bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Micro-transfer printing InP C-band SOAs on advanced silicon photonics platform for lossless MZI switch fabrics and high-speed integrated transmitters
Authors: Zhang Jing , Bogaert Laurens , Krückel Clemens , Soltanian Emadreza , Deng Hong , Haq Bahawal , Rimböck Johanna , Van Kerrebrouck Joris , Lepage Guy , Verheyen Peter , Van Campenhout Joris , Ossieur Peter , Van Thourhout Dries , Morthier Geert , Bogaerts Wim , Roelkens Gunther
Published: October 2023

We present an approach for the heterogeneous integration of InP semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) and lasers on an advanced silicon photonics (SiPh) platform by using micro-transfer-printing (µTP). After the introduction of the µTP concept, the focus of this paper shifts to the demonstration of two C-band III-V/Si photonic integrated circuits (PICs) that are important in data-communication networks: an optical switch and a high-speed optical transmitter. First, a C-band lossless and high-speed Si Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) switch is demonstrated by co-integrating a set of InP SOAs with the Si MZI switch. The micro-transfer-printed SOAs provide 10 dB small-signal gain around 1560 nm with a 3 dB bandwidth of 30 nm. Secondly, an integrated transmitter combining an on-chip widely tunable laser and a doped-Si Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) is demonstrated. The laser has a continuous tuning range over 40 nm and the transmitter is capable of 40 Gbps non-return-to-zero (NRZ) back-to-back transmission at wavelengths ranging from 1539 to 1573 nm. These demonstrations pave the way for the realization of complex and fully integrated photonic systems-on-chip with integrated III-V-on-Si components, and this technique is transferable to other material films and devices that can be released from their native substrate.
Soliton interaction in a MXene-based mode-locked fiber laser
Authors: Yang Huiran , Qi Mengting , Li Xupeng , Xue Ze , Cheng Jiawei , Lu Chenhao , Han Dongdong , Li Lu , Zhang Yusheng , Zhao Feng
Published: October 2023

MXenes are a class of two-dimensional layered structure ternary metal carbide or/and nitride materials. Recently, the MXene V2CTx has demonstrated excellent long-term stability, strong saturable absorption, and fast optical-switching capability, used to generate Q-switched and ultrashort pulsed lasers. However, bound-state fiber lasers based on V2CTx have not been reported yet. In this study, V2CTx is combined with a D-shaped fiber to form a saturable absorber device, whose modulation depth is measured to be 1.6%. By inserting the saturable absorber into an Er-doped fiber laser, bound states with different soliton separation and munbers are successfully obtained. Additionally, bound states with a compound soliton structure, such as the (2 + 2)- and (2 + 1)-type, are also realized. Our findings show that V2CTx can be developed as an efficient ultrafast photonics candidate to further understand the complex nonlinear dynamics of bound-state pulses in fiber lasers.
Background-oriented Schlieren tomography using gated recurrent unit
Authors: Bo Lin , Cai Huajun , Song Yang , Ji Yunjing , Li Zhenhua , He Anzhi
Published: October 2023

Current Background-oriented schlieren tomography (BOST) methods rely primarily on iterative algorithms for reconstruction. Before reconstruction, a weight projection matrix was generated by performing 3D ray tracing using the projection relationship between the cameras, depending on the camera calibration parameters and large weight projection matrix which introduce artifacts and greatly reduce computational efficiency in the reconstruction. Considering that CT reconstruction uses spatial projection sequences from multiple directions, this study draws inspiration from the Recurrent Neural network(RNN) and utilizes spatial correlation between adjacent projection data to propose a background-oriented schlieren reconstruction method based on a gated recurrent unit (GRU) neural network. First, the model architecture is designed and implemented. Subsequently, numerical simulations were conducted using a methane combustion model to evaluate the proposed method, which achieved an average mean relative error (MRE) of 0.23%. Finally, reconstruction experiments were performed on the actual flow-field data above a candle flame, with a reprojection correlation coefficient of 89% and an average reconstruction time of only 1.04 s per frame. The results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms traditional iterative reconstruction methods in terms of reconstruction speed and accuracy. This provides a feasible solution for the real-time reconstruction of three-dimensional instantaneous flow fields.
FSS-inspired transmitarray for dynamic beamforming and gain control
Authors: Yang Jianfeng , Chen Juan , Zhu Fan , Ye Ming , Shi Hongyu , Chen Xiaoming , Xue Wei
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we propose a concept of combining the methodology of phase coding modulation with frequency selective surface (FSS) inspired transmitarray (TA) to achieve the ability of dynamical beamforming and gain control in microwave regime. The TA element composed of five-layer stacked bandpass FSS units separated by small air gaps. Each FSS unit comprises a metallic octagon slot with a pair of varactor diodes loaded along the polarization direction. The elaborately designed feeding network makes it possible to modulate the transmission phase of each element. Different phase coding sequences are performed through changing the bias voltage configurations, then the radiation far field of the proposed TA can be tailored in real time. Dynamic beamforming and gain control under different encoding arrangements are exhibited to demonstrate the physical mechanism of electromagnetic (EM) manipulation with this method. The proposed strategy is verified by numerical simulations and experiment. This work adds new function for TA and can reshape its application prospect, such as reconfigurable beam emitter for multilink data transmission, long range point-to-point (PTP) wireless links and radio frequency energy harvesting.
Sn component gradient GeSn photodetector with 3 dB bandwidth over 50 GHz for extending L band telecommunication
Authors: Cui Jinlai , Zheng Jun , Zhu Yupeng , Liu Xiangquan , Huang Qinxing , Liu Zhi , Zuo Yuhua , Cheng Buwen
Published: October 2023

