bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of IRDA Guidelines on Consumer Confidence in Life Insurance Market: Then and Now
Authors: Khera Shikha , Divya
Published: December 2020

This study has been undertaken in order to estimate the impact on IRDA guidelines on customer satisfaction in the life insurance sector from the time of its inception in 1999 to the IRDA Amendment (The Insurance Laws Act) of 2015. In order to accomplish the research aim and objectives appropriately, a thematic framework has been implemented that aspires to conduct quantitative analysis of the primary data collected in relation to the research topic through questionnaire-based survey. Further, comparative survey of customer confidence on IRDA guidelines pertaining to pre- and post-IRDA regulation 2017 has been made in the study. The study findings confirm that IRDA guidelines, that is, transparent and make clear specifications on aggressive online selling by insurance companies, provide outsourcing guideline for them, direct the customers on timely settlement of claims without delay, and are abided by the mandate of Government of India to link PAN and Aadhaar card of the consumers to their policies show significantly positive impact on consumer confidence. Simply put, there is significant increase in confidence post-2015 Amendment Act.
Informational Role of Open Interest and Transaction Volume of Options: A Meta-Analytic Review
Authors: Avinash  , Mallikarjunappa T.
Published: December 2020

The study examines the research literature pertaining to the informational content of open interest and transaction volume in a systematic manner. Our review upheld their informational role in estimating the price of the underlying stock in future, in predicting future volatility and in ascertaining the market behaviour around corporate/macro-economic announcements with mixed directional effect. Further, through well-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria, we choose 38 research works to uncover the factors and conditions upon which open interest and transaction volume are more informative via meta-regression. The temporal and spatial factors indicate that open interest and transaction volume are more informative in an emerging market as compared to a developed market.
Tooth Loss and Nutritional Status in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Zelig R. , Goldstein S. , Touger-Decker R. , Firestone E. , Golden A. , Johnson Z. , Kaseta A. , Sackey J. , Tomesko J. , Parrott J.S.
Published: December 2020

Background/Objective:

Older adults are at risk for tooth loss and compromised nutritional status. Our objective was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to answer the following question: Among adults aged ≥60 y living in developed countries, what are the associations between tooth loss and nutritional status as assessed by a validated nutrition screening or assessment tool?

Methods:

PRISMA guidelines were followed. PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, and MEDLINE were searched for studies published in English between 2009 and 2019 that met inclusion criteria. Data extracted included study and participant characteristics, dentition, and nutritional status. Risk of bias was assessed with a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Random effects meta-analysis was used.

Results:

Of the 588 unduplicated articles identified, 78 were reviewed in full text, and 7 met inclusion criteria. Six studies were combined for a meta-analysis, which revealed that individuals who were completely edentulous or who lacked functional dentition had a 21% increased likelihood of being at risk of malnutrition or being malnourished, as compared with those who were dentulous or had functionally adequate dentition (risk ratio, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.11 to 1.32; I2 = 70%). Whether the article statistically adjusted for medical history explained most of the heterogeneity in the pooled effect.

Conclusions and Implications:

Findings suggest that older adults with tooth loss are at greater risk of malnutrition than those with functionally adequate dentition. Use of validated tools to assess risk of malnutrition in older adults with tooth loss is important to promote early intervention and referral to optimize nutrition and oral health status. Findings were limited by heterogeneity, risk of bias, and overall quality of the studies reviewed. Cohort studies that adjust for known confounders and use consistent approaches to assess tooth loss and nutritional status are needed.

Knowledge Transfer Statement:

The results of this study suggest that older adults with tooth loss are at greater risk of malnutrition than those with functionally adequate dentition. Screening of this population for malnutrition by health care professionals, including dentists and dietitians, may result in corresponding referrals to optimize nutrition and oral health status. Further research is needed with consistent approaches to assess tooth loss and nutritional status.
Skilled nursing resident adherence with wearable technology to offer safer mobility and decreased fall injuries
Authors: Tarbert Rebecca J , Singhatat Wamis
Published: December 2020

Hip fractures are a debilitating event for thousands of older adults each year in our communities and in our care facilities. The outcomes of sustaining a hip fracture include disability, significant cost and increased mortality in a growing population of those at risk of falls and fracture. Traditional methods of injury prevention from falls for those at risk of hip fracture include the wearing of hip protector clothing with limited adherence. A smart wearable designed to overcome barriers to adherence and offer hip protection with fall-sensing technology is emerging in older adult resident facilities to capture the fall as it occurs and avoid injury. This hip protection device has been evaluated in older adult residential settings to decrease fall injuries and support a culture of mobility. Adherence to the wear of the motion sensing technology can be accomplished by embedding the program into the daily care for residents identified as at risk of hip fracture. Successful adherence and shared results are illustrated with specific insight articulated in a single user case study.
Mirror Therapy in Stroke Rehabilitation: Why, How Early, and Effects: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Gandhi Dorcas B. C. , Sterba Albert , Khatter Himani , Pandian Jeyaraj D. , Bhanot Komal
Published: December 2020

Background and Aims:

The use of visual stimuli to facilitate a desired response in the affected limb in mirror therapy (MT) makes it an effective treatment modality even in instances of a complete plegic upper extremity poststroke. This article analyzes the effects of MT on impairments, activity limitation, and participation restriction in the acute and chronic phases poststroke.

