bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic regulation of mitochondrial pyruvate metabolism is necessary for orthotopic pancreatic tumor growth
Authors: Echeverri Ruiz Nancy P. , Mohan Vijay , Wu Jinghai , Scott Sabina , Kreamer McKenzie , Benej Martin , Golias Tereza , Papandreou Ioanna , Denko Nicholas C.
Published: November 2021

Background

Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) plays a central role in carbohydrate metabolism, linking cytoplasmic glycolysis to the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. PDC is a conserved E1-E2-E3 dehydrogenase with a PDHA1 and PDHB heterotetramer functioning as the E1 subunit. PDHA1 contains three serine residues that can be reversibly phosphorylated by a dedicated family of four inhibitory pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases (PDHK1–4) and two reactivating phosphatases (PDP1, 2). Hypoxia induces the expression of PDHK1 and PDHK3 and hyperphosphorylates PDHA1. The role of PDC in metabolic reprogramming and tumor progression appears to be for the integration of oncogenic and environmental signals which supports tumor growth.

Methods

To isolate the function of the serine-dependent regulation of PDC, we engineered MiaPaca2 cells to express PDHA1 protein with either intact serines at positions 232, 293, and 300 or all the combinations of non-phosphorylatable alanine substitution mutations. These lines were compared in vitro for biochemical response to hypoxia by western blot, metabolic activity by biochemical assay and Seahorse XF flux analysis, and growth in media with reduced exogenous metabolites. The lines were also tested for growth in vivo after orthotopic injection into the pancreata of immune-deficient mice.

Results

In this family of cells with non-phosphorylatable PDHA1, we found reduced hypoxic phosphorylation of PDHA1, decreased PDH enzymatic activity in normoxia and hypoxia, decreased mitochondrial function by Seahorse flux assay, reduced in vitro growth of cells in media depleted of lipids, and reduced growth of tumors after orthotopic transplantation of cells into the pancreata of immune-deficient mice.

Conclusions

We found that any substitution of alanine for serine at regulatory sites generated a hypomorphic PDC. However, the reduced PDC activity was insensitive to further reduction in hypoxia. These cells had a very modest reduction of growth in vitro, but failed to grow as tumors indicating that dynamic PDC adaptation to microenvironmental conditions is necessary to support pancreatic cancer growth in vivo.
Conceptualization of a new generation of smart energy systems and the transition toward them using anticipatory systems
Authors: Darani Zahra Heidari , Taheri Demne Mohsen , Zanjirani Darush Mohammadi , Zackery Ali
Published: November 2021

Emerging energy systems are inherently different from their conventional counter-parts. To address all issues of these systems, comprehensive approaches of transdisciplinary and post-normal sciences are needed. This article tries to re-conceptualize emerging energy systems using Robert Rosen’s theory of anticipatory system and introduces the concept of the anticipatory smart energy system (ASES). Three important features of an ASES are described and socio-technical considerations for realization of these features are discussed. The article also considers realization of such systems under society 5.0 paradigm and spime techno-culture. In ASESs, the identity of users evolves and new identities are created for energy users, based on the production, consumption, storage, and distributed management of energy. An Anticipatory energy system can manage a common pool of prosumaging.
Effectiveness of a health promotion intervention to address determinants of child neglect in a disadvantaged community in Sri Lanka
Authors: Rathnayake Nadeeka , De Silva Weliange Shreenika , Guruge G. N. Duminda
Published: November 2021

Background

Child neglect is a form of child maltreatment and it is a neglected area of research. As similar to other forms of maltreatment, neglect also results in negative health outcomes for children. Child neglect is concentrated in disadvantaged communities. The community-centered health promotion approach empowers communities to identify and address determinants of perceived health issues. This study aimed to implement a health promotion intervention to enable a disadvantaged community to address determinants of child neglect and evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.

Methods

A quasi-experimental study design was used. Two disadvantaged communities in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka with similar socio-demographic characteristics were purposively selected as the experimental and control study settings. The mothers who have at least one child in the age range 5–18 years were included in the sample. The sample included 42 mothers from the experimental group and 44 mothers from the control group. The elder children of mothers in the experimental group were selected to be the agents of change. A health promotion intervention was implemented only with the experimental setting. The steps of the intervention included; (1) identifying prevention of child neglect as a goal, (2) understanding the determinants, (3) analyzing determinants and identifying actions and (4) implementing and modifying the actions. The total study duration was 1 year, with the intervention taking an average of 6 months. Data were collected at both pre and post-intervention phases from mothers and children through interviewer-administered questionnaires.

Results

Mothers of the experimental group improved their knowledge on child neglect significantly in comparison to the control group (p < 0.05). In the post-intervention phase, there were significant differences in attitudes related to child neglect between experimental and control groups (p < 0.05). Following the health promotion intervention, mothers of the experimental group had significantly improved their practices related to the safety, education, nutrition of children, relationships with the child and social support for child caring (p < 0.05) when compared with the control group.

