bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tackling multimorbidity: patient characteristics and outcomes from a generic rehabilitation programme
Authors: Cowie Aynsley , McKay Janet , Holt Jane , Baylis Moray
Published: May 2022

Background/Aims

This service evaluation analyses the first 3 years of a novel 10-week generic rehabilitation programme, describing the cohort population assessed at baseline, and examining outcomes generated by programme completion. The programme is part of a wider specialist-generalist health and social care model, based within Ayrshire, Scotland, which has been designed to be a sustainable approach to tackling multimorbidity.

Methods

Sociodemographic and diagnostic data were obtained for all service users who attended for baseline assessment. Two groups were compared: those who completed the 10-week programme (completers group) and those who did not (assessment+ group). Quality of life data were obtained from the completers group at the start and end of the 10-week programme, while emergency bed days accrued in the 12 months pre- and post-referral were recorded from both groups.

Results

Over 3 years, n=978 service users attended for assessment (mean age 66.3 years; male:female ratio 441:537 [45%:55%]; average of four co-existing conditions). Deprivation was significantly higher for the assessment+ group (P=0.003). The completers group demonstrated significant improvements across various quality of life outcomes (P<0.001), and significantly reduced emergency bed days (P=0.005; P=0.001) following the programme.

Conclusions

In this generic multimorbidity rehabilitation programme, the baseline population was older adults, comprised slightly more women than men, and who had presented with complex multimorbidity. Deprivation was significantly higher in those who did not complete the programme, and further qualitative and quantitative exploration of this group is required. Completing the programme appeared to significantly improve quality of life and unscheduled care use.
The public face of licensing in England: a focus on the consumer
Authors: Knight Dawn
Published: May 2022

This article provides a personal perspective from Dawn Knight, a consumer of aesthetic services, and seeks to explain in lay terms how licensing may be perceived by members of the public
Phytopharmacological and Biological Exertion of Spondias pinnata: (A Review)
Authors: S. Swathi S. Swathi , K. Lakshman K. Lakshman
Published: May 2022

Herbal medicines are gaining wide recognition and acceptance due to their versatility in usage as condiments, dietary supplements, therapeutics, flavoring agents, etc. Medicinal herbs are a broad reservoir for biological and pharmacological active bio-compounds exhibiting therapeutic activities and can be implemented to diagnose and manage various disorders and ailments. This review emphasizes on the photo assembly and therapeutic properties of Spondias pinnata which is extensively utilized in folklore and traditional medicine. The greater disadvantage of herbal medicine is the scarcity of scientific affirmation of the safety, potency, purity, and dosage of the herbal drug. Spondias pinnata demonstrates various pharmacological properties like antihyperglycemic, anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, hepatoprotective, etc. which indicates their potential to address numerous maladies. This review concentrates on the pharmacological effectiveness of Spondias pinnata to provide substantial evidence from past research in order to insinuate this medicinal herb as a potential drug.
Applications of Polyoxometalates (A Review)
Authors: Rathee Barkha , Wati Mukhan , Sindhu Ravinder , Sindhu Suchita
Published: May 2022

Polyoxometalates are inorganic clusters having remarkable structure and composition. They function as anti-cancer, anti-bacterial and anti-viral drugs as well. A wholesome outline of polyoxometalates has been attempted encompassing their diverse nature owing to their structure and scope of application.
Rheological Behavior of Ruminal Fluid Obtained from Barley Feed Sheep
Authors: Stanciu Ioana
Published: May 2022

This article presents the study of the rheological behavior of ruminal fluid in sheep obtained from barley feed and barley and yeast feed. We studied the influence of shear rate on the experimental values of shear stress and apparent viscosity for ruminal fluid obtained from feed with 40% barley. Measurements were made at 39° C, with a Physica MCR 300 rheometer, using the DG26.7 concentric cylinder measuring system. From the experimental data it can be seen that the best overlaps between the experimental data and the calculated curves are obtained when using the Herschel-Bulkley, Casson and Vocaldo models, ie precisely the models that propose the existence of a flow effort.
The Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Extraction Method Coupled with HPLC and its Application in Determining S-triazine Group of Herbicides in Soil Samples
Authors: Joarder Rajib
Published: May 2022

The dispersive liquid-liquid extraction (DLLE) is an environmentally benign process, which is based on simple, sensitive and rapid sample pre-treatment technique, coupled with HPLC-UV. This unique method has been designed for the separation of s-triazine as a herbicide residue in environmental soil samples. The influencing parameters which have been used to optimize the extraction efficiency include type, extraction solvent (ES) volumew, dispersive solvents (DS), extraction time (mainly centrifugation time), pH, ionic strength for the addition of different salts. Firstly, tetrachloroethane was taken as exreaction solvent (ES) to extract pesticide residues from target samples. Furthermore, acetonitrile acted as dispersive solvent in the DLLE method. The value of linearity that has been reported with concentration range of 0.05-200 μgL-1, and value of correlation coefficient (r) lies in between 0.9997. The recovery of the herbicide from three soil samples spiked between 20 and 100μgL-1 were in the recovery in between the range 88.02% to 95.90.0% and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were 2.7 %. Limit of quantitations (LOQs) obtained in this method was 0.09 μg L-1. These results significantly revealed that DLLE is a very accurate and reliable method to estimate the desired pesticide, even at trace amounts, in soil samples.
A Linguistic Study of Chemical Terms
Authors: A. Jayanthi A. Jayanthi , A. Kistan A. Kistan , Marcus Mercy , Rajeswari R.
Published: May 2022

