bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anesthetic management of a patient undergoing abdominal surgery with bilateral ventricular peritoneal shunt in situ
Authors: Bala Renu , Bansal Priyanka , Malhan Srishti , Mittal Himani
Published: May 2021

Background

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts are commonly performed procedures for a variety of disorders and are mostly long standing. These patients when present for non-neurological surgeries like gastrointestinal, urology, or caesarean section, there are several concerns like difficult abdominal surgery due to peritoneal adhesions, chances of shunt infection with potential retrograde infective meningoencephalitis, and ventriculitis or shunt failure with recurrent hydrocephalus.

Case presentation

A 35-year-old male, known case of third ventricular tumour with functional left-sided ventricular peritoneal shunt was scheduled to undergo cholecystectomy for gall bladder stone. Intraoperatively optic nerve sheath diameter was measured as an indicator of raised intracranial pressure. Intraoperative was uneventful. Efforts were taken to prevent rise in intracranial pressure perioperatively. Patient was discharged on third postoperative day.

Conclusion

A vigilant perioperative care along with adequate team work go a long way in achieving success in patients of ventriculoperitoneal shunts presenting for non-neurological surgeries.
The role of combined diffusion weighted imaging and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in the differential diagnosis of obstructive biliary disorders
Authors: Rabie Shaimaa , Mohallel Ahmed , Bessa Samer Saad , Hafez Ahmed , El-Abd Amr Magdy
Published: May 2021

Background

The aim of this retrospective study was to highlight the role of adding DWI to the conventional MRCP in differentiating benign and malignant obstructive biliary pathologies. MRCP is a non-invasive modality for investigating the morphological features of the pancreaticobiliary system. It can provide indirect evidence of a malignant lesion, such as irregularity of the inner border and abrupt stenosis, with shouldering of the edge suggesting cholangiocarcinoma, while a short segment with regular margin and symmetric narrowing suggests a benign cause. Although these findings are highly sensitive, they are not specific. DWI can complement morphological information obtained by conventional MRCP by providing additional functional information concerning the alteration of tissue cellularity due to pathological processes.

Results

The overall accuracy of the diagnosis, sensitivity, and specificity of the conventional MRCP in differentiation between the benign and malignant biliary structures was significantly increased by combing it with the DWI.

Conclusions

Adding DWI to conventional MRCP significantly improved the diagnostic accuracy regarding the characterization of differentiating benign and malignant biliary strictures.
Hemiuterus with functional non-communicating horn in a young female
Authors: Venkatesh M. , Awal Sandeep Singh
Published: May 2021

Background

Mullerian duct anomalies are a broad spectrum of congenital anomalies of the female genital tract presenting with variable symptoms like infertility, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhea, pelvic endometriosis, and poor obstetric outcomes. Unicornuate uterus or hemiuterus occurs as a result of abnormal formation or failure of formation of the contralateral part.

Case presentation

We present a rare case report of hemiuterus with functional non-communicating horn along with hematometra in a 15-year-old female who presented with severe dysmenorrhoea since her menarche. Pelvic Ultrasonography demonstrated inconclusive findings of a heterogenous lesion in the right pelvic cavity adjacent to the uterus. Further, pelvic MRI revealed a hemiuterus on the left side with a normal endometrial cavity and a well-defined functional non-communicating horn on right side. The diagnosis of European Society of Human Reproduction (ESHRE) Classification U4a uterine anomaly (left hemiuterus with functional non-communicating horn on right side) was established.

Conclusions

ESHRE Class U4a comprises of hemiuterus with a functional rudimentary horn. This is considered clinically significant as it may lead to further complications, such as hematometra or ectopic pregnancy in the rudimentary horn. Hence, the correct identification of this entity is essential as laparoscopic removal is the current recommended management.
Challenges of implementing psychiatric rehabilitation services: a low- and middle-income country case example
Authors: Tabatabaee Maryam , Mirsepassi Zahra , Sharifi Vandad , Mottaghipour Yasaman
Published: May 2021

This article aims to explore the barriers and challenges of implementing psychiatric rehabilitation services at a psychiatric hospital in Iran. We performed an internal mixed-methods evaluation by adopting a multi-method approach. The data were organised, analysed and interpreted by the evaluation team. A low participation rate, administrative issues, low fidelity to protocols and incomplete documentation were the main findings.

Implementing and maintaining rehabilitation services in low- and middle-income country settings requires more than a mere transfer of models of psychiatric rehabilitation; it needs adaptation to the local context as well as continuous evaluation and quality improvement in an iterative fashion, given the rapidly changing contexts with scarce resources.
Towards Evidence-Based Weaning: a Mechanism-Based Pharmacometric Model to Characterize Iatrogenic Withdrawal Syndrome in Critically Ill Children
Authors: Goulooze Sebastiaan C. , Ista Erwin , van Dijk Monique , Tibboel Dick , Krekels Elke H. J. , Knibbe Catherijne A. J.
Published: May 2021

For the management of iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome (IWS) in children, a quantitative understanding of the dynamics of IWS of commonly used opioids and sedatives is lacking. Here, we introduce a new mechanism-based pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PKPD) modeling approach for studying IWS in pediatric clinical datasets. One thousand seven hundred eighty-two NRSwithdrawal scores of IWS severity were analyzed, which were collected from 81 children (age range: 1 month–18 years) that received opioids or sedatives by continuous infusion for 5 days or more. These data were successfully fitted with a PKPD model consisting of a plasma and a dependence compartment that well characterized the dynamics of IWS from morphine, fentanyl, and ketamine. The results suggest that (1) instead of decreasing the infusion rate by a set percentage at set intervals, it would be better to lengthen the weaning period when higher infusion rates are administered prior to weaning; (2) for fentanyl specifically, the risk of IWS might be lower when weaning with smaller dose reductions every 12 h instead of weaning with greater dose reductions every 48 h. The developed PKPD model can be used to evaluate the risk of IWS over time and the extent to which it is affected by different weaning strategies. The results yield hypotheses that could guide future clinical research on optimal weaning strategies. The mechanism-based PKPD modeling approach can be applied in other datasets to characterize the IWS dynamics of other drugs used in pediatric intensive care.

