bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Project and Technological Activity of Future Handicraft Teachers at Professional Training Classes of the Culinary Cycle
Authors:   Oleksandr Dovzhenko Hlukhiv National Pedagogical University, Khoruzhenko Tetiana
Published: June 2021

The articles reveals the essence of project and technological activity of future handicraft teachers at professional training classes of the culinary cycle, in particular, the requirements for students’ project training are outlined (the problem, the significance of project activity, the variety of independent work types, the allocation of structural parts of the project, the introduction of research teaching methods); types of creative projects are shown (informative, creative, practice-oriented, game, research, mixed; personal, paired, group; short-term, medium-term, long-term); approximate topics of creative projects of the culinary cycle subjects are given; culinary and confectionery products stages of design are identified (organizational and preparatory, design technological, final); criteria for evaluation the quality of projects in the disciplines of the culinary cycle are defined (current work of students, product quality and explanatory notes, project defense); requirements for material, technical and didactic equipment of the culinary training workshop have been established.
Making a difference
Authors: Fleming Alis
Published: June 2021

Alis Fleming discusses her work with dental charity Dentaid
A smooth transition
Authors: Drysdale-Reid Gabriella
Published: June 2021

Gabriella Drysdale-Reid discusses her move from dental nursing to adult nursing
The dos and don'ts of social media
Authors: Sharma Priya
Published: June 2021

Priya Sharma explains what you need to be aware of
Synovial fluid α defensin has comparable accuracy to synovial fluid white blood cell count and polymorphonuclear percentage for periprosthetic joint infection diagnosis
Authors: Ivy Morgan I. , Sharma Katyayini , Greenwood-Quaintance Kerryl E. , Tande Aaron J. , Osmon Douglas R. , Berbari Elie F. , Mandrekar Jay , Beauchamp Christopher P. , Hanssen Arlen D. , Abdel Matthew P. , Lewallen David G. , Perry Kevin , Block Darci R. , Snyder Melissa R. , Patel Robin
Published: June 2021

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of α defensin (AD) lateral flow assay (LFA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in comparison to conventional synovial white blood cell (WBC) count and polymorphonuclear neutrophil percentage (PMN%) analysis.

Methods

Patients undergoing joint aspiration for evaluation of pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA) were considered for inclusion. Synovial fluids from 99 patients (25 THA and 74 TKA) were analyzed by WBC count and PMN% analysis, AD LFA, and AD ELISA. WBC and PMN% cutoffs of ≥ 1,700 cells/mm3 and ≥ 65% for TKA and ≥ 3,000 cells/mm3 and ≥ 80% for THA were used, respectively. A panel of three physicians, all with expertise in orthopaedic infections and who were blinded to the results of AD tests, independently reviewed patient data to diagnose subjects as with or without PJI. Consensus PJI classification was used as the reference standard to evaluate test performances. Results were compared using McNemar’s test and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis.

Results

Expert consensus classified 18 arthroplasies as having failed due to PJI and 81 due to aseptic failure. Using these classifications, the calculated sensitivity and specificity of AD LFA was 83.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 58.6 to 96.4) and 93.8% (95% CI 86.2 to 98.0), respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of AD ELISA was 83.3% (95% CI 58.6 to 96.4) and 96.3% (95% CI 89.6 to 99.2), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between sensitivity (p = 1.000) or specificity (p = 0.157) of the two AD assays. AUC for AD LFA was 0.891. In comparison, AUC for synovial WBC count, PMN%, and the combination of the two values was 0.821 (sensitivity p = 1.000, specificity p < 0.001), 0.886 (sensitivity p = 0.317, specificity p = 0.011), and 0.926 (sensitivity p = 0.317, specificity p = 0.317), respectively.

Conclusion

The diagnostic accuracy of synovial AD for PJI diagnosis is comparable and not statistically superior to that of synovial WBC count plus PMN% combined. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(6):1119–1126.
Isolated tibial insert exchange in revision total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Tetreault Matthew W. , Hines Jeremy T. , Berry Daniel J. , Pagnano Mark W. , Trousdale Robert T. , Abdel Matthew P.
Published: June 2021

Aims

This study aimed to determine outcomes of isolated tibial insert exchange (ITIE) during revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods

From 1985 to 2016, 270 ITIEs were performed at one institution for instability (55%, n = 148), polyethylene wear (39%, n = 105), insert fracture/dissociation (5%, n = 14), or stiffness (1%, n = 3). Patients with component loosening, implant malposition, infection, and extensor mechanism problems were excluded.

Results

Survivorship free of any re-revision was 68% at ten years. For the indication of insert wear, survivorship free of any re-revision at ten years was 74%. Re-revisions were more frequent for index diagnoses other than wear (hazard ratio (HR) 1.9; p = 0.013), with ten-year survivorships of 69% for instability and 37% for insert fracture/dissociation. Following ITIE for wear, the most common reason for re-revision was aseptic loosening (33%, n = 7). For other indications, the most common reason for re-revision was recurrence of the original diagnosis. Mean Knee Society Scores improved from 54 (0 to 94) preoperatively to 77 (38 to 94) at ten years.

