ozone flow healed the wound more quickly and had the shortest wound length. VCO with ozone flow for 14 hours (16837.10 µm) had the biggest reduction in wound length compared to other groups. The wounds treated with ozonated VCO showed an increase in HSP90β, VEGF-A, EGF, bFGF and CD34 levels that correlated to improved wound healing. A longer period of treatment resulted in higher levels of wound healing biomarkers compared to shorter therapeutic durations.

Conclusions: Topical ozonated VCO improved the wound healing process in a diabetic ulcer mouse model by improving macroscopic wound appearance and increasing levels of wound healing biomarkers.
Validity and reliability of method used to analyse hair cortisol concentration
Authors: Reid Jordan , Parker Katy , Clemens Lydia , Bristow Matt
Published: May 2021

Hair cortisol analysis is a method of analysing the stress hormone cortisol that offers great potential for helping researchers understand the long-term impact of stress and distress on the body. Hair analysis not only provides an excellent method of studying the average production of cortisol over weeks and months, but also the potential to understand cortisol levels several months before the hair was collected. Whilst research with hair samples for cortisol analysis is a fast-developing field, there has been less analysis of the methods used to analyse hair cortisol. We report two studies where the novel hair analysis method developed at the Anglia Ruskin university (ARU) Biomarker Laboratory was tested for reliability and validity. In study 1, 32 participants provided hair samples for an examination of the reproducibility of the hair cortisol analysis method. In study 2, 53 participants provided a hair sample cut from the scalp, and the methanol that the cortisol was extracted into was split between two tubes and assayed at two different laboratories with different methods (ELISA, LC-MS/MS). Overall, the results demonstrate that the methods developed to analyse hair cortisol in the ARU Biomarker Laboratory were both reliable and valid. The discussion considers further avenues for research and optimisation of the methodology.
Stage 1 Registered Report: Testing mediumship accuracy with a triple-blind protocol
Authors: Sinesio Fernando , Liberale Laura , Testoni Ines , Tressoldi Patrizio E.
Published: May 2021

Even if mediumship is a practice that probably originated at the outset of human history and is embedded in many cultural and religious traditions, scientific investigations into mediumship are quite recent. In this study, we aim to investigate if self-defined mediums can retrieve information about specific deceased persons in an unconventional way, that is, without retrieving the information from the parents or friends of the deceased person or by other conventional means. To our knowledge, this is the first registered report related to this phenomenon.

Our experimental design will be triple-blinded: the mediums and their interviewer will only know the first name of the deceased person and of the requesting person. The parents or the close friends of the deceased person will not interact in any way with the medium. Furthermore, they will be blind about which of two lists of information (readings) paired with deceased persons of the same gender is related to their parents or friend. Accuracy of information will be analysed by three criteria: (1) percentage of correct identification of the readings related to the requested person; (2) comparison of the global scores (on a scale 1 to 6) assigned to the intended readings with that of control readings; and (3) comparison of the difference between the percentage of correct minus incorrect information identified in the intended readings with that of the control readings.
Critical qualitative research on ‘madness’: knowledge making and activism among those designated ‘mad’
Authors: Rose Diana
Published: May 2021

This paper charts the background to a project which aimed to map the knowledge being generated across the world by people silenced for centuries – the ‘mad’: a term with derogatory historical resonances but which is now being reclaimed. The idea that those designated ‘mad’ can produce knowledge is novel: ‘mad’ people are imagined as lacking rationality, and incapable of producing knowledge; they are subject to epistemic injustice. Patient engagement in research has grown in the last 20 years but we lack methodological frameworks through which such knowledge can be surfaced. One goal of the project is to let the mad speak their knowledge, often practical knowledge. To do this we had to innovate methodology. Centrally, we refuse the distinction between theory and method for these are constantly intertwined in all research. Thus, what typically comes under ‘Method’ in background papers is infused with implicit conceptualisation. We carried out 48 interviews in North America, England, Australia, New Zealand, and Eastern and Western Europe. We argue all aspects of these interviews are radically different than is usual for exploratory research in this area. Psychiatry is not central here – it is present only when present in the words of our participants; situated in material and symbolic spaces. We also seek to move away from the individualising therapies of medicines and psychological treatment because they strip participants from their situated realities. Psychiatry enters also because of what it doesnot do– engage with the life world of its patients. We call then for ‘recontextualisation’ of madness at all levels. The project was user-led and all researchers had experienced distress and responses to it. Future papers will develop and demonstrate this approach.
The reader of red chronicle between tastes and images. Daily Extra case.
Authors: Liliana Pezo Claudia , Córdova Durán Edmundo , Medina Andrade Laura , Medina Jenny
Published: May 2021