Graphical abstract
Exact classical noise master equations: Applications and connections
Authors: Kiely Anthony
Published: May 2021

All quantum systems are subject to noise and imperfections due to stray fields, inhomogeneities or drifting experimental controls. An understanding of the effects of noise and decoherence is critical to the progress towards fully functional quantum devices. In this perspective, we focus on noise in quantum systems which are modelled by a dynamic stochastic parameter in the Hamiltonian. We will outline exact evolution equations describing the ensemble average dynamics for a variety of common noise types and their connections. We will also highlight an approximate evolution equation valid in the weak noise limit for an arbitrary classical stochastic field. This framework should serve as a starting point for identifying signatures of differing noise types and optimisation of robust control protocols.
Attractive inverse-square–type interaction induced by Lorentz symmetry violation by fixed vector background
Authors: Oliveira A. S. , Bakke K. , Belich H.
Published: May 2021

Based on a model that goes beyond the Standard Model, we study quantum effects of the violation of the Lorentz symmetry at a low-energy regime. From a background of the Lorentz symmetry violation determined by a space-like vector field and electric fields, we obtain an attractive inverse-square–type interaction. In addition, we obtain the bound-states solutions to the Schrödinger equation.
Quantitative evaluation of individual food intake by insectivorous vespertilionid bats (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae)
Authors: Moiseienko Marharyta , Vlaschenko Anton
Published: May 2021

Insectivorous bats provide important ecosystem services, especially by suppressing and controlling the insects’ biomass. To empirically quantify the number of insects consumed by European vespertilionid bats per night, we estimated their ratio of dry mass of feces to mass of consumed insects. This study combines the results of feeding in captivity and the data obtained in field surveys; dry mass of feces was measured in both cases. In captivity, we analyzed the effect of species, age and sex of bats, species of insects consumed and the mass of food portion on the dry mass of feces. Using coefficients of the regression model, we estimated the number of insects consumed by free-ranging bats based on dry mass of their feces. According to our estimates, on average, one individual of one of the largest European bat species, Nyctalusnoctula, consumes 2.2 g (ranging from 0.5 to 8.2 g) of insects per one feeding night, while the smallest European bats of genus Pipistrellus consume 0.4 g (ranging from 0.1 to 1.3 g), further confirming the importance of insectivorous bats for ecosystem services. This publication offers the novel method for the estimation of insects’ biomass consumed by bats.
Bioelectric signaling as a unique regulator of development and regeneration
Authors: Harris Matthew P.
Published: May 2021

It is well known that electrical signals are deeply associated with living entities. Much of our understanding of excitable tissues is derived from studies of specialized cells of neurons or myocytes. However, electric potential is present in all cell types and results from the differential partitioning of ions across membranes. This electrical potential correlates with cell behavior and tissue organization. In recent years, there has been exciting, and broadly unexpected, evidence linking the regulation of development to bioelectric signals. However, experimental modulation of electrical potential can have multifaceted and pleiotropic effects, which makes dissecting the role of electrical signals in development difficult. Here, I review evidence that bioelectric cues play defined instructional roles in orchestrating development and regeneration, and further outline key areas in which to refine our understanding of this signaling mechanism.
Can offsetting the energetic cost of hibernation restore an active season phenotype in grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis)?
Authors: Jansen Heiko T. , Evans Hutzenbiler Brandon , Hapner Hannah R. , McPhee Madeline L. , Carnahan Anthony M. , Kelley Joanna L. , Saxton Michael W. , Robbins Charles T.
Published: May 2021

Hibernation is characterized by depression of many physiological processes. To determine if this state is reversible in a non-food caching species, we fed hibernating grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) dextrose for 10 days to replace 53% or 100% of the estimated minimum daily energetic cost of hibernation. Feeding caused serum concentrations of glycerol and ketones (β-hydroxybutyrate) to return to active season levels irrespective of the amount of glucose fed. By contrast, free fatty acids (FFAs) and indices of metabolic rate, such as general activity, heart rate, strength of heart rate circadian rhythm, and insulin sensitivity were restored to approximately 50% of active season levels. Body temperature was unaffected by feeding. To determine the contribution of adipose to the metabolic effects observed after glucose feeding, we cultured bear adipocytes collected at the beginning and end of the feeding and performed metabolic flux analysis. We found a ∼33% increase in energy metabolism after feeding. Moreover, basal metabolism before feeding was 40% lower in hibernation cells compared with fed cells or active cells cultured at 37°C, thereby confirming the temperature independence of metabolic rate. The partial depression of circulating FFAs with feeding likely explains the incomplete restoration of insulin sensitivity and other metabolic parameters in hibernating bears. Further depression of metabolic function is likely to be an active process. Together, the results provide a highly controlled model to examine the relationship between nutrient availability and metabolism on the hibernation phenotype in bears.
Αναγνώριση προηγούμενης γνώσης ενηλίκων στο πλαίσιο παρεχομένων υπηρεσιών εκπαίδευσης ενηλίκων
Authors: Μπούτσκου Λεμονιά
Published: May 2021