Conclusion

After ITIE, the risk and reasons for re-revision correlated with preoperative indications. The best results were for polyethylene wear. For other diagnoses, the re-revision rate was higher and the failure mode was most commonly recurrence of the original indication for the revision TKA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(6):1103–1110.
Type lll internal hemipelvectomy for primary bone tumours with and without allograft reconstruction
Authors: Jamshidi Khodamorad , Zandrahimi Farshad , Bagherifard Abolfazl , Mohammadi Fatemeh , Mirzaei Alireza
Published: June 2021

Aim

There is insufficient evidence to support bony reconstruction of the pubis after a type III internal hemipelvectomy (resection of all or part of the pubis). In this study, we compared surgical complications, postoperative pain, and functional outcome in a series of patients who had undergone a type III internal hemipelvectomy with or without bony reconstruction.

Methods

In a retrospective cohort study, 32 patients who had undergone a type III hemipelvectomy with or without allograft reconstruction (n = 15 and n = 17, respectively) were reviewed. The mean follow-up was 6.7 years (SD 3.8) for patients in the reconstruction group and 6.1 years (SD 4.0) for patients in the non-reconstruction group. Functional outcome was evaluated using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scoring system and the level of postoperative pain with a visual analogue scale (VAS).

Results

The mean MSTS score of the patients was significantly better in patients after reconstruction (26 (SD 1.7) vs 22.7 (SD 2.0); p < 0.001). The mean visual analogue scale score for pain was significantly less in the reconstruction group (2.1 (SD 2) vs 4.2 (SD 2.2); p = 0.016). One infection occurred in each group. Bladder herniation occurred in three patients (17.6%) in the non-reconstruction group but none in the reconstruction group. Five patients (29.4%) in the non-reconstruction group and one (7%) in the reconstruction group had a limp. Graft displacement occurred in two patients in the reconstruction group.

Conclusion

We recommend reconstruction of the bony defect after a type III hemipelvectomy: it gives a better functional result, less postoperative pain, and fewer late surgical complications. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(6):1155–1159.
Tranexamic acid reduces blood loss in paediatric proximal femoral and/or pelvic osteotomies
Authors: Brouwer Anne J. , Kempink Dagmar R.J. , de Witte Pieter Bas
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Proximal femoral and/or pelvic osteotomies (PFPO) are associated with significant blood loss, which can be harmful, especially in paediatric patients. Therefore, considering methods to reduce blood loss is important. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of tranexamic acid (TXA) in reducing intraoperative estimated blood loss (EBL) in paediatric patients undergoing a PFPO.

Methods

Paediatric patients who had a PFPO between 2014 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Outcome measures included patient demographics, TXA use (none, preoperative and/or intraoperative bolus, pump), EBL, transfusion rate and thromboembolic complications. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess associations between investigated outcome measures and EBL.

Results

A total of 340 PFPO (263 patients) were included. Mean age at surgery was 8.0 years (sd 4.3). In all, 269 patients received no TXA, 20 had a preoperative bolus, 43 had an intraoperative bolus and eight patients had other TXA regimes (preoperative and intraoperative bolus or pump). Overall, mean blood loss was 211 ml (sd 163). Multivariate analysis showed significant associations between higher EBL and higher age at surgery, male sex, higher body mass index and longer procedure time. There was a significant association between lower EBL and a preoperative TXA bolus: 66 ml (33%) less EBL compared with patients without TXA (95% confidence interval -129 to -4; p = 0.04). No thromboembolic complications were reported in any of the studied patients.

Conclusion

Preoperative TXA administration is associated with a decreased EBL in PFPO. No thromboembolic events were reported. Administering TXA preoperatively appears to be effective in paediatric patients undergoing a PFPO.

