bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of a patient decision aid on treatment choices after anterior cruciate ligament injuries
Authors: Mainz Hanne , Frandsen Lone , Fauno Peter , Lomborg Kirsten , Lind Martin
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The present study aimed to investigate whether exposure to a patient decision aid (PDA) had an impact on the proportion of patients selecting non‐surgical or surgical treatments after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and whether exposure to a PDA affected the proportion of patients switching from non‐surgical to surgical treatment within the first year.

Methods

In a consecutive case series, proportions of surgery and non‐surgery were compared before and after patients’ exposure to a PDA. Data were collected from the health records of patients with ACL injuries who presented to the Clinic of Sports Traumatology. To identify proportional differences between the two groups, t‐tests and proportion tests were used.

Results

In total, 1,053 patients with ACL injuries were included: 563 patients with no exposure to the PDA (January 2015 to January 2017) and 490 patients with exposure to the PDA (January 2017 to January 2019). Before implementing the PDA, 27% of the patients selected non‐surgical treatment. After implementing the PDA, 30% choose non‐surgical treatment (p > 0.05). Before implementing the PDA, 21% of patients who initially chose non‐surgical treatment had surgery within the first year. After implementation of the PDA, this number fell to 16%, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0,05).

Conclusion

Exposure to the PDA did not significantly alter the proportion of ACL injury patients selecting non‐surgical or surgical treatments or the proportion of patients switching to surgery within the first year.
A novel instrument for ligament balancing: a biomechanical study in human cadaveric knees
Authors: Engseth Lars H. W. , Grønsund Jørgen , Aunan Eirik , Brattgjerd Jan Egil , Schulz Anselm , Moatshe Gilbert , Röhrl Stephan M.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Ligament balancing is a prerequisite for good function and survival in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Various balancing techniques exist, but none have shown superior results. The pie‐crusting technique by Bellemans of the medial collateral ligament is commonly utilized; however, it can be difficult to achieve repeatable ligament lengthening with this technique. Therefore, we invented a novel instrument to standardize the pie‐crusting technique of the superficial and deep medial collateral ligament (hereafter MCL). The purpose was to examine if pie‐crusting with the instrument could produce repeatable ligament lengthening.

Methods

The MCL was isolated in 16 human cadaveric knees, and subjected to axial tension. The instrument was composed of a specific grid of holes in rows, used to guide sequential pie‐crusting puncturing of the MCL with a Ø1.6 mm end‐cutting cannula. Ligament lengthening was measured after each row of punctures. Regression analysis was performed on the results.

Results

Mean lengthening ± SD in human cadaveric MCL for puncturing of row 1 in the instrument was 0.06 ± 0.09 mm, 0.06 ± 0.04 mm for row 2, 0.09 ± 0.08 mm for row 3, 0.06 ± 0.05 mm for row 4 and 0.06 ± 0.04 mm for row 5, giving a mean total lengthening of 0.33 ± 0.20 mm. Linear regression revealed that MCLs were repeatably lengthened by 0.07 mm per row when punctured using the instrument.

Conclusions

MCLs showed linear lengthening in human cadavers for subsequent use of the instrument. Our instrument shows promising results for repeatable ligament lengthening.
The Blossom Gang: co-producing research on FGM with second-generation young people in the UK
Authors: Ali Saadye
Published: August 2023

Background

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a practice that involves the removal of external female genitalia and is widely known as a violation of human rights. The custom is illegal in the United Kingdom (UK) and carries a sentence of up to 14 years in prison. This prohibition, along with the secretive nature of the practice, has led to limited research on the awareness of FGM on young people in the UK. Little is known about the process of involving young people in research about the topic.

Methods

This paper is based on the findings of a Ph.D. project that used a community-based participatory research approach (CBPR). The research took a two-stage approach: stage one aimed to recruit nine young people aged 15–18, from the Southwest of England, who attended a 10-day training workshop to prepare them for stage two—data collection with young people aged 13–15. This paper focuses on the 10-day creative, collaborative workshops. The data collected from the collaborative workshops were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Undertaking CBPR enhanced the quality and relevance of this research. Engaging young people as co-researchers was vital for the success of this project. By developing a collaborative learning environment, young people were able to build trusting relationships which flourished beyond the research project. In addition, the creative workshops enabled peer learning about FGM and inspired young people to learn new skills that was useful in their daily lives.

Conclusion

The collaborative environment created in this project enabled an insightful learning experience for young people and researchers alike. Participants and facilitators formed relationships; participants learned new marketable skills and researchers gained new insights about FGM, from a young person’s perspective.
Dual contraceptive use and associated factors among female sex workers in Gulu City, Uganda in 2023
Authors: Bongomin Felix , Pebolo Pebalo Francis , Kibone Winnie , Apio Pamela Okwir , Nsenga Lauryn , Okot Jerom , Madraa Grace , Laker Fiona Gladys , Akello Martha , Ouma Simple , Musoke David
Published: August 2023

Background

Dual contraception is an essential approach to mitigating the heightened risks of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections faced by female sex workers (FSWs). We determined the prevalence and factors associated with dual contraceptive use among FSWs in Northern Uganda.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Gulu city, Uganda between February, and March 2023. Purposively selected FSWs aged 18 years or older who provided verbal informed consent were enrolled in the study. A sample size of 374 was estimated. Data on sociodemographic and reproductive health characteristics were collected using an interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire. Current dual contraception was defined the as concurrent use of a barrier and any other modern contraceptive methods within the last 3 months. Continuous variables were summarized using mean and standard deviation and categorical variables were summarized using frequencies and percentages. Modified Poisson regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with dual contraceptive use.