Σκοπός της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής είναι να διερευνήσει το ζήτημα της αναγνώρισης προηγούμενης γνώσης ενηλίκων μέσα από μία έρευνα πεδίου στους υπάρχοντες φορείς πιστοποίησης, αλλά και να εξετάσει κατά πόσο στην Ελλάδα ακολουθούνται ευρωπαϊκά πρότυπα. Χρησιμοποιήθηκε η ποσοτική μέθοδος με ερωτηματολόγιο σε ένα δείγμα 352 ατόμων, καθώς και η ποιοτική μέθοδος με προσωπικές συνεντεύξεις εργαζομένων σε φορείς εκπαίδευσης ενηλίκων και κέντρων πιστοποίησης προηγούμενης γνώσης. Διαπιστώθηκε πως η αναγνώριση της προηγούμενης γνώσης είναι σημαντική εξαιτίας της οικονομικής κρίσης, της κινητικότητας των εργαζομένων και της ανεργίας δεδομένου ότι οδηγεί σε οικονομική, κοινωνική και περιβαλλοντική ανάπτυξη. Αυτή η ανάπτυξη θα πρέπει να εδράζεται σε δύο πυλώνες: απόκτηση εκπαιδευτικών και επαγγελματικών προσόντων. Ωστόσο, υπάρχουν σημαντικά προβλήματα και προκλήσεις που χαρακτηρίζουν το υφιστάμενο πλαίσιο αναγνώρισης προηγούμενης γνώσης στην Ελλάδα. Η πρωτοτυπία αυτής της έρευνας έγκειται στο ότι συστηματοποιείται η υφιστάμενη βιβλιογραφία σε σχέση με την αναγνώριση προηγούμενης γνώσης στον Ελληνικό χώρο και συνδυάζεται με ερευνητικά δεδομένα. Επίσης, σημαντικό στοιχείο αυτής της έρευνας είναι το γεγονός ότι διαμορφώνει ένα πλαίσιο αναγνώρισης προηγούμενης γνώσης που μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί από φορείς της Δυτικής Μακεδονίας, στο πλαίσιο της μεταλιγνιτικής περιόδου.Η διαδικασία αυτή είναι σημαντική εξαιτίας των μετασχηματισμών που απορρέουν σε επίπεδο παραγωγικής διαδικασίας στην ευρύτερη περιοχή της Δυτικής Μακεδονίας. Επομένως, η Περιφέρεια Δυτικής Μακεδονίας θα μπορούσε να επενδύσει στην εκπαίδευση και ανάπτυξη προσόντων συγκεκριμένων ομάδων του πληθυσμού που πλήττονται από την ανεργία, ιδίως στο πλαίσιο της μεταλιγνιτικής περιόδου, ούτως ώστε να μην υπάρξουν αρνητικές επιπτώσεις – ή τουλάχιστον να μετριαστούν – σε επίπεδα απασχόλησης και περιθωριοποίησης.
A TRIZ-driven conceptualisation of finger grip enhancer designs for the elderly
Authors: Tan Dominic Wen How , Ng Poh Kiat , Noor Ervina Efzan Mhd
Published: May 2021

Background: Elderly people with severe finger weakness may need assistive health technology interventions. Finger weakness impedes the elderly in executing activities of daily living such as unbuttoning shirts and opening clothes pegs. While studies have related finger weakness with ageing effects, there appears to be no research that uses an algorithmic problem-solving approach such as the theory of inventive problem-solving (TRIZ) to recommend finger grip assistive technologies that resolve the issue of finger weakness among the elderly. Using TRIZ, this study aims to conceptualise finger grip enhancer designs for elderly people.

Methods: Several TRIZ tools such as the cause-and-effect chain (CEC) analysis, engineering contradiction, physical contradiction, and substance-field analysis are used to conceptualise solutions that assist elderly people in their day-to-day pinching activities.

Results: Based on the segmentation principle, a finger assistant concept powered by a miniature linear actuator is recommended. Specific product development processes are used to further conceptualise the actuation system. The study concluded that the chosen concept should use a DC motor to actuate fingers through tendon cables triggered by a push start button.

Conclusions: Finger pinch degradation worsens the quality of life of the elderly. A finger grip enhancer that assists in day-to-day activities may be an effective option for elderly people, not only for their physical but also their mental well-being in society.
Prevalence of comorbidities associated with type 2 diabetes in patients attending a disease management program, Medellín, Colombia 2014 - 2019: a descriptive study.
Authors: Palacios-Barahona Uriel , Ordoñez Molina Jaime , Alvis Guzmán Nelson , Botero Arango José Fernando
Published: May 2021

Background: Type 2 diabetes is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The prevalence has increased due to population aging, obesity, and longer life expectancy. Likewise, the development of complications related to the disease has contributed to a more significant disease burden and is the leading cause of death in people with diabetes. 

Methods: A descriptive study of patients in a disease management program in Medellín, Colombia, from June 10, 2014 to March 30, 2019 was carried out. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected from clinical records. Descriptive analysis was performed using absolute and relative frequencies and the prevalences presented by sex. The Chi-square test was used to calculate the prevalence ratio with a 95 % confidence interval, with a p-value < 0.05 being considered statistically significant.

