bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative ethnobotanical study of medicinal flora used by local inhabitants in selected Barangay of Malinao, Albay, Philippines
Authors: BELGICA TERESA HAIDE , Suba Marlon , Alejandro Grecebio Jonathan
Published: August 2021

Abstract. Belgica THR, Suba MD, Alejandro CJD. 2021. Quantitative ethnobotanical study of medicinal flora used by local inhabitants in selected Barangay of Malinao, Albay, Philippines. Biodiversitas 22: 2711-2721. study identified and documented herbal medicines used in traditional therapies of local inhabitants in Malinao Albay. Ethnobotanical documentation in this study was through field observation, unstructured interviews, group discussions, and guided field walks. Preference ranking, use-value, informant consensus factor, and fidelity level were quantified. Based on the survey, 74 medicinal plants from 38 families and 72 genera were identified by 350 local inhabitants with therapeutic purposes using quantitative ethnobotanical indices. The plant species belonging to Lamiaceae were best represented with eight species, followed by Compositae with six species and Euphorbiaceae, Malvaceae, and Moraceae with four species each. While the plant species, i.e., Senna alata (L.) Roxb and Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth, were recorded with the highest Fidelity level (FL). In terms of Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Justicia gendarussa Burm.f, Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers and Centella abbreviata (A. Rich.) Nannf were recorded with the highest values. Moreover, the plant with the highest Use Value (UV) was Moringa oleifera Lam, and the leaves were the most used part as a decoction to cure different illnesses. This study provides baseline data of plant diversity in Malinao Albay and their medicinal uses, which could be used as a basis for drug discovery to improve the utilization of herbal plants from global perspectives.
Variation in morphological characters of Marsilea crenata living in floating aquatic, emergent aquatic, and terrestrial habitats
Authors: WISANTI WISANTI , ALOYSIUS DURAN COREBIMA , Zubaidah Siti , LESTARI SRI RAHAYU
Published: August 2021

Abstract. Wisanti, Aloysius DC, Zubaidah S, Lestari SR. 2021. Variation in morphological characters of Marsilea crenata living in floating aquatic, emergent aquatic, and terrestrial habitats. Biodiversitas 22: 2853-2859. Marsilea is a hydrophyte fern that has plasticity often influenced by enviroment. Several of the species with different habitats or geographies show morphological variations. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the variations in morphological characters of M. crenata growing in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. A total of 38 plant samples were collected from their natural habitats including floating aquatic, emergent aquatic, and terrestrial types. Morphological variations data included 4 qualitative characters and 9 quantitative characters. The quantitative characters were analyzed by one-way ANOVA to test for differences, while the combination of both characters was analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to determine the distribution between groups. The data results showed a separate grouping pattern between aquatic and terrestrial populations. These two groups showed significant differences in 5 quantitative characters and 2 qualitative characters. However, emergent aquatic samples’ distribution pattern is closer to the terrestrial group. The characters’ similarity of these two populations was in ??the rhizomes air spaces area, the position between leaflets and absence of red streak on the abaxial lamina. Conclusively, the variations in M. crenata’s morphological characters indicate that this plant has experienced morphological adaptations to water availability in its environment.
The affinity of mangrove species using Association and Cluster Index in North Coast of Jakarta and Segara Anakan of Cilacap, Indonesia
Authors: Hilmi Endang , Sari Lilik Kartika , Cahyo Tri Nur , MUSLIH Muslih , Mahdiana Arif , Samudra Sesilia Rani
Published: August 2021

Abstract. Hilmi E, Sari LK, Cahyo TN, Muslih, Mahdiana A, Samudra SR. 2021. The affinity of mangrove species using Association and Cluster Index in North Coast of Jakarta and Segara Anakan of Cilacap, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 2907-2920. The affinity of mangrove species using association and cluster index describe relationship among mangrove species. The species association and clustering explain the degree of utilization of resources and space by mangrove species. The association and cluster also describe specific species adaptation in mangrove ecosystems. This paper was aimed to analyze species affinity using association and clustering index of mangrove species. The association index used Chi-square equation and the clustered index used Euclidian distance analysis. The results showed that (i) mangrove density in Segara Anakan (166-4000 trees ha-1) > North Jakarta (220-1100 trees ha-1). (ii) Nypa fruticans, Avicennia marina, Rhizophora stylosa and Rhizophora apiculata dominated in Segara Anakan of Cilacap, and Rhizophora stylosa and Avicennia marina dominated in North Jakarta (iii) The association index had 12 pairs of negative species association and 17 pairs of positive species association, but most of mangrove vegetations had no association. (iv) mangrove ecosystem in Segara Anakan and North Jakarta had four clusters with Euclidean distance (ED score) 484 to describe cluster between Bruguiera parviflora-Bruguiera sexangula until 76430847 to describe cluster among Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Bruguiera parviflora, Ceriops decandra, Exoecaria agallocha, Nypa fruticans, Ceriops tagal, Rhizophora stylosa, and Sonneratia caseolaris
Effectiveness of essential oil from the Artemisia herba-alba aerial parts against multidrug-resistant bacteria isolated from food and hospitalized patients
Authors: Ed-Dra Abdelaziz , Filali Fouzia Rhazi , Lo Presti Vittorio , Zekkori Badr , Nalbone Luca , Elsharkawy Eman Ramadan , Bentayeb Amar , Giarratana Filippo
Published: August 2021

