bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low repetition rate 915 nm figure-9 ultrafast laser with all-fiber structure
Authors: Li Xin , Li Sha , Li Xuan , Wang Yafei , Cheng Zhi , Xiong Yatan , Cao Xinru , Feng Yan , Zhou Jiaqi
Published: March 2024

The advent of optical metrology applications has necessitated the development of compact, reliable, and cost-effective picosecond lasers operating around 900 nm, specifically catering to the requirements of precise ranging. In response to this demand, our work introduces an innovative solution—an all-fiber, all-polarization-maintaining (PM) figure-9 mode-locked laser operating at 915 nm. The proposed figure-9 Nd-doped fiber laser has a 69.2 m long cavity length, strategically designed and optimized to yield pulses with a combination of high pulse energy and low repetition rate. The laser can generate 915 nm laser pulses with a pulse energy of 4.65 nJ, a pulse duration of 15.2 ps under the repetition rate of 3.05 MHz. The 1064 nm amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) is deliberately filtered out, in order to prevent parasitic lasing and increase the spectral proportion of the 915 nm laser. The all-PM fiber configuration of this laser imparts exceptional mode-locking performance and environmental robustness, which is confirmed by long-term output power and spectral stability test. This compact and long-term reliable fiber laser could be a promising light source for applications like inter-satellite ranging.
See farther and more: a master-slave UAVs based synthetic optical aperture imaging system with wide and dynamic baseline
Authors: Zhang Yijie , An Pei , Li Zhilong , Liu Qiong , Yang You
Published: March 2024

An open challenge remained in designing an optical system to capture the aerial image with a wide field of view (FoV) and high resolution. The optical system of one camera from a single unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can hardly promise the FoV and resolution. The conventional swarm UAVs can form the camera array with a short or fixed baseline. They can capture the images with a wide FoV and high resolution, but the cost is the requirement of many UAVs. We aim to design a camera array with a wide and dynamic baseline to reduce the demand for UAVs to organize a synthetic optical aperture. In this thought, we propose a master-slave UAVs-based synthetic optical aperture imaging system with a wide and dynamic baseline. The system consists of one master UAV and multiple slave UAVs. Master and slave UAVs provide the global and local FoVs, respectively, and improve the efficiency of image acquisition. In such a system, fusing UAV images becomes a new challenge due to two factors: (i) the small FoV overlap of slave UAVs and (ii) the gap in resolution scale from slave to master UAV images. To deal with it, a coarse-to-fine stitching method is proposed to stitch up the multi-view images into one to obtain a wide FoV with high resolution. A video stabilization method has also been designed for the proposed imaging system. Challenges caused by wide and dynamic baselines can thus be solved by the above methods. Actual data experiments demonstrate that the proposed imaging system achieves high-quality imaging results.
Wavelength-switchable watt-level continuous wave near-infrared Pr3+:LiYF4 lasers pumped by an InGaN laser diode
Authors: Li Zhuang , Liao Wenlu , Zhang Zheng , Xu Huiying , Cai Zhiping
Published: March 2024

We report a high-performance wavelength-switchable near-infrared Pr3+:LiYF4 (Pr:YLF) laser by InGaN laser diode (LD) pumping. The 895, 922, and 924 nm lasers with low emission cross sections in the Pr:YLF crystal have been successfully realized using a birefringent filter Lyot as well as designing and optimizing optical thin films and the laser resonant cavity. The maximum output powers of the 895, 922, and 924 nm lasers are 2.01, 1.92, and 1.95 W, respectively. As far as we know, these are the highest power for Pr:YLF lasers at 895, 922, and 924 nm so far. The beam quality M
x
2 and M
y
2 factors are measured to be 1.85 and 1.71 at 895 nm, 1.94 and 1.67 at 922 nm, and 1.76 and 1.60 at 924 nm, respectively. The laser output power fluctuates within ±3%. In addition, the transmittance of the Lyot is theoretically calculated to achieve laser wavelength switching. The successful realization of the wavelength-switchable watt-level continuous wave near-infrared Pr:YLF laser can provide many practical applications in biomedicine and other fields.
Programmable Photonics
Authors: Bogaerts Wim
Published: March 2024

With the addition of programmability and software, photonic chips
can enter a new era of flexibility, creativity and diverse
applications.
A Geometric-Phase Timeline
Authors: Berry Michael
Published: March 2024

Global change without local change—a connecting idea in the
physics of optical, quantum and other waves-has a multistranded
history spanning two centuries.
High-performance portable grating-based surface plasmon resonance sensor using a tunable laser at normal incidence
Authors: Le Duc , Ranta-Lassila Anni , Sipola Teemu , Karppinen Mikko , Petäjä Jarno , Kehusmaa Minna , Aikio Sanna , Guo Tian-Long , Roussey Matthieu , Hiltunen Jussi , Popov Alexey
Published: March 2024

