bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High wall-plug efficiency and narrow linewidth III-V-on-silicon C-band DFB laser diodes
Authors: Vaskasi Javad Rahimi , Singh Nishant , Van Kerrebrouck Joris , Bauwelinck Johan , Roelkens Gunther , Morthier Geert
Published: July 2022

We present recent results on compact and power efficient C-band distributed feedback lasers through adhesive bonding of a III-V die onto a silicon-on-insulator circuit. A wall-plug efficiency up to 16% is achieved for bias currents below 40 mA. The laser cavity is 180 µm long and a single facet output power up to 11 mW is measured at 20 °C by incorporating a broadband reflector in the silicon waveguide at one side of the cavity. Single mode operation at 1567 nm with a side mode suppression ratio of around 55 dB is demonstrated. By controlling the phase of the external feedback, the laser linewidth is decreased to 28 kHz. Measurement result shows a low relative intensity noise below -150 dB/Hz at 60 mA up to 6 GHz. We also report 20 and 10 Gbps data transmission at a bias current of 50 mA at 20 °C and 40 °C, respectively.
Investigation of the influence of measurement imperfections on quantum communication complexity superiority for the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt game
Authors: Wang Shuo , Xiao Ya , Han Xin-Hong , Fan Xuan , Qian Tian , Gu Yong-Jian
Published: July 2022

Demonstrating quantum communication complexity superiority
non-trivially with currently available experimental systems is of
utmost importance in quantum information science. Here, we propose a
generalized entanglement-assisted communication complexity reduction
protocol and analyze the robustness of its quantum superiority against
the measurement imperfections, such as measurement basis deviation and
choice probability bias, a common problem rarely studied before. We
find that the quantum superiority can be obtained in a specific
entangled state in a suitable range of measurement basis and basis
choice parameters. And the quantum superiority strengthens with the
increase of the entanglement degree of quantum states. By using the
maximum entangled state and its corresponding optimal measurement, the
result we obtained violated the optimal classical bound by 239
standard deviations. Besides, the robustness of effective measurement
basis in dephasing and depolarizing quantum channels is also
investigated. These results not only make a step forward in
investigating sufficient experimental conditions to unambiguously
demonstrate the superiority of quantum communication complexity but
also help to develop relevant practical applications.
Frequency tunable superflash based on an electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT)
Authors: Rahman Abdul , Lee Chang-Won , Jeong Heejeong
Published: July 2022

We present a new controllable superflash, a maximum transient peak at the falling edge of a square pulse, using a three-level electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). The superflash in a two-level system occurs at a certain value of the detuning of the probe laser (Δ
peak
) when the optical depth (OD) of the medium is sufficiently large and constant. Here, we show the external tunability of the Δ
peak
for obtaining the maximum transient peak by introducing a three-level EIT. Owing to the EIT dispersion properties, we effectively tune the phase of the forward-scattered light (E
s
) by externally controlling the EIT coupling light intensities associated with the Rabi frequency (Ω
c
). When the incident light is turned off, the total transmitted field (E
t
) experiences an out-of-phase shift, producing a peak intensity that is three times higher than the input. We observe that this new class of superflash (Type II) occurs near the EIT window and exhibits inverse-linearity of the OD, which is in contrast with the characteristics of the previously reported two-level superflash (Type I). Furthermore, we find the quadratic nature of tunability in Δ
peak
(Ω
c
).The new tunability of the superflash by the Rabi frequency may facilitate more rapid and effective control of the superflash compared to a passive optical medium.
Real-time image resolution measurement for single molecule localization microscopy
Authors: Li Mengting , Shang Mingtao , Li Luchang , Wang Yina , Song Qihang , Zhou Zhiwei , Kuang Weibing , Zhang Yingjun , Huang Zhen-Li
Published: July 2022

Recent advancements in single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) have demonstrated outstanding potential applications in high-throughput and high-content screening imaging. One major limitation to such applications is to find a way to optimize imaging throughput without scarifying image quality, especially the homogeneity in image resolution, during the imaging of hundreds of field-of-views (FOVs) in heterogeneous samples. Here we introduce a real-time image resolution measurement method for SMLM to solve this problem. This method is under the heuristic framework of overall image resolution that counts on localization precision and localization density. Rather than estimating the mean localization density after completing the entire SMLM process, this method uses the spatial Poisson process to model the random activation of molecules and thus determines the localization density in real-time. We demonstrate that the method is valid in real-time resolution measurement and is effective in guaranteeing homogeneous image resolution across multiple representative FOVs with optimized imaging throughput.
Reversible and non-volatile metal-to-insulator chemical transition in molybdenum oxide films
Authors: Gutiérrez Yael , Santos Gonzalo , Palumbo Fabio , Modreanu Mircea , Moreno Fernando , Losurdo Maria
Published: July 2022

