bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EDGE-Gastric Arm A1: Phase 2 study of domvanalimab, zimberelimab, and FOLFOX in first-line (1L) advanced gastroesophageal cancer.
Authors: Janjigian Yelena Y. , Oh Do-Youn , Pelster Meredith , Wainberg Zev A. , Sison Edward Allan R. , Scott Jennifer R. , Ronayne Jack , Wishengrad Dana , Rhee Joon , Nuyten Dimitry S. A. , Rha Sun Young
Published: November 2023

433248

Background: The addition of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors to chemotherapy (chemo) confers a survival advantage in 1L gastroesophageal cancers. However, long term outcomes remain poor. Dual PD-1 and anti-T-cell immunoglobulin and ITM domain (TIGIT) blockade increases tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cell expansion, resulting in potent antitumor activity. The ongoing, multi-arm, global EDGE-Gastric trial (NCT05329766) is evaluating the safety and efficacy of various combinations of the anti-TIGIT Fc-silent monoclonal antibody (mAb) domvanalimab (D) and the anti-PD-1 mAb zimberelimab (Z) in patients (pts) with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic gastric (G)/gastroesophageal junction (GEJ)/esophageal (E) adenocarcinoma. Arm A1 is fully enrolled and results from this 1L arm are presented here. Methods: Patients with previously untreated G/GEJ/E adenocarcinoma received D 1600 mg intravenously (IV) every 4 weeks (Q4W) + Z 480 mg IV Q4W + FOLFOX (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 IV, leucovorin 400 mg/m2 IV, fluorouracil 400 mg/m2 IV bolus + 2400 mg/m2 continuous 46-48-hour IV infusion) Q2W. Primary endpoints are safety and objective response rate (ORR) per RECIST 1.1. Secondary endpoints include ORR by PD-L1 expression and PFS. Results: As of the data cutoff (5 June 2023), 41 pts were enrolled and had the opportunity to have ≥2 imaging assessments. There was an even distribution of pts accrued in Asia vs. rest of world and 63% of pts had gastric cancer. Median time on treatment was 23 weeks (1 to 40), 31 pts (76%) continue on protocol therapy, and there were no deaths on study. Intent-to-treat ORR was 59% (95% CI 42 to 74). Clinical outcomes by PD-L1 status are in the Table. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAE) were neutropenia (56% of pts), nausea (54%), and anemia (27%). Infusion related reactions were observed in 10% and none were deemed related to D/Z. Grade ≥3 TEAEs occurred in 66% pts, with 54% and 12% having grade ≥3 TEAEs related to FOLFOX and D/Z, respectively. Serious TEAEs occurred in 24% pts: 7% had serious TEAEs related to FOLFOX and no pts had serious TEAEs related to D/Z. TEAE related FOLFOX discontinuation occurred in 13 pts (32%), and in 1 pt due to D/Z. Conclusions: Addition of DZ to FOLFOX showed encouraging ORR and early PFS, particularly in pts with PD-L1-high tumors. The regimen is well tolerated, with a similar AE profile to anti-PD-1+FOLFOX. Updated safety and efficacy will be presented. The randomized phase 3 1L STAR-221 trial of DZ+chemo vs. SOC is underway. Clinical trial information: NCT05329766 . [Table: see text]
Nanohybrid Based on (Mn, Zn) Ferrite Nanoparticles Functionalized With Chitosan and Sodium Alginate for Loading of Curcumin Against Human Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Ahmadi Fatemeh , Saeedi Majid , Akbari Jafar , Seyedabadi Mohammad , Ebrahimnejad Pedram , Morteza-Semnani Katayoun , Ghasemi Shahram , Moalem-Banhangi Monire , Babaei Amirhossein , Hashemi Seyyed Mohammad Hassan , Asare-Addo Kofi , Nokhodchi Ali
Published: November 2023

This study reports on the synthesis of Mn1 − xZnxFe2O4 (Mn, Zn ferrite) magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as drug delivery carriers for effective therapeutic outcomes. The MNPs were prepared using the coprecipitation method, and their magnetic properties were investigated based on their composition. Among the compositions tested, Mn0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 MNPs exhibited superparamagnetic properties with a saturation magnetization moment of 34.6 emu/g at room temperature (25°C). To enhance the water solubility of curcumin (Cur), known for its hydrophobic nature, it was successfully loaded onto alginate (Alg)/chitosan (Chit)@Mn0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 nanoparticles (NPs). The nanocomposite was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) which revealed a particle size of approximately 20 nm. The crystalline structure of the NPs was analyzed using X-ray diffraction, while Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray, and map analysis techniques were employed for further characterization. In terms of drug release, there was an initial burst release of Cur (around 18%) within the first hour, followed by a slower release (approximately 61%) over the next 36 h. The anti-tumor properties of the Cur-loaded NPs were evaluated using the Methyl Thiazol Tetrazolium (MTT) assay and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The MTT assay confirmed a higher cytotoxic effect of Cur-loaded Alg/Chit@Mn0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 NPs on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line compared to free Cur, highlighting the significance of incorporating Cur into nano-sized carrier systems.

