bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital crowdsourced intervention to promote HIV testing among MSM in China: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ren Ci , Tucker Joseph D. , Tang Weiming , Tao Xiaorun , Liao Meizhen , Wang Guoyong , Jiao Kedi , Xu Zece , Zhao Zhe , Yan Yu , Lin Yuxi , Li Chuanxi , Wang Lin , Li Yijun , Kang Dianmin , Ma Wei
Published: November 2020

Background

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are an important HIV key population in China. However, HIV testing rates among MSM remain suboptimal. Digital crowdsourced media interventions may be a useful tool to reach this marginalized population. We define digital crowdsourced media as using social media, mobile phone applications, Internet, or other digital approaches to disseminate messages developed from crowdsourcing contests. The proposed cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) study aims to assess the effectiveness of a digital crowdsourced intervention to increase HIV testing uptake and decrease risky sexual behaviors among Chinese MSM.

Methods

A two-arm, cluster-randomized controlled trial will be implemented in eleven cities (ten clusters) in Shandong Province, China. Targeted study participants will be 250 MSM per arm and 50 participants per cluster. MSM who are 18 years old or above, live in the study city, have not been tested for HIV in the past 3 months, are not living with HIV or have never been tested for HIV, and are willing to provide informed consent will be enrolled. Participants will be recruited through banner advertisements on Blued, the largest gay dating app in China, and in-person at community-based organizations (CBOs). The intervention includes a series of crowdsourced intervention materials (24 images and four short videos about HIV testing and safe sexual behaviors) and HIV self-test services provided by the study team. The intervention was developed through a series of participatory crowdsourcing contests before this study. The self-test kits will be sent to the participants in the intervention group at the 2nd and 3rd follow-ups. Participants will be followed up quarterly during the 12-month period. The primary outcome will be self-reported HIV testing uptake at 12 months. Secondary outcomes will include changes in condomless sex, self-test efficacy, social network engagement, HIV testing social norms, and testing stigma.

Discussion

Innovative approaches to HIV testing among marginalized population are urgently needed. Through this cluster randomized controlled trial, we will evaluate the effectiveness of a digital crowdsourced intervention, improving HIV testing uptake among MSM and providing a resource in related public health fields.

Trial registration

ChiCTR1900024350. Registered on 6 July 2019.
Widespread regulation of gene expression by glucocorticoids in chondrocytes from patients with osteoarthritis as determined by RNA-Seq
Authors: Pemmari Antti , Leppänen Tiina , Hämäläinen Mari , Moilanen Teemu , Vuolteenaho Katriina , Moilanen Eeva
Published: November 2020

Background

Intra-articular glucocorticoid (GC) injections are widely used as a symptomatic treatment for osteoarthritis (OA). However, there are also concerns about their potentially harmful effects, and their detailed effects on chondrocyte phenotype remain poorly understood.

Methods

We studied the effects of dexamethasone on gene expression in OA chondrocytes with RNA-Seq. Chondrocytes were isolated from the cartilage from OA patients undergoing knee replacement surgery and cultured with or without dexamethasone for 24 h. Total RNA was isolated and sequenced, and functional analysis was performed against the Gene Ontology (GO) database. Results for selected genes were confirmed with RT-PCR. We also investigated genes linked to OA in recent genome-wide expression analysis (GWEA) studies.

Results

Dexamethasone increased the expression of 480 and reduced that of 755 genes with a fold change (FC) 2.0 or greater. Several genes associated with inflammation and cartilage anabolism/catabolism as well as lipid and carbohydrate metabolism were among the most strongly affected genes. In the GO analysis, genes involved in the extracellular matrix organization, cell proliferation and adhesion, inflammation, and collagen synthesis were enriched among the significantly affected genes. In network analysis, NGF, PI3KR1, and VCAM1 were identified as central genes among those most strongly affected by dexamethasone.

Conclusions

This is the first study investigating the genome-wide effects of GCs on the gene expression in OA chondrocytes. In addition to clear anti-inflammatory and anticatabolic effects, GCs affect lipid and glucose metabolism in chondrocytes, an observation that might be particularly important in the metabolic phenotype of OA.
Predominant patterns of β-lactam hypersensitivity in a single German Allergy Center: exanthem induced by aminopenicillins, anaphylaxis by cephalosporins
Authors: Schrüfer Philipp , Brockow Knut , Stoevesandt Johanna , Trautmann Axel
Published: November 2020

Background

Penicillins and other β-lactam antibiotics are the most common elicitors of allergic drug reaction. However, data on the pattern of clinical reaction types elicited by specific β-lactams are scarce and inconsistent. We aimed to determine patterns of β-latam allergy, i.e. the association of a clinical reaction type with a specific β-lactam antibiotic.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated data from 800 consecutive patients with suspected β-lactam hypersensitivity over a period of 11 years in a single German Allergy Center.