Results: There were 1,018 patients with type 2 diabetes analyzed. The mean age was 66.0 years (SD: 12.93), the mean duration with diabetes was 12.9 years (SD:9.3), 55 % of patients were women, and 60.6 % of patients had no metabolic control. The main comorbidities were dyslipidemia in 67.9 %, obesity in 61.4 %, and hypertension in 59 % of patients. Differences were observed in the prevalence ratio (PR) of women versus men for dyslipidemia (PR 0.68 [CI: 0.52 - 0.89]), coronary artery disease (PR 0.41 [CI: 0.28 - 0,61]) and obesity (PR 0.23 [CI: 0.17 - 0.30]).

Conclusions: Patients with type 2 diabetes have a high prevalence of comorbidities: dyslipidemia, obesity and arterial hypertension. A lower prevalence of comorbidities was observed in women than men for dyslipidemia, coronary heart disease, and obesity.
Comparative assessment of the relationship between emotional factors and quality of life in a group of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes – preliminary report
Authors: Badura-Brzoza Karina , Główczyński Patryk , Piegza Magdalena , Błachut Michał , Nabrdalik Katarzyna , Gumprecht Janusz , Gorczyca Piotr
Published: May 2021

Cel pracy

Stały wzrost zachorowań na cukrzycę skłania do poszukiwań nowszych form leczenia, ale także do badań różnych czynników mających wpływ na jakość życia tych pacjentów. Celem pracy była ocena związku wybranych parametrów stanu psychicznego z jakością życia pacjentów z cukrzycą.

Metoda

Badaniem objęto 51 pacjentów z cukrzycą typu 1 i 52 pacjentów z cukrzycą typu 2. W badaniach wykorzystano skale: jakości życia SF-36, AIS, HADS oraz SWLS.

Wyniki

Pacjenci z cukrzycą typu 2 osiągnęli niższe wartości niż pacjenci z cukrzycą typu 1 jedynie w zakresie funkcjonowania fizycznego skali SF-36 (p=0.001). Oceniając związek między parametrami badanymi wykazano, że długość trwania choroby wiązała się z gorszą oceną ogólnego stanu zdrowia (p=0.036) wśród pacjentów z cukrzycą typu 1. Natomiast wśród pacjentów z cukrzycą typu 2 czas trwania choroby korelował ujemny z funkcjonowaniem fizycznym (p=0.002), fizycznym funkcjonowaniem w rolach społecznych (p=0.001) i bólem fizycznym (p=0.047) a także satysfakcją z życia (p=0.012) a dodatnio z wartościami hemoglobiny glikowanej ( p=0,04). Wśród pacjentów z cukrzycą typu 1 poziom depresji ujemnie korelował z poziomem akceptacji choroby (p= 0.0009) oraz satysfakcją z życia (p=0.006), natomiast poziom lęku jedynie z poziomem akceptacji choroby (p=0.0004) a większe nasilenie lęku wiązało się z gorszą kontrolą metaboliczną (p= 0, 02). W grupie pacjentów z cukrzycą typu 2 poziom lęku korelował negatywnie z poziomem akceptacji choroby (p=0.003).

Wnioski

Z powodu licznych ograniczeń, jakie niesie ze sobą przewlekła choroba, należy zwracać większą uwagę na aspekt jakości życia oraz stan psychiczny pacjentów z rozpoznaniem cukrzycy oraz włączyć ocenę powyższych parametrów do procesu terapeutycznego.
Glycine Transporters in Schizophrenia. A New Hope or Informational Noise?
Authors: Zakowicz Przemysław , Pawlak Joanna
Published: May 2021

W ostatnim czasie obserwujemy dużą ilość publikacji, opisujących rolę inhibitorów transportera glicynowego GlyT1 w leczeniu schizofrenii. Koncepcja zastosowania tych leków oparta jest o glutaminową teorię schizofrenii. Teoria ta tłumaczy zaburzenia psychotyczne jako konsekwencję defektu w funkcjonowaniu receptora NMDA. Funkcja wspomnianego receptora zależy głównie od dostępności kofaktorów. Jednym z nich jest najprostszy aminokwas, glicyna. Aminokwas ten oddziałuje z miejscem glicynowym obecnym na podjednostce NR1 receptora NMDA, co ułatwia jego aktywację. Substancje, które mogłyby ułatwić dostępność glicyny dla receptora, hipotetycznie usprawniłyby procesy neuroplastyczności. Większa efektywność tych procesów mogłaby stanowić czynnik ochronny przed pogłębiającymi się deficytami poznawczymi i objawami negatywnymi w przebiegu schizofrenii. W tym artykule przedstawiliśmy przegląd systematyczny dotychczas opublikowanej literatury na temat zastosowania inhibitorów GlyT1 w leczeniu schizofrenii. Najpierw opisano przedkliniczne dowody uzasadniające użycie wzmocnienia działania glicyny. Następnie korzystając z baz danych CINAHL, EMBASE, EMCARE, Medline, PsycINFO, PubMed oraz Google Scholar, wyodrębniliśmy i przeanalizowaliśmy dowody z badań klinicznych. Inhibitory GlyT1 zdają się mieć potencjał w poszukiwaniu nowych substancji w celu leczenia objawów negatywnych, z kolei zdolność tych substancji do redukowania deficytów poznawczych jest niepotwierdzona. Do tej pory sprawdzono przydatność kliniczną wielu substancji, w tym N- metyloglicyny (sarkozyny), bitopertyny oraz syntetycznych pochodnych. Część związków wykazuje korzystny efekt kliniczny, niemniej ilość opublikowanych informacji na ten temat jest niewspółmierna do jakości dowodów.
„Kronika Podhorecka” jako źródło do badań nad dziejami zamku w Podhorcach w drugiej połowie XIX wieku na początku XX wieku
Authors: Papa Iwanna
Published: May 2021

