bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chicken eggs, childhood stunting and environmental hygiene: an ethnographic study from the Campylobacter genomics and environmental enteric dysfunction (CAGED) project in Ethiopia
Authors: Bardosh Kevin Louis , Hussein Jeylan Wolyie , Sadik Elias Ahmed , Hassen Jemal Yousuf , Ketema Mengistu , Ibrahim Abdulmuen Mohammed , McKune Sarah Lindley , Havelaar Arie Hendrik
Published: March 2020

Background

Childhood stunting and malnutrition condemn millions of people globally to a life of disadvantage and cognitive and physical impairment. Though increasing egg consumption is often seen as an important solution for low and middle income countries (including Ethiopia), emerging evidence suggests that greater exposure to poultry feces may also inhibit child growth due to the effects of enteric bacteria, especially Campylobacter, on gut health.

Methods

In this rapid ethnographic study, we explored village poultry production, child dietary practices, and environmental hygiene conditions as they relate to Campylobacter risk and intervention in 16 villages in Haramaya Woreda, Eastern Ethiopia.

Results

In the study area, we found that women assumed primary responsibility to care for both chickens and children: in feeding, housing, and healthcare. Most chickens were free-range local indigenous breeds, and flock sizes were small and unstable due to epidemics, seasonal trends, reproductive patterns, and lack of food. Generally, eggs were seen as “too luxurious” to be eaten, and were predominantly sold at local markets for scarce cash, despite high malnutrition rates. Local narratives of extreme poverty, social dietary norms, parental fatalism, and lack of “dietary consciousness” (as it was called) were invoked to explain this. We found that homesteads were highly contaminated with human and animal feces. Although community members viewed chicken feces and poultry gastrointestinal contents as particularly noxious in comparison to other animals because of their feeding behaviour, they did not relate them to any particular disease. Shared human-animal housing and childcare practices place children at high risk of exposure to enteric bacteria from animal manure, despite daily routines designed to manage the domestic landscape.

Conclusions

Addressing childhood stunting and malnutrition through egg production in rural landscapes like Haramaya must navigate three distinct health and care regimes: for children, chickens, and home environments. Interventions should be based on a holistic approach to social and economic empowerment, one that considers both women and men and integrates nutrition, health, and community change as its overarching goal.
Correction to: Proposal of a new nomenclature for introns in protein-coding genes in fungal mitogenomes
Authors: Zhang Shu , Zhang Yong-Jie
Published: March 2020

After publication of our article (Zhang and Zhang 2019) we have been notified us that the nad4L sequence should be corrected in Additional file 1. All sequences in the file should be that of NC_036382 (GenBank accession number), but have been erroneously pasted as the nad4L sequence of NC_001715.
Incidence of retromolar canal in Egyptian population using CBCT: a retrospective study
Authors: Badry Mahmoud Sayed Mahmoud , El-Badawy Fatma Mostafa , Hamed Walaa Mohamed
Published: March 2020

Background

Many studies have been done to investigate the incidence and the course of the retromolar canal (RMC) in different populations either osseous studies using cadavers or dry mandibles, panoramic studies, or cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) studies. The location of the RMC is in the retromolar area distal to the third mandibular molar. The retromolar area is considered an imperative site where many dental surgeries are being held.

The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of RMC in the Egyptian population using CBCT and measure the distance between the RMF and neighboring anatomical landmarks to better allocate the RMC and RMF and avoid the complications.

Two hundred and fourteen CBCT scans were examined to detect the presence of RMC. Their course was classified to 3 main types A, B, and C, and linear measurements were done from the retromolar foramen (RMF) to the 2nd and 3rd molars in anteroposterior direction and from the RMF to the mandibular foramen (MF) in anteroposterior and mediolateral directions.

Results

The RMC was present in 24 scans from the 214 with 11.2% incidence rate. The most common type was found to be type A, and type C was the rarest. The RMC has no significant difference between males and females, unilateral and bilateral distribution, and right and left sides. The linear measurements from the RMF to the 2nd and 3rd molars are 14.70 ± 5.07 mm and 4.26 ± 4.21 mm, respectively, and from the RMF to the MF in anteroposterior and mediolateral directions are 15.69 ± 3.43 mm and 2.62 ± 1.60 mm, respectively.

Conclusions

The incidence rate of RMC in Egyptian population represents 11.2%. The use of CBCT is quite important in the evaluation of the retromolar area to visualize the presence of the RMC or RMF and avoid the complications occurring due to different dental surgical procedures performed in the aforementioned site.
The interplay between childhood trauma, cognitive biases, and cannabis use on the risk of psychosis in nonclinical young adults in Poland
Authors: Frydecka Dorota , Misiak Błażej , Kotowicz Kamila , Pionke Renata , Krężołek Martyna , Cechnicki Andrzej , Gawęda Łukasz
Published: March 2020

Background.

Childhood traumatic events are risk factors for psychotic-like experiences (PLEs). However, the mechanisms explaining how trauma may contribute to the development of PLEs are not fully understood. In our study, we investigated whether cannabis use and cognitive biases mediate the relationship between early trauma and PLEs.

Methods.