Significant effort is being dedicated to developing alternative materials whose optical properties can be controllably and reversibly modified. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the reversible non-volatile molybdenum oxides MoO3-to-MoO2 transition associated to a change from a metallic to a dielectric behavior through cycles of thermal annealing in air and hydrogen (H2). A full cycle is demonstrated by characterizing structurally and optically the transition using Raman spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry. The potential applicability of the metal-to-insulator transition in MoOx is benchmarked through comparison with a canonical Mott insulator VO2 in a reconfigurable reflective configuration as well as in cladded waveguide schemes.
Hyperbolic metamaterial-assisted structured illumination microscopy using periodic sub-diffraction speckles
Authors: Liu Xiangzhi , Kong Weijie , Wang Changtao , Pu Mingbo , Li Zhenyan , Yuan Di , Li Xiong , Ma Xiaoliang , Luo Xiangang
Published: July 2022

Structured illumination microscopy (SIM), as a wide-field, rapid, super-resolution imaging technology, is widely employed in the field of biology. In this work, we propose a hyperbolic metamaterial (HMM)-assisted super-resolution structured illumination microscopy technique. By utilizing the HMM, a sub-diffraction illumination pattern of bulk plasmon polariton (BPP) with pure and higher spatial frequency replaces the conventional laser interference fringes, thus the imaging resolution of BPPSIM could surpass that of conventional SIM and reach 65 nm for HMM with 8-layers periodic structure. Moreover, an HMM with 10-layers aperiodic structure designed with particle swarm optimization was obtained, and BPPSIM could bring the imaging resolution down to 60 nm (1/9 of the fluorescence wavelength), which is a 3.3-fold improvement compared with the diffraction-limited image. This BPPSIM would provide a super-resolution, wide field of view, and good bio-compatibility approach in biological imaging.
Multi-scale model suggests the trade-off between protein and ATP demand as a driver of metabolic changes during yeast replicative ageing
Authors: Schnitzer Barbara , Österberg Linnea , Skopa Iro , Cvijovic Marija
Published: July 2022

The accumulation of protein damage is one of the major drivers of replicative ageing, describing a cell’s reduced ability to reproduce over time even under optimal conditions. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are precursors of protein damage and therefore tightly linked to ageing. At the same time, they are an inevitable by-product of the cell’s metabolism. Cells are able to sense high levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and can subsequently adapt their metabolism through gene regulation to slow down damage accumulation. However, the older or damaged a cell is the less flexibility it has to allocate enzymes across the metabolic network, forcing further adaptions in the metabolism. To investigate changes in the metabolism during replicative ageing, we developed an multi-scale mathematical model using budding yeast as a model organism. The model consists of three interconnected modules: a Boolean model of the signalling network, an enzyme-constrained flux balance model of the central carbon metabolism and a dynamic model of growth and protein damage accumulation with discrete cell divisions. The model can explain known features of replicative ageing, like average lifespan and increase in generation time during successive division, in yeast wildtype cells by a decreasing pool of functional enzymes and an increasing energy demand for maintenance. We further used the model to identify three consecutive metabolic phases, that a cell can undergo during its life, and their influence on the replicative potential, and proposed an intervention span for lifespan control.
Hidden benefits and dangers of carbon tax
Authors: Prasad Monica
Published: July 2022

Many scholars argue that revenue from carbon taxes should be used to replace other taxes, such as taxes on capital or labor, in order to minimize economic damage or compensate for the regressive nature of carbon tax. Advocates of this approach argue that the carbon tax could produce a “double dividend,” reducing emissions while also increasing GDP by allowing other taxes to be lowered. This paper suggests caution before adopting this approach, for two reasons. First, the scholarly literature systematically understates the benefits of carbon taxes, and overstates their costs, by simply ignoring the possible environmental benefits of carbon taxes. The result is a one-sided scholarship that exaggerates the damage from carbon taxes and should be understood as providing a lower bound for the benefits of the tax, not a rigorous guide to policy. Second, carbon taxes, unlike other taxes, will produce less revenue as technologies improve and cleaner-burning fuels develop. Thus, if carbon taxes replace other taxes, over time the tax base of the state will wither, and the programs those taxes pay for will be threatened. This paper elaborates these claims and then discusses carbon tax policy designs that would take both points into consideration.
Point-of-care motion capture and biomechanical assessment improve clinical utility of dynamic balance testing for lower extremity osteoarthritis
Authors: Halvorson Ryan T. , Castillo Francine T. , Ahamed Fayyaz , Khattab Karim , Scheffler Aaron , Matthew Robert P. , Lotz Jeffrey , Vail Thomas P. , Feeley Brian T. , Bailey Jeannie F.
Published: July 2022

