bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacterial communities in paddy soil and ditch sediment under rice-crab co-culture system
Authors: Jiang Xu , Ma Hui , Zhao Qing-lei , Yang Jun , Xin Cai-yun , Chen Bocong
Published: December 2021

As an important form of sustainable agriculture, rice-crab (Eriocheir sinensis) co-culture is rapid developing worldwide. However, the knowledge on the bacterial communities of the different components of the system is limited. In this study, we investigated the bacterial community structure in paddy soil and ditch sediment by using high-throughput sequencing technology. The results showed that compared with the ditch sediment, the content of NH4+-N in paddy soil decreased by 62.31%, and the content of AP (available phosphorus) increased by 172.02% (P < 0.05). The most abundant phyla in paddy soil and ditch sediment were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Chloroflexi, whose relative abundance was above 65%. Among the dominant genera, the relative abundance of an uncultured bacterium genus of Saprospiraceae and an uncultured bacterium genus of Lentimicrobiaceae in paddy soil was significantly lower than ditch sediment (P < 0.05). Alpha diversity indicated that the bacterial diversity of paddy soil and ditch sediment was similar. The bacterial community structure was affected by the relative abundance of bacteria, not the species of bacteria. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that the bacterial communities in paddy soil and ditch sediment were correlated with physicochemical properties. Our findings showed that the bacterial community structure was distinct in paddy soil and ditch sediment under rice-crab co-culture probably due to their different management patterns. These results can provide theoretical support for improving rice-crab co-culture technology.
Surgical resection for patients with recurrent or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis update
Authors: Cai Zhaolun , Xin Chunyu , Jiang Zhiyuan , Liu Chunyu , Shen Chaoyong , Zhao Guozhen , Yin Yuan , Yin Xiaonan , Zhao Zhou , Mu Mingchun , Zhang Bo
Published: December 2021

Background

There are limited data on the clinical benefits of adding surgical resection in patients with recurrent or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). This protocol outlines the planned scope and methods for a systematic review and meta-analysis update that will compare the clinical outcomes of surgical resection combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with TKI treatment alone in patients with recurrent or metastatic GISTs.

Methods

This review will update a previously published systematic review by our team. This protocol is presented in accordance with the PRISMA-P guideline. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials will be systematically searched and supplemented by a secondary screening of the references of all included studies. We will include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies (NRS) in this review update. The outcomes evaluated will be overall survival and progression-free survival. Two reviewers will independently screen and select studies, extract data from the included studies, and assess the risk of bias of the included studies. Data extracted from RCTs and NRS will be analysed and reported separately. Preplanned subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses are detailed within this protocol. The strength of the body of evidence will be assessed using GRADE.

Discussion

This systematic review and meta-analysis update will provide a current assessment of the evidence for the role of surgery in patients with recurrent or metastatic advanced GISTs. These findings will be used by the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) GIST guideline recommendations on surgical treatment for recurrent or metastatic advanced GIST patients in China.

Systematic review registration

This protocol was prospectively registered in the Open Science Framework Registry (https://osf.io/xus7m).
Projecting onto rectangular matrices with prescribed row and column sums
Authors: Bauschke Heinz H. , Singh Shambhavi , Wang Xianfu
Published: December 2021

In 1990, Romero presented a beautiful formula for the projection onto the set of rectangular matrices with prescribed row and column sums. Variants of Romero’s formula were rediscovered by Khoury and by Glunt, Hayden, and Reams for bistochastic (square) matrices in 1998. These results have found various generalizations and applications.

In this paper, we provide a formula for the more general problem of finding the projection onto the set of rectangular matrices with prescribed scaled row and column sums. Our approach is based on computing the Moore–Penrose inverse of a certain linear operator associated with the problem. In fact, our analysis holds even for Hilbert–Schmidt operators, and we do not have to assume consistency. We also perform numerical experiments featuring the new projection operator.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on African indigenous vegetables value chain in Kenya
Authors: Ogada Maurice Juma , Justus Ochieng’ , Paul Maina , Omondi Sikei Geophrey , Juma Adero Nashon , Taracha Evans , Ahmed Hassan
Published: December 2021

Background

African indigenous vegetables are important for food security and nutrition, and income of the poor farm households. In the era of COVID-19, they are critical for boosting people’s immunity. Unfortunately, both production of and trade in these vegetables is likely to be severely affected by the pandemic.

Methods

This study examined potential effects of COVID-19 pandemic on production and trade of African indigenous vegetables using a cross-sectional survey of 244 farmers and 246 traders from different regions in Kenya.