A total sample of 6,772 young adults (age 26.6 ± 4.7, 2,181 male and 3,433 female) was recruited from the general population to participate in an online survey. We excluded 1,158 individuals due to a self-reported lifetime diagnosis of any mental disorder. The online survey included selected items from the following questionnaires: Traumatic Experience Checklist (TEC, 3 items), Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse Questionnaire (CECA.Q, 3 items), Cannabis Problems Questionnaire (CPQ, 10 items), Davos Assessment of Cognitive Biases Scale (DACOBS-18, 9 items), and Prodromal Questionnaire-16 (PQ-16). Mediation analyses were performed with respect to different categories of traumatic experiences (emotional, physical and sexual abuse as well as emotional neglect).

Results.

Our results showed significant associations of any time of childhood trauma with higher scores of cannabis use (CPQ), cognitive biases (DACOBS), and PLEs (PQ-16) (p < 0.001). We found a direct effect of childhood trauma on PLEs as well as significant indirect effect mediated through cannabis use and cognitive biases. All models tested for the effects of specific childhood adversities revealed similar results. The percentage of variance in PQ-16 scores explained by serial mediation models varied between 32.8 and 34.2% depending on childhood trauma category.

Conclusion.

Cannabis use and cognitive biases play an important mediating role in the relationship between childhood traumatic events and the development of PLEs in a nonclinical young adult population.
Neuronal upregulation of Prospero protein is driven by alternative mRNA polyadenylation and Syncrip-mediated mRNA stabilisation
Authors: Samuels Tamsin J. , Arava Yoav , Järvelin Aino I. , Robertson Francesca , Lee Jeffrey Y. , Yang Lu , Yang Ching-Po , Lee Tzumin , Ish-Horowicz David , Davis Ilan
Published: March 2020

During Drosophila and vertebrate brain development, the conserved transcription factor Prospero/Prox1 is an important regulator of the transition between proliferation and differentiation. Prospero level is low in neural stem cells and their immediate progeny, but is upregulated in larval neurons and it is unknown how this process is controlled. Here, we use single molecule fluorescent in situ hybridisation to show that larval neurons selectively transcribe a long prospero mRNA isoform containing a 15 kb 3’ untranslated region, which is bound in the brain by the conserved RNA-binding protein Syncrip/hnRNPQ. Syncrip binding increases the mRNA stability of the long prospero isoform, which allows an upregulation of Prospero protein production. Adult flies selectively lacking the long prospero isoform show abnormal behaviour that could result from impaired locomotor or neurological activity. Our findings highlight a regulatory strategy involving alternative polyadenylation followed by differential post-transcriptional regulation.
Nanometer-scale structure differences in the myofilament lattice spacing of two cockroach leg muscles correspond to their different functions
Authors: Tune Travis Carver , Ma Weikang , Irving Thomas , Sponberg Simon
Published: March 2020

Muscle is highly organized across multiple length scales. Consequently, small changes in the arrangement of myofilaments can influence macroscopic mechanical function. Two leg muscles of a cockroach, have identical innervation, mass, twitch responses, length-tension curves, and force-velocity relationships. However, during running, one muscle is dissipative (a “brake”), while the other dissipates and produces significant positive mechanical work (bifunctional). Using time resolved x-ray diffraction in intact, contracting muscle, we simultaneously measured the myofilament lattice spacing, packing structure, and macroscopic force production of these muscle to test if structural differences in the myofilament lattice might correspond to the muscles’ different mechanical functions. While the packing patterns are the same, one muscle has 1 nm smaller lattice spacing at rest. Under isometric activation, the difference in lattice spacing disappeared consistent with the two muscles’ identical steady state behavior. During periodic contractions, one muscle undergoes a 1 nm greater change in lattice spacing, which correlates with force. This is the first identified structural feature in the myofilament lattice of these two muscles that shares their whole muscle dynamic differences and quais-static similarities.
Application of integrated positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging in evaluating the prognostic factors of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with positron emission tomography, diffusion-weighted imaging, dynamic contrast enhancement and combined model
Authors: Dang Haodan , Chen Yu , Zhang Zhuhua , Shi Xiaohua , Chen Xingming , Zhu Xiaoli , Hou Bo , Xing Haiqun , Xue Huadan , Jin Zhengyu
Published: March 2020

Objectives:

This study was designed to investigate the distribution of the independent parameters of PET and MR in tumour differentiation and staging and to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of the independent parameters and combined model of PET/MR in the tumour differentiation of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods:

The patients with the preliminary diagnosis of HNSCC were included and underwent the integrated PET/MR The parameters included the diffusion-weighted imaging, dynamic contrast enhancement and PET. The correlations between different parameters and the distribution in groups of tumour differentiation and staging were analysed. The combined model was established with complementary PET/MR parameters. The diagnostic efficiency of the independent parameters and combined model in the tumour differentiation were analysed by receiver operating characteristic curve.

Results:

The correlations between the parameters of dynamic contrast enhancement and PET were most significant. There were significant differences between the well-differentiated group and the moderately/poorly differentiated group in terms of the mean values of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and standardised uptake value (SUV) (p < 0.05). The distributions among different tumour stage groups were not statistically different in all the parameters. The diagnostic efficiency of tumour differentiation increased in the order of Kepmean, SUVmean, ADCmean, and the combined model.