Conclusions

The health promotion intervention was effective in addressing the selected determinants of child neglect in a disadvantaged community. Children could act as active agents of change to deliver the interventions to their mothers (perpetrators).
Impact of a Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner in an Oncology Clinic: A Quality Improvement Effort
Authors: D'Ambruoso Sarah F. , Glaspy John A. , Hurvitz Sara A. , Wenger Neil S. , Pietras Christopher , Ahmed Kauser , Drakaki Alexandra , Goldman Jonathan Wade , Anand Sidharth , Simon Wendy , Kung Jennie , Coscarelli Anne , Rosen Lee S. , Peddi Parvin F. , Wong Deborah J. L. , Santos Katherine , Phung Peter , Karlin Daniel , Walling Anne M.
Published: November 2021

PURPOSE:

Guidelines support early integration of palliative care (PC) into standard oncology practice; however, little is known as to whether outcomes can be improved by modifying health care delivery in a real-world setting.

METHODS:

We report our 6-year experience of embedding a nurse practitioner in an oncology clinic (March 2014-March 2020) to integrate early, concurrent advance care planning and PC.

RESULTS:

Compared with patients with advanced cancer not enrolled in the palliative care nurse practitioner program, in March 2020, patients who are enrolled are more likely to have higher quality of PC (eg, goals of care note documentation [82% v 15%; P < .01], referral to the psychosocial oncology program [67% v 37%; P < .01], and referral to hospice [61% v 34%; P < .01]) and less inpatient utilization in the last 6 months of life (eg, hospital days [12 v 18; P < .01] and intensive care unit days [1.2 v 2.3; P < .01]). The program expanded over time with the support of faculty skills training for advance care planning and PC, supporting a shared mental model of PC delivery within the oncology clinic.

CONCLUSION:

Embedding a trained palliative care nurse practitioner in oncology clinics to deliver early integrated PC can lead to improved quality of care for patients with advanced cancer.
“Más agresivos y más revolucionarios”: Los límites y el agotamiento de la “revolución democristiana” en América Central, 1961–1974
Authors: Véliz Estrada Rodrigo
Published: November 2021

El objetivo de este trabajo es comparar y entender las trayectorias, las interacciones y los límites de las estrategias políticas de los partidos de Democracia Cristiana en Guatemala, El Salvador y Nicaragua en su etapa progresista (1961-74). Los nuevos estudios sobre la Guerra Fría en América Latina han dejado de lado a un actor clave: los partidos políticos institucionales, que en la década de los sesenta fueron centrales para orientar los deseos de cambio por medio del Estado y no a través de la violencia. Las estrategias democristianas en América Central ofrecen además una oportunidad para comprender el papel de la correlación de fuerzas en el nivel nacional e internacional durante la Guerra Fría, que abrió y cerró ventanas de oportunidad para dichas estrategias. El artículo se basa en archivos diplomáticos de Estados Unidos y México para los tres países, y se complementa con entrevistas y fuentes locales para el caso guatemalteco.
The tumor-suppressive long noncoding RNA DRAIC inhibits protein translation and induces autophagy by activating AMPK
Authors: Saha Shekhar , Zhang Ying , Wilson Briana , Abounader Roger , Dutta Anindya
Published: November 2021

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are long RNA transcripts that do not code for proteins and have been shown to play a major role in cellular processes through diverse mechanisms. DRAIC, a lncRNA that is downregulated in castration-resistant advanced prostate cancer, inhibits the NF-κB pathway by inhibiting the IκBα kinase. Decreased DRAIC expression predicted poor patient outcome in gliomas and seven other cancers. We now report that DRAIC suppresses invasion, migration, colony formation and xenograft growth of glioblastoma-derived cell lines. DRAIC activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) by downregulating the NF-κB target gene GLUT1, and thus represses mTOR, leading to downstream effects, such as a decrease in protein translation and increase in autophagy. DRAIC, therefore, has an effect on multiple signal transduction pathways that are important for oncogenesis, namely, the NF-κB pathway and AMPK–mTOR–S6K/ULK1 pathway. The regulation of NF-κB, protein translation and autophagy by the same lncRNA explains the tumor-suppressive role of DRAIC in different cancers and reinforces the importance of lncRNAs as emerging regulators of signal transduction pathways.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Climbing parrots achieve pitch stability using forces and free moments produced by axial–appendicular couples
Authors: Reader Lindsey L. , Carrier David R. , Goller Franz , Isaacs Michael R. , Moore Crisp Alexis , Barnes Clinton J. , Lee David V.
Published: November 2021

During vertical climbing, the gravitational moment tends to pitch the animal's head away from the climbing surface and this may be countered by (1) applying a correcting torque at a discrete contact point, or (2) applying opposing horizontal forces at separate contact points to produce a free moment. We tested these potential strategies in small parrots with an experimental climbing apparatus imitating the fine branches and vines of their natural habitat. The birds climbed on a vertical ladder with four instrumented rungs that measured three-dimensional force and torque, representing the first measurements of multiple contacts from a climbing bird. The parrots ascend primarily by pulling themselves upward using the beak and feet. They resist the gravitational pitching moment with a free moment produced by horizontal force couples between the beak and feet during the first third of the stride and the tail and feet during the last third of the stride. The reaction torque from individual rungs did not counter, but exacerbated the gravitational pitching moment, which was countered entirely by the free moment. Possible climbing limitations were explored using two different rung radii, each with low and high friction surfaces. Rung torque was limited in the large-radius, low-friction condition; however, rung condition did not significantly influence the free moments produced. These findings have implications for our understanding of avian locomotor modules (i.e. coordinated actions of the head–neck, hindlimbs and tail), the use of force couples in vertical locomotion, and the evolution of associated structures.
Subsurface swimming and stationary diving are metabolically cheap in adult Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)
Authors: Borque-Espinosa Alicia , Rode Karyn D. , Ferrero-Fernández Diana , Forte Anabel , Capaccioni-Azzati Romana , Fahlman Andreas
Published: November 2021

