bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cellular direct conversion by cell penetrable OCT4-30Kc19 protein and BMP4 growth factor
Authors: Kim Seung Hyun L. , Cho Sungwoo , Kim Seoyeon , Kwon Janet , Lee Jaeyoung , Koh Rachel H. , Park Ju Hyun , Lee Hwajin , Park Tai Hyun , Hwang Nathaniel S.
Published: July 2022

Background

The number of patients suffering from osteoporosis is increasing as the elderly population increases. The demand for investigating bone regeneration strategies naturally arises. One of the approaches to induce bone regeneration is somatic cell transdifferentiation. Among the transcriptional regulators for transdifferentiation, octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) is famous for its role in the regulation of pluripotency of stem cells. Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) is another factor that is known to have a significant role in osteogenic differentiation. Previous studies have achieved transdifferentiation of cells into osteoblasts using viral and plasmid deliveries of these factors. Although these methods are efficient, viral and plasmid transfection have safety issues such as permanent gene incorporations and bacterial DNA insertions. Herein, we developed a cell penetrating protein-based strategy to induce transdifferentiation of endothelial cells into osteoblasts via nuclear delivery of OCT4 recombinant protein combined with the BMP4 treatment. For the nuclear delivery of OCT4 protein, we fused the protein with 30Kc19, a cell-penetrating and protein stabilizing protein derived from a silkworm hemolymph of Bombyx mori with low cytotoxic properties. This study proposes a promising cell-based therapy without any safety issues that existing transdifferentiation approaches had.

Methods

OCT4-30Kc19 protein with high penetrating activities and stability was synthesized for a protein-based osteogenic transdifferentiation system. Cells were treated with OCT4-30Kc19 and BMP4 to evaluate their cellular penetrating activity, cytotoxicity, osteogenic and angiogenic potentials in vitro. The osteogenic potential of 3D cell spheroids was also analyzed. In addition, in vivo cell delivery into subcutaneous tissue and cranial defect model was performed.

Results

OCT4-30Kc19 protein was produced in a soluble and stable form. OCT4-30Kc19 efficiently penetrated cells and were localized in intracellular compartments and the nucleus. Cells delivered with OCT4-30Kc19 protein combined with BMP4 showed increased osteogenesis, both in 2D and 3D culture, and showed increased angiogenesis capacity in vitro. Results from in vivo subcutaneous tissue delivery of cell-seeded scaffolds confirmed enhanced osteogenic properties of transdifferentiated HUVECs via treatment with both OCT4-30Kc19 and BMP4. In addition, in vivo mouse cranial defect experiment demonstrated successful bone regeneration of HUVECs pretreated with both OCT4-30Kc19 and BMP4.

Conclusions

Using a protein-based transdifferentiation method allows an alternative approach without utilizing any genetic modification strategies, thus providing a possibility for safer use of cell-based therapies in clinical applications.
The impact of extreme weather on student online learning participation
Authors: Lagmay Ezekiel Adriel D. , Rodrigo Maria Mercedes T.
Published: July 2022

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced over 1 billion learners to shift from face-to-face instruction to online learning. Seven months after it began, this transition became even more challenging for Filipino online learners. Eight typhoons struck the Philippines from October to November 2020. Two of these typhoons caused widespread flooding, utilities interruptions, property destruction, and loss of life. We examine how these severe weather conditions affected online learning participation of Filipino students pursuing their undergraduate and graduate studies. We used CausalImpact analysis to explore September 2020 to January 2021 data collected from the Moodle Learning Management System data of one university in the Philippines. We found that overall student online participation was significantly negatively affected by typhoons. However, the effect on participation in Assignments and Quizzes was not significant. These findings suggested that students continued to participate in activities that have a direct bearing on their final grades, rather than activities that had no impact on their course outcomes.
Improving depression and perceived social support enhances overall quality of life among myocardial infarction survivors: necessity for integrating mental health care into cardiac rehabilitation programs
Authors: Upadhyay Vivek , Bhandari Samrat Singh , Rai Durga Prasad , Dutta Sanjiba , García-Grau Pau , Vaddiparti Krishna
Published: July 2022

Background

Depression and low perceived social support (PSS) have been found to deleteriously affect quality of life (QoL) among myocardial infarction (MI) survivors. The complex relationship between these variables has not been assessed. We wanted to assess first the prevalence of depression among MI survivors and whether depression mediates the effect of PSS on QoL and, second, whether the physical and social domains of QoL mediated the effect of depression and PSS on the emotional domain. This cross-sectional study was done among MI survivors using Cardiac Depression Scale, MacNew Quality of Life After Myocardial Infarction Questionnaire and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support to assess for depression, QoL and PSS respectively.

Results

A total of 103 MI survivors were included in the study, and the mean age was 59.66 (± 10.42) years. Depression was found in 21.36% of the participants. The indirect effect of PSS on QoL with depression as a mediator was significant (b = 0.15, p < 0.001, 95% CI = 0.12, 0.18). The direct effect of PSS on QoL controlling for depression was also significant (b = 0.05, p < 0.001, 95% CI = 0.02, 0.07). Depression as a mediator in the relationship explained 75.3% of the effect of PSS on QoL. PSS and depression did not have a significant direct effect on emotional QoL, but it became significant when the physical and social domains were included in the model. The total indirect effects of PSS and depression on emotional QoL were b = 0.16, p < 0.001, 95% CI = 0.05, 0.17 and b = − 0.05, p < 0.001, 95% CI = − 0.06, − 0.03, respectively.