Methods:

In total, 16 out of 3871 studies were included in the meta-analysis, using PRISMA guidelines. Data were categorized based on application in stroke rehabilitation (acute/chronic, motor/sensory/neglect/activity of daily living, upper limb/lower limb), modes and dosage of intervention delivery, types of control, and outcome assessment. RevMan 5.0 software was used for analysis.

Results:

Studies were equally distributed between chronic and acute phases. Therapy durations lasted between 1 and 8 weeks. Most studies intervened for upper limb motor impairments showing improvement in Brunnstrom motor recovery stages of arm ( P value: .04, 95% CI, 0.05-1.54, I2 = 59%) and hand ( P value: <.001, 95% CI, 0.80-2.01, I2 = 0%) during acute phase (0-4 weeks). “Activity/function” measured by functional independence measure showed improvement only in self-care subsection ( P value: <.001, 95% CI, 2.05-5.16, I2 = 0%). No long-term effects were analyzed in any of the included studies.

Conclusion:

A significant finding of this study is the role of MT in improving arm and hand impairments in acute phase poststroke. Rehabilitation protocols can be improved based on this finding. As MT is effective, affordable, and feasible, we have made suggestions toward its incorporation in physiotherapy protocols for low- and middle-income countries.
Medial Femoral Condyle Flap for Persistent Alveolar Cleft Reconstruction
Authors: Abraha Blaine T. , Day Kristopher D. , Padilla Pablo L. , Henry Steven L. , Kelley Patrick K. , Harshbarger Raymond J.
Published: December 2020

An alveolar cleft (AC) is typically repaired using a non-vascularized bone graft from the iliac crest. Such alveolar bone grafts (ABGs) are reliable but not infallible. We present the case of an 18-year-old male with a persistent AC with the instability of the cleft-side medial incisor and canine, status post 4 failed ABGs. The medial femoral condyle (MFC) flap was chosen to provide vascularized and similarly contoured bone. The patient recovered well and now has adequate bone stock for dental restoration.
Concordance of patient beliefs and expectations regarding the management of low back pain with guideline recommendations – a cross-sectional study in Germany
Authors: Kiel Simone , Raus Christina , Sierocinski Elizabeth , Knauthe Peggy , Chenot Jean-François
Published: December 2020

Background

Low back pain is a common reason for patients to seek medical care. Physician non-adherence to clinical guidelines has been observed. We investigated the extent to which patient expectations correspond to recommendations of the German national guideline for management of low back pain (G-LBP) and whether patient characteristics, history of LBP and previous treatment experience are associated with expectations.

Methods

A cross-sectional study including patients from 13 general practices was conducted. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Inverse probability weights were used to address non-response bias. Descriptive analysis and multivariate logistic regression models were performed.

Results

A total of 977 patients were included in analyses (median age 57 years, 39% male). 75% of patients reported experiencing LBP currently or within the last year. More than 65% indicated they would agree to forgo further examinations if their LBP was judged by their physician to be of no serious concern. This was associated with the highest level of education and no prior imaging, and negatively associated with good-to-poor health status and moderate-to-severe pain intensity. 40% of participants expected imaging. The highest educational level, female gender and no prior imaging were associated with a decreased expectation of imaging. 70% expected prescriptions for massages. Females, participants with good-to-poor health status, current LBP or LBP in the last 12 months had an increased expectation for massages. Expectations for injection therapy (45%) were mainly associated with previous injections. Expectations for physiotherapy (64%) were associated with female gender, lower educational level, good-to-poor health status, current LBP or in the last 12 months. The perspective that daily activities should be continued (66%) was associated with female gender and higher educational level. Participants who agreed to the statement ‘There is no effective treatment for LBP’ (11%) had a poor health status, current LBP and a severe pain intensity.

Conclusion

Patient views regarding LBP management are partially concordant with guideline recommendations and are strongly influenced by previous treatment experiences and education level. Exploration of patient expectations and experiences in LBP treatment may help minimize dissatisfaction of patients expecting treatments not endorsed by guidelines and simultaneously increase physician guideline adherence.
SARS-CoV-2 pandemia in Lombardy: the impact on family Paediatricians
Authors: Missaglia Rinaldo , Belingheri Michael , Antolini Laura , de’ Angelis Monica , Brivio Luca , Riva Michele Augusto , Genovesi Simonetta
Published: December 2020

As health care workers (HCWs) who care for children, who usually demonstrate milder symptoms than adults, family paediatricians have an increased risk of exposure to coronavirus. In April 2020, the Sindacato Medici Pediatri di Famiglia (SIMPeF), provided its members with rapid tests to detect antibodies against SARS-CoV-2; 1240 individuals, including 377 paediatricians, 108 staff members of pediatric clinics, and 755 cohabitant relatives of paediatricians, were tested in Lombardy, the most affected Italian region. The global prevalence of IgG antibodies in these individuals was 20.7%, which is higher than that of the general population and other HCWs. More than 70% of subjects with IgG antibodies presented symptoms, and 4.9% needed hospitalization. In addition, 64.2% of the study participants reported close contacts with a suspected case of COVID-19, while 72.9% of the family paediatricians reported occupational exposure to the disease. The initiative of the SIMPeF has been useful in assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric settings, as well as in raising paediatricians’ awareness of the spreading of coronavirus.
The insurability of innovative pharmaceutical cancer technologies
Authors: Greenberg Shuli Brammli , Dotan Einat , Arazi Rachel
Published: December 2020

The scientific literature, including several papers published in the IJHPR, has raised the issue of the spiraling cost of cancer treatment, including that of cancer drugs and other technologies such as gene and cell therapies. In this perspective, we review three criteria for insurability and show that they may not be met.