Walruses rely on sea-ice to efficiently forage and rest between diving bouts while maintaining proximity to prime foraging habitat. Recent declines in summer sea ice have resulted in walruses hauling out on land where they have to travel farther to access productive benthic habitat while potentially increasing energetic costs. Despite the need to better understand the impact of sea ice loss on energy expenditure, knowledge about metabolic demands of specific behaviours in walruses is scarce. In the present study, 3 adult female Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) housed in professional care participated in flow-through respirometry trials to measure metabolic rates while floating inactive at the water surface during a minimum of 5 min, during a 180 s stationary dive, and while swimming ∼90 m horizontally underwater. Metabolic rates during stationary dives (3.82±0.56 l O2 min−1) were lower than those measured at the water surface (4.64±1.04 l O2 min−1), which did not differ from rates measured during subsurface swimming (4.91±0.77 l O2 min−1). Thus, neither stationary diving nor subsurface swimming resulted in metabolic rates above those exhibited by walruses at the water surface. These results suggest that walruses minimize their energetic investment during underwater behaviours as reported for other marine mammals. Although environmental factors experienced by free-ranging walruses (e.g. winds or currents) likely affect metabolic rates, our results provide important information for understanding how behavioural changes affect energetic costs and can be used to improve bioenergetics models aimed at predicting the metabolic consequences of climate change on walruses.
Ενδοσχολικές συγκρούσεις εκπαιδευτικών: Αποτελέσματα και λύσεις
Authors: Μαυρογεώργου Ελένη
Published: November 2021

AbstractΗ παρούσα έρευνα εξετάζει το θέμα των ενδοσχολικών συγκρούσεων των εκπαιδευτικών μιας σχολικής μονάδας. Συγκεκριμένα, σκοπός της παρούσας έρευνας είναι ο προσδιορισμός των απόψεων των εκπαιδευτικών δευτεροβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης για τα αποτελέσματα των ενδοσχολικών συγκρούσεων και τους τρόπους αντιμετώπισής τους. Η διερεύνηση του θέματος υλοποιήθηκε με την ποσοτική μέθοδο, με εργαλείο το ηλεκτρονικό ερωτηματολόγιο και δείγμα τους εκπαιδευτικούς Γυμνασίων και Λυκείων του νομού Καρδίτσας. Η έρευνα έδειξε ότι οι εκπαιδευτικοί θεωρούν πως οι ενδοσχολικές συγκρούσεις μπορούν να προκύψουν και μεταξύ των εκπαιδευτικών και μεταξύ των εκπαιδευτικών και της διεύθυνσης της σχολικής μονάδας επιδρώντας και θετικά και αρνητικά στη λειτουργία της σχολικής μονάδας. Ως θετικά αποτελέσματα των ενδοσχολικών συγκρούσεων οι εκπαιδευτικοί θεωρούν τη γενικότερη βελτίωση των σχέσεών τους και την επίλυση προβλημάτων προς την κατεύθυνση μιας αποδοτικότερης σχολικής διοίκησης, ενώ ως αρνητικά το μικρό επίπεδο συνεργασίας, την αναποτελεσματική διοίκηση και τα αρνητικά συναισθήματα των εκπαιδευτικών. Στην αντιμετώπιση των αρνητικών αποτελεσμάτων συμβάλλουν τόσο οι ίδιοι οι εκπαιδευτικοί μέσω της συνεργασίας, της αλληλοϋποστήριξης και της σωστής διαχείρισης των συναισθημάτων τους, όσο και οι ενέργειες της διεύθυνσης της σχολικής μονάδας, όσον αφορά το θετικό κλίμα που δημιουργεί, τον δημοκρατικό και συμμετοχικό τρόπο διοίκησης και τη γενικότερη υποστήριξη που παρέχει προς τους εκπαιδευτικούς.
Photophysical study and in vitro approach against Leishmania panamensis of dicloro-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-bromophenyl)porphyrinato Sn(IV)
Authors: Espitia-Almeida Fabián , Diaz-Uribe Carlos , Vallejo William , Gómez-Camargo Doris , Romero Bohórquez Arnold R. , Linares-Flores Cristian
Published: November 2021

Background:Photodynamic therapy activity against different biological systems has been reported for porphyrins. Porphyrin modifications through peripheral groups and/or by metal insertion inside the ring are main alternatives for the improvement of its photo-physical properties. In this study, we synthesized and characterized 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-bromophenyl)porphyrin and the dicloro-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-bromophenyl)porphyrinato Sn(IV).