This paper analyses chemical symbols and terms linguistically. The application of linguistics to one of the wings of science is something unusual because science or information is fact based and the other is expression based. Linguistics comprises phonology, phonetics, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics and various other branches of the study of a language. The article begins with the admirable quality of adaptability of English language and its acceptance as lingua franca. The etymology and eponyms facilitate nomenclature in chemistry. The paper discusses how the nuances of a language contribute to understanding chemistry. It includes how the universe, names of the inventors, places of the inventors or developers, the places where the resource materials of chemicals are found and their colours and many other factors play a significant role in nomenclature. Even the ancient myths have their own part in naming things. The linguistic study concludes with the inseparable quality of language and information since language is a means of expression and science is an expression of facts.
Performance SWOT of Micronized Voriconazole to Augment Health Security and its Bioassay
Authors: N. V. S Venugopal , Reddy K Bujji
Published: May 2022

Nowadays fungal diseases certainly affect people with undermined immune system. Fungal infections are most likely impinge on skin, lungs, nails etc and it leads to systemic infection.Voriconazole (VCZ) is an antifungal medication of the triazole class used to treat infections caused by a fungus.VCZ is used to treat patients suffering with invasive fungal infections. The focus of this paper was to study the performance swot of antifungal activity of untreated VCZ and micronized VCZ. Size reduction of drug treated as an imperative operation to make handling of the drug easier, increase surface area per unit volume, and separate entrapped components. The size reduction process may involve accelerating particles so either particle-to-particle impact. Biological evaluation study was conducted by using Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans as test organisms’ .Zone of inhibition was measured to assess antifungal activity by adopting agar diffusion process. The antifungal activity was conducted to the untreated VCZ material having particle size, about 207 microns and micronized VCZ having particle size 12 microns. The determination of size distribution of VCZ particles was examined through Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for treated and untreated VCZ.The structural identification study was conducted by Ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV) and Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The anti fungal activity effectiveness of micronized VCZ illustrates increased efficiency when compared to untreated VCZ material.
Insetos no folclore da comunidade do Ribeirão da Ilha, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil
Authors: Ulysséa Mônica Antunes , Hanazaki Natalia , Lopes Benedito Cortês
Published: May 2022

Este estudo registrou crendices e brincadeiras da Ilha de Santa Catarina, cujos personagens principais são os insetos. O estudo foi realizado por meio de dois caminhos metodológicos: pesquisa bibliográfica sobre crendices açorianas e aplicação de entrevistas semi-estruturadas com 50 moradores da comunidade do Ribeirão da Ilha. O folclore local acerca dos insetos é extremamente rico, sendo registradas crendices e brincadeiras principalmente com insetos das ordens Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Mantodea, Odonata, Orthoptera e Phasmatodea.
Sazonalidade na nidificação de abelhas e vespas solitárias em ninhos-armadilha em área de Caatinga
Authors: Melo Rafael Rodolfo de , Zanella Fernando César Vieira
Published: May 2022

A estrutura da guilda de abelhas e vespas solitárias que nidificam em cavidades pré-existentes foi sistematicamente investigada na Estação Ecológica do Seridó, Serra Negra do Norte, RN, no período de agosto de 2004 a agosto de 2006, por meio da técnica de amostragem em ninhos-armadilha. Dez blocos de madeira, com 32 orifícios, ocupados com tubos de cartolina com 4, 6, 9 ou 12 mm de diâmetro, foram instalados a 1,5 m do solo e inspecionados quinzenalmente. Os pontos de amostragem foram definidos considerando duas condições ecológicas extremas dentro da paisagem do semi-árido, locais secos, sem armazenamento de água nas proximidades, e locais próximos a açudes, com água livre disponível mesmo durante a estação seca. Foram coletados 368 ninhos, sendo 52 de nove espécies de abelhas e 243 de nove espécies de vespas. 73 ninhos foram parasitados por doze espécies de parasitas. Ocorreram diminuições no número de ninhos de abelhas e vespas coletados nos períodos secos nos dois anos estudados quando comparado aos períodos chuvosos. Não houve registro de diapausa para abelhas, mas alguns indivíduos de vespas das espécies Trypoxylon lenkoi e T. sp.4 apresentaram um prolongado período para emergência de adultos. Essa diapausa eventual deve ter importância fundamental na dinâmica populacional das espécies de abelhas e vespas solitárias da Caatinga.
Organization of dung beetle communities (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae) in areas of vegetation re-establishment in Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Lopes Priscila P. , Louzada Júlio N. C. , Vaz-de-Mello Fernando Z.
Published: May 2022