Results

We enrolled 314 FSWs, with a mean age of 28.8 ± 6.4 years. About 13.8% (n = 41) were living with HIV. In total, 66.2% (95%CI 60.8–71.3) of the participants (n = 208) reported current dual contraceptive use. The most common modern contraceptive method used was the implants (52.4%, n = 109), followed by injectable contraceptives (22.6.0%, n = 47), and bilateral tubal ligation (0.5%, n = 1) was the least utilized. Having had at least one previous pregnancy was positively associated with dual contraceptive use (adjusted PR: 1.87, 95%CI 1.40–2.51, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

A high proportion of FSWs in Gulu city were currently using dual contraceptives. Interventions are needed to facilitate the use of dual contraception, particularly among FSWs without a history of previous pregnancies.
Reliability of intra-atrial ECG method of insertion of central venous line through right internal jugular vein when compared to formula and radiological landmark method: a prospective randomized study
Authors: Kamath Manjunatha R. , Tiku Sakshi , Gopalakrishnan M. , Kiran Amith
Published: August 2023

Background

Ideal position of central venous catheter tip should be within 2 cm above and 1 cm below superior vena cava–right atrium (SVC-RA) junction. The objective of the study was to compare intra-atrial ECG method of Central venous catheterization of right internal jugular vein (IJV) with traditional methods. A prospective randomized trial enrolling 90 patients were alternatively allocated to three groups and comparison of intra-atrial electrocardiography, radiological landmark and Pere’s formula method for correct positioning of central venous catheter tip were done and tip position were confirmed with post-procedural TEE (transesophageal echocardiography).

Results

Catheter tip was present at the ideal position in 100% cases in intra-atrial ECG method compared to only 23.4% in formula method and 93.3% in landmark method (p value 0.001). In intra-atrial method group, the central venous catheter tip was placed perfectly in all patients, position of the catheter tip was not acceptable in 71.4% of the patients where formula method is used and not acceptable in 11.1% when landmark method is used (p value 0.001). However, we did not encounter any catheter related complications in any of these groups.

Conclusions

Intra-atrial ECG method carries the advantage of ideal positioning of the central venous catheter tip by right IJV route in almost all cases when compared to conventional formula and landmark method to some extent. Also, immediate confirmation and real time verification of central venous catheter (CVC) tip is possible, thereby avoids the need for post-procedural chest X-ray and other methods of central venous placement confirmation like arterial blood gas analysis etc., Hence, intra-atrial ECG method is cost effective and safer for confirmation of CVC tip in all the situations.
Evaluation of beta-blocker effects on patients with traumatic brain injury: interventional double-blinded randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mansour Mostafa Saieed , Seidy Nihal Shahat El , Fathey Yasser Ibrahim
Published: August 2023

Background

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability throughout the world. Traumatic injury is one of the most common causes of death in people under the age of 40 worldwide, and one-third of all trauma-related deaths are a result of intracranial insults. We aimed to conduct a randomized controlled trial examining the effect of beta-blockers on outcomes in TBI patients.

Result

Regarding CT brain, 45% of cases in the beta-blocker group and 60% of cases in the control group had abnormal CT findings. Contusion and brain edema were still observed in the beta-blocker group (5% in each), while hemorrhage was still found in 35% of cases in the beta-blocker group and 55% of cases in the control group. Furthermore, a fractured skull was observed in 5% of cases in the beta-blocker group and 20% of cases in the control group. No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding CT brain findings (p-value was > 0.05).

Mortality was 15% in the beta-blocker group and 30% in the control group, while 95% of patients in the beta-blocker group and 90% of patients in the control group had ICU stay ≤ 14 days.

Conclusions

Total hospital stay > 14 days showed a significant rise in the beta control group when compared to the blocker group while no significant differences between them in survival, ICU stay, total hospital stay, and total hospital length of stay for patients stayed ≤ 14. Patients in the beta-blocker group showed no significant differences in overall survival compared to patients in the control group.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05195996.
Evaluating change in a pressured healthcare system: a cross-sectional study of implementation outcomes using routine data indicators and proxies
Authors: Hanbury Andria , Mafirakureva Nyasha , Chicken Nicola , Bailey Liam
Published: August 2023

Background

Implementation evaluation should focus on implementation success, guided by theories and frameworks. With high staff vacancies in the health services, it is important to consider pragmatic methods of data collection for implementation evaluation. This paper presents a cross-sectional rapid evaluation of a handheld medical device designed for remote examinations, piloted in Northern England. By using downloaded device data and administrative records mapped to domains from the implementation outcomes framework, this evaluation offers a pragmatic example of assessing implementation success.