The red chronicle is a genre that is used to name the reports, which, for the most part, present attacks on the life of a human being. The printed media, popularly called “Amarillistas” or “Sensationalists”, have encouraged the growth of this section by the form, background, images and headlines that tell a story. From there, that a group of consumers of this genre has been born and grows - mainly in written media -, specifically the case of the Ecuadorian newspaper Extra- that has a profile according to their sexes, ideologies, ages, tastes, levels of study, occupations and civil status. That target remains faithful and almost loyal to the news that arrives in the newspapers, which are distributed even from dawn so that consumers have that product in their hands and read it. After that, there is a process of internalization and comments on the events between family members or groups. But not only the public or the consumer searches for Extra newspaper, so do the advertisers to show their advertising. This has been modified because the public also evolves. This article is raised and developed in the literature review of other research and is developed under the deductive method, because the object of the general is investigated to the particular, then the synthetic method is applied to qualitatively explain the subject raised.
Technology Licensing and Productivity Growth: Evidence from Manufacturing Firms in Developing Economies
Authors: Adbi Arzi , Liu Xiaojin , Mishra Anant
Published: May 2021

Problem Definition: This study examines whether and how the relationship between technology licensing and productivity growth in the short run is affected by the challenges and constraints inherent in the contexts in which developing economy firms operate. We do so by investigating the moderating role of formal workforce training program in a firm and the corruption level and the infrastructural constraint level in the firm's external environment. Academic/Practical Relevance: Although the adoption of foreign technology by developing economy manufacturing firms is often driven by the goal to strengthen their capabilities in the long run, prior research provides a limited understanding of the performance consequences of technology licensing in the short run, which is an important business reality. Our study serves to address this important gap in research and practice. Methodology: The empirical analyses are conducted using matching and fixed-effects regression on a multi-industry dataset from the World Bank. We analyze detailed firm-level information from over 16,000 manufacturing firms across 25 developing economies in South Asia and East Asia. To strengthen causal inference, our analyses address selection bias and unobserved heterogeneity. Results: Our results indicate that the adoption of foreign technology by developing economy manufacturing firms has a substantial short-run disruptive effect on firm operations with productivity growth declining by 4.5 percentage points in these firms relative to comparable firms that do not use foreign technology licensing. We find that formal workforce training programs attenuate the negative relationship between technology licensing and productivity growth. However, infrastructural constraints in the external business environment amplify this negative relationship. Intriguingly, our results suggest that corruption in the firm's external environment acts as an “efficient grease,” attenuating the negative impact of technology licensing on productivity growth. Managerial Implications: Our results provide compelling evidence regarding the disruptive effects of technology licensing on productivity growth in the short run. Furthermore, these results offer insights for manufacturing firms and policymakers in developing economies on how to mitigate these negative effects.
Expectativas sobre a sobrevivência ao câncer de pacientes internados em unidades de clínica
Authors: Pacheco Kelly De Miranda Gonzaga , Mello Danielle Ramos de , Andrade Priscila Cristina Da Silva Thiengo de , Jomar Rafael Tavares , Vargens Octavio Muniz da Costa , Gallasch Cristiane Helena
Published: May 2021

Objetivo: analisar as expectativas de pacientes internados devido ao diagnóstico de câncer sobre o término do tratamento e a sobrevivência à doença. Método: estudo qualitativo e descritivo realizado com 32 pacientes internados em um hospital universitário. A coleta de dados ocorreu entre abril e junho de 2019 por meio de entrevista semiestruturada e a técnica para tratamento dos dados foi a análise de conteúdo. Resultados: observou-se predomínio de expectativas sobre de autonomia para realizar atividades do cotidiano, relacionando à retomada dos papéis sociais e às mudanças de hábitos após o tratamento. Conclusões: é necessário reconhecer as expectativas do sobrevivente ao câncer para auxiliá-lo em direção ao protagonismo acerca de suas decisões sobre sua vida futura e tratamento, incentivando a autonomia na construção do seu processo de saúde.
Settlement suitability mapping based on the salinity index in the Banda Aceh City
Authors: Rusdi Muhammad , Irham Muhammad , Sugianto Sugianto , Roosli Ruhizal , S Ahamad Mohd Sanusi , Haditiar Yudi
Published: May 2021