In this work, high-performance GeSn photodetectors with a Sn content gradient GeSn layer were fabricated on SOI substrate by CMOS-compatible process for C and L band telecommunication. The active GeSn layer has a Sn component increased from 9 to 10.7% with the controlled relaxation degree up to 84%. The responsivities of GeSn detectors at 1550 nm and 1630 nm are 0.47 A/W and 0.32 A/W under –4 V bias, respectively. Over 50 GHz 3 dB bandwidth with the eye pattern about 70 Gb/s was also evidenced at 1630 nm. These results indicate that the GeSn photodetectors have a promising application for extending the silicon photonics from C band to L band.
Rayleigh backscattering-based simultaneous linewidth narrowing of a multi-wavelength DFB laser array with an arbitrary wavelength spacing
Authors: Li Jiali , Luo Jing , Shi Leilei , Wei Da , Jin Liyang , Liu Tao , Zhu Tao
Published: October 2023

Simultaneous linewidth narrowing of a multi-wavelength laser array with an arbitrary wavelength spacing based on Rayleigh backscattering is experimentally demonstrated. Rayleigh backscattering from a single 30 m high numerical aperture fiber (HNAF) is employed to simultaneously narrow the linewidths of a DFB laser array consisting of four distributed feedback (DFB) semiconductor lasers with different wavelengths. Experimental results show that the instantaneous linewidths of the four DFB lasers can be simultaneously narrowed from megahertz to kilohertz no matter whether the wavelength spacing between the lasers is equally spaced or not, verifying the self-adaptivity of Rayleigh backscattering on laser linewidth narrowing. The method demonstrated here is also applicable for on-chip waveguides without wavelength dependence, providing a more compact narrow linewidth laser array for the wavelength-multiplexing division system and other promising applications.
Highly efficient enhancement and extension of focusing ability for ring Pearcey beam by means of dual-region parabolic trajectory offset modulation
Authors: Liu Zihan , Chen Hechong , Yang Yongzheng , Yang Chenfei , Yang Xiangbo , Ouyang Shigen , Guo Jianping , Ouyang Min , Deng Dongmei
Published: October 2023

It is a highly significant area of research to investigate how to effectively enhance the focusing ability of abruptly auto-focusing beams (AAFBs) while extending the focal length. We introduce a dual-region parabolic trajectory offset modulation to auto-focusing ring Pearcey beams (RPBs), presenting a novel, to the best of our knowlege, approach to extend the focal length while greatly enhancing their auto-focusing capabilities. Unlike directly introducing a linear chirp, which inevitably shortens the focal length to enhance the auto-focusing ability and allows only single focusing in the RPBs, our scheme can achieve a multi-focusing effect. Furthermore, we have experimentally generated such a beam, verifying our theoretical predictions. Our findings offer promising possibilities for generating optical bottles, trapping multiple particles periodically, and enhancing free-space optical communication capabilities.
Effectiveness of a telenursing intervention program in reducing exacerbations in patients with chronic respiratory failure receiving noninvasive positive pressure ventilation: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Shimoyama Makoto , Yoshida Shiori , Takahashi Chikako , Inoue Mizue , Sato Naoko , Sato Fumiko
Published: October 2023

Telenursing for patients with chronic respiratory failure receiving noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) is an important aid in reducing exacerbations; however, there is insufficient evidence. This randomized controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of a telenursing intervention program in reducing exacerbations in patients with chronic respiratory failure receiving NPPV at home. We included patients receiving NPPV at home who could handle a tablet device. The intervention group (n = 15) underwent an information and communications technology-based telenursing intervention program in addition to usual care; the control group (n = 16) received the usual care only. The telenursing intervention program comprised telemonitoring and health counseling sessions via videophone. The intervention was evaluated once at enrollment and after 3 months. The primary endpoints were the number of unscheduled outpatient visits, hospitalizations, and hospital days. The secondary endpoints included the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score, Euro QOL 5 Dimension score, Self-Care Agency Questionnaire (SCAQ) score, pulmonary function tests, and 6-min walking distance. We used the Mann–Whitney U test for our analysis. We found no significant differences between the intervention and control groups at enrollment. Then, the differences between the endpoints at baseline and 3 months after enrollment were calculated and used to compare both groups. At follow-up, the number of routine outpatient visits for acute exacerbations (p = .045), the number of hospitalizations (p = .037), the number of hospital days (p = .031), SGRQ (p = .039) score, and SCAQ (p = .034) score were significantly different. The increase in the number of unscheduled outpatient visits in the intervention group during follow-up was attributed to acute exacerbations and a significant decrease in the number of hospitalizations and hospital days. Hence, the telenursing intervention program may be effective in reducing exacerbations in patients with chronic respiratory failure receiving NPPV at home.

Trial registration: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) UMIN000027657.
Development and effects of salutogenesis program for adolescents with moyamoya disease: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yeom Insun , Oh Won-oak
Published: October 2023

Background

Disease-specific interventions for management and health behavior implementation are needed to improve the health and quality of life of adolescents with moyamoya disease.