The present work refers to the study of colonization of four vegetation physiognomies considered as succession stages by Scarabaeidae beetles in Feira de Santana, Brazil. The four environments present structures of 1) herbs, 2) herbs and bushes, 3) bushes, and 4) bushes and trees. The last one has similar vegetation elements to the original vegetation of the area (Caatinga, in transition with deciduous forest). Beetles’ richness was not statistically different in the three structurally simpler habitats, the composition, as well as the abundance structure of the communities of the four sites were very similar. Guild structure changed in number and proportion of specimens, with an increase in the number of tunnelers as the vegetation grew in complexity. The positive/negatives effects on the composition and beetles’s community structure were related to the interference with the dissemination of odor plumes or maintenance of sources of resources (vertebrates). The organization of the functional structure in the beetles’ community should be related to the time needed for the establishment of complex ecological connections.
Abelhas visitantes florais de Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil. (Solanaceae) no Morro do Pai Inácio, Palmeiras, Bahia, Brasil
Authors: Barreto Lílian S. , Oliveira Favízia F. de , Castro Marina S.
Published: May 2022

Estudos sobre Ecologia da Polinização foram realizados em Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil. (Solanaceae), na Chapada Diamantina, um planalto localizado na parte central do Estado da Bahia, Nordeste do Brasil. A planta é um arbusto invasor, neotropical, comum, conhecido como “lobeira ou fruta-do-lobo”, que ocorre no bioma Cerrado e faz parte da dieta alimentar do lobo-guará (Chrysocyon brachyurus Illiger). Anteras poricidas e as flores de Solanum lycocarpum são associadas à síndrome de polinização por vibração, a qual requer abelhas com comportamento especial para a coleta de pólen; esse comportamento foi também descrito no presente estudo. Os principais visitantes de Solanum lycocarpum na área estudada foram os Apoidea com as respectivas espécies Augochloropsis sp. e Pseudaugochloropsis graminea (Halictidae). O pólen liberado na vibração das anteras era aderido nas partes ventrais do tórax e do abdome das abelhas, que posteriormente realizavam o comportamento de limpeza do corpo e transferência do pólen para as escopas. Freqüentemente, diversas flores da mesma planta eram visitadas. As flores apresentaram acima de 87% de grãos de pólen viáveis.
Ginandromorfia em Melipona mondury Smith (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponinae)
Authors: Oliveira Favízia Freitas de , Andrade Marcos Aurélio Pereira de
Published: May 2022

Pela primeira vez é descrita a ocorrência de um ginandromorfo de Melipona mondury, coletado juntamente com machos e fêmeas normais. O espécime possui assimetria bilateral, apresentando a metade direita da cabeça com caracteres de macho e a metade esquerda com caracteres de fêmea; o mesossoma apresenta caracteres de macho verificados principalmente pelo formato dos basitarsos médios e pelas tíbias e basitarsos posteriores; o metassoma, apesar de possuir apenas caracteres de macho, apresenta uma linha que divide os tergos ao meio, sendo a metade direita castanho enegrecida, semelhante às fêmeas, e a metade esquerda amarelada, semelhante aos machos.
A review of trophic interactions and their implications for biological control of arthropod pests in agroecosystems
Authors: Silva Evandro Nascimento
Published: May 2022

In the last four decades there has been considerable interest in understanding the role of food web dynamics in the maintenance of plant productivity in ecosystems. This topic is particularly important in agroecosystems where the attack of erbivores can reduce plant productivity and cause severe economic damage to crops. The hypothesis that natural enemies indirectly regulate plant productivity through the suppression of herbivore populations (top-down control or trophic cascade hypothesis) has been the classical framework for biological control practitioners and ecologists interested in this topic. This hypothesis has proven to be controversial because empirical evidence shows that interspecific interactions among natural enemies in the third trophic level disrupt the top-down effects responsible for the suppression of herbivores and for the indirect benefits to plant productivity. Intraguild predation (IGP) is an important ecological process that can potentially dampen top-down control and contribute to reduce plant productivity due to the attack of unsuppressed herbivores. Thus, when aiming at the development of biological control programs with multiple species of natural enemies in the third or upper trophic levels, researchers must screen for some desirable traits of competing natural enemies. When both predators and parasitoids are present, predators are desirable in the system only if they do not eat parasitized hosts, which would disrupt parasitoid populations. When only predators are present, biological traits like mobility, body size, foraging strategy, level of diet specialization and species assemblage composition should be carefully investigated. These biological traits are related to the prevalence and intensity of IGP, to the choice and number of species to use in the program and to the choice of developmental stages to be introduced into crop fields. Observating these parameters and decision criteria may be crucial for the success of biological control programs.
Até quando o etnoconhecimento sobre as abelhas sem ferrão (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponinae) será transmitido entre gerações pelos índios Guarani M’byá da Aldeia Morro da Saudade, localizada na cidade de São Paulo, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil?
Authors: Rodrigues Arnaldo dos Santos
Published: May 2022