Graphical Abstract
Diabetes Mellitus, Energy Metabolism, and COVID-19
Authors: Conte Caterina , Cipponeri Elisa , Roden Michael
Published: November 2023

Obesity, diabetes mellitus (mostly type 2), and COVID-19 show mutual interactions because they are not only risk factors for both acute and chronic COVID-19 manifestations, but also because COVID-19 alters energy metabolism. Such metabolic alterations can lead to dysglycemia and long-lasting effects. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential for a further rise of the diabetes pandemic. This review outlines how preexisting metabolic alterations spanning from excess visceral adipose tissue to hyperglycemia and overt diabetes may exacerbate COVID-19 severity. We also summarize the different effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the key organs and tissues orchestrating energy metabolism, including adipose tissue, liver, skeletal muscle, and pancreas. Last, we provide an integrative view of the metabolic derangements that occur during COVID-19. Altogether, this review allows for better understanding of the metabolic derangements occurring when a fire starts from a small flame, and thereby help reducing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Machine Learning Accelerated Discovery of Subnanoparticles for Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Zou Quan , Kuzume Akiyoshi , Yoshida Masataka , Imaoka Takane , Yamamoto Kimihisa
Published: November 2023

Metal and alloy subnanoparticles (SNPs) have been anticipated to be a class of promising catalysts because of their fundamental difference from nanoparticles (NPs). In general, the interaction among the surface and bulk atoms of SNPs is significant due to the higher degree of alloying in SNPs than that in NPs counterparts. This study compared the SNPs and NPs concerning their electrocatalytic activities of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) to understand the essential difference between alloy SNPs and NPs by using machine learning.
Patient and clinician perspectives of online-delivered exercise programmes for chronic musculoskeletal conditions: protocol for a mixed-methods systematic review.
Authors: Bhardwaj Avantika , Barry Walsh Caoimhe , Ezzat Allison , O'Riordan Cliona , Kennedy Norelee , Toomey Clodagh M.
Published: November 2023

Background Despite the growing economic and social impact of chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, there has been low uptake of clinical guidelines for management, owing partly to the negative perceptions of patients and clinicians of their appropriateness and accessibility. Online-delivered exercise programmes (ODEPs) offer an alternative that can reduce costs and offer convenience for those with mobility limitations. As such, investigating participants’ perceptions of such programmes provides insight into the complexity and interplay of factors associated with uptake and optimization of implementation strategies. Objectives This study aims to systematically review of the literature of patients’ and clinicians’ perceptions of ODEPs for chronic MSK conditions. Methods To ensure the likelihood of identifying all relevant published articles, the following databases will be searched from inception to end of the project: CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE, SportDiscus, AMED, APA PsycArticles, APA PsycInfo, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. Included articles will qualitatively and/or quantitatively report the perceptions of participants of ODEPs for chronic MSK conditions. ODEPs are defined as either (a) synchronous, participants can exchange information simultaneously, or (b) asynchronous, with at least one synchronous feature, or (c) neither, where the authors investigate a participant’s past experiences and/or likelihood of participating in such a programme. Article screening and quality assessment using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklists will be performed by two independent reviewers. All findings from included articles will be extracted and coded using a thematic synthesis approach. Discussion It is important to offer diverse resources to address the growing public health burden of chronic MSK conditions. This study will explore patients and clinicians’ perceptions of ODEPs including needs, appropriateness and acceptability. Our findings could be used by policy makers, clinicians, and researchers to generate new models of care that could influence the uptake and long-term sustainability of ODEPs for chronic MSK conditions. PROSPERO registration CRD42021273773.
Prehospital characteristics that identify major trauma patients: A hybrid systematic review protocol
Authors: Donnelly Nora , Linvill Matthew , Zaidan Ricardo , Simpson Andrew , Brent Louise , Hickey Pamela , Masterson Siobhan , Deasy Conor , Doyle Frank
Published: November 2023

Background International evidence has demonstrated significant improvements both in the trauma care process and outcomes for patients through re-configuring care services from that which is fragmented to integrated trauma networks. A backbone of any trauma network is a trauma triage tool. This is necessary to support paramedic staff in identifying major trauma patients based on prehospital characteristics. However, there is no consensus on an optimal triage tool and with that, no consensus on the minimum criteria for prehospital identification of major trauma. Objective Examine the prehospital characteristics applied in the international literature to identify major trauma patients. Methods To ensure the systematic review is both as comprehensive and complete as possible, we will apply a hybrid overview of reviews approach in accordance with best practice guidelines. Searches will be conducted in Pubmed (Ovid MEDLINE), Embase, Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews and Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials. We will search for papers that analyse prehospital characteristics applied in trauma triage tools that identify major trauma patients. These papers will be all systematic reviews in the area, not limited by year of publication, supplemented with an updated search of original papers from November 2019. Duplication screening of all articles will be conducted by two reviewers and a third reviewer to arbitrate disputes. Data will be extracted using a pre-defined data extraction form, and quality appraised by the Newcastle Ottawa Quality Assessment form. Conclusions An exhaustive search for both systematic reviews and original papers will identify the range of tools developed in the international literature and, importantly, the prehospital characteristics that have been applied to identify major trauma patients. The findings of this review will inform the development of a national clinical prediction rule for triage of major trauma patients.
Measuring data access and re-use in the European Legal Framework for Data, from the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) law to the Proposed Data Act: the case of vehicle data
Authors: Crepax Tommaso , Gaur Mitisha , da Rosa Lazarotto Barbara
Published: November 2023