Level of evidence

Level III – retrospective comparative study.
Osteoid Osteoma of the Scapular Neck: A Cause of Long-lasting Unexplained Pain
Authors: Moussa Mohamad K , Allouch Ali , Boushnak Mohammad O , Tannouri Fadi , Hijazi Samer , Daher Youssef
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Osteoid osteoma (OO) is a common tumor of the diaphysis of long bone, where the reported incidence is up 10% of all benign bone tumors. Its presence in flat bone is seldom mentioned in literature and can be misleading when the bone involved is in proximity to a zone of wide variety of possible pathology. We report a case of a young patient with OO in a very rare location of the body –the scapular neck – that was misdiagnosed for a long period of time before receiving adequate therapy.
Case Report: A 20-year-old female patient presented to the clinic with chronic left shoulder pain. During the past 2 years, she received medical and physical therapy, to deal with different diagnosis such as cervical spine pathology, muscular spasm, and rotator cuff disease. However, she did not improve. At time of presentation to our clinic, radiographs of the shoulder were done and turned to be inconclusively normal. After negative magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine, a computed tomography scan of the shoulder was done and showed a round well-defined lesion localized in the scapular neck with a focal lucent nidus within surrounding sclerotic reactive bone measuring 8.5 mm in largest diameter, compatible with OO. Bone scan showed increased uptake. The patient was given aspirin in an intention to test and treat. The patient had dramatic pain relieve at first, which confirmed the diagnosis of OO. But then, pain became unremitting, so a decision was made for radiofrequency ablation of the lesion which gave excellent results.
Conclusion: OO is a common benign neoplasm with high variable clinical picture and anatomic localization. Despite being more common in long bone, flat bone OO localization should be always kept in mind. Careful history and physical examination should be done for each patient presenting with unexplained pain; night pain should always raise suspicion of this condition. Radiographs are not always conclusive, and the patient with high suspicion
Exchange Nailing as Revision Surgery for Post-operative Non-union of Atypical Femoral Fractures: A Case Report and Treatment Strategy
Authors: Yasuda Tomohiro , Arai Masayuki , Shinohara Daichi , Samejima Yuki , Kanzaki Koji , Kawasaki Keikichi
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Atypical femoral fractures account for only 0.5% of femoral shaft fractures, but delayed union or non-union occurs in 50% of atypical femoral fractures accompanied by femoral lateral bowing. Such fractures are difficult to treat.
Case Report: The case was an 84-year-old woman. She was diagnosed post-operative non-union of atypical femoral fracture. We planned a revision surgery for post-operative non-union of the atypical proximal femoral fracture. A two-dimensional template was used to simulate the intramedullary nail (IMN). Due to the advanced femoral lateral bowing deformity, a mismatch with the nail was noted when the unaffected femur was used to construct the template. When the opposite side nail was used as a template, the nail was aligned with the medullary canal, and the tip of the nail coincided with the center of the medullary canal; hence, the opposite side nail was chosen. Radiographical assessments of healing of the fracture confirmed callus formation and complete bone union 3 months and 1 year after the operation, respectively.
Conclusion: We found that exchange nailing as revision surgery for post-operative non-union of atypical femoral fractures combined with an IMN on the opposite side was useful.
Keywords: Alendronate, femoral fracture, osteoporosis, revision surgery.
Simulations of fluorescence imaging in the oral cavity
Authors: Lyu Zheng , Jiang Haomiao , Xiao Feng , Rong Jian , Zhang Tingcheng , Wandell Brian , Farrell Joyce
Published: June 2021

We describe an end-to-end image systems simulation that models a device capable of measuring fluorescence in the oral cavity. Our software includes a 3D model of the oral cavity and excitation-emission matrices of endogenous fluorophores that predict the spectral radiance of oral mucosal tissue. The predicted radiance is transformed by a model of the optics and image sensor to generate expected sensor image values. We compare simulated and real camera data from tongues in healthy individuals and show that the camera sensor chromaticity values can be used to quantify the fluorescence from porphyrins relative to the bulk fluorescence from multiple fluorophores (elastin, NADH, FAD, and collagen). Validation of the simulations supports the use of soft-prototyping in guiding system design for fluorescence imaging.
Saturable absorber based on a hybrid structure of graded-index multimode fiber and graphene for a passive mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser
Authors: Li Xin , Wang D. N. , Chen Jikai
Published: June 2021

A saturable absorber based on a hybrid structure of graded-index multimode fiber and graphene is proposed and demonstrated for passive mode-locked fiber laser pulse generation. The center wavelength of the output pulses is 1564 nm, with a 3 dB bandwidth of 3.52 nm and pulse duration of 634 fs at a fundamental repetition rate of 18.72 MHz, with a signal-to-noise ratio of 71 dB. Compared with the saturable absorber based on a pure graded-index multimode fiber structure, the pulse duration is compressed by 253 fs, and the signal-to-noise ratio is increased by 10 dB. The hybrid structured saturable absorber has the advantages of simple structure, convenient operation, and good robustness, which makes it attractive in the generation of ultrafast pulses.
Passive tunable and polarization-insensitive fan-like metamaterial absorber in the visible spectrum
Authors: Issah Ibrahim , Li Fangfang , Baah Marian , Otoo Isaac A. , Asilevi Lewis , Bawuah Prince , Asamoah Benjamin O.
Published: June 2021

We numerically study a fan-like metamaterial absorber (FMMA) composed of an

A
u

-

T
i
O

2

-

A
u

multilayer with a 3-D finite-difference-time-domain method (FDTD) and verify it experimentally. Our proposed design shows high absorbance,

>

98
%

numerically, in the visible spectrum, which is due to the excitation of both localized surface plasmons (LSPs) and propagating surface plasmons (PSPs). In particular, the

T
i
O

2

dielectric spacer sandwiched between the top fan-like nanopatterned structure and the bottom planar Au-film is identified as playing a crucial role in the spectral response of the FMMA. Its introduction excites the PSP mode, which first enhances the absorbance of the FMMA and subsequently redshifts the spectral absorbance with a further increase in the thickness. Moreover, the proposed FMMA, numerically and experimentally, also shows polarization and angle insensitivity in the visible spectrum under normal and selected oblique incidence. These results offer unique potential in sensing applications and devices requiring selective absorption in the visible spectral region.
On-chip non-Hermitian optical parametric amplifiers with a large bandwidth
Authors: Ahmed Asif , Meng Xiang , Zhong Qi , El-Ganainy Ramy , Osgood Richard M. , Dadap Jerry I.
Published: June 2021

