bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A randomised controlled trial of a family-group cognitive-behavioural (FGCB) preventive intervention for the children of parents with depression: short-term effects on symptoms and possible mechanisms
Authors: Löchner Johanna , Starman-Wöhrle Kornelija , Takano Keisuke , Engelmann Lina , Voggt Alessandra , Loy Fabian , Bley Mirjam , Winogradow Dana , Hämmerle Stephanie , Neumeier Esther , Wermuth Inga , Schmitt Katharina , Oort Frans , Schulte-Körne Gerd , Platt Belinda
Published: October 2021

Objective

Parental depression is one of the biggest risk factors for youth depression. This parallel randomized controlled trial evaluates the effectiveness of the German version of the family-group-cognitive-behavioral (FGCB) preventive intervention for children of depressed parents.

Methods

Families with (i) a parent who has experienced depression and (ii) a healthy child aged 8–17 years (mean = 11.63; 53% female) were randomly allocated (blockwise; stratified by child age and parental depression) to the 12-session intervention (EG; n = 50) or no intervention (CG; usual care; n = 50). Self-reported (unblinded) outcomes were assessed immediately after the intervention (6 months). We hypothesized that CG children would show a greater increase in self-reported symptoms of depression (DIKJ) and internalising/externalising disorder (YSR/CBCL) over time compared to the EG. Intervention effects on secondary outcome variables emotion regulation (FEEL-KJ), attributional style (ASF-KJ), knowledge of depression and parenting style (ESI) were also expected. Study protocol (Belinda Platt, Pietsch, Krick, Oort, & Schulte-Körne, 2014) and trial registration (NCT02115880) reported elsewhere.

Results

We found significant intervention effects on self-reported internalising ($$\eta_{p}^{2}$$

η

p

2

 = 0.05) and externalising ($$\eta_{p}^{2}$$

η

p

2

 = 0.08) symptoms but did not detect depressive symptoms or parent-reported psychopathology. Parental depression severity did not modify these effects. Both groups showed equally improved knowledge of depression ($$\eta_{p}^{2}$$

η

p

2

 = 0.06). There were no intervention effects on emotion regulation, attributional style or parenting style.

Conclusion

The German version of the FGCB intervention is effective in reducing symptoms of general psychopathology. There was no evidence that the mechanisms targeted in the intervention changed within the intervention period.
Co-production of hydrogen and ethyl acetate in Escherichia coli
Authors: Bohnenkamp Anna C. , Wijffels René H. , Kengen Servé W. M. , Weusthuis Ruud A.
Published: October 2021

Background

Ethyl acetate (C4H8O2) and hydrogen (H2) are industrially relevant compounds that preferably are produced via sustainable, non-petrochemical production processes. Both compounds are volatile and can be produced by Escherichia coli before. However, relatively low yields for hydrogen are obtained and a mix of by-products renders the sole production of hydrogen by micro-organisms unfeasible. High yields for ethyl acetate have been achieved, but accumulation of formate remained an undesired but inevitable obstacle. Coupling ethyl acetate production to the conversion of formate into H2 may offer an interesting solution to both drawbacks. Ethyl acetate production requires equimolar amounts of ethanol and acetyl-CoA, which enables a redox neutral fermentation, without the need for production of by-products, other than hydrogen and CO2.

Results

We engineered Escherichia coli towards improved conversion of formate into H2 and CO2 by inactivating the formate hydrogen lyase repressor (hycA), both uptake hydrogenases (hyaAB, hybBC) and/or overexpressing the hydrogen formate lyase activator (fhlA), in an acetate kinase (ackA) and lactate dehydrogenase (ldhA)-deficient background strain. Initially 10 strains, with increasing number of modifications were evaluated in anaerobic serum bottles with respect to growth. Four reference strains ΔldhAΔackA, ΔldhAΔackA p3-fhlA, ΔldhAΔackAΔhycAΔhyaABΔhybBC and ΔldhAΔackAΔhycAΔhyaABΔhybBC p3-fhlA were further equipped with a plasmid carrying the heterologous ethanol acyltransferase (Eat1) from Wickerhamomyces anomalus and analyzed with respect to their ethyl acetate and hydrogen co-production capacity. Anaerobic co-production of hydrogen and ethyl acetate via Eat1 was achieved in 1.5-L pH-controlled bioreactors. The cultivation was performed at 30 °C in modified M9 medium with glucose as the sole carbon source. Anaerobic conditions and gas stripping were established by supplying N2 gas.

Conclusions

We showed that the engineered strains co-produced ethyl acetate and hydrogen to yields exceeding 70% of the pathway maximum for ethyl acetate and hydrogen, and propose in situ product removal via gas stripping as efficient technique to isolate the products of interest.
Improvement of XYL10C_∆N catalytic performance through loop engineering for lignocellulosic biomass utilization in feed and fuel industries
Authors: You Shuai , Zha Ziqian , Li Jing , Zhang Wenxin , Bai Zhiyuan , Hu Yanghao , Wang Xue , Chen Yiwen , Chen Zhongli , Wang Jun , Luo Huiying
Published: October 2021

Background

Xylanase, an important accessory enzyme that acts in synergy with cellulase, is widely used to degrade lignocellulosic biomass. Thermostable enzymes with good catalytic activity at lower temperatures have great potential for future applications in the feed and fuel industries, which have distinct demands; however, the potential of the enzymes is yet to be researched.

