bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resource allocation decision-making in dementia care with and without budget constraints: a qualitative analysis
Authors: Keogh Fiona , Pierse Tom , O'Shea Eamon , Fitzgerald Christine , Challis David
Published: December 2020

Introduction: Health systems in many different countries have increasingly been reorienting the delivery of dementia care to home and community care settings. This paper provides information on how health and social care professionals (HSCPs) in Ireland make decisions on resource allocation for people with dementia living at home and how resource constraints affect their decisions and choices.

Methods:A balance of care approach was used to assess resource allocation across six dementia case types, from low to high needs. Workshops were held with 24 HSCPs from multiple disciplines. Participants allocated services in two scenarios: allocation with and without a budget constraint. Nominal group technique was used to structure discussions around resource allocation in both scenarios. Thematic analysis was applied to analyse the qualitative data using a general inductive approach.

Results:The following themes influenced allocative deliberations: whose needs are being met; what needs are identified; decision making context; decision making process; and allocation outcomes. Participants were proficient in making decisions, using ‘decision rules’ or heuristics to help them make decisions under fixed budget rules and sticking to conventional provision when constraints were in place.

Conclusions: Freedom from a budget constraint allowed HSCPs to consider a broader range of services and to take a more expansive view on what needs should be considered, with a particular emphasis on adopting a proactive, preventative approach to the allocation of resources. The effect of the budget constraint overall was to narrow all considerations, using heuristics to limit the type of needs addressed and the range of services and supports provided. The consequences were a largely reactive, less personalised system of care. The findings emphasise the need for an integrated and comprehensive assessment process that is more concerned with individualised responses rather than relying on existing models of care alone.
Kwestia migracji w kampanii referendalnej dotyczącej brytyjskiego członkostwa w Unii Europejskiej
Authors: Kułakowska Małgorzata
Published: December 2020

The issue of migration in the EU referendum campaign in the United Kingdom

The aim of the paper is to analyse the significance of the issue of migration in the context of the Brexit referendum campaign. The analysis would focus on government documents and political parties’ campaign materials, referring also to the public debate. The statistical data concerning migration and its perception in the British society would also be presented. The article covers the institutional context of the decision to hold the referendum, the referendum campaign including the government documents and the campaign materials presented by the Vote Leave, and the data on social trends and public opinion polls referring to migration and the referendum.
Między niepodległością a Unią Europejską
Authors: Czapniewski Tomasz
Published: December 2020

Between independence and European Union. Paradoxes of the Scottish National Party’s attitude towards Brexit The purpose of this article is to explain the attitude of the Scottish National Party (SNP) towards European integration, based on a study of its activity in two campaigns – before the independence referendum in Scotland in 2014 and the referendum on continued membership of the United Kingdom in the European Union (EU) in 2016. Reciprocal links between the two events are perceptible even to a passing observer of the British Isle’s political life. The question of the EU membership was one of the most important topics in the independence referendum’s campaign, and the result of the European referendum has been widely interpreted in the context of the second independence referendum. By analyzing and comparing the referendum’s campaigns in the 2014 and 2016 and the period immediately after the announcement of the results of a European referendum, it can be seen that SNP presented the pro‑European stance in each of them, but using different sets of arguments. The concept of paradox, used in paper’s title, is a summary of a number of observations regarding the SNP’s complex relationship with the project of European integration. Although the aim of the party is to regain independence, the limitations of sovereignty, which according to many are associated with membership in the EU, do not raise critical assessment. The support for the European integration continues unabated despite the dominance of negative attitudes towards the Scottish independence movement among the European elites. Similarly, the party seems not to notice the level of euroscepticism among its electorate. And finally, what is the most interesting – on the one hand, the possibility of another independence referendum has not resulted in a change of the attitude towards Brexit, on the other hand in the same campaign it could be seen, that for SNP maintaining public support and a dominant position in relations with other parties in Scotland was more important that preventing Brexit.
Nauczanie religii w szkole w Polsce – analiza wybranych debat medialnych
Authors: Głuszek-Szafraniec Dagmara
Published: December 2020

Religious education in school in Poland – analysis of selected media debates The aim of this article is to present an analysis of media debates on religious education in a public schools, conducted in polish opinion‑forming newspapers. In the spring 2015 citizen’s initiative “Secular school” initiated changes in a law which allowed to finance religion lessons from public funds. The author tackles a topic from the perspective of the presence of religious education in schools for 25 years. Such approach gives opportunity to confront contemporary views on this issue, presented over the past year in the media, with public opinion research on this subject, conducted since 1990.
The Concept of Sovereignty in Transatlantic Relations
Authors: Zachara Małgorzata
Published: December 2020