Conclusion

Depression and poor PSS impair physical and social domains, which impairs the emotional domain of QoL; as such, overall QoL is undermined. As limited physical and social activity because of depression and poor PSS may increase the risk of further cardiovascular events, a holistic approach which includes mental health care is warranted.
Serum oxytocin levels in adolescents with conduct disorder associated with callous-unemotional traits
Authors: Azzam Aya Y. , Seleem Mohammad A. , Saada Sameh A. , Mourad Heba A. , Mubarak Ahmed A.
Published: July 2022

Background

Conduct disorder (CD) is a serious and common psychiatric disorder affecting children and adolescents. “Callous-unemotional traits” is a new specifier added to the diagnosis of CD in the DSM-5. The new specifier is thought to be associated with more severity and higher genetic load. Oxytocin is known to be related to interpersonal sympathy and social affection, and so its deficiency might be related to unemotionality. This work aims to explore the levels of serum oxytocin in adolescents with CD associated with callous-unemotional (CU) traits as compared to healthy control subjects. Twenty patients aged 12–18 years and 20 controls of the same age range were recruited. An Arabic-translated and validated version of Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for kids (MINI-kid) was used to confirm the diagnosis. The Youth Psychopathic Inventory-short version (YPI-short version) and the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU), both parent and self-reports, were all translated into Arabic and validated by the authors and used to evaluate the sample. Evaluation of serum oxytocin level using ELISA technique was done.

Results

After statistical adjustment for differences in socioeconomic status, an adolescent with CD associated with CU traits showed low levels of serum oxytocin level as compared with the control group. Serum oxytocin levels were negatively correlated in a statistically significant degree with the unemotional, the callousness, and the uncaring subscores of ICU—self-report.

Conclusions

Low levels of serum oxytocin might play a potential role as a biomarker for CU traits and CD severity in adolescents with CD.
A method to indicate heavy minerals in logging-while-drilling
Authors: Hooshyari-Far Ida , Kepic Anton , Carson Michael
Published: July 2022

The low-energy region of the gamma ray spectrum, less than 200 keV, often is either discarded or not analyzed in borehole logging or airborne radiometric surveys. There is much useful information about earth properties to be extracted from the low-energy region because it is sensitive to photoelectric absorption within the rock, a process that is highly sensitive to the atomic number of the elements within the rock. In addition, the rate of photoelectric absorption is proportional to the density of the rock. At higher energies, the spectrum is primarily sensitive to density variations only. The ratio of counts in the two energy regions may be used as a heavy mineral indicator (HMI). This ratio normalizes density effects and is primarily sensitive to variations in the average (or effective) atomic number ([Formula: see text]) of the rock. Previous work by other authors has focused on the application of this idea for wireline logging with an isotopic source and multiple scattering of copious primary gamma rays, which allows for good counting statistics in the recorded spectrum. Recent advances in gamma ray detectors and logging-while-drilling (LWD) techniques open the possibility of applying the HMI measurement to the natural gamma ray LWD logs. Drilling speeds are much slower than the running speeds of wireline tools, resulting in improved counting statistics. Using computer simulations, laboratory experiments, and field measurements, we find that the natural gamma ray spectrum, recorded while (diamond) drilling, provides sufficient counting statistics to be used for robustly calculating HMI. As iron is the most abundant and influential element in photoelectric gamma ray scattering processes in rock fabrics, we postulate that we can, in most cases, use HMI to indicate the iron content of the rocks. The HMI calculated under these conditions provides a good measure of changes in [Formula: see text] of rocks and correlates well with iron-rich sections. Our field and laboratory tests demonstrate that the HMI measures can be used as a proxy to separate many metalliferous ores from waste based on the differences in [Formula: see text].
Sexualities and Geographic Mobility Between Childhood and Adulthood in the United States
Authors: Levine Andrew
Published: July 2022

Though research suggests that sexual minorities (e.g., nonheterosexual individuals) are more geographically mobile in the transition to adulthood than their heterosexual counterparts, quantitative estimates are rare and previously used data sources have significant limitations. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 11,705) that directly measure sexualities across dimensions (i.e., identity, behavior, and attraction), I examine variation in geographic mobility between childhood (ages 11–17) and adulthood (ages 26–34) across various sexualities (e.g., gay/lesbian and bisexual). Three findings emerge. First, mobility varies across sexualities. Individuals with gay/lesbian identity, same-sex behavior, and same-sex attraction are more geographically mobile than individuals with heterosexual identity, different-sex behavior, and different-sex attraction, respectively. By contrast, individuals with bisexual identity, both-sex behavior, and both-sex attraction tend to be statistically indistinct from individuals with heterosexual identity, different-sex behavior, and different-sex attraction, respectively. Second, mobility differences are largest and most prevalent when sexualities are operationalized according to identity. Third, evidence suggests that the effects of gay/lesbian identity, same-sex behavior, and same-sex attraction on mobility are larger for men than for women. In providing the first quantitative estimates of geographic mobility differences across broader sexual minority and heterosexual populations, this study expands inquiry related to sexualities and mobility.
A Zn2+-triggered two-step mechanism of CLIC1 membrane insertion and activation into chloride channels
Authors: Varela Lorena , Hendry Alex C. , Cassar Joseph , Martin-Escolano Ruben , Cantoni Diego , Ossa Felipe , Edwards John C. , Abdul-Salam Vahitha , Ortega-Roldan Jose L.
Published: July 2022