Recently, our groups have introduced the notion of optical parametric amplification based on non-Hermitian phase matching wherein the incorporation of loss can lead to gain in this nonlinear optical process. Previous simulation results using second-order nonlinear optical coupled-mode theory have demonstrated the potential of this technique as an alternative to the stringent phase-matching condition, which is often difficult to achieve in semiconductor platforms. Here we fortify this notion for the case of third-order nonlinearity by considering parametric amplification in silicon nanowires and illustrate the feasibility of these devices by employing rigorous finite-difference time-domain analysis using realistic materials and geometric parameters. Particularly, we demonstrate that by systematic control of the optical loss of the idler in a four-wave mixing process, we can achieve efficient unidirectional energy conversion from the pump to the signal component even when the typical phase-matching condition is violated. Importantly, our simulations show that a signal gain of

∼

9

d
B

for a waveguide length of a few millimeters is possible over a large bandwidth of several hundreds of nanometers (

∼

600

n
m

). This bandwidth is nearly 2 orders of magnitude larger than what can be achieved in the conventional silicon-photonics-based four-wave mixing process.
Plasmonic colors in titanium nitride for robust and covert security features
Authors: Fomra D. , Mamun M. , Ding K. , Avrutin V. , Özgür Ü. , Kinsey N.
Published: June 2021

A mechanically robust metasurface exhibiting plasmonic colors across the visible and the near-IR spectrum is designed, fabricated, and characterized. Thin TiN layers (41 nm in thickness) prepared by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (ALD) are patterned with sub-wavelength apertures (75 nm to 150 nm radii), arranged with hexagonal periodicity. These patterned films exhibit extraordinary transmission in the visible and the near-IR spectrum (550 nm to 1040 nm), which is accessible by conventional Si CCD detectors. The TiN structures are shown to withstand high levels of mechanical stresses, tested by rubbing the films against a lint-free cloth under 14.5 kPa of load for 30 minutes, while structures patterned on gold, a widely used plasmonic material, do not. The subwavelength nature of the plasmonic resonances, coupled with robustness and durability of TiN, makes these structures an attractive choice for use in nanoscale security features for heavily handled objects. Furthermore, ALD of these films enables scalability, which in conjunction with the cost-effectiveness of the process and material (TiN) makes the entire process industry friendly.
Excellent repeatability, all-sapphire Fabry Perot optical Pressure sensor based on wet etching and direct bonding for Harsh Environment Applications
Authors: Shao Zhiqiang , Wu Yalin , Sun Zhiqiang , Wang Wei , Liu Zhiyuan , Zhang Chaozhu , Bi Jiayu , Song Erdong
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we proposed an all-sapphire-based extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer (EFPI) sensor based on wet etching and the direct bonding process. Temperature measured by the EFPI is used to calibrate pressure measurement. The problem of repeatable measurement of dynamic pressure in a harsh environment is solved. The EFPI sensor can be applied in the temperature range of 25°C to 800°C and the pressure range environment of 0MPa to 5MPa. The pressure sensitivity of 355.8nm/MPa and the temperature sensitivity of 1.64nm/°C are obtained by a cross-correlation function (CCF) algorithm to interrogate the optical sensing system. Therefore, the proposed sensor has a great potential for pressure monitoring, such as jet engines, industrial gas turbine, and so on due to its 8×8mm size and compact structure.
Wedged Nd:YVO4 crystal for wavelength tuning of monolithic passively Q-switched picosecond microchip lasers
Authors: Marianovich André , Spiekermann Stefan , Brendel Moritz , Wessels Peter , Neumann Jörg , Weyers Markus , Kracht Dietmar
Published: June 2021

We present a monolithic integrated passively Q-switched sub-150 ps microchip laser at 1064 nm with a wedged Nd:YVO4 crystal operating up to a repetition rate of 1 MHz. The wedge enables to change the cavity length by a small amount to fine tune the spectral cavity mode position over the full gain bandwidth of Nd:YVO4 and hence to optimize the output power. This additional degree of freedom may be a suitable approach to increase the wafer scale mass production yield or also to simplify frequency tuning of CW single-frequency microchip lasers.
Generation of a mode-tunable optical vortex based on a mirror curvature dynamically controlled Z-shaped resonant cavity
Authors: Wang Deen , Lei Ming , Lin Shibing , Zheng Yamin , Kang Shaonan , Huang Lei
Published: June 2021

We report a novel, to the best of our knowledge, mode-tunable optical vortex generation method based on a mirror curvature dynamically controlled Z-shaped resonant cavity, a mode conversion beamline, and a reference laser beamline. By changing the mirror curvature of an intra-cavity deformable mirror (DM) at a certain pumping voltage and current, various Hermite–Gaussian (HG) mode beams were obtained in the Z-shaped resonant cavity of a laser diode pumped Yb:CALGO laser. The vortex beams were realized finally by using an external cavity astigmatism converter. In the experiment, the dynamic tuning of the 1st to 9th order HG mode beams and Laguerre–Gaussian mode vortex beams carrying different orbital angular momenta, ranging from 1

ℏ

to 9

ℏ

were achieved by dynamically adjusting the driving voltage of the DM.
Photon-recycling effect in perovskites for photovoltaic applications: a Monte Carlo study
Authors: Wu Bo , Li Linjia , Wang Yigen , Gong Yiyang , Ma Hong , Long Mingzhu , Liu Feilong , Zhou Guofu
Published: June 2021

