bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of deep learning image reconstruction in low-dose chest CT scan
Authors: Wang Huang , Li Lu-Lu , Shang Jin , Song Jian , Liu Bin
Published: January 2022

Objective:

Deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) is a new reconstruction method for maintaining image quality at reduced radiation dose. The purpose of this study was to compare image quality of reduced-dose DLIR images with the standard-dose adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR-V) images in chest CT.

Methods:

Our prospective study included 48 adult patients (30 women and 18 men, mean age ±SD, 49.8 ± 14.3 years) who underwent both the standard-dose CT (SDCT) and low-dose CT (LDCT) on a GE Revolution CT scanner. All patients gave written informed consent. All scans were reconstructed with ASIR-V40%. Additionally, LDCT scans were reconstructed with DLIR with high-setting (DLIR-H) and medium-setting (DLIR-M). Image noise and contrast-noise-ratio (CNR) of thoracic aorta with different reconstruction modes were measured and compared.

Results:

LDCT reduced radiation dose by 96% compared with SDCT (CTDIvol: 0.54mGy vs 12.46mGy). In LDCT, DLIR significantly reduced image noise compared with the state-of-the-art ASIR-V40% with DLIR-H provided the lowest image noise and highest image quality score. In addition, the image noise, CNR of aorta and overall image quality of the low-dose DLIR-H images did not have significant difference compared with the SDCT ASIR-V40% images (all p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

DLIR significantly reduces image noise in LDCT chest scans and provides similar image quality as the SDCT ASIR-V images at 4% of the radiation dose.

Advances in knowledge:

DLIR uses high-quality FBP data to train deep neural networks to learn how to distinguish between signal and noise, and effectively suppresses noise without affecting anatomical and pathological structures. It opens a new era of CT image reconstruction. DLIR significantly reduces image noise and improves image quality compared with ASIR-V40% under same radiation dose condition. DLIR-H achieves similar image quality at 4% radiation dose as ASIR-V40% at standard-dose level in non-contrast chest CT.
Predictive value of serum adiponectin and hemoglobin levels for vascular cognitive impairment in ischemic stroke patients
Authors: Li Zhouling , Zhu Manlian , Meng Cheng , Lin Hai , Huang Lifen
Published: January 2022

Objectives: To investigate the potential predictive value of serum adiponectin (APN) and hemoglobin (Hb) levels for the occurrence of vascular cognitive impairment in ischemic stroke patients.

Methods: Eighty ischemic stroke patients, admitted to our hospital between June 2019 and November 2020, were retrospectively divided into no cognitive impairment (NCI) group (n=43) and cognitive impairment (CI) group (n=37) based on Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale scoring at three months follow-up. ELISA was used to assess serum Hb and APN levels and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were created to evaluate correlation.

Results: Serum APN and Hb levels were lower in the vascular cognitive impairment group compared to non-impaired counterparts. Pearson correlation analysis showed that both APN and Hb levels were positively correlated with MoCA scores. Area under curve analysis indicated predictive value for serum APN and Hb for predicting cognitive impairment in ischemic stroke patients.

Conclusion: Serum APN and Hb levels in ischemic stroke patients have value for predicting vascular cognitive impairment and may be suitable for helping dictate treatment planning.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.3.5204

How to cite this:Li Z, Zhu M, Meng C, Lin H, Huang L. Predictive value of serum adiponectin and hemoglobin levels for vascular cognitive impairment in ischemic stroke patients. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(3):705-710. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.3.5204

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Effects of marine protected areas on fish communities in a hotspot of climate change and invasion
Authors: FRID ORI , LAZARUS MAI , MALAMUD SHAHAR , BELMAKER JONATHAN , YAHEL RUTHY
Published: January 2022

The positive ecological effect of fully protected Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) on fish populations has been widely explored. Key indicators of fully protected MPAs effectiveness include an increase in biomass, density, and body size of commercially exploited large fishes. Fully protected MPAs are also hypothesized to be more resilient to both marine invasions and ocean warming, but this has seldom been tested. The eastern Mediterranean (Levantine) basin is the warmest region in the Mediterranean. Moreover, this region is the front-line of biological invasion from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal. Thus, MPAs in this region are faced with both high numbers of exotic species and warm temperatures. Assessing the performance of MPAs in this region is important for understanding their effectiveness under adverse future conditions worldwide. The ecological effectiveness of four MPAs along the Levantine Israeli coast was followed along over five years and compared with adjacent fished control area. Sampling was conducted in both old (>20 years of enforcement) and young MPAs, which only recently became fully protected. Using SCUBA diving surveys, 978 visual transects were performed to assess fish abundance, size, and diversity. We found clear indications for the benefits of the MPAs as evident by higher numbers of large fishes and groupers within protected areas. In the largest and oldest MPA we also found higher total and commercial fish biomass. In addition, we show a clear increase in the number of groupers over time, both within and outside MPAs, that may be associated with increased fishing regulation and enforcement. We found no clear evidence for a lower number of exotic species within MPAs. Our findings suggest that restrictions on recreational and commercial fishing within MPAs benefit the recovery of fish populations even in warm waters and when faced with marine invasions, and that the effectiveness of MPAs may be evident after only a few years of protection.
Temperature strongly correlates with regional patterns of body size variation in Mediterranean small pelagic fish species
Authors: HATTAB TAREK , GUCU ALI , VENTERO ANA , De FELICE ANDREA , MACHIAS ATHANASSIOS , SARAUX CLAIRE , GAŠPAREVIĆ DENIS , BASILONE GUALTIERO , COSTANTINI ILARIA , LEONORI IOLE , BOURDEIX JEAN-HERVÉ , IGLESIAS MAGDALENA , BARRA MARCO , GIANNOULAKI MARIANNA , FERRERI ROSALIA , El AYOUBI SALAH , GAŠPAREVIĆ DENIS , MALAVOLTI SARA , GENOVESE SIMONA , SOMARAKIS STELIOS , JURETIĆ TEA , TIČINA VJEKOSLAV , CERTAIN GRÉGOIRE
Published: January 2022