Objective

This study aimed to develop a program for adolescents with moyamoya disease based on the salutogenesis theory, which focuses on the process of enhancing health through successful adaptation to external stressors, and to evaluate its effectiveness.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial was performed according to the CONSORT guidelines. This preliminary research and experimental treatment were conducted at a Severance Hospital ward and outpatient clinic among 48 participants randomized into the intervention (seven sessions of salutogenesis program, n = 24) or the control group (one session of one-to-one moyamoya disease education program, n = 24) from September 6, 2018 to January 4, 2019. Changes in the following study outcomes were reported: “knowledge of moyamoya disease,” “social support,” “sense of coherence,” “moyamoya disease health behavior,” “stress,” “depression,” “subjective health status,” “frequency of ischemic symptoms,” and “quality of life”.

Results

The salutogenesis program improved the knowledge and social support of adolescents with illness-related problems and helped them attain healthy behaviors and stress reduction. It was confirmed to be effective in improving their quality of life.

Conclusions

The salutogenesis program for adolescents with moyamoya disease effectively improved the generalized resistance resources and sense of coherence in adolescents with moyamoya disease.

Trial registration

Korean Clinical Research Information Service registry, KCT0006869.
Soil nitric and nitrous oxide emissions across a nitrogen fertilization gradient in root crops: A case study of carrot (Daucus carota) production in Mediterranean climate
Authors: Lumor Elided , Zurgil Udi , Gelfand Ilya
Published: October 2023

Insufficient knowledge about soil nitrous and nitric oxide (N2O and NO) emissions from vegetable production limits our ability to constrain their atmospheric budget. Carrots (Daucus carota) are a globally important, heavily managed and irrigated, high-value horticultural crop. Although intensively fertilized carrots may be an important hot-spot source of N2O and NO emissions, we have little information on the response of soil N2O emissions to fertilization and no information on the NO emissions response. To fill this knowledge gap, we conducted a replicated field experiment on mineral soil in the Negev Desert. We grew carrots with drip irrigation, applying five fertilization levels, ranging between 0 and 400 kg N ha−1. During one growth season we estimated responses of the soil N2O and NO emissions, partial crop N balance, and carrot yields to incremental fertilization levels. Carrot yield increased with increasing fertilization from 0 to 100 kg N ha−1and exhibited no further response thereafter. Soil N2O and NO emissions were similar at all fertilization levels and did not differ significantly from those in the unfertilized control. The estimated N budget was negative for all fertilization levels. Carrots incorporated 30–140 kg N ha−1into their belowground biomass and 120–285 kg N ha−1into their aboveground biomass per season.
Computational analysis of control of hepatitis B virus disease through vaccination and treatment strategies
Authors: Butt Azhar Iqbal Kashif , Imran Muhammad , Aslam Javeria , Batool Saira , Batool Saira
Published: October 2023

Hepatitis B disease is an infection caused by a virus that severely damages the liver. The disease can be both acute and chronic. In this article, we design a new nonlinear SVEICHR model to study dynamics of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) disease. The aim is to carry out a comprehensive mathematical and computational analysis by exploiting preventive measures of vaccination and hospitalization for disease control. Mathematical properties of proposed model such as boundedness, positivity, and existence and uniqueness of the solutions are proved. We also determine the disease free and endemic equilibrium points. To analyze dynamics of HBV disease, we compute a biologically important quantity known as the reproduction number R0 by using next generation method. We also investigate the stability at both of the equilibrium points. To control the spread of disease due to HBV, two feasible optimal control strategies with three different cases are presented. For this, optimal control problem is constructed and Pontryagin maximum principle is applied with a goal to put down the disease in the population. At the end, we present and discuss effective solutions obtained through a MATLAB code.
Population-level prevalence of detectable HIV viremia in people who inject drugs (PWID) in Ukraine: Implications for HIV treatment and case finding interventions
Authors: Sazonova Yana , Kulchynska Roksolana , Azarskova Marianna , Liulchuk Mariia , Salyuk Tetiana , Doan Ivan , Barzilay Ezra
Published: October 2023

Achievement of viral load suppression among people living with HIV is one of the most important goals for effective HIV epidemic response. In Ukraine, people who inject drugs (PWID) experience the largest HIV burden. At the same time, this group disproportionally missed out in HIV treatment services. We performed a secondary data analysis of the national-wide cross-sectional bio-behavioral surveillance survey among PWID to assess the population-level prevalence of detectable HIV viremia and identify key characteristics that explain the outcome. Overall, 11.4% of PWID or 52.6% of HIV-positive PWID had a viral load level that exceeded the 1,000 copies/mL threshold. In the group of HIV-positive PWID, the detectable viremia was attributed to younger age, monthly income greater than minimum wage, lower education level, and non-usage of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and opioid agonistic therapy. Compared with HIV-negative PWID, the HIV-positive group with detectable viremia was more likely to be female, represented the middle age group (35–49 years old), had low education and monthly income levels, used opioid drugs, practiced risky injection behavior, and had previous incarceration history. Implementing the HIV case identification and ART linkage interventions focused on the most vulnerable PWID sub-groups might help closing the gaps in ART service coverage and increasing the proportion of HIV-positive PWID with viral load suppression.
Google Search Trends to assess public interest in and concern about Vuity for treating presbyopia
Authors: Wakabayashi Taku , Mansour Hana A. , Abishek Robert M. , Sridhar Jayanth , Cohen Michael N. , Xu David , Deaner Jordan , Yonekawa Yoshihiro , Hsu Jason , Kuriyan Ajay E.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

To assess public awareness, interest, and concerns regarding Vuity (1.25% pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution), an eye drop for the treatment of presbyopia, based on Google Trends.