Results

COVID-19 has a negative impact on production and trading of AIVs in Kenya. Findings indicate that 75% of the farmers are experiencing declining production due to reduced access to input, farm labour and output market. Secondly, about 98% of the traders have recorded a drop in sales volumes due to containment measures implemented by the government and personal safety precautions. In particular, farmers’ production and traders’ sales volumes declined by 39 and 65%, respectively, during the first phase of the pandemic.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that the sub-sector requires targeted interventions which may include input support, careful reopening and control of the open-air markets, reduced taxation and facilitated access to urban markets.
Long-term and combined effects of N-[2-(nitrooxy)ethyl]-3-pyridinecarboxamide and fumaric acid on methane production, rumen fermentation, and lactation performance in dairy goats
Authors: Li Zongjun , Lei Xinjian , Chen Xiaoxu , Yin Qingyan , Shen Jing , Yao Junhu
Published: December 2021

Background

In recent years, nitrooxy compounds have been identified as promising inhibitors of methanogenesis in ruminants. However, when animals receive a nitrooxy compound, a high portion of the spared hydrogen is eructated as gas, which partly offsets the energy savings of CH4 mitigation. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the long-term and combined effects of supplementation with N-[2-(nitrooxy)ethyl]-3-pyridinecarboxamide (NPD), a methanogenesis inhibitor, and fumaric acid (FUM), a hydrogen sink, on enteric CH4 production, rumen fermentation, bacterial populations, apparent nutrient digestibility, and lactation performance of dairy goats.

Results

Twenty-four primiparous dairy goats were used in a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: supplementation without or with FUM (32 g/d) or NPD (0.5 g/d). All samples were collected every 3 weeks during a 12-week feeding experiment. Both FUM and NPD supplementation persistently inhibited CH4 yield (L/kg DMI, by 18.8% and 18.1%, respectively) without negative influence on DMI or apparent nutrient digestibility. When supplemented in combination, no additive CH4 suppression was observed. FUM showed greater responses in increasing the molar proportion of propionate when supplemented with NPD than supplemented alone (by 10.2% vs. 4.4%). The rumen microbiota structure in the animals receiving FUM was different from that of the other animals, particularly changed the structure of phylum Firmicutes. Daily milk production and serum total antioxidant capacity were improved by NPD, but the contents of milk fat and protein were decreased, probably due to the bioactivity of absorbed NPD on body metabolism.

Conclusions

Supplementing NPD and FUM in combination is a promising way to persistently inhibit CH4 emissions with a higher rumen propionate proportion. However, the side effects of this nitrooxy compound on animals and its residues in animal products need further evaluation before it can be used as an animal feed additive.
Feasibility and acceptability of transcranial stimulation in obsessive–compulsive symptoms (FEATSOCS): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD)
Authors: Cinosi Eduardo , Adam David , Aslan Ibrahim , Baldwin David , Chillingsworth Kieran , Enara Arun , Gale Tim , Garg Kabir , Garner Matthew , Gordon Robert , Hall Natalie , Huneke Nathan T. M. , Kucukterzi-Ali Sonay , McCarthy Joanne , Meron Daniel , Monji-Patel Deela , Mooney Roisin , Robbins Trevor , Smith Megan , Sireau Nick , Wellsted David , Wyatt Solange , Fineberg Naomi A.
Published: December 2021

Background

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder which often proves refractory to current treatment approaches. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a noninvasive form of neurostimulation, with potential for development as a self-administered intervention, has shown potential as a safe and efficacious treatment for OCD in a small number of trials. The two most promising stimulation sites are located above the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and the supplementary motor area (SMA).

Methods

The aim of this feasibility study is to inform the development of a definitive trial, focussing on the acceptability, safety of the intervention, feasibility of recruitment, adherence and tolerability to tDCS and study assessments and the size of the treatment effect. To this end, we will deliver a double-blind, sham-controlled, crossover randomised multicentre study in 25 adults with OCD. Each participant will receive three courses of tDCS (SMA, OFC and sham), randomly allocated and given in counterbalanced order. Each course comprises four 20-min stimulations, delivered over two consecutive days, separated by at least 4 weeks’ washout period. We will collect information about recruitment, study conduct and tDCS delivery. Blinded raters will assess clinical outcomes before, during and up to 4 weeks after stimulation using validated scales. We will include relevant objective neurocognitive tasks, testing cognitive flexibility, motor disinhibition, cooperation and habit learning.

Discussion

We will analyse the magnitude of the effect of the interventions on OCD symptoms alongside the standard deviation of the outcome measure, to estimate effect size and determine the optimal stimulation target. We will also measure the duration of the effect of stimulation, to provide information on spacing treatments efficiently. We will evaluate the usefulness and limitations of specific neurocognitive tests to determine a definitive test battery. Additionally, qualitative data will be collected from participants to better understand their experience of taking part in a tDCS intervention, as well as the impact on their overall quality of life. These clinical outcomes will enable the project team to further refine the methodology to ensure optimal efficiency in terms of both delivering and assessing the treatment in a full-scale trial.

Trial registration

ISRCTN17937049. (date applied 08/07/2019).

Recruitment (ongoing) began 23rd July 2019 and is anticipated to complete 30th April 2021.
In Vivo Metabolic Roles of G Proteins of the Gi Family Studied With Novel Mouse Models
Authors: Wess Jürgen
Published: December 2021