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors are among the most sensitive sensors. In such devices, a grating is a compelling alternative to a prism for the excitation of a surface plasmon, especially in the development of sensors for point-of-care applications due to their compactness and cost-effectiveness. Here, we demonstrate the use of a tunable laser in a grating-based SPR system for further miniaturization and integration. The tunable laser working at normal incidence replaces spectral and moving components, while also simplifying the optical setup. Normal incidence is conventionally avoided due to the complexity of the control of degenerated SPR modes. We investigate, both computationally and experimentally, the splitting of the SPR modes at small nonzero incidences, which is lacking in previously reported studies. By optimizing the grating configuration, we were able to diminish the SPR mode splitting phenomenon when the excitation was feasible with the normal incidence configuration. The fabricated sensor showed a high sensitivity of 1101.6 nm/RIU. Notably, the figure of merit of the sensor, defined as the ratio between the sensitivity and bandwidth of the SPR dip, was 229.5. The experimental results were consistent with the simulation results. We also demonstrate its capability for detecting low concentrations of glucose and creatinine with the limit of detection of 14.2 and 19.1 mmol/L, respectively.
An adapted MS2-MCP system to visualize endogenous cytoplasmic mRNA with live imaging in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Tocchini Cristina , Mango Susan E.
Published: March 2024

Live imaging of RNA molecules constitutes an invaluable means to track the dynamics of mRNAs, but live imaging in Caenorhabditis elegans has been difficult to achieve. Endogenous transcripts have been observed in nuclei, but endogenous mRNAs have not been detected in the cytoplasm, and functional mRNAs have not been generated. Here, we have adapted live imaging methods to visualize mRNA in embryonic cells. We have tagged endogenous transcripts with MS2 hairpins in the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) and visualized them after adjusting MS2 Coat Protein (MCP) expression. A reduced number of these transcripts accumulates in the cytoplasm, leading to loss-of-function phenotypes. In addition, during epithelial morphogenesis, MS2-tagged mRNAs for dlg-1 fail to associate with the adherens junction, as observed for untagged, endogenous mRNAs. These defects are reversed by inactivating the nonsense-mediated decay pathway. RNA accumulates in the cytoplasm, mutant phenotypes are rescued, and dlg-1 RNA associates with the adherens junction. These data suggest that MS2 repeats can induce the degradation of endogenous RNAs and alter their cytoplasmic distribution. Although our focus is RNAs expressed in epithelial cells during morphogenesis, we find that this method can be applied to other cell types and stages.
A multiscale computational framework for the development of spines in molluscan shells
Authors: Moulton Derek E. , Aubert-Kato Nathanaël , Almet Axel A. , Sato Atsuko
Published: March 2024

From mathematical models of growth to computer simulations of pigmentation, the study of shell formation has given rise to an abundant number of models, working at various scales. Yet, attempts to combine those models have remained sparse, due to the challenge of combining categorically different approaches. In this paper, we propose a framework to streamline the process of combining the molecular and tissue scales of shell formation. We choose these levels as a proxy to link the genotype level, which is better described by molecular models, and the phenotype level, which is better described by tissue-level mechanics. We also show how to connect observations on shell populations to the approach, resulting in collections of molecular parameters that may be associated with different populations of real shell specimens. The approach is as follows: we use a Quality-Diversity algorithm, a type of black-box optimization algorithm, to explore the range of concentration profiles emerging as solutions of a molecular model, and that define growth patterns for the mechanical model. At the same time, the mechanical model is simulated over a wide range of growth patterns, resulting in a variety of spine shapes. While time-consuming, these steps only need to be performed once and then function as look-up tables. Actual pictures of shell spines can then be matched against the list of existing spine shapes, yielding a potential growth pattern which, in turn, gives us matching molecular parameters. The framework is modular, such that models can be easily swapped without changing the overall working of the method. As a demonstration of the approach, we solve specific molecular and mechanical models, adapted from available theoretical studies on molluscan shells, and apply the multiscale framework to evaluate the characteristics of spines from three distinct populations of Turbo sazae.
Barriers to contraceptive use in humanitarian settings: Experiences of South Sudanese refugee women living in Adjumani district, Uganda; an exploratory qualitative study
Authors: Achola Roselline , Atuyambe Lynn , Nabiwemba Elizabeth , Nyashanu Mathew , Garimoi Orach Christopher
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Contraceptive use can be lifesaving, empowering and cost-effective for women and girls. Access to contraception is still challenging to female refugees due to several barriers including language, low educational level, lack of information, influence by family members, limited income, cultural and religious norms. This study explored barriers to contraceptive use among South Sudanese refugee women living in Adjumani district, Uganda.

Methods

An exploratory study design using qualitative methods were employed involving women of reproductive age (15–49 years). Purposive sampling was used to select participants for Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and In-depth Interviews (IDIs) from three settlements in Adjumani district. We conducted four FGDs, each consisting of 8 participants. We also conducted fourteen in-depth interviews (IDIs) with women of reproductive age. The IDI and FGD guides were translated into local languages before they were used to collect data. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated into English. Audio recordings were labeled before being translated back to English. Deductive, team-based coding was implemented, and a codebook developed. Transcripts were entered, and data coded using Atlas ti version 14. Data were analyzed using content analysis to produce the final outputs for the study.