Abstract. Ed-Dra A, Filali FR, Presti VL, Zekkori B, Nalbone L, Elsharkawy ER, Bentayeb A, Giarrtana F. 2021. Effectiveness of essential oil from the Artemisia herba-alba aerial parts against multidrug-resistant bacteria isolated from food and hospitalized patients. Biodiversitas 22: 2995-3005. The World Health Organization has sounded the warning on the diffusion of multidrug resistance (MDR) bacteria, requiring solutions and alternatives to solve the therapeutic failure that may occur. This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant activity and bactericidal effectiveness against MDR bacteria of Artemisia herba-alba essential oil (A-EO) collected from semi-arid region of Morocco. Chemical composition of the A-EO was determined by Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionisation Detector and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, while the antioxidant activity was performed by DPPH scavenging activity and ?-carotene bleaching assay. Antibacterial activity of A-EO, performed by disc diffusion assay and broth dilution method, was tested against: four MDR strains (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella Typhimurium and Enterococcus faecalis) isolated from food matrices, two (Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) from hospitalized patients, and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 as reference strain. Davanone was the main compound among the 17 identified. An antioxidant activity with IC50 of 1.13±0.02 mg/mL, EC50 of 2.12±0.05 mg/mL and RC50 of 0.87±0.02 mg/mL was observed. A weak activity against P. aeruginosa was observed, while it was intermediate or high against the other bacteria. This study confirms that A-EO could be a suitable alternative to antibiotics in the infection treatment related to MDR bacteria.
Short Communication: Diversity of sponges associated in seagrass meadows at coastal area of Pacitan District, East Java, Indonesia
Authors: SETIAWAN EDWIN , CHODIANTORO MOHAMMAD RIZKI , INSANY GHULAM FATHUR , SUBAGIO IWENDA BELA , DEWI NURUL KUSUMA , MUZAKI FARID KAMAL
Published: August 2021

Abstract. Setiawan E, Chodiantoro MR, Insany GF, Subagio IB, Dewi NK, Muzaki FK. 2021. Short Communication: Diversity of sponges associated in seagrass meadows at coastal area of Pacitan District, East Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 3105-3112. Sponges are sessile organisms and aquatic filter feeders that play an important role in marine ecosystems. They are also secondary metabolite compounds that exhibit promising novel properties. Indonesia has been categorized as a hot spot for sponge diversity. Despite this fact, some Indonesian coastal areas, especially in the southern area of East Java, have not yet been comprehensively explored to understand its diversity and potential value. For this reason, we investigated species richness of sponges associated with seagrass meadows in the southern coastal area of Pacitan District, in East Java. Seagrass meadows are important coastal areas that have been recognized as buffer zones for sustainable marine conservation because it provides safe shelter and acts as a nursery for many fishes and other invertebrates, including sponges. We identified 16 genera out of 12 families from two selected beaches in Pacitan. Boring sponges belonging to the Clionaidea family were dominant in those areas, covering more than 20 percent of the total recorded specimens. Moreover, conspicuous boring sponges in this study can be used for further environment alert since this group plays a vital role and negatively impacts destroying the calcium carbonate of marine organisms.
Documentation of the traditional Alas food in Southeast Aceh district, Indonesia
Authors: Sutrisno Imam Hadi , Suwardi Adi Bejo , Navia Zidni Ilman , Baihaqi Baihaqi , Fadhilah Muhammad Arif
Published: August 2021

Abstract. Sutrisno IH, Suwardi AB, Navia ZI, Baihaqi, Fadhilah MA. 2021. Documentation of the traditional Alas food in Southeast Aceh District, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 3243-3249. The indigenous and traditional foods of the Alas tribe have a long history and unique traditions that have been passed down for thousands of years. Unfortunately, food tradition is strongly intertwined with the health-related and therapeutic reasoning of food ingredients and preparation methods. However, changes in people's consumption patterns, which prefer fast food, lead to a decline in local knowledge of traditional foods, particularly among the younger generation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to document the traditional Alas food in Southeast Aceh District, Indonesia. The study was conducted in eight subdistricts of Southeast Aceh, Indonesia, namely Lawe Alas, Babul Rahmah, Tanoh Alas, Babussalam, Darul Hasanah, Lawe Bulan, Lawe Sumur, and Bambel subdistricts. The study enlisted 80 respondents (10 from each district) who were chosen at random. The interview was conducted using a questionnaire that covered the respondents' backgrounds, traditional food names, food composition, mode of preparation, and uses. A total of 16 traditional Alas foods were documented, including six types of traditional cuisine and 10 types of traditional snacks. All respondents recognized Manuk Labakh, Ikan Pacik Kule, Puket Megaukh, and Buah Khum Khum as traditional Alas foods. On the other hand, less than 25% of respondents were familiar with some other traditional Alas foods, such as Menekem. The Alas tribe has a great system in place for passing down traditional knowledge from generation to generation. A total of 24 plant species consisting of 21 genera and 14 families was used as traditional Alas food. The Alas tribe prepares a variety of foods from various plant species to maintain their health and contribute to conservation efforts.
Species distribution of Enterobacteriaceae and non-Enterobacteriaceae responsible for urinary tract infections at the Zainoel Abidin Hospital in Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Authors: Suhartono Suhartono , Mahdani Wilda , Hayati Zinatul , NURHALIMAH NURHALIMAH
Published: August 2021