Musculoskeletal conditions impede patient biomechanical function. However, clinicians rely on subjective functional assessments with poor test characteristics for biomechanical outcomes because more advanced assessments are impractical in the ambulatory care setting. Using markerless motion capture (MMC) in clinic to record time-series joint position data, we implemented a spatiotemporal assessment of patient kinematics during lower extremity functional testing to evaluate whether kinematic models could identify disease states beyond conventional clinical scoring. 213 trials of the star excursion balance test (SEBT) were recorded by 36 subjects during routine ambulatory clinic visits using both MMC technology and conventional clinician scoring. Conventional clinical scoring failed to distinguish patients with symptomatic lower extremity osteoarthritis (OA) from healthy controls in each component of the assessment. However, principal component analysis of shape models generated from MMC recordings revealed significant differences in subject posture between the OA and control cohorts for six of the eight components. Additionally, time-series models of subject posture change over time revealed distinct movement patterns and reduced overall postural change in the OA cohort compared to the controls. Finally, a novel metric quantifying postural control was derived from subject specific kinematic models and was shown to distinguish OA (1.69), asymptomatic postoperative (1.27), and control (1.23) cohorts (p = 0.0025) and to correlate with patient-reported OA symptom severity (R = -0.72, p = 0.018). Time series motion data have superior discriminative validity and clinical utility than conventional functional assessments in the case of the SEBT. Novel spatiotemporal assessment approaches can enable routine in-clinic collection of objective patient-specific biomechanical data for clinical decision-making and monitoring recovery.
The economic evaluation of Cystic echinococcosis control strategies focused on zoonotic hosts: A scoping review
Authors: Widdicombe Jo , Basáñez María-Gloria , Entezami Mahbod , Jackson Daniel , Larrieu Edmundo , Prada Joaquín M.
Published: July 2022

Background

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic neglected tropical disease (zNTD) which imposes considerable financial burden to endemic countries. The 2021–2030 World Health Organization’s roadmap on NTDs has proposed that intensified control be achieved in hyperendemic areas of 17 countries by 2030. Successful interventions for disease control, and the scale-up of programmes applying such interventions, rely on understanding the associated costs and relative return for investment. We conducted a scoping review of existing peer-reviewed literature on economic evaluations of CE control strategies focused on Echinococcus granulosus zoonotic hosts.

Methodology/Principal findings

Database searches of Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, CABI Direct and JSTOR were conducted and comprehensively reviewed in March 2022, using predefined search criteria with no date, field or language restrictions. A total of 100 papers were initially identified and assessed for eligibility against strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Bibliography review of included manuscripts was used to identify additional literature. Full review of the final manuscript selection (n = 9) was performed and cost data for control interventions were extracted.

Conclusions/Significance

There are very little published data pertaining to the cost and cost effectiveness of CE control interventions targeting its zoonotic hosts. Data given for costs are often incomplete, thus we were unable to perform an economic analysis and cost effectiveness study, highlighting a pressing need for this information. There is much scope for future work in this area. More detailed information and disaggregated costings need to be collected and made available. This would increase the accuracy of any cost-effective analyses to be performed and allow for a greater understanding of the opportunity cost of healthcare decisions and resource allocation by stakeholders and policy makers for effective and cost-effective CE control.
Genetic determination and JARID2 over-expression in a thermal incubation experiment in Casque-Headed Lizard
Authors: Suárez-Varón Gabriel , Mendoza-Cruz Eva , Acosta Armando , Villagrán-Santa Cruz Maricela , Cortez Diego , Hernández-Gallegos Oswaldo
Published: July 2022

Non-avian reptiles, unlike mammals and birds, have undergone numerous sex determination changes. Casque-Headed Lizards have replaced the ancestral XY system shared across pleurodonts with a new pair of XY chromosomes. However, the evolutionary forces that triggered this transition have remained unclear. An interesting hypothesis suggests that species with intermediate states, with sex chromosomes but also thermal-induced sex reversal at specific incubation temperatures, could be more susceptible to sex determination turnovers. We contrasted genotypic data (presence/absence of the Y chromosome) against the histology of gonads of embryos from stages 35–37 incubated at various temperatures, including typical male-producing (26°C) and female-producing (32°C) temperatures. Our work apparently reports for the first time the histology of gonads, including morphological changes, from stages 35–37 of development in the family Corytophanidae. We also observed that all embryos developed hemipenes, suggesting sex-linked developmental heterochrony. We observed perfect concordance between genotype and phenotype at all temperatures. However, analysis of transcriptomic data from embryos incubated at 26°C and 32°C identified transcript variants of the chromatin modifiers JARID2 and KDM6B that have been linked to temperature-dependent sex determination in other reptiles. Our work tested the validity of a mixed sex determination system in the family Corytophanidae. We found that XY chromosomes are dominant; however, our work supports the hypothesis of a conserved transcriptional response to incubation temperatures across non-avian reptiles that could be a reminiscence of an ancestral sex determination system.
Prevalence and determinants of obesity and abdominal obesity among rural workers in Southeastern Brazil
Authors: Cattafesta Monica , Petarli Glenda Blaser , Zandonade Eliana , Bezerra Olívia Maria de Paula Alves , Abreu Sandra Marlene Ribeiro de , Salaroli Luciane Bresciani
Published: July 2022