In this study, we consider the applicability of Bergmann’s rule to the populations of small pelagic fish species in the Mediterranean Sea. Under Bergmann’s rule, body size increases with decreasing temperature and increasing latitude. Although this macroecological pattern in body sizes is well established for many taxa of endotherms and ectotherms, it remains not universal and the proposed mechanisms underlying it are multiple and still lack consensus. We explored here the occurrence of geographical body size clines using measurements of average body sizes of 10 species collected in pelagic trawl hauls carried out during acoustic surveys in the Mediterranean Sea. Bergmann’s rule was evaluated by correlating body sizes with latitude and temperature for each species while accounting for potential confounding variables and sampling bias. For 5 species, namely anchovy, sardine, Atlantic chub mackerel, bogue, and blue jack mackerel, we demonstrate that they follow a Bergmann’s rule, with a decline in average body size by about 3.01, 3.43, 3.67, 3.82, and 3.76 % per 1°C of warming respectively, although this did not translate with an increase in size with latitude. The adherence of these 5 pelagic fish to Bergmann’s rules strongly suggests that temperature is a major determinant of their body sizes and enables them to act as sentinel species for identifying the drivers and consequences of warming in the Mediterranean ecosystems.
Sabellaria alveolata (Annelida, Polychaeta) bioconstructions and associated macroalgal community from Portopalo di Capo Passero (SE Sicily)
Authors: SANFILIPPO ROSSANA , SERIO DONATELLA , DEIAS CLAUDIA , ROSSO ANTONIETTA
Published: January 2022

The shallow-water reef building polychaete Sabellaria alveolata is recorded from a new locality in the southeastern corner of Sicily, off Portopalo di Capo Passero. Here, a particular habitat is formed on upper infralittoral rocky bottoms beaten by waves, with S. alveolata developing as veneer-like bioconstructions interspersed/covered with a dense macroalgal community including alien Caulerpa taxa and dominated by Ericaria giacconei. First insights about the development of this particular habitat, as well as observations on possible relationships between Sabellaria and the associated algae, are presented.
Episcomitra angelesae (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Mitridae), a new species from an exceptional deep habitat in the Alboran Sea
Authors: CABALLERO-HERRERA JOSÉ ANTONIO , GOFAS SERGE , RUEDA JOSÉ LUIS
Published: January 2022

A new species of gastropod, Episcomitra angelesae (Neogastropoda: Mitridae), is described from specimens collected in the upper bathyal level of the Alboran Sea (Seco de los Olivos and Alboran Ridge). The new species is compared with other similar species known from the Atlanto-Mediterranean area, including Episcomitra zonata (Marryat, 1819) and Isara turtoni (Watson, 1890). The habitat of this new species, hard substrate with coral rubble patches at 250-320 m depth on submarine elevations, is very unusual in the Mediterranean Sea and is described based on Remotely Operated Vehicle video footage. The amount of coral rubble on the type locality is disproportionate to the very few live coral colonies found in the vicinity, and is assumed to be relict of former hydrological conditions.
Working Paper 4: An evaluation of national integrity systems from a human rights perspective
Authors: Koechlin Lucy
Published: January 2022

In the past decade the prevention of corruption has been recognised as a prerequisite for sustainable and equitable development. Academics, policy-makers and activists working towards such governance reforms have come a long way in the relatively short period since corruption has been actively addressed both in the North and the South.

However, corruption remains a serious problem in many societies, sectors and international transactions, affecting the lives of millions of people who go about their daily business. Transparency International, an international non-governmental organisation against corruption, was one of the first and certainly the most influential NGO to break the spell and speak out against corruption worldwide. In order to support and inform its policy approaches, Transparency International framed an approach called the National Integrity System to better understand the interdependent causes of corruption and to address them more effectively.