Abstract. Suhartono S, Mahdani W, Hayati Z, Nurhalimah N. 2021. Species distribution of Enterobacteriaceae and non-Enterobacteriaceae responsible for urinary tract infections at the Zainoel Abidin Hospital in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 3313-3318. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that occurs along the urinary tract caused by pathogenic bacteria. Enterobacteriaceae and non-Enterobacteriaceae are generally normal flora originating from the large intestine and vaginal mucosa. This study aimed to assess the distribution of Enterobacteriaceae and non -Enterobacteriaceae pathogens that cause UTI based on species diversity, patient age, gender, and hospital units, and to evaluate their antibiotic sensitivity to uropathogens in ZAH. In total, there were 284 isolates classified as UTI pathogens with 178 Enterobacteriaceae isolates dominated by Escherichia coli and 107 non- Enterobacteriaceae isolates. Non- Enterobacteriaceae consisted of 77 isolates of Gram-positive dominated by Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus facium, and 29 isolates of Gram-negative dominated by Acinetobacter baumannii. The highest UTI ratio was found in the elderly (56-65 years), namely 66.2% Enterobacteriaceae and 33.8% non-Enterobacteriaceae isolates. Based on gender, females were infected with Enterobacteriaceae (66.86%) and non-Enterobacteriaceae (37.41%). Most of UTI patients in the internal medicine unit were infected with Enterobacteriaceae (55.36%) and non-Enterobacteriaceae (44.64%). Amikacin, meropenem, and levofloxacin were antibiotics that had high sensitivity against Enterobacterial and non-Enterobacterial uropathogens. The emergence of Gram-positive uropathogens need to be concerned as these groups start emerging. It is also important to monitor regularly the antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial UTI pathogens to ensure the efficacy of current UTI treatments and minimize the UTI incidence in nosocomial settings.
Reproductive activity and morphometric assessment of three commercial species of sea cucumber (Echinodermata) from Karimunjawa National Park, Indonesia
Authors: MUSTAGFIRIN Mustagfirin , Wijayanti Diah Permata , SUBAGIYO Subagiyo
Published: August 2021

Abstract. Mustagfirin, Wijayanti DP, Subagiyo. 2021. Reproductive activity and morphometric assessment of three commercial species of sea cucumber (Echinodermata) from Karimunjawa National Park, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 3333-3341. Sea cucumbers are benthic animals that have economic value and play an important role in the environment. Exploitation on large scale to fulfill high market demand, caused overexploitation. The number of sea cucumbers in Karimunjawa decreased as a result of limited management. There is no study conducted on the commercial sea cucumbers (Holothuria edulis, Pearsonothuria graeffei, and Bohadschia vitensis) in Nyamuk Island, Karimunjawa. The objectives of the research were to determine the morphometric assessment and the reproductive cycle of the three species. The morphometric assessment of weight showed that the weight of H. edulis ranges 247.3-2539g, P. graeffei 415.3-428.1g, and B. vitiensis 672.4-678.1g, respectively. The first maturity size of gutted body weight (GWB50) for H. edulis was 127.84g, P. graeffei 357.61g, and B. vitiensis 279.34g. The gonad somatic index (GSI) range 13.60-15.60% for H. edulis, 14.75-12.25% for P. graeffei and 10.83-14.57% for B. vitiensis. The result of gonad somatic index with a value above 10% means that it has entered the spawning phase. The above data indicated that the three commercial species spawned monthly, during new moon. It is likely that the spawning peak occurred when the temperature was increased. However, the pattern of reproductive activity in this study was limited at Nyamuk Island. Future studies are needed to observe whether there is a correlation between the increasing water temperature and the reproductive activity of the three sea cucumbers.
Genetic diversity analysis of Piper betle from eight accessions of Indonesia based on SRAP markers
Authors: Nabilla Sharah , Safira Ukhradiya Magharaniq , Puspita Puspa Julistia , Subositi Dyah , Maruzy Anshary , Artika I Made
Published: August 2021

