bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consensus Report: Definition and Interpretation of Remission in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Riddle Matthew C , Cefalu William T , Evans Philip H , Gerstein Hertzel C , Nauck Michael A , Oh William K , Rothberg Amy E , le Roux Carel W , Rubino Francesco , Schauer Philip , Taylor Roy , Twenefour Douglas
Published: August 2021

Improvement of glucose levels into the normal range can occur in some people living with diabetes, either spontaneously or after medical interventions, and in some cases can persist after withdrawal of glucose-lowering pharmacotherapy. Such sustained improvement may now be occurring more often due to newer forms of treatment. However, terminology for describing this process and objective measures for defining it are not well established, and the long-term risks versus benefits of its attainment are not well understood. To update prior discussions of this issue, an international expert group was convened by the American Diabetes Association to propose nomenclature and principles for data collection and analysis, with the goal of establishing a base of information to support future clinical guidance. This group proposed “remission” as the most appropriate descriptive term, and HbA1c < 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) measured at least 3 months after cessation of glucose-lowering pharmacotherapy as the usual diagnostic criterion. The group also made suggestions for active observation of individuals experiencing a remission and discussed further questions and unmet needs regarding predictors and outcomes of remission.
There’s Something about Murray: Victorian Literary Societies and Alfred Forman’s Translation of Richard Wagner’sDer Ring des Nibelungen
Authors: Anderson Timothy
Published: August 2021

Alfred Forman’s translations of Richard Wagner’s operas are often derided for their weird diction and minute imitation of German poetic devices. Forman has seemed to represent a zealous and uncritical approach to Wagner that was typical of the early London Wagner Society. But London’s literary societies were important preprofessional gatherings for the appreciation and research of vernacular literature at a time when universities restricted who could study and what could be studied. Forman contributed to other London societies and organized for them dramatic readings of Wagner’s poetry featuring Forman’s wife, Alma Murray. In making Wagner legible and audible for these societies, Forman aligned Wagner with contemporary radical poets and promoted the Ring as a political allegory. Forman’s translations, far from cranky or cultish, show how Victorian society culture affected translation practices, renewed study of poetic alliteration, and inaugurated the political interpretation of Wagner’s works.
Sobre espacio, distancia y hospitalidad.
Authors: Haba Juan de la , Santamaría Enrique
Published: August 2021

A lo largo del artículo se efectúa una reconsideración de algunas formas de pensar las relaciones entre espacio y sociedad, y, más específicamente, las intersecciones entre espacio construido y heterogeneidad sociocultural en contextos urbanos. Dicho escuetamente, se hace el esbozo de una crítica a la razón espacial, es decir, aquella en la que lo espacial disuelve lo social, generando unos efectos de cuasi naturalización de las dinámicas propiamente sociales. Para ello se procede a una evaluación crítica de varios obstáculos epistemológicos y teóricos en el estudio de las prácticas urbanas en contextos multiculturales. Por otro lado, se subraya la necesidad de contemplar no sólo las técnicas a través de las cuales el espacio se convierte en signo e instrumento de poder, sino también las tácticas de interconocimiento y de intercambio que hacen posible la vida social en los espacios más inmediatos.
La disolución de las identidades. Espacio público y derecho a la indiferencia.
Authors: Delgado Manuel
Published: August 2021

El espacio público es un escenario en el que la convivencia entre extraños, quien sabe si potencialmente incompatible en otros planos de la vida social, se demuestra viable a partir de una serie de mínimos competenciales consensuados, con frecuencia sobre la marcha. Las puestas en común no están basadas aquí en una comunión, sino en la comunicación. Lo que se articula no son autenticidades identitarias, sino roles en los que la impostura y la mentira no están nunca del todo descartadas. Entran en juego entonces no las verdades personales de cada cual, sino exterioridades, apariencias que dan a escoger entre una interacción focalizada o una interacción basada en la indiferencia. No es una intersubjetividad, como se pretendeía desde perspectivas fenomenológicas, sino una pura interobjetividad, el pacto abierto que firman personas que quieren ser tomadas no por lo que son o creen ser, sino tan sólo por lo que parecen o pretenden parecer. Reducido a una organicidad mínima, este escenario es cualquier cosa menos el de una comunidad territorializable.
Espacio urbano y sexualidad pagada
Authors: Juliano Dolores , Sánchez María Luisa
Published: August 2021

Este trabajo consta de dos partes: un análisis de los determinantes espaciales que influyen en el trabajo sexual, y cómo a su vez éste configura determinadas zonas urbanas como contaminadas y contaminantes, realizado por Dolores Juliano, y una meditación sobre los aspectos negados de la ciudad, a partir de la observación más etnográfica realizada por María Luisa Sánchez. En ambos casos, la atención se centra en las prostitutas que trabajan en la calle, entre las que se encuentran un número significativo de mujeres inmigrantes, colocadas en una situación más frágil a partir de su indefensión legal.
Modernidad larga, breve posmodernidad
Authors: Fernández Roberto
Published: August 2021