Desde 1542, os índios Guarani são etnografados como conhecedores dos insetos, incluindo várias práticas alimentares, medicina local e costumes religiosos. A presente pesquisa discorre sobre o conhecimento etnobiológico dos índios Guarani-m’byá sobre as abelhas sem ferrão. O estudo se deu na “Área Indígena Guarani da Barragem” Aldeia Morro da Saudade, localizada na periferia da cidade de São Paulo, Brasil, entre 2002 e 2004. O levantamento dos dados se fez observando o comportamento da comunidade e etnografando-o, seguindo-se entrevistas livres e semi-estruturadas aplicadas a vários indivíduos, identificando-se os informantes-chave. Deu-se ênfase aos seguintes aspectos descritivos: distribuição, nidificação, sazonalidade, dispersão, hábitat, ecologia, reprodução, morfologia e etologia, manejo e práticas de manipulação para extração de produtos, acondicionamento e semidomesticação de espéciesdas abelhas sem ferrão. Constatou-se que o conhecimento sobre abelhas sem ferão é transmitido entre as gerações, principalmente de pai para filho, oralmente, por observação e tentativa de acerto e imitação, onde dois grupos são conhecidos: abelhas e vespas. O primeiro subdivide-se em abelhas sem ferrão, com 13 etnoespécies, e abelhas com ferrão, com sete etnoespécies. O grupo das vespas reúne cinco etnoespécies. O conhecimento sobre esses insetos é compartilhado entre os membros da comunidade, mas está presente com maior relevância entre os especialistas.
May 2022 Medical Image of the Month: Pectus Excavatum
Authors:   Parkview Medical Center, Pueblo, CO USA, Barber Cameron , Nash Jessica , Carroll Dylan , Randall Karen , Aylor-Lee Kourtney
Published: May 2022

No abstract available. Article truncated after 150 words. Case Presentation A 78-year-old man presented to the emergency department with abdominal discomfort and was ultimately diagnosed with a small bowel obstruction requiring laparoscopic surgery. The patient woke up early in the morning with abdominal pain, which was constant. Nothing alleviated his symptoms. 3 hours later he developed dyspnea and, at that point, went to the hospital. The patient subsequently underwent enhanced commuted tomography of the chest, abdomen, pelvis. Patient was found to have an acute small bowel obstruction and mesenteric swirling and mistiness. Patient was also found to have severe pectus excavatum with the inferior body of the sternum measuring 1.3 cm from the anterior border of T11 vertebral body. General surgery was consulted. Patient ultimately underwent laparoscopic surgery with removal of adhesions and a small bowel serosal tear was repaired. The patient recovered well. Discussion Pectus excavatum is a deformity of the chest wall that is characterized by …
Smartphone-based measurements of the optical properties of snow
Authors: Allgaier Markus , Smith Brian J.
Published: May 2022

Snow is a highly complex medium composed of ice crystals of various shapes and sizes. Knowledge of its intrinsic optical properties such as scattering and absorption coefficients is tantamount to radiative transfer models in climate research. The absorption coefficient, in particular, allows us to access information about light-absorbing particles contained in the snow. In contrast to snow’s apparent properties such as the albedo, measuring the intrinsic properties is challenging. Here, we present a simple apparatus that can measure bulk optical properties of snow using readily available components and a smartphone camera, and a robust diffuse-optical framework for data analysis. We demonstrate the instrument both on scattering phantoms with known scattering and absorption coefficients and in the field. Its low cost, simplicity, and portability uniquely qualify this setup for large-scale field work, undergraduate education, and citizen science.
Portable boom-type ultrahigh-resolution OCT with an integrated imaging probe for supine position retinal imaging
Authors: Duan Zhengyu , Huang Kai , Luo Zhongzhou , Ma Ke , Wang Gengyuan , Hu Xiaodong , Zhang Jinze , Luo Xiaoling , Huang Yuancong , Liu Gangjun , Ding Xiaoyan , Xiao Peng , Yuan Jin
Published: May 2022

To expand the clinical applications and improve the ease of use of ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography (UHR-OCT), we developed a portable boom-type ophthalmic UHR-OCT operating in supine position that can be used for pediatric subjects, bedridden patients and perioperative conditions. By integrating the OCT sample arm probe with real-time iris display and automatic focusing electric lens for easy alignment, coupling the probe on a self-locking multi-directional manipulator to reduce motion artifacts and operator fatigue, and installing the OCT module on a moveable cart for system mobility, our customized portable boom-type UHR-OCT enables non-contact, high-resolution and high-stability retinal examinations to be performed on subjects in supine position. The spectral-domain UHR-OCT operates at a wavelength of 845 nm with 130 nm FWHM (full width at half maximum) bandwidth, achieving an axial resolution of ≈2.3µm in tissue with an A-line acquisition rate up to 128 kHz. A high-definition two-dimensional (2D) raster protocol was used for high-quality cross-sectional imaging while a cube volume three-dimensional (3D) scan was used for three-dimensional imaging and en-face reconstruction, resolving major layer structures of the retina. The feasibility of the system was demonstrated by performing supine position 2D/3D retinal imaging on healthy human subjects, sedated infants, and non-sedated awake neonates.
Widely tunable narrow linewidth laser source based on photonic molecule microcombs and optical injection locking
Authors: Skehan J. Connor , Helgason Óskar B. , Schröder Jochen , Torres-Company Victor , Andrekson Peter A.
Published: May 2022

We demonstrate a method to generate a widely and arbitrarily tunable laser source with very narrow linewidth. By seeding a coupled-cavity microcomb with a highly coherent single-frequency laser and using injection locking of a Fabry-Perot laser to select a single output comb tone, a high power, high side mode suppression ratio output wave is obtained. The system is demonstrated across 1530 -1585 nm with a linewidth below 8 kHz, having 5 dBm output power and sidemode suppression of at least 60 dB. Prospects of extending the performance are also discussed.
Efficient multicycle terahertz pulse generation based on the tilted pulse-front technique
Authors: Zhang Baolong , Wu Xiaojun , Wang Xuan , Li Shangqing , Ma Jinglong , Liao Guoqian , Li Yutong , Zhang Jie
Published: May 2022