Abstract. Nabilla S, Safira UM, Puspita PJ, Subositi D, Maruzy A, Artika IM. 2021. Genetic diversity analysis of Piper betle from eight accessions of Indonesia based on SRAP markers. Biodiversitas 22: 3401-3408. Leaves of betel vine (Piper betle Linn.) have been used as a traditional medicine in various regions in Indonesia. However, the genetic diversity of this plant has not been well recorded. Considering its diverse usage in traditional and folk medicine, it is essential to analyze and document the genetic diversity of Piper betle L. with the aim to collect the scientific data of betel vine genetics in Indonesia. This study aims at analyzing the population structure and genetic diversity of betel vine from the Singkil, Gayo Serbajadi, Baduy, Bandung, Hutan, Kalisusu, Kaledupa, and Mekongga accession groups of Indonesia using the sequence-related-amplified polymorphism (SRAP) marker technique. Genomic DNA was isolated from each accession and then used as a template for DNA amplification using PCR. As many as 16 SRAP primer combinations were screened for the genetic diversity analysis. Optimization of primer combinations resulted in 7 selected combinations based on their ability to generate clear amplification patterns and polymorphic bands. These were then employed for genetic diversity analysis. The genetic distance dendrogram showed the lowest similarity coefficient was 0.62 and that the betel vine grouping pattern was not based on genotype. The Singkil population had the highest genetic diversity and the Hutan population had the lowest. The mean value of Nei's genetic diversity index was 0.0985, while Shannon's information index was 0.01459 and the percentage of polymorphic loci was 25.81. This study concluded that the level of betel vine diversity is low.
Evaluation of proximate composition, microbial load and sensory characteristics of instant holat as traditional spice in North Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors: Maser Wahyu Haryati , SINAGA MUHAMMAD ZULHAM EFENDI
Published: August 2021

Abstract. Maser WH, Sinaga MZE. 2021. Evaluation of proximate composition, microbial load and sensory characteristics of instant holat as traditional spice in North Sumatra. Biodiversitas 22: 3440-3445. Holat is the name of traditional food from North Sumatra, Indonesia which has astringent flavor derived from the bark of Phyllanthus emblica. The aims of this study were to determine the proximate composition and evaluate microbial load, and sensory characteristics of instant holat spice. There were 12 treatments, namely the combination of different amounts of bark (15 g, 25 g, 35 g, 45 g) and drying time (20 h, 22 h, 24 h). The proximate composition (moisture, ash, protein, fat, crude fiber, fat, and total carbohydrate content), microbial analysis (total plate count; yeast and mold count), and sensory characteristics (aroma, color, taste, and overall acceptability) were carried out. The results showed that water, protein, fat, crude fiber, and total carbohydrates contents were all significantly different (p < 0.05), except ash content. There was no yeast, mold, and bacterial growth on total plate count. There were no significant differences in all sensory characteristics (aroma, color, taste, and overall acceptability) of instant holat before and after brewing (p ? 0.05). The treatment of F4-24 was the best formula and has the highest score that might be developed as a product of instant holat spice. Further study should be conducted to determine the effect by increasing the amount of bark and evaluating its bioactivity.
Short Communication: Using ecological parameters to assess the sustainability of mangrove ecotourism in Jeneponto, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: ASKAR HARDIANTY , TAHANG HAMZAH , SUTINAH SUTINAH , FAKHRIYYAH SITTI , BAHAR AHMAD , TRESNATI JOEHARNANI , Tuwo Ambo
Published: August 2021

Abstract. Askar H, Tahang H, Sutinah S, Fakhriyyah S, Bahar A, Tresnati J, Tuwo A. 2021. Short Communication: Using ecological parameters to assess the sustainability of mangrove ecotourism in Jeneponto, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 3571-3577. Mangrove forest is an essential ecosystem that provides various ecosystem services. Among various land use management in mangrove areas, ecotourism is considered as a sustainable economic activity that can improve socio-economic benefits while conserving the mangrove ecosystem. Therefore, ecotourism management must refer to sustainable development principles. This study aims to assess the sustainability status of mangrove forests in Idaman Mangrove Ecotourism in Balang Baru Village, Tarowang Sub-district, Jeneponto District, South Sulawesi, Indonesia using some parameters including the extent, density and diversity of mangrove vegetation, tidal height and animal biota that occurred in the mangroves. The study used line transect method and quadrat transect, and the data were analyzed using Rapfish (Rapid Appraisal for Fisheries) method. The study indicated that the sustainability status of IME for the ecological dimension was in the entirely sustainable category with an ecological dimension value was 58.50. While the mangrove is currently managed sustainably, to go further, it requires all stakeholders' cooperation in improving the dimensions of sustainability, which had a low value, especially the mangrove trees thickness.
Case Study: Trans-styloid, Trans-scaphoid, Trans-triquetral, and Perilunate Dislocation
Authors: Frane Nicholas , Regala Peter , Klein Brandon , Mitgang Joshua , Katsigiorgis Gus
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Perilunate dislocations are rare high-energy injuries, and the diagnosis is not infrequently missed at initial presentation. The combination of fractures resulting in a trans-styloid, trans-scaphoid, and trans-triquetral perilunate fracture dislocation is extremely rare. Early recognition and diagnosis of these injuries is prudent to restore patient function and prevent morbidity. This injury pattern may progress through several distinct phases often involving the greater or lesser arc. The injury begins with traumatic disruption of the scapholunate joint, followed by an ordered progression of injury to the capitolunate, lunotriquetral, and radiolunate joints. When the radiolunate joint is disrupted, the lunate often dislocates volar transposing into the carpal tunnel, associated with median nerve compression. These injuries have the potential to cause lifelong disability of the wrist. Early treatment may prevent or lessen the chance of median neuropathy, post-traumatic wrist arthrosis, chronic instability, and fracture nonunion. Non-operative treatment is not indicated and is associated with poor functional outcomes and recurrent dislocation. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with ligamentous repair after emergent closed reduction and splinting is indicated for acute injuries (<8 weeks after injury).
Case Report: We report a case of a 48-year-old right hand dominant male with a trans-styloid, trans-scaphoid, trans-triquetral, and perilunate dislocation after mechanical fall from height. He was evaluated in the ER and provisionally treated with closed reduction and splinting. ORIF of scaphoid, radial styloid, and triquetrum was performed, with ligamentous repair of the scapholunate joint and carpal tunnel decompression.
Conclusion: The combination of fractures/injuries in this case has been very rarely been published in case reports to date. It is necessary to recognize these wrist injuries. Great detail should be given to physical and radiog
COVID‐19, health care, and abortion exceptionalism in the United States
Authors: Joffe Carole , Schroeder Rosalyn
Published: August 2021