Methods

The pilot design was pragmatic: sites volunteered, decided which services to use the device in, and launched when ready. The pilot and evaluation together lasted 1 year. Data was downloaded from the devices, and administrative records for the pilot accessed. Variables were mapped to five of the implementation outcomes, after reviewing with the device manufacturer and pilot team to assess robustness.

Results

N=352 care episodes were recorded using the device with 223 patients. Out of 19 sites ‘signed up’ to the pilot, 5 launched and delivered 10 of 35 proposed projects: a site and project adoption rate of 26 and 29%, respectively. Six sites signed up to an extension period; three had launched and three had not during the original timelines, indicating some sustainability. Feasibility was high, with only one in seven care episodes needing to be repeated due to poor device quality or error (sound/audio/internet). Fidelity of device usage was low for two of the eight available device examinations. Device and staffing costs were high but potential cost savings were attributable to fewer in-person appointments.

Conclusions

Through using device and administrative data, this evaluation minimised burden on busy healthcare staff yet was still guided by an evaluation framework. Five out of the eight implementation outcomes were measured, including sustainability and costs. The findings give insight into implementation challenges, particularly around adoption. For future research, it is recommended to engage with staff to prioritise outcome measurements and to focus on meaningful interpretation of indicators.
Harnessing disordered photonics via multi-task learning towards intelligent four-dimensional light field sensors
Authors: Zhu Sheng-ke , Zheng Ze-huan , Meng Weijia , Chang Shan-shan , Tan Yingling , Chen Lu-Jian , Fang Xinyuan , Gu Min , Chen Jin-hui
Published: August 2023

The complete description of a continuous-wave light field includes its four fundamental properties: wavelength, polarization, phase and amplitude. However, the simultaneous measurement of a multi-dimensional light field of such four degrees of freedom is challenging in conventional optical systems requiring a cascade of dispersive and polarization elements. In this work, we demonstrate a disordered-photonics-assisted intelligent four-dimensional light field sensor. This is achieved by discovering that the speckle patterns, generated from light scattering in a disordered medium, are intrinsically sensitive to a high-dimension light field given their high structural degrees of freedom. Further, the multi-task-learning deep neural network is leveraged to process the single-shot light-field-encoded speckle images free from any prior knowledge of the complex disordered structures and realizes the high-accuracy recognition of full-Stokes vector, multiple orbital angular momentum (OAM), wavelength and power. The proof-of-concept study shows that the states space of four-dimensional light field spanning as high as 1680=4 (multiple-OAM) $$\times$$
×
2 (OAM power spectra) $$\times$$
×
15 (multiple-wavelength) $$\times$$
×
14 (polarizations) can be well recognized with high accuracy in the chip-integrated sensor. Our work provides a novel paradigm for the design of optical sensors for high-dimension light fields, which can be widely applied in optical communication, holography, and imaging.
Giant cell carcinoma of the lung with hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy as a paraneoplastic syndrome: a case report
Authors: Sobue Akimu , Mizobuchi Teruaki , Ishibashi Fumihiro , Nagato Kaoru , Imabayashi Hiroki , Ishida Yasuo , Sugano Isamu
Published: August 2023

Background

Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy is a rare syndrome characterized by a triad that includes periostitis, digital clubbing, and painful arthropathy of the large joints, especially large joints in the lower limbs with lung cancer. Herein we describe a case of a giant cell carcinoma of the lung with hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy as a paraneoplastic syndrome. The tumor was successfully resected, and complete remission of the syndrome was achieved after surgery.

Case presentation

A 48-year-old man with right fingers and bilateral ankle arthralgias was referred to our hospital. These arthropathies were painful and refractory to the oral administration of several non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; thus, oxycodone hydrochloride hydrate was prescribed. Additionally, the fingers and toes had a clubbed appearance and the tubular bones were shown as double lines on radiographs of both arms and legs, indicating periosteal thickening. A 45-mm mass-like shadow was present on the right upper-to-middle lung field on the chest x-ray, which was confirmed to be a mass in the upper lobe of the right lung on the chest CT scan. An abnormal uptake was observed in the area of the mass on the FDG-PET scan; the standardized uptake value maximum was 11.8. The histologic diagnosis of a bronchoscopic biopsy was an undifferentiated carcinoma, and the clinical diagnosis was non-small cell lung cancer. The clinical stage was c-T2bN0M0 with paraneoplastic syndrome as a hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy. A right upper lobectomy with an S6 partial resection adjacent to the upper lobe of the right lung and an ND2a-2 lymph node dissection was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful. The pathologic diagnosis was a giant cell lung carcinoma, which was classified as p-T3 (52 mm in diameter) N0M0, stageIIB. A gradual decrease in arthritic pain was observed from the first operative day. No anodyne, including oxycodone, was required approximately 2 months after surgery. No tumor or paraneoplastic syndrome recurrence was observed 2 years postoperatively.