Strikingly, however, this approach does not draw from or have any linkages with the rights-based approach to development, which has gained tremendous momentum in the same period. This is all the more noteworthy as both the causes and consequences of corruption have obvious linkages with human rights violations.

Given this disconnection between the two discourses, the following contribution is aimed at illuminating both approaches individually with regard to their merits in preventing corruption, and trying to define synergies and potential areas of dialogue and interaction.

It is structured in the following way: first, the rights-based approach to development will be outlined briefly; second, the concept of the National Integrity System will be elaborated, with particular emphasis on, thirdly, the NIS country reports, and fourthly conclusions will be drawn from the comparison of the two approaches.
Working Paper 16: Social accountability and its conceptual challenges
Authors: Baez Camargo Claudia , Jacobs Eelco
Published: January 2022

Social accountability has become a favoured approach among most major multilateral and bilateral donors to develop grass roots mechanisms for democratic governance. In a successful scenario, citizen participation can promote more responsive governments and better provision of basic services by linking users’ feedback to the policy design, implementation and monitoring activities typically undertaken by the state.

However, there is a lack of agreement about which specific types of social accountability interventions yield the best results and what are the causal pathways that are critical to generate positive changes. This paper presents an analytical framework that identifies the key components that are required to exercise effective direct accountability and provides a blueprint to assess social accountability initiatives.

This paper appeared in eucrim, the European Criminal Law Associations’ Forum, 2013/2, published by Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science, c/o Max Planck Institute for Foreign and International Criminal Law, Freiburg i. B., Germany.
Working Paper 17: The role of donors in the recovery of stolen assets
Authors: Fenner Gretta , Gomes Pereira Pedro , De Simone Francesco
Published: January 2022

Financial crimes such as corruption, fraud, and embezzlement generate significant profits, often at the expense of the public budget. These proceeds of crime are usually hidden outside of the country where the crime was originally committed, and laundered through complex financial and commercial transactions, often spanning across numerous jurisdictions.

Asset recovery – the process of identifying, restraining, seizing, and repatriating these assets to the countries from whence they were originally stolen – is one of the greatest challenges for the global anti-corruption movement. Asset recovery is also an essential development challenge, as it usually involves repatriating funds back to a developing country where they were stolen, and where they could be used to support development projects.

As a bridge between aid recipient and donor countries, donor agencies are uniquely positioned to support asset recovery initiatives. Interesting examples are emerging of how donors can support asset recovery by:

supporting international standards and initiatives;

providing technical assistance and capacity building (most often through third parties);

encouraging policy coherence at home;

helping build political will; and

providing assistance during the asset repatriation phase.
Working Paper 27: Anti-corruption Collective Action
Authors: Aiolfi Gemma
Published: January 2022

Anti-corruption Collective Action Initiatives (CAIs) are structured efforts that bring together private sector actors with other stakeholders with the aim of preventing corruption and improving the business environment in a particular context.

The landscape of CAIs is extremely diverse. Differences cut across the type and number of stakeholders involved. Initiatives can be sector-specific or cross-sectoral. They can be applied at the community, country, regional or global level.

This paper is based on two recent workshops in which a wide variety of international Collective Action practitioners shared their experiences, success factors and strategies for overcoming common challenges.

For more information about Collective Action, see the B20 Collective Action Hub.
Working Paper 36: Revealing the networks behind corruption and money laundering schemes
Authors: Costa Jacopo
Published: January 2022

This working paper is based on an empirical investigation of corruption and illicit exchange related to the so-called “Lava Jato” or “Odebrecht” scandal. Focusing on former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo and his laundering of bribes obtained from the construction giant Odebrecht, the analysis aims to test the usefulness of applying a network lens to better understand the mechanisms underlying grand corruption cases. It also aims to further illuminate the nexus between corruption and money laundering and the role of hidden and offshore financial infrastructures in facilitating the illicit schemes. 

The research used a combination of social network analysis and network ethnography techniques to explore the following questions: 

How do money laundering activities and offshore financial infrastructures sustain corruption? 

Who are the key actors involved, how do they interact and what is their division of labour? 

How do actors and clusters govern the social-financial web of relations? 

Answering these questions with empirical evidence related to a specific case makes it possible to better understand how the connection between corruption and money laundering using offshore financial infrastructure works. It also supports the emerging understanding of corruption as a collective, transnational and financially advanced phenomenon.
Case Report: Large bone defect reconstruction in lower extremities with ipsilateral transposition fibular graft with combined inlay and onlay technique using plate and screw fixation (fibula pro tibia technique)
Authors: Pradana Ananto Satya , Phatama Krisna Yuarno , Mustamsir Edi , Wibawanto S Irasiqin , Siahaan Lasa Dhakka , Hidayat Mohamad , Dradjat Respati Suryanto
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Management of large bone defect is a challenging problem. Hahns, in 1884, introduced the first use of fibula pro tibia to bridge a large defect of the tibia due to chronic osteomyelitis. In this case, we did a transposition of the ipsilateral fibular with inlay and onlay technique using a locking plate and screw into the defect of the tibia.