Results

In this study, a structure-based semi-rational design strategy was applied to enhance the low-temperature catalytic performance ofBisporasp. MEY-1 XYL10C_∆N wild-type (WT). Screening and comparisons were performed for the WT and mutant strains. Compared to the WT, the mutant M53S/F54L/N207G exhibited higher specific activity (2.9-fold; 2090 vs. 710 U/mg) and catalytic efficiency (2.8-fold; 1530 vs.550 mL/s mg) at 40 °C, and also showed higher thermostability (the melting temperature and temperature of 50% activity loss after 30 min treatment increased by 7.7 °C and 3.5 °C, respectively). Compared with the cellulase-only treatment, combined treatment with M53S/F54L/N207G and cellulase increased the reducing sugar contents from corn stalk, wheat bran, and corn cob by 1.6-, 1.2-, and 1.4-folds, with 1.9, 1.2, and 1.6 as the highest degrees of synergy, respectively.

Conclusions

This study provides useful insights into the underlying mechanism and methods of xylanase modification for industrial utilization. We identified loop2 as a key functional area affecting the low-temperature catalytic efficiency of GH10 xylanase. The thermostable mutant M53S/F54L/N207G was selected for the highest low-temperature catalytic efficiency and reducing sugar yield in synergy with cellulase in the degradation of different types of lignocellulosic biomass.

Graphic Abstract
Revalorization of sunflower stalk pith as feedstock for the coproduction of pectin and glucose using a two-step dilute acid pretreatment process
Authors: Zhang Qibo , Cheng Lu , Ma Xutong , Zhou Xin , Xu Yong
Published: October 2021

Background

Sunflower stalk pith, residue from the processing of sunflower, is rich in pectin and cellulose, thereby acting as an economic raw material for the acquisition of these compounds. In order to increase the commercial value of sunflower processing industry, a two-step dilute sulfuric acid treatment process was conducted on spent sunflower stalk pith to obtain the value-added products, pectin and glucose.

Results

In this study, pectin was firstly extracted under mild acid condition to avoid pectin degradation, which was conducted at 90 °C with a pH of 2.0 for 2 h, and ~0.14 g/g of pectin could be recovered. Then the remaining solids after pectin extraction were subjected to the reinforced treatment process with 0.75% H2SO4 at 150 °C for 30 min to further improve enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency. Moreover, by combining a fed-batch enzymatic hydrolysis strategy, a solid loading content of 16% was successfully achieved and the glucose titer reached 103.1 g/L with a yield of 83.6%.

Conclusion

Finally, ~140 g pectin and 260 g glucose were produced from 1 kg of raw sunflower stalk pith using the integrated biorefinery process. This work puts forward a two-step dilute acid pretreatment combined with enzymatic hydrolysis method to produce pectin and glucose from sunflower spent waste.
Nivolumab in combination with radiotherapy for metastatic esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma after esophagectomy: a case report
Authors: Takagi Kuniyasu , Kamada Teppei , Fuse Yoshinobu , Kai Wataru , Takahashi Junji , Nakashima Keigo , Nakaseko Yuichi , Suzuki Norihiko , Yoshida Masashi , Okada Shinya , Ohdaira Hironori , Suzuki Yutaka
Published: October 2021

Background

Metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma has an extremely poor prognosis, and no effective second-line treatment is available. Herein, we describe a case of multiple metastases after primary resection of esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma successfully treated with nivolumab plus radiotherapy in a short time.

Case presentation

A man in his 70s presented to our hospital after an abnormality was detected on an upper gastrointestinal series. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a type 2 tumor spanning the endothelial cell junction to the abdominal esophagus. Histopathological examination of the biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma. The patient had no distant metastases. Thoracoscopic esophagectomy with three-field lymph node dissection was performed. Histopathological examination confirmed a diagnosis of esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma with features of adenoid cystic-like carcinoma and squamoid pattern (pT2 [MP], INF a, ly1, v1 [EVG], pIM0, pDM0, pRM0, pN1 [1/28], M0; Stage II), which was positive for synaptophysin. The postoperative course was good, with no complications. The patient was treated with 100 mg of irinotecan and 100 mg of cisplatin, administered every 4 weeks, as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. Grade 3 loss of appetite was observed, and adjuvant chemotherapy was discontinued after four cycles of first-line treatment. A positron emission tomography–computed tomography scan 3 years after surgery showed abnormal uptake in the subaortic, left hilar, and left axillary lymph nodes, and in a mass in the right lung apex. The patient was diagnosed with metastatic esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma postoperatively. First-line treatment could not be repeated due to toxicity from the initial treatment. Nivolumab (240 mg every 2 weeks) was administered as second-line treatment, and radiotherapy was started (56 Gy delivered in 28 fractions to the local [subaortic and hilar] lymph nodes). After 10 cycles of nivolumab in combination with radiotherapy (56 Gy), a positron emission tomography–computed tomography scan showed disappearance of all lesions. A complete response was achieved. Maintenance therapy (240 mg of nivolumab) was continued. No recurrence has been observed for 42 months.

