bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time Course of Performance Fatigability during Exercise below, at, and above the Critical Intensity in Females and Males
Authors: AZEVEDO RAFAEL DE ALMEIDA , FOROT JONAS , IANNETTA DANILO , ABOODARDA SAIED JALAL , MILLET GUILLAUME Y. , MURIAS JUAN M.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the time course and amplitude of performance fatigability during cycling at intensities around the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) until task failure (TTF).

Methods

Ten females and 11 males were evaluated in eight visits: 1) ramp incremental test; 2–3) 30-min constant power output (PO) cycling for MLSS determination; and 4–8) cycling to TTF at PO relative to the MLSS of (i) −15%, (ii) −10 W, (iii) at MLSS, and (iv) +10 W, and (v) +15%. Performance fatigability was characterized by femoral nerve electrical stimulation of knee extensors at baseline; minutes 5, 10, 20, and 30; and TTF. Oxygen uptake, blood lactate concentration, muscle oxygen saturation, and perceived exertion were evaluated.

Results

Approximately 75% of the total performance fatigability occurred within 5 min of exercise, independently of exercise intensity, followed by a further change at minute 30. Contractile function declined more in males than females (all P < 0.05). At task failure, exercise duration declined from MLSS−15% to MLSS+15% (all P < 0.05), accompanied by a greater rate of decline after MLSS+15% and MLSS+10 compared with MLSS, MLSS−10, and MLSS−15% for voluntary activation (−0.005 and −0.003 vs −0.002, −0.001 and −0.001%·min−1, respectively) and contractile function (potentiated single twitch force, −0.013 and −0.009 vs −0.006, −0.004 and −0.004%·min−1, respectively).

Conclusions

Whereas the time course of performance fatigability responses was similar regardless of exercise intensity and sex, the total amplitude and rate of change were affected by the distinct metabolic disturbances around the MLSS, leading to different performance fatigability etiologies at task failure.
In silico comparison between the mutated and wild type androgen receptors and their influence on the selection of optimum androgenic receptor blocker for treatment of prostate cancer
Authors: Akeel Al-Hussaniy Hany , S. Al-tameemi Zahraa , AL-Zobaidy Mohammed J.
Published: May 2022

Background: Prostate cancer is a disease that occurs in men aged more than 50 years. In Iraq, 8.89 men per 100,000 population suffer from prostate cancer, with the incidence being 14,016 cases and mortality being 6,367 cases. Despite advances in treatment against prostate cancer, it can become resistant to drugs. Therefore, the aim of current study was to search and identify binding sites for the repositioning of drugs by computational methods (docking). 

Methods: Based on the protein structure of the wild androgen receptor, the analysis parameters (22x22x22 on the X, Y, and Z axes) were established.

Results: The interactions of the natural ligands with androgen receptor were 10.0 (testosterone) and 10.8 (dihydrotestosterone) while mutated androgen receptor (T877A) had a low affinity with testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (-5.3 and -6.7, respectively). In the interactions of both receptors with the reported inhibitors (antagonists), a decrease with Bicalutamide (-8.3 and -4.3, respectively) and an increase in affinity with Flutamide and Nilutamide (-7.7 and 8.6, wild AR; -8.7 and -9.3 AR T877A) were observed. As for Enzalutamide and Apalutamide (second-generation antagonists), the change was minimal between wild androgen receptor and T877A (-7.6 and -7.7; -7.3 and -7.3, respectively). The change in the affinity of the ligands with androgen receptor and androgen receptor T877A shows how a mutation alters the bonds between these molecules.

Conclusion: The identification of key sites and potent inhibitors against abnormal androgen receptor functions will enrich prostate cancer treatments.
Lessons from COVID-19 for GCR governance: a research agenda
Authors: Rietveld Jochem , Hobson Tom , Avin Shahar , Sundaram Lalitha , Mani Lara
Published: May 2022

The Lessons from Covid-19 Research Agenda offers a structure to study the COVID-19 pandemic and the pandemic response from a Global Catastrophic Risk (GCR) perspective. The agenda sets out the aims of our study, which is to investigate the key decisions and actions (or failures to decide or to act) that significantly altered the course of the pandemic, with the aim of improving disaster preparedness and response in the future. It also asks how we can transfer these lessons to other areas of (potential) global catastrophic risk management such as extreme climate change, radical loss of biodiversity and the governance of extreme risks posed by new technologies.