Results

The study found several challenges to contraceptive use. These included gender dynamics, socially constructed myths on contraceptive use, cultural norms, limited knowledge about contraceptives, men’s negative attitudes, antagonism of contraceptive use by leaders and reprisal of women who use contraception.

Conclusion

The study concluded that there is need for community strategies to break down the barriers to contraception utilization among refugee women. Such strategies should involve men and women alongside gatekeepers to enhance sustainability.
Generation of murine tumor models refractory to αPD-1/-L1 therapies due to defects in antigen processing/presentation or IFNγ signaling using CRISPR/Cas9
Authors: Chariou Paul L. , Minnar Christine M. , Tandon Mayank , Guest Mary R. , Chari Raj , Schlom Jeffrey , Gameiro Sofia R.
Published: March 2024

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) targeting the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand 1 (PD-L1) fails to provide clinical benefit for most cancer patients due to primary or acquired resistance. Drivers of ICB resistance include tumor antigen processing/presentation machinery (APM) and IFNγ signaling mutations. Thus, there is an unmet clinical need to develop alternative therapies for these patients. To this end, we have developed a CRISPR/Cas9 approach to generate murine tumor models refractory to PD-1/-L1 inhibition due to APM/IFNγ signaling mutations. Guide RNAs were employed to delete B2m, Jak1, or Psmb9 genes in ICB-responsive EMT6 murine tumor cells. B2m was deleted in ICB-responsive MC38 murine colon cancer cells. We report a detailed development and validation workflow including whole exome and Sanger sequencing, western blotting, and flow cytometry to assess target gene deletion. Tumor response to ICB and immune effects of gene deletion were assessed in syngeneic mice. This workflow can help accelerate the discovery and development of alternative therapies and a deeper understanding of the immune consequences of tumor mutations, with potential clinical implications.
Inhaled anesthesia associated with reduced mortality in patients with stage III breast cancer: A population-based study
Authors: Kuo Emily Tzu-Jung , Kuo Chin , Lin Cheng-Li
Published: March 2024

Background

Patients diagnosed with stage III breast cancer often undergo surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy as part of their treatment. The choice of anesthesia technique during surgery has been a subject of interest due to its potential association with immune changes and prognosis. In this study, we aimed to compare the mortality rates between stage III breast cancer patients undergoing surgery with propofol-based intravenous general anesthesia and those receiving inhaled anesthetics.

Methods

Using data from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database and Taiwan Cancer Registry, we identified a cohort of 10,896 stage III breast cancer patients. Among them, 1,506 received propofol-based intravenous anesthetic maintenance, while 9,390 received inhaled anesthetic maintenance. To ensure comparability between the two groups, we performed propensity-score matching.

Results

Our findings revealed a significantly lower mortality rate in patients who received inhaled anesthetics compared to those who received propofol-based intravenous anesthesia. Sensitivity analysis further confirmed the robustness of our results.

Conclusions

This study suggests that inhaled anesthesia technique is associated with a lower mortality rate in clinical stage III breast cancer. Further research is needed to validate and expand upon these results.
Seroepidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in a cohort of pregnant women and their infants in Uganda and Malawi
Authors: Hookham Lauren , Cantrell Liberty , Cose Stephen , Freyne Bridget , Gadama Luis , Imede Esther , Kawaza Kondwani , Lissauer Samantha , Musoke Phillipa , Nankabirwa Victoria , Sekikubo Musa , Sommerfelt Halvor , Voysey Merryn , Le Doare Kirsty ,   on behalf of The periCOVID Consortium
Published: March 2024

Background

Data on SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy and infancy has accumulated throughout the course of the pandemic, though evidence regarding asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and adverse birth outcomes are scarce. Limited information is available from countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The pregnant woman and infant COVID in Africa study (PeriCOVID Africa) is a South-South-North partnership involving hospitals and health centres in five countries: Malawi, Uganda, Mozambique, The Gambia, and Kenya. The study leveraged data from three ongoing prospective cohort studies: Preparing for Group B Streptococcal Vaccines (GBS PREPARE), SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 in women and their infants in Kampala and Mukono (COMAC) and Pregnancy Care Integrating Translational Science Everywhere (PRECISE). In this paper we describe the seroepidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women enrolled in sites in Uganda and Malawi, and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on pregnancy and infant outcomes.

Outcome

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in maternal blood, reported as the proportion of seropositive women by study site and wave of COVID-19 within each country.

Methods

The PeriCOVID study was a prospective mother-infant cohort study that recruited pregnant women at any gestation antenatally or on the day of delivery. Maternal and cord blood samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using Wantai and Euroimmune ELISA. In periCOVID Uganda and Malawi nose and throat swabs for SARS-Cov-2 RT-PCR were obtained.