Few subjects in the theory and practice of international relations are as sensitive and widely discussed as the meaning of sovereignty. Concentrating on transatlantic perspecive, this article adds new evidence to the fundamental debate on the nature of sovereign authority in the international system. Many trans‑national economic and technological forces encourage the state to retreat from its traditional role. On the other hand, economic integration, monetary unification and the development of modern economies and cutting‑edge technologies – the assets of partners of the Transatlantic Alliance – are possible only in stable political systems. So, are we witnessing the end of sovereignty or just a phase in history in which relations of power between political authorities, nations, groups of interests and individuals must be negotiated in order to create a new model of governa nce in a complex world?
Measuring the Differential Effects of Behaviors of Academic Advisors for Students with Disabilities
Authors: Zilvinskis John , Barber Renae E. , Brozinsky Johanna L. , Hochberg Shelby R.
Published: December 2020

In prior scholarship, researchers identified barriers students with disabilities encounter in accessing academic advising, such as social stigma and hesitance to disclose. Through our study, we sought to inform advising practice by exposing the perceived deficit in services toward this population, uniquely evidenced by large data. The National Survey of Student Engagement academic advising data from 55,945 first-year students and 260 institutions were analyzed through multilevel models to measure differences in academic advising behaviors toward students with disabilities (10.12%) and the general population based on student self-reporting. Results illustrate that even when accounting for student backgrounds and institutional characteristics, academic advising behaviors were perceived as lower for students with disabilities, highlighting the need to intentionally improve services for these students.
Examining the Relationship Between College Advising and Student Outputs: A Content Analysis of the NACADA Journal
Authors: Alvarado Adriana Ruiz , Olson Avery B.
Published: December 2020

In an effort to promote the advancement of the advising profession, this study examines trends related to current knowledge of academic advising and the relationships between various forms of postsecondary advising practices and student outputs. Using content analysis techniques, we analyzed research articles published in NACADA Journal between 2004 and 2018 to identify trends in the ways academic advising has been studied. Major findings include the small number of studies (n = 18) over a 15-year period that relate advising to outputs and the lack of research focusing on underrepresented student populations despite the continued significant growth of these diverse groups. Recommendations highlight characteristics of academic advising that may benefit from further scholarly inquiry.
MODELS FOR ESTIMATING POTASSIUM AND NITRATE TO CHANGES OF ION CONCENTRATION IN SOIL SOLUTION
Authors: Campos Marcos Souza , Coelho Eugênio Ferreira , Silva Pereira Bruno Laecio , Melo Diego Magalhães , Pereira da Silva Alisson Jadavi , Simões Welson Lima
Published: December 2020

The adequate fertigation use bases on the application of nutrients by water according to crop needs throughout its cycle. The evaluation of nutrients in the soil solution may be faster if based upon soil electric conductivity and moisture by using parametric models. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of two parametric models for estimating nitrate and potassium concentration in the soil solution under changes of ion concentration during a crop cycle. One model was that from Vogeler et al. (1996) in which ion concentration is a function of soil moisture and electrical conductivity; the other was the potential in which the concentration is a function of the electrical conductivity of the soil solution. The potential model presented a better performance compared to that of adapted from Vogeler, as for estimation of ion concentrations as for the sensitivity of this model to changes in concentration of this ion in the soil solution. The models showed greater sensitivity when fitted to data corresponding to all possible occurrences in the soil during the crop cycle. The model should consider a range of concentrations with the possible values of the soil solution along crop cycle.
Variable-diameter beam-shaping system design with high zoom ratio containing aspheric optical components
Authors: Li Wenyi , Wei Shili , Fan Zichao , Zhu Zhengbo , Ma Donglin
Published: December 2020

Recently, the optical design of refractive beam-shaping systems has been extensively studied, although such study remains focused on two optical surfaces. Designing a beam-shaping system with variable output beam sizes and prescribed irradiance profiles remains a challenging but rewarding task. Here, we present a design framework, including calculation of the initial system and optimization process, to achieve variable-diameter beam-shaping systems with high zoom ratios. We introduce the whole process of designing a compact

8
×

zoom system of superior optical performance by transforming a Gaussian beam into flat-top beams with different magnifications. We also present a design of a zoom beam-shaping system transforming a Gaussian beam into variable beams with inverse Gaussian distributions to demonstrate the robustness and efficiency of the proposed method.
Optical anisotropy of self-organized gold quasi-blazed nanostructures based on a broad ion beam
Authors: Chen Yuheng , Cai Maoqi , Zang Haofeng , Chen Huoyao , Kroker Stefanie , Lu Yonghua , Liu Ying , Frost Frank , Hong Yilin
Published: December 2020

To circumvent elaborate conventional lithographic methods for realizing metallic nanostructures, it is necessary to develop self-organized nanofabrication methods for suitable template structures and their optical characterization. We demonstrate the potential of ion bombardment with impurity co-deposition to fabricate terraced or quasi-blazed nanostructure templates. Self-organized terraced nanostructures on fused silica were fabricated using

A
r

+

ion bombardment with iron impurity co-deposition and subsequent Au shadow deposition. The aspect ratios are enhanced threefold, and the range of nanostructure period variation is significantly increased with respect to that of conventional nanostructures realized by pure ion bombardment. We reveal the key features of the method via atomic force microscopy and optical characterization. Variable-profile quasiperiodic nanostructures with periods of 100–450 nm, heights of 25–180 nm, and blaze angles of 10°–25° were fabricated over an area of