Methods:Metal-free porphyrin was synthesized using the Alder method, while the Sn(IV)-porphyrin complex was prepared by combining metal-free porphyrin with stannous chloride in DMF; the reaction yields were 47% and 64% respectively. Metal-free porphyrin was characterized by UV-Vis, FT-IR, ESI-mass spectrometry and13C-NMR. Additionally, the Sn(IV) -porphyrin complex was characterized using UV-Vis and FT-IR. Cyclic voltammetry tests in four different solvents. The fluorescence quantum yield (Φf) was measured using fluorescein as a standard, the singlet oxygen quantum yield (ΦD) was estimated using the standard 5,10,15,20-(tetraphenyl)porphyrin (H2TPP) and the quencher of singlet oxygen 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF).

Results:UV-Vis assay showed typical Q and Soret bands for porphyrin and its metallo-porphyrin complex. Compounds showed photoluminescence at the visible range of electromagnetic spectrum. The inclusion of the metal in the porphyrin core changed the Φffrom 0.15 to 0.05 and the ΦDincreased from 0.55 to 0.59. Finally, the effect of the compounds on the viability ofL. panamensiswas evaluated by means of the MTT test. The results showed that both compounds decreased the viability of the parasite; this inhibitory activity was greater under light irradiation; the porphyrin compound had IC50of 16.5 μM and the Sn(IV)-porphyrin complex had IC50of 19.2 μM.

Conclusion:The compounds were synthesized efficiently, their characterization was carried out by different spectroscopy techniques and their own signals were evidenced for both structures, both compounds decreased the cell viability ofL. panamensis.
Driver perceptions of advanced driver assistance systems: A case study
Authors: Abdul Razak Siti Fatimah , Yogarayan Sumendra , Azman Afizan , Abdullah Mohd Fikri Azli , Muhamad Amin Anang Hudaya , Salleh Mazrah
Published: November 2021

Background: Automobile manufacturers need to have an insight and understand how consumers, specifically drivers, respond to the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) technology in their manufactured vehicles. This study reveals drivers’ perceptions of Malaysia’s advanced driver assistance systems, which is currently lacking in the literature. So far, other studies have focused on countries that are unlike Malaysia’s multi-culture environment.

Methods: A survey was designed and distributed using convenience sampling to obtain responses from licensed drivers. Questions included demographic and driving questions, the perceptions of benefits and obstacles relevant to ADAS use, vehicle decision-making, and technology use. Data were collected from 818 respondents who were licensed drivers in Malaysia. Results were then analysed using statistical approaches.

Results: The findings indicated that 76.8% of drivers have a positive attitude towards ADAS technology, particularly safety applications when they are available. Regardless of the accuracy of these systems, acceptance of the technology may shift upon viewing or hearing messages of possible problems with ADAS.

Conclusions: It can be concluded that the safety advantages of ADAS technology are less valued by drivers who do not have experience of road traffic accidents. Furthermore, acceptance of the technology could be undermined by assuming that the safety applications could be compromised.
The hidden financial burden of healthcare: a systematic literature review of informal payments in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Kabia Evelyn , Goodman Catherine , Balabanova Dina , Muraya Kui , Molyneux Sassy , Barasa Edwine
Published: November 2021

Background: Informal payments limit equitable access to healthcare. Despite being a common phenomenon, there is a need for an in-depth analysis of informal charging practices in the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) context. We conducted a systematic literature review to synthesize existing evidence on the prevalence, characteristics, associated factors, and impact of informal payments in SSA.

Methods: We searched for literature on PubMed, African Index Medicus, Directory of Open Access Journals, and Google Scholar databases and relevant organizational websites. We included empirical studies on informal payments conducted in SSA regardless of the study design and year of publication and excluded reviews, editorials, and conference presentations. Framework analysis was conducted, and the review findings were synthesized.

Results: A total of 1700 articles were retrieved, of which 23 were included in the review. Several studies ranging from large-scale nationally representative surveys to in-depth qualitative studies have shown that informal payments are prevalent in SSA regardless of the health service, facility level, and sector. Informal payments were initiated mostly by health workers compared to patients and they were largely made in cash rather than in kind. Patients made informal payments to access services, skip queues, receive higher quality of care, and express gratitude. The poor and people who were unaware of service charges, were more likely to pay informally. Supply-side factors associated with informal payments included low and irregular health worker salaries, weak accountability mechanisms, and perceptions of widespread corruption in the public sector. Informal payments limited access especially among the poor and the inability to pay was associated with delayed or forgone care and provision of lower-quality care.