Conclusions

We experienced a case in which nivolumab in combination with radiotherapy was effective for metastatic esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma after primary resection.
Performance of automated CT ASPECTS in comparison to physicians at different levels on evaluating acute ischemic stroke at a single institution in China
Authors: Huo Xiaochuan , Raynald  , Jin Hailan , Yin Yin , Yang Guangming , Miao Zhongrong
Published: October 2021

Background

Our aim was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the automated computer-based Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (e-ASPECTS) for acute stroke patients and compare the result with physicians at different levels.

Methods

In our center, e-ASPECTS and 9 physicians at different levels retrospectively and blindly assessed baseline computed tomography (CT) images of 55 patients. Sensitivity, specificity, receiver-operating characteristic curves, Bland–Altman plots with mean score error, and Matthews correlation coefficients were calculated. Comparisons were made between the scores by physicians and e-ASPECTS with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) being the ground truth. Two methods for clustered data were used to estimate sensitivity and specificity in the region-based analysis.

Results

In total, 1100 (55 patients × 20 regions per patient) ASPECTS regions were scored. In the region-based analysis, sensitivity of e-ASPECTS was better than junior doctors and residents (0.576 vs 0.165 and 0.111, p < 0.05) but inferior to senior doctors (0.576 vs 0.617). Specificity was lower than junior doctors and residents (0.883 vs 0.971 and 0.914) but higher than senior doctors (0.883 vs 0.809, p < 0.05). E-ASPECTS had the best Matthews correlation coefficient of 0.529, compared to senior doctors, junior doctors, and residents (0.463, 0.251, and 0.087, respectively).

Conclusions

e-ASPECTS showed a similar performance to that of senior physicians in the assessment of brain CT of acute ischemic stroke patients with the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score method.
Comprehensive characterization and clinical relevance of the SWI/SNF copy number aberrations across human cancers
Authors: Xing Zhiwei , Ma Buhuan , Sun Weiting , Sun Yimin , Liu Caixia
Published: October 2021

Background

Alterations in genes encoding chromatin regulatory proteins are prevalent in cancers and may confer oncogenic properties and molecular changes linked to therapy resistance. However, the impact of copy number alterations (CNAs) of the SWItch/Sucrose NonFermentable (SWI/SNF) complex on the oncogenic and immunologic properties has not been systematically explored across human cancer types.

Methods

We comprehensively analyzed the genomic, transcriptomic and clinical data of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset across 33 solid cancers.

Results

CNAs of the SWI/SNF components were identified in more than 25% of all queried cancers, and tumors harboring SWI/SNF CNAs demonstrated a worse overall survival (OS) than others in several cancer types. Mechanistically, the SCNA events in the SWI/SNF complex are correlated with dysregulated genomic features and oncogenic pathways, including the cell cycle, DNA damage and repair. Notably, the SWI/SNF CNAs were associated with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) and improved clinical outcomes of platinum-treated ovarian cancer. Furthermore, we observed distinct immune infiltrating patterns and immunophenotypes associated with SWI/SNF CNAs in different cancer types.

Conclusion

The CNA events of the SWI/SNF components are a key process linked to oncogenesis, immune infiltration and therapeutic responsiveness across human cancers.
Including the voice of people living with viral hepatitis: lessons learned from Japan to accelerate progress towards global hepatitis elimination
Authors: Yonezawa Atsuko , Grant Rebecca , Shimakawa Yusuke
Published: October 2021

Despite the growing momentum created by the WHO for eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, the global response is still slow and more actions are needed to meet the elimination goals, especially in low-income and middle-income countries. Japan is one of a handful of countries currently on track to achieve the WHO hepatitis elimination targets by 2030. To better understand the successful control of viral hepatitis in Japan, it is important to recognize the role of the patient association for viral hepatitis, known as the “Japan Hepatitis Council”, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2021. The greatest impact of the Japan Hepatitis Council has been in achieving wider access to antiviral treatments for viral hepatitis. The example of Japan and the Japan Hepatitis Council highlights the need for the engagement of civil society and patient groups to ensure equitable access to hepatitis services and to accelerate the global hepatitis elimination.
Feasibility analysis on the construction of a web solution for hydrometeorological forecasting considering water body management and indicators for the SARS-COV-2 pandemic
Authors: Dantas da Silva Júnior José Roberto , Pedruzzi Rizzieri , de Souza Filipe Milani , Ferraz Patrick Silva , Silva Daniel Guimarães , Vieira Carolina Sacramento , de Moraes Marcelo Romero , Nascimento Erick Giovani Sperandio , Moreira Davidson Martins
Published: October 2021