Results

β-lactam hypersensitivity was definitely excluded in 595 patients, immediate-type (presumably IgE-mediated) hypersensitivity was diagnosed in 70 and delayed-type hypersensitivity in 135 cases. Most (59 out of 70, 84.3%) immediate-type anaphylactic reactions were induced by a limited number of cephalosporins. Delayed reactions were regularly caused by an aminopenicillin (127 out of 135, 94.1%) and usually manifested as a measles-like exanthem (117 out of 135, 86.7%). Intradermal testing proved to be the most useful method for diagnosing β-lactam allergy, but prick testing was already positive in 24 out of 70 patients with immediate-type hypersensitivity (34.3%). Patch testing in addition to intradermal testing did not provide additional information for the diagnosis of delayed-type hypersensitivity. Almost all β-lactam allergic patients tolerated at least one, usually several alternative substances out of the β-lactam group.

Conclusions

We identified two patterns of β-lactam hypersensitivity: aminopenicillin-induced exanthem and anaphylaxis triggered by certain cephalosporins. Intradermal skin testing was the most useful method to detect both IgE-mediated and delayed-type β-lactam hypersensitivity.
Altered synaptic ultrastructure in the prefrontal cortex of Shank3-deficient rats
Authors: Jacot-Descombes Sarah , Keshav Neha U. , Dickstein Dara L. , Wicinski Bridget , Janssen William G. M. , Hiester Liam L. , Sarfo Edward K. , Warda Tahia , Fam Matthew M. , Harony-Nicolas Hala , Buxbaum Joseph D. , Hof Patrick R. , Varghese Merina
Published: November 2020

Background

Deletion or mutations ofSHANK3lead to Phelan–McDermid syndrome and monogenic forms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).SHANK3encodes its eponymous scaffolding protein at excitatory glutamatergic synapses. Altered morphology of dendrites and spines in the hippocampus, cerebellum, and striatum have been associated with behavioral impairments in Shank3-deficient animal models. Given the attentional deficit in these animals, our study explored whether deficiency ofShank3in a rat model alters neuron morphology and synaptic ultrastructure in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC).

Methods

We assessed dendrite and spine morphology and spine density in mPFC layer III neurons inShank3-homozygous knockout (Shank3-KO), heterozygous (Shank3-Het), and wild-type (WT) rats. We used electron microscopy to determine the density of asymmetric synapses in mPFC layer III excitatory neurons in these rats. We measured postsynaptic density (PSD) length, PSD area, and head diameter (HD) of spines at these synapses.

Results

Basal dendritic morphology was similar among the three genotypes. Spine density and morphology were comparable, but more thin and mushroom spines had larger head volumes inShank3-Het compared to WT andShank3-KO. All three groups had comparable synapse density and PSD length. Spine HD of total and non-perforated synapses inShank3-Het rats, but notShank3-KO rats, was significantly larger than in WT rats. The total and non-perforated PSD area was significantly larger inShank3-Het rats compared toShank3-KO rats. These findings represent preliminary evidence for synaptic ultrastructural alterations in the mPFC of rats that lack one copy ofShank3and mimic the heterozygous loss ofSHANK3in Phelan–McDermid syndrome.

Limitations

TheShank3deletion in the rat model we used does not affect all isoforms of the protein and would only model the effect of mutations resulting in loss of the N-terminus of the protein. Given the higher prevalence of ASD in males, the ultrastructural study focused only on synaptic structure in maleShank3-deficient rats.

Conclusions

We observed increased HD and PSD area inShank3-Het rats. These observations suggest the occurrence of altered synaptic ultrastructure in this animal model, further pointing to a key role of defective expression of the Shank3 protein in ASD and Phelan–McDermid syndrome.
Three distinct hematological malignancies from a single germ cell tumor: a case report
Authors: Spencer Chapman M. , May P. C. , Olavarria E. , Nadal Melsio E.
Published: November 2020

Background

The association between non seminomatous germ cell tumors (GCTs) and hematological malignancies of rare lineage has been described in the literature. In some of these cases there is evidence that the leukemia derives from a pluripotent primitive clone present in the original germ cell tumor.

Case presentation

We present a highly unusual case of a 23-year-old man of South Asian origin with a history of Klinefelter’s syndrome who initially developed mediastinal non seminomatous GCT. Following treatment with surgery and standard chemotherapy he went on to develop three different hematological malignancies of distinct lineages in sequential fashion over a short time period. Despite treatment with multiple intensive chemotherapy regimens and a matched unrelated donor allogeneic stem cell transplant, he died 41 months after initial diagnosis of his GCT and 10 months after the first diagnosis of hematological malignancy.