The objectives of this study were to assess the nutritional status of rural workers from a municipality in Southeastern Brazil and estimate the association of sociodemographic, labor, lifestyle, and dietary pattern factors with obesity and abdominal obesity of men and women of this rural area. This is a cross-sectional, epidemiological study of 740 farmers (51.5%, n = 381 males; 48.5%, n = 359 females). The sociodemographic, labor, lifestyle and dietary patterns determinants were assessed. Food intake data were obtained by applying three 24-hour recalls and dietary patterns were determined by Principal Component Analysis with Varimax orthogonal rotation. Poisson regression with robust variance stratified by sex was applied. The general prevalence of overweight status was 31.5% (95% CI 28.2–34.8%), 19.7% of obesity (95% CI 16.8–22.6%) and 31.5% of abdominal obesity (95% CI 28.2–34.8%), with higher rates in women (P < 0.001). Men of higher socioeconomic class had a 2.3 times higher prevalence of obesity (95% CI 1.08–4.90). In addition, the shorter travel time to purchase food increased the prevalence of abdominal obesity in males. For women, the older the age group, the greater the general and central obesity. A lower adherence to traditional dietary patterns (approximately PR [prevalence ratio] 1.6 for general obesity and PR 1.3 for abdominal obesity) and a greater number of places to buy food were associated with higher rates of obesity in women. Finally, women farmers with a higher workload had a 20% lower prevalence of central obesity (PR 0.80; 95% CI 0.65–0.97). Such findings demonstrate that obesity must be an issue in the health care of remote and rural populations. There is a need to promote healthier environments that respect traditional food culture through multiple approaches that consider the heterogeneity of rural areas and the differences between sexes.
Intramammary infections with Corynebacterium spp. in bovine lactating udder quarters
Authors: Lücken Anneke , Woudstra Svenja , Wente Nicole , Zhang Yanchao , Krömker Volker
Published: July 2022

Corynebacteriumspp. are frequently detected in bovine quarter milk samples, yet their impact on udder health has not been determined completely. In this longitudinal study, we collected quarter milk samples from a dairy herd of approximately 200 cows, ten times at 14 d intervals. Bacteriologically, Catalase-positive and Gram-positive rods were detected in 22.7% of the samples. For further species diagnosis, colonies were analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS.Corynebacterium bovis,C.amycolatum,C.xerosisand 10 otherCorynebacteriumspp. were detected. The three aforementioned species accounted for 88.4%, 8.65% and 0.94% of all culturedCorynebacteriumspp., respectively. For further evaluation of infection dynamics, the following three infection definitions were applied: A (2/3 consecutive samples positive for the same species), B (≥1000 cfu/mL in one sample), C (isolated from a clinical mastitis case). Infections according to definition B occurred most frequently and clinical mastitis withCorynebacteriumspp. occurred once during sampling. Life tables were used to determine the duration of infection. According to infection definition A, infection durations of 111 d and 98 d were obtained forC.bovisandC.amycolatum, respectively. Exemplarily, longer lasting infections were examined for their strain diversity by RAPD PCR. A low strain diversity was found in the individual quarters that indicates a longer colonization of the udder parenchyma byC.bovisandC.amycolatum.
In silico analyses of leptin and leptin receptor of spotted snakehead Channa punctata
Authors: Bakshi Amrita , Rai Umesh
Published: July 2022

The present study, in addition to molecular characterization of leptin (lepa) and its receptor (lepr) of spotted snakehead Channa punctata, is focussed on physicochemical, structural, evolutionary and selection pressure analyses which are poorly elucidated in teleosts in spite of that existence of these genes is well reported in several fish species. The putative full-length Lep and Lepr of C. punctata showed conserved structural and functional domains, especially the residues responsible for structural integrity and signal transduction. Conversely, residues predicted essential for Lep-Lepr interaction displayed divergence between teleosts and tetrapods. Impact of substitutions/deletions predicted using protein variation effect analyser tool highlighted species specificity in ligand-receptor interaction. Physicochemical properties of ligand and receptor predicted for the first time in vertebrates revealed high aliphatic and instability indices for both Lepa and Lepr, indicating thermostability of proteins but their instability under ex vivo conditions. Positive grand average of hydropathy score of Lepa suggests its hydrophobic nature conjecturing existence of leptin binding proteins in C. punctata. In addition to disulphide bonding, a novel posttranslational modification (S-126 phosphorylation) was predicted in Lepa of C. punctata. In Lepr, disulphide bond formation and N-linked glycosylation near WSXWS motif in ECD, and phosphorylation at tyrosine residues in ICD were predicted. Leptin and its receptor sequence of C. punctata cladded with its homolog from C. striata and C. argus of order Anabantiformes. Leptin system of Anabantiformes was phylogenetically closer to that of Pleuronectiformes, Scombriformes and Perciformes. Selection pressure analysis showed higher incidence of negative selection in teleostean leptin genes indicating limited adaptation in their structure and function. However, evidence of pervasive and episodic diversifying selection laid a foundation of co-evolution of Lepa and Lepr in teleosts.
The performance of soluble CD163 as a non-invasive biomarker of liver damage in chronically HCV and HCV/HIV infected subjects
Authors: Cairoli Victoria , De Matteo Elena , Casciato Paola , Ameigeiras Beatriz , Preciado María Victoria , Valva Pamela
Published: July 2022