The current scenario of a global pandemic caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID19), highlights the importance of water studies in sewage systems. In Brazil, about 35 million Brazilians still do not have treated water and more than 100 million do not have basic sanitation. These people, already exposed to a range of diseases, are among the most vulnerable to COVID-19. According to studies, places that have poor sanitation allow the proliferation of the coronavirus, been observed a greater number of infected people being found in these regions. This social problem is strongly related to the lack of effective management of water resources, since they are the sources for the population's water supply and the recipients of effluents stemming from sanitation services (household effluents, urban drainage and solid waste). In this context, studies are needed to develop technologies and methodologies to improve the management of water resources. The application of tools such as artificial intelligence and hydrometeorological models are emerging as a promising alternative to meet the world's needs in water resources planning, assessment of environmental impacts on a region's hydrology, risk prediction and mitigation. The main model of this type, WRF-Hydro Weather Research and Forecasting Model), represents the state of the art regarding water resources, as well as being the object of study of small and medium-sized river basins that tend to have less water availability. hydrometeorological data and analysis. Thus, this article aims to analyze the feasibility of a web tool for greater software usability and computational cost use, making it possible to use the WRF-Hydro model integrated with Artificial Intelligence tools for short and medium term, optimizing the time of simulations with reduced computational cost, so that it is able to monitor and generate a predictive analysis of water bodies in the MATOPIBA region (Maranhão-Tocantins-Piauí-Bahia), constituting an instrument for water resources management. The results obtained show that the WRF-Hydro model proves to be an efficient computational tool in hydrometeorological simulation, with great potential for operational, research and technological development purposes, being considered viable to implement the web tool for analysis and management of water resources and consequently, assist in monitoring and mitigating the number of cases related to the current COVID-19 pandemic. This research are in development and represents a preliminary results with future perspectives.
Memorial
Authors: Hinze William , Secor Gorge , Marsh Bruce
Published: October 2021

John D. “Jack” Corbett, 1930–2020
Seismic Soundoff: Exploring land seismic case studies
Authors: Geary Andrew
Published: October 2021

In this episode, Öz Yilmaz discusses his latest book, Land Seismic Case Studies for Near-Surface Modeling and Subsurface Imaging. Written for practicing geophysicists, the book is the culmination of land seismic data acquisition and processing projects conducted by Yilmaz over the last two decades. His expertise and experience are highlighted in detail in this revealing and essential conversation. Hear the full episode at https://seg.org/podcast/post/12564 .
Why Trieste matters
Authors: Sashidharan S. P.
Published: October 2021

Trieste mental health service is considered as one of the best mental healthcare systems in the world. This service is now under threat from right-wing politicians in the local region. We argue that this is a threat to progressive community psychiatry beyond Trieste and Italy. It is important for us to join forces with international colleagues and organisations in the campaign to defend and preserve the current service model in Trieste.
Abiraterone Acetate in Patients With Castration-Resistant, Androgen Receptor–Expressing Salivary Gland Cancer: A Phase II Trial
Authors: Locati Laura D. , Cavalieri Stefano , Bergamini Cristiana , Resteghini Carlo , Colombo Elena , Calareso Giuseppina , Mariani Luigi , Quattrone Pasquale , Alfieri Salvatore , Bossi Paolo , Platini Francesca , Capone Iolanda , Licitra Lisa
Published: October 2021

PURPOSE

The activity of androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) in androgen receptor–positive (AR+) salivary gland carcinomas (SGCs) has been established in the past few years. Second-line treatment in castration-resistant patients is still unknown. We investigated the activity of abiraterone acetate as second-line treatment in ADT-resistant, AR+ patients with SGC.

METHODS

This was a single-institution phase II trial. A two-stage Simon's design was applied. The primary end point was confirmed objective response rate. Secondary end points were disease control rate, safety, progression-free survival, and overall survival. Patients were eligible when the following criteria were met: histologic diagnosis of AR-overexpressing SGC, measurable disease according to RECIST 1.1, clinical and/or radiologic progression on ADT, suppressed serum testosterone, and no limits for the number of previous chemotherapy lines. All patients received abiraterone 1 g daily plus prednisone 10 mg and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist until progression or unacceptable toxicities.

RESULTS

From 2015 to 2019, 24 AR+ patients with SGC (23 men; median age 65.8 years) were treated within the study. The overall response rate was 21% (5 partial responses), with a disease control rate of 62.5%. The median duration of response was 5.82 months. Median progression-free survival was 3.65 months (95% CI, 1.94 to 5.89), and median overall survival was 22.47 months (95% CI, 6.74 to not reached). Objective response to previous ADT did not correlate with the activity of abiraterone. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded in 22 cases (92%) with grade 3 AEs in six patients (25%): fatigue (two), flushing (one), supraventricular tachycardia (one), and two non–drug-related AEs. No drug-related grade 4 or 5 AEs were recorded.

CONCLUSION

Abiraterone plus luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist is active and safe as a second-line option in AR-expressing, castration-resistant SGC.
Organizational Justice and Long-term Metabolic Trajectories: A 25-Year Follow-up of the Whitehall II Cohort
Authors: Varga Tibor V , Xu Tianwei , Kivimäki Mika , Mehta Amar J , Rugulies Reiner , Rod Naja H
Published: October 2021

Context

Organizational justice has been linked to lower risk of several chronic conditions among employees, but less is known about the long-term mechanisms underlying this risk reduction.

Objective

To assess whether self-reported organizational justice is associated with individual and composite long-term metabolic trajectories.

Design

Twenty-five-year follow-up of the Whitehall II prospective cohort study.

Setting

Middle-aged public servants from the United Kingdom.

Participants

Data on 8182 participants were used.

Main Outcome Measures

Levels of 11 anthropometric, glycemic, lipid, and blood pressure biomarkers were measured at 5 timepoints (1991–2013). We used generalized estimating equations and group-based trajectory modeling to investigate the relationship between organizational justice and biomarker trajectories.