Conclusions

This is an extreme case that highlights the pluripotency and aggressiveness of these GCT-derived hematological malignancies, and the need for novel therapeutic approaches.
Interactions of multiple rhythms in a biophysical network of neurons
Authors: Gelastopoulos Alexandros , Kopell Nancy J.
Published: November 2020

Neural oscillations, including rhythms in the beta1 band (12–20 Hz), are important in various cognitive functions. Often neural networks receive rhythmic input at frequencies different from their natural frequency, but very little is known about how such input affects the network’s behavior. We use a simplified, yet biophysical, model of a beta1 rhythm that occurs in the parietal cortex, in order to study its response to oscillatory inputs. We demonstrate that a cell has the ability to respond at the same time to two periodic stimuli of unrelated frequencies, firing in phase with one, but with a mean firing rate equal to that of the other. We show that this is a very general phenomenon, independent of the model used. We next show numerically that the behavior of a different cell, which is modeled as a high-dimensional dynamical system, can be described in a surprisingly simple way, owing to a reset that occurs in the state space when the cell fires. The interaction of the two cells leads to novel combinations of properties for neural dynamics, such as mode-locking to an input without phase-locking to it.
Seeking international consensus on approaches to primary tumour treatment in Ewing sarcoma
Authors: Gerrand Craig , Bate Jessica , Seddon Beatrice , Dirksen Uta , Randall R. Lor , van de Sande Michiel , O’Donnell Paul , Tuckett John , Peake David , Jeys Lee , Saifuddin Asif , Grainger Mel , Whelan Jeremy
Published: November 2020

Background

The local treatment of Ewing sarcoma of bone involves surgery, radiotherapy or both. The selection of treatment depends on the anatomical extent of the tumour, the effectiveness of the proposed treatment, its morbidity, and the expectation of cure. However, not only are there variations in the approach to local treatment between individual patients, but also between treatment centres and countries. Our aim was to explore variation in practice and develop consensus statements about local treatment.

Methods

A three stage modified Delphi technique was used with international collaborators. This involved an expert panel to identify areas of controversy, an online survey of international collaborators and a consensus meeting in London, UK in June 2017. In the consensus meeting, teams of clinicians discussed the local management of selected cases and their responses were collected with electronic voting.

Results

Areas of greater or less consensus were identified. The lack of evidence underpinning different approaches was noted and areas for collaborative research became apparent.

Conclusion

This has demonstrated that there is an international consensus around many aspects of the local treatment of Ewing sarcoma of bone, including the use of specialist MultiDisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings with access to all appropriate treatments. However, considerable variation remains including the use of different staging investigations, decision making, definitions of response, and radiotherapy doses and timing. Further collaborative work should be undertaken to determine the impact of these variations in order to define best practice.
Appropriateness of psychotropic medication use in a cohort of adolescents with intellectual disability in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Song Menghuan , Ware Robert S. , Doan Tan N. , McPherson Lyn , Trollor Julian N. , Harley David
Published: November 2020

Background

Psychotropic medications are sometimes used off-label and inappropriately. This may cause harm to adolescents with intellectual disability. However, few studies have analysed off-label or inappropriate prescribing to this group.

Aims

To examine the appropriateness of psychotropic prescribing to adolescents with intellectual disability living in the community in south-east Queensland, Australia.

Method

Off-label medication use was determined based on whether the recorded medical condition treated was approved by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration. Clinical appropriateness of medication use was determined based on published guidelines and clinical opinion of two authors who specialise in developmental disability medicine (J.N.T. and D.H.).

Results

We followed 429 adolescents for a median of 4.2 years. A total of 107 participants (24.9%) were prescribed psychotropic medications on at least one occasion. Of these, 88 (82.2%) were prescribed their medication off-label or inappropriately at least once. Off-label or inappropriate use were most commonly associated with challenging behaviours.

Conclusions

Off-label or inappropriate use of psychotropic medications was common, especially for the management of challenging behaviours. Clinical decision-making accounts for individual patient factors and is made based on clinical experience as well as scientific evidence, whereas label indications are developed for regulatory purposes and, although appropriate at a population level, cannot encompass the foregoing considerations. Education for clinicians and other staff caring for people with intellectual disability, and a patient-centred approach to prescribing with involvement of families should encourage appropriate prescribing. The effect of the National Disability Insurance Scheme on the appropriateness of psychotropic medication prescribing should be investigated.
Clinical utility of the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire as a screen for emotional and behavioural difficulties in children and adolescents with intellectual disability
Authors: Murray Caitlin A. , Hastings Richard P. , Totsika Vasiliki
Published: November 2020

We assessed the clinical utility of the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) as a screen for emotional and behavioural difficulties in 626 children and young people with intellectual disability. Using the Developmental Behavior Checklist (DBC2-P) to determine clinical caseness, the area under the curve for the SDQ total difficulties score was 0.876 (95% CI 0.841–0.911), indicating that it is a good measure for identifying significant emotional and behavioural difficulties requiring further investigation. Analyses supported the use of the same SDQ cut-off for those with and without intellectual disability, which may assist with consistent and comparable assessment in clinical practice.
MvhB-type Polyferredoxin as an Electron-transfer Chain in Putative Redox-enzyme Complexes
Authors: Watanabe Tomohiro , Shima Seigo
Published: November 2020