Photon recycling has been shown to play an important role in the optoelectronic properties and device performance of perovskite solar cells recently. However, there lacks an analytical method to accurately predict the dynamics of charge carriers and photons and the device performance with photon recycling due to the complexity of multiple electron–photon conversion processes involved in photon recycling. We propose a model based on the Monte Carlo simulation method that combines charge carrier diffusion and photon radiation transport to analyze the effects of photon recycling on electron–photon dynamics and device performance of perovskite solar cells. We show that the carrier lifetime can be significantly boosted by photon recycling in the radiative limit, which yields a 37 meV increase in the open-circuit voltage for a 500 nm thick perovskite solar cell. Our results provide insights for the working mechanisms of perovskite solar cells, and the new model can be further applied to other types of solar cells with photon recycling.
All-fiber high-power supercontinuum laser source over 3.5  µm based on a germania-core fiber
Authors: Wang Xuan , Yao Chuanfei , Li Pingxue , Wu Yongjing , Yang Linjing , Ren Guochuan , Wang Chao
Published: June 2021

In this Letter, a high-power all-fiber mid-infrared (MIR) supercontinuum (SC) laser source based on 9 cm long germania-core fiber (GCF) pumped by a high-power thulium-doped fiber amplifier is presented. As the pump power was set as 60 W, we obtained a 21.34 W broadband SC source extending from 1742 to 3512 nm with a slope efficiency of 32.5%. The 10 dB spectral bandwidth was over 1000 nm, spanning 1.97 to 3.04 µm. Furthermore, the numerical simulation of SC generation in GCF was in good agreement with the experimental results. As far as we know, this is the highest average output power over 3.5 µm in GCF based on a MIR SC laser source.
Theory of exciton thermal radiation in semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Konabe Satoru , Nishihara Taishi , Miyauchi Yuhei
Published: June 2021

Spectral control of thermal radiation is an essential strategy for
highly efficient and functional utilization of thermal radiation
energy. Among the various proposed methods, quantum confinement in
low-dimensional materials is promising because of its inherent ability
to emit narrowband thermal radiation. Here, we theoretically
investigate thermal radiation from one-dimensional (1D) semiconductors
characterized by the strong quantum correlation effect due to the
Coulomb interaction. We derive a simple and useful formula for the
emissivity, which is then used to calculate the thermal radiation
spectrum of semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes as a
representative of 1D semiconductors. The calculations show that the
exciton state, which is an electron–hole pair mutually bound by the
Coulomb interaction, causes enhancement of the radiation spectrum peak
and significant narrowing of its linewidth in the near-infrared
wavelength range. The theory developed here will be a firm foundation
for exciton thermal radiation in 1D semiconductors, which is expected
to lead to new energy harvesting technologies.
Silicon-on-insulator slot waveguide design for C band optical amplification confinement
Authors: Li Rengang , Zhao Yaqian , Li Ruyang , Ge Yuan , Xu Zhe
Published: June 2021

Research in the field of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) is taking a boost, especially because of its compatibility with the modern complementary metal-oxide semiconductor fabrication technology. Silicon-on-insulator slot waveguides are a burgeoning platform for sophisticated on-chip integration applications and have been extensively leveraged for PICs. Here the structural optimization and parametric analysis of the slot waveguide geometry for optical enhancement and nanoscale confinement in the C band are presented. Theoretical investigations of the mode field distribution, field confinement factor and effective refractive index for distinct slot waveguide structures are critically examined and comprehensively evaluated. We present four types of slot waveguides, including conventional silicon-on-insulator vertical slot waveguides, slot waveguides using nitrides materials in slot regions, slot waveguides using photonic crystal slabs with air holes, and horizontal slot waveguides with aluminum nitride slots. We demonstrate that by the use of photonic crystal slabs and the presence of nitrides slots, field confinement factors can be enhanced.
Compact intense extreme-ultraviolet source
Authors: Major B. , Ghafur O. , Kovács K. , Varjú K. , Tosa V. , Vrakking M. J. J. , Schütte B.
Published: June 2021

High-intensity laser pulses covering the ultraviolet to terahertz spectral regions are nowadays routinely generated in a large number of laboratories. In contrast, intense extreme-ultraviolet (XUV) pulses have only been demonstrated using a small number of sources including free-electron laser facilities and long high-harmonic generation (HHG) beamlines. Here, we demonstrate a concept for a compact intense XUV source based on HHG that is focused to an intensity of

2
×

10

14

W

/

c
m

2

, with a potential increase up to

10

17

W

/

c
m

2

in the future. Our approach uses tight focusing of the near-infrared (NIR) driving laser and minimizes the XUV virtual source size by generating harmonics several Rayleigh lengths away from the NIR focus. Accordingly, the XUV pulses can be refocused to a small beam waist radius of 600 nm, enabling the absorption of up to four XUV photons by a single Ar atom in a setup that fits on a modest (2 m) laser table. Our concept represents a straightforward approach for the generation of intense XUV pulses in many laboratories, providing exciting opportunities for XUV strong-field and nonlinear optics experiments, for XUV-pump XUV-probe spectroscopy and for the coherent diffractive imaging of nanoscale structures.
The visual cortex produces gamma band echo in response to broadband visual flicker
Authors: Zhigalov Alexander , Duecker Katharina , Jensen Ole
Published: June 2021