First, the uncertain trends in the cost of innovative pharmaceutical and other cancer technologies make the maximum possible loss per event very difficult to predict and to manage in terms of insurer solvency. Second, the uncertainty of the price, the period that a drug or other cancer care technology will be administered and the number of individuals that will need the technology makes it difficult to predict future insurance premiums and whether they will be affordable to the target population. Third, public coverage needs to be consistent with societal values. However, pressure to limit public coverage will gradually increase as the possibilities of innovative pharmaceutical cancer technologies expand, thus transferring the burden onto commercial insurance. This is a phenomenon that is virtually impossible to predict accurately, but which will certainly undermine the status of health as a social good.

We conclude that the financial risk arising from the use of innovative pharmaceutical cancer technologies fails to meet the aforementioned criteria, thus raising questions as to the sustainability of commercial insurance for cancer treatment and suggesting the need for the state to take greater responsibility for covering this financial risk in the future.
Refinements of some Hardy–Littlewood–Pólya type inequalities via Green’s functions and Fink’s identity and related results
Authors: Khalid Sadia , Pečarić Josip
Published: December 2020

In this paper, first we present some interesting identities associated with Green’s functions and Fink’s identity, and further we present some interesting inequalities for r-convex functions. We also present refinements of some Hardy–Littlewood–Pólya type inequalities and give an application to the Shannon entropy. Furthermore, we use the Čebyšev functional and Grüss type inequalities and present the bounds for the remainder in the obtained identities. Finally, we use the obtained identities together with Hölder’s inequality for integrals and present Ostrowski type inequalities.
Strong convergence inertial projection and contraction method with self adaptive stepsize for pseudomonotone variational inequalities and fixed point problems
Authors: Jolaoso Lateef Olakunle , Aphane Maggie
Published: December 2020

In this paper, we introduce a new inertial self-adaptive projection method for finding a common element in the set of solution of pseudomonotone variational inequality problem and set of fixed point of a pseudocontractive mapping in real Hilbert spaces. The self-adaptive technique ensures the convergence of the algorithm without any prior estimate of the Lipschitz constant. With the aid of Moudafi’s viscosity approximation method, we prove a strong convergence result for the sequence generated by our algorithm under some mild conditions. We also provide some numerical examples to illustrate the accuracy and efficiency of the algorithm by comparing with other recent methods in the literature.
The burden of injuries in Ethiopia from 1990-2017: evidence from the global burden of disease study
Authors: Ali Solomon , Destaw Zelalem , Misganaw Awoke , Worku Asnake , Negash Legesse , Bekele Abebe , Zergaw Ababi , Walker Ally , Odell Chris , Naghavi Mohsen , Abate Ebba , Mirkuzie Alemnesh H.
Published: December 2020

Background

Mortality caused by injuries is increasing and becoming a significant global public health concern. Limited evidence from Ethiopia on road traffic, unintentional and intentional injuries indicate the potential public health impact of problems resulting from such injuries. However, there is a significant evidence gap about the actual national burden of all injuries in Ethiopia. This data base study aimed to reveal the national burden of different injuries in Ethiopia.

Methodology

Data for this study were extracted from the estimates of the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) 2017 study. Estimates of metrics such as Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), death rates, incidence, and prevalence were extracted. The metrics were then examined at different injury types, socio-demographic categories such as age groups and sex. Trends of the metrics were also explored for these categories across years from 2007 to 2017. The DALYs and deaths due to injuries in Ethiopia were also compared with other East African countries (specifically Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia) in order to evaluate regional differences across years, by sex and by different injury types such as transport injuries, unintentional injuries, self-harm and interpersonal violence.

Results

The age-standardized injury death rate has decreased to 69.4; 95% UI: (63.0–76.9) from 90.11; 95% UI: (82.41–97.73) in 2017 as compared with 2007. Road injury, falls, self-harm and interpersonal violence were the leading causes of mortality from injuries occurring in 2017. The age-standardized injury DALYs rate has decreased to 3328.2; 95% UI: (2981.7-3707.8) from 4265.55; 95% UI: (3898.11–4673.64) in 2017 as compared with 2007. The number of deaths resulting from injuries in 2017 was highest for males, children under 5 years, people aged 15–24.