20

×

40

m
m

2

, and these exhibited tunable and broadening optical anisotropy across the nanostructured area. Thus, the proposed method is a viable technique for rapid, cost-effective, and deterministic fabrication of variable nanostructure templates for potential optical applications.
Uptake quantification of gold nanoparticles inside of cancer cells using high order image correlation spectroscopy
Authors: Katoozi Delaram , Clayton Andrew H. A. , Moss David J. , Chon James W. M.
Published: December 2020

The application of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in cancer therapeutics and diagnostics has recently reached a clinical level. Functional use of the AuNP in theranostics first requires effective uptake into the cells, but accurate quantification of AuNPs cellular uptake in real-time is still a challenge due to the destructive nature of existing characterization methods. The optical imaging-based quantification method is highly desirable. Here, we propose the use of high-order image correlation spectroscopy (HICS) as an optical imaging-based nanoparticle quantification technique. Coupled with dark field microscopy (DFM), a non-destructive and easy quantification method could be achieved. We demonstrate HICS analysis on 80 nm AuNPs coated with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) uptake in HeLa cells to calculate the percentage of aggregate species (dimer) in the total uptake and their relative scattering quantum yield inside the cells, the details of which are not available with other quantification techniques. The total particle uptake kinetics measured were in a reasonable agreement with the literature.
Second harmonic generation in gallium phosphide nano-waveguides
Authors: Anthur Aravind P. , Zhang Haizhong , Akimov Yuriy , Rong Ong Jun , Kalashnikov Dmitry , Kuznetsov Arseniy I. , Krivitsky Leonid
Published: December 2020

We designed, fabricated and tested gallium phosphide (GaP) nano-waveguides for second harmonic generation (SHG). We demonstrate SHG in the visible range around 655 nm using modal phase matching. We observe phase matched SHG for different combinations of interacting modes by varying the widths of the waveguides and tuning the wavelength of the pump. We achieved a normalized internal SHG conversion efficiency of 0.4% W−1cm−2 for a continuous-wave pump at wavelength of 1283.5 nm, the highest reported in the literature for a GaP waveguide. We also demonstrated temperature tuning of the SHG wavelength with a slope of 0.17 nm/°C. The presented results contribute to the development of integrated photonic platforms with efficient nonlinear wave-mixing processes for classical and quantum applications.
Multilevel quantum interference in the formation of high-order fractional molecular alignment echoes
Authors: Wang Pu , He Lixin , He Yanqing , Sun Siqi , Liu Ruxuan , Wang Baoning , Lan Pengfei , Lu Peixiang
Published: December 2020

We theoretically investigate the formation of the high-order fractional alignment echo in OCS molecule and systematically study the dependence of echo intensity on the intensities and time delay of the two excitation pulses. Our simulations reveal an intricate dependence of the intensity of high-order fractional alignment echo on the laser conditions. Based on the analysis with rotational density matrix, this intricate dependence is further demonstrated to arise from the interference of multiple quantum pathways that involve multilevel rotational transitions. Our result provides a comprehensive multilevel picture of the quantum dynamics of high-order fractional alignment echo in molecular ensembles, which will facilitate the development of “rotational echo spectroscopy.”
Microwave photonic injection locking frequency divider based on a tunable optoelectronic oscillator
Authors: Meng Yao , Hao TengFei , Li Wei , Zhu NingHua , Li Ming
Published: December 2020

We present a novel broadband divide-by-2 microwave photonic injection locking frequency divider (ILFD) based on a dual-loop optoelectronic oscillator (OEO). In the proposed scheme, a tunable microwave photonic filter is used to replace the traditional electrical filter, which makes sure a large tuning range of the ILFD. The microwave photonic ILFD whose center frequency tracks the tunable frequency of the free-running OEO, links up with every single locking range together. Thus the frequency range is only determined by the tunable OEO. In the experiment, a wide operating frequency range from 4.51 GHz to 34.88 GHz is realized. Furthermore, a divide-by-3 ILFD is experimentally demonstrated with the help of a frequency mixer.
Scaling of metal-clad InP nanodisk lasers: optical performance and thermal effects
Authors: Tiwari Preksha , Wen Pengyan , Caimi Daniele , Mauthe Svenja , Triviño Noelia Vico , Sousa Marilyne , Moselund Kirsten E.
Published: December 2020