Case presentation: A 20-year-old male came to our emergency department at RSUD Dr. Saiful Anwar, Malang, Indonesia with an open fracture grade III B of his left lower leg. We found a large defect of the tibia approximately 7.5 cm after regular wound care for ten months. Then, we performed ipsilateral transposition fibular graft with combined inlay and onlay technique using a locking plate and screw fixation. No infections occurred and there was progressive callus formation with extending ossification along the periosteal tissue in the four-month postoperative evaluation. There was no leg length discrepancy, and the union sign showed that the patient could achieve full range of movement (ROM) and walk with crutches without pain with a Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) score of 62.

Discussion: Contralateral fibula graft carries a high risk of endangering the unaffected limb. The ipsilateral fibula can be utilized to replace the missing segment with minimal morbidity. The purpose of combining ipsilateral fibular transport with the inlay and onlay technique is to minimalize the gap defect between fracture fragments, therefore enhancing the union rate of the bone.

Conclusion: The fibula pro tibia technique can be used as an alternative treatment option for large gap bone defects in lower extremities with minimal complication.
The genome sequence of the buff-tip, Phalera bucephala (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Boyes Douglas , Holland Peter W.H. ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: January 2022

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Phalera bucephala (the buff-tip; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Notodontidae). The genome sequence is 933 megabases in span. The majority of the assembly, 99.27%, is scaffolded into 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the W and Z sex chromosome assembled.
Fundamentals of technical operation of electrical and electromechanical equipment
Authors: Eroshenko Gennadiy , Kondrat'eva Nadezhda , Bakirov Sergey
Published: January 2022

The textbook summarizes the main provisions of the operation of electrical equipment in agriculture. At the same time, along with the generally accepted provisions for the operation of electrical equipment, the electrical equipment used by agricultural enterprises, as well as the theoretical foundations of the operation of electrical equipment, the technology of major repairs of electrical equipment and the design of the energy service of an agricultural enterprise are considered in more detail.
Examples are given and the solution of problems on the topics outlined in the textbook is proposed.
Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation.
For students of higher education organizations studying in the field of training 35.03.06 "Agroengineering", as well as anyone interested in the problems of operation of electrical equipment in agriculture.
Analysis of the Results of Monitoring the Competence of Auditors in 2021
Authors: Kazakova Nataliya
Published: January 2022

The article presents the results of the monitoring of auditors' competencies, carried out in September-November 2021 in accordance with the Action Plan for the implementation of the Concept for the development of audit activities in the Russian Federation for the period up to 2024, approved by order of the Ministry of Finance of Russia dated 12.02.2021 No. 68. Trends in changes the competence of auditors based on global research, current International Standards for Auditing Education and revised International Standards on Auditing. The generalized results of a survey of audit organizations within the framework of monitoring the auditor's competencies are presented.
Dwie kolekcje sztuki nowoczesnej Pierwszej Republiki Czechosłowackiej i ich twórcy - Vincenc Kramář i Josef Polák
Authors: Tołysz Aldona Daria
Published: January 2022

W dwudziestoleciu międzywojennym w Pierwszej Republice Czechosłowackiej powstały dwie publiczne kolekcje sztuki nowoczesnej, w których gromadzono sztukę zagraniczną. Jednym z najważniejszych inicjatorów zakupów sztuki francuskiej w Moderni galerie był wybitny kolekcjoner i historyk sztuki Vincenc Kramář. W tym samym czasie do zbiorów Muzeum Wschodniosłowackiego w Koszycach za sprawą prawnika i historyka sztuki Josefa Poláka zaczęto nabywać dzieła artystów węgierskich. Kolekcje te powstały w wyniku wydarzeń politycznych, ale przede wszystkich dzięki pasji i zdolnościom Kramářa i Poláka. Artykuł ma na celu przybliżenie ich sylwetek oraz podejmowanych przez nich działań na rzecz gromadzenia sztuki nowoczesnej.
Specyfika techniki i technologii bizantyńsko-ruskich fresków fundacji Jagiellonów
Authors: Mamoń Agata
Published: January 2022