This article delves into the difficulties and opportunities associated with the acquisition, sharing, and re-purposing of vehicle data, particularly information derived from black boxes used by insurance companies and event data recorders installed by manufacturers. While this data is usually utilized by insurers and car makers, it may benefit consumers, rival firms, and public institutions profiting from access to data for objectives such as data portability between insurance companies, traffic and transportation management, and the development of intelligent mobility solutions. Among other regulations, the authors examine the proposed Data Act as the European chosen champion to address the legal and technical hurdles surrounding the reuse of privately held corporate data, including privacy and intellectual property, competition, and data interoperability issues. The text also offers an overview of the sorts of data obtained through vehicle recording systems and their potential benefits for various stakeholders.

This paper presents a methodology for comparing and evaluating, in an ordinal fashion, the degree of access conferred by various regulations and put it to practical use to assess how much data is currently left out from access by the existing legislation, how much of such data is covered by the Data Act, and ultimately, how much still remains inaccessible for reuse.
Fabrication of hydrogel mini-capsules as carrier systems
Authors: Roberti Elisa , Petrucci Gaia , Bianciardi Francesco , Palagi Stefano
Published: November 2023

Conventional drug administration often results in systemic action, thus needing high dosages and leading to potentially pronounced side effects. Targeted delivery, employing carriers like nanoparticles, aims to release drugs at a target site, but only a small fraction of nanoparticles actually reaches it. Microrobots have been proposed to overcome this issue since they can be guided to hard-to-reach sites and locally deliver payloads. To enhance their functionality, we propose microrobots made as deformable capsules with hydrogel shells and aqueous cores, having the potential added advantages of biocompatibility, permeability, and stimulus-responsiveness. In this study, we present a cost-effective method for fabricating core-shell structures without the use of organic solvents or surfactants. The process begins with the dripping of a mixture of hydrogels, agarose and alginate, into a solution to gelate the drops into beads. After they are loaded with calcium ions at different concentrations, they are immersed in an alginate solution to form the shell. Finally, the beads are heated to let the agarose melt and diffuse out, leaving a liquid core. By varying the concentration of calcium ions, we obtain shells of different thickness. To estimate it, we have developed a method using the colour intensity from microscope images. This allowed us to observe that lowering the calcium ions concentration below a threshold does not lead to the formation of continuous shells. For higher concentrations, although the core may remain partially gelled, continuous shells successfully form. Therefore, our fabrication process could find applications in drug delivery, encapsulation systems, and microrobotics.
The impact of community-based integrated HIV and sexual and reproductive health services for youth on population-level HIV viral load and sexually transmitted infections in Zimbabwe: protocol for the CHIEDZA cluster-randomised trial
Authors: Dziva Chikwari Chido , Dauya Ethel , Bandason Tsitsi , Tembo Mandikudza , Mavodza Constancia , Simms Victoria , Mackworth-Young Constance RS. , Apollo Tsitsi , Grundy Chris , Weiss Helen , Kranzer Katharina , Mavimba Tino , Indravudh Pitchaya , Doyle Aoife , Mugurungi Owen , Machiha Anna , Bernays Sarah , Busza Joanna , Madzima Bernard , Terris-Prestholt Fern , McCarthy Ona , Hayes Richard , Francis Suzanna , Ferrand Rashida A.
Published: November 2023