Our study aims to identify key moments- ‘inflection points’- that significantly shaped the catastrophic trajectory of COVID-19. To that end this Research Agenda has identified four broad clusters where such inflection points are likely to exist: pandemic preparedness, early action, vaccines and non-pharmaceutical interventions. The aim is to drill down into each of these clusters to ascertain whether and how the course of the pandemic might have gone differently, both at the national and the global level, using counterfactual analysis. Four aspects are used to assess candidate inflection points within each cluster: 1. the information available at the time; 2. the decision-making processes used; 3. the capacity and ability to implement different courses of action, and 4. the communication of information and decisions to different publics. The Research Agenda identifies crucial questions in each cluster for all four aspects that should enable the identification of the key lessons from COVID-19 and the pandemic response.
Time to initiate randomized controlled clinical trials with methadone in cancer patients
Authors: Kremer Hans-Joachim
Published: May 2022

Public media coverage has fueled a demand for methadone as potential cure for cancer itself. Because patients have asked for respective prescriptions, clinical societies issued statements warning against the use of methadone as long as preclinical findings have not been supported by clinical evidence. In fact, not all preclinical data clearly support relevant effects. However, strong epidemiologic data suggest beneficial effects of methadone on cancer. Alternative explanations, namely better safety of methadone or hidden selection bias, seem less likely. This uncertainty can only be resolved by randomized controlled clinical trials. This review discusses all relevant data pertinent to methadone and cancer, uncovers supportive epidemiologic data, and suggests possible study designs.
Convexification of Queueing Formulas by Mixed-Integer Second-Order Cone Programming: An Application to a Discrete Location Problem with Congestion
Authors: Ahmadi-Javid Amir , Hoseinpour Pooya
Published: May 2022

Mixed-integer second-order cone programs (MISOCPs) form a novel class of mixed-integer convex programs, which can be solved very efficiently as a result of the recent advances in optimization solvers. This paper shows how various performance metrics of M/G/1 queues can be modeled by different MISOCPs. To motivate the reformulation method, it is first applied to a challenging stochastic location problem with congestion, which is broadly used to design socially optimal service systems. Three different MISOCPs are developed and compared on different sets of benchmark test problems. The new formulations efficiently solve very large-size test problems that cannot be solved by the two existing methods developed based on linear programming within reasonable time. The superiority of the conic reformulation method is next shown over a state-space decomposition method recently used to solve an assignment problem in queueing systems. Finally, the general applicability of the method is shown for similar optimization problems that use queue-theoretic performance measures to address customer satisfaction and service quality.
Investigating High School Students' Personality Traits and Academic Procrastination with Cluster Analysis
Authors: Börekci Caner
Published: May 2022

In this study, a cluster analysis was performed by creating a data set from students' personality traits and academic procrastination behaviours. Correlation analysis was done to examine the relationship between the variables, and the characteristics of the formed clusters and the association of the clusters with the perceived socioeconomic status were examined. Cluster analysis is a simple and practical method for classifying a set of complex data based on certain variables and making them more meaningful and using the results as an aid to decision-making. Clustering algorithms handle such data effectively, making it more meaningful. Following the analysis, it was revealed that two clusters had formed. The first of the clusters includes 65.2 % of the sample population; the level of procrastination and the mean score of neurotic personality traits were calculated higher than the other cluster. The remaining part of the sample population (34.8 %) constitutes the second cluster. The mean scores of studying systematically habits and extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience personality traits of the students forming this cluster are higher than the other cluster. No association was observed between the clusters and the perceived socioeconomic levels of the students. The distributions of socioeconomic levels within the clusters are similar to each other. When the correlations of these variables are examined; positive relationships were found between the level of procrastination and neurotic personality traits. Procrastination behaviour and neurotic personality traits were also negatively correlated with other variables.
Analysis of retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and optic disc parameters in patients of iron deficiency anaemia
Authors:   Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Medical Sciences & SUM Hospital, Siksha O Anusandhan (deemed to be) University, 8-Kalinga Nagar, Bhubaneswar, Samant Swati , Mishra Suchismita Mishra ,   Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Medical Sciences & SUM Hospital, Siksha O Anusandhan (deemed to be) University, 8-Kalinga Nagar, Bhubaneswar, Mohanty Smaraki ,   Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences & SUM Hospital, Siksha O Anusandhan (deemed to be) University, 8-Kalinga Nagar, Bhubaneswar, Pareek Deergha ,   Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Medical Sciences & SUM Hospital, Siksha O Anusandhan (deemed to be) University, 8-Kalinga Nagar, Bhubaneswar, Dhar Srikant Kumar ,   Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences & SUM Hospital, Siksha O Anusandhan (deemed to be) University, 8-Kalinga Nagar, Bhubaneswar, Panigrahi Pradeep Kumar ,   Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Medical Sciences & SUM Hospital, Siksha O Anusandhan (deemed to be) University, 8-Kalinga Nagar, Bhubaneswar
Published: May 2022