G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the target of ~30% to 35% of all US Food and Drug Administration–approved drugs. The individual members of the GPCR superfamily couple to 1 or more functional classes of heterotrimeric G proteins. The physiological outcome of activating a particular GPCR in vivo depends on the pattern of receptor distribution and the type of G proteins activated by the receptor. Based on the structural and functional properties of their α-subunits, heterotrimeric G proteins are subclassified into 4 major families: Gs, Gi/o, Gq/11, and G12/13. Recent studies with genetically engineered mice have yielded important novel insights into the metabolic roles of Gi/o-type G proteins. For example, recent data indicate that Gi signaling in pancreatic α-cells plays a key role in regulating glucagon release and whole body glucose homeostasis. Receptor-mediated activation of hepatic Gi signaling stimulates hepatic glucose production, suggesting that inhibition of hepatic Gi signaling could prove clinically useful to reduce pathologically elevated blood glucose levels. Activation of adipocyte Gi signaling reduces plasma free fatty acid levels, thus leading to improved insulin sensitivity in obese, glucose-intolerant mice. These new data suggest that Gi-coupled receptors that are enriched in metabolically important cell types represent potential targets for the development of novel drugs useful for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders.
Low-Concentration Norepinephrine Infusion for Major Surgery: A Safety and Feasibility Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Aykanat Verna M. , Myles Paul S. , Weinberg Laurence , Burrell Aidan , Bellomo Rinaldo
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND:

Prevention of hypotension during the intra- and postoperative period is an important goal. Peripheral administration of low-concentration norepinephrine may be a safe and effective strategy to reduce the risk of hypotension.

METHODS:

We conducted a 2-center, randomized pilot feasibility trial, with a target of 60 adult patients undergoing major noncardiac surgery. We randomized patients to receive a peripheral low-concentration (10 µg/mL) norepinephrine or placebo (saline 0.9%) infusion. The study drug infusion was titrated to achieve a minimum systolic blood pressure target, preselected within 10% of baseline value and within the range limit 100 to 120 mm Hg during surgery and for up to 4 or 24 hours postoperatively.

RESULTS:

We achieved a high consent rate (84%), successful study drug administration throughout surgery (98% of patients) and absence of unblinding. There were no important study drug-related adverse events. The average intraoperative systolic blood pressure was 120 ± 12.6 mm Hg in the norepinephrine group and 115 ± 14.9 mm Hg in the placebo group. The mean difference between the intraoperative systolic blood pressure achieved less the preselected minimum systolic blood pressure target was 10.0 ± 12.7 mm Hg in the norepinephrine group and 2.9 ± 14.7 mm Hg in the placebo group; difference in means, 7.1 (95% confidence interval, 0.2–14.0) mm Hg.

CONCLUSIONS:

A future large trial evaluating the effectiveness and safety of peripheral administration of low-concentration norepinephrine during the perioperative period is feasible, and likely to achieve a minimum systolic blood pressure threshold.
Extracellular Vesicles From Women With Severe Preeclampsia Impair Vascular Endothelial Function
Authors: Murugesan Saravanakumar , Hussey Hanna , Saravanakumar Lakshmi , Sinkey Rachel G. , Sturdivant Adam B. , Powell Mark F. , Berkowitz Dan E.
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND:

Preeclampsia (PE) manifesting as hypertension and organ injury is mediated by vascular dysfunction. In biological fluids, extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing microRNA (miRNA), protein, and other cargo released from the placenta may serve as carriers to propagate injury, altering the functional phenotype of endothelial cells. PE has been consistently correlated with increased levels of placenta-derived EVs (pEVs) in maternal circulation. However, whether pEVs impaired endothelial cell function remains to be determined. In this study, we hypothesize that pEVs from pregnant women with severe PE (sPE) impair endothelial function through altered cell signaling.

METHODS:

We obtained plasma samples from women with sPE (n = 14) and normotensive pregnant women (n = 15) for the isolation of EVs. The total number of EV and pEV contribution was determined by quantifying immunoreactive EV-cluster of designation 63 (CD63) and placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) as placenta-specific markers, respectively. Vascular endothelial functional assays were determined by cell migration, electric cell-substrate impedance sensing in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs), and wire myography in isolated blood vessels, preincubated with EVs from normotensive and sPE women.

RESULTS:

Plasma EV and pEV levels were increased in sPE when compared to normotensive without a significant size distribution difference in sPE (108.8 ± 30.2 nm) and normotensive-EVs (101.3 ± 20.3 nm). Impaired endothelial repair and proliferation, reduced endothelial barrier function, reduced endothelial-dependent vasorelaxation, and decreased nitrite level indicate that sPE-EVs induced vascular endothelial dysfunction. Moreover, sPE-EVs significantly downregulated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS and p-eNOS) when compared to normotensive-EV.

CONCLUSIONS:

EVs from sPE women impair endothelial-dependent vascular functions in vitro.
Impure Hopes
Authors: Kirksey Eben
Published: December 2021

The experiment in China that produced the world's first babies with “edited” DNA comes out of an international research program aimed at producing an HIV cure. An atmosphere of secrecy surrounded this experiment at the edge of the law. Volunteers who signed up for the experiment were HIV-positive tonzghi—gay and bisexual “comrades” already living with closely guarded secrets and conflicted desires. Impure hopes—a mix of heterosexual dreams about reproductive futurity and biotech speculation about an HIV cure—drove the research forward. Volunteers were caught between dreamworlds, harboring hopes that were not entirely their own. The story of these patients is tangled up with CRISPR, a fast and cheap tool for manipulating DNA that contains tantalizing promises of medical breakthroughs for innovators and investors. Speculation in the innovation economy produced an earlier gene-editing experiment in the United States that brought HIV-positive veterans of ACT UP together with biotechnology entrepreneurs. After achieving promising results, a fickle market pushed gene-editing enterprises away from HIV cure research. Building on earlier work about impure science, this article makes an argument against purity to consider the contours of hope in ethically compromised times. Hope demands ongoing articulation work. As powerful political and economic forces threaten to steal queer hopes or simply capitalize on them, it is important to make our own ethical, political, and discursive cuts—to selectively renew some articulations while breaking other connections.
Future land use change simulations for the Lepelle River Basin using Cellular Automata Markov model with Land Change Modeller-generated transition areas
Authors: Ikegwuoha Darlington Chineye , Weepener Harold Louw , Dinka Megersa Olumana
Published: December 2021