A key component for optical on-chip communication is an efficient light source. However, to enable low energy per bit communication and local integration with Si CMOS, devices need to be further scaled down. In this work, we fabricate micro- and nanolasers of different shapes in InP by direct wafer bonding on Si. Metal-clad cavities have been proposed as means to scale dimensions beyond the diffraction limit of light by exploiting hybrid photonic-plasmonic modes. Here, we explore the size scalability of whispering-gallery mode light sources by cladding the sidewalls of the device with Au. We demonstrate room temperature lasing upon optical excitation for Au-clad devices with InP diameters down to 300 nm, while the purely photonic counterparts show lasing only down to 500 nm. Numerical thermal simulations support the experimental findings and confirm an improved heat-sinking capability of the Au-clad devices, suggesting a reduction in device temperature of 450 - 500 K for the metal-clad InP nanodisk laser, compared to the one without Au. This would provide substantial performance benefits even in the absence of a plasmonic mode. These results give an insight into the benefits of metal-clad designs to downscale integrated lasers on Si.
Multi-functional polarization conversion manipulation via graphene-based metasurface reflectors
Authors: Zhang Houjiao , Liu Ye , Liu Zhengqi , Liu Xiaoshan , Liu Guiqiang , Fu Guolan , Wang Junqiao , Shen Yun
Published: December 2020

In this work, we present an efficient polarization conversion device via using a hollow graphene metasurface. The platform can simultaneously realize a series of excellent performances, including the broadband x-to-y cross polarization conversion (CPC) function with near unity polarization conversion ratio (PCR), dual-frequency linear-to-circular polarization conversion (LTC-PC) function, and highly sensitive polarization conversion function manipulation under wide oblique incidence angle range. For instance, the proposed device obtains an x-to-y CPC function with the bandwidth up to 1.83 THz (χ
PCR
≥98.8%). Moreover, the x-to-y CPC function can be switched to LTC-PC function via artificially tuning the Fermi energy of graphene. The maximal frequency shift sensitivity (S) of polarization conversion function reaches 23.09 THz/eV, suggesting a frequency shift of 2.309 THz for the LTC-PC function when the chemical potential is changed by 0.1 eV. Based on these superior performances, the polarization converter can hold potential applications in integrated and compact devices, such as polarization sensor, switches and other optical polarization control components.
Characterization of deep sub-wavelength nanowells by imaging the photon state scattering spectra
Authors: Liu Weiping , Xiong Jichuan , Zhu Libo , Ye Shengwei , Zhao Hanwen , Liu Juan , Zhang Heng , Hou Lianping , Marsh John H. , Dong Lei , Gao Xiaohong W. , Shi Daming , Liu Xuefeng
Published: December 2020

Optical-matter interactions and photon scattering in a sub-wavelength space are of great interest in many applications, such as nanopore-based gene sequencing and molecule characterization. Previous studies show that spatial distribution features of the scattering photon states are highly sensitive to the dielectric and structural properties of the nanopore array and matter contained on or within them, as a result of the complex optical-matter interaction in a confined system. In this paper, we report a method for shape characterization of subwavelength nanowells using photon state spatial distribution spectra in the scattering near field. Far-field parametric images of the near-field optical scattering from sub-wavelength nanowell arrays on a SiN substrate were obtained experimentally. Finite-difference time-domain simulations were used to interpret the experimental results. The rich features of the parametric images originating from the interaction of the photons and the nanowells were analyzed to recover the size of the nanowells. Experiments on nanoholes modified with Shp2 proteins were also performed. Results show that the scattering distribution of modified nanoholes exhibits significant differences compared to empty nanoholes. This work highlights the potential of utilizing the photon status scattering of nanowells for molecular characterization or other virus detection applications.
On-chip tunable microdisk laser fabricated on Er3+-doped lithium niobate on insulator
Authors: Wang Zhe , Fang Zhiwei , Liu Zhaoxiang , Chu Wei , Zhou Yuan , Zhang Jianhao , Wu Rongbo , Wang Min , Lu Tao , Cheng Ya
Published: December 2020

We demonstrate a C-band wavelength-tunable microlaser with an

E
r

3
+

-doped high quality (

∼

1.8

×

10

6

) lithium niobate microdisk
resonator. With a 976 nm continuous-wave pump laser, lasing action can
be observed at a pump power threshold lower than 400 µW at room
temperature. Furthermore, the microdisk laser wavelength can be tuned
by varying the pump laser power, showing a tuning efficiency of

∼

−

17.03

p
m

/

m
W

at low pump power below 13 mW, and
10.58 pm/mW at high pump power above 13 mW.
3D high precision laser printing of a flat nanofocalizer for subwavelength light spot array
Authors: Jiang Meiling , Song Shichao , Li Yijie , Zeng Xianzhi , Zhu Linwei , Zhang Mingsi , Wang Shuai , Li Xiangping , Cao Yaoyu
Published: December 2020

Here, we demonstrate a flat nanofocalizer for converging light field into a uniform subwavelength light spot array based on the fractional Talbot effect by developing a direct laser writing technique with 3D fabrication precision. The fractional Talbot effect endows the device with the merits of high compression ratio and modular design capability for transforming a plane wave into arrayed light focal spots. By combining a synergistic laser printing technique, we introduce a buffer layer for improving the fabrication precision of structural height in favor of accurately manipulating the phase delay. For a given light wavelength at 750 nm, by precisely producing a nanofocalizer consisting of periodic unit elements with the dimensions of