Methods

We used Google Trends that provides a relative search volume for queried terms, to evaluate searches for Vuity from June 30, 2021, to June 30, 2022, in the United States. The data for this study were downloaded on June 30, 2022. Main outcome measures were changes in relative search volumes for the terms “Vuity,” “Eye drops for reading,” “Eye drops for near vision,” “Presbyopia,” “Pilocarpine,” and related popular search terms, such as “Vuity side effects,” and “Vuity retinal detachment”.

Results

Since the approval of Vuity on October 29, 2021, notable increases in the relative search volumes occurred for Vuity in October 2021, December 2021, and from March to April 2022, which coincided with its approval, availability, and subsequent direct-to-consumer advertising based on positive results of clinical trials. The direct-to-consumer advertising had the greatest impact on the search volume for Vuity. Specific interests included Vuity cost, where to buy it, and its side effects. Retinal detachment was the most highly searched Vuity side effect. Geographic variation was evident, with the relative search volumes highest for “Vuity” in Wyoming, followed by North Dakota.

Conclusion

Google Trends is a useful tool for monitoring increases in public interest in Vuity for presbyopia. Public concerns regarding side effects warrant further real-world investigations of the causal relationship between Vuity and retinal detachment.
Circulating inflammatory cytokines and psoriasis risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Xiao-Qing , Zhou Pei-Lin , Yin Xin-Yu , Wang Ai-Xue , Wang Da-Hu , Yang Yun , Liu Qiang
Published: October 2023

Background

Psoriasis is a systemic immune-mediated chronic inflammatory skin disease; its systemic manifestations and periodic recurrence negatively affect a patient’s quality of life. Inflammatory cytokines are known to have an important role in the onset and progression of psoriasis, however, data on the association between circulating inflammatory cytokines and psoriasis risk is inconclusive. Here, we explore the relevance of circulating proinflammatory factors to the pathogenesis of psoriasis using a meta-analysis.

Objective

To explore the association between circulating levels of inflammatory factors and psoriasis to elucidate the mechanisms underlying psoriasis and improve clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Methods

We systematically retrieved articles published in PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and the Web of Science from the establishment of each database to January 2023. The standard mean difference (SMD) in cytokine levels of individuals with psoriasis and healthy controls was used to check for correlations between circulating inflammatory factor levels and psoriasis.

Results

Fifty-seven studies, with data from 2838 patients, were retrieved and included in the meta-analysis. Eleven inflammatory factors were studied (circulating interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-12, IL-17, IL-18, IL-22, IL-23, IL-35, IL-36, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and gamma-interferon (IFN-γ)). Of these, IL-2 [SMD = 1.29 (95% CI: 0.61–1.97; P <0.001)], IL-17 [SMD = 0.71 (95% CI: 0.12–1.30; P = 0.018)], IL-18 [SMD = 1.27 (95% CI: 0.64–1.90; P <0.001)], and IFN-γ [SMD = 1.90 (95% CI: 1.27–2.52; P <0.001)] levels had significant correlations with psoriasis.

Conclusion

Increased serum concentrations of the circulating inflammatory cytokines IL-2, IL-17, IL-18 and IFN-γ were significantly correlated with psoriasis.
Health-related quality of life and its associated factors in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Jarab Anan S. , Al-Qerem Walid , Alzoubi Karem H. , Abu Heshmeh Shrouq , Mukattash Tareq L. , Naser Abdallah Y. , Al Hamarneh Yazid N.
Published: October 2023

Objective

The present study aimed to evaluate HRQOL and to explore the factors associated with poor HRQOL among patients with COPD.

Methods

In the present cross-sectional study, the validatedSt George’s Respiratory Questionnaire for COPD patients(SGRQ-C) was used to evaluate HRQOL among 702 patients with COPD at two major hospitals in Jordan in the period between January and April 2022. Quantile regression analysis was used to explore the factors associated with HRQOL among the study participants.

Results

According to SGRQ-C, the HRQOL of the study participants was greatly impaired with a total SGRQ of 55.2 (34–67.8). The highest impairment in the HRQOL was in the impact domain with a median of 58.7 (29–76.3). Increased number of prescribed medications (β = 1.157, P<0.01), older age (β = 0.487, P<0.001), male gender (β = 5.364, P<0.01), low education level (β = 9.313, P<0.001), low and moderate average income (β = 6.440, P<0.05, and β = 6.997, P<0.01, respectively) were associated with poorer HRQOL. On the other hand, being married (β = -17.122, P<0.001), living in rural area (β = -6.994, P<0.01), non-use of steroids inhalers (β = -3.859, P<0.05), not receiving long acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) (β = -9.269, P<0.001), not receiving LABA (β = -8.243, P<0.001) and being adherent to the prescribed medications (β = -6.016, P<0.001) were associated with improved HRQOL. Furthermore, lower disease severity (stage A, B, and C) (β = -23.252, -10.389, and -9.696 respectively, P<0.001), and the absence of comorbidities (β = -14.303, P<0.001) were associated with better HRQOL.