Context

Few qualitative findings have been published that explore and identify the challenges experienced by independent abortion providers during the COVID‐19 pandemic in the United States (US). In this paper, we explore these themes while expanding the concept of “abortion exceptionalism” beyond its original legal meaning to address the impact of abortion stigma.

Methods

Twenty abortion providers from independent abortion clinics throughout the US South and Midwest participated in semi‐structured interviews in June and July 2020. Interviews explored the challenges of providing abortion care in the wake of the COVID‐19 pandemic and sought to identify how clinics strategized and amended their clinical practices to continue providing abortion care during this time.

Results

All providers we spoke to noted significant challenges to providing abortion care in the early days of COVID‐19. In addition to experiencing the same concerns as other health care institutions, abortion clinics also faced additional, unique burdens that can only be attributed to the politics of abortion exceptionalism. Examples of this abortion exceptionalism include abrupt orders to close clinics, the need to rely on traveling physicians, legislature‐imposed limits on telemedicine, heightened activities of protesters, and non‐evidence‐based regulation of medication abortion.

Conclusion

Despite major challenges and differential treatment, independent abortion clinics in the US persevered to continue to provide abortion care throughout the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Two-dimensional birefringence measurement technique using a polarization camera
Authors: Lane Connor , Rode David , Rösgen Thomas
Published: August 2021

A two-dimensional birefringence measurement method is described. In this procedure, we send light through a rotatable linear polarizer and subsequently through a transparent and birefringent specimen. A polarization camera measures the state of linear polarization from which the relative position of the refractive index axes and the relative phase difference is determined. The measurement range of the phase difference is up toπrad, which corresponds to an optical retardation of half the wavelength of the light. The imaging system can measure a large sample area within one measurement cycle. Measurement performance is demonstrated with a quarter-wave plate, and an exemplary test case is shown.
Bistable absorption in a 1D photonic crystal with a nanocomposite defect layer
Authors: Roshan Entezar Samad
Published: August 2021

We investigate the nonlinear absorption properties of a defective one-dimensional photonic crystal at the near-infrared range using the nonlinear transfer matrix method. The defect is a nanocomposite layer containing vanadium dioxide nanoparticles sandwiched between two nonlinear dielectric layers. The linear absorption spectrum of the designed structure has three resonant absorption lines at the bandgap region of the photonic crystal. We can reconfigure the structure in the linear regime from nearly transparent to absorbent or vice versa in multiple resonant wavelengths by adjusting the temperature. Moreover, the system shows absorptive bistability by adjusting the intensity and incident angle of the input light. We discuss the tunability of the nonlinear absorption in detail. In the nonlinear regime, we show that, besides the temperature, the structure can be reconfigured from absorbent to transparent and vice versa by adjusting the incident optical power and the incident angle. We validate the results by examining the electric field distribution throughout the structure.
Entangling magnon and superconducting qubit by using a two-mode squeezed-vacuum microwave field
Authors: Ning Chen-Xi , Yin Miao
Published: August 2021

We propose a scheme to generate entanglement between magnon and superconducting qubit. The macroscopic yttrium–iron–garnet sphere and superconducting qubit are installed in two spatially separated cavities, which are directly driven by a two-mode squeezed-vacuum microwave field. The magnon and cavity 1 are coupled via magnetic dipole interaction and the superconducting qubit and cavity 2 are coupled via electric dipole interaction. We theoretically demonstrate that the magnon–qubit steady-state entanglement can be created by transferring quantum correlations of the two-mode squeezed-vacuum driving field via cavity–magnon and cavity–qubit beam-splitter interactions. The transfer is highly efficient, and the entanglement is robust against temperature in the optimal parameter regimes. We also deduce a new, to the best of our knowledge, mathematical method to analyze the dynamics of the magnon–qubit entanglement and some significant results are obtained. Our scheme can be implemented with experimentally feasible parameters and may provide guidance in designing hybrid quantum networks.
Phase-sensitively amplified wavelength-division multiplexed optical transmission systems
Authors: Vijayan Kovendhan , He Zonglong , Foo Benjamin , Schröder Jochen , Karlsson Magnus , Andrekson Peter A.
Published: August 2021