The chloride intracellular channel (CLIC) protein family displays the unique feature of altering its structure from a soluble form to a membrane-bound chloride channel. CLIC1, a member of this family, is found in the cytoplasm or in internal and plasma membranes, with membrane relocalisation linked to endothelial disfunction, tumour proliferation and metastasis. The molecular switch promoting CLIC1 activation remains under investigation. Here, cellular Cl− efflux assays and immunofluorescence microscopy studies have identified intracellular Zn2+ release as the trigger for CLIC1 activation and membrane insertion. Biophysical assays confirmed specific binding to Zn2+, inducing membrane association and enhancing Cl− efflux in a pH-dependent manner. Together, our results identify a two-step mechanism with Zn2+ binding as the molecular switch promoting CLIC1 membrane insertion, followed by pH-mediated activation of Cl− efflux.
Isolation of bioactive products from Chios Mastic Gum, development of analytical methods of resin and products for quality control purposes and assessment of constituents’ biological properties
Authors: Παχή Βασιλική
Published: July 2022

Η ρητίνη της Μαστίχας Χίου (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia) με επιστημονικά αποδεδειγμένες μοναδικές θεραπευτικές και φαρμακευτικές ιδιότητες, από το 1997 προϊόν Προστατευόμενης Ονομασίας Προέλευσης (ΠΟΠ), έχει εγγραφεί από την UNESCO το 2014 στον κατάλογο της Άυλης Πολιτιστικής Κληρονομιάς. Το 2015 αναγνωρίστηκε ως παραδοσιακό φάρμακο φυτικής προέλευσης από τον Ευρωπαϊκό Οργανισμό Φαρμάκων (EMA) με δύο θεραπευτικές ενδείξεις (ήπιες δυσπεπτικές διαταραχές & δερματικές φλεγμονές/επούλωση μικρών τραυμάτων).Παρ’ όλη τη προφανή σημαντικότητα της Μαστίχας Χίου, υπάρχουν ακόμα αρκετά επιστημονικά κενά τόσο ως προς την ακριβή σύστασή της όσο και ως προς τις βιολογικές ιδιότητες των συστατικών της καθώς επίσης και τον έλεγχο ποιότητας τόσο της ίδιας της ρητίνης όσο και των παραγώγων/προϊόντων της, γεγονός που δημιουργεί ερευνητικές προοπτικές για περαιτέρω ανάπτυξη και αξιοποίησή της τόσο στην ελληνική όσο και στη διεθνή αγορά. Βάσει των παραπάνω στα πλαίσια της παρούσας διατριβής θα πραγματοποιηθεί η εκτενής μελέτη της Μαστίχας Χίου και των προϊόντων της (Μαστιχέλαιο, Μαστιχόνερο, Κολοφώνιο), ο χαρακτηρισμός, η απομόνωση και ταυτοποίηση των βιοδραστικών μορίων με χρωματογραφικές και φασματοσκοπικές τεχνολογίες αιχμής. Στόχος της εργασίας είναι η ανάπτυξη πιστοποιημένων μεθοδολογιών ελέγχου ποιότητας για την αντιμετώπιση φαινομένων νοθείας που απειλούν το μοναδικό Ελληνικό αυτό προϊόν. Επίσης, στόχος της παρούσας διατριβής είναι ο προσδιορισμός συγκεκριμένων παραμέτρων και συνθηκών που επηρεάζουν τα ποιοτικά χαρακτηριστικά της ρητίνης με μεταβολομικές προσεγγίσεις. Τέλος, θα πραγματοποιηθεί έλεγχος των βιολογικών ιδιοτήτων τόσο της ίδιας της ρητίνης όσο και των απεσταγμένων αιθερίων ελαίων τους σε διάφορους βιολογικούς στόχους in vitro.Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή αποσκοπεί να συνεισφέρει με νέα, σημαντικά δεδομένα σχετικά με τη σύσταση και την ποιότητα της Μαστίχας Χίου και των προϊόντων της, πεδία τα οποία παραμένουν ασαφή μέχρι σήμερα. Απώτερο στόχο αποτελεί η ενδυνάμωση με εμπεριστατωμένα επιστημονικά στοιχεία του μοναδικού αυτού Ελληνικού προϊόντος με προφανή οφέλη στην Ελληνική κοινωνία και οικονομία.
Translation and preliminary validation of the Modified Mini Mental State [3MS] in a Greek sample
Authors: Lyrakos Georgios N , Nikolaidou Georgia , Alizioti Apostolia , Matsota Paraskevi
Published: July 2022