Controlling the time-domain oscillation of a terahertz (THz) wave offers promising capabilities for THz-based all-optical particle acceleration and strong-field THz nonlinear physics. However, the lack of highly efficient and frequency-modulable multicycle THz sources is impeding the spread of strong-field THz science and applications. Here, we show that by simply adding an echelon into a single-cycle THz source based on optical rectification in lithium niobate crystals via the tilted pulse-front technique, multicycle THz pulses can be efficiently generated with an 800 nm-to-THz efficiency of 0.1% at room temperature. The radiated THz properties can be engineered by precisely designing the echelon structure. Our proposed multicycle THz generation method has the advantages of high efficiency, ease of operation, and quick switching between single-cycle and multicycle working modes, all of which are important in the application of high-field THz radiation.
Thickness-dependent slow light gap solitons in three-dimensional coupled photonic crystal waveguides
Authors: Bohley Christian , Jandieri Vakhtang , Schwager Benjamin , Khomeriki Ramaz , Schulz Dominik , Erni Daniel , Werner Douglas H. , Berakdar Jamal
Published: May 2022

The thickness-dependent multimodal nature of three-dimensional (3D) coupled photonic crystal waveguides is investigated with the aim of realizing a medium for controlled optical gap soliton formation in the slow light regime. In the linear case, spectral properties of the modes (dispersion diagrams), location of the gap regions versus the thickness of the 3D photonic crystal, and the near-field distributions at frequencies in the slow light region are analyzed using a full-wave electromagnetic solver. In the nonlinear regime (Kerr-type nonlinearity), we infer an existence of crystal-thickness-dependent temporal solitons with stable pulse envelope and use the solitonic pulses for driving quantum transitions in localized quantum systems within the photonic crystal waveguide. The results may be useful for applications in optical communications, multiplexing systems, nonlinear physics, and ultrafast spectroscopy.
Ultralow-linewidth ring laser using hybrid integration and generic foundry platforms
Authors: Far Brusatori Mónica , Duplat Daniel N. , Degli-Eredi Iterio , Nielsen Lars , Tønning Peter L. , Castera Pau , Volet Nicolas , Heck Martijn J. R.
Published: May 2022

Two photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are coupled to form a hybridly integrated semiconductor ring laser in the telecom C band with an intrinsic linewidth of (158±21) Hz. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first time an InP active–passive platform is used in conjunction with an integrated low-loss resonator to obtain a narrow-linewidth laser implemented using generic foundry platforms. The presented results pave the way for a hybrid integrated platform for microwave photonics (MWP), as the demonstrated device includes multiple active–passive components, and its narrow optical linewidth can potentially be translated to a narrow-linewidth microwave signal. Furthermore, as the laser is based on hybrid integration of two PICs from generic foundry platforms, there is a path to reproducible and low-cost devices.
Coexistence of light emission and detection in a III-nitride quantum well diode
Authors: Fu Kang , Gao Xumin , Ye Ziqi , Li Jinjia , Ji Xiangyang , Wang Yongjin
Published: May 2022

The demand for on-chip multifunctional optoelectronic systems is increasing in today’s Internet of Things era. III-nitride quantum well diodes (QWDs) can transmit and receive information through visible light and can be used as both light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and photodetectors (PDs). Spectral emission–detection overlap gives the III-nitride QWD an intriguing capability to detect and modulate light emitted by itself. In this paper, the coexistence of light emission and detection in a III-nitride QWD is experimentally demonstrated, and a wireless video communication system through light is established. When approximately biasing and illuminating at the same time, the III-nitride QWD can achieve light emission and detection simultaneously. This work provides a foundation for the development of multifunctional III-nitride QWDs and the realization of device-to-device data communication.
A multistudy analysis reveals that evoked pain intensity representation is distributed across brain systems
Authors: Petre Bogdan , Kragel Philip , Atlas Lauren Y. , Geuter Stephan , Jepma Marieke , Koban Leonie , Krishnan Anjali , Lopez-Sola Marina , Losin Elizabeth A. Reynolds , Roy Mathieu , Woo Choong-Wan , Wager Tor D.
Published: May 2022

Information is coded in the brain at multiple anatomical scales: locally, distributed across regions and networks, and globally. For pain, the scale of representation has not been formally tested, and quantitative comparisons of pain representations across regions and networks are lacking. In this multistudy analysis of 376 participants across 11 studies, we compared multivariate predictive models to investigate the spatial scale and location of evoked heat pain intensity representation. We compared models based on (a) a single most pain-predictive region or resting-state network; (b) pain-associated cortical–subcortical systems developed from prior literature (“multisystem models”); and (c) a model spanning the full brain. We estimated model accuracy using leave-one-study-out cross-validation (CV; 7 studies) and subsequently validated in 4 independent holdout studies. All spatial scales conveyed information about pain intensity, but distributed, multisystem models predicted pain 20% more accurately than any individual region or network and were more generalizable to multimodal pain (thermal, visceral, and mechanical) and specific to pain. Full brain models showed no predictive advantage over multisystem models. These findings show that multiple cortical and subcortical systems are needed to decode pain intensity, especially heat pain, and that representation of pain experience may not be circumscribed by any elementary region or canonical network. Finally, the learner generalization methods we employ provide a blueprint for evaluating the spatial scale of information in other domains.
Analyzing nested experimental designs—A user-friendly resampling method to determine experimental significance
Authors: Kulkarni Rishikesh U. , Wang Catherine L. , Bertozzi Carolyn R.
Published: May 2022