Conclusions:

Compared with the independent parameter, the combination of multiple parameters with PET/MR can further improve the diagnostic performance of tumour differentiation in HNSCC.
HIV-1 spliced RNAs display transcription start site bias
Authors: Esquiaqui Jackie M. , Kharytonchyk Siahrei , Drucker Darra , Telesnitsky Alice
Published: March 2020

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transcripts have three fates: to serve as genomic RNAs, unspliced mRNAs, or spliced subgenomic mRNAs. Recent structural studies have shown that sequences near the 5′ end of HIV-1 RNA can adopt at least two alternate three-dimensional conformations, and that these structures dictate genome versus unspliced mRNA fates. HIV-1's use of alternate transcription start sites (TSS) can influence which RNA conformer is generated, and this choice, in turn, dictates the fate of the unspliced RNA. The structural context of HIV-1's major 5′ splice site differs in these two RNA conformers, suggesting that the conformers may differ in their ability to support HIV-1 splicing events. Here, we tested the hypothesis that TSS that shift the RNA monomer/dimer structural equilibrium away from the splice site sequestering dimer-competent fold would favor splicing. Consistent with this hypothesis, the results showed that the 5′ ends of spliced HIV-1 RNAs were enriched in 3GCap structures and depleted of 1GCap RNAs relative to the total intracellular RNA population. These findings expand the functional significance of HIV-1 RNA structural dynamics by demonstrating roles for RNA structure in defining all three classes of HIV-1 RNAs, and suggest that HIV-1 TSS choice initiates a cascade of molecular events that dictate the fates of nascent HIV-1 RNAs.
Geochemical influences on nonenzymatic oligomerization of prebiotically relevant cyclic nucleotides
Authors: Dagar Shikha , Sarkar Susovan , Rajamani Sudha
Published: March 2020

The spontaneous emergence of long RNA molecules on the early Earth, a phenomenon central to the RNA World hypothesis, continues to remain an enigma in the field of origins of life. Few studies have looked at the nonenzymatic oligomerization of cyclic mononucleotides under neutral to alkaline conditions, albeit in fully dehydrated state. In this study, we systematically investigated the oligomerization of cyclic nucleotides under prebiotically relevant conditions, wherein starting reactants were subjected to repeated dehydration–rehydration (DH–RH) regimes. DH–RH conditions, a recurring geological theme that was prevalent on prebiotic Earth, are driven by naturally occurring processes including diurnal cycles and tidal pool activity. These conditions have been shown to facilitate uphill oligomerization reactions. The polymerization of 2′–3′ and 3′–5′ cyclic nucleotides of a purine (adenosine) and a pyrimidine (cytidine) was investigated. Additionally, the effect of amphiphiles was also evaluated. Furthermore, to discern the effect of “realistic” conditions on this process, the reactions were also performed using a hot spring water sample from a candidate early Earth environment. Our study showed that the oligomerization of cyclic nucleotides under DH–RH conditions resulted in intact informational oligomers. Amphiphiles increased the stability of both the starting monomers and the resultant oligomers in selected reactions. In the hot spring reactions, both the oligomerization of nucleotides and the back hydrolysis of the resultant oligomers were pronounced. Altogether, this study demonstrates how nonenzymatic oligomerization of cyclic nucleotides, under both laboratory-simulated prebiotic conditions and in a candidate early Earth environment, could have resulted in RNA oligomers of a putative RNA World.
Drug targeting in cancer therapy
Authors: Nys L. , Raeuschl P. , Joubert I.A. , Geppert M. , Ess S. , Himly M.
Published: March 2020

Drug targeting enables the local reslease of medication at the desired site or organ. This ensures that the drug asserts its effects focused to a small site, minimising systematic side effects. Drug targeting has been successfully applied in cancer therapy and can be performed actively or passively. During passive drug targeting, carriers containing the active cancer drug concentrate within the tumour tissue due to increased blood circulation and vascular permeation (enhanced penetration retention principle). Active drug targeting on the other hand, facilitates ligand-recepto interacions.
Nanoparticle tracking analysis
Authors: Peneder H. , Punz E. , Joubert I.A. , Geppert M. , Himly M.
Published: March 2020

Due to their extremely small size, nanoparticles cannot be analyses by conventional approaches such as light microscopy. To visualise particles in the nanoscale range, a combination of an ultra-microscope and a laser illumination unit has to be applied. This combinatory technique is called Nanoparticle Tracking Anlysis (NTA) and can be used of thr nalysis of particles in a size range of approximately 10 nm up to 1 μm in liquid suspension.
The iCRF Generator: Generating interoperable electronic case report forms using online codebooks
Authors: de Ridder Sander , Beliën Jeroen A.M.
Published: March 2020

Semantic interoperability of clinical data is essential to preserve its meaning and intent when the data is exchanged, re-used or integrated with other data. Achieving semantic operability requires the use of a communication standard, such as HL7, as well as (functional) information standards. Manually mapping clinical data to a medical thesaurus, such as SNOMED CT, is complicated and requires expert knowledge of both the dataset, including its context, and the thesaurus. As an alternative, the (re-)use of codebooks, data definitions which may already have been mapped to a thesaurus, can be a viable approach.