300

(

w
i
d
t
h

)
×

600

(

l
e
n
g
t
h

)
×

585

(

h
e
i
g
h
t

)

n
m

, we have achieved

5

×

6

light spot array with modular design, while the full width at half-maximum of a single focused light spot can be reduced to

∼
0.82
λ

. Our research may pave the way for realizing subwavelength optical devices capable of being readily integrated to existing optical systems.
Two-beam coupling by a hot electron nonlinearity
Authors: Paul J. , Miscuglio M. , Gui Y. , Sorger V. J. , Wahlstrand J. K.
Published: December 2020

Transparent conductive oxides such as indium tin oxide (ITO) bear the potential to deliver efficient all-optical functionality due to their record-breaking optical nonlinearity at epsilon near zero (ENZ) wavelengths. All-optical applications generally involve more than one beam, but, to our knowledge, the coherent interaction between beams has not previously been discussed in these materials, which have a hot electron nonlinearity. Here we study the optical nonlinearity at ENZ in ITO and show that spatial and temporal interference has important consequences in a two-beam geometry. Our pump–probe results reveal a polarization-dependent transient that is explained by diffraction of pump light into the probe direction by a temperature grating produced by pump–probe interference. We further show that this effect allows tailoring the nonlinearity by tuning the frequency or chirp. Having fine control over the strong and ultrafast ENZ nonlinearity may enable applications in all-optical neural networks, nanophotonics, and spectroscopy.
Talbot effect in arrays of helical waveguides
Authors: Zhan Kaiyun , Dou Lichao , Jiao Ruiyun , Zhang Wenqian , Liu Bing
Published: December 2020

We demonstrate that periodic self-imaging of light patterns with certain input periods can be effectively realized in one-dimensional and two-dimensional helical waveguide arrays. The band structure is drastically dependent on the helix radius and period, and the complete collapse of quasi-energy bands occurs for a certain helix radius and period, which strongly affects the intensity carpet and the Talbot length of the Talbot self-imaging effect. Talbot length would extend to infinity, as the helix radius and period approach the corresponding critical values corresponding to the band collapse, where the inversion of intensity distribution between even and odd waveguides is observed for the binary input pattern with

π

/

2

phase shift between the adjacent waveguides.
Stochastic dynamics of optically bound matter levitated in vacuum
Authors: Svak Vojtěch , Flajšmanová Jana , Chvátal Lukáš , Šiler Martin , Jonáš Alexandr , Ježek Jan , Simpson Stephen H. , Zemánek Pavel , Brzobohatý Oto
Published: December 2020

Optically levitated nanoparticles in a vacuum offer a light–matter interface with broad and easy tunability of all key system parameters. However, the majority of previously reported experimental achievements in this area have only dealt with a single levitated object. Here, we demonstrate optical binding between multiple levitated objects confined in cross-polarized counter-propagating laser beams in a vacuum. We characterize the level of interparticle interaction, quantify its nonlinearity for various configurations of the system, and demonstrate its broad tunability. Our methodology for quantitative characterization of optically bound structures is supported by an extensive theoretical description and validated by numerical simulations. We believe the presented results represent a step toward the development of a framework of levitated optomechanics of complex coupled systems with a controlled level of coupling nonlinearity for experimental studies including, for example, mesoscopic entanglement.
A mathematical model of local and global attention in natural scene viewing
Authors: Malem-Shinitski Noa , Opper Manfred , Reich Sebastian , Schwetlick Lisa , Seelig Stefan A. , Engbert Ralf
Published: December 2020

Understanding the decision process underlying gaze control is an important question in cognitive neuroscience with applications in diverse fields ranging from psychology to computer vision. The decision for choosing an upcoming saccade target can be framed as a selection process between two states: Should the observer further inspect the information near the current gaze position (local attention) or continue with exploration of other patches of the given scene (global attention)? Here we propose and investigate a mathematical model motivated by switching between these two attentional states during scene viewing. The model is derived from a minimal set of assumptions that generates realistic eye movement behavior. We implemented a Bayesian approach for model parameter inference based on the model’s likelihood function. In order to simplify the inference, we applied data augmentation methods that allowed the use of conjugate priors and the construction of an efficient Gibbs sampler. This approach turned out to be numerically efficient and permitted fitting interindividual differences in saccade statistics. Thus, the main contribution of our modeling approach is two–fold; first, we propose a new model for saccade generation in scene viewing. Second, we demonstrate the use of novel methods from Bayesian inference in the field of scan path modeling.
A Bayesian computational model reveals a failure to adapt interoceptive precision estimates across depression, anxiety, eating, and substance use disorders
Authors: Smith Ryan , Kuplicki Rayus , Feinstein Justin , Forthman Katherine L. , Stewart Jennifer L. , Paulus Martin P. ,   Tulsa 1000 investigators, Khalsa Sahib S.
Published: December 2020