While hierarchical experimental designs are near-ubiquitous in neuroscience and biomedical research, researchers often do not take the structure of their datasets into account while performing statistical hypothesis tests. Resampling-based methods are a flexible strategy for performing these analyses but are difficult due to the lack of open-source software to automate test construction and execution. To address this, we present Hierarch, a Python package to perform hypothesis tests and compute confidence intervals on hierarchical experimental designs. Using a combination of permutation resampling and bootstrap aggregation, Hierarch can be used to perform hypothesis tests that maintain nominal Type I error rates and generate confidence intervals that maintain the nominal coverage probability without making distributional assumptions about the dataset of interest. Hierarch makes use of the Numba JIT compiler to reduce p-value computation times to under one second for typical datasets in biomedical research. Hierarch also enables researchers to construct user-defined resampling plans that take advantage of Hierarch’s Numba-accelerated functions.
Assessing in vivo mutation frequencies and creating a high-resolution genome-wide map of fitness costs of Hepatitis C virus
Authors: Tisthammer Kaho H. , Solis Caroline , Orcales Faye , Nzerem Madu , Winstead Ryan , Dong Weiyan , Joy Jeffrey B. , Pennings Pleuni S.
Published: May 2022

Like many viruses, Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) has a high mutation rate, which helps the virus adapt quickly, but mutations come with fitness costs. Fitness costs can be studied by different approaches, such as experimental or frequency-based approaches. The frequency-based approach is particularly useful to estimate in vivo fitness costs, but this approach works best with deep sequencing data from many hosts are. In this study, we applied the frequency-based approach to a large dataset of 195 patients and estimated the fitness costs of mutations at 7957 sites along the HCV genome. We used beta regression and random forest models to better understand how different factors influenced fitness costs. Our results revealed that costs of nonsynonymous mutations were three times higher than those of synonymous mutations, and mutations at nucleotides A or T had higher costs than those at C or G. Genome location had a modest effect, with lower costs for mutations in HVR1 and higher costs for mutations in Core and NS5B. Resistance mutations were, on average, costlier than other mutations. Our results show that in vivo fitness costs of mutations can be site and virus specific, reinforcing the utility of constructing in vivo fitness cost maps of viral genomes.
Skeletal muscle analysis of panoramic ultrasound is reliable across multiple raters
Authors: Cleary Christopher J. , Nabavizadeh Omid , Young Kaycie L. , Herda Ashley A.
Published: May 2022

Ultrasound devices are common in muscle physiology laboratories due to their ease of use and validity to assess skeletal muscle characteristics. The current study assessed the reliability of ultrasound skeletal muscle image analysis across multiple raters with limited experience. Vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), and first dorsal interosseus (FDI) images were separately analyzed by three novice raters to determine muscle thickness (MT), cross-sectional area (CSA), and echo-intensity (EI). Separate analyses of variance (ANOVA) assessed statistical differences between and within raters. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) between (inter-rater) and within (intra-rater) raters, the standard error of the measurement (SEM) and minimal difference needed to be considered real were calculated. Inter-rater reliability was high for the VL and RF (ICC: 0.984–0.999), while the FDI was lower (0.614–0.962). Further, intra-rater reliability was greater than 0.961 for each rater. SEM values calculated for inter-rater reliability expressed as a percentage of the mean ranged from 0.4–5.8% across variables. Similarly, SEM values for intra-rater reliability were between 0.8–5.8%, 0.6–3.6%, and 0.4–3.2% for Raters 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Despite this, significant differences (p<0.05) between raters were observed for RF MT and EI, VL CSA and EI, and FDI MT, suggesting that potentially more measurement trials or greater practice time may be necessary to reduce systematic error among multiple raters. Post-image acquisition processing is reliable among and within raters as determined through ICCs and SEMs. This study provided consistent results among three separate novice raters given the same training, a unique yet realistic setting in muscle physiology laboratories.
Whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV2 strains circulating in Iran during five waves of pandemic
Authors: Yavarian Jila , Nejati Ahmad , Salimi Vahid , Shafiei Jandaghi Nazanin Zahra , Sadeghi Kaveh , Abedi Adel , Sharifi Zarchi Ali , Gouya Mohammad Mehdi , Mokhtari-Azad Talat
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV2 is important to find useful information about the viral lineages, variants of interests and variants of concern. As there are not enough data about the circulating SARS-CoV2 variants in Iran, we sequenced 54 SARS-CoV2 genomes during the 5 waves of pandemic in Iran.

Methods

After viral RNA extraction from clinical samples collected during the COVID-19 pandemic, next generation sequencing was performed using the Nextseq platform. The sequencing data were analyzed and compared with reference sequences.

Results

During the 1st wave, V and L clades were detected. The second wave was recognized by G, GH and GR clades. Circulating clades during the 3rd wave were GH and GR. In the fourth wave GRY (alpha variant), GK (delta variant) and one GH clade (beta variant) were detected. All viruses in the fifth wave were in clade GK (delta variant). There were different mutations in all parts of the genomes but Spike-D614G, NSP12-P323L, N-R203K and N-G204R were the most frequent mutants in these studied viruses.