El autor sostiene la tesis de la inclusión de la posmodernidad en un proceso inacabado, el de la modernidad. En este sentido alude una serie de discursos interpretativos y propositivos del contexto de la ciudad y acerca de la identidad del proyecto moderno-posmoderno señala las diferencias de ambos momentos de la modernidad larga.
Barroco en la posmodernidad: los destinos de un estilo.
Authors: Rodríguez de la Flor Fernando
Published: August 2021

El texto evoca el barroco imperial español, crepuscular, en el hoy posmoderno que el pensamiento y la vivencia de la ciudad se está despidiendo.
Desaprendiendo de las vegas.
Authors: Subirats Eduardo
Published: August 2021

El modelo arquitectónico y urbano de las Vegas como instrumento eficaz de la industria del turismo y el consumo de masas, pone en manifiesto un concepto civilizatorio y comunicacional propiamente posmoderno.
La ciudad como ente histórico
Authors: Chueca Goitia Fernando
Published: August 2021

Frente al concepto de la ciudad como obra de arte, acuñado por la modernidad, el autor reivindica la comprensión de la ciudad como hecho histórico a través del tiempo. Consecuentemente bajo esa percepción ha de ser concebido el proyecto arquitectónico.
La noche americana
Authors: Fernández Roberto
Published: August 2021

Los acontecimientos del 11 de Septiembre de 2001 motivan el autor a especular en torno a profundos cambios en la estructura del pensamiento y de la expresión que atestiguan el advenimiento de una nueva era civilizatoria.
New York, New York.
Authors: Alemán Gabriela
Published: August 2021

A propósito del ataque terrorista de la torres gemelas de Nueva York, la autora observa las consecuencias con una mirada literaria, no exenta de crítica sobre las formas de tratamiento y transmisión de los hechos por los massmedia así como su aprovechamiento y manipulación para reajustes de los intereses económicos.
Relatos. Arquitectura y ciudad en la obra de Antonio Palacios.
Authors: Fernández Alba Antonio
Published: August 2021

A propósito de la exposición sobre Antonio Palacios celebrada en el Círculo de Bellas Artes de Madrid (noviembre 2001-enero 2002)
Las bóvedas de Guastavino.
Authors: Mosteiro Javier G.
Published: August 2021

Exposición realizada en el Museo de América de Madrid (25 .10.01- 6.1 .02) y organizada por el Instituto Juan de Herrera, el CEHOPU, la Dirección General de Arquitectura del Ministerio de Fomento y la Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library de la Universidad de Columbia. Es su comisario Javier García-Gutiérrez Mosteiro; coordinadores científicos, Santiago Huerta y Salvador Tarragó; documentalistas, Esther Redondo, Gema López Manzanares y Janet Parks; y coordinadora, Laura Jack.
Postfolio. Transhumanismo. La convergencia de la evolución, humanismo y tecnología de la información
Authors: Mul José de
Published: August 2021

El autor se refiere a los principios de un movimiento posmoderno que bajo la denominación de «Transhumanismo» aboga por el perfeccionamiento social, físico y mental del hombre mediante el uso de la razón, la ciencia y la tecnología. Con alusión directa a la obra de Hans Moravec especula en torno a la inteligencia artificial y sus futuras aplicaciones e interferencias con la propia vida humana.
Ideias e Agenda da Cooperação Prestada: o Caso do Prosavana | Ideas and delivered cooperation agenda: the ProSAVANA case
Authors: Kuss Laís Caroline
Published: August 2021

Alguns fatores domésticos determinam a alocação da ajuda internacional, contribuindo com as abordagens que procuram uma interface entre o doméstico e o externo, o que não é diferente na cooperação brasileira. Neste trabalho, busca-se explorar um desses fatores, as ideias que, ao influenciarem a política externa e a cooperação prestada pelo Brasil, podem ter influenciado também a adoção do ProSAVANA na agenda da Política Externa Brasileira. Portanto, a partir de uma revisão bibliográfica e documental, depreende-se que o programa de cooperação triangular entre Brasil, Moçambique e Japão na área agrícola, assinado em 2009, sofreu influências de visões de mundo, crenças causais e normas de seu tempo. A exemplo disso, a identidade brasileira, enquanto modelo de país em desenvolvimento para os países africanos, e sua posição de liderança, buscada a nível global.Palavras-chave: ideias; cooperação internacional; política externa; ProSAVANA.ABSTRACTSome domestic factors determine the allocation of international aid, contributing to approaches that seek an interface between the domestic and the external, that is not different in Brazilian cooperation. In this research, we seek exploring one of these factors, ideas, which influencing foreign policy and cooperation provided by Brazil, may also have influenced theadoption of ProSAVANA on the Brazilian Foreign Policy agenda. Therefore, from a bibliographic and documentary review, it appears that the program, triangular cooperation between Brazil, Mozambique and Japan in the agricultural area (signed in 2009) was influenced by worldviews, causal beliefs and norms of its time, such as Brazilian identity as a model of developing country for African countries and its leadership position, sought globally.Keywords: ideas; international cooperation; foreign policy; ProSAVANA. Recebido em: 10 abr. 2021 | Aceito em: 18 ago. 2021.
Management of acute scaphoid fractures: a pragmatic approach for the non-specialist
Authors: Ansari Saif A , Hirst John T , Younis Fizan
Published: August 2021