Conclusion

The current age-standardized death rate and DALYs from injuries is high and the observed annual reduction is not satisfactory. There is a difference in gender and age regarding the number of deaths resulting from injuries. The data indicates that the current national efforts to address the public health impact of injuries in Ethiopia are not sufficient enough to bring a marked reduction. As a result, a more holistic approach to address all injuries is recommended in Ethiopia.
Impact of adolescent complex regional pain syndrome on the psychopathology of young men ahead of military service: a retrospective cohort analysis of Korean conscription data
Authors: Lee Shin-Heon , Ko Myeong-Jin , Nam Taek-Kyun , Kwon Jeong-Taik , Park Yong-Sook
Published: December 2020

Background

The relationship between physical and psychopathological features in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) has been a subject of constant interest, but no data are available in adolescents. Therefore, we aimed to identify the factors associated with psychopathology in adolescents with CRPS ahead of military service.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all conscription examinees who had completed a Military Personality Inventory (MPI) during a period between February 2013 and December 2016. A total of 63 persons with a history of CRPS (19-years of age for all) were enrolled. Basic demographic and pain-related data were analyzed to examine their association with MPI results. The mean FGR score as well as the 8 subdomain scores were compared between those with pain duration at < 15 months (n = 30) versus ≥15 months (n = 33). Binary MPI results (normal-abnormal) were also compared between the two groups.

Results

In multivariate analysis, abnormal MPI was associated with pain duration, with an odds ratio (OR) at 1.05 for every 1-month increase (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.08; P = 0.002). Subjects with pain duration at ≥15 months have lower faking good response score (P < 0.001 vs. those with pain duration at < 15 months), and higher abnormal MPI result rate, faking bad response, inconsistency, anxiety, depression, somatization, paranoid, personality disorder cluster A, and personality disorder cluster B scores (P < 0.05). Pain duration was significantly associated with the MPI variables.

Conclusions

Pain duration is associated with psychopathology in adolescents with CRPS. Psychopathologic features increased as the disease duration increased. A comprehensive understanding of time-dependent psychopathological factors could support the planning of multimodal approaches for managing adolescent CRPS.
Electro-photoluminescence study in InGaAs/AlGaAs multi-quantum-wells
Authors: Han Lili , Zhao Minglong , Tang Xiansheng , Huo Wenxue , Deng Zhen , Jiang Yang , Wang Wenxin , Chen Hong , Du Chunhua , Jia Haiqiang
Published: December 2020

Photoluminescence (PL) plays an important role in the study of luminescence characteristics of multi-quantum-well (MQW) structures. In this work, we study electro-photoluminescence spectra of InGaAs/AlGaAs MQWs under open-circuit, short-circuit, and forward-voltage conditions. The dependences of photocurrent and photovoltage on excitation power are discussed in this paper, which allows us to explore the carrier behavior in InGaAs/AlGaAs MQW LEDs deeply. We propose that the photovoltaic effect in open-circuit (OC) conditions should be properly considered for PL characterization and calculation of the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) as well as non-radiative recombination (NRA) efficiency in InGaAs/AlGaAs MQW LEDs.
Effect of Different Positions During Surgical Preparation With Combined Spinal-Epidural Anesthesia for Elective Cesarean Delivery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Liu Tianyu , Zou Shiya , Guo Lulu , Niu Zheng , Wang Min , Xu Chao , Gao Xiuxiu , Shi Zeshu , Guo Xiaowei , Xiao Hanbing , Qi Dunyi
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND:

The intraoperative 15° left-tilt position during cesarean delivery has more recently been questioned regarding its effect on fetal acid-base balance and is a frequent source of complaints by surgeons. We hypothesized that a 30° left-tilt position during surgical preparation could improve the acid-base balance of the fetus compared with the 15° left-tilt or supine position during surgical preparation.

METHODS:

Women undergoing elective cesarean delivery under combined spinal epidural anesthesia were randomized to a supine position, 15° left-lateral tilt position or 30° left-lateral tilt position; the position was changed to supine before the incision. Anesthetic management was standardized and included fluid loading with 10 mL/kg of normal saline followed by colloid loading. Hypotension (systolic blood pressure [SBP] reduction >20% baseline value or SBP <90 mm Hg) was treated with boluses of phenylephrine or ephedrine according to maternal heart rate. The primary outcome was umbilical arterial blood pH and the secondary outcomes included maternal SBP within 15 minutes after induction of anesthesia, the amount of vasoactive drug administered before end of the surgery, and the incidence of hypotension during cesarean delivery.

RESULTS:

Seventy-five patients were included. After testing by analysis of variance, there was no significant difference in the umbilical arterial pH among the 3 groups (supine group: 7.31 ± 0.03 vs 15° group: 7.30 ± 0.04 vs 30° group: 7.31 ± 0.02, P = .28). The 30° group required significantly less phenylephrine (P = .007) and ephedrine (P = .005) before the end of surgery than the supine group; however, the only benefit observed in the 15° group was that the mean SBP at 3 minutes after spinal injection was significantly improved compared with the supine group.