Conclusions

Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthritis may occur as a secondary manifestation of lung malignancies. Thus, the paraneoplastic syndrome should be considered in such cases.
Murakami Haruki's Postmemory of the Asia-Pacific War
Authors: Abe Kodai
Published: August 2023

This article shows how Murakami Haruki's novel The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle (1994–95) constructs a historical narrative to overcome the victim/perpetrator dichotomy and demands ethical response from readers. Drawing on Marianne Hirsch's term postmemory, the author analyzes the novel as a postmemory generation's struggle over the question of how postmemory generations of a former perpetrator country would be able to ethically respond to a temporally distanced, shameful, and traumatic past. Murakami's postmemory protagonist archives scattered pieces of the wartime and postwar pasts narrated by directly traumatized others and constructs a historical narrative to critically overcome the victim/perpetrator dichotomy that regulates the discourse surrounding wartime Japan's violent history. By having his nonviolent protagonist assume a violent aspect and turn into a perpetrator, the author argues, Murakami demands an ethical response from contemporary readers, that is, not simply understanding historical violence as a past to be criticized but imagining it as “our” own, ongoing problem.
Rapid Implementation of a 3-Dimensional–Printed Patient-Specific Titanium Sacrum Implant for Severe Neuropathic Spinal Arthropathy and Guide to Compassionate US Regulatory Approval
Authors: Ruiz-Cardozo Miguel A. , Trevino Gabriel , Pando Alejandro , Brehm Samuel , Olufawo Michael , Barot Karma , Carey-Ewend Abigail , Yahanda Alexander T. , Perdomo-Pantoja Alexander , Jauregui Julio J. , Cadieux Magalie , Costa Megan , Coenen Julie , Dorward Ian , Anolik Rachel A. , Sacks Justin M. , Molina Camilo A.
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Rapid design and production of patient-specific 3-dimensional–printed implants (3DPIs) present a novel opportunity to restore the biomechanically demanding integrity of the lumbopelvic junction. We present a unique case of a 61-year-old patient with severe neuropathic spinal arthropathy (Charcot spine) who initially underwent a T4-to-sacrum spinal fusion. Massive bone destruction led to dissociation of his upper body from his pelvis and legs. Reconstruction of the spinopelvic continuity was planned with the aid of a personalized lumbosacral 3DPI.

METHOD:

Using high-resolution computed tomography scans, the custom 3DPI was made using additive titanium manufacturing. The unique 3DPI consisted of (1) a sacral platform with iliac screws, (2) modular corpectomy device with rigid connection to the sacral platform, and (3) anterior plate connection with screws for proximal fixation. The procedures to obtain compassionate use Food and Drug Administration approval were followed. The patient underwent debridement of a chronically open wound before undertaking the 3-stage reconstructive procedure. The custom 3DPI and additional instrumentation were inserted as part of a salvage rebuilding procedure.

RESULTS:

The chronology of the rapid implementation of the personalized sacral 3DPI from decision, design, manufacturing, Food and Drug Administration approval, and surgical execution lasted 28 days. The prosthesis was positioned in the defect according to the expected anatomic planes and secured using a screw–rod system and a vascularized fibular bone strut graft. The prosthesis provided an ideal repair of the lumbosacral junction and pelvic ring by merging spinal pelvic fixation, posterior pelvic ring fixation, and anterior spinal column fixation.

CONCLUSION:

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of a multilevel lumbar, sacral, and sacropelvic neuropathic (Charcot) spine reconstruction using a 3DPI sacral prosthesis. As the prevalence of severe spine deformities continues to increase, adoption of 3DPIs is becoming more relevant to offer personalized treatment for complex deformities.
Alkali Metal Carboxylates: Simple, Efficient, and Industrial Relevant Catalysts for Controlled Polymer Synthesis
Authors: Li Feng , Suzuki Ryota , Gao Tianle , Xia Xiaochao , Isono Takuya , Satoh Toshifumi
Published: August 2023

Polymer materials play a pivotal role in shaping modern society. The continuous development of polymer materials can be largely attributed to innovations in polymerization methods, especially in the development of new catalysts. When pursuing high-performance catalysts, it is crucial to consider their cost and safety for practical applications. Alkali metal carboxylates (AMCs) are widely available simple chemicals, and some of them are used as food additives. In the past few years, our group has demonstrated the ability of such simple compounds to catalyze the ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters, cyclic carbonates, epoxides, and episulfides. Additionally, AMCs have demonstrated their efficacy in facilitating the ring-opening alternating copolymerization of cyclic anhydrides and cyclic ethers, resulting in the production of polyesters in a well-controlled manner. Moreover, AMCs can also catalyze the complicated self-switchable polymerization of a mixture of at least three monomers, yielding block copolymers with well-controlled block components and architectures. This account summarizes these successful examples, offering mechanistic insights and an outlook.
A presença feminina nos conselhos
Authors: Patricia Wright Deborah
Published: August 2023

Mulheres nos mais altos órgãos de controle das empresas podem trazer benefícios em aspectos como ética, diversidade, recursos humanos, sustentabilidade, inovação, estratégia e relacionamento com o consumidor e nos resultados financeiros, mas é preciso aumentar sua participação.
Inteligência artificial: a vanguarda das finanças
Authors: Yoshinaga Claudia Emiko , Castro F. Henrique
Published: August 2023