Conclusions: Addressing informal payments in SSA requires a multifaceted approach. Potential strategies include enhancing patient awareness of service fees, revisiting health worker incentives, strengthening accountability mechanisms, and increasing government spending on health.
The genome sequence of the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773)
Authors: Boyes Douglas , Crowley Liam M. ,   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 2021

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Harmonia axyridis (the harlequin ladybird; Arthropoda; Insecta; Coleoptera; Coccinellidae). The genome sequence is 426 megabases in span. The majority (99.98%) of the assembly is scaffolded into 8 chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the X sex chromosome assembled.
On the Overlap Between Everything and Nothing
Authors: Carrara Massimiliano , Mancini Filippo , Smid Jeroen
Published: November 2021

Graham Priest has recently proposed a solution to the problem of the One and the Many which involves inconsistent objects and a non-transitive identity relation. We show that his solution entails either that the object everything is identical with the object nothing or that they are mutual parts; depending on whether Priest goes for an extensional or a non-extensional mereology.
Frenemies: Corporate Advertising Under Common Ownership
Authors: Lu Ruichang , Shen Qiaowei , Wang Tenghui , Zhang Xiaojun
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we investigate the impact of ownership structure on corporate advertising expenditures. Using mutual fund mergers as an exogenous shock to ownership structure, we find that competing firms owned by the same institutional blockholders experience a significant reduction in advertising expenditure. The reduction in advertising expenditure is more likely to occur in the presence of higher coordination benefits or lower coordination costs. Specifically, this effect is more pronounced for firms in more competitive industries, in higher advertising-intensity industries, with greater common ownership, with more concentrated institutional ownership, and with headquarters located in the same state. Overall, our empirical evidence indicates that ownership by common institutional investors significantly affects corporate advertising strategy.

This paper was accepted by Matthew Shum, marketing.
The Value of Price Discrimination in Large Social Networks
Authors: Huang Jiali , Mani Ankur , Wang Zizhuo
Published: November 2021

We study the value of price discrimination in large social networks. Recent trends in industry suggest that, increasingly, firms are using information about social network to offer personalized prices to individuals based upon their positions in the social network. In the presence of positive network externalities, firms aim to increase their profits by offering discounts to influential individuals that can stimulate consumption by other individuals at a higher price. However, the lack of transparency in discriminative pricing may reduce consumer satisfaction and create mistrust. Recent research focuses on the computation of optimal prices in deterministic networks under positive externalities. We want to answer the question of how valuable such discriminative pricing is. We find, surprisingly, that the value of such pricing policies (increase in profits resulting from price discrimination) in very large random networks are often not significant. Particularly, for Erdös–Renyi random networks, we provide the exact rates at which this value decays in the size of the networks for different ranges of network densities. Our results show that there is a nonnegligible value of price discrimination for a small class of moderate-sized Erdös–Renyi random networks. We also present a framework to obtain bounds on the value of price discrimination for random networks with general degree distributions and apply the framework to obtain bounds on the value of price discrimination in power-law networks. Our numerical experiments demonstrate our results and suggest that our results are robust to changes in the model of network externalities.

This paper was accepted by Gabriel Weintraub, revenue management and market analytics.
Bankrupt Innovative Firms
Authors: Ma Song , Tong Joy Tianjiao , Wang Wei
Published: November 2021

We study how innovative firms manage their innovation portfolios after filing for Chapter 11 reorganization using three decades of data. We find that they sell off core (i.e., technologically critical and valuable), rather than peripheral, patents in bankruptcy. The selling pattern is driven almost entirely by firms with greater use of secured debt, and the mechanism is secured creditors exercising their control rights on collateralized patents. Creditor-driven patent sales in bankruptcy have implications for technology diffusion—the sold patents diffuse more slowly under new ownership and are more likely to be purchased by patent trolls.

This paper was accepted by Gustavo Manso, finance.
Minimally Invasive Technique for Removal of a Mandibular Radicular Cyst : A Case Report
Authors: Zaki Hattan , Alolayan Albraa B. , Ahmed Weam Mohammed , Alabdeen Ebtihal Zain , Elsayed Shadia Abdel-Hameed
Published: November 2021

The removal of an odontogenic jaw cyst usually requires at least elevation of the mucoperiosteal flap for adequate access to the cystic lesion and its complete enucleation. In this report, we present a simple intra-socket flapless cystic removal technique for a radicular cystic lesion related to the mandibular first molar. This technique produces an optimal outcome and gives the patient the most comfortable surgical experience.
Measuring China’s economic impact in the Caribbean
Authors: Worrell DeLisle
Published: November 2021

The remarkable surge in Chinese economic productivity, especially since the turn of the century, has been of material benefit to every economy in the world trading system, and the Caribbean has shared in those benefits. The most substantial benefit to the Caribbean from the relationship with China has been via the purchase of more affordable products made in China or made with Chinese inputs. The Caribbean has secured additional imports that may be of the order of 5–10 per cent, compared with what the same money would have bought from alternative sources. This benefit may not increase in the future, and may well decline, if the anti-globalisation sentiment now sweeping across many Western nations is not reversed in the near future and the region’s access to Chinese products is reduced. By comparison, the benefits from Chinese investment in the Caribbean, as well as from exports to China and Chinese tourism to the Caribbean, while not insignificant, are much less substantial. Caribbean strategies for transportation upgrades and investment, renewable energy adoption, the use of digital currencies, and the universal use of the US dollar offer the promise of reaping benefits for the Caribbean from the China connection in the medium to long term, even in the face of Western isolationism.
Effect of NIR light on the permeability of the blood-brain barriers in in vitro models
Authors: Zhou Ting , Ohulchanskyy Tymish Y. , Qu Junle
Published: November 2021