Scaphoid fractures are common and can cause significant morbidity if treated incorrectly. Thus, a working knowledge of the initial assessment and management of scaphoid fractures by non-specialists is crucial to allow quick diagnosis and avoid potentially catastrophic complications of scaphoid fracture. This article summarises the anatomy of the scaphoid, discusses methods to assess for scaphoid fractures and delineates management plans (conservative or operative) for fractures of the scaphoid based on location of vascular compromise. This article can also help the clinician predict which fractures may not unite with conservative management and therefore need referral to a specialist orthopaedic surgeon for possible surgery.
Habituation to a unilateral walking device after stroke: new considerations for an old habit, a case series
Authors: Vadas Dor , Elkins Jeananne
Published: August 2021

Background/aims

Unilateral walking devices, including single-point canes, quad canes and single crutches, are often prescribed in the acute phase of rehabilitation for patients who have had a stroke and have hemiparesis. However, the literature suggests that the usefulness of this practice is questionable. Unilateral walking devices are provided to patients to allow immediate or short-term improvement in their stability and in their walking ability, yet long-term effects include dependency, decreased use of the more affected side, increased risk of falls and decreased social participation. This case series demonstrates changes in walking that occur in the presence of unilateral walking devices, discusses their possible implications for the rehabilitation of this population, and presents them as a consideration worthy of future examination regarding the prescription of unilateral walking devices.

Methods

A total of 14 videos of seven patient evaluations were retrospectively analysed using still pictures taken from the videos. The pelvic (centre of mass) shift over the points of contact (feet) while walking with a unilateral walking device was measured, as well as walking without them.

Results

When walking with a unilateral walking device, the centre of mass (ie the mid-pelvic point) shifted significantly more toward the less-affected side than to the more-affected side (0.689 ± 0.143 vs 0.924 ± 0.065, P=0.014). When walking without a device, the shift is more symmetric (0.860 ± 0.166 vs 0.849 ± 0.098, P=0.817). Confounding variables in this case series, including the type of device used or side of paresis, were examined by separate t tests and were not found to be significant.

Conclusions

The cases demonstrate a possible consideration in the prescription of unilateral walking device for hemiplegic patients. Gait symmetry was analysed using a mediolateral shift of the centre of mass. The descriptive result of these cases points to a decreased symmetry while using a unilateral walking device. This is a presentation of one aspect of gait analysis, among others, and is only being raised as a possible additional consideration in the prescription of unilateral walking devices.
Long-term changes in Al thin-film extreme ultraviolet filters
Authors: Schmidt Jiri , Kolacek Karel , Frolov Alexandr , Straus Jaroslav , Hoffer Petr , Stelmashuk Vitaliy , Tuholukov Andrii , Jiricek Petr , Houdkova Jana
Published: August 2021

Thin-film Al filters are very popular owing to their high transmittance in the wavelength range of 17–67 nm and low transmittance in the visible and near-UV regions; however, they are prone to oxidation. The amorphous

A
l

2

O

3

layers on the Al surfaces have much smaller transmittance than the bulk Al material; therefore, they strongly influence the total transmittance of the filter. This paper not only provides the transmittance of very old Al filters but also maps the transmittance development of Al filters over two years since their delivery (in 2016) in an uncontrolled atmosphere.
Reflection removal detection enabled by single-pixel imaging through
the semi-reflective medium
Authors: Ma Mengchao , Zhang Yi , Gu Lei , Su Yilong , Gao Xicheng , Mao Ning , Deng Huaxia , Zhong Xiang
Published: August 2021

Due to the substantial reflection information of the surrounding environment, it is
difficult for a conventional camera to directly capture the distinct
image behind without interference from the reflected virtual image
through semi-reflective media such as an acrylic plate, glass, or
water. Traditional reflective artifact removal methods either demand a
major commitment of calculations or constrained photography conditions
such as the use of a polarizer, which often degrades the performance
of the reflection removal process and imposes a limitation on the
application area. A different reflection removal method is
investigated, where the interfering light rays can be attenuated
effectively based on a differential calculation with a Fourier
single-pixel imaging method. Experiments show that this method
eliminates the interference caused by reflection from interfering
objects and obtains clear images through an acrylic plate (with
thicknesses of 1 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm), glass (5 mm), and even
transparent water (100 mm). Another experiment has been carried out to
effectively image the target by removing the reflection through the
glasses, which have the same thickness (1.1 mm) but different
reflectivity (20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%).
Probing bio-tissue films by optical internal reflectivity: modeling and measurements
Authors: Acevedo-Barrera Anays , García-Valenzuela Augusto
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we develop a detailed theoretical model for the optical reflectivity of a bio-tissue film confined between two flat interfaces based on the anomalous-diffraction approximation. We consider bio-tissue films consisting of a few layers of spheroidal cells surrounded by extracellular medium. We explore numerically the predictions of our model and compare them with simple effective medium theories, sometimes used as a first attempt to understand the optical properties of biological media. Then, we fit the model to experimental reflectivity-versus-angle-of-incidence curves of confined whole-blood films measured in an internal reflection configuration. Measurements were performed by confining a drop of fresh blood between a prism and a coverslip. Our experimental results show that it is possible to measure the coherent reflectance with small enough error to infer microstructural parameters with a good precision. The errors in measuring the coherent reflectance depend on the reflectivity magnitude. For instance, for a reflectivity of about 0.3 the error is below 2%, and the refractive indices of cells and surrounding medium can be obtained with a precision better than 1%. These results also indicate that the present model can readily be used to figure out the physical changes experienced at the microscale in bio-tissue films during a physicochemical process.
Coherent beam combination of seven 1.5  µm fiber amplifiers through up to 1  km atmospheric turbulence: near- and far-field experimental analysis
Authors: Rouzé Bastien , Lombard Laurent , Jacqmin Hermance , Liméry Anasthase , Durécu Anne , Bourdon Pierre
Published: August 2021