Ferredoxin is a type of electron carrier protein involved in many biological redox reactions and also incorporated as an electron transfer domain and subunit in redox enzyme complexes. MvhB-type polyferredoxin is an iron-sulphur protein composed of three to seven 2[4Fe-4S]-ferredoxin domains. In this short review, we introduce the structure and function of MvhB-type polyferredoxin modules in methanogenic enzymes and then discuss the possible physiological function of the putative MvhB-like polyferredoxins identified in microbial genomes.
Accuracy of high-resolution ultrasound (US) for gingival soft tissue thickness mesurement in edentulous patients prior to implant placement
Authors: Sönmez Gül , Kamburoğlu Kıvanç , Gülşahı Ayşe
Published: November 2020

Objectives:

To evaluate and compare the accuracy of high-resolution ultrasound (US) with two different cone beam CT (CBCT) units and clinical assessment for measuring gingival soft tissue thickness in edentulous patients prior to implant placement.

Methods and materials:

The study consisted of 40 maxillary implant sites of 40 healthy patients (20 females, 20 males; mean age, 47.88 years). We prospectively evaluated labial/buccal gingival thickness in 40 implant regions (16 anterior and 24 posterior) by using limited field of view (FOV) CBCT images and US images in comparison to gold standard transgingival probing measurements. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare mean measurements obtained from CBCT (Morita and Planmeca), US, and transgingival probing. Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) estimates were calculated based on means with two-way mixed and absolute-agreement model. Bland Altman plot was used to describe agreement between clinical vs US and CBCT measurements by constructing limits of agreement. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results:

There was no significant difference between methods used according to mean gingival thickness measurements obtained from the top (p = 0.519) and bottom (p = 0.346) of the alveolar process. US and CBCT measurements highly correlated with clinical measurements for both top and bottom alveolar process gingival thickness (p < 0.001). Distribution of differences between clinical measurements and both CBCT measurements showed statistically significant differences according to 0 (p < 0.05). Distribution of differences between clinical measurements and US measurements did not show statistically significant difference (p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

High-resolution US provided accurate information for the measurement of gingival soft tissue thickness in edentulous patients prior to implant placement.
gprofiler2 -- an R package for gene list functional enrichment analysis and namespace conversion toolset g:Profiler
Authors: Kolberg Liis , Raudvere Uku , Kuzmin Ivan , Vilo Jaak , Peterson Hedi
Published: November 2020

g:Profiler (https://biit.cs.ut.ee/gprofiler) is a widely used gene list functional profiling and namespace conversion toolset that has been contributing to reproducible biological data analysis already since 2007. Here we introduce the accompanying R package,gprofiler2, developed to facilitate programmatic access to g:Profiler computations and databases via REST API. Thegprofiler2package provides an easy-to-use functionality that enables researchers to incorporate functional enrichment analysis into automated analysis pipelines written in R. The package also implements interactive visualisation methods to help to interpret the enrichment results and to illustrate them for publications. In addition,gprofiler2gives access to the versatile gene/protein identifier conversion functionality in g:Profiler enabling to map between hundreds of different identifier types or orthologous species. Thegprofiler2package is freely available at theCRAN repository.
Comparison of Resident, Advanced Practice Clinician, and Hospitalist Teams in an Academic Medical Center: Association With Clinical Outcomes and Resource Utilization
Authors: Johnson Stacy A , Ciarkowski Claire E , Lappe Katie L , Kendrick David R , Smith Adrienne , Reddy Santosh P
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Academic medical centers have expanded their inpatient medicine services with advanced practice clinicians (APCs) or nonteaching hospitalists in response to patient volumes, residency work hour restrictions, and recently, COVID‐19. Reports of clinical outcomes, cost, and resource utilization differ among inpatient team structures.

OBJECTIVE

Directly compare outcomes among resident, APC, and solo hospitalist inpatient general medicine teams.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study using multivariable analysis adjusted for time of admission, interhospital transfer, and comorbidities that compares clinical outcomes, cost, and resource utilization.

SUBJECTS

Patients 18 years or older discharged from an inpatient medicine service between July 2015 and July 2018 (N = 12,716).

MAIN MEASURES

Length of stay (LOS), 30‐day readmission, inpatient mortality, normalized total direct cost, discharge time, and consultation utilization.

KEY RESULTS

Resident teams admitted fewer patients at night (32.0%; P < .001) than did APC (49.5%) and hospitalist (48.6%) teams. APCs received nearly 4% more outside transfer patients (P = .015). Hospitalists discharged patients 26 minutes earlier than did residents (mean hours after midnight [95% CI], 14.58 [14.44‐14.72] vs 15.02 [14.97‐15.08]). Adjusted consult utilization was 15% higher for APCs (adjusted mean consults per admission [95% CI], 1.00 [0.96‐1.03]) and 8% higher for residents (0.93 [0.90‐0.95]) than it was for hospitalists (0.85 [0.80‐0.90]). No differences in LOS, readmission, mortality, or cost were observed between the teams.