Background Youth have poorer HIV-related outcomes when compared to other age-groups. We describe the protocol for a cluster randomised trial (CRT) to evaluate the effectiveness of community-based, integrated HIV and sexual and reproductive health services for youth on HIV outcomes. Protocol The CHIEDZA trial is being conducted in three provinces in Zimbabwe, each with eight geographically demarcated areas (clusters) (total 24 clusters) randomised 1:1 to standard of care (existing health services) or to the intervention. The intervention comprises community-based delivery of HIV services including testing, antiretroviral therapy, treatment monitoring and adherence support as well as family planning, syndromic management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), menstrual health management, condoms and HIV prevention and general health counselling. Youth aged 16–24 years living within intervention clusters are eligible to access CHIEDZA services. A CRT of STI screening (chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis) is nested in two provinces (16 of 24 clusters). The intervention is delivered over a 30-month period by a multidisciplinary team trained and configured to provide high-quality, youth friendly services. Outcomes will be ascertained through a population-based survey of 18–24-year-olds. The primary outcome is HIV viral load <1000 copies/ml in those living with HIV and proportion who test positive for STIs (for the nested trial). A detailed process and cost evaluation of the trial will be conducted. Ethics and Dissemination The trial protocol was approved by the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe, the Biomedical Research and Training Institute Institutional Review Board and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Research Ethics Committee. Results will be submitted to open-access peer-reviewed journals, presented at academic meetings and shared with participating communities and with national and international policy-making bodies. Trial Registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/: NCT03719521
The genome sequence of the Flame Shoulder, Ochropleura plecta (Linnaeus, 1761)
Authors: Boyes Douglas , Eagles Marianne ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: November 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Ochropleura plecta (the Flame Shoulder; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Noctuidae). The genome sequence is 643.9 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 32 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the W and Z sex chromosomes. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.34 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 19,016 protein coding genes.
Case Report: A case of disseminated cutaneous listeriosis following appendicitis from Lao PDR
Authors: Evans Terry John , Siratana Vannavong , Venkatesan Timothy , Davong Viengmon , Thanadabouth Khamphong , Ashley Elizabeth A.
Published: November 2023

Background Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne pathogen that is a rare cause of bacteraemia and meningitis in immunosuppressed patients, and carries a high mortality rate. Cutaneous manifestations of listeriosis are rare, and are usually associated with direct inoculation of the skin. Case A 41-year-old woman who initially presented to a hospital in Laos with appendicitis was diagnosed with disseminated cutaneous listeriosis without recognised risk factors. Intra-abdominal pathology probably contributed to bacterial bloodstream invasion. Initial treatment with meropenem was switched to ampicillin based on best practice, however our patient died 5 days after diagnosis. Conclusions This case highlights listeriosis as an important cause of mortality in low- and middle-income countries, exacerbated by poor availability of laboratory diagnostics and ineffective empiric antibiotic regimens. Improvements in food hygiene, surveillance, and increased laboratory capacity are important strategies to reduce rates of infection and clinical outcomes.
Words and expressions in movies: Indonesian English as a foreign language students’ reflection
Authors: Anwar Choiril , Murtadho Dhobith Anis
Published: November 2023

This study was aimed to find out the students’ reflection on the words and expressions found in English-spoken Hollywood movies, more particularly Thor Ragnarok. This descriptive quantitative study was conducted via discord. The population of the study was SMAN 2 Semarang students and the samples were the eleventh-grade students who watch Thor Ragnarok movie. The data were collected through questionnaire. The result of analysis showed that there are many students who feel their English are improved by watching Hollywood movies but they also absorb the culture like kinds of impolite words and expressions. After all, the results can give implication for how students need to study on absorbing western cultures correctly and using the words and expressions properly in appropriate ways.
A postcolonial autopsy on Javanese identity through Campursari lyrics
Authors: Setiawan Rahmat , Nurbani Armelia Nungki , Nurhidayah Sri , Asryan Ani , Nordin Razanawati
Published: November 2023

Campursari seems to reflect submissive identity, but in deconstructive perspective, the identity is chaotic space. By using postcolonial perspective, this research nails its analysis. The approach used in this research is library research with postcolonial approach. The data are the selected lyrics of Didi Kempot’s songs, they are Cidro, Tatu, Suket Teki, Pamer Bojo, and Sewu Kutho. The technique of data collection is documenting and the technique data analysis is interpretation. The result shows that Didi Kempot’s Campursari songs affirm the submissive way of loving. Cidro represents inferiority, Tatu represents surrender, Suket Teki represents inferiority, Pamer Bojo represents betrayal, and Sewu Kutho represents surrender. Those broken love defines Javanese identity which is seen submissive (dominated), but simultaneously, it also exposes a deconstructive point that loving is releasing, and releasing shows non-dominated side.
Amplitude training in occupational therapy for the treatment of Parkinson's disease: a feasibility study
Authors: Venturino Nicole , Stepansky Kasey , Rodak Casey , Cramer Samuel
Published: November 2023

Background/Aims

Parkinson Wellness Recovery Moves is a functional, large-amplitude exercise programme aimed at reducing the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. To date, evidence supports the use of amplitude training to reduce the symptoms of Parkinson's disease; however, evidence is lacking in the feasibility of using Parkinson Wellness Recovery Moves as an adjunct to occupational therapy within inpatient rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of implementing the Parkinson Wellness Recovery Moves intervention into the treatment of patients with Parkinson's disease, within an inpatient rehabilitation hospital.

Methods

A total of five adults with Parkinson's disease participated in this 11-week quasi-experimental feasibility trial. The use of Parkinson Wellness Recovery Moves was standardised, requiring each participant to engage in at least two occupational therapy sessions that included Parkinson Wellness Recovery Moves. Outcomes collected included fidelity of intervention implementation, and participant-centred outcomes of quality of life satisfaction and function via the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 and Section GG respectively.

