bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Sagittal Crest”: Definition, Stepwise Dissection, and Clinical Implications From a Transorbital Perspective
Authors: Corrivetti Francesco , de Notaris Matteo , Di Somma Alberto , Dallan Iacopo , Enseñat Joaquim , Topczewski Thomas , Solari Domenico , Cavallo Luigi Maria , Cappabianca Paolo , Prats-Galino Alberto
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND:

The recent development of the superior eyelid endoscopic transorbital approach (SETOA) offered a new route for the management of cavernous sinus and middle cranial fossa tumors. As a result, a constant anatomic landmark of the surgical pathway after drilling the medial edge of the greater sphenoid wing (GSW) is represented by a triangular-shaped bone ridge appearing as a “crest.”

OBJECTIVE:

To perform an anatomic study to define this surgical landmark, named the “sagittal crest” (SC) as seen from the transorbital endoscopic view.

METHODS:

Four adult cadaveric specimens (8 sides) were dissected performing an endoscopic transorbital approach to the middle fossa and the SC was removed to perform interdural opening of the cavernous sinus. Computed tomography scans were made before and after removal of the SC to perform quantitative analysis and building a 3-dimensional model of the bone resection of the GSW via the SETOA.

RESULTS:

The SC is a bone ridge triangle shaping dorsally the superior orbital fissure resulting as the residual fragment after drilling the lateral aspect of the greater sphenoid wing. Predissection and postdissection computed tomography scans allowed to objectively assess SC features and dimensions (mean 1.08 ± 0.2 cm).

CONCLUSION:

The SC is a constant anatomic landmark constituted of the residual medial portion of the GSW. Complete resection of this key landmark provides adequate working space and appears to be mandatory during SETOA to guide the subsequent interdural dissection of the lateral wall of cavernous sinus.
Dirichlet process mixture models for single-cell RNA-seq clustering
Authors: Adossa Nigatu A. , Rytkönen Kalle T. , Elo Laura L.
Published: March 2022

Clustering of cells based on gene expression is one of the major steps in single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) data analysis. One key challenge in cluster analysis is the unknown number of clusters and, for this issue, there is still no comprehensive solution. To enhance the process of defining meaningful cluster resolution, we compare Bayesian latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) method to its non-parametric counterpart, hierarchical Dirichlet process (HDP) in the context of clustering scRNA-seq data. A potential main advantage of HDP is that it does not require the number of clusters as an input parameter from the user. While LDA has been used in single-cell data analysis, it has not been compared in detail with HDP. Here, we compare the cell clustering performance of LDA and HDP using four scRNA-seq datasets (immune cells, kidney, pancreas and decidua/placenta), with a specific focus on cluster numbers. Using both intrinsic (DB-index) and extrinsic (ARI) cluster quality measures, we show that the performance of LDA and HDP is dataset dependent. We describe a case where HDP produced a more appropriate clustering compared to the best performer from a series of LDA clusterings with different numbers of clusters. However, we also observed cases where the best performing LDA cluster numbers appropriately capture the main biological features while HDP tended to inflate the number of clusters. Overall, our study highlights the importance of carefully assessing the number of clusters when analyzing scRNA-seq data.
CDC25B is required for the metaphase I-metaphase II transition in mouse oocytes
Authors: Ferencova Ivana , Vaskovicova Michaela , Drutovic David , Knoblochova Lucie , Macurek Libor , Schultz Richard M. , Solc Petr
Published: March 2022

Mammalian oocytes are arrested at meiotic prophase I. The dual-specificity phosphatase CDC25B is essential for cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) activation that drives resumption of meiosis. CDC25B reverses the inhibitory effect of the protein kinases WEE1 and MYT1 on CDK1 activation. Cdc25b−/− female mice are infertile because oocytes cannot activate CDK1. To identify a role for CDC25B following resumption of meiosis, we restored CDK1 activation in Cdc25b−/− oocytes by inhibiting WEE1 and MYT1, or expressing EGFP-CDC25A or constitutively active EGFP-CDK1 from microinjected complementary RNAs. Forced CDK1 activation in Cdc25b−/− oocytes allowed resumption of meiosis, but oocytes mostly arrested at metaphase I (MI) with intact spindles. Similarly, approximately a third of Cdc25b+/− oocytes with a reduced amount of CDC25B arrested in MI. MI-arrested Cdc25b−/− oocytes also displayed a transient decrease in CDK1 activity similar to Cdc25b+/+ oocytes during the MI-MII transition, whereas Cdc25b+/− oocytes exhibited only a partial anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome activation and anaphase I entry. Thus, CDC25B is necessary for the resumption of meiosis and the MI-MII transition.
Elections in Nondemocratic Settings: When and Why Do They Help Regime Survival?
Authors: Seki Katsunori
Published: March 2022