Background: To evaluate peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and optic disc parameters in iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) patients and its correlation with various blood parameters of age and sex matched healthy controls with the help of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Materials and methods: Cross sectional, hospital based study was done on patients with IDA and healthy patients attending departments of Ophthalmology and haematology of a tertiary referral hospital in Eastern India from June 2020 to January 2021. Comprehensive ophthalmic examination was done in all patients. Peripapillary RNFL thickness was measured using SD-OCT. Blood analysis for all patients included blood haemoglobin, serum iron binding capacity, Serum Ferritin, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC). Results: Twenty five patients with IDA and 25 age and sex matched healthy patients constituted the study and control groups respectively. Mean age of study and control groups was 40.44±5.51 and 39.12±11.60 years respectively. Strong positive correlation was noted between mean RNFL thickness and haemoglobin, serum ferritin, serum iron and serum transferrin levels. Negative correlation was noted between mean RNFL thickness and total iron binding capacity. Conclusion: Patients with IDA in Eastern India have decreased mean peripapillary RNFL thickness. Mean RNFL thickness in different quadrants may not only be dependent on iron parameters but might also be influenced by dietary and geographical factors.
Clinical characteristics and laboratory testing of patient with Sar CoV2 infection
Authors:   Department of Medical Technology, Khon Kaen Hospital, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand, Tomanakan Kanchana , Bunbal Anchalee ,   Hematology Division, Department of Medical Technology, Khon Kaen Hospital, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand
Published: May 2022

Background: Sar CoV2, a novel coronavirus was identified as the cause of respiratory abnormality diseases COVID-19. It has no specific symptoms and the transmission occurs via respiratory droplets or contaminated surfaces. Seroprevalence studies of many diseases have been found to be useful to detect people who were exposed to infection and reveal the burden of the disease. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the correlation between Clinical findings and laboratory testing of patients with Sar CoV2 infection as derived by RT PCR detection and to investigate serological antibody of IgM, IgG in serum of Covid19 hospitalized patients. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 168 patients with positive RT PCR for COVID-19 during June 2021- January 2022 in Khon Kaen Hospital. The nasopharyngeal swabs and blood samples were obtained on the day of admission. Data collection of patient’s clinical symptoms and laboratory testing were recorded for statistical analysis. We performed CBC and anti Sar CoV2 (IgM,IgG) according to standard laboratory methods. Results: The results indicated that seroprevalence of anti Sar CoV2 in COVID-19 patients was approximately 28% (47/168). The laboratory markers of CBC; as WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte and platelet demonstrated lower significance. No correlation was observed between Ct of RT PCR with clinical signs and symptoms of COVID-19 patients. In case of RBC, Hemoglobin and Hematocrit, there were also no correlation with clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients. Conclusion: The study observed that WBC count and platelet count was significantly lower for some cases. However, awareness of these parameters is required, because of the large heterogeneity in test performance. From serological tests it was observed that anti Sar CoV2 is not suitable diagnosis of the acute phase of infection. Both tests can be used to help RT PCR for diagnosis of Sar CoV2 infection.
Evaluation of Digital Rural Development from the Perspective of Rural Revitalization – Take Zhejiang Province as an Example
Authors: Zhang Songyan , Wu Simin
Published: May 2022

The construction of the digital village is a combination of the concept of digital economy and the strategy of rural revitalization, which requires a correct understanding and scientific evaluation. Taking Zhejiang Province as the research object, based on the actual situation and the connotation of digital villages, a digital village indicator system was constructed from the two dimensions of digital village development capacity and development effectiveness, and the relative entropy TOPSIS method was used to analyze the digital villages in Zhejiang Province from 2016 to 2019. Compare and evaluate the development level. The results show that the development of digital villages in Zhejiang Province has achieved remarkable results, and the development level of digital villages has been improved year by year. Among them, the index scores of industry digitalization, governance digitalization, service digitalization, digital life, agricultural production, farmers’ prosperity, and rural prosperity have achieved stable or rapid growth. The close value of TOPSIS is increasing year by year. Finally, it puts forward countermeasures and suggestions to promote the development of digital villages across the country.
En Route for the Accomplishment of SDG-7 in South Asian Countries: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Katekar Vikrant , Deshmukh Sandip S.
Published: May 2022

With one-fifth of the world’s population, South Asian nations are home to 37 percent of the world’s poor and 50 percent of the world’s hungry children. This region experiences enormous development and infrastructure challenges. The paper investigates the progress of South Asian countries on Sustainable Development Goal-7, which is associated with access to modern energy to all. The present research also highlights significant issues and challenges behind the slow progress of South Asian countries on SDG-7. This study indicates that Bhutan and India are top-performing countries; however, Pakistan and Afghanistan are lower-performing countries on SDG-7 among all other South Asian countries. It has also been observed that South Asian countries have a narrow focus on renewable energy. South Asian nations will address their energy shortages issue and save a lot of money by using renewable energy instead of importing hydrocarbons. South Asian nations must diversify their main energy consumption patterns to achieve SDG-7. They may address their energy concerns at the policy, economic, technological, and information levels and boost cross-border energy commerce.
Harmonic Analysis of Electric Transmission System of New Energy Vehicle
Authors: Xie Xiaomin , Dou Renwei , Yang Yinping , Xie Jun , Du Xuanfu
Published: May 2022