Conclusions

In order to maximize HRQOL in patients with COPD, future COPD management interventions should adopt a multidisciplinary approach involving different healthcare providers, which aims to provide patient-centered care, implement personalized interventions, and improve medication adherence, particularly for patients who are elderly, males, have low socioeconomic status, receive multiple medications and have multiple comorbid diseases.
Relationship between evacuation after the Great East Japan Earthquake and new-onset hyperuricemia: A 7-year prospective longitudinal study of the Fukushima Health Management Survey
Authors: Honda Kazuya , Okazaki Kanako , Tanaka Kenichi , Kobari Eri , Kazama Sakumi , Hashimoto Shigeatsu , Ohira Tetsuya , Sakai Akira , Yasumura Seiji , Maeda Masaharu , Yabe Hirooki , Hosoya Mitsuaki , Takahashi Atsushi , Harigane Mayumi , Nakano Hironori , Hayashi Fumikazu , Nagao Masanori , Shimabukuro Michio , Ohto Hitoshi , Kamiya Kenji , Kazama Junichiro J.
Published: October 2023

Introduction

On March 11, 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred in Japan, with a nuclear accident subsequently occurring at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The disaster forced many evacuees to change particular aspects of their lifestyles. However, the effect of evacuation on the new-onset of hyperuricemia have not been sufficiently elucidated. This study assessed the association between evacuation and new-onset hyperuricemia after the earthquake based on the Fukushima Health Management Survey from a lifestyle and socio-psychological perspective.

Materials and methods

This is a 7-year prospective longitudinal study included 18,140 residents (6,961 men and 11,179 women) with non-hyperuricemia who underwent both the Comprehensive Health Check and the Mental Health and Lifestyle Survey in fiscal year 2011. Associations between new-onset hyperuricemia and lifestyle- and disaster-related factors, including evacuation, were estimated using a Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis. Hyperuricemia was defined as uric acid levels > 7.0 mg/dL for men and > 6.0 mg/dL for women.

Results

During a median follow-up of 4.3 years, 2,996 participants (1,608 men, 23.1%, 1,388 women, 12.4%) newly developed hyperuricemia. Significant associations were observed between evacuation and onset of hyperuricemia in women (adjusted hazard ratio 1.18, 95% confidence interval, 1.05–1.32, p = 0.007), but not in men (adjusted hazard ratio 1.11, 95% confidence interval, 0.99–1.24, p = 0.067).

Discussion

Evacuation after a natural disaster is an independent risk factor for the new-onset of hyperuricemia in women. The possibility of hyperuricemia developing in response to natural disasters should be considered.
Para-perirenal fat thickness is associated with reduced glomerular filtration rate regardless of other obesity-related indicators in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Xu Sunan , Ma Junqing , Zheng Yongze , Ren Ruichen , Li Wenting , Zhao Wei , Ma Yu , Zhou Tao , Zhang Yang
Published: October 2023

Purpose

To investigate the relationship between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and para-perirenal fat thickness in comparison with other indices of adiposity in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

This single-center, retrospective and cross-sectional study evaluated 337 patients with T2DM. The obesity-related indicators including height, weight, body surface area (BSA), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), para-perirenal fat thickness (PRFT), total abdominal fat (TAF), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT). eGFR was calculated by CKD-EPI equation. The correlation between eGFR and obesity-related indicators was performed by pearson or spearman correlation analysis and multivariate linear regression.

Results

337 subjects (mean age, 60.2 ± 11.6 years; 195 males, 57.9%) were evaluated. eGFR was negatively correlated with height, weight, BMI, PRFT, TAF, SAT, and VAT, among which the correlation between eGFR and PRFT was the strongest (r = -0.294, p< 0.001). eGFR remained the strongest correlation with PRFT in the subgroup separated by sex (r = -0.319 in the male subgroup, and -0.432 in the female subgroup, respectively, p < 0.001). Age and PRFT were the independent predictive factors for eGFR. PRFT was the best predictor of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in T2DM (AUC = 0.686, p = 0.001, 95% CI: 0.582–0.791). CKD in T2DM can be predicted well by linking age with PRFT (AUC = 0.708, p<0.001, 95% CI = 0.605–0.812).

Conclusions

PRFT is more closely related to glomerular filtration rate than other obesity-related indicators in T2DM. The model combining age with PRFT could predict CKD in T2DM well.
Nursing students’ perceived anxiety and heart rate variability in mock skill competency assessment
Authors: Wong Cho Lee , Chien Wai Tong , Waye Mary Miu Yee , Szeto Mark Wun Chung , Li Huiyuan
Published: October 2023

Background

Skill competency assessments induce stress and anxiety and may affect nursing student performance. Little is known about stress and perceived anxiety levels and their relationship in the mock skill competency assessment.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the stress levels (as assessed by heart rate variability, HRV) and perceived anxiety before, during and after the mock skill competency assessment, and to explore their relationships to performance in a total of ninety first-year undergraduate nursing students.