The availability of accurate land data is useful in planning, policymaking, regional development, and preserving the environment. Banda Aceh is the center of education and development in Aceh, Indonesia, which is located in the coastal area. The tsunami has had a significant impact on development and settlements in Banda Aceh. Currently, settlements in Banda Aceh rapidly grow also the need for land and water resources. Therefore, mapping the potential for residential land in Banda Aceh is required. This study examines land suitability in Banda Aceh based on the FAO salinity criteria and spatial data analysis by remote sensing methods. Based on the results, it is known that Banda Aceh has land suitable for settlement of around 85% or 2975 hectares. These areas are generally located close to watersheds and receive sufficient freshwater input. Meanwhile, areas far from rivers and close to the coast have brackish salinity. This area is not suitable as a residential area. There are about three sub-districts in Banda Aceh which are not suitable for settlement.Keywords:KrigingRemote sensingSettlementSalinity mappingCoastalBanda Aceh
A problem solved is a problem created: the opportunities and challenges associated with an online domestic violence perpetrator programme
Authors: Bellini Rosanna , Westmarland Nicole
Published: May 2021

Domestic violence perpetrator programmes are a frequently used intervention to respond to perpetrators of domestic violence. However, there is considerable concern about the use of ‘online’, ‘virtual’, or ‘digital’ programmes delivered remotely. Policy and practice have developed at pace through the COVID-19 pandemic and research is lacking. This exploratory research examined the challenges and opportunities associated with a pilot online programme in Minnesota, US, for court mandated men. It took place before the COVID-19 pandemic, making it the first study to investigate a ‘live’ online programme.

A mixed method design was used, consisting of 40 hours of observational data (covering 25 sessions); four interviews with programme facilitators, 12 interviews with programme observers, and six perpetrators enrolled on the programme. We did not investigate the experiences of partners or ex-partners or of partner organisations, which is a limitation.

We found that while the online format solved some long-established issues with programme delivery (for example, providing an intervention for rural communities, a lack of transport, continuity of intervention for those who travel as part of their job), different issues arose in connection to the online programme. These problems included access to necessary broadband speeds, technical hardware and a private place to participate in the sessions.
Minimization of the scintillation index of sinusoidal Gaussian beams in weak turbulence for aerial vehicle-satellite laser communications
Authors: Gerçekcioğlu Hamza , Baykal Yahya
Published: May 2021

Minimization of the on-axis scintillation index of sinusoidal Gaussian beams is investigated by using the modified Rytov method in weak atmospheric turbulence for uplink/downlink of aerial vehicle-satellite laser communications. Among the focused cosh-Gaussian (cosh-G), cos-Gaussian (cos-G), annular, and Gaussian beams, a suitable displacement parameter for a cosh-G beam is determined that will minimize the scintillation index in uplink and downlink configurations. Then, for both uplink and downlink, the variations of the scintillation index against the propagation distance, source size, and zenith angle are examined and compared among themselves to show the optimum beam that possesses the minimum scintillation index. Sinusoidal Gaussian beams that are focused at the receiver and obtained by employing the appropriate displacement parameter, which we name the optimum beams, are recommended to obtain smaller intensity fluctuations in atmospheric wireless optical communication systems operating in vertical links in weak turbulence.
Characterizing detection noise in phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometry
Authors: Lu Xin , Krebber Katerina
Published: May 2021

Phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometry (φOTDR) is an excellent distributed fiber sensing technique and has been applied in various areas. Its noise is however never been comprehensively studied to the best of our knowledge. The different detection noise sources in such a sensing system are thoroughly investigated. The impacts of thermal noise, shot noise and the beat between signal and the amplified spontaneous emission from a pre-amplifier have been theoretically and experimentally demonstrated. Due to the random nature of the φOTDR signal, the detection noise demonstrates distinct features at different fiber positions in a single measurement. The theoretical analysis and the experimental result explicitly affirm most of the fiber sections, and the difference at some positions may be explained by ambient noise.
Scaling rules for high quality soliton self-compression in hollow-core fibers
Authors: Schade Daniel , Köttig Felix , Koehler Johannes R. , Frosz Michael H. , Russell Philip St. J. , Tani Francesco
Published: May 2021