In order to improve the cruising range of new energy electric vehicles and solve the low efficiency of electric transmission system in low-speed driving stage, a space vector pulse width modulation algorithm is proposed. The simulation model is established by Matlab/Simulink software, and the test parameters of electric transmission system in the actual driving process of new energy electric vehicle are analyzed, and the harmonic distribution of line voltage of electric transmission system and the influence of battery bus voltage on harmonic content are explored. The actual test results show that reducing the difference between the bus voltage and the fundamental line voltage under actual electric transmission can reduce the harmonic content and improve the system efficiency. According to the characteristics of power generation system, a reliable motor optimization scheme is proposed to reduce harmonic content to improve the efficiency of electric transmission system of new energy vehicles.
Development and Application of Rural Tourism Information Service System Based on SOA Technology Framework
Authors: Ma Yan , Du Jiang
Published: May 2022

Due to the development of the times and the rapid pace of life in the modern society, the living standards has become higher and higher, and various types of self-driving travel have begun to increase. However, at present, most rural areas do not have good infrastructures, tourist introduction platforms and tour guide services for tourism, and there is no effective guidance service for the rural complex traffic environment, so these problems restrict the development of rural tourism. In view of these problems, in this paper, the rural tourism information service system based on SOA technology framework was designed and developed to provide tourists with convenient services and to attract more tourists.
Study on Hydrogen Production From Solar Biomass Based on Fe-Ce Catalyst
Authors: Zhou Yanping
Published: May 2022

Hydrogen energy has a series of advantages, such as high energy density, high utilization efficiency, good storage and transportation performance, zero pollution to the environment and so on. Hydrogen energy has a series of advantages, such as high energy density, high utilization efficiency, good storage and transportation performance, zero pollution to the environment and so on. With the help of renewable solar energy to provide heat, this hydrogen production process is expected to truly realize the sustainable development of energy. Its research has important strategic significance and social value. Firstly, the progress on hydrogen energy production based on solar biomass is summarized. Secondly, the consumption mechanism of hydrogen production from biomass driven by solar energy is analyzed. Thirdly, the preparation of Fe-Ce catalyst is designed. Finally, the hydrogen production effect based on different catalysts is analyzed, results show that Fe-Ce catalyst can effectively improve the quality of hydrogen production based on solar biomass.
Study on the Evaluation Model of the Overall Post-Disaster Protection of the Linpan Settlement Landscape
Authors: Zhou Yushan , Li Yunzhang , Yang Jie , Li Heng
Published: May 2022

Linpan is a typical rural settlement and cultural landscape in the western Sichuan Plain. The protection of Linpan has positive and significant impacts on the people, who live in the Linpan that is in the process of post-disaster reconstruction, to re-establish their sense of belonging. By studying the core elements and pattern characteristics of traditional Lipan, we established an evaluation model for Linpan landscape overall protection. The post-disaster reconstruction is disaster has already occurred, and the government has been involved in reuse activities. Reconstruction and sustainable recovery refer to measures that help restore the livelihoods, assets, and production levels of emergency-affected communities. The model was used to assess 12 post-disaster reconstructions of Linpan settlements with an aim to obtain an effective model of holistic protection. The AHP method understands the structure of the problem and real hindrances that managers the while solving it. Holistic protection is an approach that seeks to incorporate all the components designed to be precautionary in an organization. the aim of the article is the post-disaster reconstruction mode that fully retains the traditional Linpan pattern and elements that are more beneficial to the continuation of regional culture.
System Dynamics Based Modeling of Group Green Cooperation Experiment Teaching
Authors: Liu Caihong , Jiang Dingfu
Published: May 2022

Facing with the increasingly prominent global environmental protection problems, green teaching, as the basis of global sustainable development, has been advocated in China. Especially green experimental teaching have been carried out in most majors with outstanding environmental protection issues in China’s higher teaching. However, current literature shows that, except for the pollution-related experiment such as biochemistry and chemical engineering, other majors attach less importance to green experiment teaching, which is due to people’s insufficient cognition of generalized green experiment. To make full use of resources, deal with pollutants rationally, and improve green experimental effect, based on the universal requirements of green experimental teaching, for protecting the ecological environment of experimental teaching, research on the influencing factors and driving performance of green experiments in group collaboration is proposed. Firstly, through questionnaire survey, the influencing factors of group green cooperation experiment are analyzed. Secondly, its model is further established based on system dynamics. Finally, simulation on the model should be carried out by Vensim PLE software for the green experiment teaching. The findings suggest that, group is a better way to carry out green experiment effectively in colleges and universities. It should be emphasized that the key to popularize green experiment teaching in colleges and universities is to master the group green cooperation features and the green management ability of laboratory managers. In other words, the performance of group green collaborative experiments is mainly driven by the features of group green collaboration and the green teaching management capabilities of laboratory managers. Specially, we should be careful of the consistency between the collaboration characteristics of the experimental group and the green management ability, otherwise it is easy to conflict in the concept, specific operation and other aspects, resulting in inefficient green experiments. At the same time, the group’s green cooperation features are limited by its cooperation conditions and are subject to it. Moreover, we also need to identify that laboratory managers’ experimental organization capabilities are not equal to their green experimental management capabilities, too rigid experimental management is not conducive to play the performance driving role of green experimental management. The paper aims to provide some theoretical references for developing China’s higher green experimental teaching performance through green experimental management mechanisms.
Research on the Intelligent Energy Governance of Parallel Hybrid Vehicle Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Wang Feilong
Published: May 2022