Results

In total, 1379 women were enrolled, giving birth to 1387 infants. Overall, 63% of pregnant women had a SARS-CoV-2 positive serology. Over subsequent waves (delta and omicron), in the absence of vaccination, seropositivity rose from 20% to over 80%. The placental transfer GMR was 1.7, indicating active placental transfer of anti-spike IgG. There was no association between SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity and adverse pregnancy or infancy outcomes.
Evaluation of national fitness and national health development and coupling and coordination in 11 provinces and cities in Eastern China
Authors: Lin Dongxu , Wang Haixia , Xu Jinfu , Niu Lin
Published: March 2024

Under the influence of development strategies with regard to national fitness and health in China, the interactive development between national fitness and national health is becoming increasingly strong. To explore the coupling and coordination relationship between national fitness and national health, this paper conducts an empirical analysis of the coupling and coordination relationship between national fitness and national health in 11 provinces and cities in Eastern China using the entropy weight method, a coupling coordination model, spatial visualization of the coupling coordination degree and spatial autocorrelation analysis. The research confirms that the comprehensive development level of national fitness and national health in Eastern China shows a steady upward trend, with a lag in national fitness as a whole, and that the growth rate of national fitness development is faster than that of national health development. The coupling coordination degree of the two systems of national fitness and national health in Eastern China shows a slow upward trend, and the coupling coordination degree rises from barely coordinated to primary coordination. There are significant differences in the spatial pattern of coupling coordination: the spatial pattern from north to south generally shows ‘low-high-high-low-high-low’ characteristics, and the spatial spillover effect of coupling coordination in various regions has not yet appeared. The revised GM(1.1) prediction results indicate that the level and improvement rate of coupling coordination will accelerate significantly in the next 10 years, but the spatial differences will still exist. Finally, suggestions are proposed to optimize the coupling and coordinated development of national fitness and national health based on policy guarantees as well as strengthening and cross-regional cooperation.
Institutional gap and enterprise behavior: Evidence from China
Authors: Yao Meijie , Wang Wenxue , Rao Li
Published: March 2024

Alternative institutions have played a significant role in the difficult and tenacious development process of private enterprises in recent decades. the paper applied 306 listed companies’ data from January 2012 to December 2022 to investigate the relationship between institutional gap and enterprise behavior. Based on the identified, classified, and explained formal and alternative institutions, it proposed the concept of ’institutional gap’ to infer the overlapped content of these two states. Concluding from the empirical results, Chinese private enterprises that introduced state-owned equity outperformance in management, financing and entering industries with high barriers. Moreover, the channel of state-owned equity introduction is compared with entrepreneurs’ political participation. Although introducing state-owned equity is a crucial approach, the establishment and improvement of relevant legal systems is suggested, such as formal regulations and laws. The government should deepen the reform of the economic system to improve the business environment, so private enterprises consciously rely on market mechanisms to allocate resources efficiently and rationally, instead of actively seeking connections with the government to obtain benefits. The supervisory role of checks and balances shareholders should be exerted to the greatest extent to maintain and increase the value of state-owned assets, rather than allowing the controlling private shareholders to use them as resources acquired political capital.
Electronic medical record implementation in the emergency department in a low-resource country: Lessons learned
Authors: Faris Nagham , Saliba Miriam , Tamim Hani , Jabbour Rima , Fakih Ahmad , Sadek Zouhair , Antoun Rula , El Sayed Mazen , Hitti Eveline
Published: March 2024

Objective

There is paucity of information regarding electronic medical record (EMR) implementation in emergency departments in countries outside the United States especially in low-resource settings. The objective of this study is to describe strategies for a successful implementation of an EMR in the emergency department and to examine the impact of this implementation on the department’s operations and patient-related metrics.

Methods

We performed an observational retrospective study at the emergency department of a tertiary care center in Beirut, Lebanon. We assessed the effect of EMR implementation by tracking emergency departments’ quality metrics during a one-year baseline period and one year after implementation. End-user satisfaction and patient satisfaction were also assessed.

Results

Our evaluation of the implementation of EMR in a low resource setting showed a transient increase in LOS and visit-to-admission decision, however this returned to baseline after around 6 months. The bounce-back rate also increased. End-users were satisfied with the new EMR and patient satisfaction did not show a significant change.

Conclusions

Lessons learned from this successful EMR implementation include a mix of strategies recommended by the EMR vendor as well as specific strategies used at our institution. These can be used in future implementation projects in low-resource settings to avoid disruption of workflows.
4-aminopyridine improves evoked potentials and ambulation in the taiep rat: A model of hypomyelination with atrophy of basal ganglia and cerebellum
Authors: Eguibar Jose R. , Cortes Carmen , Hernandez Victor H. , Lopez-Juarez Alejandra , Piazza Valeria , Carmona Diego , Kleinert-Altamirano Anke , Morales-Campos Blanca , Salceda Emilio , Roncagliolo Manuel
Published: March 2024