The aim of this study is to uncover the network dynamics of the human visual cortex by driving it with a broadband random visual flicker. We here applied a broadband flicker (1–720 Hz) while measuring the MEG and then estimated the temporal response function (TRF) between the visual input and the MEG response. This TRF revealed an early response in the 40–60 Hz gamma range as well as in the 8–12 Hz alpha band. While the gamma band response is novel, the latter has been termed the alpha band perceptual echo. The gamma echo preceded the alpha perceptual echo. The dominant frequency of the gamma echo was subject-specific thereby reflecting the individual dynamical properties of the early visual cortex. To understand the neuronal mechanisms generating the gamma echo, we implemented a pyramidal-interneuron gamma (PING) model that produces gamma oscillations in the presence of constant input currents. Applying a broadband input current mimicking the visual stimulation allowed us to estimate TRF between the input current and the population response (akin to the local field potentials). The TRF revealed a gamma echo that was similar to the one we observed in the MEG data. Our results suggest that the visual gamma echo can be explained by the dynamics of the PING model even in the absence of sustained gamma oscillations.
A forward genetic screen identifies Dolk as a regulator of startle magnitude through the potassium channel subunit Kv1.1
Authors: Meserve Joy H. , Nelson Jessica C. , Marsden Kurt C. , Hsu Jerry , Echeverry Fabio A. , Jain Roshan A. , Wolman Marc A. , Pereda Alberto E. , Granato Michael
Published: June 2021

The acoustic startle response is an evolutionarily conserved avoidance behavior. Disruptions in startle behavior, particularly startle magnitude, are a hallmark of several human neurological disorders. While the neural circuitry underlying startle behavior has been studied extensively, the repertoire of genes and genetic pathways that regulate this locomotor behavior has not been explored using an unbiased genetic approach. To identify such genes, we took advantage of the stereotypic startle behavior in zebrafish larvae and performed a forward genetic screen coupled with whole genome analysis. We uncovered mutations in eight genes critical for startle behavior, including two genes encoding proteins associated with human neurological disorders, Dolichol kinase (Dolk), a broadly expressed regulator of the glycoprotein biosynthesis pathway, and the potassium Shaker-like channel subunit Kv1.1. We demonstrate that Kv1.1 and Dolk play critical roles in the spinal cord to regulate movement magnitude during the startle response and spontaneous swim movements. Moreover, we show that Kv1.1 protein is mislocalized in dolk mutants, suggesting they act in a common genetic pathway. Combined, our results identify a diverse set of eight genes, all associated with human disorders, that regulate zebrafish startle behavior and reveal a previously unappreciated role for Dolk and Kv1.1 in regulating movement magnitude via a common genetic pathway.
An autoregulatory negative feedback loop controls thermomorphogenesis in Arabidopsis
Authors: Lee Sanghwa , Zhu Ling , Huq Enamul
Published: June 2021

Plant growth and development are acutely sensitive to high ambient temperature caused in part due to climate change. However, the mechanism of high ambient temperature signaling is not well defined. Here, we show that HECATEs (HEC1 and HEC2), two helix-loop-helix transcription factors, inhibit thermomorphogenesis. While the expression ofHEC1andHEC2is increased and HEC2 protein is stabilized at high ambient temperature,hec1hec2double mutant showed exaggerated thermomorphogenesis. Analyses of the four PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR (PIF1, PIF3, PIF4 and PIF5) mutants and overexpression lines showed that they all contribute to promote thermomorphogenesis. Furthermore, genetic analysis showed thatpifQis epistatic tohec1hec2. HECs and PIFs oppositely control the expression of many genes in response to high ambient temperature. PIFs activate the expression ofHECs in response to high ambient temperature. HEC2 in turn interacts with PIF4 both in yeast andin vivo. In the absence of HECs, PIF4 binding to its own promoter as well as the target gene promoters was enhanced, indicating that HECs control PIF4 activity via heterodimerization. Overall, these data suggest that PIF4-HEC forms an autoregulatory composite negative feedback loop that controls growth genes to modulate thermomorphogenesis.
Rare variants regulate expression of nearby individual genes in multiple tissues
Authors: Li Jiajin , Kong Nahyun , Han Buhm , Sul Jae Hoon
Published: June 2021

The rapid decrease in sequencing cost has enabled genetic studies to discover rare variants associated with complex diseases and traits. Once this association is identified, the next step is to understand the genetic mechanism of rare variants on how the variants influence diseases. Similar to the hypothesis of common variants, rare variants may affect diseases by regulating gene expression, and recently, several studies have identified the effects of rare variants on gene expression using heritability and expression outlier analyses. However, identifying individual genes whose expression is regulated by rare variants has been challenging due to the relatively small sample size of expression quantitative trait loci studies and statistical approaches not optimized to detect the effects of rare variants. In this study, we analyze whole-genome sequencing and RNA-seq data of 681 European individuals collected for the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project (v8) to identify individual genes in 49 human tissues whose expression is regulated by rare variants. To improve statistical power, we develop an approach based on a likelihood ratio test that combines effects of multiple rare variants in a nonlinear manner and has higher power than previous approaches. Using GTEx data, we identify many genes regulated by rare variants, and some of them are only regulated by rare variants and not by common variants. We also find that genes regulated by rare variants are enriched for expression outliers and disease-causing genes. These results suggest the regulatory effects of rare variants, which would be important in interpreting associations of rare variants with complex traits.
Everything under control? Comparing Knepp Estate rewilding project with ‘traditional’ nature conservation
Authors: Dempsey Benedict
Published: June 2021