A laser testbed based on active coherent beam combination (CBC) of seven 1.5 µm, 3 W fiber amplifiers was developed for applications requiring high power such as power density deposition on targets or free space laser communication. For the first time to our knowledge, the frequency-tagging locking of optical coherence by single-detector electronic-frequency tagging technique was implemented in the field in real atmospheric turbulence conditions in a target-in-the-loop configuration. Successful combination was achieved after horizontal propagation of 311 m and 1 km, at 1.5 m above the ground, while the estimated average turbulence strength was

C
n
2

∼

4.10

−
14

m

−
2

/

3

. We present the CBC laser bench and an embedded near-field interferometer called PISTIL (PISton and TILt) able to measure the relative phase shift of each emitter. We show that this measurement can provide information on relative turbulence-induced phase variation of the combined laser beams. In particular, the far-field beam envelope wandering can be estimated through this diagnosis. Results are supported by an analytical model and confirmed by numerical post-analysis of measured far-field interference. This additional interferometer may improve CBC beam pointing through turbulence.
Beam-size effects on the measurement of sub-picosecond intrinsic laser induced damage threshold of dielectric oxide coatings
Authors: Stehlík Marek , Wagner Frank , Zideluns Janis , Lemarchand Fabien , Lumeau Julien , Gallais Laurent
Published: August 2021

Laser-induced damage experiments on

H
f
O

2

and

N
b

2

O

5

thin films were performed with 500 fs pulse duration at 1030 nm wavelength. Threshold fluences as a function of beam size have been determined for effective beam diameters ranging from 40 to 220 µm, in a single shot regime. The results suggest no beam-size effect related to material properties in the investigated range, but size effects related to the metrology. The results indicate the importance of appropriate focusing conditions and beam measurement to qualify the optics for use in lasers with large beam sizes.
Ultralow-intensity noise, 10  W all-fiber single-frequency tunable laser system around 1550  nm
Authors: Darwich Dia , Bardin Yves-Vincent , Goeppner Mathieu , Dixneuf Clément , Guiraud Germain , Traynor Nicholas , Santarelli Giorgio , Hilico Adèle
Published: August 2021

We report herein on
the development of a linearly
polarized, single-frequency tunable laser system producing more than
10 W in the 1550 nm range, using a two-stage erbium/ytterbium co-doped
fiber-based master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) architecture. The
all-fiber MOPA provides an ultralow intensity noise of

−

160

d
B
c

/

H
z

beyond 200 kHz between 1533 and
1571 nm (

Δ
λ
=

38

n
m

) at full output power and a minimum
optical signal to noise ratio of 38 dB. A good stability is obtained
over 4 h at maximum power for several wavelengths with peak-to-peak
fluctuation less than 3% and rms below 0.5%.
Target classification of multislit streak tube imaging lidar based on deep learning
Authors: Li Wenhao , Guo Shangwei , Zhai Yu , Liu Fei , Lai Zhengchao , Han Shaokun
Published: August 2021

To reduce the impact of the image reconstruction process and improve the identification efficiency of the multislit streak tube imaging lidar (MS-STIL) system, an object classification method based on the echo of the MS-STIL system is proposed. A streak image data set is constructed that contains a total of 240 common outdoor targets in 6 categories. Additionally, the deep-learning network model based on ResNet is chosen to implement streak image classification. The effects of two classification methods based on streak images and reconstructed depth images are compared. To verify the maximum classification capability of the proposed method, the recognition effects are investigated under 6 and 20 classes. The results show that the classification accuracy decreases from 99.42% to 67.64%. After the data set is expanded, the classification accuracy improved to 85.35% when the class number of the target is 20.
Moire profilometry through simultaneous dual fringe projection for accurate phase demodulation: a comparative study
Authors: Ordones Sotero , Servin Manuel , Kang John S.
Published: August 2021