Results

The HRV decreased significantly during the assessment and increased significantly 10 min after the assessment (p < 0.01). Higher performers showed significantly lower HRV during and after the assessment (p < 0.01). The assessment score was negatively correlated with HRV during and after the assessment (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Considering assessment-related stress and anxiety through a mock assessment prior to the actual skill assessment provides implications for future nursing education.
Effective coverage of newborn postnatal care in Ethiopia: Measuring inequality and spatial distribution of quality-adjusted coverage
Authors: Gebremedhin Aster Ferede , Dawson Angela , Hayen Andrew
Published: October 2023

Neonatal health is a significant global public health concern, and the first two days of life are crucial for newborn survival. Most studies on newborn postnatal care have focused on crude coverage measures, which limit the evaluation of care quality. However, evidence suggests a shift towards emphasising effective coverage, which incorporates the quality of care when measuring intervention coverage. This research aimed to assess the effective coverage of newborn postnatal care in Ethiopia while also examining its inequalities and spatial distribution. The study used secondary data from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey, which was a cross-sectional community-based study. A total weighted sample of 4169 women was used for analyses. We calculated crude coverage, which is the proportion who received a postnatal check within 48 hours of birth and quality-adjusted coverage (effective coverage), which is the proportion who received a postnatal check within 48 hours of birth and reported receipt of 6 or more contents of care provided by health care providers. Concentration index and concentration curves were used to estimate the socioeconomic-related inequalities in quality-adjusted newborn postnatal care. The spatial statistic was analysed by using Arc-GIS. The crude coverage of newborn postnatal care was found to be 13.2%, while the effective coverage was 9%. High-quality postnatal care was disproportionately concentrated among the rich. A spatial variation was found in quality-adjusted coverage of newborn postnatal care across regions. The findings suggest that there is a significant gap in the coverage and quality of postnatal care for newborns across regions in Ethiopia. The low rates of coverage and effective coverage, combined with the concentration of high-quality care among the rich and the spatial variation across regions, highlight the need for targeted interventions and policies to address the inequalities in access to high-quality postnatal care for newborns.
Mental illness and help-seeking behaviours among Middle Eastern cultures: A systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative data
Authors: Elshamy Farah , Hamadeh Ayah , Billings Jo , Alyafei Aisha
Published: October 2023

Background

Western literature has long explored help-seeking behaviours related to mental health issues. However, this has been relatively neglected in the Middle East despite an increase in mental health needs in the region. The purpose of this review was to conduct a systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis exploring help-seeking behaviours related to mental health issues in the Middle East.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-synthesis to gain a comprehensive overview of what is known about mental health and help-seeking behaviours in the Middle East from published qualitative research in the Middle Eastern region. A search of electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO and QScience) was carried out from inception to July 2022. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool, and the review protocol was pre-registered with PROSPERO (Ref: CRD42022311494).

Results

We identified 16 qualitative studies exploring mental health-seeking behaviours in Middle East countries. Facilitators and barriers to help-seeking were captured under six overarching themes. Across all studies, we identified negative attitudes towards seeking help for mental health issues, economic and structural barriers to accessing mental healthcare, and misconceptions surrounding religious beliefs, all of which had a critical role in impacting decisions to seek mental healthcare services. Many sought help from alternative sources, such as traditional healers or family members before consulting a healthcare professional. The role of the family and cultural norms was also identified as key contributors to people’s help-seeking behaviours.

Conclusions

This meta-synthesis indicates the existence of many challenges surrounding mental health-seeking in the Middle East, including public and internalizing stigmas. This suggests an urgent need for an increase in psychoeducation and mental health awareness in the region.
Endoscopic Internal Drainage Achieving Successful Closure of Iatrogenic Pharyngoesophageal Fistula
Authors: Rimawi Ahmad , Al-Turk Yahia , Swied Abdul Monem
Published: October 2023

Endoscopic internal drainage (EID) is a minimally invasive endoscopic technique that effectively closes upper gastrointestinal fistulas. We report the successful closure of an oropharyngeal fistula in a 78-year-old man with a history of supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma. He presented with inspiratory stridor after biopsy of a lateral wall lesion in the piriformis sinus. Imaging showed a fistula tract between the piriformis sinus and the esophagus. EID was performed using a double-pigtail stent inserted inside the fistula. Eventually, repeat imaging showed evidence of fistula closure. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of using EID for repairing an oropharyngeal fistula.
A Unique Management Strategy for Migrated Biliary Stent Causing Duodenal Perforation
Authors: Walradt Trent , Ryou Marvin , Shah Raj
Published: October 2023

Distal stent migration leading to duodenal perforation is an uncommon complication of endoscopic biliary plastic stent placement. We present a case in which a patient with a migrated biliary plastic stent that perforated through the duodenum was managed expectantly until a duodenocolic fistula formed prior to endoscopic removal.
Instructors’ perspectives of TPACK in a vocational training classroom in Namibia
Authors: Nepembe Victoria , Simuja Clement
Published: October 2023

Over time, vocational education has undergone a paradigm shift due to the integration of technology into teaching and learning. This change renders it necessary for vocational training instructors to have technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) for effective technology adoption and integration into teaching and student learning. However, developing competence in the intersection of technology, pedagogy and content remains a challenge for many lecturers entering vocational education. Instructors’ decisions to integrate technology depend on their perceptions of TPACK, which can influence their approach to integrating technology into teaching. This study is part of a longitudinal study that has been examining instructors’ development of TPACK in vocational education in Namibia. Using a qualitative approach and the TPACK framework, data were collected through questionnaires and focus-group interviews. The data were analysed thematically using Nvivo software. The findings reveal that instructors’ teaching experience expands their knowledge beyond technology integration, leading to a new understanding of TPACK constructs. In addition, the study shows that their disposition towards TPACK shifts with access to teaching technologies and that students’ learning needs inform Instructors’ TPACK. The study offers insights into the ways in which vocational education instructors integrate their teaching experience with technologies and relate that to the TPACK framework constructs.
Pathways of Early Childhood Development practitioners into higher education: A capabilities approach
Authors: Aploon-Zokufa Kaylianne , Needham Seamus
Published: October 2023