Background: Elections in nondemocratic settings are expected to play a regime sustaining role and a regime subverting role. Recent research finds that these two seemingly competing views are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary with each other. This is the case because the regime subverting role of elections is at work in the short run, whereas the regime sustaining role operates in the long term. In this paper, I argue that these effects are conditional on the nature of competition in those elections. Specifically, I contend that these effects that derive from the informational role of elections do not emerge when opposition forces boycott the elections. Methods: Using data from 262 nondemocratic regimes in 116 countries from 1946 to 2007, I examined (1) whether holding multiparty elections with ex ante competition increases the risks of authoritarian breakdowns; (2) whether holding multiparty elections without opposition boycott increases the risks of authoritarian breakdowns in the short term; and (3) whether holding multiparty elections without opposition boycott decreases the likelihood of authoritarian breakdowns in the long run. Results: First, only legislative elections with ex ante competition are found to increase the probability of authoritarian breakdowns. Second, both presidential and legislative elections increase the likelihood of authoritarian breakdowns in the short term only if viable opposition candidates or parties compete. Lastly, both presidential and legislative elections decrease the chances of authoritarian breakdowns in the long run, but this effect is present only when viable opposition do not boycott the elections. Conclusions: The regime subverting role and the regime sustaining role of elections in nondemocratic settings can be contaminated by the absence of opposition forces. This paper suggests a need to further scrutinize the nature and quality of elections when assessing their impact on the survival of nondemocratic regimes.
Harmonisation of welfare indicators for macaques and marmosets used or bred for research
Authors: Prescott Mark J. , Leach Matthew C. , Truelove Melissa A.
Published: March 2022

Background:Accurate assessment of the welfare of non-human primates (NHPs) used and bred for scientific purposes is essential for effective implementation of obligations to optimise their well-being, for validation of refinement techniques and novel welfare indicators, and for ensuring the highest quality data is obtained from these animals. Despite the importance of welfare assessment in NHP research, there is little consensus on what should be measured. Greater harmonisation of welfare indicators between facilities would enable greater collaboration and data sharing to address welfare-related questions in the management and use of NHPs.

Methods:A Delphi consultation was used to survey attendees of the 2019 NC3Rs Primate Welfare Meeting (73 respondents) to build consensus on which welfare indicators for macaques and marmosets are reliable, valid, and practicable, and how these can be measured.

Results:Self-harm behaviour, social enrichment, cage dimensions, body weight, a health monitoring programme, appetite, staff training, and positive reinforcement training were considered valid, reliable, and practicable indicators for macaques (≥70% consensus) within a hypothetical scenario context involving 500 animals. Indicators ranked important for assessing marmoset welfare were body weight, NHP induced and environmentally induced injuries, cage furniture, huddled posture, mortality, blood in excreta, and physical enrichment. Participants working with macaques in infectious disease and breeding identified a greater range of indicators as valid and reliable than did those working in neuroscience and toxicology, where animal-based indicators were considered the most important. The findings for macaques were compared with a previous Delphi consultation, and the expert-defined consensus from the two surveys used to develop a prototype protocol for assessing macaque welfare in research settings.

Conclusions:Together the Delphi results and proto-protocol enable those working with research NHPs to more effectively assess the welfare of the animals in their care and to collaborate to advance refinement of NHP management and use.
Case Report: Using basic liver function tests as a guide to suspected Wilson’s disease
Authors: Adhikari Sudeep , Shah Prashant Kumar , Sharma Yuba Raj
Published: March 2022

We present a case of a 36-year-old female patient who presented with subacute liver disease with a history of alcohol abuse. On basic liver function tests (LFT), she had aspartate transaminase / alanine transaminase > 2.2 and alkaline phosphatase / total bilirubin < 4. This pattern in acute liver failure patients signifies Wilson’s disease. Its presence in our patient with subacute liver disease also prompted us to suspect Wilson’s disease and we extended the liver disease screen to include slit lamp eye examination for Kayser-Fleischer rings, serum ceruloplasmin and 24-hour urinary copper level, which led to the diagnosis. She improved clinically and biochemically with zinc acetate therapy.  As screening for rare diseases is not always possible in low-income countries, this case demonstrates the usefulness of the basic LFT as a guide for suspecting Wilson’s disease in patients with liver disease.
Impact of COVID-19 on international medical education and the future plans of medical students in Japan
Authors: Goudarzi Houman , Onozawa Masahiro , Takahashi Makoto
Published: March 2022

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the current study methods and future plans of medical students compared to those in the pre-pandemic period.

Methods: Second-grade medical students reported their academic experiences, study methods, and future career plans before (between 2016 and 2019) and during the pandemic (2020) using a questionnaire-based survey at Hokkaido University, Japan (n = 534).

Results: From 2016 to 2019, we found an increasing trend for participation in short-term international exchange programs, taking the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), clinical training, and undertaking research abroad among the students. However, these percentages significantly declined (to 35.5%) during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 for all the assessed future plans, including short-term exchange programs (-27.9%), taking USMLE (-19.8%), clinical training (-24.5%), and undertaking research abroad (-13.2%) compared to 2019, wherein 67.9% of the students wished to have at least one of these four above-mentioned academic activities.

Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic adversely and significantly influenced our medical students’ plans to go abroad for clinical and research training. Future studies are warranted to assess the long-term influence of this pandemic on the career planning of medical students.
THE IMPACT OF BLOCKCHAIN ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ECONOMY
Authors: Kuzmenkova Vera G.
Published: March 2022

Currently, most countries pay great attention to the development of the digital economy, especially blockchain technologies, which are promoted in all spheres of the economy, creating infrastructure for the promotion of the digital economy.