Background: Land use/land cover (LULC), change is one of the major contributors to global environmental and climate variations. The ability to predict future LULC is crucial for environmental engineers, civil engineers, urban designers, and natural resource managers for planning activities.

Methods: TerrSet Geospatial Monitoring and Modelling System in conjunction with ArcGIS Pro 2.8 were used to process LULC data for the region of the Lepelle River Basin (LRB) of South Africa. Driver variables such as population density, slope, elevation as well as the Euclidean distances of cities, roads, highways, railroads, parks and restricted areas, towns to the LRB in combination with LULC data were analysed using the Land Change Modeller (LCM) and Cellular-Automata Markov (CAM) model.

Results: The results reveal an array of losses (-) and gains (+) for certain LULC classes in the LRB by the year 2040: natural vegetation (+8.5%), plantations (+3.5%), water bodies (-31.6%), bare ground (-8.8%), cultivated land (-29.3%), built-up areas (+10.6%) and mines (+14.4%).

Conclusions: The results point to the conversion of land uses from natural to anthropogenic by 2040. These changes also highlight how the potential losses associated with resources such as water will negatively impact society and ecosystem functioning in the LRB by exacerbating water scarcity driven by climate change. This modelling study seeks to provides a decision support system for predicting future land resource utilization in the LRB and perhaps assist for planning purposes.
Reducing the Complexity of Casual Representation in Bayesian Belief Network
Authors: Wee Yit Yin , Tan Shing Chiang , Wee KuokKwee
Published: December 2021

Background: Bayesian Belief Network (BBN) is a well-established causal framework that is widely adopted in various domains and has a proven track record of success in research and application areas. However, BBN has weaknesses in causal knowledge elicitation and representation. The representation of the joint probability distribution in the Conditional Probability Table (CPT) has increased the complexity and difficulty for the user either in comprehending the causal knowledge or using it as a front-end modelling tool.  

Methods: This study aims to propose a simplified version of the BBN ─ Bayesian causal model, which can represent the BBN intuitively and proposes an inference method based on the simplified version of BBN. The CPT in the BBN is replaced with the causal weight in the range of[-1,+1] to indicate the causal influence between the nodes. In addition, an inferential algorithm is proposed to compute and propagate the influence in the causal model. 

Results: A case study is used to validate the proposed inferential algorithm. The results show that a Bayesian causal model is able to predict and diagnose the increment and decrement as in BBN.  

Conclusions: The Bayesian causal model that serves as a simplified version of BBN has shown its advantages in modelling and representation, especially from the knowledge engineering perspective.
What practice nurses need to know about the NICE chronic kidney disease guidelines
Authors: Ellis Peter
Published: December 2021

Chronic kidney disease is highly prevalent in the community. Peter Ellis looks at the role of the practice nurse in diagnosing and managing chronic kidney disease in general practice

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as a reduction in kidney function, or damage to kidney structure, which has persisted for greater than 3 months and which is associated with other health-related issues. While there are many causes of CKD, the most prevalent in western societies, including the UK, are diabetes and hypertension. This article identifies the role of the practice nurse in applying the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for CKD.
Identification and management of dysfunctional breathing in primary care
Authors: Henry Heather , Wells Charlotte
Published: December 2021

Dysfunctional breathing can lead to a range of symptoms that can be confused with neurological, respiratory and cardiac disease. Heather Henry and Charlotte Wells give an overview of the signs, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this condition

General practice nurses (GPNs) are often on the front-line of respiratory assessment. Dysfunctional breathing (often termed breathing pattern disorder) is a term that relates to changes in breathing patterns. Since dysfunctional breathing can be confused with neurological, respiratory and cardiac disease, this article will help GPNs to understand the signs, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Supervised Learning Applied to Graduation Forecast of Industrial Engineering Students
Authors: Canto Natalia Gil , Oliveira Marcelo Albuquerque de , Veroneze Gabriela de Mattos
Published: December 2021

The article aims to develop a machine-learning algorithm that can predict student’s graduation in the Industrial Engineering course at the Federal University of Amazonas based on their performance data. The methodology makes use of an information package of 364 students with an admission period between 2007 and 2019, considering characteristics that can affect directly or indirectly in the graduation of each one, being: type of high school, number of semesters taken, grade-point average, lockouts, dropouts and course terminations. The data treatment considered the manual removal of several characteristics that did not add value to the output of the algorithm, resulting in a package composed of 2184 instances. Thus, the logistic regression, MLP and XGBoost models developed and compared could predict a binary output of graduation or non-graduation to each student using 30% of the dataset to test and 70% to train, so that was possible to identify a relationship between the six attributes explored and achieve, with the best model, 94.15% of accuracy on its predictions.
Agradecimentos em Teses e Dissertações de Comunicação: as redes da subjetividade na produção acadêmica.
Authors: Martino Luis Mauro Sa , Marques Angela Cristina Salgueiro
Published: December 2021