Results

Each participant had a positive change in Section GG scores and completed between eight and 13 occupational therapy sessions that included Parkinson Wellness Recovery Moves. Four out of five participants reported higher quality of life at the time of discharge.

Conclusions

The use of Parkinson Wellness Recovery Moves was found to be feasible to implement within an inpatient rehabilitation hospital, with increased functional performance and improved quality of life.
Predicting outcomes, describing complications and optimising rehabilitation in patients undergoing lung transplantation
Authors: Polastri Massimiliano , Paganelli Gian Maria
Published: November 2023

Massimiliano Polastri and Gian Maria Paganelli discuss the clinical tools used to predict the clinical progress of patients undergoing lung transplantation.
Unveiling detection probability for multi-Gaussian correlated anomalous vortex modes in maritime atmospheric turbulence
Authors: Al-Ahsab Hassan T. , Cheng Mingjian , Guo Lixin , Cao Yuancong , Wang ShuaiLing
Published: November 2023

In this study, we employ the Rytov approximation to investigate the detection probability of orbital angular momentum (OAM) in multi-Gaussian correlated anomalous vortex (MGCAV) beams under non-Kolmogorov maritime atmospheric turbulence. Our results demonstrate that the OAM detection probability of a MGCAV beam is influenced by various factors, including beam parameters and the characteristics of maritime atmospheric turbulence. Specifically, an increase in propagation distance, beam order, and beam index, or a decrease in inner scale, spatial coherence width, and non-Kolmogorov parameter, leads to a decrease in the OAM detection probability. The phase characteristics of partially coherent vortex modes are affected by both atmospheric turbulence phase and initial random phase, resulting in reduced robustness compared to fully coherent vortex modes. Furthermore, a comparative analysis between Gaussian–Schell correlated anomalous vortex (GSCAV) beams and MGCAV beams reveals the superior resilience of GSCAV beams in mitigating the impact of maritime atmospheric turbulence. Moreover, specific combinations of beam order, topological charge, and beam waist, or the optimal beam width, yield maximum OAM detection probability or minimum scintillation. These findings provide valuable insights applicable to optical communication, particularly in scenarios above sea and ocean levels.
Enhancing efficiency of complex field encoding for amplitude-only spatial light modulator based on a neural network
Authors: Yang Daeho
Published: November 2023

The widespread adoption of artificial neural networks for hologram synthesis can be attributed to their ability to improve image quality and reduce computational costs. In this study, we propose an alternative use of artificial neural networks to improve the optical efficiency of complex field encoding. The neural encoding significantly enhances the efficiency of amplitude-only SLMs, resulting in 2.4-fold optical efficiency enhancement with negligible image quality degradation compared to the Burch encoding method. Notably, the experimental results demonstrate that the neural encoding method has even higher image quality, providing an approximately 2.5 dB enhancement in a peak signal-to-noise ratio. The neural encoding method offers promise in mitigating a fundamental challenge of conventional amplitude-only holograms, namely its low efficiency.
Post-FEC performance evaluation of optical SDM systems with mode-dependent loss
Authors: Torres Luis M. , Cañete Francisco J. , Díez Luis
Published: November 2023

This work is focused on the bit error rate (BER) performance of spatial division multiplexing (SDM) systems over an optical channel with mode-dependent loss or gain (collectively referred to in this paper as MDL). When the latter is non-negligible, the BER has a random nature that introduces the outage probability as an important performance metric for the system design and also impacts on the selection of a forward-error correction (FEC) scheme. In MDL-impaired SDM systems, the pre-FEC BER is a random variable whose probability density function (PDF) and coding gain depend on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the receiver input. Hence, the common and simple approach of adding a coding gain factor to the pre-FEC BER to obtain the post-FEC BER is not adequate, and numerical simulations are needed. In this paper, we simulate and analyze the performance in terms of post-FEC BER for two proposals of applying low-density parity check (LDPC) FEC encoder/decoder in a SDM system MDL-impaired and an optimal linear multiple input multiple output (MIMO) receiver. In the first one, the LDPC is applied independently to each mode, and in the second one, the LDPC is applied among all SDM modes. Simulation results indicate that the first proposal outperforms the second. Simplifications in the log-likelihood ratio (LLR) computations have also been considered.
Optical frequency comb generation using cascaded injection of semiconductor lasers
Authors: Tang Hsu-Ting , Hung Yu-Han
Published: November 2023