Blockchain technologies are being strengthened in various sectors of the economy, in public administration, etc. This article discusses the essence, mechanism of operation, the main economic aspects of blockchain. Special attention is paid to modern directions of using blockchain for society, business, disadvantages and advantages, problems of its implementation are considered. The directions of technology implementation in many sectors of the national economy are being studied.

Relevance of the research topic. In digital technologies, the possibilities, advantages and disadvantages have not yet been sufficiently studied.

The purpose of the study. The purpose of this study is to consider the application of the results of the development of blockchain technology in the economy and financial sphere.

The method or methodology of the work: general scientific, description, method of expert assessments, etc.

Object of research: foreign and domestic experience of individual states using blockchain in socially significant spheres of public life.

The subject of the study. Areas of application of blockchain for business and society.

The scientific novelty of this work lies in the review of the directions of application of blockchain technology.

Results: the article shows that blockchain, as a special technology of the digital economy, opens up broad prospects for various economic entities, as well as for financial market participants.

Scope of application of the results: it is advisable to use the results obtained in the practical implementation of blockchain technology implementation projects.
TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE RECORDING AND ANALYSIS OF MEDICAL STATISTICS
Authors: Irina I. Eremina Irina I. , Lysanov Denis M. , Ishmuradova Izida I. , Pavlova Alena S.
Published: March 2022

The article considers the principles of developing an applied solution for the processing of statistical medical data, which allows you to maintain lists of patients and doctors, record diseases and compile documents on hospitalization.
Scope and measurement of the effectiveness of primary patients’ care
Authors: Prusaczyk Artur , Bogdan Magdalena , Szafraniec-Buryło Sylwia , Żuk Paweł , Guzek Marika , Oberska Joanna
Published: March 2022

Effectiveness of medical care is one of the most reliable parameters to assess individual aspects of the health care system. However, it should be emphasized that there is no unified definition of effectiveness in health care, on the basis of which these aspects can be assessed and compared.

The aim of the study was to draw attention to the inability to make a reliable and authoritative assessment of effectiveness in health care due to the lack of a uniform definition and to emphasize their importance in the light of international comparative analysis.

A review of the literature relating to the assessment of the quality and effectiveness of services provided by healthcare entities was performed.

It has been defined that efficiency grows as the quality of healthcare increases and/or the cost of healthcare decreases, and effectiveness measurement should refer to a specific member of a medical stuff.
Social Performance Incentives in Mission-Driven Firms
Authors: Jung Sun-Moon , Shin Jae Yong
Published: March 2022

We examine the effect of introducing an incentive plan based on social performance in a sample of 186 social mission–oriented firms in Korea. We find that the social performance of social enterprises (SEs) significantly improves over time after adoption of an incentive plan based on social performance, and that the incentive effect increases with managers’ perceived measurability of social performance. Moreover, we document that social bonuses do not harm SEs’ financial performance and that they have a positive spillover effect on financial performance in SEs that have a higher level of task complementarity between social and financial goals. Our results also show that when the main beneficiary of social bonuses is expected to be a firm’s employees, the incentive effect of social bonuses decreases (increases) with a firm’s focus on social controls (formal controls). In contrast, when the main beneficiary is expected to be a firm’s social mission, the incentive effect increases with a firm’s reliance on social controls.

This paper was accepted by Suraj Srinivasan, accounting.
Competition, Contracts, and Creativity: Evidence from Novel Writing in a Platform Market
Authors: Wu Yanhui , Zhu Feng
Published: March 2022

A growing number of people today are participating in the gig economy, working as independent contractors on short-term projects. We study the effects of competition on gig workers’ effort and creativity on a Chinese novel-writing platform. Authors produce and sell their works chapter by chapter under a revenue-sharing or pay-by-the-word contract with the platform. Exploiting a regulation that induced a massive entry of novels in the romance genre but not other genres, we find that, on average, intensified competition led authors to produce content more quickly, whereas its effect on book novelty was weak. However, revenue-sharing books responded to competition substantially more than pay-by-the-word books, particularly regarding novelty. Moreover, the effect of competition on novelty is considerably stronger for books at earlier stages of the product life cycle. Finally, the platform increased the promotion of contracted books, which disproportionately favored pay-by-the-word books. We discuss the implications of these results for creative workers, platform firms, and policy makers in the gig economy.

This paper was accepted by Anandhi Bharadwaj, information systems.