Results

High vs low organizational justice were associated with lower waist (−1.7 cm) and hip (−1 cm) circumference, body mass index (−0.6 kg/m2), triglycerides (−1.07 mmol/L), and fasting insulin (−1.08 µIU/mL) trajectories. Two latent metabolic trajectory clusters were identified: a high- and a low-risk cluster. High organizational justice (vs low) were associated with belonging to the low-risk cluster (pooled odds ratio = 1.47). The low-risk cluster demonstrated lower baseline levels of most biomarkers and better glycemic control, whereas the high-risk cluster showed higher baseline levels of most biomarkers, glycemic deterioration, but also greater improvements in lipid levels over time.

Conclusions

People with high organizational justice had more favorable long-term cardiometabolic biomarker patterns than those with low organizational justice, indicating a potential mechanism contributing to the lower risk of chronic diseases in the first group. Further intervention studies are warranted to determine whether improvement of organizational justice might improve long-term health.
A brief overview on the role of the Institute of Anatomy at the University of Tartu (the former Imperial University of Dorpat/Yuryev) in the development of anthropology in 1876–1918
Authors: Kasmel Jaan , Kasmel Tiiu
Published: October 2021

During its history of nearly 390 years, the development of the University of Tartu has been discontinuous and complicated; sometimes it has even changed its location, but it has always included the Faculty of Medicine. For the longest time, the university operated as the Imperial University of Dorpat/Yuryev within the Russian Empire from 1802–1918. Even today, additions can be made to the biographies of some professors or graduates about the years they spent in Tartu (Dorpat/Yuryev) in that period. So, the role of the famous professors of anatomy Christian Hermann Ludwig Stieda (1837–1918) and August Antonius Rauber (1841–1917) in the development of anthropology at the Institute of Anatomy headed by them from 1876–1911 and in the following years until the Russian university in Tartu closed down in May 1918 has been studied modestly until now. To fill this gap, we present a brief overview on the role of the Institute of Anatomy at the University of Tartu in the development of anthropology in 1876–1918.
Inger Dagmar Yvonne Wikström-Haugen (1944–2021), in memoriam
Authors: Mulder Willem J.
Published: October 2021

Inger Dagmar Yvonne Wikström-Haugen (1944–2021), in memoriam
Edukacja i badania w wymiarze interdyscyplinarnym
Authors: Żegleń Urszula M.
Published: October 2021

.
Prof. Marcin Drąg – FNP Prize Laureate 2019
Authors: Wojtysiak-Łańska Dominika
Published: October 2021

.
Prof. Andrzej Wiśniewski – FNP Prize Laureate 2019
Authors: Wojtysiak-Łańska Dominika
Published: October 2021

.
SISI GELAP SMARTPHONE: FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI KETERGANTUNGAN DAN NIAT PEMBELIAN ULANG
Authors: Hadi Antonius Satria
Published: October 2021

In this digital era, smartphones are considered a primary need in everyday life. A person's behavior that reflects the dependence on smartphones is when most of their activities were spent using a smartphone. This study aims to analyze the relationship among variables convenience,  social influence, and social need towards the dependence on smartphones. Then, this study analyzed the relationship of dependence on smartphones towards repurchase intention. Respondents of this study were undergraduate students in Yogyakarta who are using smartphones for their daily activities. The analytical technique used in this study was structural equation modeling using LISREL 10.1 software. This study proposed four hypotheses then the result showed that all hypotheses were accepted.
PENGGUNAAN ZMIJEWSKI'S SCORE DAN SPRINGATE'S SCORE UNTUK MEMPREDIKSI KINERJA PERUSAHAAN DALAM KONDISI KRISIS EKONOMI
Authors: Rosjidi Anis Al
Published: October 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic has deteriorated the company's performance in the restaurant, hotel, tourism and transportation sectors. However, some companies are still able to survive by continuing to show positive performance. Using a sample of 54 companies in the restaurant, hotel, tourism, and transportation sectors, this study examines whether the Zmijewski score and the Springate score (which is commonly used to predict bankruptcy) can also be used to predict performance in times of crisis. This study shows that the Zmijewski score and the Springate score can be used. Zmijewski's score is negatively related to the company's profitability during the crisis, while the Springate's score is positively related to the company's profitability during the crisis. This study shows that the bankruptcy prediction score can be extended to predict the company's performance in times of crisis.
Side edge emission from a waveguide substrate
Authors: Ogata Yoichi , Kolchiba Mykyta
Published: October 2021

In this study, we fabricated embedded titanium dioxide (

T
i
O

2

)

nanograting structures with slanted cross section on a silicon dioxide (

S
i
O

2

)

substrate using electron beam lithography (EBL) and reactive ion etching (RIE) methods, and we analyzed their optical signals. The surface morphologies of the embedded

T
i
O

2

nanograting structures were monitored by a scanning optical microscope (SEM). By focusing the transverse electric (TE) polarized beam with the wavelength

λ
=

633

n
m

at the incident angle

θ
=

22.0

∘

from the rear side of

T
i
O

2

face, we could observe

+

1

st and

−

2

nd diffraction orders with diffraction efficiencies (

I

/

I

t
o
t
a
l

):