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a dynamic barrier between the blood microcirculation system and the brain parenchyma, which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of a variety of neurological diseases. Meanwhile, a non-invasive therapeutic approach of photobiomodulation (PBM) has emerged as a promising treatment for neurological disorders through irradiation with near infrared (NIR) light. However, despite multiple encouraging results reported for PBMin vitroandin vivo, the mechanisms of its therapeutic effect on brain, especially on the BBB, remain barely known. Herein, the effect of NIR light irradiation on thein vitroBBB models was studied. 808 nm laser irradiation at the doses of 10 and 30 J/cm2was found to significantly increase the permeability of this BBB model. The results showed that NIR light affected mitochondria of cells in thein vitroBBB models, leading to an increase in the mitochondrial activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and Ca2+influx. The activity of matrix metalloproteinases and the expression of the tight junction proteins in the endothelial cells were found to be inhibited by the NIR light, resulting in an increase in the BBB permeability. This study suggested a new strategy for drug transport across the BBB in development of treatments for brain disorders.
Deep imaging with 1.3 µm dual-axis optical coherence tomography and an enhanced depth of focus
Authors: Jelly Evan T. , Zhao Yang , Chu Kengyeh K. , Price Hillel , Crose Michael , Steelman Zachary A. , Wax Adam
Published: November 2021

For many clinical applications, such as dermatology, optical coherence tomography (OCT) suffers from limited penetration depth due primarily to the highly scattering nature of biological tissues. Here, we present a novel implementation of dual-axis optical coherence tomography (DA-OCT) that offers improved depth penetration in skin imaging at 1.3 µm compared to conventional OCT. Several unique aspects of DA-OCT are examined here, including the requirements for scattering properties to realize the improvement and the limited depth of focus (DOF) inherent to the technique. To overcome this limitation, our approach uses a tunable lens to coordinate focal plane selection with image acquisition to create an enhanced DOF for DA-OCT. This improvement in penetration depth is quantified experimentally against conventional on-axis OCT using tissue phantoms and mouse skin. The results presented here suggest the potential use of DA-OCT in situations where a high degree of scattering limits depth penetration in OCT imaging.
Flexible foveated imaging using a single Risley-prism imaging system
Authors: Huang Feng , Ren He , Wu Xianyu , Wang Pengfei
Published: November 2021

Foveated imaging, which has the ability to provide overall situational awareness over a large field of view and high-resolution perception of local details, has significant advantages in many specific applications. However, existing artificially foveated imaging systems are complex, bulky, and expensive, and the flexibility of the fovea specifically has many limitations. To overcome these deficiencies, this paper proposes a method for foveated imaging by collecting multiple partially overlapping sub-fields of view. To capture the above special sub-fields of view, we propose a high-efficiency algorithm based on the characteristics of the field of view deflected by the Risley-prism and aimed at solving the prism rotation angles. In addition, we prove the reliability of the proposed algorithm by cross-validation with the particle swarm optimization algorithm. The experimental results show that the proposed method can achieve flexible foveated imaging using a single Risley-prism imaging system.
Graphene-based terahertz metamirror with wavefront reconfiguration
Authors: Xu Jiashuai , Liu Wenwen , Song Zhengyong
Published: November 2021

As an emerging material, graphene has been widely applied in the field of active metasurface. Recently, researchers employed graphene to achieve dynamical control of electromagnetic wavefront. In this work, graphene-based reflective metasurface is presented to realize dynamical wavefront reconfiguration for terahertz wave. Using a hybrid structure of cross-shaped graphene and metal patch, the designed metasurface has 360° phase modulation capability. Its wavefront is reconfigurable and can realize multiple functions. In order to verify this, three examples are designed to demonstrate the phenomenon of wavefront reconstruction. They are gradient metasurface, vortex beam generator, and focusing mirror, respectively. First of all, Fermi level of graphene is used to reconstruct the reflected wavefront of gradient metasurface, and then realize switching between positive and negative reflections. Secondly, a vortex beam generator is implemented, and it can reconstruct the mode number of orbital angular momentum through Fermi level. Finally, a reflective lens is proposed and verified, whose focus can appear or disappear with the tuning of Fermi level. The proposed functions have potential applications in the fields of terahertz switching, communication, and focusing.
Low pump power coherent supercontinuum generation in heavy metal oxide solid-core photonic crystal fibers infiltrated with carbon tetrachloride covering 930–2500 nm
Authors: Van Le Hieu , Hoang Van Thuy , Stępniewski Grzegorz , Le Canh Trung , Thi Minh Ngoc Vo , Kasztelanic Rafał , Klimczak Mariusz , Pniewski Jacek , Dinh Khoa Xuan , Heidt Alexander M. , Buczyński Ryszard
Published: November 2021