To realize the intelligent energy governance of hybrid vehicles, a Deep-Q-Network energy controller based on the construction of parallel hybrid vehicle model is proposed, which aiming at energy loss problem of parallel hybrid vehicles and combining deep learning with reinforcement learning, and it is simulated through the ADVISOR software platform and compared with the traditional fuzzy logic strategy. The experimental results indicate that the DQN-based control strategy proposed in this paper reduces both the energy consumption and exhaust emissions of parallel hybrid vehicles. Compared with the traditional fuzzy control strategy, fuel consumption is reduced by 0.43L while the fuel economy increases by 10.9%. and exhaust gas such as CO44, CO, NOxx the emission were reduced by 28.9%, 0.2%, and 7.4%, respectively. It shows the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Pulsed laser source digital holography efficiency measurements
Authors: Owens Steven A. , Spencer Mark F. , Thornton Douglas E. , Perram Glen P.
Published: May 2022

In this paper, a 1064 nm pulsed laser source and a short-wave IR (SWIR) camera are used to measure the total system efficiency associated with a digital holography system in the off-axis image plane recording geometry. At a zero path-length difference between the signal and reference pulses, the measured total system efficiency (15.9%) is consistent with that previously obtained with a 532 nm continuous-wave laser source and a visible camera [Appl. Opt. 58, G19 (2019)APOPAI0003-693510.1364/AO.58.000G19]. In addition, as a function of the temporal delay between the signal and reference pulses, the total system efficiency is accurately characterized by a component efficiency, which is formulated from the ambiguity function. Even with multimode behavior from the pulsed laser source and substantial dark current noise from the SWIR camera, the system performance is accurately characterized by the resulting ambiguity efficiency.
In situ autofluorescence lifetime assay of a photoreceptor stimulus response in mouse retina and human retinal organoids
Authors: Samimi Kayvan , Pattnaik Bikash R. , Capowski Elizabeth E. , Saha Krishanu , Gamm David M. , Skala Melissa C.
Published: May 2022

Photoreceptors are the key functional cell types responsible for the initiation of vision in the retina. Phototransduction involves isomerization and conversion of vitamin A compounds, known as retinoids, and their recycling through the visual cycle. We demonstrate a functional readout of the visual cycle in photoreceptors within stem cell-derived retinal organoids and mouse retinal explants based on spectral and lifetime changes in autofluorescence of the visual cycle retinoids after exposure to light or chemical stimuli. We also apply a simultaneous two- and three-photon excitation method that provides specific signals and increases contrast between these retinoids, allowing for reliable detection of their presence and conversion within photoreceptors. This multiphoton imaging technique resolves the slow dynamics of visual cycle reactions and can enable high-throughput functional screening of retinal tissues and organoid cultures with single-cell resolution.
Broadly tunable and ultra-highly selective detection of radio frequency signals enabled by a silicon photonic chip
Authors: Onori Daniel , Samani Alireza , Crockett Benjamin , Plant David V , Azaña José
Published: May 2022

Precise and agile detection of radio frequency (RF) signals over an ultra-wide frequency range is a key functionality in modern communication, radar, and surveillance systems, as well as for radio astronomy and laboratory testing. However, current microwave solutions are inadequate for achieving the needed high performance in a chip-scale format, with the desired reduced cost, size, weight, and power. Photonics-based technologies have been identified as a potential solution but the need to compensate for the inherent noise of the involved laser sources have prevented on-chip realization of wideband RF signal detection systems. Here, we report an approach for ultra-wide range, highly-accurate detection of RF signals using a conceptually novel feed-forward laser’s noise cancelling architecture integrated on chip. The technique is applied to realization of an RF scanning receiver as well as a complete radar transceiver integrated on a CMOS-compatible silicon-photonics chip, offering an unprecedented selectivity > 80 dB, spectral resolution < 1 kHz, and tunability in the full 0.5–35 GHz range. The reported work represents a significant step towards the development of integrated system-on-chip platforms for signal detection, analysis and processing in cognitive communication and radar network applications.
High-resolution wide-band optical frequency comb control using stimulated Brillouin scattering
Authors: Redding Brandon , McKinney Jason D. , Schermer Ross T. , Murray Joseph B.
Published: May 2022