CONCLUSIONS:

Compared with the supine position, the 30° left-tilt position during surgical preparation did not significantly improve the fetal acid-base status, but it significantly reduced the use of phenylephrine and ephedrine and reduced the incidence of hypotension; however, these benefits were not observed in the 15° left-tilt group.
Automated cell tracking using StarDist and TrackMate
Authors: Fazeli Elnaz , Roy Nathan H. , Follain Gautier , Laine Romain F. , von Chamier Lucas , Hänninen Pekka E. , Eriksson John E. , Tinevez Jean-Yves , Jacquemet Guillaume
Published: December 2020

The ability of cells to migrate is a fundamental physiological process involved in embryonic development, tissue homeostasis, immune surveillance, and wound healing. Therefore, the mechanisms governing cellular locomotion have been under intense scrutiny over the last 50 years. One of the main tools of this scrutiny is live-cell quantitative imaging, where researchers image cells over time to study their migration and quantitatively analyze their dynamics by tracking them using the recorded images. Despite the availability of computational tools, manual tracking remains widely used among researchers due to the difficulty setting up robust automated cell tracking and large-scale analysis. Here we provide a detailed analysis pipeline illustrating how the deep learning network StarDist can be combined with the popular tracking software TrackMate to perform 2D automated cell tracking and provide fully quantitative readouts. Our proposed protocol is compatible with both fluorescent and widefield images. It only requires freely available and open-source software (ZeroCostDL4Mic and Fiji), and does not require any coding knowledge from the users, making it a versatile and powerful tool for the field. We demonstrate this pipeline's usability by automatically tracking cancer cells and T cells using fluorescent and brightfield images. Importantly, we provide, as supplementary information, a detailed step-by-step protocol to allow researchers to implement it with their images.
A concept analysis of ‘trial recruitment’ using the hybrid model – Phase 1 findings
Authors: Delaney Hannah , Devane Declan , Hunter Andrew , Treweek Shaun , Mills Nicola , Gamble Carrol , Smith Valerie
Published: December 2020

Background: The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) requires trials submitted for publication to be registered before enrolment of the first participant; however, there is ambiguity around the definition of recruitment and in anchoring the trial start date, end date, recruitment and enrolment, temporally to trial processes. There is potential for variation in how recruitment is reported and understood in trial protocols and trial reports. We report on Phase 1 of a concept analysis of ‘trial recruitment’ and develop a preliminary operational definition of ‘trial recruitment’.

Methods: A concept analysis using the hybrid model. We searched randomised and non-randomised trial reports published between January 2018 and June 2019. Included studies were sourced from the five top journals in the category of medicine with the highest impact factor. We examined how recruitment was defined temporally to four time points; screening, consent, randomisation, and allocation.

Results: Of the 150 trial reports analysed, over half did not identify a clear time point of when recruitment took place in relation to any of screening/consent/randomisation/allocation. The majority of the assessed trials provided a time frame in relation to the trial (i.e. start/end date), the process that this time frame referred to differed between studies. There was variation across studies in the terminology used to describe entry to the trial and often multiple terms were used interchangeably.

Conclusion: There is ambiguity around temporal descriptions of ‘trial recruitment’ in health care journals. Informed by the findings of Phase 1, we developed a preliminary temporal operational definition of trial recruitment based on i) trial recruitment of an individual or cluster and ii) the trial recruitment period. In Phase 2 this definition will be discussed in focus groups with healthcare workers involved in designing/implementing/reporting on trials; to contribute to the final phase (analytical phase) of this concept analysis.
ANALYSIS OF TIME-FREQUENCY TRANSFORMATIONS OF NON-STATIONARY QUASIPERIODIC BIOMEDICAL SIGNALS
Authors: Alehin Maksim , Bogomolov Aleksey
Published: December 2020

The results of the analysis of time-frequency transformations based on the systematization of their main characteristics in the tasks of processing and analyzing patterns of non-stationary quasi-periodic signals are presented, the advantages and disadvantages of using each of the transformations are specified
PHOSPHATASE ACTIVITY AND POSSIBILITIES OF LYSOSOMAL SECRETION OF AIRWAY NEUTROPHILS IN PATIENTS WITH BRONCHIAL ASTHMA IN COLD-INDUCED STRESS
Authors: Pirogov Aleksey , Andrievskaya Irina , Prikhodko Anna , Kolosov Viktor , Perelman Yuliy
Published: December 2020

An approach to the study of cellular inflammation using methods of cytochemical analysis of sputum in patients with bronchial asthma with different types of airway reactions to bronchoprovocation with cold air is presented. Endotyping of patients contributes to a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms and the choice of treatment tactics for the disease.
EVALUATION OF CONTOUR ANALYSIS OF PHOTOPLETHYSMOGRAM IN PATIENTS WITH COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA
Authors: Abuldinova Ol'ga , Voytsekhovskiy Valeriy , Prikhodko Olga , Goborov Nikolay
Published: December 2020

The scientific article presents the results of evaluation of contour analysis of photoplethysmogram in patients treated in the pulmonology Department of the Amur regional clinical hospital with a diagnosis of: Community-acquired pneumonia of moderate severity, the peak phase.
AGING AND HEALTH-PHYSIOLOGICAL COMPONENTS OF PERSONAL LABOR POTENTIAL
Authors: Krut`ko Vyacheslav , Doncov Vitaliy , Kuznecov P
Published: December 2020