I

1

=

23

%

and

I

2

=

19

%

, respectively, on a

S
i
O

2

/

T
i
O

2

interface. Diffraction beams were waveguided to both left and right directions in a

S
i
O

2

substrate via total internal reflection (TIR); next, two guided beams were emitted from the side edges of the substrate. This work is expected to develop a highly efficient two-way waveguide optical interconnector.
Ultrathin miniLED backlight system using optical film with microstructures
Authors: Feng Qibin , Xiao Huili , Yang Ling , Zhu Biao , Yuan Ye , Wang Zi , Lv Guoqiang
Published: October 2021

Backlight units (BLUs) with miniLEDs as light sources can help improve display contrast and decrease the thickness of a liquid crystal display. Different from the current solutions of a diffuser film and secondary lens, the paper proposes a total-inner-reflection-based design method. The profile of a microstructure is decided when the powers of the rays reflected by the microstructure reach the maximum. Both simulated and experimental results show that uniformity can satisfy the requirement when the source-screen gap is 1 mm. With ultrathin thickness and no requirement for precise positioning, the designed miniLED BLU presents strong practicability.
Refracting and reflecting interfaces transforming a given wavefront into another one
Authors: Cabrera-Rosas Omar de Jesús , Espíndola-Ramos Ernesto , González-Juárez Adriana , Julián-Macías Israel , Marciano-Melchor Magdalena , Ortega-Vidals Paula , Rickenstorff-Parrao Carolina , Román-Hernández Edwin , Silva-Ortigoza Gilberto , Silva-Ortigoza Ramón , Sosa-Sánchez Citlalli Teresa
Published: October 2021

The aim of this work is threefold. First, following Luneburg and using our own notation, we review the Cartesian ovals. Second, we obtain analytical expressions for the reflecting and refracting surfaces that transform a prescribed smooth two-dimensional wavefront into a spherical one. These results are applied to show that the reflecting surface that connects a plane wavefront to a spherical one is a parabolical surface, and we design a lens, with two freeform surfaces, that transforms a spherical wavefront into another spherical one. These examples show that our equations provide the well-known solution for these problems, which is given by the Cartesian ovals method. Third, we present a procedure to obtain exact expressions for the refracting and reflecting surfaces that connect two given arbitrary wavefronts; that is, by assuming that the optical path length between two points on the prescribed wavefronts is given by the designer the refracting and reflecting surfaces we are looking for are determined by a set of two algebraic equations, which in the general case have to be solved in a numerical way. These general results are applied to compute the analytical expressions for the reflecting and refracting surfaces that transform a parabolical initial wavefront into a plane one.
Optimal efficiency for passively coupling partially coherent light into
mode-limited optical waveguides
Authors: Chahine Yousef K. , Tedder Sarah A. , Staffa Jeremy , Vyhnalek Brian E.
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we examine the problem of coupling partially coherent light from a telescope into an optical fiber within the framework of phase space optics using Wigner distributions. Specifically, we consider optimization of the coupling efficiency for passive optical systems under constraints in the number of spatial modes guided by the optical fiber, as are often imposed by the limitations of fiber devices or detectors employed later in the optical chain. As our primary example, we consider in detail the case of monochromatic plane wave optical fields distorted by random phase perturbations caused by propagation through atmospheric turbulence. By analyzing the Wigner distribution function for a plane wave in atmospheric turbulence, we develop an expression for the coupling efficiency as a function of the number of fiber modes and the ratio of the telescope diameter to Fried’s atmospheric coherence diameter.
Amplifier similariton fiber laser with a hybrid-mode-locking technique
Authors: Liu Xinyang , Närhi Mikko , Korobko Dmitry , Gumenyuk Regina
Published: October 2021

By employing both frequency shifting and nonlinear polarization rotation mechanisms in a Yb-doped fiber laser, similariton operation regime is demonstrated. Directly generated pulses from an oscillator has a duration of 7.8 ps with 20.5 nm spectrum width and average output power of 7.4 mW with a repetition rate of 26.4 MHz. The pulses can be externally dechirped to be 140 fs. Through numerical simulations we illustrate the details of similariton pulse formation under the simultaneous action of two mode-locking techniques and advantages of hybrid mode-locking approach.
Long-range atomic correlations as a source of coherent light generation
Authors: Zyablovsky Alexander A. , Andrianov Evgeny S. , Doronin Ilya V. , Lozovik Yurii E. , Vinogradov Alexey P.
Published: October 2021

In this Letter, we give a new, to the best of our knowledge, perspective on the origin of light coherence in lasers. We demonstrate that a coherence appears below the lasing threshold and manifests itself as long-range correlations between polarizations of active medium atoms. These correlations contribute to the formation of a collective state of atomic polarizations and electromagnetic field modes, which interacts more effectively with the active medium and lases when pumping exceeds the lasing threshold. We demonstrate that inhibiting these atomic correlations leads to the destruction of the collective state and suppression of lasing. The obtained results open up new ways to control coherence.
Action planning and control under uncertainty emerge through a desirability-driven competition between parallel encoding motor plans
Authors: Enachescu Vince , Schrater Paul , Schaal Stefan , Christopoulos Vassilios
Published: October 2021