Macrophage activation plays a key role in liver disease progression. Soluble CD163 (sCD163) is a specific macrophage activation biomarker useful for clinical estimating damage severity and predicting outcome in different liver conditions. sCD163 performance as a non-invasive marker of liver damage was evaluated in plasma samples at time of biopsy in 120 patients with different hepatic conditions (56 HCV, 20 HCV/HIV, 10 HBV and 34 MAFLD). sCD163 values were compared with those of healthy donors and analyzed related to histological damage. sCD163 together with other clinical parameters were used to create a logistical regression model to predict significant fibrosis. Only patients with viral hepatitis showed higher sCD163 values compared to the control group (HCV p<0.0001; HCV/HIV p<0.0001; HBV p = 0.0003), but no significant differences regarding fibrosis stages were observed. The proposed model predicts fibrosis severity using the logarithm sCD163 concentration, platelet count and age, it demonstrated to be a good marker for the HCV monoinfected group (AUROC 0.834) and an excellent one for the HCV/HIV co-infected group (AUROC 0.997). Moreover, the model displayed a diagnostic performance similar to FIB-4 in HCV cases and FIB-4 and APRI in HCV/HIV coinfected cases, and it even managed to correctly classify some cases that had been misclassified. The proposed model is able to determine, in a non-invasive way, the liver fibrosis stage of HCV and HCV/HIV patients, so after validation, it could be used in a complementary way in the clinical practice whenever APRI and FIB-4 failed to determine damage severity in HCV and HCV/HIV cases.
Research on emergency management of urban waterlogging based on similarity fusion of multi-source heterogeneous data
Authors: Xiao Huimin , Wang Liu , Cui Chunsheng
Published: July 2022

Global warming has seriously affected the local climate characteristics of cities, resulting in the frequent occurrence of urban waterlogging with severe economic losses and casualties. Aiming to improve the effectiveness of disaster emergency management, we propose a novel emergency decision model embedding similarity algorithms of heterogeneous multi-attribute based on case-based reasoning. First, this paper establishes a multi-dimensional attribute system of urban waterlogging catastrophes cases based on the Wuli-Shili-Renli theory. Due to the heterogeneity of attributes of waterlogging cases, different algorithms to measure the attribute similarity are designed for crisp symbols, crisp numbers, interval numbers, fuzzy linguistic variables, and hesitant fuzzy linguistic term sets. Then, this paper combines the best-worst method with the maximal deviation method for a more reasonable weight allocation of attributes. Finally, the hybrid similarity between the historical and the target cases is obtained by aggregating attribute similarities via the weighted method. According to the given threshold value, a similar historical case set is built whose emergency measures are used to provide the reference for the target case. Additionally, a case of urban waterlogging emergency is conducted to demonstrate the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed model, which exploits historical experiences and retrieves the optimal scheme for the current disaster emergency with heterogeneous multi attributes. Consequently, the proposed model solves the problem of diverse data types to satisfy the needs of case presentation and retrieval. Compared with the existing model, it can better realize the multi-dimensional expression and fast matching of the cases.
Applicability of hyperspectral imaging during salinity stress in rice for tracking Na+ and K+ levels in planta
Authors: Pabuayon Isaiah Catalino M. , Pabuayon Irish Lorraine B. , Singh Rakesh Kumar , Ritchie Glen L. , de los Reyes Benildo G.
Published: July 2022

The ratio of Na+ and K+ is an important determinant of the magnitude of Na+ toxicity and osmotic stress in plant cells. Traditional analytical approaches involve destructive tissue sampling and chemical analysis, where real-time observation of spatio-temporal experiments across genetic or breeding populations is unrealistic. Such an approach can also be very inaccurate and prone to erroneous biological interpretation. Analysis by Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) is an emerging non-destructive alternative for tracking plant nutrient status in a time-course with higher accuracy and reduced cost for chemical analysis. In this study, the feasibility and predictive power of HSI-based approach for spatio-temporal tracking of Na+ and K+ levels in tissue samples was explored using a panel recombinant inbred line (RIL) of rice (Oryza sativa L.; salt-sensitive IR29 x salt-tolerant Pokkali) with differential activities of the Na+ exclusion mechanism conferred by the SalTol QTL. In this panel of RILs the spectrum of salinity tolerance was represented by FL499 (super-sensitive), FL454 (sensitive), FL478 (tolerant), and FL510 (super-tolerant). Whole-plant image processing pipeline was optimized to generate HSI spectra during salinity stress at EC = 9 dS m-1. Spectral data was used to create models for Na+ and K+ prediction by partial least squares regression (PLSR). Three datasets, i.e., mean image pixel spectra, smoothened version of mean image pixel spectra, and wavelength bands, with wide differences in intensity between control and salinity facilitated the prediction models with high R2. The smoothened and filtered datasets showed significant improvements over the mean image pixel dataset. However, model prediction was not fully consistent with the empirical data. While the outcome of modeling-based prediction showed a great potential for improving the throughput capacity for salinity stress phenotyping, additional technical refinements including tissue-specific measurements is necessary to maximize the accuracy of prediction models.
Splenic volume as a predictor of treatment response in patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving immunotherapy
Authors: Castagnoli Francesca , Doran Simon , Lunn Jason , Minchom Anna , O’Brien Mary , Popat Sanjay , Messiou Christina , Koh Dow-Mu
Published: July 2022