Este texto delineia aspectos da trama de subjetividades presentes na elaboração de um trabalho acadêmico, tal como representadas nos agradecimentos e dedicatórias de teses e dissertações. Foram examinadas 595 produções defendidas em 2015 e 2016, a partir das quais foi selecionado um corpus de 118 trabalhos para a pesquisa. A análise mostrou três principais eixos de relações: (1) o suporte da a rede familiar e de valores religiosos; (2) vínculos institucionais, dentre os quais se destaca a orientação e as instituições de fomento; (3) o uso do espaço dos agradecimentos para reflexões sobre a jornada de pesquisa. Discute-se, a partir daí, a relação entre práticas epistemológicas e o modo como são tecidas as potências, e enfrentados os limites, do estudo acadêmico.
Pós-Modernidade e Comunicação: Dos Meios de Massa aos Meios Digitais
Authors: Dugnani Patricio
Published: December 2021

Nesse artigo pretende-se analisar a influência do uso dos meios de comunicação na transformação da sociedade pós-moderna. Tomando-se como foco a passagem da hegemonia do uso dos meios de comunicação de massa, para o aumento do uso dos meios de comunicação digitais, pretende-se entender, à partir das ideias de Marshall Mcluhan, a relação da formação do sujeito pós-moderno e a alteração que o uso desses meios promovem na sociedade. Acredita-se que o sujeito pós-moderno tem apresentado determinadas mudanças em suas características, pois se alterou a relação entre emissão e recepção com o desenvolvimento dos meios digitais, e esse fator pode revelar o quanto o uso dos meios interfere com o desenvolvimento de uma sociedade. Trata-se de uma pesquisa exploratória e bibliográfica, que busca relacionar Pós-modernidade e a transformação dos meios de comunicação.
VENENO OU DEFENSIVO? Uma análise do discurso acerca do Projeto de Lei que visa a mudança na regulamentação do uso de agrotóxicos no Brasil
Authors: Vollmer Lara Cristina , Perencin Tondato Marcia
Published: December 2021

Este artigo apresenta uma análise dos discursos que envolvem o polêmico Projeto de Lei 6.299/2002 apresentado pela Frente Parlamentar Agropecuária (FPA) e rejeitado por um vasto grupo de instituições. O objetivo é compreender a natureza argumentativa dos dois principais polos ideológicos envolvidos nesta questão e extrair os sentidos produzidos nas narrativas, utilizando para isso a linha francesa de Análise do Discurso (ADF), e recorrendo aos estudos de linguagem e palavra desenvolvidos por Baccega, Bakhtin, Orlandi e Schaff, entre outros autores.
Editorial V.21, n º46
Authors: Pessoni Arquimedes
Published: December 2021

Editorial Revista C&I volume nº 21 edição nº 46
Planejamento Estratégico em Comunicação Digital: apontamentos e possibilidades entre a teoria e a prática
Authors: Karhawi Issaaf , Frazon Terra Carolina
Published: December 2021

O artigo tem o objetivo de refletir acerca do planejamento estratégico a partir de conceitos teóricos e práticos e propor etapas para o planejamento em comunicação digital. O texto é resultado do questionamento das autoras em relação às matrizes de planejamento existentes com fins de chegar a um modelo "aberto" que possa ser adaptado e "moldado" de acordo com a necessidade de quem o aplica. A metodologia fundante da proposta é a pesquisa bibliográfica.
A Comparative Analysis on Korean Medical and Western Medical Service Usage Tendency of Rotator Cuff Surgery Patients - Using HIRA’s Patients Sample Data
Authors: Khang Hyun-jin , Lee Hye-Yoon , Lee Se-Yeon , Kim NamKwen , Song YunKyung
Published: December 2021

Objectives: To lay the foundation for future research into Korean Medicine treatment for Rotator Cuff repair surgery patients by analyzing Korean Medical and Western Medical service utilization and treatment duration.Methods: Data sampling was performed on 2015’s HIRA patient data (confidence level of 97%) to analyze patients’ Korean Medical and Western Medical service usage tendency. Sampled groups were divided into two groups: i) Patients who completed their treatment within five months after the rotator cuff surgery (termination group), ii) Patients who were treated for more than five months after the surgery (continuation group). Then the patients’ Korean Medical and Western Medical service usage tendency was investigated and information of these patients are arranged.Results: Out of 1,453,486 patients who were gathered for sampling, 2,461 patients in total had gone through rotator cuff repair surgery. The termination group had 517 patients and the continuation group had 541 patients. The proportion of patients who visited a Korean Medicine clinic was lower in the termination group than the continuation group.Conclusion: The continuation group received more treatments (both in Western Medicine and Korean Medicine) and spent more on medical expenses compared to the termination group. Further research is highly recommended for more efficient Western Medicine and Korean Medicine treatments and reduced medical expenditure.
Effect of oils on the transmission properties of a terahertz photonic crystal
Authors: Hernández-Roa Dahí L. , García-Jomaso Yesenia A. , Bruce Neil C. , Garduño-Mejía Jesús , Pilloni Oscar , Oropeza-Ramos Laura , Treviño-Palacios Carlos G. , Ordoñez-Romero Cesar L. , Velázquez-Benítez Amado M. , Qureshi Naser
Published: December 2021