Como as novas ferramentas tecnológicas estão transformando os investimentos e a gestão financeira das organizações.
Predicting systemic lupus erithematosus disease activity index 2000 (Sledai 2k) score after pulse dose metyl prednisolone in severe systemic lupus erithematosus
Authors: Paramaiswari Ayu , Kertia Nyoman , Intansari Umi , Nugroho Dhite Bayu
Published: August 2023

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multisystem rheumatic disease characterized by developing autoantibodies against nucleus antigen. It has a broad range of clinical symptoms and the potential to affect nearly all organs and tissues. Pulse dosage methylprednisolone (MEP) is the immunosuppression modality for life-threatening or organ-threatening SLE. However, it is challenging to estimate the MEP response rate. We combine clinical symptoms, routine laboratory examinations, and more specific protein examinations such as soluble B-cell activating factor (sBAFF), B-cell activating factor receptor (BAFF-R), and Interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) to develop a formula that can predict the SLE Disease Activity Index 2K (SLEDAI 2K) score following a pulse dosage of methylprednisolone.

Methods: In a prospective cohort study, patients with severe SLE with a SLEDAI 2K score of 12 or Lupus nephritis class III or IV according to WHO criteria were given methylprednisolone 500 mg/day for three consecutive days. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tested blood samples for soluble (s) BAFF, IP 10, and flow cytometry for BAFF-R, CD-19. The SLEDAI 2K score was reevaluated after a pulse dose of methylprednisolone was administered. All statistical analyses were conducted using the Rstudio program.

Results: Overall, 80 patients were included. Multivariate multiple regression analysis revealed that urine protein creatinine ratio (UPCR) (x1), CD19 percentage (x2), serum BAFF (x3), vasculitis (x4), and rash (x5) taken before MEP pulse were predictors for SLEDAI 2k score after pulse dose methylprednisolone in severe SLE with the formula 13.41+ (0.0008542 * x1) + -0.1829338  * x2) + (0.0008776  *  x3) + (7.1801728  * x4) + (7.5429676  * x6).

Conclusions: Formula to predict SLEDAI 2k score after MEP pulse was 13.41+ (0.0008542 * x1) + -0.1829338  * x2) + (0.0008776  *  x3) + (7.1801728  * x4) + (7.5429676  * x6). Further validation is needed to be used in clinical practice.
Fast Then Slow: Choice Revisions Drive a Decline in the Attraction Effect
Authors: Crosetto Paolo , Gaudeul Alexia
Published: August 2023

We explore the nature and robustness of the attraction effect. The attraction effect can be seen as a persistent bias or as the result of heuristics that may not persist upon reflection. We provide robust experimental evidence that the attraction effect first rises and then falls over time when participants are incentivized to make a quick choice they can later revise. Participants in two experiments under continuous time pressure make choices among options with the aim to maximize an objective, measurable value. We find that participants disproportionately favor the asymmetrically dominant option in the first seconds and then revise their choices until the effect disappears or is significantly reduced. The effect survives only in the special and often studied case of indifference among options. We develop a tractable extension to the multiattribute linear ballistic accumulator model to allow for choice revisions. That model explains how choice revisions reduce context effects. We estimate its parameters at the individual level and document differences between fast and slow participants that also play a role in explaining the rise-and-fall pattern in the attraction effect. We extend the analysis to similarity and compromise effects. We find a very small similarity effect, which does not exhibit any dynamics, and a significant reverse compromise effect displaying a rise-and-fall pattern. Our findings, although limited to objective-value tasks, are consistent with context effects being short-term heuristics that can be superseded by more reflective cognitive strategies when decision makers have time and incentive to do so.

This paper was accepted by Manel Baucells, behavioral economics and decision analysis.

Funding: This work was supported by the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique [Grant SAE2 Jeune Chercheur 2017].

Supplemental Material: The data files and online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4874 .
Sustainability Implications of Supply Chain Responsiveness
Authors: Tuna Ali Kaan , Swinney Robert
Published: August 2023

Problem definition: A critical decision made by firms is whether to adopt a responsive supply chain (prioritizing speed) or an efficient supply chain (prioritizing cost). We consider the environmental implications of this choice, distinguishing between responsiveness achieved via three pathways: responsive offshore supply chains increase speed by using expedited production and distribution methods; responsive nearshore supply chains increase speed by reducing the physical distance between source and destination for all production; and hybrid nearshore supply chains produce in multiple locations simultaneously, increasing speed by reducing distance on some portion of production. Methodology/results: Using a model wherein responsiveness increases fixed and marginal costs, decreases leadtimes, and changes the per-unit environmental impact of production and distribution, we identify several results. First, all types of responsiveness can decrease environmental impact relative to an efficient supply chain, showing any form of responsiveness has potential to improve sustainability. Second, despite this, all types of responsiveness can also increase environmental impact relative to an efficient supply chain, particularly if demand variability is high. This is precisely when responsiveness is most profitable to the firm, indicating a tension between firm and environmental preferences. Third, a win-win outcome in which responsiveness both maximizes firm profit and minimizes environmental impact is most likely to occur when demand variability is high and unsatisfied customers substitute with a product that generates high environmental impact. Fourth, the firm may have incentive to choose a supply chain that does not minimize (and may maximize) environmental impact, especially at low-to-moderate demand variability. Managerial implications: While responsive supply chains can improve sustainability, they also generate the potential for misalignment of profit and environmental performance. We discuss the implications of this for firms and for policymakers seeking to encourage firms to use supply chains that generate the least environmental impact.