All-normal dispersion supercontinuum (ANDi SC) generation in a lead-bismuth-gallate glass solid-core photonic crystal fiber (PCF) with cladding air-holes infiltrated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is experimentally investigated and numerically verified. The liquid infiltration results in additional degrees of freedom that are complimentary to conventional dispersion engineering techniques and that allow the design of soft-glass ANDi fibers with an exceptionally flat near-zero dispersion profile. The unique combination of high nonlinearity and low normal dispersion enables the generation of a coherent, low-noise SC covering 0.93–2.5 µm requiring only 12.5 kW of pump peak power delivered by a standard ultrafast erbium-fiber laser with 100 MHz pulse repetition rate (PRR). This is a much lower peak power level than has been previously required for the generation of ANDi SC with bandwidths exceeding one octave in silica- or soft-glass fibers. Our results show that liquid-composite fibers are a promising pathway for scaling the PRR of ANDi SC sources by making the concept accessible to pump lasers with hundreds of megahertz of gigahertz PRR that have limited peak power per pulse but are often required in applications such as high-speed nonlinear imaging, optical communications, or frequency metrology. Furthermore, due to the overlap of the SC with the major gain bands of many rare-earth fiber amplifiers, our source could serve as a coherent seed for low-noise ultrafast lasers operating in the short-wave infrared spectral region.
Twist phase and classical entanglement of partially coherent light
Authors: Ponomarenko Sergey A.
Published: November 2021

We demonstrate that the presence of a twist phase in a random light beam leads to classical entanglement between phase space degrees of freedom of the beam. We find analytically the bi-orthogonal decomposition of the Wigner function of a twisted Gaussian Schell-model (TGSM) source and quantify its entanglement by evaluating the Schmidt number of the decomposition. We show that (i) classical entanglement of a TGSM source vanishes concurrently with the twist in the fully coherent limit and (ii) entanglement dramatically increases as the source coherence level decreases. We also show that the discovered type of classical entanglement of a Gaussian Wigner function does not degrade on beam propagation in free space.
The Impact of the HydroxyMethylCytosine epigenetic signature on DNA structure and function
Authors: Battistini Federica , Dans Pablo D. , Terrazas Montserrat , Castellazzi Chiara L. , Portella Guillem , Labrador Mireia , Villegas Núria , Brun-Heath Isabelle , González Carlos , Orozco Modesto
Published: November 2021

We present a comprehensive, experimental and theoretical study of the impact of 5-hydroxymethylation of DNA cytosine. Using molecular dynamics, biophysical experiments and NMR spectroscopy, we found that Ten-Eleven translocation (TET) dioxygenases generate an epigenetic variant with structural and physical properties similar to those of 5-methylcytosine. Experiments and simulations demonstrate that 5-methylcytosine (mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (hmC) generally lead to stiffer DNA than normal cytosine, with poorer circularization efficiencies and lower ability to form nucleosomes. In particular, we can rule out the hypothesis that hydroxymethylation reverts to unmodified cytosine physical properties, as hmC is even more rigid than mC. Thus, we do not expect dramatic changes in the chromatin structure induced by differences in physical properties between d(mCpG) and d(hmCpG). Conversely, our simulations suggest that methylated-DNA binding domains (MBDs), associated with repression activities, are sensitive to the substitution d(mCpG) ➔ d(hmCpG), while MBD3 which has a dual activation/repression activity is not sensitive to the d(mCpG) d(hmCpG) change. Overall, while gene activity changes due to cytosine methylation are the result of the combination of stiffness-related chromatin reorganization and MBD binding, those associated to 5-hydroxylation of methylcytosine could be explained by a change in the balance of repression/activation pathways related to differential MBD binding.
The ZO-1 protein Polychaetoid as an upstream regulator of the Hippo pathway in Drosophila
Authors: Sang Qingliang , Wang Gang , Morton David B. , Wu Hui , Xie Baotong
Published: November 2021

The generation of a diversity of photoreceptor (PR) subtypes with different spectral sensitivities is essential for color vision in animals. In the Drosophila eye, the Hippo pathway has been implicated in blue- and green-sensitive PR subtype fate specification. Specifically, Hippo pathway activation promotes green-sensitive PR fate at the expense of blue-sensitive PRs. Here, using a sensitized triple heterozygote-based genetic screening approach, we report the identification of the single Drosophila zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) protein Polychaetoid (Pyd) as a new regulator of the Hippo pathway during the blue- and green-sensitive PR subtype binary fate choice. We demonstrate that Pyd acts upstream of the core components and the upstream regulator Pez in the Hippo pathway. Furthermore, We found that Pyd represses the activity of Su(dx), a E3 ligase that negatively regulates Pez and can physically interact with Pyd, during PR subtype fate specification. Together, our results identify a new mechanism underlying the Hippo signaling pathway in post-mitotic neuronal fate specification.
Smartphone-based molecularly imprinted sensors for rapid detection of thiamethoxam residues and applications
Authors: Peng Sihua , Wang Aqiang , Lian Yuyang , Zhang Xi , Zeng Bei , Chen Qiulin , Yang Heming , Li Jinlei , Li Limin , Dan Jianguo , Liao Jianjun , Zhou Shihao
Published: November 2021