Supplemental Material: Data and the online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4329 .
Kajian Titik Kritis Kehalalan Produk Olahan Yogurt
Authors: Hapsari Dara Puspita , Budi Endah , Gunawan Setiyo
Published: March 2022

Pasar global yang kini semakin meluas membuat konsumen harus lebih berhati-hati terutama ketika membeli produk makanan. Konsumsi makanan halal merupakan kewajiban bagi umat muslim. Salah satu produk makanan yang sedang banyak digemari beberapa tahun belakangan adalah yoghurt. Yoghurt diklaim memiliki banyak manfaat baik bagi kesehatan tubuh khususnya pencernaan karena mengandung bakteri baik atau probiotik. Yoghurt dibuat dengan melakukan fermentasi pada susu, dengan bantuan bakteri asam laktat. Sebagai produk hasil fermentasi yoghurt memiliki titik kritis kehalalan. Untuk menjaga tekstur yoghurt umumnya ditambahkan penstabil nabati maupun hewani. Pada artikel ini akan dibahas lebih dalam mengenai sejarah, proses pembuatan, komposisi serta titik kritis yoghurt berdasarkan studi literatur. Tujuan dari penulisan artikel ini adalah membantu pembaca untuk lebih memahami hal-hal yang perlu diperhatikan saat akan membeli produk olahan fermentasi yoghurt. Sebagai informasi tambahan terdapat 10 produk yoghurt yang banyak beredar di Indonesia yang akan dibandingkan komposisi serta status halal pada produk tersebut. Berdasarkan hasil perbandingan yang dilakukan, 80% produk yang banyak beredar di Indonesia sudah memiliki sertifikasi halal yang diakui MUI.
Analisis Pengembangan Produk Halal Minuman Kombucha
Authors: Majidah Lailiyah , Gadizza Claudia , Gunawan Setiyo
Published: March 2022

Kombucha berasal dari Asia Timur dan tersebar ke Jerman melalui Rusia sekitar pergantian abad 20. Kombucha merupakan suatu ramuan berbentuk minuman yang merupakan hasil simbiosis bakteri dan ragi. Teh kombucha telah menjadi minuman tren dan diminati konsumen karena memiliki   banyak   khasiat   bagi   kesehatan.   Namun   hasil   fermentasi   kombucha   juga menghasilkan etanol atau alkohol. Status halal sudah menjadi suatu isu global, tak terkecuali untuk produk teh kombucha.  Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah mengkaji manfaat untuk kesehatan, kadar alkohol dan sertifikasi halal dari teh kombucha.  Pendekatan metode yang digunakan yaitu metode studi literatur.  Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahwa teh kombucha merupakan minuman fermentasi yang memiliki efek bagi kesehatan tubuh manusia dengan memiliki akivitas biologis seperti antioksidan, antimikroba, antidiabetes, antikanker, hepaprotektif dan antiinflamasi.  Kombucha baik dikonsumsi jika pembuatan kombucha memenuhi proses-proses tertentu yang telah standar dan baku. Bahan pembuat kombucha termasuk bahan yang telah memenuhi Standar Nasional Indonesia, namun untuk 6 produk kombucha yang dikaji saat ini belum mendapat Sertifikasi Halal.
Tantangan dan Strategi Peningkatan Ekspor Produk Halal Indonesia di Pasar Global
Authors: Qoniah Risa
Published: March 2022

Meskipun Indonesia memiliki penduduk muslim terbanyak di dunia, hal ini belum menjadikan Indonesia sebagai produsen terbesar produk halal. Padahal potensi pertumbuhan industri halal semakin meningkat seiring bertambahnya jumlah penduduk muslim dunia. Beberapa tantangan yang dihadapi dalam upaya meningkatkan ekspor produk halal Indonesia adalah (i) kurang fokus dalam pengembangan produk halal, karena masih mengutamakan ekspor komoditas pertambangan dan perkebunan, (ii) adanya pesaing dari negara non-muslim yang mengembangkan industri halal, dan (iii) Kurangnya pemahaman pelaku UMKM tentang pentingnya sertifikasi halal. Oleh karena itu, strategi yang perlu dilakukan antara lain (i) peningkatan daya saing produk halal indonesia, (ii) memaksimalkan akses pasar ekspor produk halal dengan mengoptimalkan peran dari perwakilan pemerintah di luar negeri, mengikutsertakan UMKM pada pameran di luar negeri dan memanfaatkan perjanjian perdagangan internasional, (iii) mendukung UMKM ekspor dalam rantai pasok global, dan (iv) optimalisasi penggunaan e-commerce dengan memberikan pelatihan, dan pendampingan kepada pelaku UMKM agar dapat mengakses pasar digital.
Producción de textos mediante entornos educativos virtuales del software Ardora: Una experiencia de aplicación en pandemia
Authors: Herrera Navas Cristopher David , Saltos Piguave Gabriela Ibeth , Obaco Soto Edgar Efraín
Published: March 2022

En la actualidad se ha identificado que la mayor parte de estudiantes del contexto ecuatoriano producen textos con escasa originalidad, sin coherencia, con errores gramaticales y dificultades para la expresión de ideas personales. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue mejorar la producción de textos mediante estrategias didácticas virtuales en el software Ardora. La metodología de estudio responde a un enfoque cuantitativo con un diseño cuasi- experimental, de tipo transversal con alcance descriptivo. Se aplicó una prueba diagnóstica para evaluar las habilidades de redacción de 56 estudiantes del subnivel de Básica Media. Los resultados demuestran que la muestra posee un nivel de dominio bajo para producir textos, siendo el indicador más afectado las reglas gramaticales. Sin embargo, al utilizar estrategias didácticas en el software Ardora, se alcanzó un nivel medio en las dimensiones siguientes: tipos de texto, estructura básica del texto, propiedades textuales y producción de textos personales. Finalmente, a través de la prueba de rangos de Wilcoxon, se acepta la hipótesis de investigación planteada H1, concluyendo que el uso de estrategias didácticas virtuales en el software Ardora mejora la producción de textos escritos.
La búsqueda del centro. Segunda parte
Authors: Remesar Antoni
Published: March 2022