Soliton dynamics can be used to temporally compress laser pulses to few fs durations in many different spectral regions. Here we study analytically, numerically and experimentally the scaling of soliton dynamics in noble gas-filled hollow-core fibers. We identify an optimal parameter region, taking account of higher-order dispersion, photoionization, self-focusing, and modulational instability. Although for single-shots the effects of photoionization can be reduced by using lighter noble gases, they become increasingly important as the repetition rate rises. For the same optical nonlinearity, the higher pressure and longer diffusion times of the lighter gases can considerably enhance the long-term effects of ionization, as a result of pulse-by-pulse buildup of refractive index changes. To illustrate the counter-intuitive nature of these predictions, we compressed 250 fs pulses at 1030 nm in an 80-cm-long hollow-core photonic crystal fiber (core radius 15 µm) to ∼5 fs duration in argon and neon, and found that, although neon performed better at a repetition rate of 1 MHz, stable compression in argon was still possible up to 10 MHz.
High Q-factor with spoof-anapole mode excitation in metamaterials
Authors: Sun Bo , Yu Yingying , Zhu Hongyu , Yang Wenxing
Published: May 2021

In this Letter, numerical and experimental studies for the spoof-anapole effect are presented. Different from the anapole modes, when electric and toroidal dipole intensities are minimized, the spoof-anapole effect can be generated. The spoof-anapole effect can reduce the radiation losses with a high

Q

-factor. The concept is valid in various frequency bands from microwave range for millimeter-sized objects to visible range for nanoparticles. The spoof-anapole modes are first experimentally realized in microwave metamaterials. Almost perfect spoof-anapole behavior is observed, which produces an extremely high

Q

-factor at the resonance frequency. The experimental results agree well with the analytical ones and pave way to excite the non-radiating electromagnetic sources.
Complex amplitude estimation of a monochromatic radio-frequency signal
using frequency downconversion via direct detection of interfered optical
phase-modulation signals
Authors: Chiba Akito , Sunaga Yusuke
Published: May 2021

We propose an estimation scheme for a radio-frequency (RF) signal based
on microwave and millimeter-wave photonics to avoid degradation of
measurement accuracy due to RF devices used in signal detection. In
this scheme, two-parallel optical phase modulation and low-pass
optical direct detection of the interference signal are utilized,
enabling the transfer of complex amplitudes of the RF signal into the
interfered lightwave. A 10 GHz RF signal is successfully evaluated
from the 20 kHz oscillation signal obtained from the direct detection.
This scheme can be applied to signals in the millimeter-wave region
because it does not require wide bandwidth detection and
optical-domain filtering by using a special optical filter.
Hundred-watt-level phosphosilicate Raman fiber laser with less than 1% quantum defect
Authors: Ma Xiaoya , Ye Jun , Zhang Yang , Xu Jiangming , Huang Liangjin , Leng Jinyong , Pan Zhiyong , Zhou Pu
Published: May 2021

Quantum defect (QD)-induced high thermal load in high-power fiber lasers can largely affect the conversion efficiency, pose a threat to the system security, and even prohibit the further power scaling. In this Letter, we investigate evolutions and influences of the reflectivity of the output coupler, the length of phosphosilicate fiber, and the pump bandwidth, and demonstrate a hundred-watt-level low-QD Raman fiber laser (RFL). The RFL enabled by the boson peak of phosphosilicate fiber achieves a maximum power of 100.9 W with a reduced QD down to 0.97%; the corresponding conversion efficiency reaches 69.8%. This Letter may offer not only an alternative scheme for a high-power, high-efficiency fiber laser, but also great potential on the suppression of thermal-induced effects such as thermal mode instability and the thermal lens effect.
Light-induced umbilical defects due to temperature gradients in nematic liquid crystal with a free surface
Authors: Shvetsov S. A. , Zolot’ko A. S. , Voronin G. A. , Emelyanenko A. V. , Avdeev M. M. , Bugakov M. A. , Statsenko P. A. , Trashkeev S. I.
Published: May 2021

We report the light beam action on the nematic liquid crystal film with a free surface. It was found that a weak light absorption by the liquid crystal substrate dramatically changes the orienting properties of the light beam; in particular, a thermal gradient field induces an umbilical defect formation.
In-line holography with hard x-rays at sub-15  nm resolution
Authors: Soltau J. , Vassholz M. , Osterhoff M. , Salditt T.
Published: May 2021