Background: The Modified Mini Mental State (3MS) is the extended version of the original Mini Mental State test with additional items improving the coverage of the remaining cognitive functions of the original version.
Aim: The aim of this pilot study is to translate the Modified Mini Mental State test and assess its psychometric properties, in order to enable the use of 3MS test for Greek speakers.
Method and Material: Independent sample t-test analysis was performed to test for differences between the study groups (N=105) and dependent sample (N=37), while pair sample t-test for pre-post differences in the treatment group for the 3MS.
Results: Cronbach’s a was 0.867 showing very good internal consistency. Children in the cases group presented significantly lower scores after the tonsil operation as compared to controls revealing good discriminant validity of the measurement.  Finally, test-retest scores were shown to be significantly correlated, revealing excellent test-retest reliability of the measurement.
Conclusions: The reliability and validity of the 3MS test is established for the healthy children undergoing routine surgery population.
Use of Herbal Products and Food Supplements of Type 2 Diabetes Patients
Authors: ÇINAR Derya , Yava Ayla , Olgun Nermin , Koyuncu Aynur , Eti Aslan Fatma
Published: July 2022

Background: It is important to know the herbal products and food supplements used by individuals with diabetes in the management of type 2 diabetes. This study aims to examine the use of herbal products/food supplements in glycemic control of individuals with type 2 diabetes.Method and Material: This descriptive study, three government hospitals Diabetes Monitoring and Education Clinic in Turkey, was performed with 118 individuals with type 2 diabetes who volunteered to participate. The data were collected using the Introductory Information Form and the Data Form questioning the use of herbal products / food supplements.Results: It was determined that 28.8% of the participants used herbal products for glycemic control. Herbal products most frequently used by herbal product users are; cinnamon (29.4%), lemon and yoghurt (23.5%) and olive leaves (20.5%). A statistically significant difference was found between the use of herbal products with gender and education (p <0.05).Conclusion: It was determined that one of the three diabetic individuals included in the study used herbal products and no food supplement use was observed. It was determined that women prefer herbal products more than men, high school and university graduates than primary school graduates, and most of them did not inform health professionals that they used herbal products. It is recommended that more evidence is needed on the effectiveness and safety of herbal product use, and training on the use of herbal products should be organized for healthcare professionals and individuals with diabetes.
Immersive Virtual Reality in Cognitive Rehabilitation: A systematic Review
Authors: Despoti Akyllina , Karatzanos Eleftherios , Patsaki Irini , Tzoumi Dimitra , Roussou Georgia , Leventakis Nikolaos , Papathanasiou Argyro , Nanas Serafim , Dimitriadi Nefeli
Published: July 2022

Background: Virtual Reality (VR) is a new technology used more and more in clinical trial.
Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of immersive VR as a rehabilitation approach of cognitive functions.
Method and Material: A systematic literature review was conducted in the electronic databases of PubMed, Cochrane, OTseeker and PsycINFO for articles published until August 2021. The main search terms were "immersive virtual reality," and "cognitive rehabilitation". The research was strictly limited in immersive technologies and adult patients suffering from neurological disorder or a traumatic injury or elderly with cognitive decline, and no reviews are included. Totally, 16 citations reviewed.
Results: All intervention studies reported improvements either in cognitive functions or in stress management and relaxation. In particular, most of the studies demonstrated improvement in attention (N=6) but also in executive functions (N=3), in memory (N=5) and in navigation skills (N=1). Regarding safety and feasibility, most of the participants in the studies completed successfully the tasks and did not report stimulation sickness.
Conclusions: The available limited data indicate that immersive VR environments can a) be feasible and safe and b) have a positive impact in cognitive functions in the dynamic process of rehabilitation. Further research is warranted in large-scale longitudinal clinical trials in various patients’ groups in order to compare the effects of immersive and non-immersive VR interventions. Future studies should further investigate the long-term impact on cognitive functions in interventions using immersive VR.
Renal Biomarker combinations predict early CRRT need in a mixed ICU population
Authors: Panagidis Dimitrios , Angelopoulos Epameinondas , Tsiara Panagiota , Nanas Serafim , Magira Eleni , Kokkoris Stelios
Published: July 2022

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with markedly increased morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients and often necessitates the use of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). The aim of the present study was to compare the predictive performance of urine neutrophil gelatinase (uNGAL), plasma cystatin C (pCysC), serum creatinine (sCr), and their combinations for CRRT requirement within the first 7 days post-admission in a general ICU.Method and material: A total of 81 consecutive ICU patients were included in the analysis. AKI was defined according to AKIN criteria. Biomarkers’ predictive abilities were evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUC-ROC) curves.Results and Conclusions: AKI occurred in 21% of patients and 14% of them needed CRRT 7 days post-admission. The two novel biomarkers, as well as sCr had moderate predictive abilities for CRRT requirement. The most efficient combinations (sCr+ uNGAL) and (sCr+uNGAL+pCysC) had better AUC-ROCs (0.845 and 0.84, respectively) than that of any individual biomarker (sCr, pCysC, uNGAL, with AUC-ROCs 0.81, 0.74 and 0.80, respectively). Renal biomarker combinations had better predictive characteristics for CRRT need within one week post admission as compared to each biomarker alone.
Subjective Sleep Quality and Daytime Sleepiness Among Greek Nursing Staff: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Mantzanas Michalis , Chrysikos Dimosthenis , Giannakodimos Ilias , Chelidonis George , Drymousi Paraskevi , Pechlivanidou Evmorfia , Pikoulis Emmanouil , Basios Neofytos , Zografos Contantinos G. , Zografos George C. , Karavokyros Ioannis
Published: July 2022