The creation of professional learning pathways in the field of early childhood development (ECD) is currently a key policy priority in South Africa, especially as research has indicated the critical need that exists for investment in ECD practitioners to resolve previous educational inequalities and poor throughput rates in formal schooling. The option of recognition of prior learning (RPL) often provides the only route into post-school studies for educators in this historically marginalised sector to enable them to pursue formal qualifications. The barriers faced by mature females, who constitute a large proportion of ECD practitioners, include mismatches between occupational and discipline-based qualifications and a lack of understanding of the non-traditional routes into higher education. This article reports on an investigation into the experiences of a sample of mature women who attempted to access higher education with non-traditional qualifications. Using the lens of capabilities theory, we demonstrate the significant efforts made by these ECD practitioners to achieve their goals of personal and economic freedom by accessing further training and higher education through RPL. The article concludes with a discussion on implementing effective RPL for transitions in post-school education and training.
Analisis Sosial terhadap Program KPR Rumah Bersubsidi Perumahan Pesona Estetika Cikembulan di Kabupaten Pangandaran
Authors: Sugiyantoro Yayan , Sulardjaka Sulardjaka , Buchori Luqman
Published: October 2023

Abstrak Backlog rumah di Indonesia masih sangat tinggi. Berdasarkan data sensus BPS pada tahun 2015 backlog perumahan di Indonesia untuk tahun 2015 adalah 11.459.875 unit. Hal ini berkaitan dengan kemampuan untuk memiliki rumah, khususnya masyarakat yang berpenghasilan rendah (MBR). Pemerintah meluncurkan program kepemilikan rumah bersubsidi dengan menggandeng perbankan dan developer yang terdaftar sebagai penyedia unit rumah yang dijual ke konsumen. Peneliti ingin melihat sejauh mana respon masyarakat terhadap program KPR Rumah Bersubsidi berdasarkan pengalaman peneliti sebagai pelaku pembangunan (developer) dengan mengambil studi kasus di salah satu perumahan bersubsidi yang peneliti kembangkan yaitu Perumahan Pesona Estetika Cikembulan di Kabupaten Pangandaran, Jawa Barat-Indonesia. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian, program KPR rumah subsidi ini mendapat respon yang sangat tinggi dari masyarakat, terbukti melalui penelitian yang dilakukan oleh Peneliti berdasarkan data penjualan dari perumahan bersubsidi yang dibangun pada tahun 2016, total sebanyak 51 unit rumah subsidi laku terjual dan diserah-terimakan ke konsumen hanya dalam jangka waktu kurang dari 1 tahun sejak dipasarkan. Hal ini tentu menjadi capaian yang positif bagi pemerintah karena menurunkan angka backlog perumahan. Pada pelaksanaannya di lapangan, mayoritas calon konsumen tidak hanya kalangan MBR ingin membeli rumah dengan skema subsidi, sehingga hal tersebut berpotensi terjadi manipulasi-manipulasi. Diperlukan komitmen yang tinggi dari semua stakeholder; pemerintah sebagai pembuat program untuk menerapkan aturan dan pengawasan, perbankan sebagai penyedia jasa keuangan tidak hanya capaiannya target KPR, dan tentunya yang paling penting adalah komitmen developer untuk menyaring calon konsumen yang benar-benar berkategori MBR untuk dapat membeli rumah subsidi sehingga program ini dapat berhasil dan tepat sasaran. Kata kunci: backlog; kpr subsidi; masyarakat berpenghasilan rendah; respon masyarakat; rumah subsidi
Continuous differentiability of a weak solution to very singular elliptic equations involving anisotropic diffusivity
Authors: Tsubouchi Shuntaro
Published: October 2023

In this paper we consider a very singular elliptic equation that involves an anisotropic diffusion operator, including the one-Laplacian, and is perturbed by a p-Laplacian-type diffusion operator with

1
<
p
<
∞

{1<p<\infty}

. This equation seems analytically difficult to handle near a facet, the place where the gradient vanishes. Our main purpose is to prove that weak solutions are continuously differentiable even across the facet. Here it is of interest to know whether a gradient is continuous when it is truncated near a facet. To answer this affirmatively, we consider an approximation problem, and use standard methods including De Giorgi’s truncation and freezing coefficient methods.
Global sharp gradient estimates for a nonlinear parabolic equation on Riemannian manifolds
Authors: Chuan Le Huy , Dung Nguyen Thac , Manh Nguyen Tien
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we employ the techniques in
[C. Cavaterra, S. Dipierro, Z. Gao and E. Valdinoci,
Global gradient estimates for a general type of nonlinear parabolic equations,
J. Geom. Anal. 32 2022, 2, Paper No. 65]
and the approach in
[H. T. Dung and N. T. Dung,
Sharp gradient estimates for a heat equation in Riemannian manifolds,
Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 147 2019, 12, 5329–5338]
to derive sharp gradient estimates for a positive solution to the heat equation

u
t

=

Δ
⁢
u

+

a
⁢
u
⁢

log
⁡
u

u_{t}=\Delta u+au\log u

in a complete noncompact Riemannian manifold (where a is a real constant). This is an extension of the gradient estimates of Dung and Dung.
Biomechanical comparison of three fixation strategies for radial head fractures: a biomechanical study
Authors: Tsai Yao-Tung , Lin Kun-Jhih , Lin Jui-Cheng
Published: October 2023