We study optical frequency comb (OFC) generation using cascaded injection of semiconductor lasers in this work. The OFC generation system is operated in two cascaded optical injection stages. When a master laser optically injects into the first stage with proper injection power and frequency, period-one (P1) dynamics are invoked in an optically injected semiconductor laser of the first stage. Another semiconductor laser in the second stage is then optically injected by the P1 dynamics. With proper injection power adjusted in the second stage, the P1 dynamics are regenerated, and the semiconductor laser relaxation oscillations (ROs) become undamped so that subharmonic oscillations appear. Because a subharmonic oscillation frequency is half of an oscillation frequency of the P1 dynamics, extra optical frequency components appear in the middle of the adjacent optical frequency components of the P1 dynamics, thus signaling OFC generation. The OFC signals exhibit at least 15 comb lines, resulting in a bandwidth greater than 140 GHz. Microwave comb signals are obtained after photodetection, although the microwave linewidth is on the order of a few megahertz because of the semiconductor laser noise. Thus, we propose a cascaded injection-locking scheme to stabilize the P1 dynamics and OFC signals. We have demonstrated pure microwave generations with a linewidth of less than 3 Hz and low phase noise.
Review of recent advances in photosensitive polymer materials and requirements for transmission diffractive optical elements for LED light sources
Authors: Murray Michael , Naydenova Izabela , Martin Suzanne
Published: November 2023

Scattered light from outdoor LED sources is a major contributor to blue-spectrum light pollution which negatively impacts ecology and public health. Volume holographic diffractive optical elements (DOEs), made with low-cost photosensitive polymers, are proposed as a technological solution that can minimise this scattering. This review examines requirements needed for efficient operation of transmission-format DOEs with LEDs and implications for material choices. For such DOEs to have a single diffraction order and high efficiency there is a corresponding range of acceptable Δn. A survey of materials also found that many current materials satisfy the Δn requirements for single-element DOEs. It is proposed that future efforts focus on robustness, environmental sustainability, scalability, multiplexing, optical quality, and reduced cost.
Non-contact automated defect detection using a deep learning approach in diffraction phase microscopy
Authors: Pandey Dhruvam , Saini Abhinav , Gannavarpu Rajshekhar
Published: November 2023

Precision measurement of defects from optical fringe patterns is a problem of significant practical relevance in non-destructive metrology. In this paper, we propose a robust deep learning approach based on atrous convolution neural network model for defect detection from noisy fringe patterns obtained in diffraction phase microscopy. The model utilizes the wrapped phase obtained from the fringe pattern as an input and generates a binary image depicting the defect and non-defect regions as output. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is validated through numerical simulations of various defects under different noise levels. Furthermore, the practical application of the proposed technique for identifying defects in diffraction phase microscopy experiments is also confirmed.
Rhythmic modulation of prediction errors: A top-down gating role for the beta-range in speech processing
Authors: Hovsepyan Sevada , Olasagasti Itsaso , Giraud Anne-Lise
Published: November 2023

Natural speech perception requires processing the ongoing acoustic input while keeping in mind the preceding one and predicting the next. This complex computational problem could be handled by a dynamic multi-timescale hierarchical inferential process that coordinates the information flow up and down the language network hierarchy. Using a predictive coding computational model (Precoss-β) that identifies online individual syllables from continuous speech, we address the advantage of a rhythmic modulation of up and down information flows, and whether beta oscillations could be optimal for this. In the model, and consistent with experimental data, theta and low-gamma neural frequency scales ensure syllable-tracking and phoneme-level speech encoding, respectively, while the beta rhythm is associated with inferential processes. We show that a rhythmic alternation of bottom-up and top-down processing regimes improves syllable recognition, and that optimal efficacy is reached when the alternation of bottom-up and top-down regimes, via oscillating prediction error precisions, is in the beta range (around 20–30 Hz). These results not only demonstrate the advantage of a rhythmic alternation of up- and down-going information, but also that the low-beta range is optimal given sensory analysis at theta and low-gamma scales. While specific to speech processing, the notion of alternating bottom-up and top-down processes with frequency multiplexing might generalize to other cognitive architectures.
‘When I receive ARVs through my group, my heart settles’: Participants’ perceptions and experiences of Friends for Life Circles for Option B+ in Kampala and Mityana Districts, Uganda
Authors: Rujumba Joseph , King Rachel L. , Namale-Matovu Joyce , Wavamunno Priscilla , Amone Alexander , Gabagaya Grace , Rukundo Gordon , Fowler Mary Glenn , Homsy Jaco , Seeley Janet , Musoke Philippa
Published: November 2023