The influence of natural aging processes and accompanying age-dependent diseases (ADD) on personal labor potential (PLP) in modern conditions of socio-economic development is considered. Aging reduces the overall viability, which reduces PLP and increases the risks of ADD, so it is necessary to assess the personal risk levels of ADD, and aging (according to biological age indicators) and conduct timely prevention.
TECHNOLOGIES OF AUTOMATED NOTIFICATION OF HUMAN HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE RISKS UNDER HYPOXIC HYPOXIA
Authors: Markov Nikolay , Filatov Vladimir
Published: December 2020

The technologies of automated notification of health risks and human performance under hypoxic hypoxia are described, which provide the calculation and presentation in real time of visual and acoustic information about the value of the assessment of the reserve time for maintaining human health and performance under hypoxic hypoxia
FEATURES OF HELICOPTER NOISE AND HEALTH RISKS
Authors: Haritonov Vladimir , Solovey Yu
Published: December 2020

The generated noise of the Mi-8 helicopter will differ significantly in the mechanism of formation, resulting in a complex spectrum. Working conditions inside the helicopter correspond to harmful working conditions in terms of noise (class 3.2 – 3.3), and in terms of infrasound – acceptable (class 2). The simultaneous effect of intense noise, infrasound and General vibration creates high risks to the health of helicopter personnel.
Astigmatism analysis and correction method introduced by an inclined plate in a convergent optical path
Authors: Zheng Qiushui , Qin Tianxiang , Li Wenbo , Wang Xiaoyan , Huang Yunhan , Liu Zhiying
Published: December 2020

A plate beam splitter can simultaneously increase the transmittances and reflectances of different split spectrum segments. The splitter has been widely used in optical systems. However, when a beam passes through a beam splitter in a convergent optical path, the image quality may be degraded severely because the tilted plate may introduce aberrations such as astigmatism at the on-axis point. The formula for calculating this astigmatism is established. The calculated results are consistent with the simulated results, and the validity of the formula is verified through experiments. A cylindrical lens curvature calculation formula is derived to correct the on-axis astigmatism, which reduces the aberrations introduced by the tilted plate and improves the imaging performance. The imaging characteristics of the off-axis field of view and the reasons for the changes in image quality are analyzed. The

F

-number range of the converging light path is calculated, which provides a reference for tilted applications of flat-panel optical elements in converging light paths.
All-normal-dispersion dissipative soliton fiber laser using an offset-splicing graded-index-multimode-fiber-based saturable absorber
Authors: Pan Wei , Jin Liang , Wang Jiazhu , Wang Renyan , Zhang He , Yingtian Xu , Zhao Xin , Li Yang , Ma Xiaohui
Published: December 2020

All-normal-dispersion (ANDi) dissipative soliton mode-locking is realized based on nonlinear multimode interference (NMI), which is implemented by offset-splicing three pieces of graded-index multimode fibers (GIMFs) and acts as a saturable absorber. The higher-order modes can be excited by offset-splicing GIMFs (OS-GIMFs), which eliminates adding the step multimode fiber (SIMF) into the resonant cavity and the precise length requirement of the SIMF. In the experiment, the stable dissipative soliton mode-locking at 1030 nm can be obtained with the pulse width of 7.3 ps and the repetition rate of 20.52 MHz, and the bandwidth is 6.98 nm. The maximum output is 3.2 mW with the pump power of 257 mW. The OS-GIMFs can significantly improve the saturated absorption and can easily realize dissipative soliton mode-locking in ANDi regions, which makes it attractive in ultrafast photonics.
Biosensor based on two-dimensional gradient guided-mode resonance filter
Authors: Yang Nien-Zu , Hsiung Chan-Te , Huang Cheng-Sheng
Published: December 2020

A novel biosensor based on a two-dimensional gradient (TDG) guided-mode resonance (GMR) filter was introduced in this study. The TDG-GMR is demarcated in terms of the gradient grating period (GGP) in one dimension and gradient waveguide thickness (GWT) in the other dimension. A single compact sensor can combine these two features to simultaneously provide a broad detection range through GGP and high resolution through GWT. A detection range of 0.109 RIU (0%–60% sucrose content) with a limit of detection of 5.62 × 10−4 was demonstrated in this study by using a TDG-GMR with a size of 140.8 × 125.4 µm2. This value cannot be achieved using one dimensional gradient GMR sensor. Label-free (LF) biomolecule detection through TDG-GMR was also experimentally demonstrated in a model assay of albumin. The result confirms that the GWT-GMR provides a better resolution, whereas the GGP-GMR provides a broader detection range. A device for multiplex measurement could be easily implemented with a compact sensor chip and a simple readout directly from a charge-coupled device. This system would require a narrow-band source such as a light emitting diode or a laser diode, in addition to a limited number of other components such as a polarizer and a collimator. The proposed TDG-GMR could easily be integrated with smartphones and portable devices.
Ultrathin freestanding terahertz vector beam generators with free phase modulation
Authors: Zhou Huixian , Cheng Jierong , Fan Fei , Wang Xianghui , Chang Shengjiang
Published: December 2020