CONCLUSION

We observed similar costs, LOS, 30‐day readmission, and mortality among hospitalist, APC, and resident teams. Our results suggest clinical outcomes are not significantly affected by team structure. The addition of APC or hospitalist teams represent safe and effective alternatives to traditional inpatient resident teams.
Performance of Pediatric Readmission Measures
Authors: Auger Katherine A , Ponti‐Zins Michael C , Statile Angela M , Wesselkamper Kris , Haberman Beth , Hanke Samuel P
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Readmission rates are frequently used as a hospital quality metric; yet multiple measures exist to evaluate pediatric readmission rates. We sought to assess how four different measures of pediatric readmission compare with assessment of both preventable and unplanned readmission.

METHODS

Clinicians on hospital medicine, cardiology, neonatology, and neurology teams reviewed medical records for 30‐day readmissions using an abstraction tool with high interrater reliability for preventability assessment. Readmissions between July 2014 and June 2016 were classified separately as preventable or not preventable and planned or unplanned. We compared the classifications to four existing readmission metrics: all‐cause readmission, unplanned readmission/time flag classification, the pediatric all‐condition readmission, and potentially preventable readmission. We calculated sensitivity and specificity for all readmission metrics.

RESULTS

Among 30‐day readmissions considered, 1,643 were eligible for medical record review; 1,125 reviews were completed by the clinical teams (68%). On medical record review, the majority of readmissions were determined not preventable (85%). Only 15% were classified as unplanned and preventable. None of the four readmission measures had appropriate sensitivity or specificity for identifying preventable readmission. The unplanned readmission/time flag classification had the highest sensitivity (95%) and specificity (90%) in identifying unplanned readmissions.

CONCLUSION

None of the existing pediatric readmission measures can reliably determine preventability. The unplanned readmission/time flag measure performed best in identifying unplanned readmissions.
Newly qualified health visitor: Working with families to support breastfeeding
Authors: Boddy Bethany
Published: November 2020

Bethany Boddy explores the barriers to breastfeeding in the UK and how practitioners can promote breastfeeding within health visitor practice
The right advice at the right time: The role of health visiting teams in children's communication
Authors: McDonald David , Meredith Lara
Published: November 2020

This article will reflect on the importance of health visiting teams for supporting the speech, language and communication development of all children, including those with speech, language and communication needs (SLCNs). It will outline the national focus on early identification and intervention for children with SLCNs, and some ways in which health visiting and speech and language therapy teams can work together to boost children's communication. It will go on to highlight evidence-based messages about learning two languages and new online resources health visiting teams can share with parents and carers to support children's early speech, language and communication development.
New records of Noctuid moths (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) from India, Bhutan and China
Authors: P.R. SHASHANK , BENEDEK BALÁZS
Published: November 2020

The five species, Harutaeographa brumosa Yoshimoto, 1994, Nyctycia asymmetrica Hreblay & Ronkay, 1998, Hemiglaea costigera Hreblay & Ronkay, 1998, Owadaglaea barna Hreblay & Ronkay, 1998, and O. triangulifera Hreblay & Ronkay, 1998 are reported for the first time from the Himalayan region of India, Bhutan and China. For two species, N. asymmetrica and H. costigera, the females are described for the first time. Male and female genitalia of all species are illustrated and new distributional data is provided.  Key words: Biodiversity, Distribution, Himalaya, New record
Quantum concepts in optical polarization
Authors: Goldberg Aaron Z. , de la Hoz Pablo , Björk Gunnar , Klimov Andrei B. , Grassl Markus , Leuchs Gerd , Sánchez-Soto Luis L.
Published: November 2020

We comprehensively review the quantum theory of the polarization properties of light. In classical optics, these traits are characterized by the Stokes parameters, which can be geometrically interpreted using the Poincaré sphere. Remarkably, these Stokes parameters can also be applied to the quantum world, but then important differences emerge: now, because fluctuations in the number of photons are unavoidable, one is forced to work in the three-dimensional Poincaré space that can be regarded as a set of nested spheres. Additionally, higher-order moments of the Stokes variables might play a substantial role for quantum states, which is not the case for most classical Gaussian states. This brings about important differences between these two worlds that we review in detail. In particular, the classical degree of polarization produces unsatisfactory results in the quantum domain. We compare alternative quantum degrees and put forth that they order various states differently. Finally, intrinsically nonclassical states are explored, and their potential applications in quantum technologies are discussed.
Complex colloidal structures with non-linear optical properties formed in an optical trap
Authors: Brzobohatý Oto , Chvátal Lukáš , Šiler Martin , Zemánek Pavel
Published: November 2020