Introduction

The spleen is a lymphoid organ and we hypothesize that clinical benefit to immunotherapy may present with an increase in splenic volume during treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether changes in splenic volume could be observed in those showing clinical benefit versus those not showing clinical benefit to pembrolizumab treatment in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

Materials and methods

In this study, 70 patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC treated with pembrolizumab; and who underwent baseline CT scan within 2 weeks before treatment and follow-up CT within 3 months after commencing immunotherapy were retrospectively evaluated. The splenic volume on each CT was segmented manually by outlining the splenic contour on every image and the total volume summated. We compared the splenic volume in those achieving a clinical benefit and those not achieving clinical benefit, using non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Clinical benefit was defined as stable disease or partial response lasting for greater than 24 weeks. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

There were 23 responders and 47 non-responders based on iRECIST criteria and 35 patients with clinical benefit and 35 without clinical benefit. There was no significant difference in the median pre-treatment volume (175 vs 187 cm3, p = 0.34), post-treatment volume (168 vs 167 cm3, p = 0.39) or change in splenic volume (-0.002 vs 0.0002 cm3, p = 0.97) between the two groups. No significant differences were also found between the splenic volume of patients with partial response, stable disease or progressive disease (p>0.017). Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference between progression-free survival and time to disease progression when the splenic volume was categorized as smaller or larger than the median pre-treatment or post-treatment volume (p>0.05).

Conclusion

No significant differences were observed in the splenic volume of those showing clinical benefit versus those without clinical benefit to pembrolizumab treatment in NSCLC patients. CT splenic volume cannot be used as a potentially simple biomarker of response to immunotherapy.
Geographical variation and determinants of women unemployment status in Ethiopia; A multilevel and spatial analysis from 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey data
Authors: Mulugeta Solomon Sisay , Gebremichael Shewayiref Geremew , Fenta Setegn Muche , Getahun Berhanu Engidaw
Published: July 2022

Background

Unemployment is a major problem in both developed and developing countries. In Ethiopia, women unemployment is particularly high, and this makes it a grave socio-economic concern. The aim of this study is to assess the spatial distribution and identify the determinant factors of women unemployment in Ethiopia.

Methods

The data used for the study is the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys of 2016. A total of 15683 women are involved in the study. Global Moran’s I statistic and Poisson-based purely spatial scan statistics are employed to explore spatial patterns and detect spatial clusters of women unemployment, respectively. To identify factors associated with women unemployment, multilevel logistic regression model is used.

Results

A spatial analysis showed that there was a major spatial difference in women unemployment in Ethiopia with Global Moran’s index value of 0.3 (p<0.001). The spatial distribution of women’s unemployment varied significantly across the country. The major areas of unemployment were Afar and Somalia; southwest Tigray; North and west Oromia, and Eastern and southern parts of Amhara. Women with primary level of education(AOR = 0.88, 95%CI: 0.80, 0.98), secondary and above level of education (AOR = 0.71, 95%CI: 0.62, 0.82), women with rich wealth index (AOR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.70, 0.90), pregnant women (AOR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.5), women with a male household head(AOR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.28, 1.50), and urban women(AOR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.50, 0.70) statistically associated with women unemployment.

Conclusion

The unemployment rate of women in Ethiopia showed variation across different clusters. Improving entrepreneurship and women’s education, sharing business experiences, supporting entrepreneurs are potential tools for reducing the unemployment women. Moreover, creating community-based programs that prioritize participation of poor households and rural women as well as improving their access to mass media and the labor market is crucial.
Serum amyloid P component and pro-platelet basic protein in extracellular vesicles or serum are novel markers of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients
Authors: Shirai Kumiko , Hikita Hayato , Sakane Sadatsugu , Narumi Ryohei , Adachi Jun , Doi Akira , Tanaka Satoshi , Tahata Yuki , Yamada Ryoko , Kodama Takahiro , Sakamori Ryotaro , Tatsumi Tomohide , Mita Eiji , Tomonaga Takeshi , Takehara Tetsuo
Published: July 2022