The transmission properties of a photonic crystal immersed in several different oils have been characterized using terahertz time domain spectroscopy in the spectral range of 0.3–1.5 THz. As in previous works, oil samples can be distinguished using terahertz transmission measurements. When the same oils are introduced into a photonic crystal, we find that the effective refractive index of the photonic crystal is sensitive to the properties of the oils and shows differences not seen in bulk measurements. These effects are described in detail and have potential applications in both the sensing of very small volumes of oils and in the fine control of the refractive indices of photonic crystals.
Edge roll-off suppression method in double-sided lapping with fixed abrasives
Authors: Pan Bo , Kang Renke , Guo Xiaoguang , Yu Nan , Guo Jiang
Published: December 2021

Edge roll-off affects the performance of key parts in precision optics processing. Currently, the evolution mechanism of edge roll-off is not understood clearly, and the existing suppression methods for edge roll-off are not qualified in real applications. To address the problem, this paper presents a new edge roll-off suppression method in double-sided lapping with fixed abrasives. The evolution mechanism of edge roll-off in double-sided lapping is analyzed by utilizing the finite element method (FEM). Three key influential factors affecting edge roll-off, including filling materials and the width of the sacrificial and filling loops, are optimized by FEM analysis and verified by experiments. By applying the optimized parameters, the depth and width of the edge roll-off on thin copper substrates are reduced by about 80% and 55%, respectively.
Adaptive optics two-photon excited fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium in the living non-human primate eye
Authors: Walters Sarah , Feeks James A. , Huynh Khang T. , Hunter Jennifer J.
Published: December 2021

Fluorescence lifetime imaging has demonstrated promise as a quantitative measure of cell health. Adaptive optics two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) ophthalmoscopy enables excitation of intrinsic retinal fluorophores involved in cellular metabolism and the visual cycle, providing in vivo visualization of retinal structure and function at the cellular scale. Combining these technologies revealed that macaque cones had a significantly longer mean TPEF lifetime than rods at 730 nm excitation. At 900 nm excitation, macaque photoreceptors had a significantly longer mean TPEF lifetime than the retinal pigment epithelium layer. AOFLIO can measure the fluorescence lifetime of intrinsic retinal fluorophores on a cellular scale, revealing differences in lifetime between retinal cell classes.
Optical oxygen saturation imaging in cellular ex vivo lung perfusion to assess lobular pulmonary function
Authors: Sakota Daisuke , Kosaka Ryo , Niikawa Hiromichi , Ohuchi Katsuhiro , Arai Hirokuni , McCurry Kenneth R. , Okamoto Toshihiro
Published: December 2021

Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) is an emerging tool to evaluate marginal lungs in lung transplantation. However, there is no objective metric to monitor lobular regional oxygenation during EVLP. In this study, we developed oxygen saturation (SaO2) imaging to quantitatively assess the regional gas exchange potential of the lower lobes. Ten porcine lungs were randomly divided into control and donation after circulatory death (DCD) groups (n = 5, each). Lungs were perfused in cellular EVLP for 2 h, and multispectral images were continuously collected from the dorsal sides of the lower lobes. We examined whether lower lobe SaO2 correlated with PaO2/FiO2 (P/F) ratios in lower pulmonary veins (PV). The wet/dry ratio in lower lobes was measured and Monte Carlo simulations were performed to investigate the method’s feasibility. There was a significant correlation between lower lobe SaO2 and the P/F ratio in lower PV (r = 0.855, P < 0.001). The DCD group was associated with lower SaO2 and higher wet/dry ratio than the control group (P < 0.001). The error of estimated SaO2 was limited according to Monte Carlo simulations. The developed technology provides a noninvasive and regional evaluative tool of quantitative lobular function in EVLP.
Cell-modified plasmonic interface for the signal-amplified detection of Cucurbitacin E
Authors: Chen Yaofei , Peng Shuihua , Zhao Peili , Chen Lei , Liu Gui-shi , Ouyang Dongyun , Luo Yunhan , Chen Zhe
Published: December 2021

Cucurbitacin E (CuE) plays an important role in anticancer, antichemical carcinogenesis, and body immunity, etc., and the detection of its concentration is meaningful to pharmacological studies and clinical applications. However, the small molecular weight of CuE makes direct detection difficult through a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor. In this work, we propose a cells-amplified signal strategy at the plasmonic interface, realizing the detection of CuE with ultra-low concentration. The seeded HeLa cells are modified onto the surface of the SPR sensor, and a small amount of CuE can lead to the remarkable morphology change of cells and the release of cell-related substances onto the plamonic interface, thus significantly amplifying the signal. Experimental results show that by using an unmodified SPR sensor with the bulk refractive index sensitivity of 2367.3 nm/RIU (RIU: refractive index unit), there no effective signal can be detected during the CuE concentration range of 0-100 nM; whereas, employing the proposed strategy, the signal for CuE detection can be significantly enhanced, resulting in a high detection sensitivity of 0.6196 nm/nM, corresponding to a limit of detection of 45.2 pM (25.2 pg/mL). The proposed cells-based signal amplifying strategy shows great potential applications in drug screening or bio-sensing to small molecules with low concentration.
Feasibility of resonant Raman cooling and radiation balanced lasing in semiconductors
Authors: Khurgin Jacob B.
Published: December 2021