X-ray in-line holography is well suited for three-dimensional imaging, since it covers a large field of view without the necessity of scanning. However, its resolution does not extend to the range covered by coherent diffractive imaging or ptychography. In this work, we show full-field holographic x-ray imaging based on cone-beam illumination, beyond the resolution limit given by the cone-beam numerical aperture. Image information encoded in far-field diffraction and in holographic self-interference is treated in a common reconstruction scheme, without the usual empty beam correction step of in-line holography. An illumination profile tailored by waveguide optics and exactly known by prior probe retrieval is shown to be sufficient for solving the phase problem. The approach paves the way toward high-resolution and dose-efficient x-ray tomography, well suited for the current upgrades of synchrotron radiation sources to diffraction-limited storage rings.
Broadband mid-infrared molecular spectroscopy based on passive coherent optical–optical modulated frequency combs
Authors: Zuo Zhong , Gu Chenglin , Peng Daowang , Zou Xing , Di Yuanfeng , Zhou Lian , Luo Daping , Liu Yang , Li Wenxue
Published: May 2021

Mid-infrared dual-comb spectroscopy is of great interest owing to the strong spectroscopic features of trace gases, biological molecules, and solid matter with higher resolution, accuracy, and acquisition speed. However, the prerequisite of achieving high coherence of optical sources with the use of bulk sophisticated control systems prevents their widespread use in field applications. Here we generate a highly mutually coherent dual mid-infrared comb spectrometer based on the optical–optical modulation of a continuous-wave (CW) interband or quantum cascade laser. Mutual coherence was passively achieved without post-data processes or active carrier envelope phase-locking processes. The center wavelength of the generated mid-infrared frequency combs can be flexibly tuned by adjusting the wavelength of the CW seeds. The parallel detection of multiple molecular species, including

C
2

H
2

,

CH

4

,

H
2

CO
,

H
2

S

, COS, and

H
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, was achieved. This technique provides a stable and robust dual-comb spectrometer that will find nonlaboratory applications including open-path atmospheric gas sensing, industrial process monitoring, and combustion.
Comparative analysis reveals distinctive epigenetic features of the human cerebellum
Authors: Guevara Elaine E. , Hopkins William D. , Hof Patrick R. , Ely John J. , Bradley Brenda J. , Sherwood Chet C.
Published: May 2021

Identifying the molecular underpinnings of the neural specializations that underlie human cognitive and behavioral traits has long been of considerable interest. Much research on human-specific changes in gene expression and epigenetic marks has focused on the prefrontal cortex, a brain structure distinguished by its role in executive functions. The cerebellum shows expansion in great apes and is gaining increasing attention for its role in motor skills and cognitive processing, including language. However, relatively few molecular studies of the cerebellum in a comparative evolutionary context have been conducted. Here, we identify human-specific methylation in the lateral cerebellum relative to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, in a comparative study with chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Specifically, we profiled genome-wide methylation levels in the three species for each of the two brain structures and identified human-specific differentially methylated genomic regions unique to each structure. We further identified which differentially methylated regions (DMRs) overlap likely regulatory elements and determined whether associated genes show corresponding species differences in gene expression. We found greater human-specific methylation in the cerebellum than the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, with differentially methylated regions overlapping genes involved in several conditions or processes relevant to human neurobiology, including synaptic plasticity, lipid metabolism, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, and neurodevelopment, including developmental disorders. Moreover, our results show some overlap with those of previous studies focused on the neocortex, indicating that such results may be common to multiple brain structures. These findings further our understanding of the cerebellum in human brain evolution.
A 20-year historical review of West Nile virus since its initial emergence in North America: Has West Nile virus become a neglected tropical disease?
Authors: Ronca Shannon E. , Ruff Jeanne C. , Murray Kristy O.
Published: May 2021

After the unexpected arrival of West Nile virus (WNV) in the United States in 1999, the mosquito-borne virus quickly spread throughout North America. Over the past 20 years, WNV has become endemic, with sporadic epizootics. Concerns about the economic impact of infection in horses lead to the licensure of an equine vaccine as early as 2005, but few advances regarding human vaccines or treatments have since been made. There is a high level of virus transmission in hot/humid, subtropical climates, and high morbidity that may disproportionately affect vulnerable populations including the homeless, elderly, and those with underlying health conditions. Although WNV continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality at great cost, funding and research have declined in recent years. These factors, combined with neglect by policy makers and amenability of control measures, indicate that WNV has become a neglected tropical disease.
How do employees think the COVID-19 crisis will affect their careers?
Authors: Lippens Louis , Moens Eline , Sterkens Philippe , Weytjens Johannes , Baert Stijn
Published: May 2021