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) contain proteins, mRNAs, and microRNAs, and their cargos have emerged as novel diagnostic markers in various diseases. We aimed to discover novel and noninvasive biomarkers of liver fibrosis by proteomic analysis using serum EVs in patients with chronic hepatitis C. We performed shotgun proteomics using serum EVs isolated from 54 patients with histologically assessed liver fibrosis. Shotgun proteomics identified a total of 974 proteins, and 445 proteins were detected in more than half of the patients. Among them, a total of 9 proteins were identified as proteins that tended to increase or decrease with liver fibrosis with a significance of p<0.005 and that were different between F1-2 patients and F3-4 patients with a significance of p<0.01. Among the 9 proteins, targeted proteomics using serum EVs isolated from the sera of another 80 patients with histologically assessed liver fibrosis verified that serum amyloid P component (SAP) and pro-platelet basic protein (PPBP) levels in EVs significantly decreased with the progression of liver fibrosis and were significantly lower in F3-4 patients than in F1-2 patients. The diagnostic accuracies of SAP and PPBP in EVs for the liver fibrosis stage were comparable to those of type IV collagen 7S, hyaluronic acid, and the fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4 index). Moreover, serum SAP and PPBP levels correlated with the levels in EVs, and the ability of serum SAP and PPBP to diagnose liver fibrosis stage was also comparable to the abilities of type IV collagen 7S, hyaluronic acid, and the FIB-4 index. In conclusion, proteomic analysis of serum EVs identified SAP and PPBP as candidate biomarkers for predicting liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. In addition, SAP and PPBP levels in serum are strongly correlated with those in EVs and could represent markers of liver fibrosis.
Indoor air microbial load, antibiotic susceptibility profiles of bacteria, and associated factors in different wards of Arba Minch General Hospital, southern Ethiopia
Authors: Kayta Gebre , Manilal Aseer , Tadesse Dagimawie , Siraj Munira
Published: July 2022

The levels of indoor air microbial load in hospitals are very crucial to the health of patients and health care workers and are to be regularly monitored and maintained at an acceptable level. However, this problem remains overlooked, particularly in developing countries including Ethiopia. A hospital-based cross-sectional study is designed to determine the indoor air microbial load (settle plate technique), microbial isolates (standard microbiological techniques), bacterial susceptibility profiles (Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique), and associated factors, in different wards of the title Hospital, southern Ethiopia. An observational checklist was used to collect relevant information related to the associated factors; descriptive and inferential statistics were applied using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS); p-values ≤ 0.05 in the multivariable analysis were considered statistically significant. The total average bacterial and fungal load of the selected wards was 1914±1081.4 Colony Forming Units (CFU)/m3 (95% CI: 1718.5–2109.48 CFU/m3) and 1533.7±858.8 CFU/m3 (95% CI: 1378.5-1688CFU/m3) respectively. The highest mean bacterial (1914±1081.4 CFU/m3) and fungal (1533.7±858.8 CFU/m3) loads were found in the male surgical and female medical wards respectively. A total of 229 bacterial and 139 fungal isolates were obtained; Gram-positive bacteria were the predominant type, 130 (56.7%), particularly the isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, 46 (20.1%). The predominant fungal isolates were Aspergillus sp., 53(38%). Percentages of multidrug-resistant (MDR), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), and carbapenemase producers respectively were 48.5, 26.5, and 25%. High room crowd index [p = 0.003; Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 12.5 (Confidence Interval (CI) 95%: 2.42–65)], presence of damp/wet materials [p = 0.025; AOR 7 (CI 95%: 1.3–37.4)], intense room traffic [p = 0.004; AOR 9.6 (CI 95%: 1.2–79.3)], inappropriate storage of food and drugs [p = 0.008; AOR 7.5 (CI 95%: 1.7–32)], and unclean environment [p = 0.03; AOR 5.8 (CI 95%: 1.2–28)] showed statistical significance concerning the indoor air microbial loads; most of the wards in Arba Minch General Hospital (AMGH) stand high and not in an acceptable level as per the WHO and the European Commission standards on indoor air microbial load. Periodic air surveillance and infection prevention control programs are required to reduce the transmission of these microbes to inpatients, visitors, and health care workers.
The Development of Domestic Criminal Legislation on Liability for Disclosure of State Secrets from the Time of Ancient Rusto 1996
Authors: Baranov Vladimir , Ovcharov Vladislav , Manannikov Anton
Published: July 2022

The article discusses  the main stages of development of domestic legislation on criminal liability for disclosure of state secrets from 1397 to 1996. Within the periods from 1397 to 1917, from 1917 to 1943 and from 1943 to 1996 the characteristic feature of the first and second stages of the development of criminal responsibility for the disclosure of state secrets is that there was no separate norm providing for responsibility for this crime for the persons beyond the military. In addition, some acts qualified as disclosure were previously equated to espionage and entailed much harsher penalties than at present. The second stage was characterized by the introduction in 1943 of an independent articleto the Criminal Code of the RSFSR of 1926, providing for responsibilityof officials who are not military personnel for the disclosure of state secrets and for the loss of documents containing them. It underwent several changesbefore 1958, after which it entered the Criminal Code of the RSFSR 1960.
The Use of the Categories "Assistance" and "Inducement" as a Means of Forming a Reconciliation Favoring Regime in the Civil Process
Authors: Timofeev Evgeny
Published: July 2022