The taiep rat is a tubulin mutant with an early hypomyelination followed by progressive demyelination of the central nervous system due to a point mutation in the Tubb4a gene. It shows clinical, radiological, and pathological signs like those of the human leukodystrophy hypomyelination with atrophy of the basal ganglia and cerebellum (H-ABC). Taiep rats had tremor, ataxia, immobility episodes, epilepsy, and paralysis; the acronym of these signs given the name to this autosomal recessive trait. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in adult taiep rats and in a patient suffering from H-ABC. Additionally, we evaluated the effects of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) on sensory responses and locomotion and finally, we compared myelin loss in the spinal cord of adult taiep and wild type (WT) rats using immunostaining. Our results showed delayed SSEPs in the upper and the absence of them in the lower extremities in a human patient. In taiep rats SSEPs had a delayed second negative evoked responses and were more susceptible to delayed responses with iterative stimulation with respect to WT. MEPs were produced by bipolar stimulation of the primary motor cortex generating a direct wave in WT rats followed by several indirect waves, but taiep rats had fused MEPs. Importantly, taiep SSEPs improved after systemic administration of 4-AP, a potassium channel blocker, and this drug induced an increase in the horizontal displacement measured in a novelty-induced locomotor test. In taiep subjects have a significant decrease in the immunostaining of myelin in the anterior and ventral funiculi of the lumbar spinal cord with respect to WT rats. In conclusion, evoked potentials are useful to evaluate myelin alterations in a leukodystrophy, which improved after systemic administration of 4-AP. Our results have a translational value because our findings have implications in future medical trials for H-ABC patients or with other leukodystrophies.
Psychological predictors of the time perspective: The role of posttraumatic stress disorder, posttraumatic growth, and temporal triggers in a sample of bereaved adults
Authors: Saltzman Leia Y. , Terzis Lauren
Published: March 2024

Introduction

The process of coping with loss and trauma is inextricably linked with subjective experiences and perceptions of time. The Time Perspective Framework, suggests that temporal frames influence an individual’s actions, judgements, and the decisions that they make. Similarly, time perspective has been linked with psychosocial outcomes of trauma and loss (e.g. posttraumatic stress disorder). The aim of this study is to identify factors that may influence survivor’s time perspective in order to determine if posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), posttraumatic growth (PTG), and temporal triggers (MIT) influenced different time perspective orientations.

Methods

Data was collected via Qualtrics survey between July 2019 and July 2020. Measures included basic demographic characteristics, posttraumatic stress disorder checklist, posttraumatic growth inventory, an assessment of temporal triggers, and the Zimbardo time perspective inventory. A series of OLS regression analyses were estimated.

Results

PTG was positively associated with future time perspective scores, whereas PTSD was associated with an increase in past negative orientation. The endorsement of temporal triggers like markers in time was negatively associated with present hedonistic scores and positively associated with future time perspective scores. Interestingly, PTSD, PTG and the endorsement of MIT were not associated with present time perspective scores.

Discussion and implications

Identifying the relationship between PTSD, PTG, marker in time, and time perspective may offer important insights into treatment modalities that can improve outcomes for bereaved individuals. We discuss limitations of the current analysis and make recommendations for future research.
Changes in GC-MS metabolite profile, antioxidant capacity and anthocyanins content during fermentation of fine-flavor cacao beans from Ecuador
Authors: Chóez-Guaranda Ivan , Maridueña-Zavala María , Quevedo Adela , Quijano-Avilés María , Manzano Patricia , Cevallos-Cevallos Juan M.
Published: March 2024

The fermentation of fine-flavor cacao beans is a key process contributing to the enhancement of organoleptic attributes and monetary benefits for cacao farmers. This work aimed to describe the dynamics of the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) metabolite profile as well as the antioxidant capacity and anthocyanin contents during fermentation of fine-flavor cacao beans. Samples of Nacional x Trinitario cacao beans were obtained after 0, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours of spontaneous fermentation. Total phenolic content (TPC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and total anthocyanin content were measured by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry. Volatiles were adsorbed by headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) while other metabolites were assessed by an extraction-derivatization method followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) detection and identification. Thirty-two aroma-active compounds were identified in the samples, including 17 fruity, and 9 floral-like volatiles as well as metabolites with caramel, chocolate, ethereal, nutty, sweet, and woody notes. Principal components analysis and Heatmap-cluster analysis of volatile metabolites grouped samples according to the fermentation time. Additionally, the total anthocyanin content declined during fermentation, and FRAP-TPC values showed a partial correlation. These results highlight the importance of fermentation for the improvement of the fine-flavor characteristics of cacao beans.
The relationship between alpha power and heart rate variability commonly seen in various mental states
Authors: Kawashima Tomoya , Shiratori Honoka , Amano Kaoru
Published: March 2024

The extensive exploration of the correlation between electroencephalogram (EEG) and heart rate variability (HRV) has yielded inconsistent outcomes, largely attributable to variations in the tasks employed in the studies. The direct relationship between EEG and HRV is further complicated by alpha power, which is susceptible to influences such as mental fatigue and sleepiness. This research endeavors to examine the brain-heart interplay typically observed during periods of music listening and rest. In an effort to mitigate the indirect effects of mental states on alpha power, subjective fatigue and sleepiness were measured during rest, while emotional valence and arousal were evaluated during music listening. Partial correlation analyses unveiled positive associations between occipital alpha2 power (10–12 Hz) and nHF, an indicator of parasympathetic activity, under both music and rest conditions. These findings underscore brain-heart interactions that persist even after the effects of other variables have been accounted for.
DNA-based assay for calorimetric determination of protein concentrations in pure or mixed solutions
Authors: Eskew Matthew W. , Reardon Patrick , Benight Albert S.
Published: March 2024