Supplemental Material: The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2022.0152 .
Optimal Routing to Parallel Servers in Heavy Traffic
Authors: Ye Heng-Qing
Published: August 2023

Routing control is an important component in many engineering and management systems consisting of multiple and possibly heterogeneous servers. Imagine that upon the arrival of each job (or customer), a controller will evaluate the available (dynamic) state information and make a decision to dispatch the job to one of the servers. The state information can be queue length, arrival history, service history, and so on, depending on the nature of the application. How will the controller use the available state information to minimize the average waiting time an arriving job may experiences? In the paper, “Optimal Routing to Parallel Servers in Heavy Traffic,” Ye carries out the heavy traffic analysis to identify the routing policies that best use the available state information. For example, when there is no state information available for routing control, the best “blind” strategy is to dispatch the incoming jobs in a weighted round-robin fashion that exhibits certain form of the square-root rule. Although in the case that the job arrival history is available, the controller should use the information by closely chasing a kind of “arrival deviation,” which can reduce up to 50% of the waiting time compared with the best blind strategy. This study sheds new insights into the value of state information for routing control and provides new tools for engineering and service system design.
A formação do leitor literário no contexto de uma escola pública brasileira: docência, planos de aula e didática
Authors: Silva Neto Antonio Artequilino
Published: August 2023

Neste texto pretendemos apresentar os planos de aula que contemplam modalidades organizativas da didática da leitura literária no bojo do Projeto Educacional denominado “Planeta Leitura” que possui a finalidade de contribuir com a formação de leitores literários (6 a 10 anos). Dessa forma, partiremos da análise do corpus que compreende os planos de aula contidos nos cinco exemplares das Guias de Orientações Didáticas para o professor correspondentes ao Ciclo I ou Anos Iniciais do ensino fundamental (1º ao 5º ano). Assim, almejamos examinar aspectos importantes dos princípios didáticos-pedagógicos que norteiam o Projeto “Planeta Leitura” com o propósito de melhorar a sua própria aplicação e de contribuir para a elaboração de novos planejamentos.
A Ten-Year Follow-Up Case Report on the Treatment of Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea Using a Mandibular Advancement Device
Authors: Barbosa Denise Fernandes , Machado Júnior Almiro José
Published: August 2023

This report describes the challenging case of a 45-year-old male Caucasian patient with morbid obesity and severe obstructive sleep apnea who was followed up for over 10 years by a multidisciplinary team that included sleep and dental medicine professionals, physiotherapists, and nutritionists. The patient underwent seven polysomnographic studies during the follow-up period; furthermore, nocturnal digital monitoring (NDM) was performed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The polysomnographic study revealed that the apnea-hypopnea index of the patient reduced from 131.7 ev/h to 9.4 ev/h without symptoms, while his NDM oxygen desaturation index varied because of weight gain during the COVID-19 pandemic. This case report highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary team in ensuring the success of mandibular advancement device therapy with excellent clinical outcomes. Furthermore, this report suggests that NDM was a good tool for follow-up during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Parental Misperceptions About Infant Sleep as a Moderator Between Co-Sleeping and Infant Sleep
Authors: Roh Yuri , Jang Eunyeong , Barnett Natalie , Suh Sooyeon Aly
Published: August 2023

Objectives: Co-sleeping is defined as caregivers and infants sleeping in the same place or room. The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between co-sleeping, infant sleep, and parental misperceptions about infant sleep.Methods: The participants were 832 English-speaking caregivers. Most of the sample comprised of mothers (70.79%). The infants ages ranged from 6 to 12 months. All participants completed the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire-Revised and Parental Understanding and Misperceptions about BAby’s Sleep-Questionnaire in an online survey. Infant sleep and nighttime parental intervention were recorded using auto-videosomnography. The chi-square, non-parametric covariance analysis, and moderation analysis were conducted to analyze the results.Results: Among the respondents, 771 (92.70%) reported that their infants were in the solitary-sleeping group and 61 (7.30%), in the co-sleeping group. Parental misperceptions about infant sleep were higher in the co-sleeping group (29.67±11.28) than the solitary-sleeping group (23.5±10.79; p<0.001). The co-sleeping group had lower total sleep time (523.51±76.38 min) compared to the solitary-sleeping group (604.91±61.29 min; p<0.001) based on auto-videosomnography. The moderating effect of parental misperceptions about infant sleep in the relationship between parent-reported infant number of awakenings during the night (NWAK) and co-sleeping was significant (B=0.033, p=0.017).Conclusions: Co-sleeping had low prevalence in this study compared to solitary-sleeping. Co-sleeping was associated with higher levels of parental misperception about infant sleep. Additionally, in the case of co-sleeping caregivers, a higher misperception about infant sleep was more strongly associated with parentreported infant NWAK. Parental misperceptions about infant sleep may be an important factor to consider in pediatric sleep.
Asymmetric split-ring plasmonic nanostructures for the optical sensing of Escherichia coli
Authors: Kotsifaki Domna G. , Rajiv Singh Ranjan , Nic Chormaic Síle , Truong Viet Giang
Published: August 2023