This study is the first in the world to investigate the expected impact of the COVID-19 crisis on career outcomes and career aspirations. To this end, high-quality survey research with a relevant sample of Flemish (Belgian) employees was conducted. About 21% of them fear losing their jobs due to the crisis—14% are concerned that they will even lose their jobs in the near future. In addition, 26% expect to miss out on promotions that they would have received had the COVID-19 crisis not occurred. This fear of a negative impact is higher in vulnerable groups, such migrants. In addition, we observe that many respondents believe they will look at the labour market differently and will have different work-related priorities in the future. In this respect, more than half of the respondents indicate that they have attached more importance to working conditions and work-life balance since the COVID-19 crisis.
Chitosan-olive oil microparticles for phenylethyl isothiocyanate delivery: Optimal formulation
Authors: Coscueta Ezequiel R. , Sousa Ana Sofia , Reis Celso A. , Pintado Manuela
Published: May 2021

Phenylethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a chemopreventive compound, is highly reactive due to its considerably electrophilic nature. Furthermore, it is hydrophobic and has low stability, bioavailability and bioaccessibility. This restricts its use in biomedical and nutraceutical or food applications. Thus, the encapsulation of this agent has the function of overcoming these limitations, promoting its solubility in water, and stabilizing it, preserving its bioactivity. So, polymeric microparticles were developed using chitosan-olive oil-PEITC systems. For this, an optimisation process (factors: olive oil: chitosan ratio and PEITC: chitosan ratio) was implemented through a 3-level factorial experimental design. The responses were: the particle size, zeta-potential, polydisperse index, and entrapment efficiency. The optimal formulation was further characterised by FTIR and biocompatibility in Caco-2 cells. Optimal conditions were olive oil: chitosan and PEITC: chitosan ratios of 1.46 and 0.25, respectively. These microparticles had a size of 629 nm, a zeta-potential of 32.3 mV, a polydispersity index of 0.329, and entrapment efficiency of 98.49%. We found that the inclusion process affected the optical behaviour of the PEITC, as well as the microparticles themselves and their interaction with the medium. Furthermore, the microparticles did not show cytotoxicity within the therapeutic values of PEITC. Thus, PEITC was microencapsulated with characteristics suitable for potential biomedical, nutraceutical and food applications.
Environmental awareness and guests’ intention to visit green hotels: The mediation role of consumption values
Authors: Demir Mustafa , Rjoub Husam , Yesiltas Mehmet
Published: May 2021

The paper aimed at examining the influence of consumer’s environmental awareness on their intention to visit green hotels in north Cyprus, the mediation role of consumption values. Research on eco-friendly hotels stressed that conventional hotels do not make available to consumers the environmental awareness and consumption values, whereas, there is possibility that these benefits might not sit well with the hotel potential consumers. Aside highlighting the features of green hotels, it is imperative to examine how consumers perceive consumption values. A questionnaire-based survey was used to examine the study’s objectives. A total of 400 customers at 20 five-stars hotels that were randomly selected across the 3 big cities in north Cyprus (Girne, Lefkosa, and Magusa) were approached and invited to participate. The structural model was tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). The configuration model was analyzed using the partial least square (PLS) method. The finding from the SEM results shows that environmental concern directly and positively influenced the guests’ intentions to visit hotels in north Cyprus. Moreover, functional and emotional values were found to mediate the relationship between environmental concern and knowledge on the guests’ intention to visit north Cyprus hotels. Finally, the study suggest that the research will be of benefit to the managers of hotels in north Cyprus to know the significance of developing consumer’s green awareness and to market it to the customers.
Metabolic syndrome and cognitive performance across the adult lifespan
Authors: Haase Alasantro Lori , Hicks Tracey H. , Green-Krogmann Erin , Murphy Claire
Published: May 2021