Second-generation headless compression screws (HCSs) are commonly used for the fixation of small bones and articular fractures. However, there is a lack of biomechanical data regarding the application of such screws to radial head fractures. This study evaluated the mechanical properties of the fixation of radial head fractures using a single oblique HCS compared with those obtained using a standard locking radial head plate (LRHP) construct and a double cortical screw (DCS) construct. Radial synbone models were used for biomechanical tests of HCS, LRHP, and DCS constructs. All specimens were first cyclically loaded and then loaded to failure. The stiffness for the LRHP group was significantly higher than that for the other two groups, and that for the HCS group was significantly higher than that for the DCS group. The LRHP group had the greatest strength, followed by the HCS group and then the DCS group. The HCS construct demonstrated greater fixation strength than that of the commonly used cortical screws, although the plate group was the most stable. The present study revealed the feasibility of using a single oblique HCS, which has the advantages of being buried, requiring limited wound exposure, and having relatively easy operation, for treating simple radial head fractures.
Pediatric reference intervals for serum neurofilament light and glial fibrillary acidic protein using the Canadian Laboratory Initiative on Pediatric Reference Intervals (CALIPER) cohort
Authors: Stukas Sophie , Cooper Jennifer , Higgins Victoria , Holmes Daniel , Adeli Khosrow , Wellington Cheryl L.
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Blood biomarkers have the potential to transform diagnosis and prognosis for multiple neurological indications. Establishing normative data is a critical benchmark in the analytical validation process. Normative data are important in children as little is known about how brain development may impact potential biomarkers. The objective of this study is to generate pediatric reference intervals (RIs) for serum neurofilament light (NfL), an axonal marker, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), an astrocytic marker.

Methods

Serum from healthy children and adolescents aged 1 to <19 years were obtained from the Canadian Laboratory Initiative on Pediatric Reference Intervals (CALIPER) cohort. Serum NfL (n=300) and GFAP (n=316) were quantified using Simoa technology, and discrete RI (2.5th and 97.5th percentiles) and continuous RI (5th and 95th percentiles) were generated.

Results

While there was no association with sex, there was a statistically significant (p<0.0001) negative association between age and serum NfL (Rho −0.400) and GFAP (Rho −0.749). Two statistically significant age partitions were generated for NfL: age 1 to <10 years (lower, upper limit; 3.13, 20.6 pg/mL) and 10 to <19 years (1.82, 7.44 pg/mL). For GFAP, three statistically significant age partitions were generated: age 1 to <3.5 years (80.4, 601 pg/mL); 3.5 to <11 years (50.7, 224 pg/mL); and 11 to <19 years (26.2, 119 pg/mL).

Conclusions

Taken together with the literature on adults, NfL and GFAP display U-shaped curves with high levels in infants, decreasing levels during childhood, a plateau during adolescence and early adulthood and increasing levels in seniors. These normative data are expected to inform future pediatric studies on the importance of age on neurological blood biomarkers.
The p-Bohr radius for vector-valued holomorphic and pluriharmonic functions
Authors: Das Nilanjan
Published: October 2023

We study a “p-powered” version

K
n
p

⁢

(

F
⁢

(
R
)

)

{K_{n}^{p}(F(R))}

of the well-known Bohr radius problem for the family

F
⁢

(
R
)

{F(R)}

of holomorphic functions

f
:

R
→
X

{f:R\to X}

satisfying

∥
f
∥

<
∞

{\lVert f\rVert<\infty}

, where

∥
⋅
∥

{\lVert\,\cdot\,\rVert}

is a norm in the function space

F
⁢

(
R
)

{F(R)}

,

R
⊂

ℂ
n

{R\subset{\mathbb{C}}^{n}}

is a complete Reinhardt domain, and X is a complex Banach space. For all

p
>
0

{p>0}

, we describe in full detail the asymptotic behavior of

K
n
p

⁢

(

F
⁢

(
R
)

)

{K_{n}^{p}(F(R))}

, where

F
⁢

(
R
)

{F(R)}

is: (a) the Hardy space of X-valued holomorphic functions defined in the open unit polydisk

𝔻
n

{{\mathbb{D}}^{n}}

; and (b) the space of bounded X-valued holomorphic or complex-valued pluriharmonic functions defined in the open unit ball

B
⁢

(

l
t
n

)

{B(l_{t}^{n})}

of the Minkowski space

l
t
n

{l_{t}^{n}}

. We give an alternative definition of the optimal cotype for a complex Banach space X in the light of these results.
In addition, the best possible versions of two theorems from
[C. Bénéteau, A. Dahlner and D. Khavinson,
Remarks on the Bohr phenomenon,
Comput. Methods Funct. Theory 4 2004, 1, 1–19]
and
[S. Chen and H. Hamada,
Some sharp Schwarz–Pick type estimates and their applications of harmonic and pluriharmonic functions,
J. Funct. Anal. 282 2022, 1, Paper No. 109254]
have been obtained as specific instances of our results.