Simultaneous control of phase and polarization offers a large degree of freedom to tailor the beam properties, for instance, enabling generation of structured beams such as vector beams and vector vortex beams. Here, we propose an ultrathin freestanding metasurface operating at the terahertz frequency for efficient generation of vector vortex beam with an arbitrarily defined topological charge from linearly polarized excitation. The metasurface is composed of bilayer metallic patterns separated by a thin quartz slab, with one layer determining the transmission polarization and the other controlling the transmission phase. The tightly cascaded two layers form a Fabry-Perot cavity to maximize the efficiency of the polarization and phase control. Two metasurfaces for generation of radially polarized vector beam with uniform phase and vortex phase are fabricated and tested at 0.14 THz. The experimental results successfully demonstrate the generation of high-quality vector beams with the desired phase. In the experiment, the ultrathin and freestanding properties allow the metasurface to be easily combined with other components, which shows great potential for the development of various compact terahertz systems.
XUV frequency comb production with an astigmatism-compensated enhancement cavity
Authors: Nauta J. , Oelmann J.-H. , Borodin A. , Ackermann A. , Knauer P. , Muhammad I. S. , Pappenberger R. , Pfeifer T. , Crespo López-Urrutia J. R.
Published: December 2020

We have developed an extreme ultraviolet (XUV) frequency comb for performing ultra-high precision spectroscopy on the many XUV transitions found in highly charged ions (HCI). Femtosecond pulses from a 100 MHz phase-stabilized near-infrared frequency comb are amplified and then fed into a femtosecond enhancement cavity (fsEC) inside an ultra-high vacuum chamber. The low-dispersion fsEC coherently superposes several hundred incident pulses and, with a single cylindrical optical element, fully compensates astigmatism at the w0 = 15 µm waist cavity focus. With a gas jet installed there, intensities reaching ∼ 1014 W/cm2 generate coherent high harmonics with a comb spectrum at 100 MHz rate. We couple out of the fsEC harmonics from the 7th up to the 35th (42 eV; 30 nm) to be used in upcoming experiments on HCI frequency metrology.
Experimental demonstration of 50-m/5-Gbps underwater optical wireless communication with low-complexity chaotic encryption
Authors: Du Ji , Wang Yuan , Fei Chao , Chen Ruilin , Zhang Guowu , Hong Xiaojian , He Sailing
Published: December 2020

In this paper, a low-complexity two-level chaotic encryption scheme is introduced and experimentally demonstrated to improve the physical layer security of a 450-nm laser underwater optical wireless communication (UOWC) system using discrete Fourier transform spread discrete multi-tone (DFT-S DMT) modulation. In the first encryption stage, the original bit stream is encrypted with a chaotic sequence based on a one-dimensional Logistic map. In the second encryption stage, the real and imaginary components of the DFT-S symbols are further encrypted with a pair of separate chaotic sequences, which are generated from a two-dimensional Logistic iterative chaotic map with infinite collapse (2D-LICM). The experimental results indicate that the encryption operation has no negative effect on the performance of the proposed UOWC system. For chaotic encryption, the DFT-S DMT gives a better performance than the DMT scheme under different water turbidities. 55-m/4.5-Gbps and 50-m/5-Gbps underwater transmissions are successfully demonstrated by the chaotic encrypted DFT-S DMT scheme. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time to verify the feasibility of chaotic encryption in a high-speed UOWC system.
Optical isolation using microring modulators
Authors: Dostart Nathan , Gevorgyan Hayk , Onural Deniz , Popović Miloš A.
Published: December 2020

Optical isolators, while commonplace in bulk and fiber optical systems, remain a key missing component in integrated photonics. Isolation using magneto-optic materials has been difficult to integrate into complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) fabrication platforms, motivating the use of other paths to effective non-reciprocity such as temporal modulation. We demonstrate a non-reciprocal element comprising a pair of microring modulators and a microring phase shifter in an active silicon photonic process, which, in combination with standard bandpass filters, yields an isolator on-chip. Isolation up to 13 dB is measured with a 3 dB bandwidth of 2 GHz and insertion loss of 18 dB. We also show transmission of a 4 Gbps optical data signal through the isolator while retaining a wide-open eye diagram. This compact design, in combination with increased modulation efficiency, could enable modulator-based isolators to become a standard ‘black-box’ component in integrated photonics CMOS foundry platform component libraries.
Contaminant-free end-capped and single-mode acetylene photonic microcell for sub-Doppler spectroscopy
Authors: Billotte Thomas , Chafer Matthieu , Maurel Martin , Amrani Foued , Gerome Frederic , Debord Benoit , Benabid Fetah
Published: December 2020

We report on the development of an acetylene-filled photonic microcell based on an assembly process that is contaminant free and requires no helium buffer gas nor gluing procedure. The microcell consists of a 7-m-long and 30 µm core-diameter inhibited-coupling guiding hollow-core photonic crystal fiber filled with acetylene gas at a pressure in the range of 80 µbar, sealed by capping its ends with fusion-collapsing a glass-tube sleeve, and mounted on FC connectors for integration. The microcell shows a robust single-mode behavior and a total insertion loss of