Malowidła bizantyńsko-ruskie fundacji Jagiellonów ze względu na technologię i technikę charakteryzują się znaczną odmiennością w porównaniu do zachowanych na terenie Polski średniowiecznych malowideł ściennych. Stanowią one jednolitą i odrębną grupę wśród  monumentalnych malowideł tego okresu, między innymi ze względu na specyfikę wykonania, zaliczaną do tzw. fresku mokrego. Różnice te dotyczą zarówno rodzajów i sposobów stosowania materiałów, jak i samej budowy malowideł. Brak technicznego i technologicznego podobieństwa do monumentalnego malarstwa średniowiecznego jest uzasadniony pochodzeniem wschodnich arteli, których członkowie stosowali tradycyjne dla sztuki Kościoła Wschodniego przepisy techniczne i receptury nieznane na gruncie łacińskim. Najbardziej zauważalną różnicą jest rodzaj używanych zapraw zwykle czysto wapiennych, pozbawionych piasku, z dodatkiem wypełniaczy roślinnych w postaci roślin włóknodajnych, które nadają szczególne cechy tynkom. Innymi typowymi cechami są: warstwowy sposób budowania warstwy malarskiej, użycie podmalowań (tzw. rieft) zwłaszcza w tłach pod warstwy wykonane za pomocą azurytu i malachitu. Warto wspomnieć również o stosowaniu przez malarzy ruskich pewnego rodzaju synopii, rytów oraz typowych pigmentów. Wszystkie elementy budowy fresków bizantyńsko-ruskich mają istotny wpływ na ich zachowanie i problemy konserwacji.
Warranty Length, Product Reliability, and Secondary Markets
Authors: Fu Wayne , Atasu Atalay , Tereyağoğlu Necati
Published: January 2022

Problem definition: Inspired by variations in warranty length specifications in the U.S. automotive industry, we study how a durable good producer’s product warranty length choice relates to its product reliability. We introduce a producer’s secondary market interference (e.g., buyback of used products) as a possible driver for such variations observed in practice. Methodology/results: Using an analytical model of a monopolist finitely durable good producer, we first study the interaction between product reliability and the producer’s warranty length choice in the presence of secondary market interference. This analysis suggests that a durable good producer’s warranty length offering is U-shaped in its product reliability. That is, only producers with sufficiently low or high product reliability benefit from offering longer product warranties. Otherwise, a short warranty offering is preferred. We show that this result is driven by a producer’s strategic use of secondary market interference. We then test the predictions from these results in the automotive industry. An exploratory analysis of U.S. automotive industry data also suggests a U-shaped association between warranty offerings and product reliability, and points to the theoretically predicted dependency between producers’ secondary market interference and warranty length. Managerial implications: Producers with sufficiently high product reliability will benefit from longer warranties, as longer warranty coverage has marginal impact on their new product demand cannibalization by used products and warranty fulfillment costs. In contrast, producers with sufficiently low product reliability can use secondary market interference to jointly avoid the cannibalization from used products and high warranty fulfilment costs associated with long warranties for low reliability products. Producers with moderate product reliability, on the other hand, cannot leverage secondary market interference as effectively, and benefit more from shorter warranty offerings.
Coordinated Delivery to Shopping Malls with Limited Docking Capacity
Authors: Song Ruidian , Lau Hoong Chuin , Luo Xue , Zhao Lei
Published: January 2022

Shopping malls are densely located in major cities such as Singapore and Hong Kong. Tenants in these shopping malls generate a large number of freight orders to their contracted logistics service providers, who independently plan their own delivery schedules. These uncoordinated deliveries and limited docking capacity jointly cause congestion at the shopping malls. A delivery coordination platform centrally plans the vehicle routes for the logistics service providers and simultaneously schedules the dock time slots at the shopping malls for the delivery orders. Vehicle routing and dock scheduling decisions need to be made jointly against the backdrop of travel time and service time uncertainty and subject to practical operations rules. We model this problem as a two-stage stochastic mixed integer program, develop an adaptive large neighborhood search algorithm that approximates the second stage recourse function using various sample sizes, and examine the associated in-sample and out-of-sample stability. Our numerical study on a testbed of instances based on real data in Singapore demonstrates the value of coordination and the value of stochastic solutions.
Practice of self-care behaviours and associated factors among patients with heart failure
Authors: Sitotaw Enu , Tsige Yoseif , Boka Abdissa
Published: January 2022

Background/Aims

Lack of adherence to self-care behaviour is a major problem among people with heart failure, increasing morbidity and mortality rates. This study aimed to understand practices of self-care and its associated factors among patients with heart failure in southern Ethiopia.

Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March–July 2020 among 229 patients attending follow-up appointments in two public hospitals in Hawassa, Ethiopia. Data were collected through structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. Epi-data (version 4.62) software and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 25) were used for analysis. Variables were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model to adjust possible confounders.

Results

Only 34.1% of participants reported good self-care practice. The mean total knowledge score was 7.6 out of a maximum score of 14. Good self-care behaviour was more likely to be practiced by those aged 30–50 years, with good knowledge of heart failure and an advanced New York Heart Association functional classification of III or IV.