In order to achieve rapid detection of thiamethoxam residues in mango, cowpea and water, this study modified the screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE) to make a specific molecular imprinting sensor (Thiamethoxam-MIP/Au/rGO/SPCE) for thiamethoxam. An integrated smartphone platform was also built for thiamethoxam residue analysis. The performance of the complete system was analyzed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The system was then applied for the rapid determination of thiamethoxam residues in water, mango and cowpea samples. The results showed that the molecular sensor showed good linearity in the range 0.5–3.0 μmol/L of thiamethoxam. The detection limit of thiamethoxam was 0.5 μmol/L. Moreover, the sensor had good reproducibility and anti-interference performance. The average recovery rates of the pesticide residues in water, mango and cowpea samples were in the range of 90–110% with relative standard deviations < 5%. The rapid detection system for thiamethoxam residue constructed in this study was simple, reliable, reproducible and had strong anti-interference. It has broad application prospects in the field detection of thiamethoxam residue, and serves as a valuable reference for the further development of rapid detection technology of pesticide residues in the field of environment and food safety.
Effect of decision to delivery interval on perinatal outcomes during emergency cesarean deliveries in Ethiopia: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Kitaw Tebabere Moltot , Tsegaw Taye Birhan , Tadese Mesfin , Getaneh Temesgen
Published: November 2021

Background

The National guidelines of most developed countries suggest a target of 30 minutes of the decision to delivery interval for emergency cesarean section. Such guidelines may not be feasible in poorly resourced countries and busy obstetric settings. It is generally accepted that the decision to delivery interval should be kept to the minimum time achievable to prevent adverse outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the average decision to delivery interval and its effect on perinatal outcomes in emergency cesarean section.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted from May to July 2020 at Bahir Dar City Public Hospitals. A total of 182 participants were enrolled, and data were collected using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire. A systematic sampling technique was applied to select the study subjects. Data were cleaned and entered into Epi-Data version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 software for analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of outcome variables, and variables with a p-value of <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

The average decision to delivery interval was 43.73 ±10.55 minutes. Anesthesia time [AOR = 2.1, 95%CI = (1.3–8.4)], and category of emergency cesarean section [AOR = 3, 95% CI = (2.1–11.5)] were predictors of decision to delivery interval. The prolonged decision to delivery interval had a statistically significant association with composite adverse perinatal outcomes (odds ratio [OR] = 1.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] = (1.2–6.5).

Conclusion

The average decision to delivery interval was longer than the recommended time. It should always be considered an important factor contributing to perinatal outcomes. Therefore, to prevent neonatal morbidity and mortality, a time-dependent action is needed.
Global biogeography of living brachiopods: Bioregionalization patterns and possible controls
Authors: Ye Facheng , Shi G. R. , Bitner Maria Aleksandra
Published: November 2021

The global distribution patterns of 14918 geo-referenced occurrences from 394 living brachiopod species were mapped in 5° grid cells, which enabled the visualization and delineation of distinct bioregions and biodiversity hotspots. Further investigation using cluster and network analyses allowed us to propose the first systematically and quantitatively recognized global bioregionalization framework for living brachiopods, consisting of five bioregions and thirteen bioprovinces. No single environmental or ecological variable is accountable for the newly proposed global bioregionalization patterns of living brachiopods. Instead, the combined effects of large-scale ocean gyres, climatic zonation as well as some geohistorical factors (e.g., formation of land bridges and geological recent closure of ancient seaways) are considered as the main drivers at the global scale. At the regional scale, however, the faunal composition, diversity and biogeographical differentiation appear to be mainly controlled by seawater temperature variation, regional ocean currents and coastal upwelling systems.
Trends in cardiovascular risk factors and treatment goals in patients with diabetes in Singapore-analysis of the SingHealth Diabetes Registry
Authors: Feng Liang , Lam Amanda , Carmody David , Lim Ching Wee , Tan Gilbert , Goh Su-Yen , Bee Yong Mong , Jafar Tazeen H.
Published: November 2021

Background

Asian populations are at high risk of diabetes and related vascular complications. We examined risk factor control, preventive care, and disparities in these trends among adults with diabetes in Singapore.

Methods

The sample included 209,930 adults with diabetes aged≥18 years from a multi-institutional SingHealth Diabetes Registry between 2013 and 2019 in Singapore. We performed logistic generalized estimating equations (GEEs) regression analysis and used linear mixed effect modeling to evaluate the temporal trends.

Results

Between 2013 and 2019, the unadjusted control rates of glycated hemoglobin (4.8%, 95%CI (4.4 to 5.1) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (11.5%, 95%CI (11.1 to 11.8)) improved, but blood pressure (BP) control worsened (systolic BP (SBP)/diastolic BP (DBP) <140/90 mmHg: -6.6%, 95%CI (-7.0 to -6.2)). These trends persisted after accounting for the demographics including age, gender, ethnicity, and housing type. The 10-year adjusted risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) (3.4%, 95% (3.3 to 3.5)) and stroke (10.4%, 95% CI (10.3 to 10.5)) increased. In 2019, the control rates of glycated hemoglobin, BP (SBP/DBP<140/90 mmHg), LDL-C, each, and all three risk factors together, accounted for 51.5%, 67.7%, 72.2%, and 24.4%, respectively.

Conclusions

Trends in risk factor control improved for glycated hemoglobin and LDL-C, but worsened for BP among diabetic adults in Singapore from 2013 to 2019. Control rates for all risk factors remain inadequate.