The Friends for Life Circles (FLC) was a parallel randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of a group peer support intervention to support long-term adherence to Option B+ in Kampala and Mityana districts in Uganda. We explored FLC participants’ experiences and perceptions of the intervention on adherence to Option B+ for PMTCT and potential implications for strengthening the PMTCT program. We collected data from six focus group discussions with lactating women enrolled in the FLC intervention, and from 14 key informant interviews with health workers, district and national level stakeholders, as well as male partners of FLC participants. Data were analysed using a content thematic approach in a continuous and iterative process. Women described the FLC intervention as acceptable and beneficial in enhancing their understanding of HIV and the need for ART. The FLC helped women, especially those newly diagnosed with HIV infection to come to terms with their diagnosis and overcome the fear of death linked to testing HIV positive, and provided opportunities to enhance ART initiation, resumption and adherence. The FLC provided safe spaces for women, to learn about ART, and to receive support from peers including adherence reminders through home visits and ‘coded’ reminder messages. Receiving ART from support groups protected members from stigma and long lines at health facilities. Fear of stigma, health system challenges, the high cost of caring for animals and lack of money to save in groups were key challenges noted. The FLC support groups were crucial in providing needed support for women to initiate, resume and adhere to lifelong ART for Option B+. It is important that women who test HIV positive and start ART for life receive psychosocial support from peers and health workers to improve chances of preventing HIV transmission from mothers to children.
Anti-tick vaccine candidate subolesin is important for blood feeding and innate immune gene expression in soft ticks
Authors: Nandy Krittika , Tamakloe Comfort , Sonenshine Daniel E. , Sultana Hameeda , Neelakanta Girish
Published: November 2023

Subolesin is a conserved molecule in both hard and soft ticks and is considered as an effective candidate molecule for the development of anti-tick vaccine. Previous studies have reported the role of subolesin in blood feeding, reproduction, development, and gene expression in hard ticks. However, studies addressing the role of subolesin in soft ticks are limited. In this study, we report that subolesin is not only important in soft tick Ornithodoros turicata americanus blood feeding but also in the regulation of innate immune gene expression in these ticks. We identified and characterized several putative innate immune genes including Toll, Lysozyme precursor (Lp), fibrinogen-domain containing protein (FDP), cystatin and ML-domain containing protein (MLD) in O. turicata americanus ticks. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed the expression of these genes in both O. turicata americanus salivary glands and midgut and in all developmental stages of these soft ticks. Significantly increased expression of fdp was noted in salivary glands and midgut upon O. turicata americanus blood feeding. Furthermore, RNAi-mediated knockdown of O. turicata americanus subolesin expression affected blood feeding and innate immune gene expression in these ticks. Significant downregulation of toll, lp, fdp, cystatin, and mld transcripts was evident in sub-dsRNA-treated ticks when compared to the levels noted in mock-dsRNA-treated control. Collectively, our study not only reports identification and characterization of various innate immune genes in O. turicata americanus ticks but also provides evidence on the role of subolesin in blood feeding and innate immune gene expression in these medically important ticks.
Relative clause comprehension in Cantonese-speaking children with and without developmental language disorder
Authors: Lai Jane , Chan Angel , Kidd Evan
Published: November 2023

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), present in 2 out of every 30 children, affects primarily oral language abilities and development in the absence of associated biomedical conditions. We report the first experimental study that examines relative clause (RC) comprehension accuracy and processing (via looking preference) in Cantonese-speaking children with and without DLD, testing the predictions from competing domain-specific versus domain-general theoretical accounts. We compared children with DLD (N = 22) with their age-matched typically-developing (TD) children (AM-TD, N = 23) aged 6;6–9;7 and language-matched (and younger) TD children (YTD, N = 21) aged 4;7–7;6, using a referent selection task. Within-subject factors were: RC type (subject-RCs (SRCs) versus object-RCs (ORCs); relativizer (classifier (CL) versus relative marker ge3 RCs). Accuracy measures and looking preference to the target were analyzed using generalized linear mixed effects models. Results indicated Cantonese children with DLD scored significantly lower than their AM-TD peers in accuracy and processed RCs significantly slower than AM-TDs, but did not differ from the YTDs on either measure. Overall, while the results revealed evidence of a SRC advantage in the accuracy data, there was no indication of additional difficulty associated with ORCs in the eye-tracking data. All children showed a processing advantage for the frequent CL relativizer over the less frequent ge3 relativizer. These findings pose challenges to domain-specific representational deficit accounts of DLD, which primarily explain the disorder as a syntactic deficit, and are better explained by domain-general accounts that explain acquisition and processing as emergent properties of multiple converging linguistic and non-linguistic processes.
Better safe than sorry?—On the influence of learned safety on pain perception
Authors: Zillig Anna-Lena , Pauli Paul , Wieser Matthias , Reicherts Philipp
Published: November 2023

The experience of threat was found to result—mostly—in increased pain, however it is still unclear whether the exact opposite, namely the feeling of safety may lead to a reduction of pain. To test this hypothesis, we conducted two between-subject experiments (N = 94; N = 87), investigating whether learned safety relative to a neutral control condition can reduce pain, while threat should lead to increased pain compared to a neutral condition. Therefore, participants first underwent either threat or safety conditioning, before entering an identical test phase, where the previously conditioned threat or safety cue and a newly introduced visual cue were presented simultaneously with heat pain stimuli. Methodological changes were performed in experiment 2 to prevent safety extinction and to facilitate conditioning in the first place: We included additional verbal instructions, increased the maximum length of the ISI and raised CS-US contingency in the threat group from 50% to 75%. In addition to pain ratings and ratings of the visual cues (threat, safety, arousal, valence, and contingency), in both experiments, we collected heart rate and skin conductance. Analysis of the cue ratings during acquisition indicate successful threat and safety induction, however results of the test phase, when also heat pain was administered, demonstrate rapid safety extinction in both experiments. Results suggest rather small modulation of subjective and physiological pain responses following threat or safety cues relative to the neutral condition. However, exploratory analysis revealed reduced pain ratings in later trials of the experiment in the safety group compared to the threat group in both studies, suggesting different temporal dynamics for threat and safety learning and extinction, respectively.