“Kronika Podhorecka” as a Primary Source for the History of the Pidhirtsi Castle in the Second half of the 19th Century and at the Beginning of the 20th Century

„Kronika Podhorecka” has been preserved in two versions: the first working version was written by A. Kryczynski (1869-1887) and the second one was completed by the next castle administrators (1869-1906). This article aims to analyze this primary source of the history of the Pidhirtsi castle and its owners: the time of its composition, its goal, the role of castle administrators in the history of Pidhirtsi castle. The article contains an edition of “Kronika Podhorecka”, reconstructed on the basis of the archival source.
Project Valuation: Price Forecasts Bound to Discount Rates
Authors: Jafarizadeh Babak , Bratvold Reidar B.
Published: May 2021

For their appraisals, most companies use discount rates that account for timing and riskiness of projects. Yet, especially for commodity projects, discounting future cash flows is generally at odds with the assumptions in a company’s hurdle rate. With a multitude of technical and market uncertainties, inconsistent assessments lead to biased valuations and poor investment decisions. In this paper, we consider price forecasts and discount rates in an integrated framework. We calibrate the risk premiums in a two-factor stochastic price process with a capital asset pricing model-based discount rate. Together with the analysts’ long-term prices forecasts, the suggested method improves consistency in valuation and decision making.
Evaluating Stochastic Seeding Strategies in Networks
Authors: Chin Alex , Eckles Dean , Ugander Johan
Published: May 2021

When trying to maximize the adoption of a behavior in a population connected by a social network, it is common to strategize about where in the network to seed the behavior, often with an element of randomness. Selecting seeds uniformly at random is a basic but compelling strategy in that it distributes seeds broadly throughout the network. A more sophisticated stochastic strategy, one-hop targeting, is to select random network neighbors of random individuals; this exploits a version of the friendship paradox, whereby the friend of a random individual is expected to have more friends than a random individual, with the hope that seeding a behavior at more connected individuals leads to more adoption. Many seeding strategies have been proposed, but empirical evaluations have demanded large field experiments designed specifically for this purpose and have yielded relatively imprecise comparisons of strategies. Here we show how stochastic seeding strategies can be evaluated more efficiently in such experiments, how they can be evaluated “off-policy” using existing data arising from experiments designed for other purposes, and how to design more efficient experiments. In particular, we consider contrasts between stochastic seeding strategies and analyze nonparametric estimators adapted from policy evaluation and importance sampling. We use simulations on real networks to show that the proposed estimators and designs can substantially increase precision while yielding valid inference. We then apply our proposed estimators to two field experiments, one that assigned households to an intensive marketing intervention and one that assigned students to an antibullying intervention.

This paper was accepted by Gui Liberali, Management Science Special Section on Data-Driven Prescriptive Analytics.
Rare health conditions 46: health promotion, prevention, dying and death, neuromyotonia
Authors: Barber Chris
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this series is to highlight a range of rare health conditions, which are those that affect no more and usually fewer than 1 person in every 2000 and many healthcare assistants (HCAs) and nurses will encounter some of these conditions, given the high number of these conditions. This 46th article will explore one of these conditions and also offer a discussion on three topics: health promotion; rare condition prevention; and preparing families for dying, death and bereavement.
Pharmacokinetics in paramedic prescribing
Authors: DIxon Matt
Published: May 2021

Pharmacokinetics is not only relevant to those undertaking a non-medical prescribing course but it is also important information for any paramedic, as a knowledge of pharmacokinetics is critical to understanding why our medications do what they do and how their effects may vary on a patient-to-patient basis.
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniaeas a causative agent of porcine enzootic pneumonia
Authors: Gale Christina , Velazquez Eduardo , Pattison Emma
Published: May 2021

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is a very important pathogen which causes enzootic pneumonia (EP) affecting pig herds worldwide. M. hyopneumoniae establishes itself in the respiratory system causing pathological changes, and resultant pneumonic lesions can be detected at slaughter via lung examination, appearing as red to pink lesions which resolve over time, leaving scar tissue on the lobes. Mycoplasma spp. infection can be complicated by coinfections with other pathogens such as swine influenza virus (SIV) and porcine circovirus (PCV2). These coinfections result in worsening of clinical symptoms and lung lesions, therefore increasing the impact on performance of the affected animals. Therefore, it is important that focus is placed on improving overall respiratory health and managing overall herd health, rather than just solely focusing on M. hyopneumoniae. Management practices should be implemented to control the disease, which commonly involve vaccination to reduce the impacts of the disease. Effective vaccination is important, and can be ensured by correct vaccine handling, storage and administration. The vaccine used can also play a part in the success of the vaccination programme so this should also be assessed, which can be done via lung examination and noting of clinical signs and performance parameters. When vaccination is successful, the level of lung lesions should be reduced, performance improved and consistency between batches, demonstrating that respiratory health is more stable.
Is there a relationship between right-wing populism and radicalisation to Islamic extremism in the UK and, if so, what is the nature of this relationship?
Authors: Thompson Taryn
Published: May 2021