We’ve developed the iCRF Generator, a Java program that can generate the core of an interoperable electronic case report form (iCRF) for several of the major electronic data capture systems (EDCs). To build their CRFs, users can select one or more items from established codebooks, available from an online system called ART-DECOR. By providing an easy to use method to create CRFs for multiple EDCs based on the same codebooks, interoperability can be more easily attained.
The Continuing Evolution of Insulin-like Growth Factor Signaling
Authors: Rosenzweig Steven A
Published: March 2020

The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs; IGF1/IGF2), known for their regulation of cell and organismal growth and development, are evolutionarily conserved ligands with equivalent peptides present in flies (D. melanogaster), worms (C. elegans) among others. Two receptor tyrosine kinases, the IGF1 receptor and the insulin receptor mediate the actions of these ligands with a family of IGF binding proteins serving as selective inhibitors of IGF1/2. This treatise reviews recent findings on IGF signaling in cancer biology and central nervous system function. This includes overexpression of IGF1 receptors in enhancing tumorigenesis, acquired resistance and contributions to metastasis in multiple cancer types. There is accumulating evidence that insulin resistance, a hallmark of type 2 diabetes, occurs in the central nervous system, independent of systemic insulin resistance and characterized by reduced insulin and IGF1 receptor signaling, and may contribute to dementias including Alzheimer’s Disease and cognitive impairment. Controversy over the role(s) of IGF signaling in cancer and whether its inhibition would be of benefit, still persist and extend to IGF1’s role in longevity and central nervous system function.
Hubungan Postur Kerja dan Getaran Mekanis dengan Keluhan Musculoskeletal Disorder Pekerja PT. BMSTI
Authors: Sari Yulia , Ningrum Perdani , Qadrijati Isna
Published: March 2020

Background: one of the problems related to the health of workers is musculoskeletal disorder. Risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders include occupational posture and mechanical vibration. This study investigates the relationship between musculoskeletal disorder complaints with work posture and mechanical vibration. Method: The study aims to determine the relationship between work posture and the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders. This research is an observational analysis with cross-section approaches, samples of this research using the total working population of 110 units of spinning workers in the PT Bintang Makmur Sentosa Textile Industry (BMSTI). Data collection techniques with observations and filling questionnaires. Worker posture and mechanical vibration were measured by the REBA assessment method, as well as the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) complaints measured via the Nordic Body map (NBM) sheet filling.  Data was analyzed using the Spearman correlation test. Results: Spearman test correlation suggests that there is a significant link between the musculoskeletal disorder complaints with the work posture p=0.000; r=0.819 and mechanical vibration p=0.000; r=0.951. The influence of work posture and mechanical vibration in the complaint of musculoskeletal disorders as much as 91.8%. Conclusion: there are a significant relationship and influence between work posture and mechanical vibration with the complaint of musculoskeletal disorders.
Contraceptive Method Preference among Conditional Cash Transfer Beneficiaries in Indonesia
Authors: Frenty Nurkhalim Ratna , Susilowati Indah , Jayanti Krisnita Dwi
Published: March 2020

Background: Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) or known as Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH) in Indonesia is a potential program to improve health outcomes, especially reproductive health. This program targeted women from the poor as its beneficiaries. The beneficiaries of this program should visit selected the primary health care to have antenatal care as if they are pregnant. Also, they have to do the growth monitoring regularly if they have children under six. Some studies have found that poor people have a higher risk of unmet need compared to the group with better economies. Could this poor group have a high level of unmet need?. Method:  A Cross-sectional study of 172 women which all CCT beneficiaries interviewed using a structured questionnaire. We gathered socio-demographic data and the using of contraception from the respondent. The data were analyzed using descriptive method. Results: Contraceptives practice among CCT beneficiaries is relatively high (89.6%) and unmet need for limiting childbirth was 4.1% higher than Indonesia unmet need in 2017.  Most respondents preferred using pills and injection than any other method and procured it from primary healthcare centre and local/village midwife for free. Conclusion: Pills and injection method were mostly chosen by the respondent. The total unmet need (for limiting) was slightly lower than Indonesia unmet need in 2012. It seems that these CCT beneficiaries don’t meet an obstacle to access contraception. The unmet need for spacing somehow needs further investigation.
No health without mental health?
Authors: Barber Christopher Francis
Published: March 2020

The phrase ‘no health without mental health’ has become a campaigning and political slogan over recent years, with varying degrees of attention being paid to it depending on who is using it and why. This article will briefly explore the connections between physical and mental health from an experiential perspective, the consequences if service providers ‘get it right’ and the consequences if service providers ‘get it wrong’ in terms of understanding and service delivery.
Journal Scan
Authors: Welyczko Nikki
Published: March 2020

Nikki Welyczko, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, provides a brief overview of recently published nursing and health articles
Influence of the arrangement of vacuum chuck holes on the transmittance wavefront of large-aperture KDP in single-point diamond turning
Authors: Lei Xiang-yang , Zhang Shuai , Wang Sheng-fei , Zhang Jian-feng , Su Wen-hu , Zhang Li-ping , An Chen-hui , Wang Jian , Zhang Qing-hua , Liu Min-cai , Xu Qiao
Published: March 2020