Recent neurocomputational theories have hypothesized that abnormalities in prior beliefs and/or the precision-weighting of afferent interoceptive signals may facilitate the transdiagnostic emergence of psychopathology. Specifically, it has been suggested that, in certain psychiatric disorders, interoceptive processing mechanisms either over-weight prior beliefs or under-weight signals from the viscera (or both), leading to a failure to accurately update beliefs about the body. However, this has not been directly tested empirically. To evaluate the potential roles of prior beliefs and interoceptive precision in this context, we fit a Bayesian computational model to behavior in a transdiagnostic patient sample during an interoceptive awareness (heartbeat tapping) task. Modelling revealed that, during an interoceptive perturbation condition (inspiratory breath-holding during heartbeat tapping), healthy individuals (N = 52) assigned greater precision to ascending cardiac signals than individuals with symptoms of anxiety (N = 15), depression (N = 69), co-morbid depression/anxiety (N = 153), substance use disorders (N = 131), and eating disorders (N = 14)–who failed to increase their precision estimates from resting levels. In contrast, we did not find strong evidence for differences in prior beliefs. These results provide the first empirical computational modeling evidence of a selective dysfunction in adaptive interoceptive processing in psychiatric conditions, and lay the groundwork for future studies examining how reduced interoceptive precision influences visceral regulation and interoceptively-guided decision-making.
A viral guide RNA delivery system for CRISPR-based transcriptional activation and heritable targeted DNA demethylation in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Ghoshal Basudev , Vong Brandon , Picard Colette L. , Feng Suhua , Tam Janet M. , Jacobsen Steven E.
Published: December 2020

Plant RNA viruses are used as delivery vectors for their high level of accumulation and efficient spread during virus multiplication and movement. Utilizing this concept, several viral-based guide RNA delivery platforms for CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing have been developed. The CRISPR-Cas9 system has also been adapted for epigenome editing. While systems have been developed for CRISPR-Cas9 based gene activation or site-specific DNA demethylation, viral delivery of guide RNAs remains to be developed for these purposes. To address this gap we have developed a tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-based single guide RNA delivery system for epigenome editing in Arabidopsis thaliana. Because tRNA-like sequences have been shown to facilitate the cell-to-cell movement of RNAs in plants, we used the tRNA-guide RNA expression system to express guide RNAs from the viral genome to promote heritable epigenome editing. We demonstrate that the tRNA-gRNA system with TRV can be used for both transcriptional activation and targeted DNA demethylation of the FLOWERING WAGENINGEN gene in Arabidopsis. We achieved up to ~8% heritability of the induced demethylation phenotype in the progeny of virus inoculated plants. We did not detect the virus in the next generation, indicating effective clearance of the virus from plant tissues. Thus, TRV delivery, combined with a specific tRNA-gRNA architecture, provides for fast and effective epigenome editing.
Impact of scaling up dolutegravir on antiretroviral resistance in South Africa: A modeling study
Authors: Hauser Anthony , Kusejko Katharina , Johnson Leigh F. , Günthard Huldrych F. , Riou Julien , Wandeler Gilles , Egger Matthias , Kouyos Roger D.
Published: December 2020

Background

Rising resistance of HIV-1 to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) threatens the success of the global scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART). The switch to WHO-recommended dolutegravir (DTG)-based regimens could reduce this threat due to DTG’s high genetic barrier to resistance. We used mathematical modeling to predict the impact of the scale-up of DTG-based ART on NNRTI pretreatment drug resistance (PDR) in South Africa, 2020 to 2040.

Methods and findings

We adapted the Modeling Antiretroviral drug Resistance In South Africa (MARISA) model, an epidemiological model of the transmission of NNRTI resistance in South Africa. We modeled the introduction of DTG in 2020 under 2 scenarios: DTG as first-line regimen for ART initiators, or DTG for all patients, including patients on suppressive NNRTI-based ART. Given the safety concerns related to DTG during pregnancy, we assessed the impact of prescribing DTG to all men and in addition to (1) women beyond reproductive age; (2) women beyond reproductive age or using contraception; and (3) all women. The model projections show that, compared to the continuation of NNRTI-based ART, introducing DTG would lead to a reduction in NNRTI PDR in all scenarios if ART initiators are started on a DTG-based regimen, and those on NNRTI-based regimens are rapidly switched to DTG. NNRTI PDR would continue to increase if DTG-based ART was restricted to men. When given to all men and women, DTG-based ART could reduce the level of NNRTI PDR from 52.4% (without DTG) to 10.4% (with universal DTG) in 2040. If only men and women beyond reproductive age or on contraception are started on or switched to DTG-based ART, NNRTI PDR would reach 25.9% in 2040. Limitations include substantial uncertainty due to the long-term predictions and the current scarcity of knowledge about DTG efficacy in South Africa.