En el capítulo anterior de esta serie (Remesar 2021) analizamos cómo a lo largo del tiempo, la complejidad funcional y social que van adquiriendo las ciudades se traducen en una tendencia a la policentralidad. Si en unos momentos ‘el centro’ concentraba las funciones vinculadas al poder – mundano y religioso- y a la economía, desde la Baja Edad Media podemos observar una tendencia a la policentralidad marcada por la segregación del centro económico y social – en el contexto de la aparición de la burguesía comercial y de la estructura gremial de la producción- de los centros del poder religioso y/o político. Las ciudades comerciales – buena parte de ellas portuarias- segregarán el centro de comercial del centro religioso, pero dado su fuero de ‘ciudades libres’ este centro comercial se mantendrá unido al centro de decisiones políticas locales. La plaza central de la ciudad (ciudades del Norte de Europa e Italia) o el espacio de ribera, en el caso de ciudades portuarias como Nápoles o Lisboa, se convertirá en el ‘centro’ de la ciudad. Como veremos en esta entrega, la multiplicación de centros tomará una particular forma en el caso de Lisboa, cuando el centro político-administrativo ‘del Rei’ va a ubicarse en el espacio del centro económico y comercial, desgajándose del centro religioso. Este movimiento de centros supone tanto una reorganización física de los antiguos centros – con prácticas de destrucción creadora- como una construcción de los nuevos centros, con el consiguiente desplazamiento y compartición de los elementos primarios de urbanización (Rossi 1968). En cualquier caso, en una sociedad estructuralmente religiosa, la Iglesia está presente en los nuevos centros con la construcción de monumentos, conventos, iglesias y catedrales. Los modelos de organización de la ciudad, los modelos acerca de la forma de su trazado, provienen tanto de la época clásica -reelaborados por la Escolástica- como de las prácticas vinculadas a los distintos procesos de colonización y asentamiento que se dan en toda Europa, así como de la paulatina introducción del pensamiento Renacentista.
Highly efficient generation of narrowband terahertz radiation driven by a two-spectral-line laser in PPLN
Authors: Olgun H. T. , Tian W. , Cirmi G. , Ravi K. , Rentschler C. , Çankaya H. , Pergament M. , Hemmer M. , Hua Y. , Schimpf D. N. , Matlis N. H. , Kärtner F. X.
Published: March 2022

We demonstrate record ∼0.9% efficiencies for optical conversion to narrowband (<1% relative bandwidth) terahertz (THz) radiation by strongly cascaded difference frequency generation. These results are achieved using a novel, to the best of our knowledge, laser source, customized for high efficiencies, with two narrow spectral lines of variable separation and pulse duration (≥250 ps). THz radiation generation in 5% MgO-doped periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystals of varying poling period was explored at cryogenic and room temperature operation as well as with different crystal lengths. This work addresses an increasing demand for high-field THz radiation pulses which has, up to now, been largely limited by low optical-to-THz radiation conversion efficiencies.
Scanning point terahertz source microscopy of unstained comedo ductal carcinoma in situ
Authors: Okada Kosuke , Cassar Quentin , Murakami Hironaru , MacGrogan Gaëtan , Guillet Jean-Paul , Mounaix Patrick , Tonouchi Masayoshi , Serita Kazunori
Published: March 2022

Terahertz imaging is an emerging candidate to diagnose breast cancers in a label-free manner. However, detailed terahertz analysis of early stage breast cancers is difficult to achieve owing to its low spatial resolution. In this study, utilizing a probe-less terahertz near-field microscope named scanning point terahertz source microscope, we visualize an unstained comedo ductal-carcinoma-in-situ including an architectural structure (comedo necrosis) measuring ∼ϕ500 µm, which is known as highly-malignant early-stage breast cancer, in terahertz images for the first time. The outcome is a critical step toward the label-free diagnosis of single early stage cancer lesions with terahertz waves.
Broadband NIR-emitting Te cluster-doped glass for smart light source towards night-vision and NIR spectroscopy applications
Authors: Tan Linling , Fu Yanqing , Kang Shiliang , Wondraczek Lothar , Lin Changgui , Yue Yuanzheng
Published: March 2022