This paper examines the nature of the relationship between right-wing populism and radicalisation to Islamic extremism in the UK. Through the critical analysis of themes and commonalities within existing literature on both individual fields, it is shown that there exists a relationship between the two phenomena, though this relationship has many intricacies. This paper argues that right-wing populism, along with counter-terrorism policy and the media, construct an anti-Muslim narrative, which fosters discrimination and, ultimately, leads to the social exclusion of Muslim suspect communities, a known cause of radicalisation. This research further reveals that this relationship, while significant, is not causal, using cumulative extremism to explain its multidirectional nature. Drawing attention to the relationship between right-wing populism and radicalisation opens up a new approach to understanding the impact current UK politics and the media have on the issue of “homegrown” terrorism. This paper aims to promote engagement with the question of how, as a society, we can implement more effective and less discriminative counter-terrorism policy, as well as become more aware of the impact of the media.
Who's policing whom? A look into the policing responses to harmful practices and the role of civic society
Authors: Harrar Polly
Published: May 2021

The United Nations defines harmful practices as: ‘… persistent practices and behaviours grounded on discrimination on the basis of sex, gender and age and other grounds as well as multiple and/or intersecting forms of discrimination that often involve violence and cause physical and/or psychological harm or suffering’. They are commonly perceived to be based on tradition, culture, custom and practice, religion and/or superstition, and in certain communities and societies these practices have been established for so long that they are considered or perceived to be part of accepted cultural norms. Where they have gone unchallenged for multiple generations, they have become ‘normalised’, which often makes it difficult to make the distinction between cultural/traditional norms and enforced harmful and controlling behaviour. Examples of harmful practices include, but are not limited to, female genital mutilation, honour-based abuse, forced marriage, dowry violence and abuse linked to faith and belief, such as witchcraft, possessions and breast ironing – all of which are practiced and are prevalent in the UK today. The focus of this paper is honour based abuse (HBA), which is often applied as a precursor to other harmful practices and which lends itself to highlighting the intersectionality of this largely gendered practice. The role of affected communities is explored, as is how this can lead to a culture of self-policing. A panoptic framework is adopted before conclusions are drawn as to the future of policing in addressing these hidden harms. The aim of this paper is not to provide a comprehensive critical analysis of policing responses to an ever evolving and highly complex crime type, nor is it to present all BAME women and communities as a homogeneous group, but rather to further explore some of the key concepts that arose from discussions and which may go some way to understanding hidden harms that exist in relation to honour and shame.
Neoliberalism and personal freedoms during COVID-19
Authors: Chalk James
Published: May 2021

COVID-19 has put the global healthcare system under intense strain, and different healthcare systems have proven to be more effective than others. In particular, the neoliberal countries of the UK and the United States have proven to be the most vulnerable to a global pandemic, however the more socialist countries of Germany and New Zealand have fared much better. The authoritarian regimes of China and Vietnam have fared significantly better, though this has been at the expense of personal freedoms.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic manoeuvred policing in England and Wales towards a single national police organisation?
Authors: Duckworth Karen
Published: May 2021

In 2005, Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabularies, Sir Denis O'Connor, reported that structural change to the existing system of 43 forces in England and Wales was necessary, not just desirable (HMIC, 2005). He stated, “Re-configuring for better protection of, and connection with, the public, needs to be seen as part of a package of police reform for this century” (HMIC, 2005, p. 12). He was referring to the merging of smaller forces to make them “fit for purpose”. In 2006, following the recommendations of the report, Home Secretary Charles Clarke took steps to begin a process of merging forces to drive efficiency and effectiveness in protective security. This strategic approach would have seen the number of forces reduced from 43 to 17, but it encountered significant opposition from many of the existing Police Authorities, sufficient to stop it happening (BBC, 2006). In 2011, the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 replaced existing Police Authorities with the current system of elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC), which enabled leadership, local priority setting and operational management of police, as well as new partnerships within many force areas. It also led to Home Office direction being largely limited to the Strategic Policing Requirement (SPR). As the 43-force structure continues, a collaborative approach is ever more necessary, and efforts have been focused on sharing specialist capabilities across forces (Regional Organised Crime Units being one such example). But is this sufficient for policing to keep apace of the changes threatening the safety and security of the public? The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on the operational effectiveness of the 43-force structure. This paper will examine the challenge to a system, which the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee (HASC) called “broken” in 2018 (HASC, 2018), through the lens of the COVID-19 pandemic, and discuss whether the public health crisis has accelerated the drive towards further policing reforms and even a national police organisation. The question will be considered within the context of national coordination arising from the pandemic, the impact on police legitimacy and lessons learnt from the unified policing models introduced in Scotland and the Netherlands in 2013.
Refractive index biosensing using near-UV metal–dielectric–metal nanostructured arrays: fabrication and simulation
Authors: Ngo Quang Minh , Hoang Thu Trang , Pham Thanh Son , Le Khai Q.
Published: May 2021

This work reports the design, simulation, and fabrication of a metal–dielectric–metal (MDM) nanohole array structure toward a realization of a refractive index biosensor. The MDM nanohole array structure operating near the UV range consists of a subwavelength hole array inscribed through the upper aluminum (Al) layer positioned on a stack of a thin silica (

S
i
O

2

) spacer and an Al mirror on a silicon substrate. The quality factor of the resonance at