We introduce a technique to manipulate an optical frequency comb on a line-by-line basis using stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS). The narrow-linewidth SBS process has been used to address individual lines in optical frequency combs, but previous demonstrations required a dedicated laser to modulate each comb tooth, prohibiting complete comb control. Here, we use a pair of frequency shifting fiber optic loops to generate both an optical frequency comb and a train of frequency-locked pulses that can be used to manipulate the comb via SBS. This approach enables control of the entire frequency comb using a single seed laser without active frequency locking. To demonstrate the versatility of this technique, we generate and manipulate a comb consisting of 50 lines with 200 MHz spacing. By using polarization pulling assisted SBS, we achieve a modulation depth of 30 dB. This represents a scalable approach to control large numbers of comb teeth with high resolution using standard fiber-optic components.
Speckle denoising based on deep learning via a conditional generative adversarial network in digital holographic interferometry
Authors: Fang Qiang , Xia Haiting , Song Qinghe , Zhang Meijuan , Guo Rongxin , Montresor Silvio , Picart Pascal
Published: May 2022

Speckle denoising can improve digital holographic interferometry phase measurements but may affect experimental accuracy. A deep-learning-based speckle denoising algorithm is developed using a conditional generative adversarial network. Two subnetworks, namely discriminator and generator networks, which refer to the U-Net and DenseNet layer structures are used to supervise network learning quality and denoising. Datasets obtained from speckle simulations are shown to provide improved noise feature extraction. The loss function is designed by considering the peak signal-to-noise ratio parameters to improve efficiency and accuracy. The proposed method thus shows better performance than other denoising algorithms for processing experimental strain data from digital holography.
Inverse design of ultracompact multi-focal optical devices by diffractive neural networks
Authors: Chen Yuyao , Zhu Yilin , Britton Wesley A. , Dal Negro Luca
Published: May 2022

We propose an efficient inverse design approach for multifunctional optical elements based on adaptive deep diffractive neural networks (a-D2NNs). Specifically, we introduce a-D2NNs and design two-layer diffractive devices that can selectively focus incident radiation over two well-separated spectral bands at desired distances. We investigate focusing efficiencies at two wavelengths and achieve targeted spectral line shapes and spatial point-spread functions (PSFs) with optimal focusing efficiency. In particular, we demonstrate control of the spectral bandwidths at separate focal positions beyond the theoretical limit of single-lens devices with the same aperture size. Finally, we demonstrate devices that produce super-oscillatory focal spots at desired wavelengths. The proposed method is compatible with current diffractive optics and doublet metasurface technology for ultracompact multispectral imaging and lensless microscopy applications.
Compact generation of robust Airy beam pattern with spatial coherence engineering
Authors: Zhu Yimeng , Dong Zhen , Wang Fei , Chen Yahong , Cai Yangjian
Published: May 2022

We present a class of partially coherent light sources having Airy-type amplitude and Airy-correlated spatial coherence. We show that the light beam generated by such sources can preserve the Airy beam pattern well during its propagation from source to far field. We demonstrate the robustness of the Airy beam pattern by introducing a hard aperture to largely block the beam source. We find that the coherence-induced Airy beam pattern can still be well reconstructed during propagation. We successfully synthesize such partially coherent source using the principle of complex random modes decomposition by using a single phase-only spatial light modulator. The proposed robust Airy beam pattern may find applications in information transmission through complex media.
Ultra-broadband nanostructured metamaterial absorber based on stacked square-layers of TiN/TiO2
Authors: Mehrabi Samira , Bilal Rana Muhammad Hasan , Naveed Muhammad Ashar , Ali Muhammad Mahmood
Published: May 2022

Metamaterial-based nano-scale absorbers have been becoming very popular in the modern era due to efficiently absorbing solar radiation to revamp the performance characteristics of thermal emitters and solar thermophotovoltaics (STPV) systems. Here, we explore and implement an ultra-broadband nanostructured metamaterial absorber (NMMA), which comprises a stack of alternating nano-squares of TiN and TiO2 mounted over the dielectric substrate backed by a metallic sheet. The numerical simulations and electromagnetic (EM) characteristics of the proposed NMMA have been investigated by employing the finite difference time domain (FDTD) EM tool. The numerical results indicate that the average absorption of the NMMA reaches 96% in the wavelength range from 200-3000 nm (from ultraviolet to mid-infrared), and the minimal absorption is also above 90% in a continuous large operating spectrum ranging from 200-2800 nm. Surprisingly, the absorption features of the designed nano-absorber remain stable under the influence of oblique incident-angles for both the polarization states (TE & TM). Furthermore, the proposed nano-absorber manifests polarization-insensitive behavior due to the presence of four-fold symmetry of the proposed structure. Large operational bandwidth, miniaturized structure, and the use of thermally stable refractory metal TiN make this NMMA an appealing candidate for the applications of thermal emission, solar thermophotovoltaics, and other opto-electronic devices. In addition, the design of this absorber is also scalable to other operating spectrums through carefully selecting the materials and optimizing the geometry of the proposed structure.
Ten simple rules for establishing a mentorship programme
Authors: Treasure Anne M. , Hall Siobhan Mackenzie , Lesko Igor , Moore Derek , Sharan Malvika , van Zaanen Menno , Yehudi Yo , van der Walt Anelda
Published: May 2022