A theory of resonant Raman cooling of semiconductors and radiation balanced Raman lasing based on a simple physical picture is developed. It is shown that in order to achieve Raman cooling a number of often contradictory requirements need to be satisfied—such as relatively low optical phonon energy and large exciton binding energy. As a result, it is unlikely that Raman cooling to less than 250 K can be attained in semiconductors. At the same time, it may be possible to operate a (Stokes) Raman laser that is cooled by anti-Stokes Raman scattering at around 300 K.
Multi-mode plasmonic resonance broadband LWIR metamaterial absorber based on lossy metal ring
Authors: Qin Zheng , Shi Xiaoyan , Yang Fuming , Hou Enzhu , Meng Dejia , Sun Chunfang , Dai Rui , Zhang Shoutao , Liu Hua , Xu Haiyang , Liang Zhongzhu
Published: December 2021

Broadband perfect infrared wave absorption of unpolarized light over a wide range of angles in an ultrathin film is critical for applications such as thermal emitters and imaging. Although many efforts have been made in infrared broadband absorption, it is still challenging to cover the perfect absorption of broadband in the long-wave infrared band. We propose a long-wave infrared broadband, polarization, and incident angle insensitivity metamaterial absorber based on the supercell with four rings of two sizes. Broadband absorption covering the long-wave infrared band is realized by combining four PSPRs and LSPRs absorption peaks excited by the supercell structure. The absorptivity of our absorber exceeds 90% in the wavelength range of 7.76∼14µm, and the average absorptivity reaches 93.8%. The absorber maintains more than 80% absorptivity as the incident angle of unpolarized light reaches 60°, which may have promising applications for thermal emitters, infrared imaging, thermal detection.
Orthogonal manipulations of phase and phase dispersion in realization of azimuthal angle-resolved focusings
Authors: Yu Feilong , Zhao Zengyue , Chen Jin , Wang Jiuxu , Jin Rong , Chen Jian , Wang Jian , Li Guanhai , Chen Xiaoshuang , Lu Wei
Published: December 2021

In conventional achromatic metasurfaces configurations where the engineering paths of phase and phase dispersion are the same, limited phase dispersion control range inevitably imposes a restriction on the broadband device size, which otherwise can be arranged in a periodic manner to achieve infinite size at a single wavelength. In addition to this, the adoption of geometric-phase structures imparts the orthogonal circular polarization conversion, whereas the birefringent propagation-phase structures bring an uncertain polarization state, thus resulting in an incomplete polarization conversion. In this study, we propose an azimuthal angle-resolved beam-deflection metasurface at the same polar angle with orthogonal phase and phase dispersion control paths. Periodic expansion is implemented to achieve unlimited device size along the phase control path and the broadband light is monotonously and azimuthally deflected to the designated polar angle with the delicate design along the dispersion path. In addition, the non-crossed polarized light arising from the incomplete geometric phase control would naturally separate from the cross-polarized light when adjusting the planar geometric parameters of the birefringent metaatoms to realize dispersion control. This design scenario may find applications in phased-array detection applications where beams are azimuthally swept to search targets at one polar angle.
Optical temperature sensing by tuning photoluminescence in a wide (visible to near infrared) wavelength range in a Eu3+-doped Bi-based relaxor ferroelectric
Authors: De Arnab , Mishra Anupam , Khatua Dipak Kumar , Dwij Vivek , Sathe Vasant , Jena Satyam , Ranjan Rajeev
Published: December 2021

The prevalent material design principles for optical thermometry primarily rely on thermally driven changes in the relative intensities of the thermally coupled levels (TCLs) of rare-earth-doped phosphor materials, where the maximum achievable sensitivity is limited by the energy gap between the TCLs. In this work, a new, to the best of our knowledge, approach to thermometric material design is proposed, which is based on temperature tuning of PL emission from the visible to the NIR region. We demonstrate a model ferroelectric phosphor, Eu3+-doped 0.94(Na1/2Bi1/2TiO3)–0.06(BaTiO3) (NBT-6BT), which, by virtue of the contrasting effects of temperature on PL signals from the host and Eu3+ intraband transitions, can achieve a relative thermal sensitivity as high as 3.05% K−1. This model system provides a promising alternative route for developing self-referencing optical thermometers with high thermal sensitivity and good signal discriminability.
Metasurface-assisted multidimensional manipulation of a light wave based on spin-decoupled complex amplitude modulation
Authors: Guo Xuyue , Zhong Jinzhan , Li Peng , Wen Dandan , Liu Sheng , Wei Bingyan , Qi Shuxia , Zhao Jianlin
Published: December 2021