In optical metrology, fringe projection and moire techniques have been widely used to measure the topography of objects. We can combine the advantages of the two techniques by applying a configuration of simultaneous dual projection in the fringe projection technique, which generates a superimposed fringe pattern containing a moire pattern that is phase modulated according to the topography. In this work, we present an analytic and comparative study of three methods to demodulate the phase of the moire pattern: the spatial, spatial-temporal, and temporal methods. Those methods consist of two steps: first, the moire pattern is extracted from the superimposed fringe pattern; next, the phase of the moire pattern is demodulated. The analytical results show that the resulting phase map has double phase sensitivity compared to that of the classical fringe projection technique. Experimental and numeric results prove the feasibility of this technique.
Theoretical study on the effectiveness of optical filters to suppress orientation-based solar light noise
Authors: Mahapatra Saroj Kumar , Varshney Shailendra Kumar
Published: August 2021

It is well established in the literature that the performance of an
underwater optical wireless communication (UOWC) system degrades due
to various channel-based and environmental attributes. So far,
consistent performance by a UOWC system has not been discussed when
the system receiver (Rx) is positioned at a certain depth and takes on
different orientations, i.e., vertically upward or downward, and
horizontally left or right. This paper discusses the UOWC system
performance when the Rx points in three different orientations and
captures the modulated light signal and different intensities of solar
light. We carry out a detailed comparative performance analysis of the
UOWC Rx system considering various optical components, such as a
colored glass optical bandpass filter, optical thin-film interference
filter, and optical wide-field birefringent filter (OWFBF), which are
mounted in front of the UOWC Rx to suppress solar light noise
interference for different orientations. We observe that the same UOWC
Rx behaves differently in all three orientations and the OWFBF
outperforms.
Optical neural stimulation using the thermoplasmonic effect of gold nano-hexagon
Authors: Tajarenejad Hassan , Ansari Mohammad Ali , Akbari Soheila , Yazdanfar Hanieh , Hamidi Seyedeh Mehri
Published: August 2021

The use of nanoparticle photothermal effect as adjuvants in neuromodulation has recently received much attention, with many open questions about new nanostructures’ effect on the action potential. The photothermal properties of hexagonal gold nanoparticles are investigated in this work, including the absorption peak wavelength and light-heat conversion rate, using both experimental and simulation methods. Furthermore, the ability to use these nanostructures in axonal neural stimulation and cardiac stimulation by measuring temperature changes of gold nano-hexagons under 532 nm laser irradiation is studied. In addition, their thermal effect on neural responses is investigated by modeling small-diameter unmyelinated axons and heart pacemaker cells. The results show that the increase in temperature caused by these nano-hexagons can successfully stimulate the small diameter axon and produce an action potential. Experiments have also demonstrated that the heat created by gold nano-hexagons affects toad cardiac rhythm and increases T wave amplitude. An increase in T wave amplitude on toad heart rhythm shows the thermal effect of nano hexagons heat on heart pacemaker cells and intracellular ion flows. This work demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing these nanostructures to create portable and compact medical devices, such as optical pacemakers or cardiac stimulation.
Observation of surface mode arcs associated with nodal surfaces in electromagnetic metacrystals
Authors: Chang Mingli , Xiao Meng , Dong Jianwen , Chan C. T.
Published: August 2021

In this article, we designed, fabricated, and characterized an electromagnetic metacrystal that topologically carries nontrivial nodal surface degeneracies. Compared with nodal surfaces observed in an acoustic system, the topological charge of the nodal surface in our system is compensated by charge-2 Weyl points, and we designed our system considering the rules of symmetry. To demonstrate the existence of the nodal surfaces and their topological properties, we have experimentally observed surface state arcs derived from helicoid sheets of surface states connecting the nodal surface with a charge-2 Weyl point. The surface states support the robust unidirectional transport on the surface, and the nodal surface provides more degrees of freedom to engineer the dispersion of surface states. Our system offers a platform to explore this new class of gapless topological electromagnetic wave systems.
Rigorous theoretical analysis of reflection and transmission spectra characteristics in cascaded long-period and fiber Bragg gratings
Authors: Wu Jinyi , Gu Zhengtian , Jiang Huiping
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we rigorously deduce the coupled-mode equations of a long-period fiber grating and fiber Bragg grating in their cascaded structure (CLBG), based on coupled-mode theory. Next, through the difference iterative method, the total transfer matrix of CLBG is obtained. Mistakes in previous literature involving coupled-mode equations and the transfer matrix of CLBG are corrected, including the neglect of coupling behaviors and the application of incorrect methods of solving coupled-mode equations. Then, both reflection and transmission spectrum characteristics are simulated numerically. The simulation results indicate that the position and intensity of the transmission and reflection peaks coincide with existing experimental results, and the transmission spectrum is highly consistent with the reflection spectrum. However, a large deviation exists in the previous literature: the transmittance exceeds one in the simulation results. Finally, the temperature and surrounding refractive index characteristics of the reflection spectrum are theoretically simulated, and further verified by experiments. The experimental results coincide well with our simulation results, indicating the correctness of our proposed method. The method provided in the paper could provide effective and reliable theoretical guidance for CLBG characteristic analysis, structure optimization, and sensing applications.
Polarization-sensitive tunable multi-band terahertz absorber based on single-layered graphene rings
Authors: Chen Peng , Tang Mingjun , Liu Aiyun , Hu Yishan , Li Ling , Chen Weidong , Su Yarong , Huang Yijia , Zheng Jie , Liu Ke , Xie Zhengwei
Published: August 2021