Conclusions

Knowledge of heart failure and practice of self-care behaviours is lacking among patients with heart failure. Interventions are needed to increase knowledge of heart failure, as this may help to increase the practice of self-care among this patient group.
The role of the fetal cardiac clinical nurse specialist: the Brompton model
Authors: Dopson Sophie , Doughty Victoria , Lumanisakio Teresa , De Sousa Susana
Published: January 2022

This article identifies the importance of the role of the fetal cardiac clinical nurse specialist in informing and supporting families through an antenatal fetal cardiac diagnosis. The model used at the Royal Brompton Hospital, London, to ensure the provision of standardised, high quality care to patients throughout their healthcare network is discussed. The challenges faced and guidance available to support such teams are also highlighted. Clinical practice models have been developed through field experience, considering guidance specifications, to direct fetal cardiology services in the provision of quality antenatal support, information and communication.
What they don't teach you in medical school: helping the patient with chest pain of unknown cause
Authors: Martin Stephen-John , Rost Hendrik
Published: January 2022

Chest pain is a common presenting complaint with a broad differential diagnosis. Even after the full array of special investigations, a cause cannot be found in some patients. Psychological factors can play a significant role in the perception of chest pain. Patients with such a psychological disturbance may not meet the full criteria for a diagnosable psychiatric illness, and thus cannot be assigned a specific diagnosis. Not knowing how to manage this situation can lead to poor rapport between doctor and patient. Through their clinical acumen, judicious use of special investigations and by forming a therapeutic alliance, clinicians can identify and help these patients.
The outcomes of idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus
Authors: Gelfer Yael , Leo Donato G. , Russell Aisling , Bridgens Anna , Perry Daniel C. , Eastwood Deborah M.
Published: January 2022

Aims

To identify the minimum set of outcomes that should be collected in clinical practice and reported in research related to the care of children with idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV).

Methods

A list of outcome measurement tools (OMTs) was obtained from the literature through a systematic review. Further outcomes were collected from patients and families through a questionnaire and interview process. The combined list, as well as the appropriate follow-up timepoint, was rated for importance in a two-round Delphi process that included an international group of orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists, nurse practitioners, patients, and families. Outcomes that reached no consensus during the Delphi process were further discussed and scored for inclusion/exclusion in a final consensus meeting involving international stakeholder representatives of practitioners, families, and patient charities.

Results

In total, 39 OMTs were included from the systematic review. Two additional OMTs were identified from the interviews and questionnaires, and four were added after round one Delphi. Overall, 22 OMTs reached ‘consensus in’ during the Delphi and two reached ‘consensus out’; 21 OMTs reached ‘no consensus’ and were included in the final consensus meeting. In all, 21 participants attended the consensus meeting, including a wide diversity of clubfoot practitioners, parent/patient representative, and an independent chair. A total of 21 outcomes were discussed and voted upon; six were voted ‘in’ and 15 were voted ‘out’. The final COS document includes nine OMTs and two existing outcome scores with a total of 31 outcome parameters to be collected after a minimum follow-up of five years. It incorporates static and dynamic clinical findings, patient-reported outcome measures, and a definition of CTEV relapse.

Conclusion

We have defined a minimum set of outcomes to draw comparisons between centres and studies in the treatment of CTEV. With the use of these outcomes, we hope to allow more meaningful research and a better clinical management of CTEV. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(1):98–106.
Prediction model of combustion characteristics of methane-air using hyperspectral imaging
Authors: Wang Yan , Zhao Weijie , Wang Baorui , Wang Yue
Published: January 2022

Hyperspectral imaging can obtain considerable flame information, which can improve the prediction accuracy of combustion characteristics. This paper studies the hyperspectral characteristics of methane flames and proposes several prediction models. The experimental results show that the radiation intensity and radiation types of free radicals are related to the equivalent ratio, and the radiation region of free radicals becomes larger with the increase of the Reynolds number. The polynomial regression prediction models include the linear model and quadratic model. It takes

C

2
∗

/

C
H

∗

as input parameters, and results can be available immediately. The three-dimensional convolutional neural network (3D-CNN) prediction model takes all spectral and spatial information in the flame hyperspectral image as input parameters. By improving the structural parameters of the convolution network, the final prediction errors of the equivalent ratio and Reynolds number are 2.84% and 3.11%, respectively. The method of combining the 3D-CNN model with hyperspectral imaging significantly improves the prediction accuracy, and it can be used to predict other combustion characteristics such as pollutant emissions and combustion efficiency.
Signal recognition method based on Mel frequency cepstral coefficients and fast dynamic time warping for optical fiber perimeter defense systems
Authors: Lu Hainan , Wang Ningning , Fang Nian , Wang Lutang
Published: January 2022

To improve the accuracy of signal recognition in optical fiber perimeter defense systems, a method based on Mel frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs) and a fast dynamic time warping (FastDTW) algorithm is proposed. Four kinds of sensing signals are acquired by employing an in-line Sagnac interferometer system. MFCC features of the signals are extracted. The FastDTW algorithm is utilized to calculate distances of the optimal warping paths between a test sample and all reference templates. According to the nearest neighbor criterion, signal recognition results are obtained. The average accuracy is over 96%. This proposed identification method is highly efficient and easy to implement.
Radiometric analysis of haze in bright-annealed AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel
Authors: González-Leal J. M. , Gallero E. , Nuñez A. , Almagro J. F.
Published: January 2022