Serious edge effects of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (

K
H

2

P
O

4

, KDP) manufactured using single-point
diamond turning (SPDT) often result in disqualification of the
transmittance wavefront for high-power laser systems. In this paper,
based on the theoretical analysis of sucker hole configuration and the
pressure distribution law under the vacuum chuck condition of crystal
elements, the influence of sucker hole configuration on the
transmittance wavefront root-mean-square gradient (GRMS) is verified
through fly-cutting experiments. By adopting the newly designed vacuum
chuck, the vacuum-chucking quality is effectively improved, and the
edge effect is accordingly suppressed in the SPDT. Moreover, the
accuracy of the transmittance wavefront GRMS has an improvement of
about 25% under the same processing parameters.
Soft x-ray laser beamline for surface processing and damage studies
Authors: Ishino Masahiko , Dinh Thanh-Hung , Hosaka Yuji , Hasegawa Noboru , Yoshimura Kimio , Yamamoto Hiroki , Hatano Tadashi , Higashiguchi Takeshi , Sakaue Kazuyuki , Ichimaru Satoshi , Hatayama Masatoshi , Sasaki Akira , Washio Masakazu , Nishikino Masaharu , Maekawa Yasunari
Published: March 2020

We have developed a soft x-ray laser (SXRL) beamline equipped with an intensity monitor dedicated to ablation study such as surface processing and damage formation. The SXRL beam having a wavelength of 13.9 nm, pulse width of 7 ps, and pulse energy of around 200 nJ is generated from Ag plasma mediums using an oscillator-amplifier configuration. The SXRL beam is focused onto the sample surface by the Mo/Si multilayer coated spherical mirror. To get the correct irradiation energy/fluence, an intensity monitor composed of a Mo/Si multilayer beam splitter and an x-ray charge-coupled device camera has been installed in the beamline. The Mo/Si multilayer beam splitter has a large polarization dependence in the reflectivity around the incident angle of 45°. However, by evaluating the relationship between reflectivity and transmittance of the beam splitter appropriately, the irradiation energy onto the sample surface can be derived from the energy acquired by the intensity monitor. This SXRL beamline is available to not only the ablation phenomena but also the performance evaluation of soft x-ray optics and resists.
Morphological and chemical dynamics upon electrochemical cyclic sodiation of electrochromic tungsten oxide coatings extracted by in situ ellipsometry
Authors: Zimmer Alexandre , Gilliot Mickaël , Broch Laurent , Boulanger Clotilde , Stein Nicolas , Horwat David
Published: March 2020

The sodiation–desodiation process of sputtered amorphous electrochromic tungsten oxide coatings in an aqueous-based medium was simultaneously monitored over 99 cycles by cyclic voltammetry and in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry. This allowed extracting the evolution of optical and geometrical parameters upon cycling. The resulting electrochemical coloring-bleaching process was dynamically fitted in the 1.8–2.8 eV optical range with a four-phase model including a constrained spline parametrization of the dielectric function. This allows real time access to thickness, surface roughness, and dielectric function of

N
a

x

W
O

3

. The temporal evolution of the latter in the fully colored state was used to highlight the porosity extent of the probed coating of opened morphology. The designed spectroelectrochemical approach was applied to map the temporal evolution of the

N
a

content (

x

in

N
a

x

W
O

3

) during and between cycles, taking into account the intricate interplay between charge density, thickness, and electrolyte uptake.
Visualization of blood cell contrast in nailfold capillaries with high-speed reverse lens mobile phone microscopy
Authors: McKay Gregory N. , Mohan Nela , Butterworth Ian , Bourquard Aurélien , Sánchez-Ferro Álvaro , Castro-González Carlos , Durr Nicholas J.
Published: March 2020

Quantification of optical absorption gaps in nailfold capillaries has recently shown promise as a non-invasive technique for neutropenia screening. Here we demonstrate a low-cost, portable attachment to a mobile phone that can resolve optical absorption gaps in nailfold capillaries using a reverse lens technique and oblique 520nm illumination. Resolution <4μm within a 1mm2 on-axis region is demonstrated, and wide field of view (3.5mm × 4.8mm) imaging is achieved with resolution <6μm in the periphery. Optical absorption gaps (OAGs) are visible in superficial capillary loops of a healthy human participant by an ∼8-fold difference in contrast-to-noise ratio with respect to red blood cell absorption contrast. High speed video capillaroscopy up to 240 frames per second (fps) is possible, though 60fps is sufficient to resolve an average frequency of 37 OAGs/minute passing through nailfold capillaries. The simplicity and portability of this technique may enable the development of an effective non-invasive tool for white blood cell screening in point-of-care and global health settings.
Link-protection and FIPP p-cycle designs in translucent elastic optical networks
Authors: Zou Rujia , Hasegawa Hiroshi , Jinno Masahiko , Subramaniam Suresh
Published: March 2020