The article examines the issue of the formation and development of a regime favoring reconciliation in the domestic civil process through the prism of the functional purpose and tasks of the court. The importance of the categorical apparatus, which creates the general slant of the regime, is noted. Based on the analysis of legislation and law enforcement practice, the categories of "assistance" and "inducement" to reconciliation are compared. The relationship between these terms and legislative structures embodying them in the powers of the court is revealed. The problems of implementing the regime of favoring reconciliation are highlighted against the background of the court's facilitating role in the reconciliation of the parties to the dispute. Recommendations on improving the current procedural legislation and law enforcement practice are offered.
Ancient Chinese Political and Legal Thought about Rewards and Punishments
Authors: Moiseeva Oksana , Blinova Olga
Published: July 2022

The article discusses ancient Chinese political and legal thought. In the modern world, such political and legal teachings as Confucianism, Taoism and Legalism have gained wide spread and influence. They occupy a special place in the spiritual culture of China and the life of modern Chinese society.

The PRC is at the stage of further modernization of Chinese society, which was initiated by the reforms of the 1970s. Traditional for China in any era of its development has been the appeal to the achievements of Chinese civilization.

One of the problems considered by the representatives of ancient Chinese political and legal thought is the problem of state administration. Among the various methods of government, ancient Chinese thinkers singled out, first of all, rewards and punishments. Within the framework of the political and legal views of ancient China, there were several approaches to rewards and punishments. The Confucians opposed the administration of the state on the basis of laws containing severe punishments. They believed that government should be based not on punishments, but on rewards. Supporters of Taoism recognized the method of rewards and punishments in government, but treated it negatively. In Mohism, ideas are expressed about the need to combine violent methods of control with moral forms of influence on people. Legalists come to the unequivocal conclusion that punishments are the most effective method of governing society.

The article concludes that the system of severe punishments developed by the Legalists underwent changes in the direction of mitigation and connection with the main postulates of Confucianism during the Han Empire. A system of severe punishments, coercion and violence, in a somewhat relaxed version, became the basis for the work of government bodies in subsequent centuries of Chinese history.
Agric Based Battery
Authors: ojugbani onyeka
Published: July 2022

When electricity passes through the system , the electron in the system becomes unstable. sodium ion is highly electronegative, the electron in sodium will pass through aluminum foil but gets trapped in the silicon and elephant grass electrolyte. Grass absorbs photon light from the sun in the process of photosynthesis but in this way the grass will store the electrons from electricity as photoelectric and also silicon is a good conductor for electricity, therefore electrons can feel comfortablein that region.Similarly the zinc will tend to sacrifice its electron because it is a highly active metal. but it will also be trapped in the electrolyte. Also fiber grass will block the electron from going out of the system till when it is needed. After it is successful charged, you can connect your phone and the electron stored in the electrolyte will charge them .
URUN DAYA MASYARAKAT DALAM REAKTUALISASI KIPO SEBAGAI JAJANAN KHAS KOTAGEDE YOGYAKARTA
Authors: Basthomi Imam , Siti Nur Laili Rahmawati
Published: July 2022

One of the richness of Indonesian culture is reflected in the diversity of traditional local foods that are consumed by the community. Along with the times, the existence of most local food is increasingly threatened. One of them is Kipo, a traditional snack from Yogyakarta. As the first step to preserve it, this article explores in-depth to get to know Kipo and find out the opportunities and challenges faced to survive as one of the typical snacks from Yogyakarta. Based on empirical research (Field Research) with data collection through interviews, observations, and literature studies, it was found that Kipo is one of the traditional snacks of Kotagede which has historical and cultural values. Its existence has the potential to be developed into an attraction for culinary tourism activities. To make this happen, it takes the cooperation of the government and local residents to rebrand the Kipo. And what should not be left behind is utilizing mass media and the internet to support the process of information dissemination and promotion
UNDERAGE MARRIAGE: ASSERTING 'BAPAK'S DOMINATION OVER GIRLS FROM TRADITIONAL SETTING TO PATRIARCHY
Authors: B Jalaluddin
Published: July 2022

According to the public, under-age marriage was a social matter that was contrary to social norms. However, it did not happen to the people of Kasisang's belief in Bantaeng Regency. The legacy of tradition, it was they thought about the under-age marriage which needed to be preserved. This study focused on the social-economic conditions and patriarchal culture behind the tradition. This study used the qualitative method with Simone de Beauvoir's existentialist phenomenological approach as the unit of data analysis by in-depth interview technique and analysis of document to gain crucial information. The technique analysis data by Colaizzi was used to analyze data founding. The results of this study proved that the tradition had long been a social-economic institution of the community there. Reducing promiscuity and economic affairs were the main motivation of this tradition. In addition, this tradition also legalized patriarchal culture which got Structured, Massive, and Systematic support (SMS) from social institutions, so that the culture was naturally well carried out. Considering all these things, the re-consistency and firmness of each regional institution needed to be performed with careful, coordinated, and full of commitment, so that it could confine the mobility of the tradition besides doing socialization and providing adequate employment opportunities for the community there in advance.