Living in an uncertain world, nearly all of our decisions are made with some degree of uncertainty about the consequences of actions selected. Although a significant progress has been made in understanding how the sensorimotor system incorporates uncertainty into the decision-making process, the preponderance of studies focus on tasks in which selection and action are two separate processes. First people select among alternative options and then initiate an action to implement the choice. However, we often make decisions during ongoing actions in which the value and availability of the alternatives can change with time and previous actions. The current study aims to decipher how the brain deals with uncertainty in decisions that evolve while acting. To address this question, we trained individuals to perform rapid reaching movements towards two potential targets, where the true target location was revealed only after the movement initiation. We found that reaction time and initial approach direction are correlated, where initial movements towards intermediate locations have longer reaction times than movements that aim directly to the target locations. Interestingly, the association between reaction time and approach direction was independent of the target probability. By modeling the task within a recently proposed neurodynamical framework, we showed that action planning and control under uncertainty emerge through a desirability-driven competition between motor plans that are encoded in parallel.
Memory shapes microbial populations
Authors: Gokhale Chaitanya S. , Giaimo Stefano , Remigi Philippe
Published: October 2021

Correct decision making is fundamental for all living organisms to thrive under environmental changes. The patterns of environmental variation and the quality of available information define the most favourable strategy among multiple options, from randomly adopting a phenotypic state to sensing and reacting to environmental cues. Cellular memory—the ability to track and condition the time to switch to a different phenotypic state—can help withstand environmental fluctuations. How does memory manifest itself in unicellular organisms? We describe the population-wide consequences of phenotypic memory in microbes through a combination of deterministic modelling and stochastic simulations. Moving beyond binary switching models, our work highlights the need to consider a broader range of switching behaviours when describing microbial adaptive strategies. We show that memory in individual cells generates patterns at the population level coherent with overshoots and non-exponential lag times distributions experimentally observed in phenotypically heterogeneous populations. We emphasise the implications of our work in understanding antibiotic tolerance and, in general, bacterial survival under fluctuating environments.
Cytochrome P450-2D6: A novel biomarker in liver cancer health disparity
Authors: Khamis Zahraa I. , Pang Xiaodong , Cui Zihan , Sang Qing-Xiang Amy , Zhang Jinfeng
Published: October 2021

Liver cancer morbidity and mortality rates differ among ethnic groups. In the United States, the burden of liver cancer in Asian Americans (AS) is higher compared to Caucasian Americans (CA). Research on liver cancer health disparities has mainly focused on environmental and socioeconomic factors yet has ignored the genotypic differences among various racial/ethnic groups. This lack of molecular level understanding has hindered the development of personalized medical approaches for liver cancer treatment. To understand the genetic heterogeneity of liver cancer between AS and CA, we performed a systematic analysis of RNA-seq data of AS and CA patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We used four differential gene expression analysis packages; DESeq2, limma, edgeR, and Superdelta2, to identify the differentially expressed genes. Our analysis identified cytochrome P450-2D6 enzyme (CYP2D6) as the gene with the greatest differential expression with higher levels in AS compared to CA. To scrutinize the underlying mechanism of CYP2D6, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) and Cytoscape were conducted and found hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α (HNF4A) and interleukin-6 (IL6) in direct association with CYP2D6. IL6 is downregulated in AS compared to CA, while HNF4A is not significantly different. Herein, we report that CYP2D6 may serve as a putative biomarker in liver cancer health disparities. Its negative association with IL6 proclaims an intricate relationship between CYP2D6 and inflammation in the ethnic differences seen in AS and CA liver cancer patients. The goal of the present study was to understand how genetic factors may contribute to the interethnic variability of liver cancer prevalence and outcomes in AS and CA patients. Identifying ethnic-specific genes may help ameliorate detection, diagnosis, surveillance, and treatments of liver cancer, as well as reduce disease-related incidence and mortality rates in the vulnerable population.
High-throughput low-cost nl-qPCR for enteropathogen detection: A proof-of-concept among hospitalized patients in Bangladesh
Authors: Flaherty Katelyn E. , Grembi Jessica A. , Ramachandran Vasavi V. , Haque Farhana , Khatun Selina , Rahman Mahmudu , Maples Stace , Becker Torben K. , Spormann Alfred M. , Schoolnik Gary K. , Hryckowian Andrew J. , Nelson Eric J.
Published: October 2021

Background

Diarrheal disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries. High-throughput and low-cost approaches to identify etiologic agents are needed to guide public health mitigation. Nanoliter-qPCR (nl-qPCR) is an attractive alternative to more expensive methods yet is nascent in application and without a proof-of-concept among hospitalized patients.

Methods

A census-based study was conducted among diarrheal patients admitted at two government hospitals in rural Bangladesh during a diarrheal outbreak period. DNA was extracted from stool samples and assayed by nl-qPCR for common bacterial, protozoan, and helminth enteropathogens as the primary outcome.

Results

A total of 961 patients were enrolled; stool samples were collected from 827 patients. Enteropathogens were detected in 69% of patient samples; More than one enteropathogen was detected in 32%. Enteropathogens most commonly detected were enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (26.0%), Shiga toxin-producing E.coli (18.3%), enterotoxigenic E. coli (15.5% heat stable toxin positive, 2.2% heat labile toxin positive), Shigella spp. (14.8%), and Vibrio cholerae (9.0%). Geospatial analysis revealed that the median number of pathogens per patient and the proportion of cases presenting with severe dehydration were greatest amongst patients residing closest to the study hospitals.”