Broadband near-infrared (NIR)-emitting materials are crucial components of the next generation of smart NIR light sources based on blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Here, we report a Te cluster-doped borate glass, which exhibits ultra-broadband emission around 980 nm with a full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 306 nm under blue light excitation. We propose adjustments of glass chemistry and processing condition as a means for topo-chemical tailoring of the NIR photoemission characteristics in such materials. Through implementing strongly reducing conditions during glass melting, Te clusters with broad NIR photoluminescence can be generated and stabilized once the melt is vitrified to the glassy state. Tunability of the NIR emission peak over the wavelength range of 904 to 1026 nm is possible in this way, allowing for fine adjustments of spectral properties relative to the stretching vibrations of common chemical bonds, for example, in water, proteins, and fats. This potentially enables high sensitivity in NIR spectroscopy. We further demonstrate potential application of glass-converted LEDs in night vision.
Measurement of sub-fm/Hz1/2 displacement spectral densities in ultrahigh-Q single-crystal microcavities with hertz-level lasers
Authors: Jang Yoon-Soo , Lim Jinkang , Wang Wenting , Kim Seung-Woo , Savchenkov Anatoliy , Matsko Andrey B. , Wong Chee Wei
Published: March 2022

Tracing a resonance frequency of a high quality factor (Q) optical cavity facilitates subpicometer displacement measurements of the optical cavity via Pound–Drever–Hall (PDH) locking scheme, tightly synchronizing a laser frequency to the optical cavity. Here we present observations of subfemtometer displacements on a ultrahigh-Q single-crystal

MgF

2

whispering-gallery-mode microcavity by frequency synchronization between a 1 Hz cavity-stabilized laser and a resonance of the

MgF

2

cavity using PDH laser-cavity locking. We characterize not only the displacement spectral density of the microcavity with a sensitivity of

1.5
×

10

−
16

  
m
/

Hz

1
/
2

over the Fourier offset frequency ranging from 15 mHz to 100 kHz but also a 1.77 nm displacement fluctuation of the microcavity over 4500 s. Such measurement capability not only supports the analysis of integrated thermodynamical and technical cavity noise but allows for minute displacement measurements using laser-cavity locking for ultraprecise positioning, metrology, and sensing.
Powerful supercontinuum vortices generated by femtosecond vortex beams with thin plates: publisher’s note
Authors: Xu Litong , Li Dongwei , Chang Junwei , Li Deming , Xi Tingting , Hao Zuoqiang
Published: March 2022

This publisher’s note corrects the authors’ order and affiliations in Photon. Res. 10, 802 (2022)PRHEIZ2327-912510.1364/PRJ.443501.
Proteome-wide Mendelian randomization identifies causal links between blood proteins and severe COVID-19
Authors: Palmos Alish B. , Millischer Vincent , Menon David K. , Nicholson Timothy R. , Taams Leonie S. , Michael Benedict , Sunderland Geraint , Griffiths Michael J. ,   COVID Clinical Neuroscience Study Consortium, Hübel Christopher , Breen Gerome
Published: March 2022

In November 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic death toll surpassed five million individuals. We applied Mendelian randomization including >3,000 blood proteins as exposures to identify potential biomarkers that may indicate risk for hospitalization or need for respiratory support or death due to COVID-19, respectively. After multiple testing correction, using genetic instruments and under the assumptions of Mendelian Randomization, our results were consistent with higher blood levels of five proteins GCNT4, CD207, RAB14, C1GALT1C1, and ABO being causally associated with an increased risk of hospitalization or respiratory support/death due to COVID-19 (ORs = 1.12–1.35). Higher levels of FAAH2 were solely associated with an increased risk of hospitalization (OR = 1.19). On the contrary, higher levels of SELL, SELE, and PECAM-1 decrease risk of hospitalization or need for respiratory support/death (ORs = 0.80–0.91). Higher levels of LCTL, SFTPD, KEL, and ATP2A3 were solely associated with a decreased risk of hospitalization (ORs = 0.86–0.93), whilst higher levels of ICAM-1 were solely associated with a decreased risk of respiratory support/death of COVID-19 (OR = 0.84). Our findings implicate blood group markers and binding proteins in both hospitalization and need for respiratory support/death. They, additionally, suggest that higher levels of endocannabinoid enzymes may increase the risk of hospitalization. Our research replicates findings of blood markers previously associated with COVID-19 and prioritises additional blood markers for risk prediction of severe forms of COVID-19. Furthermore, we pinpoint druggable targets potentially implicated in disease pathology.
Conceptual model of low-cost improvised bubble continuous positive airway pressure device for adults and its potential use in the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Kharel Himal , Kharel Zeni , Bhandari Samikchhya Keshary
Published: March 2022

Low-cost improvised continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device is safe and efficacious in neonatal respiratory distress. There is a great necessity for similar device in adults, and this has been especially made apparent by the recent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which is unmasking the deficiencies of healthcare system in several low-resource countries. We propose a simplified and inexpensive model of improvised CPAP in adults using locally available resources including aquarium air pumps and a novel pressure release mechanism. Although the safety and efficacy of improvised CPAP in adults are not established, the conceptual model we propose has the potential to serve as a lifesaving technology in many low-resource settings during this ongoing pandemic and thus calls for expedited research.
Impulse dispersion of aerosols during playing wind instruments
Authors: Gantner Sophia , Echternach Matthias , Veltrup Reinhard , Westphalen Caroline , Köberlein Marie Christine , Kuranova Liudmila , Peters Gregor , Jakubaß Bernhard , Benthaus Tobias , Döllinger Michael , Kniesburges Stefan
Published: March 2022