Strategies for in-liquid micro-organism detection are crucial for the clinical and pharmaceutical industries. While Raman spectroscopy is a promising label-free technique for micro-organism detection, it remains challenging due to the weak bacterial Raman signals. In this work, we exploit the unique electromagnetic properties of metamaterials to identify bacterial components in liquid using an array of Fano-resonant metamolecules. This Fano-enhanced Raman scattering (FERS) platform is designed to exhibit a Fano resonance close to the protein amide group fingerprint around 6030 nm. Raman signatures of Escherichia coli were recorded at several locations on the metamaterial under off-resonance laser excitation at 530 nm, where the photodamage effect is minimized. As the sizes of the Escherichia coli are comparable to the micro-gaps i.e, 0.41 µm, of the metamaterials, its local immobilisation leads to an increase in the Raman sensitivity. We also observed that the time-dependent FERS signal related to bacterial amide peaks increased during the bacteria’s mid-exponential phase while it decreased during the stationary phase. This work provides a new set of opportunities for developing ultrasensitive FERS platforms suitable for large-scale applications and could be particularly useful for diagnostics and environmental studies at off-resonance excitation.
On-line clearing and staining method for the efficient optical imaging of large volume samples at the cellular resolution
Authors: Zhang Yunfei , Liu Guangcai , Li Xiangning , Gong Hui , Luo Qingming , Yang Xiaoquan
Published: August 2023

Optical microscopy is a powerful tool for exploring the structure and function of organisms. However, the three-dimensional (3D) imaging of large volume samples is time-consuming and difficult. In this manuscript, we described an on-line clearing and staining method for efficient imaging of large volume samples at the cellular resolution. The optimized cocktail can increase staining and imaging depth to reduce the sectioning and scanning time, more than doubling the operational efficiency of the system. Using this method, we demonstrated the rapid acquisition of Aβ plaques in whole mouse brain and obtained a complete set of cytoarchitecture images of an adult porcine hemisphere at 1.625 × 1.625 × 10 µm3 voxel resolution for about 49 hours.
Cost-effective QKD protocol upgrading for metropolitan quantum optical networks
Authors: Guo Mingxuan , Cao Yuan , Zhu Jiali , Zhou Xingyu , Zhang Chunhui , Yu Xiaosong , Zhao Yongli , Zhang Jie , Wang Qin
Published: August 2023

Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a promising technology that can provide future-proof security. With the emergence of multiple advanced QKD protocols, the QKD protocol upgrading for a metropolitan quantum optical network (MQON) is critical for fulfilling the requirements of users for secret keys with a high security level. Conventionally, due to the lack of effective QKD protocol upgrading strategies for MQONs, massive amounts of resources have to be consumed during QKD protocol upgrading, resulting in high costs. In order to reduce the costs for practical implementation of QKD protocol upgrading, in this work, a new policy of QKD protocol upgrading is proposed, where the bypass technique is adopted to decouple multiple protocols from the linking patterns for efficient resource utilization. Moreover, we illustrate a multi-role QKD node structure for enabling the harmonious operation of multiple QKD protocols. A mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model and a novel divided-packet-based QKD protocol upgrading algorithm are designed to save costs by relying on flexible traffic management. We also propose a fixed-chain-based QKD protocol upgrading algorithm with fixed traffic management for achieving low costs. Simulation results indicate that the proposed heuristic algorithms are significantly more cost effective than the associated benchmark algorithms, while the MILP model can reduce the cost of protocol upgrading by 41% compared with the benchmark.
Refractive index SPR sensor with high sensitivity and wide detection range using tapered silica fiber and photopolymer coating
Authors: Liu Zhihai , Ji Xuhao , Qin Yifan , Zhang Yu , Mou Jinhua , Deng Yanyan , Liu Wei , Zhang Yaxun , Yuan Libo
Published: August 2023

This paper introduces a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor using tapered silica fiber and photopolymer coating for enhanced refractive index (RI) detection. Tapering the silica fiber to a diameter of 10 µm ensures the evanescent wave leaks into a 1.8-µm thick photopolymer film, which increases the average waveguide RI and broadens the RI detection range accordingly. A 50-nm thick single-side gold film is coated on the photopolymer film, exciting SPR and causing less light transmission loss than a double-side gold film. The method avoids the complex microfabrication processes of conventional polymer optical fiber SPR sensors, while the waveguide RI can be controlled by altering the curing time of the photopolymer during fabrication. The sensor has an overall sensitivity of 3686.25 nm/RIU, enabling RI detection of 1.333 − 1.493. Moreover, the sensor has an ultrahigh sensitivity of 6422.9 nm/RIU in the RI range of 1.423 − 1.493. The temperature response is about 1.43 nm/°C at 20 − 50 °C, which has little impact on RI detection. Finally, we demonstrate that the sensor can grade the severity of hepatic steatosis by measuring the RIs of cytoplasm/triglyceride emulsions with superior sensing performance.
A new Einstein coefficient method for mesopause–lower thermosphere atmosphere temperature retrieval under a non-local thermal equilibrium situation
Authors: Li Haotian , Feng Yutao , Li FaQuan , Wang Houmao , Hu Xiangrui , He Weiwei , Wu Kuijun
Published: August 2023