Illumination of a colloidal suspension of dielectric nanoparticles (50 nm in radius) with counter-propagating non-interfering laser beams of sufficient power leads to spatial redistribution of particles due to associated optical forces and formation of colloidal structures composed of thousands of nanoparticles along the beams. We employ a weak probe beam propagating through the colloidal structure and demonstrate that the colloidal structure acts effectively as a non-linear optical medium, similar to a gradient index lens, with optical transformation properties externally tunable by trapping laser power. With an increasing number of nanoparticles we observe the formation of a more complex colloidal structure axially and even laterally and we explain the origin of this process.
Temporal mode transformations by sequential time and frequency phase modulation for applications in quantum information science
Authors: Ashby James , Thiel Valérian , Allgaier Markus , d’Ornellas Peru , Davis Alex O. C. , Smith Brian J.
Published: November 2020

Controlling the temporal mode shape of quantum light pulses has wide ranging application to quantum information science and technology. Techniques have been developed to control the bandwidth, allow shifting in the time and frequency domains, and perform mode-selective beam-splitter-like transformations. However, there is no present scheme to perform targeted multimode unitary transformations on temporal modes. Here we present a practical approach to realize general transformations for temporal modes. We show theoretically that any unitary transformation on temporal modes can be performed using a series of phase operations in the time and frequency domains. Numerical simulations show that several key transformations on temporal modes can be performed with greater than 95% fidelity using experimentally feasible specifications.
Third-order Riemann pulses in optical fibers
Authors: Bongiovanni Domenico , Wetzel Benjamin , Li Zhili , Hu Yi , Wabnitz Stefan , Morandotti Roberto , Chen Zhigang
Published: November 2020

We introduce the concept of third-order Riemann pulses in nonlinear optical fibers. These pulses are generated when properly tailored input pulses propagate through optical fibers in the presence of higher-order dispersion and Kerr nonlinearity. The local propagation speed of these optical wave packets is governed by their local amplitude, according to a rule that remains unchanged during propagation. Analytical and numerical results exhibit a good agreement, showing controllable pulse steepening and subsequent shock wave formation. Specifically, we found that the pulse steepening dynamic is predominantly determined by the action of higher-order dispersion, while the contribution of group velocity dispersion is merely associated with a shift of the shock formation time relative to the comoving frame of the pulse evolution. Unlike standard Riemann waves, which exclusively exist within the strong self-defocusing regime of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation, such third-order Riemann pulses can be generated under both anomalous and normal dispersion conditions. In addition, we show that the third-order Riemann pulse dynamics can be judiciously controlled by a phase chirping parameter directly included in the initial chirp profile of the pulse.
Cascaded metamaterial polarizers for the visible region
Authors: Bootpakdeetam Pawarat , Hemmati Hafez , Magnusson Robert
Published: November 2020

Polarizers serve many application fields such as imaging, display technology, and telecommunications. Focusing on the visible spectral region, we provide the design and fabrication of compact high-efficiency resonant polarizers in the crystalline silicon-on-quartz material system. We experimentally verify the improved efficiency attained by a cascaded dual-module polarizer assembled with building blocks of elemental subwavelength grating structures. We obtain a measured extinction ratio (ER) of

∼

3000

in a 2 mm thick stacked prototype device across a bandwidth of

∼

110

n
m

in the 570–680 nm spectral domain. The ridge width of the constituent nanograting is

∼

84

n
m

. Computed results show a high ER in spite of the lossy nature of crystalline silicon in the visible region, enabling cascaded metasurfaces while preserving high transmission.
Wide-range optical carrier recovery via broadened Brillouin filters
Authors: Zarifi Atiyeh , Merklein Moritz , Liu Yang , Choudhary Amol , Eggleton Benjamin J. , Corcoran Bill
Published: November 2020

Stimulated Brillouin scattering has great potential for wide-wavelength-range optical carrier recovery, as it can act as a parametrically defined narrowband gain filter. However, due to the dispersion of the Brillouin frequency shift, prior demonstrations have been limited in wavelength range. Here, we demonstrate that frequency modulating the pump light for a gain filter based on stimulated Brillouin scattering enables optical carrier recovery for a broad range of input wavelengths. We demonstrate highly selective (

bandwidth) amplification for optical carriers over an 18 nm wide wavelength range in the optical communications C-band, an

improvement over using an unmodulated pump. Measurements of the noise properties of these spectrally broadened gain filters, in both amplitude and phase, indicate the noise performance and SNR are maintained over a wide wavelength range. Our technique provides a potential solution for highly selective, wavelength agnostic optical carrier recovery.
Synthesis and characterization of tetragonal and orthorhombic Sn1-xBaxO2 nanostructures via the spray pyrolysis method
Authors: Islam Ariful , Mou Jannatul Robaiat , Hossain Faruk , Shah Abdul Hadi , Zilani Abdul Kader , Hossain Sazzad
Published: November 2020