The throughput and reach in fiber-optic communication links are limited by in-line optical amplifier noise and the Kerr nonlinearity in the optical transmission fiber. Phase-sensitive amplifiers (PSAs) are capable of amplifying signals without adding excess noise and mitigating the impairments caused by the Kerr nonlinearity. However, the effectiveness of Kerr nonlinearity mitigation depends on the dispersion pre-compensation in each span. This paper investigates dense wavelength-division multiplexed PSA-amplified links using joint processing with a less complex digital domain Volterra nonlinear equalizer at the receiver. Both numerically and with experiments, it is shown that this significantly reduces the impact of the dispersion pre-compensation in each span. Also, with simulations, a substantial improvement in transmission reach is demonstrated for PSA links.
Chemical etching of fused silica after modification with two-pulse bursts of femtosecond laser
Authors: Stankevič Valdemar , Račiukaitis Gediminas , Gečys Paulius
Published: August 2021

Bursts of femtosecond laser pulses were used to record internal modifications inside fused silica for selective chemical etching. Two-pulse bursts with a variable energy ratio between those pulses at a fixed inter-pulse duration of 14.5 ns were applied for the first time. The selective chemical etching rate of the laser-modified material with the burst of two pulses was compared to the single-pulse regime when etching in HF and KOH etchants. The advantage of the burst-mode processing was demonstrated when etching was performed in the KOH solution. More regular nanogratings were formed, and the etching initiation was more stable when burst pulses were applied for fused silica modification. The vertical planar structures were obtained using the two-pulse bursts with an energy ratio of 1:2, increasing the etching rate by more than 35% compared to the single-pulse processing. The highest ever reported selectivity of 1:2000 was demonstrated by introducing the two-pulse burst mode.
Observing two-photon subwavelength interference of broadband chaotic light in a polarization-selective Michelson interferometer
Authors: Luo Sheng , Zhou Yu , Zheng Huaibin , Xu Wanting , Liu Jianbin , Chen Hui , He Yuchen , Zhang Shuanghao , Li Fuli , Xu Zhuo
Published: August 2021

We demonstrated a method to achieve the two-photon subwavelength effect of true broadband chaotic light in polarization-selective Michelson interferometer based on two-photon absorption detection. To our knowledge, it is the first time that this effect has been observed with broadband chaotic light. In theory, the two-photon polarization coherence matrix and probability amplitudes matrix are combined to develop polarized two-photon interference terms, which explains the experimental results well. To make better use of this interferometer to produce the subwavelength effect, we also make a series of error analyses to find out the relationship between the visibility and the degree of polarization error. Our experimental and theoretical results contribute to the understanding of the two-photon subwavelength interference, which shed light on the development of the two-photon interference theory of vector light field based on quantum mechanics. The characteristic of the two-photon subwavelength effect have significant applications in temporal ghost imaging, such as it helps to improve the resolution of temporal objects.
Iterative difference deblurring algorithm for linear computed laminography
Authors: Zhao Ruobing , Hu Xiaodong , Jiang Yiming , Chen Ming , Zou Jing
Published: August 2021

Linear Computed Laminography (LCL) is used to yield slice images of plate-like objects (PLO) for the advantage of short exposure time, high control precision and low cost. Shift and Add (SAA) is a widely used reconstruction algorithm for LCL. One limitation of SAA is that the reconstructed image of the in-focus layer (IFL) contains information from off-focus layers (OFL), resulting in inter-slice aliasing and blurring. In this paper, an Iterative Difference Deblurring (IDD) algorithm based on LCL is proposed to reduce the blur in reconstructed images. The core idea of the IDD algorithm is: contributions from OFL are subtracted from the projection data to remove the blur from the IFL. The corrected projections are then reconstructed using the SAA to remove the superimposed contributions of OFL from the IFL. An iterative approach is utilized to adjust a weighting factor applied during the subtraction stage. The results demonstrate that IDD algorithm can achieve PLO reconstruction in the LCL system under extremely sparse sampling conditions, and can effectively reduce the inter-slice aliasing and blurring.
Off-axis optical levitation and transverse spinning of metallic microparticles
Authors: Liang Yansheng , Yan Shaohui , Wang Zhaojun , Yao Baoli , Lei Ming
Published: August 2021

Optical manipulation of metallic microparticles remains a significant challenge because of the strong scattering forces arising from the high extinction coefficient of the particles. This paper reports a new mechanism for stable confinement of metallic microparticles using a tightly focused linearly polarized Gaussian beam. Theoretical and experimental results demonstrate that metallic microparticles can be captured off the optical axis in such a beam. Meanwhile, the three-dimensionally confined particles are observed spinning transversely as a response to the asymmetric force field. The off-axis levitation and transverse spinning of metallic microparticles may provide a new way for effective manipulation of metallic microparticles.
Whole genome sequencing reveals the genomic diversity, taxonomic classification, and evolutionary relationships of the genus Nocardia
Authors: Xu Shuai , Li Zhenpeng , Huang Yuanming , Han Lichao , Che Yanlin , Hou Xuexin , Li Dan , Fan Shihong , Li Zhenjun
Published: August 2021