Musical activities, especially singing and playing wind instruments, have been singled out as potentially high-risk activities for the transmission of SARS CoV-2, due to a higher rate of aerosol production and emission. Playing wind instruments can produce condensation, droplets of saliva, and aerosol particles, which hover and spread in the environmental air’s convectional flows and which can be potentially infectious. The aim of this study is to investigate the primary impulse dispersion of aerosols that takes place during the playing of different wind instruments as compared to breathing and to speaking. Nine professional musicians (3 trumpeters, 3 flautists and 3 clarinetists) from the Bavarian Symphony Orchestra performed the main theme from the 4th movement of Ludwig van Beethoven‘s 9th symphony in different pitches and loudness. The inhaled air volume was marked with small aerosol particles produced using a commercial e-cigarette. The expelled aerosol cloud was recorded by cameras from different perspectives. Afterwards, the dimensions and dynamics of the aerosol cloud were measured by segmenting the video footage at every time point. Overall, the flutes produced the largest dispersion at the end of the task, reaching maximum forward distances of 1.88 m. An expulsion of aerosol was observed in different directions: upwards and downwards at the mouthpiece, at the end of the instrument, and along the flute at the key plane. In comparison, the maximum impulse dispersions generated by the trumpets and clarinets were lower in frontal and lateral direction (1.2 m and 1.0 m towards the front, respectively). Also, the expulsion to the sides was lower.
The effect of cognitive function and central nervous system depressant use on mortality—A prospective observational study of previously hospitalised older patients
Authors: Siddiqui Tahreem Ghazal , Bjelkarøy Maria Torheim , Cheng Socheat , Kristoffersen Espen Saxhaug , Grambaite Ramune , Lundqvist Christofer
Published: March 2022

Background

Older patients are often users of prolonged Central Nervous System Depressants (CNSD) (Z-hypnotics, benzodiazepines and opioids), which may be associated with reduced cognition. The long-term effects of CNSD use and reduced cognitive function in older patients are unclear. The aim of this study was to examine whether cognitive function and CNSD use at baseline hospitalisation were associated with all-cause mortality two years after discharge.

Methods

We conducted a prospective observational study, including baseline data (2017–2018) from previously hospitalised older patients (65–90 years), assessing all-cause mortality two years after discharge. We used logistic regression to assess the primary outcome, all-cause mortality two years after baseline hospitalisation. The primary predictors were cognitive function measured by The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and prolonged CNSD use (continuous use ≥ 4 weeks). Adjustment variables: age, gender, education, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics (CIRS-G), using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) to compare the predictive power of the models. In a sub-analysis we used, the Neurobehavioural Cognitive State Examination (Cognistat) and the Clock Drawing Test.

Results

Two years after discharge, out of 246 baseline patients, 43 were deceased at follow-up, among these 27 (63%) were CNSD users, and 16 (36%) were non-users at baseline, (p = 0.002). In the multivariable models cognitive function (MMSE score) was a predictor of mortality (OR 0.81 (95% CI 0.69; 0.96), p = 0.014). CNSD use was associated with mortality (OR 2.71 (95% CI 1.06; 6.95), p = 0.038), with ROC AUC: 0.74–0.77 for these models. Results using Cognistat supported the findings. The Clock Drawing Test was not significant predictor of mortality.

Conclusion

Two years after discharge from the hospital, older patients with reduced cognitive function and CNSD use during hospital stay had higher mortality. This underlines that inappropriate (prolonged and concurrent) use of CNSDs should be avoided by older patients, particularly in patients with reduced cognitive function.

Trial registration

NCT03162081, 22 May 2017.
Economic affordability of food as a component of the economic security of Ukraine
Authors: Mostenska Tetiana L. , Mostenska Tetiana G. , Yurii Eduard , Lakner Zoltán , Vasa László
Published: March 2022

Economic security can be considered as an economic aspect of the life of an individual or household that provides the opportunity to achieve financial stability and improve living standards. In this context, understanding the impact of economic affordability of food on the economic security of the country is of great importance. The authors propose to use the indicator of economic affordability of food for in-depth analysis of the economic security of the country. Indicators that determine the level of economic affordability of food products in Ukraine for 2000–2018 are calculated. The regression analysis made it possible to establish a close relationship between the indicators of food expenditures and the level of GDP per capita, between the level of income and expenditure of food of decile groups. Correlation coefficients between the consumption of six basic foodstuffs and the level of per capita income in Ukraine are determined. The obtained indicators, which determine the economic affordability of food, allow us to conclude that there is a lack of economic protection at the level of individual low-income households. Overcoming economic instability and minimizing the possible consequences of the low level of economic affordability of food should become one of the main tasks of Ukraine’s economic security.
Proteome profile of patients with excellent and poor speech intelligibility after cochlear implantation: Can perilymph proteins predict performance?
Authors: Durisin Martin , Krüger Caroline , Pich Andreas , Warnecke Athanasia , Steffens Melanie , Zeilinger Carsten , Lenarz Thomas , Prenzler Nils , Schmitt Heike
Published: March 2022