Elastic optical networks (EONs) are able to provide high spectrum utilization efficiency due to flexibility in resource assignment. In translucent EONs, by employing regenerators and using advanced modulation formats for transmission, spectrum efficiency can be further improved. Survivability is regarded as an important aspect of EONs, and p-cycle protection is considered to be an attractive scheme due to its fast restoration and high protection efficiency. In this paper, we propose methods for evaluating and selecting p-cycles for both link protection (LP) and failure-independent path protection (FIPP) to survive single-link failures. After considering the various factors that affect the performance of a p-cycle, we propose two evaluation metrics for LP and FIPP, namely, individual p-cycle cost and set of cycles cost. Based on these metrics, we propose two algorithms for selecting a set of p-cycles in translucent EONs: Traffic Independent P-cycle Selection (TIPS), which selects a set of cycles without knowledge of the traffic, and Traffic-Oriented P-cycle Selection (TOPS), which takes given traffic information into account. A routing and spectrum assignment algorithm is designed for translucent EONs, and our p-cycle design algorithms are evaluated using both static and dynamic traffic models. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithms have better performance than commonly used baseline algorithms. We also compare the performance of LP p-cycles and FIPP p-cycles.
Global load-balancing ONU assignment for a software-defined reconfigurable PON
Authors: Zhang Chunxi , Zeng Huasong , Yi Xiaosu , Xiong Rui
Published: March 2020

Rapidly growing and fluctuating traffic demands lead to unbalanced traffic scenarios in optical access networks, which have an impact on network efficiency. Thus, the flexible software-defined reconfigurable passive optical network (PON) architecture has been proposed to handle this challenge. To improve the efficiency of a reconfigurable PON facing unbalanced traffic demands, this paper proposes a global load-balancing (GLB) optical network unit (ONU) assignment method, which aims to achieve load balancing among the optical line terminals (OLTs) in the OLT pool as well as among the aggregation switch ports that connect the OLTs by optimizing the affiliations between the OLTs and the ONUs. For on-line optimization, a greedy GLB algorithm is introduced that regroups the ONUs and generates load-balanced target ONU-OLT affiliations in accordance with dynamic traffic demands. For off-line optimization, bee colony optimization (BCO) is invoked to search for better ONU regrouping solutions for GLB. Simulation results show that the proposed GLB algorithm can significantly improve the throughput and delay performance of an optical access network faced with unbalanced traffic demands, especially when the network load is heavy. Moreover, the proposed BCO technique for GLB can obviously improve the worst delay performance and reduce the migrated traffic of the GLB solution, especially under network conditions with high peer-to-peer traffic proportions and heavy network loads. Thus, the proposed global load-balancing ONU assignment method is effective for helping a software-defined reconfigurable PON to cope with unbalanced traffic demands.
Band-rejection filter with high extinction ratio using prism-waveguide cascaded coupling system
Authors: Ran Maowu , Cai Wenjuan , Zhang Yincong , Wang Xianping , She Yanchao , Yin Cheng , Wu Jian
Published: March 2020

A band-rejection filter is proposed based on a prism-waveguide cascaded coupling system, which is composed of an equilateral trapezium prism and a deposited multilayer structure. By properly adjusting the thickness of the coupling layer and the light extinction coefficient of the guiding layer, the radiative and intrinsic dampings matching condition could be well satisfied, and then a series of reflectivity dips will appear in the reflectivity wavelength spectrum. Since the module of reflectivity is smaller than one, the extinction ratio of the rejected frequency via the cascaded coupling system is twice as high as that of the single-coupling technology. By narrowing the guiding layer to a micrometer scale, the free spectral range is broad enough to cover the Raman spectrum scattered from the frequently used sample. In addition, the numerically calculated results show that the light in the free spectral range is mostly reflected, with an insertion loss down to 0.45 dB. Compared to previously reported band-rejection filters, it is relatively simple to manufacture our device, which possesses potential applications to help distinguish the Raman signal from the elastic scattering background.
Propagation of fully and partially coherent flat-topped multi-Gaussian beams through axicons
Authors: Thabit F. M. , AlKelly A. A. , Shukri M. A.
Published: March 2020

Theoretically, we have investigated the propagation of fully and partially coherent flat-topped multi-Gaussian beams through classical and logarithmic axicons. The stationary phase method applied to the Fresnel diffraction integral for intensity distribution has led to applicable relationships. The influences of axicon base angle, beam width, beam flatness, and coherence length with intensity distribution were studied. A number of results have been analyzed and discussed revealing some important conclusions. During this investigation, a specific interest has been given toward producing uniform intensity and long focal depth.
Scalable multi-qubit quantum gates in quantum networks based on the microtoroidal-resonator-mediated nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond
Authors: Wang Taian , Zhang Yong
Published: March 2020

In the paper, we present schemes for implementing multi-qubit quantum gates in quantum networks based on the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond. In our schemes, NV centers coupled to the whispering-gallery modes of microtoroidal resonators serve as quantum registers to store quantum information. By coding the qubits of NV centers into decoherence-free subspaces, quantum information encoded in logical qubits is protected from collective dephasing, and quantum controlled-NOT and Toffoli gates between logical qubits from the same or different quantum nodes can be implemented. Compared with the previous works, our schemes are simpler and reduce the consumption of resources. Furthermore, the modularized design of multi-qubit quantum gates can be extended to other quantum platforms, which may lead to more efficient construction of quantum networks for distributed quantum computation and quantum communication.
Maximum likelihood reconstruction for grating-based X-ray microscopy
Authors: Wolf Andreas , Schuster Max , Ludwig Veronika , Anton Gisela , Funk Stefan
Published: March 2020