Perspective: The present results demonstrate the challenge to maintain safety in the presence of acute pain and suggest more research on the interaction of affective learning mechanism and pain processing.
Mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus neurons with collaterals to both eyelid and masseter muscles shown by fluorescent double-labeling, revealing a potential mechanism for Marcus Gunn Syndrome
Authors: Shi Xue , Zhang Jingdong , Shi Gaiping , Zhu Junyi
Published: November 2023

Poking palpebral conjunctiva evoked upper-eyelid retraction during ophthalmic surgery. Iatrogenic eyelid ptosis occurred if eyelid branch of lachrymal nerve was sectioned. Mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (Vme) neurons were labeled when tracer injected into lachrymal nerve innervating eyelid Mueller’s muscle. Masseter afferent Vme neurons projecting to oculomotor nucleus (III) was observed in toad and rat, which helps amphibians to stare prey when they open mouth widely to prey. We hypothesized single Vme neurons may have peripheral collaterals to both eyelid and masseter muscles. WGA-594 was injected into upper eyelid, and WGA-488 was simultaneously delivered into ipsilateral masseter muscle in the same rat. Then, double labeled Vme neurons were found under both conventional and confocal microscope. Meanwhile, contact of WGA-594 positive eyelid afferent Vme neurons with WGA-488 labeled masseter afferent ones were observed sometimes. Combined with our previous observation of oculomotor projection Vme neurons, we thought WGA-594/488 double labeled Vme cells, at least some of them, are oculomotor projecting ones. Contact between eyelid and masseter afferent Vme neurons are supposed to be electrotonically coupled, based on a line of previous studies. If exogenous or genetic factors make these Vme neurons misinterpret masseter input as eyelid afferent signals, these Vme neurons might feedforward massages to eyelid retractor motoneurons in the III. Besides, oculomotor projecting Vme neurons might be co-fired by adjacent masseter afferent Vme neurons through electrotonic coupling once the masseter muscle is activated. In these cases, Marcus Gunn Syndrome might occur. This finding leads to a new hypothesis for the Syndrome.
Gut acquisition of Extended-spectrum β-lactamases-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in preterm neonates: Critical role of enteral feeding, and endotracheal tubes in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
Authors: Moussa Benboubker , Oumokhtar Bouchra , Arhoune Btissam , Massik Abdelhamid , Elfakir Samira , Khalis Mohamed , Soudi Hammad , Hmami Fouzia
Published: November 2023

Background

Klebsiella spp. can colonize the intestine of preterm neonates, and over-growth has been associated with necrotizing enterocolitis, hospital-acquired infections, and late-onset sepsis. This could lead us to suggest that the clinical pertinence of intestinal colonization with ESBL in preterm neonates appears to be important. We conducted this study to characterize the genetic proprieties of ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-KP) under clinical isolates and to describe the risk factors for the intestinal tract acquisition event during hospitalization.

Methods

One hundred and thirteen premature infants were recruited from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). All newborns are issued from the birth suites of the pregnancy department. Two rectal swabs were planned to define K. Pneumoniae intestinal carriage status. ESBL-KP was confirmed by Brilliance ESBL selective chromogenic Agar. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing including phenotypic testing and genotypic detection of the most commonly described ESBL genes was done. Logistic regression models were performed to find the variables associated with the acquisition event of ESBL-KP.

Results

A total of 62 (54.86%) premature neonates were colonized with ESBL-KP. The rate of blaSHV, blaTEM, blaCTX-M1, blaCTX-M2, blaCTX-M9, and blaOXA-48 genes among the isolates was 82, 48, 93.5, 4.8, 11.2 and 3.22%, respectively. We found that ESBLs K. Pneumoniae isolates were 100% resistant to amoxicillin, clavulanic acid-amoxicillin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, and gentamicin. The regression model is for a given significant association between the tract intestinal of ESBL-KP acquisition events and the use of enteral tube feeding (OR = 38.46, 95% CI: 7.86–188.20, p-Value: 0.001), and endotracheal tubes (OR = 4.86, 95% CI: 1.37–17.19, p-Value 0.014).

Conclusion

Our finding supposes that the enteral feeding tube and endotracheal tube might have a critical role in colonizing the intestinal tract of preterm infants. This highlights the current status of both practices that will require updated procedures in the NICU.