It was recently reported that values of the transition heat capacities, as measured by differential scanning calorimetry, for two globular proteins and a short DNA hairpin in NaCl buffer are essentially equivalent, at equal concentrations (mg/mL). To validate the broad applicability of this phenomenon, additional evidence for this equivalence is presented that reveals it does not depend on DNA sequence, buffer salt, or transition temperature (Tm). Based on the equivalence of transition heat capacities, a calorimetric method was devised to determine protein concentrations in pure and complex solutions. The scheme uses direct comparisons between the thermodynamic stability of a short DNA hairpin standard of known concentration, and thermodynamic stability of protein solutions of unknown concentrations. Sequences of two DNA hairpins were designed to confer a near 20°C difference in their Tm values. In all cases, evaluated protein concentrations determined from the DNA standard curves agreed with the UV-Vis concentration for monomeric proteins. For multimeric proteins evaluated concentrations were greater than determined by UV-Vis suggesting the calorimetric approach can also be an indicator of molecular stoichiometry.
Awake tracheal intubation in routine airway management: A retrospective analysis in a tertiary centre
Authors: Pirlich Nina , Berk Alexander , Hummel Regina , Schmidtmann Irene , Epp Katharina , Kriege Marc , Wittenmeier Eva
Published: March 2024

Introduction

While awake tracheal intubation (ATI) is regarded as the gold standard for difficult airway management according to current guidelines, there seems to be a reluctance in its application. This retrospective cohort study, conducted at a German tertiary hospital over a 2-year period, aimed to demonstrate that integrating awake tracheal intubation using flexible bronchoscopy (ATI:FB) into routine airway management makes it a successful and safe approach.

Materials and methods

In 2019 and 2020, records from the data acquisition system (DAQ) and archived anesthesia records were screened to evaluate the specifics of ATI:FB procedures, focusing on overall success and safety. Analysis included complications, time required for ATI:FB, and potential influencing factors such as patient characteristics, indication, medical/operative specialty, sedation technique, route and experience of anesthesiologist. Logistic regression assessed the impact of various variables on occurrence of complications and linear regression, with log(time) as the dependent variable, evaluated median time required to perform ATI:FB.

Results

ATI:FB constituted 4.3 % (n = 1,911) of all airway management procedures, predominantly observed in dental, oral, and maxillofacial surgery (46.5 %) and otorhinolaryngology (38.4 %). The success rate for ATI:FB was notably high at 99.6 %, with only 5.4 % of cases experiencing complications, including technical issues, agitation, and visibility obstruction due to mucous secretion. Complication risk was influenced by the medical specialty and the experience of the anesthesiologist. A strong effect was observed in otorhinolaryngology (OR = 4.54, 95 % CI [1.64; 14.06]). The median time required for ATI:FB was 16 minutes (IQR: 11 to 23), with factors such as indication (p < 0.0001), experience of anesthesiologist (p < 0.0001), sedation technique (p = 0.0408), priority of the procedure (p = 0.0134), and medical/operative specialty (p < 0.0001) affecting the duration. The median time required for ATI:FB differed significantly based on the experience of the anesthesiologist (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

ATI:FB proves successful and safe, with low complications and manageable procedural time. Experience of the anesthesiologist is a modifiable factor enhancing safety, emphasizing the need for ATI:FB integration into routine airway management.
Knowing me, knowing you—A study on top-down requirements for compensatory scanning in drivers with homonymous visual field loss
Authors: Biebl Bianca , Kuhn Max , Stolle Franziska , Xu Jing , Bengler Klaus , Bowers Alex R.
Published: March 2024

Objective

It is currently still unknown why some drivers with visual field loss can compensate well for their visual impairment while others adopt ineffective strategies. This paper contributes to the methodological investigation of the associated top-down mechanisms and aims at validating a theoretical model on the requirements for successful compensation among drivers with homonymous visual field loss.

Methods

A driving simulator study was conducted with eight participants with homonymous visual field loss and eight participants with normal vision. Participants drove through an urban surrounding and experienced a baseline scenario and scenarios with visual precursors indicating increased likelihoods of crossing hazards. Novel measures for the assessment of the mental model of their visual abilities, the mental model of the driving scene and the perceived attention demand were developed and used to investigate the top-down mechanisms behind attention allocation and hazard avoidance.

Results

Participants with an overestimation of their visual field size tended to prioritize their seeing side over their blind side both in subjective and objective measures. The mental model of the driving scene showed close relations to the subjective and actual attention allocation. While participants with homonymous visual field loss were less anticipatory in their usage of the visual precursors and showed poorer performances compared to participants with normal vision, the results indicate a stronger reliance on top-down mechanism for drivers with visual impairments. A subjective focus on the seeing side or on near peripheries more frequently led to bad performances in terms of collisions with crossing cyclists.