Background: Lack of sleep and sleep of poor quality contribute to fatigue, decreased productivity, increased risk of accidents and errors at work.
Aim: The aim of the current study is to further investigate the relationship between sleep quality and daytime sleepiness to demographic and work environment characteristics among the nursing stuff.
Method and Material:A cross-sectional study was performed on nursing staff, in Athens, from July 2018 to June 2020 focused on characteristics related to poor sleep and sleep disturbance.
Results: This cohort investigated 70% poor sleep and 25% excessive daytime sleepiness among nursing staff. Sleep disturbance was related to young age and serving as a ward nurse. Personal as well as departmental and institutional factors affected sleep quality but not excessive daytime sleepiness.
Conclusion: Health system managers and nurse leaders should take under consideration not only personal, but also departmental and institutional characteristics when taking support measures to maintain nurses' mental health and patient’s safety.
Teoria demokracji a polaryzacja. Czy spolaryzowane społeczeństwo może być demokratyczne?
Authors: Horonziak Sonia
Published: July 2022

THEORY OF DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL POLARIZATION: CAN A POLARIZED SOCIETY REMAINS DEMOCRATIC?

Polarization is a totalizing political tool. While the us versus them division has long fueled political competition, polarization is taking systemic struggle to the next level. Polarization divides the political landscape into two camps, where a compromise can only be found within a given group. The political scene in 21st century Europe is polarized. However, how does this situation affect European values and democratic principles of the rule of law, which protect the stability of democratic systems? Is a polarized state a place where citizens can fully enjoy the benefits of democracy? Can a polarized society reconcile political conflict with democratic values? The article analyzes the phenomenon of political polarization in theoretical terms related to the democratic principles, both classical and those of the contemporary liberal democracies. At the same time, using the example of Poland and other countries, the effects of polarizing actions and their impact on the internal political scene and the social situation are shown.
Pomiędzy syndromem ekonomicznego progresywizmu a dekompozycją procesów politycznych
Authors: Golinowski Janusz
Published: July 2022

BETWEEN THE SYNDROME OF ECONOMIC PROGRESSIVISM AND DECOMPOSITION POLITICAL PROCESSES The article discusses the issue of the modernizing practices’ crisis, which arises at the very foundations of the political order. Changes in world development expose nuances and ambivalences of contemporary politics. Technical development of information transmission, transport, telecommunication and computerization as well as the globalization of financial flow, and an increasing number of foreign investors all create new conditions for changes on the levels of economy and politic system. The coronavirus pandemic compels us to reassess the main risks faced by the world and individual countries. The pandemic has set new requirements for sectors that have a direct impact on living conditions: education, healthcare, labor, recreation, the motivation system, etc.
Appendicitis: a clinical review
Authors: Redfern Vicky , Mortimore Gerri
Published: July 2022

Right iliac fossa pain is a daily encounter for advanced clinical practitioners (ACPs) working in the acute surgical setting, who are in an optimal position to provide holistic, quality patient-centred care for these individuals. The ACP role cannot be underestimated in this patient group; using the ACP's autonomous, adaptive capabilities and high level of critical thinking, they can improve patient experience and outcomes. This clinical review discusses the challenge of diagnosing appendicitis in people who present with right iliac fossa pain. In the first author's experience as a trainee ACP, this has been a common presentation that is, at times, taxing. This review aims to provide other health professionals some insight into supporting clinical reasoning behind the decisions regarding the treatment of right iliac fossa pain.
Pregnancy care for women living with inflammatory bowel disease: who, what and when?
Authors: Janiszewski Helen , Radford Shellie J
Published: July 2022

Helen Janiszewski and Shellie Radford outline the relationship between inflammatory bowel disease and pregnancy, highlighting that care and information must be personalised
Plug-and-play QKD architecture with a self-optical pulse train generator
Authors: Woo Min Ki , Park Chang Hoon , Park Byung Kwon , Jung Hojoong , Kang Dongyeon , Jeon Seung-Woo , Kim Sangin , Han Sang-Wook
Published: July 2022

The commercialization of quantum key distribution (QKD), which enables secure communication even in the era of quantum computers, has acquired significant interest. In particular, plug-and-play (PnP) QKD has garnered considerable attention owing to its advantage in system stabilization. However, a PnP QKD system has limitations on miniaturization owing to a bulky storage line (SL) of tens of kilometers. And, the secure key rate is relatively low because Bob transmits the signal pulses only at the dedicated time slots to circumvent backscattering noise. This study proposes a new method that can eliminate the SL by realizing an optical pulse train generator based on an optical cavity structure. Our method allows Alice to generate optical pulse trains herself by duplicating Bob’s seed pulse and excludes the need for Bob’s strong signal pulses that trigger backscattering noise as much as the conventional PnP QKD. Accordingly, our method can naturally overcome the miniaturization limitation and the slow secure key rate, as the storage line is no longer necessary. We conducted a proof-of-concept experiment using our method and achieved a key generation rate of 1.6×10−3 count/pulse and quantum bit error rate ≤ 5%.
Reconfigurable beam-steerable leaky-wave antenna loaded with metamaterial apertures using liquid crystal-based delay lines
Authors: Torabi Elahehsadat , Erricolo Danilo , Chen Pai-Yen , Fuscaldo Walter , Beccherelli Romeo
Published: July 2022