Nocardia is a complex and diverse genus of aerobic actinomycetes that cause complex clinical presentations, which are difficult to diagnose due to being misunderstood. To date, the genetic diversity, evolution, and taxonomic structure of the genus Nocardia are still unclear. In this study, we investigated the pan-genome of 86 Nocardia type strains to clarify their genetic diversity. Our study revealed an open pan-genome for Nocardia containing 265,836 gene families, with about 99.7% of the pan-genome being variable. Horizontal gene transfer appears to have been an important evolutionary driver of genetic diversity shaping the Nocardia genome and may have caused historical taxonomic confusion from other taxa (primarily Rhodococcus, Skermania, Aldersonia, and Mycobacterium). Based on single-copy gene families, we established a high-accuracy phylogenomic approach for Nocardia using 229 genome sequences. Furthermore, we found 28 potentially new species and reclassified 16 strains. Finally, by comparing the topology between a phylogenomic tree and 384 phylogenetic trees (from 384 single-copy genes from the core genome), we identified a novel locus for inferring the phylogeny of this genus. The dapb1 gene, which encodes dipeptidyl aminopeptidase BI, was far superior to commonly used markers for Nocardia and yielded a topology almost identical to that of genome-based phylogeny. In conclusion, the present study provides insights into the genetic diversity, contributes a robust framework for the taxonomic classification, and elucidates the evolutionary relationships of Nocardia. This framework should facilitate the development of rapid tests for the species identification of highly variable species and has given new insight into the behavior of this genus.
To maximize or randomize? An experimental study of probability matching in financial decision making
Authors: Lo Andrew W. , Marlowe Katherine P. , Zhang Ruixun
Published: August 2021

Probability matching, also known as the “matching law” or Herrnstein’s Law, has long puzzled economists and psychologists because of its apparent inconsistency with basic self-interest. We conduct an experiment with real monetary payoffs in which each participant plays a computer game to guess the outcome of a binary lottery. In addition to finding strong evidence for probability matching, we document different tendencies towards randomization in different payoff environments—as predicted by models of the evolutionary origin of probability matching—after controlling for a wide range of demographic and socioeconomic variables. We also find several individual differences in the tendency to maximize or randomize, correlated with wealth and other socioeconomic factors. In particular, subjects who have taken probability and statistics classes and those who self-reported finding a pattern in the game are found to have randomized more, contrary to the common wisdom that those with better understanding of probabilistic reasoning are more likely to be rational economic maximizers. Our results provide experimental evidence that individuals—even those with experience in probability and investing—engage in randomized behavior and probability matching, underscoring the role of the environment as a driver of behavioral anomalies.
Predicted preference conjoint analysis
Authors: Radas Sonja , Prelec Dražen
Published: August 2021

In this paper we propose a new method of eliciting market research information. Instead of asking respondents for their personal choices and preferences, we ask respondents to predict the choices of other respondents to the survey. Such predictions tap respondents’ knowledge of peers, whether based on direct social contacts or on more general cultural information. The effectiveness of this approach has already been demonstrated in the context of political polling. Here we extend it to market research, specifically, to conjoint analysis. An advantage of the new approach is that it can elicit reliable responses in situations where people are not comfortable with disclosing their true preferences, but may be willing to give information about people around them. A theoretical argument demonstrates that predictions should yield utility estimates that are more accurate. These theoretical results are confirmed in four online experiments.
Elephant bones for the Middle Pleistocene toolmaker
Authors: Villa Paola , Boschian Giovanni , Pollarolo Luca , Saccà Daniela , Marra Fabrizio , Nomade Sebastien , Pereira Alison
Published: August 2021

The use of bone as raw material for implements is documented since the Early Pleistocene. Throughout the Early and Middle Pleistocene bone tool shaping was done by percussion flaking, the same technique used for knapping stone artifacts, although bone shaping was rare compared to stone tool flaking. Until recently the generally accepted idea was that early bone technology was essentially immediate and expedient, based on single-stage operations, using available bone fragments of large to medium size animals. Only Upper Paleolithic bone tools would involve several stages of manufacture with clear evidence of primary flaking or breaking of bone to produce the kind of fragments required for different kinds of tools. Our technological and taphonomic analysis of the bone assemblage of Castel di Guido, a Middle Pleistocene site in Italy, now dated by 40Ar/39Ar to about 400 ka, shows that this general idea is inexact. In spite of the fact that the number of bone bifaces at the site had been largely overestimated in previous publications, the number of verified, human-made bone tools is 98. This is the highest number of flaked bone tools made by pre-modern hominids published so far. Moreover the Castel di Guido bone assemblage is characterized by systematic production of standardized blanks (elephant diaphysis fragments) and clear diversity of tool types. Bone smoothers and intermediate pieces prove that some features of Aurignacian technology have roots that go beyond the late Mousterian, back to the Middle Pleistocene. Clearly the Castel di Guido hominids had done the first step in the process of increasing complexity of bone technology. We discuss the reasons why this innovation was not developed. The analysis of the lithic industry is done for comparison with the bone industry.
Dysregulated plasma lipid mediator profiles in critically ill COVID-19 patients
Authors: Palmas Francesco , Clarke Jennifer , Colas Romain A. , Gomez Esteban A. , Keogh Aoife , Boylan Maria , McEvoy Natalie , McElvaney Oliver J. , McElvaney Oisin , Alalqam Razi , McElvaney Noel G. , Curley Gerard F. , Dalli Jesmond
Published: August 2021