Conclusions

These findings display the significance of SARS-CoV2 monitoring to help on time detection of possible variants for pandemic control and vaccination plans.
Nationwide implementation of the non-invasive prenatal test: Evaluation of a blended learning program for counselors
Authors: Martin Linda , Gitsels-van der Wal Janneke T. , Bax Caroline J. , Pieters Mijntje J. , Reijerink-Verheij Jacqueline C. I. Y. , Galjaard Robert-Jan , Henneman Lidewij ,   Dutch NIPT Consortium
Published: May 2022

This study assesses the results of a mandatory blended learning-program for counselors (e.g. midwives, sonographers, obstetricians) guiding national implementation of the Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT). We assessed counselors’ 1) knowledge about prenatal aneuploidy screening, 2) factors associated with their knowledge (e.g. counselors’ characteristics, attitudes towards NIPT), and 3) counselors’ attitudes regarding the blended learning. A cross-sectional online pretest-posttest implementation survey was sent to all 2,813 Dutch prenatal counselors. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to identify associations between counselors’ knowledge and e.g. their professional backgrounds, work experience and attitudes towards NIPT. At T0 and T1 1,635 and 913 counselors completed the survey, respectively. Overall results show an increased mean number of correct answered knowledge questions; 23/35 (66%) items at T0 and 28/37 (76%) items at T1. Knowledge gaps on highly specific topics remained. Work experience and secondary care work-setting were positively associated with a higher level of knowledge. Most counselors (74%) showed positive attitudes towards the blended learning program. The mandatory blended learning, along with learning by experience through implementation of NIPT, has facilitated an increase in counselors’ knowledge and was well received. New implementations in healthcare may benefit from requiring blended learning for healthcare providers, especially if tailored to professionals’ learning goals.
The endoplasmic reticulum membrane protein complex localizes to the mitochondrial - endoplasmic reticulum interface and its subunits modulate phospholipid biosynthesis in Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Iyer Advaitha , Niemann Moritz , Serricchio Mauro , Dewar Caroline E. , Oeljeklaus Silke , Farine Luce , Warscheid Bettina , Schneider André , Bütikofer Peter
Published: May 2022

The endoplasmic reticulum membrane complex (EMC) is a versatile complex that plays a key role in membrane protein biogenesis in the ER. Deletion of the complex has wide-ranging consequences including ER stress, disturbance in lipid transport and organelle tethering, among others. Here we report the function and organization of the evolutionarily conserved EMC (TbEMC) in the highly diverged eukaryote, Trypanosoma brucei. Using (co-) immunoprecipitation experiments in combination with mass spectrometry and whole cell proteomic analyses of parasites after depletion of select TbEMC subunits, we demonstrate that the TbEMC is composed of 9 subunits that are present in a high molecular mass complex localizing to the mitochondrial-endoplasmic reticulum interface. Knocking out or knocking down of single TbEMC subunits led to growth defects of T. brucei procyclic forms in culture. Interestingly, we found that depletion of individual TbEMC subunits lead to disruption of de novo synthesis of phosphatidylcholine (PC) or phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), the two most abundant phospholipid classes in T. brucei. Downregulation of TbEMC1 or TbEMC3 inhibited formation of PC while depletion of TbEMC8 inhibited PE synthesis, pointing to a role of the TbEMC in phospholipid synthesis. In addition, we found that in TbEMC7 knock-out parasites, TbEMC3 is released from the complex, implying that TbEMC7 is essential for the formation or the maintenance of the TbEMC.
Charging plastic bags: Perceptions from Japan
Authors: Seo Yuna , Kudo Fumiko
Published: May 2022

Mandatory charges for plastic bags at all stores was implemented in Japan in July 2020 to encourage interest in environmental issues and raise awareness of environmental risks. We conducted a survey on mandatory plastic bag charging, dealing with environmental risk perception, pro-environmental habits, attempts to reduce plastic bags, and sense of community. In this study, we assumed that factors distinguished by the behavior change after charging, that is, reduced use of plastic shopping bags or no change from before, and the relationship with other typical environmental behaviors and perceptions would suggest its long-term success. Data were collected from two groups: Group 1 consisted of those who had reduced their use of plastic bags after the implementation of the mandate, and Group 2 were those who had not changed their behavior because of the mandate. First, we extracted factors to distinguish Group 1 from Group 2 using binary regression analysis. Second, we illustrated the relationship between the attempt to reduce plastic bags and other typical environmental behaviors and perceptions by conducting structural equation modeling (SEM). The results showed that age, place of residence, observing others’ behavior, attempts to use eco-friendly bags, and energy-saving behavior were significant influential factors in reducing plastic bags. Moreover, SEM showed that it was not significantly related to pro-environmental habits but would significantly influence environmental risk perception and recycling behavior. Therefore, it is suggested that mandatory charging can raise interest in environmental issues to foster further environmental behavior, while a detailed outreach strategy considering influential factors such as age, place of residence, individual pro-environmental habits, and so on would be necessary to successfully implement this strategy.
On language and gender: An interview with Olivier Lallart about PD
Authors: Ue Tom , Lallart Olivier
Published: May 2022