An original liquid crystal (LC)-based substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) leaky-wave antenna is proposed. Inside the SIW, there is an embedded stripline sandwiched between an LC pool and another dielectric slab. The antenna couples the guided quasi-TEM mode into free space through a periodic set of complementary electric inductive-capacitive (cELC) resonators. Simulation results show that the antenna performs fixed-frequency continuous beam steering of 52° from backward −28° to forward 24° at 25.85 GHz. This relatively wide beam scan angle is achieved by tuning the LC permittivity through an applied quasi-DC bias voltage to the stripline. Simulation results show that the antenna has high realized gain through the entire scanning range (less than 1 dB degradation), relatively wide bandwidth, and good tolerance to frequency drift and fabrication errors.
Ultrawide meta-film replication process for the mass production of a flexible microwave absorbing meta-surface
Authors: Han Jun Sae , Park Hyeonjin , Jeong Ji-Young , Jung Joonkyo , Gwak Eun-Ji , Jeon Eun-chae , Je Tae-Jin , Shin Jonghwa , Choi Doo-Sun
Published: July 2022

The manufacturing process for an ultrawide flexible microwave absorbing meta-surface was developed and optimized experimentally. The developed replication process consists of four main steps to demonstrate double-square loop array meta-structures: (1) mechanical machining of a master mold, (2) soft mold replication and patterned film imprinting, (3) conductive ink blade filling, (4) lamination of a base flexible film to meta sheet. Based on experimental optimization of the individual steps, the manufacturing process for a large-area flexible meta-film was established successfully. The feasibility of a developed process has been demonstrated with a 200 mm × 500 mm fabricated meta-film with a focus on microwave absorbing uniformity in the X-band region.
Beam stability improvement of high-power Lissajous modes by an off-axis pumped YVO4/Nd:YVO4 laser
Authors: Tuan P. H. , Tsai W. C. , Cheng K. T.
Published: July 2022

Thermally induced beam deformation of Lissajous structured modes generated by an off-axis pumped solid-state laser with a uniformly -doped Nd:YVO4 crystal and a composite YVO4/Nd:YVO4 crystal is systematically explored. With the undoped front segment as an effective heat spreader to mitigate the thermal effects, a significant improvement on beam structure stability during power scaling can be found in experimental patterns of Lissajous modes by the composite crystal. By analyzing the deformed mode structures with the increasing pump level, it can be obviously seen that not only the thermal lensing effect can be greatly reduced to be less than half of the level by the uniform crysta,l but also the stress-induced beam rotation and elongation can be effectively alleviated via the YVO4/Nd:YVO4 crystal. Moreover, the output power performance for Lissajous modes by the composite crystal also exhibit a prominent upgrade for the overall slope efficiency to be 8% higher than the case by the uniform crystal. This demonstration may provide a potential solution for generating more stable high-order structured beams by the selectively pumped high-power lasers.
Neural dynamics differentially encode phrases and sentences during spoken language comprehension
Authors: Bai Fan , Meyer Antje S. , Martin Andrea E.
Published: July 2022

Human language stands out in the natural world as a biological signal that uses a structured system to combine the meanings of small linguistic units (e.g., words) into larger constituents (e.g., phrases and sentences). However, the physical dynamics of speech (or sign) do not stand in a one-to-one relationship with the meanings listeners perceive. Instead, listeners infer meaning based on their knowledge of the language. The neural readouts of the perceptual and cognitive processes underlying these inferences are still poorly understood. In the present study, we used scalp electroencephalography (EEG) to compare the neural response to phrases (e.g., the red vase) and sentences (e.g., the vase is red), which were close in semantic meaning and had been synthesized to be physically indistinguishable. Differences in structure were well captured in the reorganization of neural phase responses in delta (approximately <2 Hz) and theta bands (approximately 2 to 7 Hz),and in power and power connectivity changes in the alpha band (approximately 7.5 to 13.5 Hz). Consistent with predictions from a computational model, sentences showed more power, more power connectivity, and more phase synchronization than phrases did. Theta–gamma phase–amplitude coupling occurred, but did not differ between the syntactic structures. Spectral–temporal response function (STRF) modeling revealed different encoding states for phrases and sentences, over and above the acoustically driven neural response. Our findings provide a comprehensive description of how the brain encodes and separates linguistic structures in the dynamics of neural responses. They imply that phase synchronization and strength of connectivity are readouts for the constituent structure of language. The results provide a novel basis for future neurophysiological research on linguistic structure representation in the brain, and, together with our simulations, support time-based binding as a mechanism of structure encoding in neural dynamics.
Ten simple rules for designing and running a computing minor for bio/chem students
Authors: Reyes Rochelle-Jan , Hosmane Nina , Ihorn Shasta , Johnson Milo , Kulkarni Anagha , Nelson Jennifer , Savvides Michael , Ta Duc , Yoon Ilmi , Pennings Pleuni S.
Published: July 2022