In this paper, a metamaterial absorber is proposed, which is constructed by graphene rings and a gold film separated by an ultrathin

S
i
O

2

layer. The feature of this absorber is that the absorption bands can be adjusted either by applying external electric fields or by rotating the polarization angles of the incident electromagnetic waves. The calculation results show that the continuous tunable or two- to multi-band absorptions can be realized by the above two methods. Through equivalent medium theory and impedance-matching condition, the anisotropic absorption mechanism of this absorber is explained. Moreover, the simple specific design makes the absorption bands able to be further tuned by adjusting various parameters, such as the geometry sizes and relaxation times of graphene rings. Our results indicate that the absorber has great adjustability and great potential application in filtering, terahertz signal detection, signal parameter estimation, smart sensing, tunable absorbers, and cloaking.
Photonic hook generated by the Janus microcylinder under point-source illumination
Authors: Liu Cheng-Yang , Chen Yu-Bin , Li Chuan , Chen Wei-Yu , Chien Shuo-Chih
Published: August 2021

A photonic hook (PH) is a high-intensity, curved focusing beam with a subwavelength waist based on the photonic nanojet effect. It is generally created by illuminating mesoscale transparent particles using optical plane waves. In this work, we numerically explore the generation of the PH supported by the Janus microcylinder under point-source illumination. To simulate the photonic intensity distributions near the shadow surface of the Janus microcylinder, a finite-difference time-domain technique is used. The power flow distributions near the Janus microcylinder are examined for working in the visible spectrum. Due to the asymmetric vortices of Poynting vectors, the PH with a large bending angle can be produced. By changing the location of the point-source illumination, the shape and curvature of the PH can be adjusted efficiently. Moreover, when the point-source illumination is located close to the Janus microcylinder, a long focal length PH can be present. Based on the numerical results, we propose a practical modeling scheme for optical imaging using a microscope where the light source is close to the target.
GPR-based high-precision passive-support fiber ice coating detection method for power transmission lines
Authors: Zhou Rui , Zhang Zhiguo , Yan Zhehao , Zhai Tong , Xiao ZiYang , Li LuMing
Published: August 2021

A novel monitoring method based on fiber Bragg grating sensor for detecting the ice coating on power transmission lines is proposed and demonstrated in this study. Sensors are installed on transmission line towers to monitor micrometeorological information and machine learning algorithms based on Gaussian processes use the real-time monitoring results to predict the ice thickness on the lines. The experimental results prove that the mean squared error and mean absolute percentage error values between the predicted and actual values are both less than 1%. This is the first time that only micrometeorological information has been used to monitor ice thickness.
Direct generation of 523 nm orbital Poincaré mode from a diode-pumped Pr3+:LiYF4 laser with an off-axis optical needle pumping geometry
Authors: Srinivasa Rao A. , Miike Taku , Miamoto Katsuhiko , Omatsu Takashige
Published: August 2021

We demonstrate an ultra-compact (8 mm-long) green orbital Poincaré Pr3+:LiYF4 (YLF) laser, in which the intracavity lasing modes are represented as eigenmodes on an equivalent orbital Poincaré sphere (eOPS). This is achieved through the simple application of an ‘optical-needle’ pumping geometry in conjunction with off-axis laser mode-manipulation. Optical vortices that are produced and mapped on north and south poles of the eOPS exhibit a maximum output power of 304 mW with a pump-to-laser-output slope efficiency of 12%. In addition, higher-order structured modes, including Ince Gaussian (IG), helical IG (HIG), Hermite-Laguerre Gaussian (HLG) and vortex lattices, can be directly generated from the laser cavity.
Targeted pandemic containment through identifying local contact network bottlenecks
Authors: Yang Shenghao , Senapati Priyabrata , Wang Di , Bauch Chris T. , Fountoulakis Kimon
Published: August 2021

Decision-making about pandemic mitigation often relies upon simulation modelling. Models of disease transmission through networks of contacts–between individuals or between population centres–are increasingly used for these purposes. Real-world contact networks are rich in structural features that influence infection transmission, such as tightly-knit local communities that are weakly connected to one another. In this paper, we propose a new flow-based edge-betweenness centrality method for detecting bottleneck edges that connect nodes in contact networks. In particular, we utilize convex optimization formulations based on the idea of diffusion with p-norm network flow. Using simulation models of COVID-19 transmission through real network data at both individual and county levels, we demonstrate that targeting bottleneck edges identified by the proposed method reduces the number of infected cases by up to 10% more than state-of-the-art edge-betweenness methods. Furthermore, the proposed method is orders of magnitude faster than existing methods.
Obesity and the relation between joint exposure to ambient air pollutants and incident type 2 diabetes: A cohort study in UK Biobank
Authors: Li Xiang , Wang Mengying , Song Yongze , Ma Hao , Zhou Tao , Liang Zhaoxia , Qi Lu
Published: August 2021

Background

Air pollution has been related to incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D). We assessed the joint association of various air pollutants with the risk of T2D and examined potential modification by obesity status and genetic susceptibility on the relationship.