The influence of both topography and optical constants on the optical reflection of bright-annealed AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel has been analyzed to correlate these characteristics with the occurrence of the unwanted haze effect in industrial products. This work reports the analysis of the total-integrated-scattering spectra of bright-annealed AISI 430 ferritic steel plates, on the basis of the microfacet model for the bidirectional reflectance function developed by He and Torrance [Siggraph ’91, Proc. of the 18th Annual Conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, (1991), p.175]. Such an approach allows for modeling the optical reflection of these stainless-steel industrial products based on roughness parameters, root-mean square height, and autocorrelation length, derived from scale-limited topographic maps. The functional choice of the cutoff wavelength in the high-pass Gaussian filtering of the topographic map is proven critical. Additionally, optical constantsnandkof the steels are estimated based on their total reflection spectra, measured in an 8°/di optical geometry. The results suggest that the haze effect could be due to a non-controlled increase in the thickness of the passive layer during the bright-annealing process.
On the properties of some low-parameter models for color reproduction in terms of spectrum transformations and coverage of a color triangle
Authors: Kroshnin Alexey , Vasilev Viacheslav , Ershov Egor , Shepelev Denis , Nikolaev Dmitry , Tchobanou Mikhail
Published: January 2022

One of the classical approaches to solving color reproduction problems, such as color adaptation or color space transform, is the use of a low-parameter spectral model. The strength of this approach is the ability to choose a set of properties that the model should have, be it a complete coverage of a color triangle or an accurate description of the addition or multiplication of spectra, knowing only the tristimulus corresponding to them. The disadvantage is that some of the properties of the mentioned spectral models are confirmed only experimentally. This work is devoted to the theoretical substantiation of various properties of spectral models. In particular, we prove that the banded model is the only model that simultaneously possesses the properties of closure under addition and multiplication. We also show that the Gaussian model is the limiting case of the von Mises model and prove that the von Mises model unambiguously covers the color triangle in cases of both convex and non-convex spectral loci.
Noise-robust single-pixel imaging in the photon counting regime with a pulsed source
Authors: Kim Junghyun , Lee Sangkyung , Jo Yonggi , Lee Su-Yong , Jeong Taek , Kim Dongkyu , Kim Duk Y. , Kim Zaeill , Ihn Yong Sup
Published: January 2022

We present a method to classically enhance the noise robustness of single-pixel imaging in the photon counting regime with a pulsed source. By using time-domain cross correlations between temporal profiles of a pulsed source and received signals, our scheme classically imitates the noise rejection concept of quantum imaging. Under a strong noise environment in which the background noise intensity is up to 120 times higher than the signal one, we compare three different images obtained by conventional, quantum-enhanced, and classically enhanced schemes. The results show that the classically enhanced scheme can be remarkably robust against noise in image formation, which is comparable to the quantum scheme.
Plasmonic Fano-like resonance in double-stacked graphene nanostrip arrays
Authors: Zheng Jiadeng , Lu Hua , Xuan Xiao , Li Shichang , Huang Qiyin , Zhao Jianlin
Published: January 2022

We studied the plasmonic response in graphene nanostructures consisting of double-stacked graphene nanostrip arrays with a dielectric spacer on a substrate. The finite-difference time-domain simulations show that the Fano-like resonance in the mid-IR region can be generated due to the plasmonic coupling between the upper- and lower-layer graphene nanostrips. The resonance spectrum can also be effectively controlled by adjusting the geometrical parameters of the graphene system, such as the central position of the graphene nanostrips and the coupling distance between the upper- and lower-layer graphene nanostrips. Moreover, it was found that Fano-like resonance relies on the Fermi level of graphene and polarization angle of incident light, and the spectral response can be well analyzed by using the coupled-mode theory. These results would offer a new pathway to manipulate mid-IR light at the nanoscale and realize ultrasmall graphene functional devices.
Spontaneous-emission-enabled dynamics at the threshold of a directly modulated semiconductor laser
Authors: Zou Junlong , Zhou Hanxu , Jiang Can , Wang Gaofeng , Lippi Gian Luca , Wang Tao
Published: January 2022

Chaos in semiconductor lasers or other optical systems has been intensively studied in the past two decades. However, modulation around threshold has received much less attention, in particular, in gain-modulated semiconductor lasers. In this paper, we investigate the bifurcation sequence that appears with pump modulation in the threshold region with a large amplitude and different values of modulation frequency. Modulation around threshold necessarily includes “below-threshold” dynamics, which can be effectively displayed only through a nonlinear visualization of the oscillations. The irregular temporal behavior is examined at various modulation frequencies and amplitudes, highlighting a possible route to chaos for very large amplitude modulation in the near-threshold region. The addition of (average) spontaneous emission to the lasing mode enables a coupled dynamics between photons and carriers even below threshold, thus extending the pump range in which modulation actively modifies the laser behavior. We also report on the existence of a transition between similar attractors characterized by a temporal transient that depends on the amplitude of the modulation driving the pump.
Two-dimensional multi-layered SiN-on-SOI optical phased array with wide-scanning and long-distance ranging
Authors: Zhang Lanxuan , Li Yingzhi , Chen Bosong , Wang Yubing , Li Hongmei , Hou Yu , Tao Min , Li Yuxuan , Zhi Zihao , Liu Xiaobin , Li Xuetong , Na Quanxin , Xie Qijie , Zhang Mingshi , Li Xueyan , Gao Fengli , Luo Xianshu , Lo Guo-Qiang , Song Junfeng
Published: January 2022