∼

390

n
m

of the present nanostructure is

∼

1.5

t
i
m
e
s

higher than the previous result owing to the larger fill factor of Al material on the upper layer. This means at the UV range, the designed nanohole array structure closely resembles the dielectric gratings in the visible range. At resonance, we numerically observed a strong confinement of incident light localized inside the subwavelength apertures and the

S
i
O

2

spacer, and thus high absorption and directive emission of up to 99% and

∼

8.0

d
e
g

, respectively. The MDM nanohole array structure has been fabricated by using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition combining with the focused ion beam, and its reflection experiments are in good agreement with the finite-difference time-domain simulation results. The proposed MDM nanohole array structure can be applicable for a wide variety of plasmonic sensing, in particular for refractive index biosensors. Because of working in the near-UV range, this refractive index biosensor shows the figure of merit to have a selectivity that is

∼

4.0

t
i
m
e
s

higher than that of other established plasmonic MDM biosensors.
Symmetric 10 Gbit/s 40-km reach DSP-based TDM-PON with a power budget over 50 dB
Authors: Kanai Takuya , Fujiwara Masamichi , Igarashi Ryo , Iiyama Noriko , Koma Ryo , Kani Jun-ichi , Yoshida Tomoaki
Published: May 2021

This paper introduces the concept of a symmetric 10 Gbit/s high power-budget TDM-PON based on digital coherent technology and confirms its feasibility through a bidirectional transmission experiment with a transmission distance of 40 km and power budget of more than 50 dB. Burst-mode upstream 10 Gbit/s binary-phase-shift-keying (BPSK) signals synchronized by the clock recovered from downstream 10 Gbit/s NRZ signals are detected by using an optical pre-amplifier and coherent detection based on real-time burst-mode digital signal processing (DSP) in the optical line terminal (OLT). The real-time DSP implements coefficient handover in the adaptive equalizer to allow the reception of burst-mode upstream BPSK signals with short preamble length. An experimental bit error performance evaluation of the real-time burst-mode DSP yields the receiver sensitivity of -45.1 dBm for upstream burst-mode BPSK with a preamble length of 1.3 μs. For downstream signals, the receiver sensitivity of -38.9 dBm is achieved by using a chirp-controlled transmitter with optical post-amplifier so as to avoid the signal distortion created by the chromatic dispersion of single mode fiber (SMF) when the launched power is increased.
Method for large-scale structured-light system calibration
Authors: Marrugo Andres G. , Vargas Raul , Romero Lenny A. , Zhang Song
Published: May 2021

We propose a multi-stage calibration method for increasing the overall accuracy of a large-scale structured light system by leveraging the conventional stereo calibration approach using a pinhole model. We first calibrate the intrinsic parameters at a near distance and then the extrinsic parameters with a low-cost large-calibration target at the designed measurement distance. Finally, we estimate pixel-wise errors from standard stereo 3D reconstructions and determine the pixel-wise phase-to-coordinate relationships using low-order polynomials. The calibrated pixel-wise polynomial functions can be used for 3D reconstruction for a given pixel phase value. We experimentally demonstrated that our proposed method achieves high accuracy for a large volume: sub-millimeter within 1200(H) × 800 (V) × 1000(D) mm3.
Non-propagation fast phase diverse phase retrieval for wavefront measurement with generalized FFT-based basis function
Authors: Zhao Lei , Yan Hao , Hou Jing , Ju Guohao , Wang Kaiwei , Bai Jian
Published: May 2021

Phase retrieval is an attractive optical testing method with a simple experimental arrangement. The sampling grids wave propagation computation based on the FFT operations is usually involved in each iterative process for the classical phase retrieval model. In this paper, a novel non-propagation optimization phase retrieval technique with the FFT-based basis function is proposed to accelerate wavefront measurement. The sampling grids wave diffraction propagation computation is converted to matrix-vector products that have small dimensions to reduce the computational burden. The diffraction basis function based on generalized numerical orthogonal polynomial and two-step Fresnel propagation is deduced, which is suitable for the generally shaped pupil. This paper provides a universal non-propagation framework to accelerate phase retrieval which is applicable to the arbitrarily shaped wavefront measurement.
Enhancement of UV-visible transmission characteristics in wet-etched hollow core anti-resonant fibers
Authors: Hoang Van Thuy , Stępniewski Grzegorz , Kasztelanic Rafał , Pysz Dariusz , Long Van Cao , Dinh Khoa Xuan , Klimczak Mariusz , Buczyński Ryszard
Published: May 2021

We report on the feasibility of short-wavelength transmission window modification in anti-resonant hollow core fibers using post-processing by hydrofluoric (HF) acid etching. Direct drawing of stacked anti-resonant hollow core fibers with sub-micron thin cladding capillary membranes is technologically challenging, but so far this has been the only proven method of assuring over an octave-spanning transmission windows across the visible and UV wavelengths. In this study we revealed that low HF concentration allows us to reduce the thickness of the cladding capillary membranes from the initial 760 nm down to 180 nm in a controlled process. The glass etching rates have been established for different HF concentrations within a range non-destructive to the anti-resonant cladding structure. Etching resulted in spectral blue-shifting and broadening of anti-resonant transmission windows in all tested fiber samples with lengths between 15 cm and 75 cm. Spectrally continuous transmission, extending from around 200 nm to 650 nm was recorded in 75 cm long fibers with cladding membranes etched down to thickness of 180 nm. The experiment allowed us to verify the applicability and feasibility of controlling a silica fiber post-processing technique, aimed at broadening of anti-resonant transmission windows in hollow core fibers. A practical application of the processed fiber samples is demonstrated with their simple butt-coupling to light-emitting diodes centered at various ultraviolet wavelengths between 265 nm and 365 nm.
Accuracy-enhanced coherent Ising machine using the quantum adiabatic theorem
Authors: Li Lin , Liu Hongjun , Huang Nan , Wang Zhaolu
Published: May 2021