Methods and findings

A total of 449,006 participants from UK Biobank free of T2D at baseline were included. Of all the study population, 90.9% were white and 45.7% were male. The participants had a mean age of 56.6 (SD 8.1) years old and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 27.4 (SD 4.8) kg/m2. Ambient air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM) with diameters ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5), between 2.5 μm and 10 μm (PM2.5–10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and nitric oxide (NO) were measured. An air pollution score was created to assess the joint exposure to the 4 air pollutants. During a median of 11 years follow-up, we documented 18,239 incident T2D cases. The air pollution score was significantly associated with a higher risk of T2D. Compared to the lowest quintile of air pollution score, the hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) for T2D was 1.05 (0.99 to 1.10, p = 0.11), 1.06 (1.00 to 1.11, p = 0.051), 1.09 (1.03 to 1.15, p = 0.002), and 1.12 (1.06 to 1.19, p < 0.001) for the second to fifth quintile, respectively, after adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, genetic factors, and other covariates. In addition, we found a significant interaction between the air pollution score and obesity status on the risk of T2D (p-interaction < 0.001). The observed association was more pronounced among overweight and obese participants than in the normal-weight people. Genetic risk score (GRS) for T2D or obesity did not modify the relationship between air pollution and risk of T2D. Key study limitations include unavailable data on other potential T2D-related air pollutants and single-time measurement on air pollutants.

Conclusions

We found that various air pollutants PM2.5, PM2.5–10, NO2, and NO, individually or jointly, were associated with an increased risk of T2D in the population. The stratified analyses indicate that such associations were more strongly associated with T2D risk among those with higher adiposity.
Sequential determination of viral load, humoral responses and phylogenetic analysis in fatal and non-fatal cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever patients from Gujarat, India, 2019
Authors: Sahay Rima R. , Shete Anita M. , Yadav Pragya D. , Patil Savita , Majumdar Triparna , Jain Rajlaxmi , Nyayanit Dimpal A. , Kaushal Himanshu , Panjwani Sunil J. , Upadhyay Kamlesh J. , Varevadiya Chetan L. , Vora Alpesh , Kanani Amit , Gangakhedkar Raman R.
Published: August 2021

Background

Thirty-four CCHF cases (17 fatal; 17 survived) were confirmed from Gujarat state, India during the year 2019. We aimed to find out the viral load, antibody kinetics, cytokine profile and phylogenetic analysis between fatal and non- fatal cases.

Methods

Thirty four cases were included in this study. Blood and urine samples were collected from all the cases on the day of admission to hospital. Non-fatal cases were followed weekly for understanding the profile of viral kinetics, anti-CCHFV IgM and IgG antibodies. We also quantified the cytokines in both fatal and non-fatal cases. For epidemiological correlation, livestock were screened for anti-CCHF IgG antibodies and the tick pool specimens were tested by real time RT-PCR. Virus isolation was attempted on tick pools and human specimens and phylogenetic analysis performed on human and ticks complete genome sequences.

Results

CCHF cases were detected throughout year in 2019 with the peak in August. Out of 34 cases, eight secondary CCHF cases were reported. Cases were predominantly detected in males and in 19–45 years age group (55.88%). The persistence of viremia was observed till 76thPOD (post onset date) in one case whereas anti-CCHFV IgM and IgG was detected amongst these cases from the 2ndand 20thPOD respectively. Positivity observed amongst livestock and tick pools were was 21.57% and 7.4% respectively. The cytokine analysis revealed a significant increase in the level of serum IL-6, IL-10 and IFN-γ during the acute phase of the infection, but interestingly IL-10 lowered to normal upon clearance of the virus in the clinically recovered case. Fatal cases had high viral RNA copy numbers. Bleeding from one or two mucosal sites was significantly associated with fatality (OR-16.47;p-0.0034 at 95% CI). We could do CCHF virus isolation from two cases. Phylogenetic analysis revealed circulation of re-assortment of Asian-West African genotypes in humans and ticks.

Conclusions

The persistence of CCHF viral RNA was detected till 76thPOD in one of the survivors. The circulation of a re-assortment Asian-West African genotype in a CCHF case is also reported first time from India.
Evaluation of DNA extraction protocols from liquid-based cytology specimens for studying cervical microbiota
Authors: Shibata Takeo , Nakagawa Mayumi , Coleman Hannah N. , Owens Sarah M. , Greenfield William W. , Sasagawa Toshiyuki , Robeson Michael S.
Published: August 2021