‘Rewilding’ is an increasingly prominent concept in conservation, but one that has attracted controversy. Debate frequently focuses on human ‘control’ over nature. ‘Traditional’ conservation has been presented as involving ‘high control,’ and rewilding as ‘low control.’ Opposition to rewilding often stems from a perceived lack of control and associated perception of increased risk and uncertainty. This paper explores the concept of control in conservation. I identify multiple dimensions of control (‘stabilisation’, ‘location’, ‘prediction’ and ‘outputs’), illustrating that control is not a simple, linear concept. I compare two ethnographic case studies: the Sussex Wildlife Trust’s Old Lodge nature reserve; and Knepp Estate, one of the most influential rewilding projects in the UK. I use them to test assertions made about control in ‘traditional’ conservation and ‘rewilding’. I outline how Old Lodge does not exert precise control in all respects, but involves elements of uncertainty and negotiation. I describe how Knepp’s model of rewilding reduces control in some dimensions but potentially increases it in others. I conclude that, while Knepp’s rewilding does represent a significant conceptual departure from ‘traditional’ conservation, it should not be characterised as an approach that reduces control in a simplistic way. Based on this analysis, I argue that reduction of control does not necessarily underpin the concept of rewilding. Rather, there is interplay between different control dimensions that combine to form multiple ‘configurations of control.’ Using a framework of ‘configurations of control’, debate about the place of rewilding in conservation can become less polarised, and instead involve an active discussion of what configuration of control is desired. This analysis has the potential to increase understanding of rewilding projects as part of plural conservation strategies, in the UK and globally.
Macrophage and dendritic cell subset composition can distinguish endotypes in adjuvant-induced asthma mouse models
Authors: Özkan Müge , Eskiocak Yusuf Cem , Wingender Gerhard
Published: June 2021

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with neutrophilic and eosinophilic asthma as the main endotypes that are distinguished according to the cells recruited to the airways and the related pathology. Eosinophilic asthma is the treatment-responsive endotype, which is mainly associated with allergic asthma. Neutrophilic asthma is a treatment-resistant endotype, affecting 5–10% of asthmatics. Although eosinophilic asthma is well-studied, a clear understanding of the endotypes is essential to devise effective diagnosis and treatment approaches for neutrophilic asthma. To this end, we directly compared adjuvant-induced mouse models of neutrophilic (CFA/OVA) and eosinophilic (Alum/OVA) asthma side-by-side. The immune response in the inflamed lung was analyzed by multi-parametric flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. We found that eosinophilic asthma was characterized by a preferential recruitment of interstitial macrophages and myeloid dendritic cells, whereas in neutrophilic asthma plasmacytoid dendritic cells, exudate macrophages, and GL7+ activated B cells predominated. This differential distribution of macrophage and dendritic cell subsets reveals important aspects of the pathophysiology of asthma and holds the promise to be used as biomarkers to diagnose asthma endotypes.
Happy to help—if it’s not too sad: The effect of mood on helping identifiable and unidentifiable victims
Authors: Sabato Hagit , Kogut Tehila
Published: June 2021

People’s preference to help single victims about whom they have some information is known as theidentifiable victim effect. Previous research suggests that this effect stems from an intensive emotional reaction toward specific victims. The findings of two studies consistently show that the identifiability effect is attenuated when the subject is in a positive mood. Study 1 (along with a pilot study) demonstrate causal relationships between mood and identifiability, while using different manipulations to induce moods. In both studies, donations to identified victims exceeded donations to unidentified people—in the Negative Mood manipulations—while participants in the Positive Mood conditions showed no such preference. In Study 2, individual differences in people’s moods interacted with the recipient’s identifiability in predicting donations, demonstrating that the identifiability effect is attenuated by a positive mood. In addition, emotional reactions toward the victims replicate the donation pattern, suggesting emotions as a possible explanation for the observed donation pattern.
Tracking the dynamics and allocating tests for COVID-19 in real-time: An acceleration index with an application to French age groups and départements
Authors: Baunez Christelle , Degoulet Mickael , Luchini Stéphane , Pintus Patrick A. , Teschl Miriam
Published: June 2021

An acceleration index is proposed as a novel indicator to track the dynamics of COVID-19 in real-time. Using data on cases and tests in France for the period between the first and second lock-downs—May 13 to October 25, 2020—our acceleration index shows that the pandemic resurgence can be dated to begin around July 7. It uncovers that the pandemic acceleration was stronger than national average for the [59–68] and especially the 69 and older age groups since early September, the latter being associated with the strongest acceleration index, as of October 25. In contrast, acceleration among the [19–28] age group was the lowest and is about half that of the [69–78]. In addition, we propose an algorithm to allocate tests among French “départements” (roughly counties), based on both the acceleration index and the feedback effect of testing. Our acceleration-based allocation differs from the actual distribution over French territories, which is population-based. We argue that both our acceleration index and our allocation algorithm are useful tools to guide public health policies as France might possibly enter a third lock-down period with indeterminate duration.
Hyperexpression of CDRs and HWP1 genes negatively impacts on Candida albicans virulence
Authors: Maras Bruno , Maggiore Anna , Mignogna Giuseppina , D’Erme Maria , Angiolella Letizia
Published: June 2021