The combination of grating-based phase-contrast imaging with X-ray microscopy can result in a complicated image formation. Generally, transverse shifts of the interference fringes are nonlinearly dependent on phase differences of the measured wave front. We present an iterative reconstruction scheme based on a regularized maximum likelihood cost function that fully takes this dependency into account. The scheme is validated by numerical simulations. It is particularly advantageous at low photon numbers and when the premises for deconvolution-based reconstructions are not met. Our reconstruction scheme hence enables a broader applicability of X-ray grating interferometry in imaging and wave front sensing.
Proof-of-principle demonstration of measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution based on intrinsically stable polarization-modulated units
Authors: Yuan Yi-ping , Du Cong , Shen Qi-qi , Wang Jin-dong , Yu Ya-fei , Wei Zheng-jun , Chen Zhao-xi , Zhang Zhi-ming
Published: March 2020

The experimental demonstration of measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution (MDI-QKD) has been widely demonstrated. Thus far, several experimental groups have implemented polarization encoding MDI-QKD but with manual polarization controllers, or polarization modulators that make circular polarization states unstable. Here, we apply an intrinsically stable polarization-modulated unit (PMU) to MDI-QKD so that Alice and Bob can modulate four BB84 polarization states, all of which can be kept stable from even the harsh environment. Moreover, our PMU can provide two operational polarization encoding modes suitable to different application scenarios. A proof-of-principle demonstration of MDI-QKD based on our PMU is implemented with an interference visibility of 46.6%, an average quantum bit error rate of 1.49% for the Z basis and the secure key rate of 4.25 × 10−6 bits per pulse. The proposed study is helpful for building polarization encoding MDI-QKD systems with better stability.
Chirped-pulse generation from optical parametric oscillators with an aperiodic quasi-phase-matching crystal
Authors: Liu Pei , Heng Jiaxing , Zhang Zhaowei
Published: March 2020

We describe chirped-pulse generation from an optical parametric oscillator using an aperiodic quasi-phase-matching crystal as the gain medium. We examine the pulse formation dynamics, and reveal that the excitation of chirped-pulse oscillation is assisted by the position-dependent conversion-wavelength and the pump-to-signal temporal walk-off along the gain medium. Stable oscillation is confirmed by numerical simulations and experimental demonstrations. In a preliminary experiment, we obtained a signal wave covering 1293–1734 nm and an idler wave covering 2.9–5.0 µm from an oscillator based on a 2-mm-long aperiodically poled

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crystal. These results represent a new, to the best of our knowledge, pulse formation mechanism inside a nonlinear oscillator, which is promising for generating light pulses with very wide instantaneous bandwidth and at arbitrary wavelengths.
Transition to digital television in Nigeria: Challenges and promises
Authors: Abikanlu Femi
Published: March 2020

The article examines the implementation and the challenges of the ongoing digital switchover (DSO) process in Nigeria. The critique of the neo-liberal orthodoxy presents the interplay of interests between political and corporate actors existing within the political economy of the Nigerian digital television environment. It also presents the effect of the existing complexities with the policy framework and approach to the implementation of the DSO process in Nigeria. The two qualitative research methods adopted in this study, communication policy analysis and in-depth interviews, examine the direction of policies and the individual experience of selected participants involved in the DSO process in Nigeria. Drawing on the analysis, inclusive of other factors, the study argues that the implementation of the DSO process in Nigeria has been delayed due to financial limitation, the exclusive approach to implementation and policy-burdened intervention of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
House of Lords Communications Committee: Public service broadcasting in the age of video on demand
Authors: Iosifidis Petros
Published: March 2020

This article is my response to the House of Lords Communications Committee Inquiry on ‘Public service broadcasting in the age of video on demand’, which was carried out in 2019. The inquiry was important and relevant as the successful UK public service broadcasters (PSBs) BBC, ITV, C4, C5 and S4C are currently facing major challenges from video-on-demand (VoD) services. These challenges primarily concern competition for content from VoD services in a highly competitive broadcasting market characterized by shifts in audience behaviour. Audiences are watching less scheduled TV as they are attracted by the business model of global streaming services like YouTube, Amazon Prime Video and Netflix. Fierce competition from mainly US-based, unregulated global VoD players investing billions of pounds in content has escalated programming costs and made it difficult for tightly regulated PSBs with modest domestic UK budgets to compete. This article is largely in favour of sustaining properly funded, universally available PSBs, who can deliver quality and original programming, alongside impartial and trusted news in the era of fake news and post-truth politics.
Mapas Nabais Conde: catalogação do Fundo
Authors: De Carvalho Maria De Fátima Moura , Mendes Teresa Margarida Simões
Published: March 2020