Conclusions

Our model shows the potential benefit of scaling up DTG-based regimens for halting the rise of NNRTI resistance. Starting or switching all men and women to DTG would lead to a sustained decline in resistance levels, whereas using DTG-based ART in all men, or in men and women beyond childbearing age, would only slow down the increase in levels of NNRTI PDR.
Schistosoma haematobium infection is associated with alterations in energy and purine-related metabolism in preschool-aged children
Authors: Osakunor Derick N. M. , Mduluza Takafira , Osei-Hyiaman Douglas , Burgess Karl , Woolhouse Mark E. J. , Mutapi Francisca
Published: December 2020

Helminths are parasitic worms that infect over a billion people worldwide. The pathological consequences from infection are due in part, to parasite-induced changes in host metabolic pathways. Here, we analyse the changes in host metabolic profiles, in response to the firstSchistosoma haematobiuminfection and treatment in Zimbabwean children. A cohort of 83 schistosome-negative children (2–5 years old) as determined by parasitological examination, guardian interviews and examination of medical records, was recruited at baseline. Children were followed up after three months for parasitological diagnosis of their firstS.haematobiuminfection, by detection of parasite eggs excreted in urine. Children positive for infection were treated with the antihelminthic drug praziquantel, and treatment efficacy checked three months after treatment. Blood samples were taken at each time point, and capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry in conjunction with multivariate analysis were used to compare the change in serum metabolite profiles in schistosome-infected versus uninfected children. Following baseline at the three-month follow up, 11 children had become infected withS.haematobium(incidence = 13.3%). Our results showed that infection withS.haematobiumwas associated with significant increases (>2-fold) in discriminatory metabolites, linked primarily with energy (G6P, 3-PG, AMP, ADP) and purine (AMP, ADP) metabolism. These observed changes were commensurate with schistosome infection intensity, and levels of the affected metabolites were reduced following treatment, albeit not significantly. This study demonstrates that early infection withS.haematobiumis associated with alterations in host energy and purine metabolism. Taken together, these changes are consistent with parasite-related clinical manifestations of malnutrition, poor growth and poor physical and cognitive performance observed in schistosome-infected children.
Effect of repeated epilation for minor trachomatous trichiasis on lash burden, phenotype and surgical management willingness: A cohort study
Authors: Habtamu Esmael , Wondie Tariku , Gobezie Wubshet , Tadesse Zerihun , Gashaw Bizuayehu , Gebeyehu Abebaw , Roberts Chrissy h. , Callahan E. Kelly , Macleod David , Burton Matthew J.
Published: December 2020

Background

WHO endorsed the use of epilation as an alternative treatment to surgery for the management of both minor unoperated TT (UTT) and postoperative TT (PTT). However, some trachoma control programmes hesitated to implement epilation citing concerns that it would hamper TT surgical acceptance and result in larger numbers of and stiffer trichiatic eyelashes than the original TT lashes. We investigated the burden and phenotypes of post-epilation trichiatic eyelashes, and willingness to accept surgical management separately in unoperated and postoperative TT cases.

Methodology/Principal findings

We recruited cases with minor (≤5 eyelashes from the upper eyelid touching the eye or evidence of epilation in <1/3rd of the upper eyelid) UTT (170) and PTT (169) from community-based screenings in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Participants eyes were examined and data on present and future willingness to accept surgical management collected at baseline and every month for 6-months. Eyelashes touching the eye were counted and their phenotypes documented. Participants were trained on how to epilate. Epilation was done by the participants at home and by the examiner during follow-ups when requested by the participant. Follow-up rates were ≥97%. There was evidence of a significant reduction in the burden of trichiatic eyelashes in unoperated (mean difference = -0.90 [-1.11– -0.69]; RR = 0.50 [95% CI, 0.40–0.62]; p<0.0001), and postoperative (mean difference = -1.16 [-1.36– -0.95]; RR = 0.38 [95% CI, 0.31–0.48]; p<0.0001) cases 6-month after frequent epilation. Post-epilation trichiatic eyelashes at 6-months had higher odds of being thin (40.2% vs 55.8%, OR = 1.88 [95% CI, 1.21–2.93]; p = 0.0048), weak (39.8% vs 70.8%, OR = 3.68 [95%CI,2.30–5.88]; p<0.0001), and half-length (30.9% vs 43.3%, OR = 1.71 [1.09–2.68]; p = 0.020) than the pre-epilation trichiatic eyelashes in unoperated cases. There was a significant increase in the proportion of weak trichiatic eyelashes (OR = 1.99 [95% CI, 1.03–3.83; p = 0.039) in postoperative cases. In all 6 follow-up time points, 120/164 (73.2%) of unoperated and 134/163 (82.2%) of postoperative cases indicated that they would accept surgery if their trichiasis progressed.