A single and mixed-phases SnO2 (M-SnO2) nanostructures were synthesized by a simple spray pyrolysis method. The nanostructural crystallinity, surface morphology and optical evolution of Ba-doped tetragonal phase SnO2 with different Ba contents were studied by x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectral measurements. The M-SnO2 with orthorhombic as well as tetragonal phases are formed in 6% Ba-doped SnO2 sample and it exhibits the highest average transmittance 86% with blue-shift of the optical band gap. The observed strong red emission at ∼ 615 nm might be encouraging for the implementation of red emission based on Ba-doped transparent conducting electrodes.
Mid-gestation serum lipidomic profile associations with spontaneous preterm birth are influenced by body mass index
Authors: Borkowski Kamil , Newman John W. , Aghaeepour Nima , Mayo Jonathan A. , Blazenović Ivana , Fiehn Oliver , Stevenson David K. , Shaw Gary M. , Carmichael Suzan L.
Published: November 2020

Spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) is a major cause of infant morbidity and mortality. While metabolic changes leading to preterm birth are unknown, several factors including dyslipidemia and inflammation have been implicated and paradoxically both low (<18.5 kg/m2) and high (>30 kg/m2) body mass indices (BMIs) are risk factors for this condition. The objective of the study was to identify BMI-associated metabolic perturbations and potential mid-gestation serum biomarkers of preterm birth in a cohort of underweight, normal weight and obese women experiencing either sPTB or full-term deliveries (n = 102; n = 17/group). For this purpose, we combined untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics with targeted metabolic profiling of major regulators of inflammation and metabolism, including oxylipins, endocannabinoids, bile acids and ceramides. Women who were obese and had sPTB showed elevated oxidative stress and dyslipidemia characterized by elevated serum free fatty acids. Women who were underweight-associated sPTB also showed evidence of dyslipidemia characterized by elevated phospholipids, unsaturated triglycerides, sphingomyelins, cholesteryl esters and long-chain acylcarnitines. In normal weight women experiencing sPTB, the relative abundance of 14(15)-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid and 14,15-dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids to other regioisomers were altered at mid-pregnancy. This phenomenon is not yet associated with any biological process, but may be linked to estrogen metabolism. These changes were differentially modulated across BMI groups. In conclusion, using metabolomics we observed distinct BMI-dependent metabolic manifestations among women who had sPTB. These observations suggest the potential to predict sPTB mid-gestation using a new set of metabolomic markers and BMI stratification. This study opens the door to further investigate the role of cytochrome P450/epoxide hydrolase metabolism in sPTB.
Exploring communities’ perceptions of the etiology of illnesses in newborns and young infants 0–59 days old in 4 counties in Kenya
Authors: Odwe George , Ndwiga Charity , Okondo Chantalle , Sripad Pooja , Abuya Timothy , Warren Charlotte E.
Published: November 2020

Background

Understanding communities’ beliefs about the causes of illnesses in sick young infants (SYIs) is key to strengthening interventions and improving newborn health outcomes. This study explored communities' perception of the etiology of illnesses in SYIs 0–59 days old in four counties in Kenya.

Methods

We used an exploratory qualitative study design. Data were collected between August and September 2018 and involved 23 in-depth interviews with female caregivers aged 15-24years; 25 focus group discussions with female caregivers aged 15–18 years, 19–24 years and 25–45 years; and 7 focus group discussions with fathers aged 18–34 years and 35 or more years. Participants were purposely sampled, only those with SYIs 0–59 days old were eligible to participate. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis framework approach.

Results

Female caregivers and fathers attributed illnesses in SYIs 0–59 days old to natural (biomedical) and supernatural causes which sometimes co-existed. There were commonalities in perceived natural causes of illness in SYIs across sites, age groups and gender. Perceived natural causes of illness in SYIs include unfavorable environmental and hygiene conditions, poor maternal and child nutrition, and healthcare practices. Perceived supernatural causes of illness in SYIs such as ‘evil eyes’ were common across the four counties while others were geographically unique such as the belief that owls cause illnesses.

Conclusion

Communities’ understanding of the etiology of illnesses in SYIs in the study settings overlapped between natural and supernatural causes. There is need for child health programmes to take into consideration communities’ beliefs and practices regarding disease and health to improve newborn health outcomes.
Biophysical and anthropogenic influences on the status of Tonga’s coral reefs and reef fish fishery
Authors: Smallhorn-West Patrick , Gordon Sophie , Stone Karen , Ceccarelli Daniela , Malimali Siola’a , Halafihi Tu’ikolongahau , Wyatt Mathew , Bridge Tom , Pressey Robert , Jones Geoffrey
Published: November 2020