Achieving arbitrary manipulation of the fundamental properties of a light wave with a metasurface is highly desirable and has been extensively developed in recent years. However, common approaches are typically targeted to manipulate only one dimension of light wave (amplitude, phase, or polarization), which is not quite sufficient for the acquisition of integrated multifunctional devices. Here, we propose a strategy to design single-layer dielectric metasurfaces that can achieve multidimensional modulation of a light wave. The critical point of this strategy is spin-decoupled complex amplitude modulation, which is realized by combining propagation and geometric phases with polarization-dependent interference. As proofs of concept, perfect vector vortex beams and polarization-switchable stereoscopic holographic scenes are experimentally demonstrated to exhibit the capability of multidimensional light wave manipulation, which unlocks a flexible approach for the multidimensional manipulation of a light wave such as complex light-wave control and vectorial holography in integrated optics and polarization-oriented applications.
Color ghost imaging through the scattering media based on A-cGAN
Authors: Liu Hang , Chen Yani , Zhang Li , Li Da-Hai , Li Xiaowei
Published: December 2021

Ghost imaging plays an important role in the field of optical imaging. To realize color ghost imaging through the scattering media, we propose a deep learning method with high generation ability. Through our method, we can efficiently reconstruct color images with rich details, in line with human perception and close to the target color pictures. Experimental results show that our method can image through the scattering media with different scattering intensities and achieve good results even at a sampling rate of 0.1.
Structural and emission improvement of cyan-emitting InGaN quantum wells by introducing a large substrate misorientation angle
Authors: Kafar A. , Sakaki A. , Ishii R. , Shojiki K. , Stanczyk S. , Gibasiewicz K. , Staszczak G. , Marona L. , Schiavon D. , Grzanka S. , Krukowski S. , Suski T. , Perlin P. , Funato M. , Kawakami Y.
Published: December 2021

Within this work, we studied InGaN QWs with nominally 17% InN mole fraction grown within an 80 × 80 μm area with local misorientation angle change from 0.3° to 3.2°. We observed a significant improvement of the photoluminescence intensity for the area with misorientation above 1.5°, which we attribute to the quenching of nonradiative recombination processes. From the structural point of view, the increase of the misorientation angle above 1.5° is accompanied by the improvement of the morphology of the sample and quality of the quantum wells observed through atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. We show that the structural and emission qualities in high-InN- mole fraction layers can be improved just by increasing the misorientation angle of the substrate and that the improved qualities are preserved even for large misorientation angles.
Multi-modal Profiling of the Extracellular Matrix of Human Fallopian Tubes and Serous Tubal Intraepithelial Carcinomas
Authors: Renner Carine , Gomez Clarissa , Visetsouk Mike R. , Taha Isra , Khan Aisha , McGregor Stephanie M. , Weisman Paul , Naba Alexandra , Masters Kristyn S. , Kreeger Pamela K.
Published: December 2021

Recent evidence supports the fimbriae of the fallopian tube as one origin site for high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). The progression of many solid tumors is accompanied by changes in the microenvironment, including alterations of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Therefore, we sought to determine the ECM composition of the benign fallopian tube and changes associated with serous tubal intraepithelial carcinomas (STICs), precursors of HGSOC. The ECM composition of benign human fallopian tube was first defined from a meta-analysis of published proteomic datasets that identified 190 ECM proteins. We then conducted de novo proteomics using ECM enrichment and identified 88 proteins, 7 of which were not identified in prior studies (COL2A1, COL4A5, COL16A1, elastin, LAMA5, annexin A2, and PAI1). To enable future in vitro studies, we investigated the levels and localization of ECM components included in tissue-engineered models (type I, III, and IV collagens, fibronectin, laminin, versican, perlecan, and hyaluronic acid) using multispectral immunohistochemical staining of fimbriae from patients with benign conditions or STICs. Quantification revealed an increase in stromal fibronectin and a decrease in epithelial versican in STICs. Our results provide an in-depth picture of the ECM in the benign fallopian tube and identified ECM changes that accompany STIC formation. (J Histochem Cytochem XX: XXX–XXX, XXXX)
Heterophilic and homophilic cadherin interactions in intestinal intermicrovillar links are species dependent
Authors: Gray Michelle E. , Johnson Zachary R. , Modak Debadrita , Tamilselvan Elakkiya , Tyska Matthew J. , Sotomayor Marcos
Published: December 2021

Enterocytes are specialized epithelial cells lining the luminal surface of the small intestine that build densely packed arrays of microvilli known as brush borders. These microvilli drive nutrient absorption and are arranged in a hexagonal pattern maintained by intermicrovillar links formed by 2 nonclassical members of the cadherin superfamily of calcium-dependent cell adhesion proteins: protocadherin-24 (PCDH24, also known as CDHR2) and the mucin-like protocadherin (CDHR5). The extracellular domains of these proteins are involved in heterophilic and homophilic interactions important for intermicrovillar function, yet the structural determinants of these interactions remain unresolved. Here, we present X-ray crystal structures of the PCDH24 and CDHR5 extracellular tips and analyze their species-specific features relevant for adhesive interactions. In parallel, we use binding assays to identify the PCDH24 and CDHR5 domains involved in both heterophilic and homophilic adhesion for human and mouse proteins. Our results suggest that homophilic and heterophilic interactions involving PCDH24 and CDHR5 are species dependent with unique and distinct minimal adhesive units.