Conclusions/Significance

In this study setting, frequent epilation neither hampers surgical acceptance nor results in more damaging trichiatic eyelashes than the pre-epilation lashes; and can be used as an alternative to the programmatic management of minor unoperated and postoperative TT cases.
Making it to the PhD: Gender and student performance in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Fisher Monica , Nyabaro Violet , Mendum Ruth , Osiru Moses
Published: December 2020

Women’s underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) impedes progress in solving Africa’s complex development problems. As in other regions, women’s participation in STEM drops progressively moving up the education and career ladder, with women currently constituting 30% of Africa’s STEM researchers. This study elucidates gender-based differences in PhD performance using new survey data from 227 alumni of STEM PhD programs in 17 African countries. We find that, compared to their male counterparts, sampled women had about one less paper accepted for publication during their doctoral studies and took about half a year longer to finish their PhD training. Negative binomial regression models provide insights on the observed differences in women’s and men’s PhD performance. Results indicate that the correlates of publication productivity and time to PhD completion are very similar for women and men, but some gender-based differences are observed. For publication output, we find that good supervision had a stronger impact for men than women; and getting married during the PhD reduced women’s publication productivity but increased that of men. Becoming a parent during the PhD training was a key reason that women took longer to complete the PhD, according to our results. Findings suggest that having a female supervisor, attending an institution with gender policies in place, and pursuing the PhD in a department where sexual harassment by faculty was perceived as uncommon were enabling factors for women’s timely completion of their doctoral studies. Two priority interventions emerge from this study: (1) family-friendly policies and facilities that are supportive of women’s roles as wives and mothers and (2) fostering broader linkages and networks for women in STEM, including ensuring mentoring and supervisory support that is tailored to their specific needs and circumstances.
Impact of duration and magnitude of raised intracranial pressure on outcome after severe traumatic brain injury: A CENTER-TBI high-resolution group study
Authors: Åkerlund Cecilia AI , Donnelly Joseph , Zeiler Frederick A. , Helbok Raimund , Holst Anders , Cabeleira Manuel , Güiza Fabian , Meyfroidt Geert , Czosnyka Marek , Smielewski Peter , Stocchetti Nino , Ercole Ari , Nelson David W. ,   the CENTER-TBI High Resolution ICU Sub-Study Participants and Investigators
Published: December 2020

Magnitude of intracranial pressure (ICP) elevations and their duration have been associated with worse outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), however published thresholds for injury vary and uncertainty about these levels has received relatively little attention. In this study, we have analyzed high-resolution ICP monitoring data in 227 adult patients in the CENTER-TBI dataset. Our aim was to identify thresholds of ICP intensity and duration associated with worse outcome, and to evaluate the uncertainty in any such thresholds. We present ICP intensity and duration plots to visualize the relationship between ICP events and outcome. We also introduced a novel bootstrap technique to evaluate uncertainty of the equipoise line. We found that an intensity threshold of 18 ± 4 mmHg (2 standard deviations) was associated with worse outcomes in this cohort. In contrast, the uncertainty in what duration is associated with harm was larger, and safe durations were found to be population dependent. The pressure and time dose (PTD) was also calculated as area under the curve above thresholds of ICP. A relationship between PTD and mortality could be established, as well as for unfavourable outcome. This relationship remained valid for mortality but not unfavourable outcome after adjusting for IMPACT core variables and maximum therapy intensity level. Importantly, during periods of impaired autoregulation (defined as pressure reactivity index (PRx)>0.3) ICP events were associated with worse outcomes for nearly all durations and ICP levels in this cohort and there was a stronger relationship between outcome and PTD. Whilst caution should be exercised in ascribing causation in observational analyses, these results suggest intracranial hypertension is poorly tolerated in the presence of impaired autoregulation. ICP level guidelines may need to be revised in the future taking into account cerebrovascular autoregulation status considered jointly with ICP levels.
Lack of protective effect of chloroquine derivatives on COVID-19 disease in a Spanish sample of chronically treated patients
Authors: Laplana Marina , Yuguero Oriol , Fibla Joan
Published: December 2020

Background

The search for a SARS-CoV-2 treatment has emerged as a worldwide priority. We evaluated the role of chloroquine and its derivatives in COVID-19 in Spanish individuals.

Methods

We performed a survey addressed to patients regularly taking chloroquine and its derivatives for the control of their autoimmune diseases. The survey was distributed with special attention to Spanish patient associations centred on autoimmune diseases and rheumatology and to the general population. A sample of untreated subjects was matched to the treated group according to sex, age range and incidence region. COVID-19 disease prevalence was compared between treated and untreated-matched control sample.

Results

A total of 319 surveys of patients regularly taking chloroquine and its derivatives were recovered for further analysis. The prevalence of declared COVID-19 status in the treated group was 5.3% and the mean prevalence among the untreated-matched groups was 3.4%. A community exposition to COVID-19 was associated with a greater prevalence of COVID-19 in both, treated (17.0% vs. 3.2%; p-value<0.001) and untreated groups (13.4% vs. 1.1%; p-value = 0.027).

Conclusion

We did not find differences of reported COVID-19 cases between treated and untreated groups, indicating a lack of protection by regular administration of chloroquine and its derivative drugs on COVID-19 infection. Of relevance, data indicates that patients that regularly take chloroquine derivatives are exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection and must take the same protection measures as the general population.