Despite increasing threats to Tonga’s coral reefs from stressors that are both local (e.g. overfishing and pollution) and global (e.g. climate change), there is yet to be a systematic assessment of the status of the country’s coral reef ecosystem and reef fish fishery stocks. Here, we provide a national ecological assessment of Tonga’s coral reefs and reef fish fishery using ecological survey data from 375 sites throughout Tonga’s three main island groups (Ha’apai, Tongatapu and Vava’u), represented by seven key metrics of reef health and fish resource status. Boosted regression tree analysis was used to assess and describe the relative importance of 11 socio-environmental variables associated with these key metrics of reef condition. Mean live coral cover across Tonga was 18%, and showed a strong increase from north to south correlated with declining sea surface temperature, as well as with increasing distance from each provincial capital. Tongatapu, the southernmost island group, had 2.5 times greater coral cover than the northernmost group, Vava’u (24.9% and 10.4% respectively). Reef fish species richness and density were comparable throughout Tongatapu and the middle island group, Ha’apai (~35 species/transect and ~2500 fish/km2), but were significantly lower in Vava’u (~24 species/transect and ~1700 fish/km2). Spatial patterns in the reef fish assemblage were primarily influenced by habitat-associated variables (slope, structural complexity, and hard coral cover). The biomass of target reef fish was greatest in Ha’apai (~820 kg/ha) and lowest in Vava’u (~340 kg/ha), and was negatively associated with higher human influence and fishing activity. Overall mean reef fish biomass values suggest that Tonga’s reef fish fishery can be classified as moderately to heavily exploited, with 64% of sites having less than 500 kg/ha. This study provides critical baseline ecological information for Tonga’s coral reefs that will: (1) facilitate ongoing management and research; and (2) enable accurate reporting on conservation targets locally and internationally.
Comparing subjective intoxication with risky single-occasion drinking in a European sample
Authors: Kilian Carolin , Manthey Jakob , Moskalewicz Jacek , Scafato Emanuele , Segura García Lidia , Sieroslawski Janusz , Rehm Jürgen
Published: November 2020

In most epidemiological literature, harmful drinking—a drinking pattern recognized as closely linked to alcohol-attributable diseases—is recorded using the measure risky single-occasion drinking (RSOD), which is based on drinking above a certain quantity. In contrast, subjective intoxication (SI) as an alternative measure can provide additional information, including the drinker’s subjective perceptions and cultural influences on alcohol consumption. However, there is a lack of research comparing both. The current article investigates this comparison, using data from the Standardized European Alcohol Survey from 2015. We analysed the data of 12,512 women and 12,516 men from 17 European countries and one region. We calculated survey-weighted prevalence of SI and RSOD and compared them using Spearman rank correlation and regression models. We examined the role of the required quantity of alcohol needed for the drinker to perceive impairments and analysed additional demographic and sociodemographic characteristics as well as drinking patterns. In the most locations, the prevalence of SI was lower or equal to the prevalence of RSOD. Both prevalence estimates were highly correlated. Almost 8% of the variance in the difference between the individual-level frequencies of the SI and RSOD measures was explained by the individual quantity of alcohol needed to perceive impairments. Sociodemographic characteristics and drinking patterns explained less than 20% in the adjusted perceived quantity of alcohol needed. In conclusion, our results indicated that subjective measures of intoxication are not a preferable indicator of harmful drinking to the more conventional measures of RSOD.
The bio-sonographic index. A novel modality for early detection of acute kidney injury after complex vascular surgery. A protocol for an exploratory prospective study
Authors: Zaky Ahmed , Beck Adam W. , Bae Sejong , Sturdivant Adam , Liwo Amandiy , Zdenek Novak , McAnally Nicole , Ahmad Shama , Meers Brad , Robbin Michelle , Pittet J. F. , Tolwani Ashita , Berkowitz Dan
Published: November 2020

Objective

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of complex aortic surgery with high mortality, morbidity and health care expense. The current definition of AKI does not allow for structural characterization of the kidneys and utilizes functional indices with substantial limitations leading to delayed diagnosis and ineffective interventions. The aim of this study is to develop a method of early detection of structural renal abnormalities that can precede and predict the occurrence of AKI in this population. We propose a novel combined index of ultrasonography (shear wave elastography), biomarkers of renal stress (urinary insulin growth factor binding protein-7, IGFBP-7 and inhibitor of tissue metalloproteinase-2, TIMP-2) and renal injury markers (urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin -NGAL)- the bio-sonographic index (BSI).

Methods

A prospective observational study at a tertiary referral center will be performed enrolling 80 patients undergoing elective open and endovascular repair of the visceral aorta. The BSI will be evaluated at baseline, and at 6 and 24 hours after the procedure. The primary outcome is the occurrence of AKI according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. Each patient will be his/her own control. A reference group of 15 healthy volunteers who are not undergoing interventions will be enrolled to test the feasibility of and to refine the novel SWE protocol. The BSI will be tested for its predictability of the occurrence of AKI. Comparisons will be made between individual and combined components of the BSI and traditional markers used in the KDIGO definition; serum creatinine and urine output in terms of baseline status of the kidney. Correlations will be made between the BSI and conventional indices of AKI and exploratory analyses will be conducted to identify individual disease patterns using the BSI.

Discussion

We hypothesize that the BSI will be a sensitive index of early structural abnormalities that precede and predict the occurrence of AKI as defined by KDIGO in complex vascular surgery.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT04144894. Registered 1/6/2020.