∼

1.5

d
B

. The spectroscopic merit of the formed microcell is tested by generating electromagnetic induced transparency and saturated absorption on R13 and P9 absorption lines, respectively. The sub-Doppler transparencies show a close to transit time limited linewidth of

17

±

3

M
H
z

. The latter was monitored for over 3 months. As a demonstration, the microcell was used to frequency stabilize a laser with fractional frequency instability improvement by a factor 50 at 100 s integration time compared to free running laser operation.
Keldysh time bounds of laser-driven ionization dynamics
Authors: Zheltikov Aleksei M.
Published: December 2020

We revisit the energy–time uncertainty underpinning of the pointwise bounds of laser-driven ionization dynamics. When resolved within the driver pulse and its field cycle, these bounds are shown to manifest the key signature tendencies of photoionization current dynamics—a smooth growth within the pulse in the regime of multiphoton ionization and an abrupt, almost stepwise photocurrent buildup within a fraction of the field cycle in the limit of tunneling ionization. In both regimes, the Keldysh time, defined as the ratio of the Keldysh parameter to the driver frequency, serves as a benchmark for the minimum time of photoionization, setting an upper bound for the photoelectron current buildup rate.
Ultrafast single-photon detection at high repetition rates based on optical Kerr gates under focusing
Authors: Fattah Abdul-Hamid , Flatae Assegid Mengistu , Farrag Amr , Agio Mario
Published: December 2020

The ultrafast detection of single photons is currently restricted by the limited time resolution (a few picoseconds) of the available single-photon detectors. Optical gates offer a faster time resolution, but so far they have been applied mostly to ensembles of emitters. Here, we demonstrate through a semi-analytical model that the ultrafast time-resolved detection of single quantum emitters can be possible using an optical Kerr shutter at gigahertz rates under focused illumination. This technique provides sub-picosecond time resolution, while keeping a gate efficiency at around 85%. These findings lay the ground for future experimental investigations on the ultrafast dynamics of single quantum emitters, with implications for quantum nanophotonics and molecular physics.
Subconjunctival Injection of Transdifferentiated Oral Mucosal Epithelial Cells for Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency in Rats
Authors: Xiao Yu-Ting , Xie Hua-Tao , Liu Xin , Duan Chao-Ye , Qu Jing-Yu , Zhang Ming-Chang , Zhao Xin-Yue
Published: December 2020

Rat limbal niche cells (LNCs) have been proven to induce transdifferentiation of oral mucosal epithelial cells (OMECs) into corneal epithelial-like cells termed transdifferentiated oral mucosal epithelial cells (T-OMECs). This investigation aimed to evaluate the effect of subconjunctival T-OMEC injections on alkali-induced limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) in rats. LNCs were cocultured with OMECs in the Transwell system to obtain T-OMECs, with NIH-3T3 cells serving as a control. Subconjunctival injection of single T-OMEC or OMEC suspension was performed immediately after corneal alkali injury. T-OMECs were prelabeled with the fluorescent dye CM-DiI in vitro and tracked in vivo. Corneal epithelial defect, opacity, and neovascularization were quantitatively analyzed. The degree of corneal epithelial defect (from day 1 onward), opacity (from day 5 onward), and neovascularization (from day 2 onward) was significantly less in the T-OMEC group than in the OMEC group. Cytokeratin 12 (CK12), pigment epithelium–derived factor, and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 were expressed at a higher rate following T-OMEC injection. Some CM-DiI-labeled cells were found to be coexpressed with CK12, Pax6, and ΔNp63α in the corneal epithelium after subconjunctival injection. Subconjunctival injection of T-OMECs prevents conjunctival invasion and maintains a normal corneal phenotype, which might be a novel strategy in the treatment of LSCD:
CFAP53 regulates mammalian cilia-type motility patterns through differential localization and recruitment of axonemal dynein components
Authors: Ide Takahiro , Twan Wang Kyaw , Lu Hao , Ikawa Yayoi , Lim Lin-Xenia , Henninger Nicole , Nishimura Hiromi , Takaoka Katsuyoshi , Narasimhan Vijay , Yan Xiumin , Shiratori Hidetaka , Roy Sudipto , Hamada Hiroshi
Published: December 2020

Motile cilia can beat with distinct patterns, but how motility variations are regulated remain obscure. Here, we have studied the role of the coiled-coil protein CFAP53 in the motility of different cilia-types in the mouse. While node (9+0) cilia ofCfap53mutants were immotile, tracheal and ependymal (9+2) cilia retained motility, albeit with an altered beat pattern. In node cilia, CFAP53 mainly localized at the base (centriolar satellites), whereas it was also present along the entire axoneme in tracheal cilia. CFAP53 associated tightly with microtubules and interacted with axonemal dyneins and TTC25, a dynein docking complex component. TTC25 and outer dynein arms (ODAs) were lost from node cilia, but were largely maintained in tracheal cilia ofCfap53-/-mice. Thus, CFAP53 at the base of node cilia facilitates axonemal transport of TTC25 and dyneins, while axonemal CFAP53 in 9+2 cilia stabilizes dynein binding to microtubules. Our study establishes how differential localization and function of CFAP53 contributes to the unique motion patterns of two important mammalian cilia-types.