The mesopause–lower thermosphere (MLT) region is an important spatial region in the Earth’s atmosphere, making it a valuable area to investigate the temperature variations. Kirchhoff’s law fails with the altitude increase due to the non-local thermal equilibrium effect, resulting in an increase in the error of the method to retrieve the atmospheric temperature in the MLT region using the A-band spectral line intensity. In the non-LTE state, the temperature retrieval method based on the Einstein coefficients is proposed to retrieve atmospheric temperature in the 92–140 km height range using the airglow radiation intensity images obtained from the Michelson Interferometer for global high-resolution thermospheric imaging (MIGHTI) measurements. Results show that the temperature deviation of the two-channel combinations does not exceed 15 K in the altitude range of 92–120 km. This deviation increases up to 45 K when the altitude is in the range of 120–140 km due to the influence of the N2 airglow spectrum. The two-channel combinations self-consistency is increased by 85 K compared with the temperature obtained using the spectral line intensity retrieval. Additionally, the comparison of the retrieval results with the spectral line intensity method and the comparison with the atmospheric chemistry experiment Fourier transform spectrometer (ACE-FTS) temperature measurement data shows that the Einstein coefficient method is significantly more rational and accurate than the spectral line intensity method.
Slow light and photon echoes in the 7F0→5D0 transition of Sm2+ in single-crystal BaFCl
Authors: Riesen Hans , Rebane Aleksander
Published: August 2023

Slow light effects induced by transient spectral hole-burning in the 7F0→5D0 transition of Sm2+ in BaFCl at 688 nm are reported and a probe pulse delay of 1.25 μs was observed through a 5 mm thick crystal. This delay corresponds to a reduction of the group velocity vG of the transmitted light to ∼4000 m/s. An analysis of the dependence of the slow light effect on the probe pulse timing indicates some broadening of the spectral hole caused by relatively fast excitation energy transfer. We also demonstrate two-pulse (2PE) and (three-pulse) stimulated photon echoes (SPE) for the first time for Sm2+ in the solid state and a homogenous linewidth of 16 kHz (∼2.5·10−8 nm) was obtained at 1.8 K. The echoes in the optically dense medium were very efficient and revealed spectral diffusion on the 100-μs time scale possibly due to flipping of the fluorine and chlorine nuclear spins in the environment of the Sm2+ ions. Furthermore, the SPE also indicates relatively fast energy transfer, commensurate with the hole decay.
Adding a second AgGaS2 stage to Ti:sapphire/BBO/AgGaS2 setups increases mid-infrared power twofold
Authors: Harmon Whitney , Robben Kevin , Cheatum Christopher M.
Published: August 2023

We present a method for increasing the power of mid-infrared laser pulses generated by a conventional beta-barium borate (BBO) optical parametric amplifier (OPA) and AgGaS2 difference frequency generation (DFG) pumped by a Ti:sapphire amplifier. The method involves an additional stage of parametric amplification with a second AgGaS2 crystal pumped by selected outputs of the conventional DFG stage. This method does not require additional pump power from the Ti:sapphire laser source and improves the overall photon conversion efficiency for generating mid-infrared light. It merely requires an additional AgGaS2 crystal and dichroic mirrors. Following difference frequency generation, the method reuses near-infrared light (∼1.9 µm), typically discarded, to pump the additional AgGaS2 stage and amplifies the mid-infrared light twofold. We demonstrate and characterize the power, spectrum, duration, and noise of the mid-IR pulses before and after the second AgGaS2 stage. We observe small changes in center frequencies, bandwidth, and pulse duration for ∼150-fs pulses between 4 and 5 µm.
Compact continuous-wave solid-state Raman lasers at 707 and 714 nm for laser trapping and cooling of atomic strontium and radium
Authors: Huang Hsin-Jia , Fang Yu-Han , Chen Chun-Ling , Liang Hsing-Chih , Chen Yung-Fu
Published: August 2023

Two compact laser sources at 707 and 714 nm are realized efficiently by using a diode-pumped a-cut Nd:YVO4 laser with intracavity stimulated Raman scattering and sum-frequency generation (SFG). The fundamental wave at 1342 nm is generated by the 4F3/2 → 4I13/2 transition in Nd:YVO4 crystal. The Raman Stokes waves at 1496 and 1526 nm were obtained by placing the c-axis of the Nd:YVO4 crystal along the Ng and Nm axes of an Np-cut KGW crystal, respectively. LBO crystals with critical phase matching are used to perform the intracavity SFG of fundamental and Stokes waves. At a pump power of 36 W, the maximum output powers at 707 and 714 nm can reach 2.72 and 3.14 W, corresponding to light-to-light conversion efficiencies of 7.5% and 8.7%, respectively. The developed 707 and 714 nm laser sources are practically useful in laser trapping and cooling related to atomic strontium and radium.