Science students increasingly need programming and data science skills to be competitive in the modern workforce. However, at our university (San Francisco State University), until recently, almost no biology, biochemistry, and chemistry students (from here bio/chem students) completed a minor in computer science. To change this, a new minor in computing applications, which is informally known as the Promoting Inclusivity in Computing (PINC) minor, was established in 2016. Here, we present the lessons we learned from our experience in a set of 10 rules. The first 3 rules focus on setting up the program so that it interests students in biology, chemistry, and biochemistry. Rules 4 through 8 focus on how the classes of the program are taught to make them interesting for our students and to provide the students with the support they need. The last 2 rules are about what happens “behind the scenes” of running a program with many people from several departments involved.
The persistent power of stigma: A critical review of policy initiatives to break the menstrual silence and advance menstrual literacy
Authors: Olson Mary M. , Alhelou Nay , Kavattur Purvaja S. , Rountree Lillian , Winkler Inga T.
Published: July 2022

Menstruation is shrouded in stigma and shame—that is the common refrain in burgeoning initiatives on menstrual health and hygiene. Public policies alone cannot undo stigma and enact social change, but they do interact with social norms. They can reflect and adopt stigmatizing attitudes and, as a result, institutionalize, formalize, and legitimize stigma; or they can actively challenge and denounce it and mitigate existing discrimination. Against this background, we explored whether and how policies on menstrual health and hygiene address menstrual stigma and advance menstrual literacy based on an analysis of 34 policy documents and 85 in-depth interviews with policy-makers and advocates in four countries: India, Kenya, Senegal, and the United States. We found that policiesrecognizedmenstrual stigma and set out to break the silence surrounding menstruation and advance menstrual education, but they did not contribute todismantlingmenstrual stigma. Policy-makers seemed constrained by the very stigma they sought to tackle, resulting in hesitancy and missed opportunities. Policies raised awareness of menstruation, often with great noise, but they simultaneously called for hiding and concealing any actual, visible signs of menstruation and its embodied messiness. Educational initiatives mostly promoted bodily management and control, rather than agency and autonomy. As a result, policies might have succeeded in breaking the silence around menstruation, but stigma cannot be broken as easily. We first need to recognize its (invisible) power and its impacts in all spheres of life in order to actively challenge, dismantle, and redefine it.
Health seeking behaviors and childcare patterns in an informal settlement of Nairobi, Kenya: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Ssewanyana Derrick , Zhang Linlin , Martin Marie-Claude , Proulx Kerrie , Malti Tina , Abubakar Amina , Angwenyi Vibian , Kabue Margaret , Marangu Joyce , Odhiambo Rachel , Njoroge Eunice , Ombech Eunice , Mokaya Mercy Moraa , Obulemire Emmanuel Kepha , Moran Greg , Marfo Kofi , Lye Stephen
Published: July 2022

Children in urban informal settlements experience high risks for poor health and development. Understanding health seeking behaviors and childcare patterns of caregivers in urban informal settlements is important for devising effective interventions. This study describes household characteristics and aspects of nurturing care among caregivers of children aged 0–2 years in Dagoretti informal settlement, Nairobi-Kenya. In this cross sectional study, data were collected on household socio-demographic characteristics, antenatal care and child delivery practices, infant and young child feeding practices, activities that promote play, learning and school readiness, and on childcare and protection practices. Descriptive statistics of proportions and means were used to summarize the data. The study covers a total of 458 Kenyan and 118 immigrant households. Caregivers from immigrant households, with low education and from the younger age-group (less than 20 years) were vulnerable to sub-optimal caregiving and health seeking practices, including relatively lower rates of age-appropriate breastfeeding and poor dietary diversity. Seventy-five percent of expectant mothers attended less than four antenatal care visits. Households surveyed had limited possession of children’s books (2% with three or more books), limited access to play materials (43% had two or more play materials), and low paternal involvement in child stimulation and early learning activities (14%). One-third and half of the children were left with inadequate care and disciplined using both violent and non-violent methods, respectively. Our findings highlight the urgent need for contextually appropriate and integrated interventions anchored in the WHO’s nurturing care framework. These interventions can benefit from extensive involvement of caregivers, facility and community-based healthcare workers, policy makers, and other relevant stakeholders.
Susceptibility status of the wild-caught Phlebotomus argentipes (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), the sand fly vector of visceral leishmaniasis, to different insecticides in Nepal
Authors: Roy Lalita , Uranw Surendra , Cloots Kristien , Smekens Tom , Kiran Usha , Pyakurel Uttam Raj , Das Murari Lal , S. Yadav Rajpal , Van Bortel Wim
Published: July 2022

Background

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is targeted for elimination as a public health problem in Nepal by 2023. For nearly three decades, the core vector control intervention in Nepal has been indoor residual spraying (IRS) with pyrethroids. Considering the long-term use of pyrethroids and the possible development of resistance in the vectorPhlebotomus argentipessand flies, we monitored the susceptibility status of their field populations to the insecticides of different classes, in villages with and without IRS activities in recent years.