C. albicans is a commensal organism present in the human microbiome of more than 60% of the healthy population. Transition from commensalism to invasive candidiasis may occur after a local or a general failure of host’s immune system. This transition to a more virulent phenotype may reside either on the capacity to form hyphae or on an acquired resistance to antifungal drugs. Indeed, overexpression of genes coding drug efflux pumps or adhesins, cell wall proteins facilitating the contact between the fungus and the host, usually marks the virulence profile of invasive Candida spp. In this paper, we compare virulence of two clinical isolates of C. albicans with that of laboratory-induced resistant strains by challenging G. mellonella larvae with these pathogens along with monitoring transcriptional profiles of drug efflux pumps genes CDR1, CDR2, MDR1 and the adhesin genes ALS1 and HWP1. Although both clinical isolates were found resistant to both fluconazole and micafungin they were found less virulent than laboratory-induced resistant strains. An unexpected behavior emerged for the former clinical isolate in which three genes, CDR1, CDR2 and HWP1, usually correlated with virulence, although hyperexpressed, conferred a less aggressive phenotype. On the contrary, in the other isolate, we observed a decreased expression of CDR1, CDR2 and HWP1as well as of MDR1 and ALS1 that may be consistent with the less aggressive performance observed in this strain. These altered gene expressions might directly influence Candida virulence or they might be an epiphenomenon of a vaster rearrangement occurred in these strains during the challenge with the host’s environment. An in-deepth comprehension of this scenario could be crucial for developing interventions able to counteract C. albicans invasiveness and lethality.
Herpes simplex virus co-infection facilitates rolling circle replication of the adeno-associated virus genome
Authors: Meier Anita Felicitas , Tobler Kurt , Leisi Remo , Lkharrazi Anouk , Ros Carlos , Fraefel Cornel
Published: June 2021

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) genome replication only occurs in the presence of a co-infecting helper virus such as adenovirus type 5 (AdV5) or herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). AdV5-supported replication of the AAV genome has been described to occur in a strand-displacement rolling hairpin replication (RHR) mechanism initiated at the AAV 3’ inverted terminal repeat (ITR) end. It has been assumed that the same mechanism applies to HSV-1-supported AAV genome replication. Using Southern analysis and nanopore sequencing as a novel, high-throughput approach to study viral genome replication we demonstrate the formation of double-stranded head-to-tail concatemers of AAV genomes in the presence of HSV-1, thus providing evidence for an unequivocal rolling circle replication (RCR) mechanism. This stands in contrast to the textbook model of AAV genome replication when HSV-1 is the helper virus.
¿Por qué los jóvenes australianos triplican el consumo de radio de los jóvenes españoles?
Authors: Espinosa-Mirabet Sílvia , Ferrer-Roca Natalia
Published: June 2021

Desde hace aproximadamente una década, la radio en el Estado Español está notando una pérdida progresiva de penetración en la audiencia y es especialmente en la más joven donde más se nota esa desafección. En Australia (Rain, 2018) el consumo radiofónico juvenil se circunscribe casi al 80% de penetración, mientras que en España la misma fuente otorga un 28%. El objetivo de este artículo es avanzar los primeros resultados de una amplia investigación internacional que tiene por objetivo conocer por qué la penetración de la radio es tan desigual entre los jóvenes de 18 y 24 años en distintos países. Se busca además saber qué sucede en Australia y qué no en España, en relación al engagement del target joven al medio.La metodología usada, cuestionarios a jóvenes australianos y españoles y entrevistas en profundidad semiestructuradas a realizadores, periodistas y directivos de cadenas públicas de radio australianas, nos permite poder obtener las primeras conclusiones que explicarían la diferencia de los datos sobre consumo en uno y otro país.Mientras que en España los jóvenes se decantan por escuchar radiofórmulas  musicales de éxitos  internacionales  y podcasts españoles de radio generalista, en Australia se prefieren productos autóctonos y programas con contenido hablado (no radiofórmulas) y podcast made in USA. En ambos paises, los jóvenes se dejan aconsejar sobre los contenidos sonoros que prefieren. Los amigos e Instagram son los mejores prescriptores.
¿Reforma o ruptura? Aproximación discursiva a la propuesta económica planteada por Oxfam Intermón
Authors: Ibáñez Castejón Laura
Published: June 2021

Tradicionalmente, el discurso del desarrollo ha prestado especial atención al crecimiento económico, considerándolo el mejor medio para lograr la prosperidad de las poblaciones empobrecidas. Las ONGD, integrantes del sector de la cooperación, han sido identificadas, sin embargo, con un desarrollo alternativo, más humano, participativo, local y sostenible. La presente investigación analiza cómo estas organizaciones construyen discursivamente dicha alternativa a través de un estudio de caso, el de Oxfam Intermón. Como resultado, se demuestra que, aunque la ONGD, explícitamente, propone reformar el sistema económico predominante, mantiene una ideología subyacente de aprobación del individuo racional y calculador propio del pensamiento moderno occidental.