Conclusion

The study yielded promising indicators for the potential of novel measures to elucidate top-down mechanisms in drivers with homonymous visual field loss. Furthermore, the results largely support the model of requirements for successful compensatory scanning. The findings highlight the importance of individualized interventions and driver assistance systems tailored to address these mechanisms.
Prognostic value of PRR11 and immune cell infiltration in Ewing sarcoma
Authors: Wen Jian , Wan Lijia , Dong Xieping
Published: March 2024

Ewing’s sarcoma (ES) is the second most common bone and soft tissue malignancy in children and adolescents with a poor prognosis. The identification of genes with prognostic value may contribute to the prediction and treatment of this disease. The GSE17679, GSE68776, GSE63155, and GSE63156 datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and qualified. Prognostic value of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the normal and tumor groups and immune cell infiltration were explored by several algorithms. A prognostic model was established and validated. Finally, functional analyses of the DEGs were performed. Proline rich 11 (PRR11) and mast cell infiltration were noted as the key indicators for the prognosis of ES. Kaplan–Meier and scatter plots for the training and two validation sets showed that patients in the low-PRR11 expression group were associated with better outcomes than those in the high-PRR11 expression group. The concordance indices and calibration analyses of the prognostic model indicated good predictive accuracy in the training and validation sets. The area under the curve values obtained through the receiver operating characteristic analysis for 1-, 3-, 5-year prediction were ≥ 0.75 in the three cohorts, suggesting satisfactory sensitivity and specificity of the model. Decision curve analyses suggested that patients could benefit more from the model than the other strategies. Functional analyses suggested that DEGs were mainly clustered in the cell cycle pathway. PRR11 and mast cell infiltration are potential prognostic indicators in ES. PRR11 possibly affects the prognosis of patients with ES through the cell cycle pathway.
Candidate target genes of the male-specific expressed Doublesex in the termite Reticulitermes speratus
Authors: Fujiwara Kokuto , Miyazaki Satoshi , Maekawa Kiyoto
Published: March 2024

Eusocial insects such as termites, ants, bees, and wasps exhibit a reproductive division of labor. The developmental regulation of reproductive organ (ovaries and testes) is crucial for distinguishing between reproductive and sterile castes. The development of reproductive organ in insects is regulated by sex-determination pathways. The sex determination gene Doublesex (Dsx), encoding transcription factors, plays an important role in this pathway. Therefore, clarifying the function of Dsx in the developmental regulation of sexual traits is important to understand the social evolution of eusocial insects. However, no studies have reported the function of Dsx in hemimetabolous eusocial group termites. In this study, we searched for binding sites and candidate target genes of Dsx in species with available genome information as the first step in clarifying the function of Dsx in termites. First, we focused on the Reticulitermes speratus genome and identified 101 candidate target genes of Dsx. Using a similar method, we obtained 112, 39, and 76 candidate Dsx target genes in Reticulitermes lucifugus, Coptotermes formosanus, and Macrotermes natalensis, respectively. Second, we compared the candidate Dsx target genes between species and identified 37 common genes between R. speratus and R. lucifugus. These included several genes probably involved in spermatogenesis and longevity. However, only a few common target genes were identified between R. speratus and the other two species. Finally, Dsx dsRNA injection resulted in the differential expression of several target genes, including piwi-like protein and B-box type zinc finger protein ncl-1 in R. speratus. These results provide valuable resource data for future functional analyses of Dsx in termites.
Role of riboflavin deficiency in malaria pathophysiology
Authors: Sharma Shweta , Ramachandran Arathy , Sharma Amit
Published: March 2024

The emergence of resistance against antimalarials and insecticides poses a significant threat to malaria elimination strategies. It is crucial to explore potential risk factors for malaria to identify new targets and alternative therapies. Malnutrition is a well-established risk factor for malaria. Deficiencies of micronutrients such as vitamin A, zinc, iron, folic acid, and phenotypic measures of malnutrition, such as stunting and wasting, have been studied extensively in the context of malaria. Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, is a micronutrient involved in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Riboflavin deficiency has been shown to have an inverse correlation with malarial parasitaemia. This article reviews the role of riboflavin in maintaining redox homeostasis and probes how riboflavin deficiency could alter malaria pathogenesis by disrupting the balance between oxidants and antioxidants. Though riboflavin analogues have been explored as antimalarials, new in vivo and patient-based research is required to target riboflavin-associated pathways for antimalarial therapy.
A série documental “Encontros Gulbenkian de Música Contemporânea” (1977-2002): reflexões sobre práticas arquivísticas e benefícios da interdisciplinaridade no tratamento da documentação
Authors: Gonçalves de Magalhães Ana Filipa
Published: March 2024