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased rates of mortality and increased risk for developing dementia. Changes in brain structure and cognitive functioning have been reported within the literature. However, research examining cognitive performance in individuals with MetS is limited, inconclusive, and focuses primarily on older cohorts. As such, the effect of MetS on cognitive functioning earlier in the lifespan is unclear. This study aimed to investigate cognitive performance in young, middle-aged, and older adults with multiple metabolic and vascular risk factors in a sample of community dwelling participants (N = 128). Participants were administered a comprehensive neuropsychological battery and self-report measures. As expected, older adults performed more poorly than young and middle-aged adults across most assessments. Relative to controls, individuals with MetS reported greater hunger and disinhibited eating. MetS participants performed more poorly on Color-Word Interference: Inhibition. Additionally, when weight was accounted for, there was a significant relationship between MetS and select executive functioning tasks in middle-aged adults. These findings suggest that aspects of executive functioning may be impaired in MetS and could be further impacted by excess weight in middle-age. Future studies aimed at investigating potential causal relationships between metabolic and vascular risk factors, disinhibited eating, and executive dysfunction may provide insight into effective intervention targets to prevent MetS.
The genetic diversity of human papillomavirus types from the species Gammapapillomavirus 15: HPV135, HPV146, and HPV179
Authors: Hošnjak Lea , Kocjan Boštjan J. , Pirš Branko , Seme Katja , Poljak Mario
Published: May 2021

Objectives

To determine the prevalence, viral load, tissue tropism, and genetic variability of novel human papillomavirus (HPV) type 179, which is etiologically associated with sporadic cases of common warts in immunocompromised patients, and phylogenetically related HPV types 135 and 146.

Methods

The representative collection of 850 HPV-associated clinical samples (oral/nasopharyngeal/anal, archival specimens of oral/oropharyngeal/conjunctival/cervical/skin cancer, benign lesions of the larynx/conjunctiva/skin, and eyebrows), obtained from immunocompetent individuals, was tested for the presence of HPV179, HPV135, and HPV146 using type-specific real-time PCRs. To assess the genetic diversity of the HPVs investigated in the non-coding long control region (LCR), several highly sensitive nested PCR protocols were developed for each HPV type. The genetic diversity of HPV179 was additionally determined in 12 HPV179 isolates from different anatomical sites of an only immunocompromised patient included in the study.

Results

HPV179, HPV135, and HPV146 were detected in 1.4, 2.0, and 1.5% of the samples tested, respectively, with no preference for cutaneous or mucosal epithelial cells. One (with five single nucleotide polymorphisms; SNPs), four (with one to six SNPs), and four (with one to eight SNPs) genetic variants of HPV179, HPV135, and HPV146, respectively, were identified among eligible samples. HPV179 isolates from the immunocompromised patient exhibited the identical LCR nucleotide sequence, suggesting that HPV179 can cause generalized HPV infections.

Conclusions

HPV179, HPV135, and HPV146 have a mucocutaneous tissue tropism and are associated with sporadic infections in immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. Because the majority of mutations were found outside the major functional domains of the respective LCRs, we assume that HPV179, HPV135, and HPV146 genetic variants pathogenically do not differ from their prototypes. In addition, no association was found between specific HPV179, HPV135, and HPV146 genetic variants and anatomical sites of infection and/or specific neoplasms.
Heat and mass transfer on MHD squeezing flow of Jeffrey nanofluid in horizontal channel through permeable medium
Authors: Mat Noor Nur Azlina , Shafie Sharidan , Admon Mohd Ariff
Published: May 2021

The heat and mass transfer on time dependent hydrodynamic squeeze flow of Jeffrey nanofluid across two plates over permeable medium in the slip condition with heat generation/absorption, thermal radiation and chemical reaction are investigated. The impacts of Brownian motion and thermophoresis is examined in the Buongiorno’s nanofluid model. Conversion of the governing partial differential equations to the ordinary differential equations is conducted via similarity transformation. The dimensionless equations are solved by imposing numerical method of Keller-box. The outputs are compared with previous reported works in the journals for the validation of the present outputs and found in proper agreement. The behavior of velocity, temperature, and nanoparticles concentration profiles by varying the pertinent parameters are examined. Findings portray that the acceleration of the velocity profile and the wall shear stress is due to the squeezing of plates. Furthermore, the velocity, temperature and concentration profile decline with boost in Hartmann number and ratio of relaxation to retardation times. It is discovered that the rate of heat transfer and temperature profile increase when viscous dissipation, thermophoresis and heat source/sink rises. In contrast, the increment of thermal radiation reduces the temperature and enhances the heat transfer rate. Besides, the mass transfer rate decelerates for increasing Brownian motion in nanofluid, while it elevates when chemical reaction and thermophoresis increases.