Em 2011, a Biblioteca Geral da Universidade de Coimbra adquiriu a Coleção de Mapas Nabais Conde. Após a digitalização dos 1191 mapas, iniciou-se o seu tratamento técnico, que decorreu entre janeiro de 2017 e janeiro de 2018. Terminado o tratamento técnico e analisando a coleção, pode-se observar que, no que concerne à época de publicação, o século XVIII é o mais representado, da mesma forma que o Reino Unido, a França e a Holanda são os países de onde procede a maioria dos editores/impressores. O mapa mais valioso é um mapa de Portugal segundo Álvaro Seco, datado de 1560, e orientado a Ocidente. Grande parte dos mapas são representações de Portugal. Além dos mapas encontramos ainda cartas náuticas, assim como inúmeras imagens que representam vistas de cidades. Quanto ao tratamento catalográfico, foi usada a ISBD (edição consolidada); o Fundo foi classificado com a Classificação Decimal Universal e indexado com termos de indexação da base de dados Millennium da Universidade de Coimbra.
Jaime Cortesão, correspondência de exílio para o irmão Armando
Authors: Do Amaral A. E. Maia
Published: March 2020

Publicação de 73 cartas da correspondência de Jaime Cortesão com o irmão mais novo Armando Cortesão. Abrangendo os anos de 1933 a 1941, cobrem parte significativa do exílio destes dois historiadores e resistentes antifascistas portugueses. O núcleo encontra-se integrado no Arquivo pessoal de Armando Cortesão, entregue à BGUC e incorporado em 2009, com a cotas Ms. AC.
Aproximación a la ciudadanía digital y el perfil del profesor
Authors: Arredondo Trapero Florina Guadalupe , Vázquez Parra José Carlos , González Martínez Martín de Jesús
Published: March 2020

El objetivo de este documento es analizar la idea que tienen los profesores mexicanos de alumnos de nivel elemental a nivel intermedio sobre la ciudadanía digital, tomando las siguientes variables independientes: género, edad, región y nivel educativo impartido. La hipótesis es que tales variables afectan a lo que los profesores creen que es la ciudadanía digital. Esta investigación se ha llevado a cabo con un grupo de 220 maestros de educación primaria e intermedia en un Estado ubicado en el noreste de México. Los hallazgos muestran que los maestros varones están más inclinados a usar indicadores relacionados con la mejora del rendimiento académico, y menos interesados en los indicadores relacionados con la armonía en el entorno de grupo / escuela. Además, los maestros jóvenes tienden a trabajar con ideas que están más centradas en el estudiante y menos dirigidas por el maestro, en contraste con sus compañeros mayores, que prefieren ideas más centradas en el maestro sobre las centradas en el estudiante. Finalmente, los maestros de educación primaria buscan enfocar sus ideas en los padres y la comunidad en lugar de en los estudiantes, mientras que aquellos que enseñan a nivel intermedio enfocan sus ideas más en los estudiantes y menos hacia sus padres y la comunidad. Si las escuelas planean centrarse en el desarrollo de competencias para la ciudadanía digital, es importante considerar como parte de la estrategia educativa el perfil del profesor en términos de género, edad y nivel educativo en el que enseñan, puesto qeu influye en sus ideas.
A Qualitative Assessment of an Innovative Suicide Prevention and Treatment Approach: Contextual-Conceptual Therapy
Authors: Vyas Amita , Saunders Breahnna , Nagaraj Nitasha
Published: March 2020

Mental health and mental illness is a critical to a person’s overall health. In the United States alone, mental illness effects one in six adults. Furthermore, 40% of those individuals who die of suicide have been diagnosed with a mental health condition or illness. Yet, there is a paucity of research on innovative methods that help prevent suicide.

The Contextual-Conceptual Therapy (CCT) approach introduces an innovative way to treat suicide by working to uncover the strengths of the suicidal person and addressing a person’s true self. The CCT approach was developed over the course of 25 years working with more than 16,000 suicidal patients in Seattle, Washington, and is tailored specifically for primary and secondary prevention of suicide. While there has been anecdotal evidence of the effectiveness of the CCT program, the program has yet to be formally evaluated. This qualitative research study aims to understand the impact the CCT approach has had on its clients. Eleven former CCT clients were recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews. Outcomes described by participants included an increase in curiosity and self-efficacy as a means through which to decrease suicide ideation and behavior, and proved to be incredibly powerful in changing long-term outcomes.

This qualitative study is a first-step in providing critical insight on suicide prevention for wider dissemination. At a time when adverse mental health and illness is impacting the lives of millions of people, the CCT approach has the potential to address suicide, mental illness and mental health across diverse populations.
APPLICATION OF THE ARTEC EVA SCANNER FOR ORTHOTICS IN PRACTICE
Authors: Krajňáková Viktória , Rajťúková Viktória , Hudák Radovan , Živčák Jozef
Published: March 2020

Tento článok sa týka spôsobov, ktoré sú k dispozícii na skeneri Artec Eva v oblasti protetiky a protetiky so zameraním na tvár a krk. Metodika je rozdelená do 5 základných skupín - príprava prostredia, skener, predmety, skenovanie a 3D modely. Praktická časť obsahuje 3D vybrané vybrané objekty, ktoré obsahujú ukážky iných druhov, konkrétne oblasti dosahu vlasov, brady a oblasti očí.