Cervical microbiota (CM) are considered an important factor affecting the progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and are implicated in the persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV). Collection of liquid-based cytology (LBC) samples is routine for cervical cancer screening and HPV genotyping and can be used for long-term cytological biobanking. We sought to determine whether it is possible to access microbial DNA from LBC specimens, and compared the performance of four different extraction protocols: (ZymoBIOMICS DNA Miniprep Kit; QIAamp PowerFecal Pro DNA Kit; QIAamp DNA Mini Kit; and IndiSpin Pathogen Kit) and their ability to capture the diversity of CM from LBC specimens. LBC specimens from 20 patients (stored for 716 ± 105 days) with CIN values of 2 or 3 were each aliquoted for each of the four kits. Loss of microbial diversity due to long-term LBC storage could not be assessed due to lack of fresh LBC samples. Comparisons with other types of cervical sampling were not performed. We observed that all DNA extraction kits provided equivalent accessibility to the cervical microbial DNA within stored LBC samples. Approximately 80% microbial genera were shared among all DNA extraction protocols. Potential kit contaminants were observed as well. Variation between individuals was a significantly greater influence on the observed microbial composition than was the method of DNA extraction. We also observed that HPV16 was significantly associated with community types that were not dominated by Lactobacillus iners.
Gold nanorods enhance different immune cells and allow for efficient targeting of CD4+ Foxp3+ Tregulatory cells
Authors: Safina Ingrid , Al Sudani Zeid A. Nima , Hashoosh Ahmed , Darrigues Emilie , Watanabe Fumiya , Biris Alexandru S. , Dings Ruud P. M. , Bao Vang Kieng
Published: August 2021

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) hold great promise in nanomedicine, yet their successful clinical translation has not been realized. Some challenges include effective AuNP targeting and delivery to improve modulation of immune cells of interest while limiting potential adverse effects. In order to overcome these challenges, we must fully understand how AuNPs impact different immune cell subsets, particularly within the dendritic cell and T cell compartments. Herein, we show that polyethylene glycol coated (PEG) gold nanorods (AuNRs) and PEG AuNRs covered with a thin layer of silver (AuNR/Ag) may enhance the immune response towards immune suppression or activation. We also studied the ability to enhance CD4+ Foxp3+ Tregs in vitro using AuNRs functionalized with interleukin 2 (IL2), a cytokine that is important in Treg development and homeostasis. Our results indicate that AuNRs enhance different immune cells and that NP composition matters in immune targeting. This knowledge will help us understand how to better design AuNRs to target and enhance the immune system.
Earthworm distributions are not driven by measurable soil properties. Do they really indicate soil quality?
Authors: Hodson Mark E. , Corstanjeb Ron , Jones David T. , Witton Jo , Burton Victoria J. , Sloan Tom , Eggleton Paul
Published: August 2021

Abundance and distribution of earthworms in agricultural fields is frequently proposed as a measure of soil quality assuming that observed patterns of abundance are in response to improved or degraded environmental conditions. However, it is not clear that earthworm abundances can be directly related to their edaphic environment, as noted in Darwin’s final publication, perhaps limiting or restricting their value as indicators of ecological quality in any given field. We present results from a spatially explicit intensive survey of pastures within United Kingdom farms, looking for the main drivers of earthworm density at a range of scales. When describing spatial variability of both total and ecotype-specific earthworm abundance within any given field, the best predictor was earthworm abundance itself within 20–30 m of the sampling point; there were no consistent environmental correlates with earthworm numbers, suggesting that biological factors (e.g. colonisation rate, competition, predation, parasitism) drive or at least significantly modify earthworm distributions at this spatial level. However, at the national scale, earthworm abundance is well predicted by soil nitrate levels, density, temperature and moisture content, albeit not in a simple linear fashion. This suggests that although land can be managed at the farm scale to promote earthworm abundance and the resulting soil processes that deliver ecosystem services, within a field, earthworm distributions will remain patchy. The use of earthworms as soil quality indicators must therefore be carried out with care, ensuring that sufficient samples are taken within field to take account of variability in earthworm populations that is unrelated to soil chemical and physical properties.
Heart rate n-variability (HRnV) measures for prediction of mortality in sepsis patients presenting at the emergency department
Authors: Liu Nan , Chee Marcel Lucas , Foo Mabel Zhi Qi , Pong Jeremy Zhenwen , Guo Dagang , Koh Zhi Xiong , Ho Andrew Fu Wah , Niu Chenglin , Chong Shu-Ling , Ong Marcus Eng Hock
Published: August 2021

Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires prompt recognition and treatment. Recently, heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of the cardiac autonomic regulation derived from short electrocardiogram tracings, has been found to correlate with sepsis mortality. This paper presents using novel heart rate n-variability (HRnV) measures for sepsis mortality risk prediction and comparing against current mortality prediction scores. This study was a retrospective cohort study on patients presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary hospital in Singapore between September 2014 to April 2017. Patients were included if they were above 21 years old and were suspected of having sepsis by their attending physician. The primary outcome was 30-day in-hospital mortality. Stepwise multivariable logistic regression model was built to predict the outcome, and the results based on 10-fold cross-validation were presented using receiver operating curve analysis. The final predictive model comprised 21 variables, including four vital signs, two HRV parameters, and 15 HRnV parameters. The area under the curve of the model was 0.77 (95% confidence interval 0.70–0.84), outperforming several established clinical scores. The HRnV measures may have the potential to allow for a rapid, objective, and accurate means of patient risk stratification for sepsis severity and mortality. Our exploration of the use of wealthy inherent information obtained from novel HRnV measures could also create a new perspective for data scientists to develop innovative approaches for ECG analysis and risk monitoring.