Coronavirus disease (COVID)-19, as a result of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, has been the direct cause of over 2.2 million deaths worldwide. A timely coordinated host-immune response represents the leading driver for restraining SARS-CoV-2 infection. Indeed, several studies have described dysregulated immunity as the crucial determinant for critical illness and the failure of viral control. Improved understanding and management of COVID-19 could greatly reduce the mortality and morbidity caused by SARS-CoV-2. One aspect of the immune response that has to date been understudied is whether lipid mediator production is dysregulated in critically ill patients. In the present study, plasma from COVID-19 patients with either severe disease and those that were critically ill was collected and lipid mediator profiles were determined using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Results from these studies indicated that plasma concentrations of both pro-inflammatory and pro-resolving lipid mediator were reduced in critically ill patients when compared with those with severe disease. Furthermore, plasma concentrations of a select group of mediators that included the specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM) Resolvin (Rv) D1 and RvE4 were diagnostic of disease severity. Interestingly, peripheral blood SPM concentrations were also linked with outcome in critically ill patients, where we observed reduced overall concentrations of these mediators in those patients that did not survive. Together the present findings establish a link between plasma lipid mediators and disease severity in patients with COVID-19 and indicate that plasma SPM concentrations may be linked with survival in these patients.
The background occurrence of selected clinical conditions prior to the start of an extensive national vaccination program in Japan
Authors: Sobue Tomotaka , Fukuda Haruhisa , Matsumoto Tetsuya , Lee Bennett , Ito Shuhei , Iwata Satoshi
Published: August 2021

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has now affected tens of millions of people globally. It is the hope that vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 will deliver a comprehensive solution to this global pandemic; however, this will require extensive national vaccination programs. Ultimately, clinical conditions and even sudden unexplained death will occur around the time of vaccination, thus a distinction needs to be made between events that are causally related to the vaccine or temporally related to vaccination. This study aimed to estimate the background occurrence of 43 clinical conditions in the Japanese population.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted from 2013 to 2019 using data from two large healthcare claims databases (MDV and JMDC) in Japan. The estimated number of new cases and incidence were calculated based on the actual number of new cases identified in the databases. The PubMed and Ichushi-web databases, as well as grey literature such as guidelines and government statistics, were also searched to identify any publications related to incidence of these conditions in Japan.

Results and conclusion

The estimates of the number of total cases and incidence were similar for the MDV and JMDC databases for some diseases. In addition, some estimates were similar to those in the scientific literature. For example, from the MDV and JMDC databases, estimates of incidence of confirmed Bell’s palsy in 2019 were 41.7 and 47.9 cases per 100,000 population per year, respectively. These estimates were of the same order from the scientific publication. Determining whether clinical conditions occurring around the time of vaccination are causally or only temporally related to vaccination will be critical for public health decision makers as well as for the general public. Comparison of background occurrence at the population level may provide some additional objective evidence for the evaluation of temporality or causality.
Point-of-care microvolume cytometer measures platelet counts with high accuracy from capillary blood
Authors: Dickerson William M. , Yu Rebecca , Westergren Helena U. , Paraskos Jonathan , Schatz Philipp , Tigerstrom Anna , Ekman Anna , Sánchez José , Cheng Jamie , Li Lillian , Chan Eugene Y.
Published: August 2021

Background

Point-of-care (PoC) testing of platelet count (PLT) provides real-time data for rapid decision making. The goal of this study is to evaluate the accuracy and precision of platelet counting using a new microvolume (8 μL), absolute counting, 1.5 kg cytometry-based blood analyzer, the rHEALTH ONE (rHEALTH) in comparison with the International Society of Laboratory Hematology (ISLH) platelet method, which uses a cytometer and an impedance analyzer.

Methods

Inclusion eligibility were healthy adults (M/F) ages 18–80 for donation of fingerprick and venous blood samples. Samples were from a random N = 31 volunteers from a single U.S. site. Samples were serially diluted to test thrombocytopenic ranges. Interfering substances and conditions were tested, including RBC fragments, platelet fragments, cholesterol, triglycerides, lipids, anti-platelet antibodies, and temperature.

Results

The concordance between the rHEALTH and ISLH methods had a slope = 1.030 and R2= 0.9684. The rHEALTH method showed a correlation between capillary and venous blood samples (slope = 0.9514 and R2= 0.9684). Certain interferents changed platelet recovery: RBC fragments and anti-platelet antibodies with the ISLH method; platelet fragments and anti-platelet antibodies on the rHEALTH; and RBC fragments, platelets fragments, triglycerides and LDL on the clinical impedance analyzer. The rHEALTH’s precision ranged from 3.1–8.0%, and the ISLH from 1.0–10.5%.

Conclusions

The rHEALTH method provides similar results with the reference method and good correlation between adult capillary and venous blood samples. This demonstrates the ability of the rHEALTH to provide point-of-care assessment of normal and thrombocytopenic platelet counts from fingerprick blood with high precision and limited interferences.