O presente artigo tem como ponto de partida um estágio formativo que decorreu nos Arquivos Gulbenkian (AG), da Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian (FCG), no âmbito da Pós-Graduação em Arquivística Histórica em 2021/22, ministrada na Faculdade de Ciências Socias e Humanas da Universidade NOVA de Lisboa. O principal propósito deste estágio foi proceder ao tratamento técnico-arquivístico da série documental Encontros Gulbenkian de Música Contemporânea (EGMC) pertencente ao Serviço de Música da FCG. No total, ocorreram vinte seis edições dos Encontros Gulbenkian de Música Contemporânea entre 1977 e 2002 e toda a documentação se encontra à guarda da FCG. Até à data, não tinha sido realizado qualquer tratamento técnico-arquivístico desta documentação, que é de extrema importância no contexto da cena musical portuguesa de vanguarda. Este trabalho procura refletir sobre a importância da interdisciplinaridade entre duas áreas do conhecimento, em particular a musicologia e a arquivística, e demonstrar como a musicologia é útil ao tratamento técnico-arquivístico deste tipo de documentação referente a eventos musicais. Aqui são também expostos os contributos musicológicos no tratamento da documentação, destacando-se o modo como a musicologia auxilia a prática arquivística ao tornar a descrição da informação mais inteligível. Partindo da observação e da natureza da documentação dos Encontros Gulbenkian de Música Contemporânea, são discutidas algumas abordagens possíveis quanto aos procedimentos a ser adotados.
História, Ciências sociais e humanas, Ciência arquivística, Ciência da informação. Caminhos para a criação de espaços científicos comuns
Authors: De Lurdes Rosa Maria
Published: March 2024

O artigo constituiu-se como um contributo para a criação de espaços científicos comuns entre ciências que detêm atualmente uma grande vitalidade e diversidade epistemológica em torno do tema “Arquivo”, mas que com frequência não colaboram de forma sustentada: as Ciências sociais e humanas - nelas se destacando a História – a Ciência da informação e  a Arquivística. Sob o signo do cruzamento de perspetivas, tenta-se, através de estados da questão e de apreciações de campos disciplinares, contribuir para uma melhor difusão dos mesmos, bem como relançar o debate da criação interdisciplinar de campos científicos comuns, em que as várias ciências estejam presentes de igual para igual. O texto  desenvolve-se em seis pontos principais, distribuídos por três grandes temas, em sucessivos alargamentos:  o tema 1 convoca o cruzamento interdisciplinar, a partir de áreas fortes congregadas em torno da Ciência da informação e da Ciência arquivística; o tema  2 estende-se ao universo mais vasto das Ciências sociais e humanas, e o tema  3 coloca-se, em interdisciplinaridade transversal, na área da “Ciência Cidadã”, que permite uma abertura à sociedade a partir dos conteúdos das diferentes áreas científicas e da sua cooperação interdisciplinar
Cine debate y racialidad en la facultad de medicina n.º 1 de Santiago de Cuba
Authors: García-Torres Daniel Sebastián , Montalvo-Sánchez Dalianna Milagros , Mendoza-Ruiz Mirelna , Despaigne-Peró Richard , Díaz-Suárez Rosandra
Published: March 2024

La educación a través del cine constituye un exponente de concientización contra la discriminación racial y sus efectos. En la Facultad de Medicina No.1 de Santiago de Cuba se facilita el debate de filmes que abordan este asunto, partiendo del intercambio creativo y reflexivo con estudiantes y docentes según las situaciones complejas de diversas épocas que se reflejan en los materiales exhibidos y su paralelismo en la actualidad mundial, y en las complejas situaciones que prevalecen en la sociedad cubana.
Trabajos de fin de grado sobre humanidades en tres estudios de ciencias de la salud
Authors: Cambra-Badii Irene , Farré Magí , Pérez Jorge
Published: March 2024

Las autoridades educativas recomiendan la introducción de las humanidades en los planes de estudio de las carreras en ciencias de la salud para mejorar la formación de sus graduados. El objetivo del presente estudio consistió en determinar el número de trabajos de fin de grado realizados en el campo de las humanidades en tres estudios de ciencias de la salud.
Se revisaron todos los trabajos de fin de grado realizados durante 7 cohortes (2013-2020) en los grados de Biología Humana y de Medicina de la Unversidad Pompeu Fabra y durante 6 cohortes (2015-2021) del grado de Medicina en una unidad docente de la Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona.
El volumen de trabajos de fin de grado en humanidades fue discreto en los dos estudios de Medicina (inferior al 10 %) y superior en el grado de Biología Humana (15,5 %). Una importante mayoría de los trabajos hacían referencia a temas de interés social. También, en los tres grados se realizaron trabajos sobre aspectos que afectaban a los propios estudiantes, y sobre temas de docencia y el uso del cine o de las series de televisión para fomentar el aprendizaje. Parece conveniente fomentar un mayor interés en la realización de trabajos de fin de grado centrados en temas humanísticos.
Sintonía sin hogar. Historia de un solista solitario
Authors: Vizoso-Gómez Carmen Mª
Published: March 2024

El sinhogarismo supone un problema sociosanitario emergente relacionado principalmente con el desarrollo de patologías mentales y con diversas adicciones. La película El solista, dirigida por Joe Wright, representa un instrumento de gran utilidad para entender esta cuestión dado que revela el caso real de un músico que padece esquizofrenia y que vive en la calle, el señor Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Junior. Al mismo tiempo, la película permite analizar las circunstancias que le llevaron a esa situación y los factores que influyen en el proceso de inclusión social. Por lo tanto, se defiende el empleo de esta película como recurso pedagógico para la formación de estudiantes y profesionales.