Silicon based optoelectronic integrated optical phased array is attractive owing to large-dense integration, large scanning range and CMOS compatibility. In this paper, we design and fabricate a SiN-on-SOI two-dimensional optical phased array chip. We demonstrate a two-dimensional scanning range of 96°×14.4° and 690 mW peak power of the main lobe. Additionally, we set up the time of flight (ToF) and frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) ranging systems by using this optical phased array chip, and achieve the objects detection at the range of 20 m in the ToF system and 109 m in the FMCW system, respectively.
Anomalous light scattering from multilayer coatings with nodular defects
Authors: Li Haoran , Wei Zeyong , Zhang Jinlong , Cheng Xinbin , Wang Zhanshan
Published: January 2022

Optical coatings with extremely low scattering losses are critical in high-precision optical systems. In this study, the abnormal scattering of nodular defects in high-reflection multilayer coatings was investigated experimentally and theoretically. The measurements and finite-difference time-domain simulations showed that the total scattering does not vary monotonically with increasing nodular structure size, but rather oscillates. Field distribution analysis revealed that the anomalous scattering originates from the coupling of the incident light with the surface wave at the top of the defects. These findings contribute to the field of low-scattering-loss multilayer coatings and high-precision optical systems.
Thermal lensing, heat loading and power scaling of mid-infrared Er:CaF2 lasers
Authors: Basyrova Liza , Loiko Pavel , Doualan Jean-Louis , Benayad Abdelmjid , Braud Alain , Viana Bruno , Camy Patrice
Published: January 2022

Mid-infrared Er:CaF2 laser operating on the 4I11/2 → 4I13/2 transition is developed. Its power scaling capabilities and thermo-optics (fractional heat loading and thermal lensing) are compared under pumping into the 4I11/2 and 4I9/2 states. Using a 4.5 at.% Er:CaF2 crystal, a record-high continuous-wave output power of 0.83 W is achieved at 2800 nm with a slope efficiency of 31.6% and a laser threshold of 24 mW and the fractional heat loading is measured under lasing and non-lasing conditions, yielding the values of 52.0% and 71.7%, respectively (for pumping at 967.6 nm, into the 4I11/2 state). The thermal lens in Er:CaF2 is negative (divergent) owing to the negative thermo-optic coefficient and large and negative contribution of the photo-elastic effect. The sensitivity factors of the thermal lens are Mr = −4.84 and Mθ = −5.15 [m−1/(kW/cm2)] and the astigmatism degree is as low as 6%. When pumping into the higher lying 4I9/2 manifold, the thermal lens is enhanced owing to the additional heat generation from the multiphonon non-radiative path from this state, and the laser slope efficiency is deteriorated.
Two-photon polymerization simulation and fabrication of 3D microprinted suspended waveguides for on-chip optical interconnects
Authors: Adão Ricardo M. R. , Alves Tiago L. , Maibohm Christian , Romeira Bruno , Nieder Jana B.
Published: January 2022

Quantum and neuromorphic computational platforms in integrated photonic circuits require next-generation optical functionalities. Often, increasingly complex on-chip light-routing that allow superpositions not attainable by planar technologies are paramount e.g. for artificial neural networks. Versatile 3D waveguides are achievable via two-photon polymerization (TPP)-based microprinting. Here, a 3D morphology prediction tool which considers experimental TPP parameters, is presented, enabling on-chip 3D waveguide performance simulations. The simulations allow reducing the cost-intensive systematic experimental optimization process. Fabricated 3D waveguides show optical transmission properties in agreement with simulations, demonstrating that the developed morphology prediction methodology is beneficial for the development of versatile on-chip and potentially inter-chip photonic interconnect technology.
Mechanism of brightness enhancement in multimode LD-pumped graded-index fiber Raman lasers: numerical modeling
Authors: Sidelnikov Oleg S. , Podivilov Evgeny V. , Fedoruk Mikhail P. , Kuznetsov Alexey G. , Wabnitz Stefan , Babin Sergey A.
Published: January 2022

We develop a comprehensive theory for describing the experimental beam profiles from multimode fiber Raman lasers. We take into account the presence of random linear mode coupling, Kerr beam self-cleaning and intra-cavity spatial filtering. All of these factors play a decisive role in shaping the Stokes beam, which has a predominant fundamental mode content. Although the highly multimode pump beam is strongly depleted, it remains almost insensitive to the different physical effects. As a result, the intensity of the output Stokes beam is an order of magnitude higher than the pump intensity at its maximum, in quantitative agreement with the experimental results and in contrast with the simplified balance model.