The coherent Ising machine (CIM) implemented by degenerate optical parametric oscillator (DOPO) networks is a novel optical platform to accelerate computation of hard combinatorial optimization problems. Nevertheless, with the increase of the problem size, the probability of the machine being trapped by local minima increases exponentially. According to the quantum adiabatic theorem, a physical system will remain in its instantaneous ground state if the time-dependent Hamiltonian varies slowly enough. Here, we propose a method to help the machine partially avoid getting stuck in local minima by introducing quantum adiabatic evolution to the ground-state-search process of the CIM, which we call A-CIM. Numerical simulation results demonstrate that A-CIM can obtain improved solution accuracy in solving MAXCUT problems of vertices ranging from 10 to 2000 than CIM. The proposed machine that is based on quantum adiabatic theorem is expected to solve optimization problems more correctly.
High quality, high index-contrast chalcogenide microdisk resonators
Authors: Zhang Rizhen , Yang Zhen , Zhao Mingyue , Xu Peipeng , Zhang Wei , Kang Zhe , Zheng Jiajiu , Dai Shixun , Wang Rongping , Majumdar Arka
Published: May 2021

We demonstrate the high quality (Q) factor microdisk resonators in high index-contrast chalcogenide glass (ChG) film GeSbSe using electron-beam lithography followed by plasma dry etching. High confinement, low-loss, and single-point-coupled microdisk resonators with a loaded Q factor of 5×105 are measured. We also present pulley-coupled microdisk resonators for relaxing the requirements on the coupling gap. While adjusting the wrap-around coupling waveguides to be phase-matched to the resonator mode, a single specific microdisk radial mode can be excited. Moreover, the thermal characterization of microdisk resonators is carried out to estimate the thermo-optic coefficient of 6.7×10−5/K for bulk ChG.
Silicate bonding of sapphire to SESAMs: adjustable thermal lensing for high-power lasers
Authors: Lang L. , Saltarelli F. , Lacaille G. , Rowan S. , Hough J. , Graumann I. J. , Phillips C. R. , Keller U.
Published: May 2021

Silicate bonding is a flexible bonding method that enables room-temperature bonding of many types of materials with only moderate flatness constraints. It is a promising approach for bonding components in high power laser systems, since it results in a thin and low-absorption interface layer between the bonded materials. Here we demonstrate for the first time silicate bonding of a sapphire window to a SEmiconductor Saturable Absorber Mirror (SESAM) and use the composite structure to mode-lock a high-power thin-disk laser. We characterize the fabricated devices both theoretically and experimentally and show how the thermally induced lens of the composite structure can be tuned both in magnitude and sign via the thickness of the sapphire window. We demonstrate mode-locking of a high-power thin-disk laser oscillator with these devices. The altered thermal lens allows us to increase the output power to 233 W, a 70-W-improvement compared to the results achieved with a state-of-the-art SESAM in the same cavity.
Investigation of the pump coupling efficiency of a side-pumping combiner based on tapered-fused method
Authors: Li Zhixian , Min Fu , Xin Tian , Zhao Xiaofan , Li Hongye , Chen Zilun , Wang Zefeng , Chen Jinbao
Published: May 2021

Side-pumping combiner is used for pumping double-clad fiber in various fiber laser schemes. However, its coupling efficiency and temperature characteristics suffer when pumped via a large numerical aperture (NA) pump light. We investigated the method of optimizing the coupling efficiency of a (2 + 1) ×1 combiner under a large NA pump light injection. After optimization of taper ratio and length of the pump fiber and fusion area between pump and signal fiber, the coupling efficiency increased and the temperature characteristic improved, which could be useful for fabrication of a side-pumping combiner for high-power fiber laser applications.
Characterizing the chaotic dynamics of a semiconductor nanolaser subjected to FBG feedback
Authors: Jiang Pei , Zhou Pei , Li Nianqiang , Mu Penghua , Li Xiaofeng
Published: May 2021

Nonlinear dynamics of semiconductor nanolasers subjected to distributed feedbacks from fiber Bragg grating (FBG) are investigated through modified rate equations, which include the unique Purcell cavity-enhanced spontaneous emission factor F and spontaneous emission coupling factor β. In the analysis, the effects of F, β, frequency detuning, feedback strength, feedback delay, FBG bandwidth and length on chaotic performance are evaluated. It is observed that the approach of FBG feedback outperforms mirror feedback in terms of concealing time-delay signature and increasing effective bandwidth by choosing intermediate feedback strength and frequency detuning. Additionally, chaotic regions and the corresponding chaotic characteristics are revealed by dynamical mappings of nanolasers subjected to FBG feedback. The results show that decreased F, β and increased FBG bandwidth can extend the parameter range of chaos. However, the variation of feedback delay and FBG length has no obvious effect on TDS suppression and effective bandwidth enhancement. Most importantly, high quality optical chaos with low TDS and high effective bandwidth induced by increased dispersion is obtained within broad parameter regions considered, which is beneficial to achieving chaos-based applications.