In recent years, a wide variety of mentorship programmes targeting issues that cannot be addressed through traditional teaching and learning methods alone have been developed. Mentoring plays significant roles in the growth and development of both mentors and mentees, and the positive impacts of mentoring have been well documented. Mentorship programmes are therefore increasingly being implemented in a wide variety of fields by organisations, academic institutes, businesses, and governments. While there is a growing body of literature on mentoring and mentorship programmes, gaining a clear overview of the field is often challenging. In this article, we therefore provide a concise summary of recommendations to consider when designing and establishing mentorship programmes. These recommendations are based on the collective knowledge and experiences of 4 different emerging and established mentorship programmes and can be adapted across various mentorship settings or contexts.
Real-time, spatial decision support to optimize malaria vector control: The case of indoor residual spraying on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea
Authors: García Guillermo A. , Atkinson Brent , Donfack Olivier Tresor , Hilton Emily R. , Smith Jordan M. , Eyono Jeremías Nzamío Mba , Iyanga Marcos Mbulito , Vaz Liberato Motobe , Mba Nguema Avue Restituto , Pollock John , Ratsirarson Josea , Aldrich Edward M. , Phiri Wonder P. , Smith David L. , Schwabe Christopher , Guerra Carlos A.
Published: May 2022

Public health interventions require evidence-based decision-making to maximize impact. Spatial decision support systems (SDSS) are designed to collect, store, process and analyze data to generate knowledge and inform decisions. This paper discusses how the use of a SDSS, the Campaign Information Management System (CIMS), to support malaria control operations on Bioko Island has impacted key process indicators of indoor residual spraying (IRS): coverage, operational efficiency and productivity. We used data from the last five annual IRS rounds (2017 to 2021) to estimate these indicators. IRS coverage was calculated as the percentage of houses sprayed per unit area, represented by 100x100 m map-sectors. Optimal coverage was defined as between 80% and 85%, and under and overspraying as coverage below 80% and above 85%, respectively. Operational efficiency was defined as the fraction of map-sectors that achieved optimal coverage. Daily productivity was expressed as the number of houses sprayed per sprayer per day (h/s/d). These indicators were compared across the five rounds. Overall IRS coverage (i.e. percent of total houses sprayed against the overall denominator by round) was highest in 2017 (80.2%), yet this round showed the largest proportion of oversprayed map-sectors (36.0%). Conversely, despite producing a lower overall coverage (77.5%), the 2021 round showed the highest operational efficiency (37.7%) and the lowest proportion of oversprayed map-sectors (18.7%). In 2021, higher operational efficiency was also accompanied by marginally higher productivity. Productivity ranged from 3.3 h/s/d in 2020 to 3.9 h/s/d in 2021 (median 3.6 h/s/d). Our findings showed that the novel approach to data collection and processing proposed by the CIMS has significantly improved the operational efficiency of IRS on Bioko. High spatial granularity during planning and deployment together with closer follow-up of field teams using real-time data supported more homogeneous delivery of optimal coverage while sustaining high productivity.
Effectiveness of a tailored web app on sun protection intentions and its implications for skin cancer prevention: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Nittas Vasileios , Mütsch Margot , Frey Tobias , Braun Julia , Puhan Milo A.
Published: May 2022

Skin cancers related to sunexposure are rising globally, yet largely preventable. Digital solutions enable individually tailored prevention and may play a crucial role in reducing disease burden. We developed SUNsitive, a theory-guided web app to facilitate sun protection and skin cancer prevention. The app collected relevant information through a questionnaire and provided tailored feedback on personal risk, adequate sun protection, skin cancer prevention, and overall skin health. SUNsitive’s effect on sun protection intentions and a set of secondary outcomes was evaluated with a two-arm randomized controlled trial (n = 244). At 2 weeks post-intervention, we did not find any statistical evidence for the intervention’s effect on the primary outcome or any of the secondary outcomes. However, both groups reported improved intentions to sun protect compared to their baseline values. Furthermore, our process outcomes suggest that approaching sun protection and skin cancer prevention with a digital tailored “questionnaire–feedback” format is feasible, well-perceived, and well accepted.

Trial registration: Protocol registration: ISRCTN registry (ISRCTN10581468).
Occupational risk of cutaneous larva migrans: A case report and a systematic literature review
Authors: Stufano Angela , Foti Caterina , Lovreglio Piero , Romita Paolo , De Marco Aurora , Lia Riccardo Paolo , Otranto Domenico , Iatta Roberta
Published: May 2022

Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is a parasitic zoonosis of warm tropical and subtropical areas, although autochthonous cases have been increasingly reported in Western European countries. Data on the prevalence of CLM as an occupational disease in workers exposed to potentially contaminated soil or in close contact with dogs and cats are scant. Herein, we report an autochthonous case of CLM in a dog breeder from southern Italy (Apulia region), along with a systematic literature review describing the risk of CLM infection, mainly according to job categories. The patient was referred to the dermatology unit presenting a serpiginous lesion on his hand, raising the suspected CLM diagnosis. In non-endemic areas, CLM might represent a challenge for physicians in terms of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, particularly in workplaces. The multidisciplinary approach in the diagnosis of CLM with the involvement of different scientific competences (i.e., dermatologists, veterinarians, and occupational physicians) may contribute to further assess the distribution of human CLM and associated risk factors, toward reducing the risk for the infection.
Mucosal-Associated Invariant T (MAIT) cells are highly activated in duodenal tissue of humans with Vibrio cholerae O1 infection: A preliminary report
Authors: Bhuiyan Taufiqur R. , Rahman M. Arifur , Trivedi Shubhanshi , Afroz Taliman , Al Banna Hasan , Hoq Mohammad Rubel , Pop Ioana , Jensen Owen , Rashu Rasheduzzaman , Uddin Muhammad Ikhtear , Hossain Motaher , Khan Ashraful I. , Chowdhury Fahima , Harris Jason B. , Calderwood Stephen B. , Ryan Edward T. , Qadri Firdausi , Leung Daniel T.
Published: May 2022

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are unconventional T lymphocytes with a semi-conserved TCRα, activated by the presentation of vitamin B metabolites by the MHC-I related protein, MR1, and with diverse innate and adaptive effector functions. The role of MAIT cells in acute intestinal infections, especially at the mucosal level, is not well known. Here, we analyzed the presence and phenotype of MAIT cells in duodenal biopsies and paired peripheral blood samples, in patients during and after culture-confirmed Vibrio cholerae O1 infection. Immunohistochemical staining of duodenal biopsies from cholera patients (n = 5, median age 32 years, range 26–44, 1 female) identified MAIT cells in the lamina propria of the crypts, but not the villi. By flow cytometry (n = 10, median age 31 years, range 23–36, 1 female), we showed that duodenal MAIT cells are more activated than peripheral MAIT cells (p < 0.01 across time points), although there were no significant differences between duodenal MAIT cells at day 2 and day 30. We found fecal markers of intestinal permeability and inflammation to be correlated with the loss of duodenal (but not peripheral) MAIT cells, and single-cell sequencing revealed differing T cell receptor usage between the duodenal and peripheral blood MAIT cells. In this preliminary report limited by a small sample size, we show that MAIT cells are present in the lamina propria of the duodenum during V. cholerae infection, and more activated than those in the blood. Future work into the trafficking and tissue-resident function of MAIT cells is warranted.
SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR testing of pooled saliva samples: A case study of 824 asymptomatic individuals and a questionnaire survey in Japan
Authors: Oba Junna , Taniguchi Hiroaki , Sato Masae , Takanashi Masaki , Yokemura Moe , Sato Yasunori , Nishihara Hiroshi
Published: May 2022

From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for diagnostic and screening tests has exceeded supply. Although the proportion of vaccinated people has increased in wealthier countries, breakthrough infections have occurred amid the emergence of new variants. Pooled-sample COVID-19 testing using saliva has been proposed as an efficient, inexpensive, and non-invasive method to allow larger-scale testing, especially in a screening setting. In this study, we aimed to evaluate pooled RT-qPCR saliva testing and to compare the results with individual tests. Employees of Philips Japan, Ltd. were recruited to participate in COVID-19 screening from October to December 2020. Asymptomatic individuals (n = 824) submitted self-collected saliva samples. Samples were tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR in both 10-sample pools and individual tests. We also surveyed participants regarding their thoughts and behaviors after the PCR screening project. Two of the 824 individuals were positive by RT-qPCR. In the pooled testing, one of these two had no measurable Ct value, but showed an amplification trend at the end of the PCR cycle. Both positive individuals developed cold-like symptoms, but neither required hospitalization. Of the 824 participants, 471 responded to our online questionnaire. Overall, while respondents agreed that PCR screening should be performed regularly, the majority were willing to undergo PCR testing only when it was provided for free or at low cost. In conclusion, pooled testing of saliva samples can support frequent large-scale screening that is rapid, efficient, and inexpensive.
Nurses’ experience of using video consultation in a digital care setting and its impact on their workflow and communication
Authors: Razavi SeyedehMaryam , Farrokhnia Nasim , Davoody Nadia
Published: May 2022

Sweden as many other countries uses video consultation to increase patients’ access to primary healthcare services particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Working in digital care settings and using new technologies, in this case video consultations, require learning new skills and adoption to new workflow. The aim of this study is to explore nurses’ experience of using video consultation in a digital care setting and its impact on their workflow and communication. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were carried out with registered nurses recruited from a private digital healthcare provider. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using an abductive approach. Nurses’ workflow was modeled, and several categories and subcategories were identified: nurses’ workflow (efficiency, flexibility, and information accessibility); communication (interaction with patients and interprofessional communication); user experience (change and development of the platform, challenges, and combining digital and physical care). Even though providing online care has its limitations, the nurses were positive towards using video consultations.