Modern proteomic analysis and reliable surgical access to gain liquid inner ear biopsies have enabled in depth molecular characterization of the cochlea microenvironment. In order to clarify whether the protein composition of the perilymph can provide new insights into individual hearing performance after cochlear implantation (CI), computational analysis in correlation to clinical performance after CI were performed based on the proteome profile derived from perilymph samples (liquid biopsies). Perilymph samples from cochlear implant recipients have been analyzed by mass spectrometry (MS). The proteins were identified using the shot-gun proteomics method and quantified and analyzed using Max Quant, Perseus and IPA software. A total of 75 perilymph samples from 68 (adults and children) patients were included in the analysis. Speech perception data one year after implantation were available for 45 patients and these were used for subsequent analysis. According to their hearing performance, patients with excellent (n = 22) and poor (n = 14) performance one year after CI were identified and used for further analysis. The protein composition and statistically significant differences in the two groups were detected by relative quantification of the perilymph proteins. With this procedure, a selection of 287 proteins were identified in at least eight samples in both groups. In the perilymph of the patients with excellent and poor performance, five and six significantly elevated proteins were identified respectively. These proteins seem to be involved in different immunological processes in excellent and poor performer. Further analysis on the role of specific proteins as predictors for poor or excellent performance among CI recipients are mandatory. Combinatory analysis of molecular inner ear profiles and clinical performance data using bioinformatics analysis may open up new possibilities for patient stratification. The impact of such prediction algorithms on diagnosis and treatment needs to be established in further studies.
Identification of novel therapeutic targets for Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy based on gene bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Liu Chao , Gao Zi-Qing , Li Juan , Zhou Qi
Published: March 2022

Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a disease where progressive visual impairment occurs by the thickening of the Descemet’s membrane and the gradual degeneration and loss of corneal endothelial cells. This study aimed to investigate the key changes in gene expression associated with FECD and explore potential biomarkers and new therapeutic strategies for FECD. To explore the potential therapeutic targets of FECD, we downloaded the gene expression dataset GSE171830 from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. A total of 303 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by the limma package. The enriched Gene Ontology (GO) annotations and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways of DEGs mostly included the extracellular matrix organization, collagen-containing extracellular matrix, and the structural constituents of the extracellular matrix. Fifteen hub genes from the most significant module were ascertained by Cytoscape. Both collagen-containing extracellular matrix and extracellular matrix hit to ANXA1, VCAN, GPC3, TNC, IGFBP7, MATN3, and SPARCL1 genes in the GO cellular components. Among these genes, the expression of SPARCL1 was down-regulated in the FECD samples, whereas the expression of GPC3, MATN3, IGFBP7, TNC, VCAN, and ANXA1 was up-regulated in the FECD samples. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) plots showed that among the 20,937 genes, SPARCL1 played an important role in three pathways, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, the TGF-beta signaling pathway, and antigen processing and presentation. The top three pathways enriched by the GPC3, MATN3, IGFBP7, TNC, VCAN, and ANXA1 genes were those for cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, TGF-beta signaling, and RIG-I-like receptor signaling. In conclusion, the DEGs identified here might assist clinicians in understanding the pathogenesis of FECD. Furthermore, these identified biomarkers might serve as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of FECD.
A systematic review on integrated care for traumatic brain injury, mental health, and substance use
Authors: Chan Vincy , Toccalino Danielle , Omar Samira , Shah Riya , Colantonio Angela
Published: March 2022

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and mental health or substance use disorders (MHSU) are global public health concerns due to their prevalence and impact on individuals and societies. However, care for individuals with TBI and MHSU remains fragmented with a lack of appropriate services and supports across the continuum of healthcare. This systematic review provided an evidence-based foundation to inform opportunities to mobilize and adapt existing resources to integrate care for individuals with TBI and MHSU by comprehensively summarizing existing integrated activities and reported barriers and facilitators to care integration. MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Sociological Abstracts, and Dissertations & Theses Global were independently reviewed by two reviewers based on pre-determined eligibility criteria. Data on the integration activity, level and type of integration, reported barriers and facilitators, and the strategies aligning with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework on Integrated Person-Centred Care were extracted to form the basis for a narrative synthesis. Fifty-nine peer-reviewed articles were included, describing treatments (N = 49), programs (N = 4), or screening activities (N = 7). Studies discussing clinical integration at the micro- (N = 38) and meso- (N = 10) levels, service integration at the micro- (N = 6) and meso- (N = 5) levels, and functional integration at the meso-level (N = 1) were identified. A minority of articles reported on facilitators (e.g., cognitive accommodations in treatment plans; N = 7), barriers (e.g., lack of education on cognitive challenges associated with TBI; N = 2), or both (N = 6), related to integrating care. This review demonstrated that integrated TBI and MHSU care already exists across a range of levels and types. Given the finite and competing demands for healthcare resources, cognitive accommodations across treatment plans to facilitate integrated TBI and MHSU care should be considered. Multidisciplinary teams should also be explored to provide opportunities for education among health professionals so they can be familiar with TBI and MHSU.

Trial registration:Prospero Registration:CRD42018108343.