Methodology/Principal findings

Sand flies were collected from villages with and without IRS in five VL endemic districts from August 2019 to November 2020. The WHO susceptibility test procedure was adopted using filter papers impregnated at the discriminating concentrations of insecticides of the following classes: pyrethroids (alpha-cypermethrin 0.05%, deltamethrin 0.05%, and lambda-cyhalothrin 0.05%), carbamates (bendiocarb 0.1%) and organophosphates (malathion 5%). Pyrethroid resistance intensity bioassays with papers impregnated with 5× of the discriminating concentrations, piperonyl butoxide (PBO) synergist-pyrethroid bioassays, and DDT cross-resistance bioassays were also performed. In the IRS villages, the vector sand flies were resistant (mortality rate <90%) to alpha-cypermethrin and possibly resistant (mortality rate 90–97%) to deltamethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin, while susceptibility to these insecticides was variable in the non-IRS villages. The vector was fully susceptible to bendiocarb and malathion in all villages. A delayed knockdown time (KDT50) with pyrethroids was observed in all villages. The pyrethroid resistance intensity was low, and the susceptibility improved at 5× of the discriminating concentrations. Enhanced pyrethroid susceptibility after pre-exposure to PBO and the DDT-pyrethroid cross-resistance were evident.

Conclusions/Significance

Our investigation showed thatP.argentipessand flies have emerged with pyrethroid resistance, suggesting the need to switch to alternative classes of insecticides such as organophosphates for IRS. We strongly recommend the regular and systematic monitoring of insecticide resistance in sand flies to optimize the efficiency of vector control interventions to sustain VL elimination efforts in Nepal.
The burden of T. solium cysticercosis and selected neuropsychiatric disorders in Mocuba district, Zambézia province, Mozambique
Authors: Langa Irene , Padama Fernando , Nhancupe Noémia , Pondja Alberto , Hlashwayo Delfina , Gouveia Lidia , Stelzle Dominik , da Costa Clarissa Prazeres , Schmidt Veronika , Winkler Andrea S. , Noormahomed Emília Virgínia
Published: July 2022

Background

Taenia solium(neuro-)cysticercosis, a neglected tropical disease, can be associated with epileptic seizures and other neuropsychiatric (= neurological and psychiatric) disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the association ofT. soliumcysticercosis with selected neuropsychiatric disorders and/or symptoms (chronic headache, epileptic seizures/epilepsy and psychosis) in Mocuba district, Mozambique.

Methodology

Between March and May 2018, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,086 participants aged 2 years or above in Mocuba district, Zambézia province, central Mozambique, to assess the seroprevalence of human cysticercosis and risk factors for infection, as well as to explore its relation to selected neuropsychiatric disorders. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected from each participant using a modified questionnaire designed by the Cysticercosis Working Group for Eastern and Southern Africa. Additionally, neuropsychiatric disorders, such as chronic headache, epileptic seizures/epilepsy and psychosis were assessed using four vignettes.T.soliumantigen and cysticercosis IgG in serum were detected using bothT.soliumantigen B158/B60 enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and LDBIO Cysticercosis Western Blot, respectively.

Principal findings

Overall, 112/1,086 participants (10.3%) were sero-positive forT.soliumantigen or antibodies. Prevalence of antibodies (6.6%; n = 72) was higher than of antigens (4.9%; n = 54). In the questionnaires, 530 (49.5%) of participants reported chronic headache, 293 (27%) had generalized epileptic seizures, 188 (18%) focal seizures and 183 (18.3%) psychosis. We found a statistically significant association between seropositivity forT.soliumand chronic headache (p = 0.013). Additionally, increasing age (p = 0.03) was associated with Ag-ELISA seropositivity.

Conclusions

Our study revealed that in Mocuba,T.soliumcysticercosis is prevalent and associated with self-reported chronic headache. Additionally, in the study setting, the seroprevalence of cysticercosis increased with age. However, it is not associated with other neuropsychiatric disorders such epileptic seizures/epilepsy and psychosis. Future studies are needed to confirm the high burden of neuropsychiatric disorders and their possible etiology, including neurocysticercosis, using additional serological, molecular biological and radiological diagnostic tools, as well as in-depth clinical examinations.
Phenotypic and transcriptional response of Daphnia pulicaria to the combined effects of temperature and predation
Authors: Oliver Aaron , Cavalheri Hamanda B. , Lima Thiago G. , Jones Natalie T. , Podell Sheila , Zarate Daniela , Allen Eric , Burton Ronald S. , Shurin Jonathan B.
Published: July 2022

Daphnia, an ecologically important zooplankton species in lakes, shows both genetic adaptation and phenotypic plasticity in response to temperature and fish predation, but little is known about the molecular basis of these responses and their potential interactions. We performed a factorial experiment exposing laboratory-propagatedDaphnia pulicariaclones from two lakes in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California to normal or high temperature (15°C or 25°C) in the presence or absence of fish kairomones, then measured changes in life history and gene expression. Exposure to kairomones increased upper thermal tolerance limits for physiological activity in both clones. Cloned individuals matured at a younger age in response to higher temperature and kairomones, while size at maturity, fecundity and population intrinsic growth were only affected by temperature. At the molecular level, both clones expressed more genes differently in response to temperature than predation, but specific genes involved in metabolic, cellular, and genetic processes responded differently between the two clones. Although gene expression differed more between clones from different lakes than experimental treatments, similar phenotypic responses to predation risk and warming arose from these clone-specific patterns. Our results suggest that phenotypic plasticity responses to temperature and kairomones interact synergistically, with exposure to fish predators increasing the tolerance ofDaphnia pulicariato stressful temperatures, and that similar phenotypic responses to temperature and predator cues can be produced by divergent patterns of gene regulation.