Conclusions

This study demonstrates a proof-of-concept for nl-qPCR as a high-throughput low-cost method for enteropathogen detection among hospitalized patients.
Eighty-four per cent of all Amazonian arboreal plant individuals are useful to humans
Authors: Coelho Sara D. , Levis Carolina , Baccaro Fabrício B. , Figueiredo Fernando O. G. , Pinassi Antunes André , ter Steege Hans , Peña-Claros Marielos , Clement Charles R. , Schietti Juliana
Published: October 2021

Plants have been used in Amazonian forests for millennia and some of these plants are disproportionally abundant (hyperdominant). At local scales, people generally use the most abundant plants, which may be abundant as the result of management of indigenous peoples and local communities. However, it is unknown whether plant use is also associated with abundance at larger scales. We used the population sizes of 4,454 arboreal species (trees and palms) estimated from 1946 forest plots and compiled information about uses from 29 Amazonian ethnobotany books and articles published between 1926 and 2013 to investigate the relationship between species usefulness and their population sizes, and how this relationship is influenced by the degree of domestication of arboreal species across Amazonia. We found that half of the arboreal species (2,253) are useful to humans, which represents 84% of the estimated individuals in Amazonian forests. Useful species have mean populations sizes six times larger than non-useful species, and their abundance is related with the probability of usefulness. Incipiently domesticated species are the most abundant. Population size was weakly related to specific uses, but strongly related with the multiplicity of uses. This study highlights the enormous usefulness of Amazonian arboreal species for local peoples. Our findings support the hypothesis that the most abundant plant species have a greater chance to be useful at both local and larger scales, and suggest that although people use the most abundant plants, indigenous people and local communities have contributed to plant abundance through long-term management.
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on AMI and stroke mortality in Lombardy: Evidence from the epicenter of the pandemic
Authors: Rossi Camillo , Berta Paolo , Curello Salvatore , Lovaglio Pietro Giorgio , Magoni Mauro , Metra Marco , Roccaro Aldo Maria , Verzillo Stefano , Vittadini Giorgio
Published: October 2021

Background

The first Covid-19 epidemic outbreak has enormously impacted the delivery of clinical healthcare and hospital management practices in most of the hospitals around the world. In this context, it is important to assess whether the clinical management of non-Covid patients has not been compromised. Among non-Covid cases, patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) and stroke need non-deferrable emergency care and are the natural candidates to be studied. Preliminary evidence suggests that the time from onset of symptoms to emergency department (ED) presentation has significantly increased in Covid-19 times as well as the 30-day mortality and in-hospital mortality.

Methods

We check, in a causal inference framework, the causal effect of the hospital’s stress generated by Covid-19 pandemic on in-hospital mortality rates (primary end-point of the study) of AMI and stroke over several time-windows of 15-days around the implementation date of the State of Emergency restrictions for COVID-19 (March, 9th 2020) using two quasi-experimental approaches, regression-discontinuity design (RDD) and difference-in-regression-discontinuity (DRD) designs. Data are drawn from Spedali Civili of Brescia, one of the most hit provinces in Italy by Covid-19 during March and May 2020.

Findings

Despite the potential adverse effects on expected mortality due to a longer time to hospitalization and staff extra-burden generated by the first wave of Covid-19, the AMI and stroke mortality rates are overall not statistically different during the first wave of Covid-19 than before the first peak. The obtained results provided by RDD models are robust also when we account for seasonality and unobserved factors with DRD models.

Interpretation

The non-statistically significant impact on mortality rates for AMI and stroke patients provides evidence of the hospital ability to manage -with the implementation of a dual track organization- the simultaneous delivery of high-quality cares to both Covid and non-Covid patients.
Hyperendemicity of cysticercosis in Madagascar: Novel insights from school children population-based antigen prevalence study
Authors: Carod Jean-François , Mauny Frédéric , Parmentier Anne Laure , Desmarets Maxime , Rakotondrazaka Mahenintsoa , Brembilla Alice , Dermauw Véronique , Razafimahefa Julien , Ramahefarisoa Rondro Mamitiana , Andriantseheno Marcellin , Bailly Sarah , Ménard Didier , Dorny Pierre
Published: October 2021

Objective

Taenia solium (Ts) cysticercosis is a neglected zoonotic disease particularly prevalent in Madagascar. Few data are available for children, current data mainly rely on antibody prevalence. We sought to determine the Ts-antigen seroprevalence–determining active cysticercosis—amongst school children from various cities in Madagascar (excluding the capital) and evaluated associated risk factors.

Methods

In seven cities in Madagascar, the presence of cysticercosis in school children (n = 1751) was investigated in 2007 using the B158/B60 antigen (Ag)-ELISA.

Results

The overall prevalence based on Ag detection was 27.7% [95%CI: 10–37%]. Risk factors associated with Ag positivity were age, biotope, altitude and annual average rainfall.

Conclusion

These results highlight the high prevalence of active cysticercosis in Madagascar among school children in an urban setting. This high prevalence as well as the risk factors unraveled point to the emergency to implement appropriate Public Health measure son a national scale.