In this interview, I discuss with French director Olivier Lallart his film PD (or, in English, Fag) (2019). PD focuses on the sometimes-toxic-and-sometimes-romantic relationship between Thomas (Paul Gomérieux) and his schoolmate Esteban (Jacques Lepesqueur); and it offers thoughtful exploration of the language with which we describe same-sex love. The film has had a resoundingly successful second life on YouTube. Since its premiere, this 35-minute film has had more than 3.7 million views and it has been subtitled in over a dozen languages. In what follows, we discuss the film’s production – exploring issues ranging from casting to shooting, and from production costs to reception – and, more significantly, Lallart’s social commentary by means of Thomas’ and Esteban’s story. This interview advances scholarship both by attending to this film’s remarkably successful second life and by advocating for more critical attention to be directed to our use of language.
A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH TO IMPROVEMENT OF CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR STEEL STRUCTURES
Authors: Soroushian Parviz , Balachandra Anagi , Weerasiri Rankothge , Darsanasiri Nalin , Abdol Nastran
Published: May 2022

Corrosion is a primary factor compromising the safety and service life of steel structures. Corrosion protection coatings are generally employed for protection of the steel structures that are exposed to different aggressive environments. This research evaluated the use of biobased ion exchangers as a sustainable means of improving corrosion protection coatings.

Two base polymer coatings (vinyl and coal-tar epoxy) were considered.  The following types and dosages of biobased ion exchangers were evaluated in these coatings: (i) strong-base ion exchange cellulose in OH, PO4, SiO3, BO3, NO2, SO4 and NO3 forms at 1% by weight of resin; (ii) weak-acid starch citrate ion exchanger in H form at 1 wt.%; and (iii) strong-base ion exchange cellulose in OH form at 2 wt.%. In addition, a strong-base ion exchange resin in OH form was considered at 1 and 2 wt.% as control.  Different coating formulations were evaluated based on the outcomes of salt-fog corrosion, moisture resistance, pull-off strength, and abrasion resistance tests. The introduction of certain biobased ion exchangers in protective coatings was found to be an effective means of achieving improved levels of corrosion resistance, adhesion capacity, moisture stability and abrasion resistance.
STUDY ON MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF CABLE - STAYED BRIDGE SUPPORT SYSTEM IN MULTI - FULCRUM UNBALANCED ROTATION
Authors: Gu Zifeng , Sun Quansheng , Liu Meng , Kong Dandan , Guo Yang
Published: May 2022

With the maturity and wide application of the bridge rotation construction technology, the single-fulcrum spherical hinge balance rotation can not meet the need of crossing over the high-speed railway catenary and other obstacles, so the unbalanced rotation construction is often needed. In order to ensure the stability and safety of the unbalanced rotation process, a multi-pivot rotation method is proposed. In this paper, the railway cable-stayed bridge over Harbin West Avenue is taken as the research object, and the multi-fulcrum rotating construction method over the metal contact network is adopted. The Abaqus finite element model is established, the influence of different rotation angular velocity, friction coefficient of slideway and position of support foot on the force of support system in the course of rotation is studied. The results show that, compared with the traditional single-pivot rotation, the force on the multi-pivot rotation support foot becomes the main force component, and the force on the spherical hinge decreases. The rotation angular velocity is positively correlated with Mises stress of the support foot and the spherical hinge. The friction coefficient of the slideway has a great influence on the force of the support foot. When the friction coefficient of the slideway changes in order of 0.02,0.04,0.06,0.08 and 0.1, the friction stress of the outer edge of the support foot increases linearly. Considering the force of spherical hinge and support foot, the best position of supporting foot is 7.3 m from the center of spherical hinge. The research in this paper can be used for reference in the future multi-pivot unbalanced rotation construction.
Analysis of Factors Affecting Delayed Diagnosis of Women with Breast Cancer at Anugrah Medika Oncology Clinic in Kendari
Authors: Pasambo Gideon , Salmah A. Ummu , ang St , ni Mas , ah Suri , Amqam Hasnawati
Published: May 2022

The goal of this research is to determine the variables that contribute to breast cancer detection delays in women at Anugrah Medika Kendari Oncology Clinic. This is a cross sectional study using an analytic observational research approach. The data were examined univariately, bivariately, and multivariately using the multiple logistic regression approach. The findings indicated that, among the nine factors hypothesized to have an impact on breast cancer diagnosis delay, the variables (fear p=0.000; shyness p=0.001; alternative medicine p=0.000) were shown to have an influence on breast cancer diagnostic delay. Fear of exp (B1) = 24,621 > 1 was a risk factor in multivariate analysis, and the 95 percent CI value was more than 1 (4,635 – 130,790), indicating that the OR was significant. The study's conclusion is that fear, shame, and alternative medicine were all found to be influential factors on the delay in diagnosis of breast cancer patients at the Anugrah Medika Kendari Oncology Clinic. Fear was found to be the most concurrently influential variable on the delay in diagnosis of breast cancer patients at the Anugrah Medika Kendari Oncology Clinic. Due to the importance of cooperation between clinics and psychologists supporting patients in overcoming psychological challenges, the government should prioritize upgrading facilities, access, and human resources, particularly in the area of cancer.