bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
California Dentists’ Engagement in Media Advocacy for Sugar Restriction Policies
Authors: Kearns C.E. , Urata J. , Chaffee B.W.
Published: March 2021

Objectives:

Increasing dentists’ visibility in the media to make the case for sugary beverage taxes can help advance public policy that improves oral health outcomes. We assessed California dentists’ media engagement behaviors related to sugar restriction policies for dental caries prevention and correlates of engaging in such behavior.

Methods:

Survey items related to sugar policies and media engagement were embedded in an electronically distributed statewide survey of dentists’ tobacco cessation counseling behaviors. Descriptive statistics were calculated for respondent characteristics, perceived professional responsibility to discuss selected topics with patients, and attitudes and behaviors related to sugar restriction policy and media communication. Multivariable models identified independent correlates of media engagement.

Results:

Of 624 respondents, most had never talked to traditional media (78%) or posted to social media (64%) about sugar or sugar policies for dental caries prevention. Respondents with the highest level of media engagement were more likely to agree that sugary beverage taxes are effective at reducing dental caries, that they had support from dental professional organizations to talk to the media, that it is realistic for patients to reduce their sugar consumption, and that sugar and sugary drinks are extremely harmful to health.

Conclusions:

Efforts to increase dentists’ media engagement related to sugar restriction policies for dental caries prevention should address dentists’ negative attitudes toward the effectiveness of sugar restriction policies and may require increased support from dental professional societies.

Knowledge Transfer Statement:

Study findings identify dentists’ low engagement in media advocacy to support sugar restriction policy adoption. The results identify correlates of media engagement and of dentists’ willingness and confidence to act, which could serve to inform interventions to support and enhance engagement.
Optimizing Safety in Velopharyngeal Insufficiency Surgery for Children with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome
Authors: Kim Alexander Y. , Ranganathan Kavitha , Redett Richard J. , Beck Natalie M. , Hoover-Fong Julie E. , Steinberg Jordan P.
Published: March 2021

22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is a common genetic condition associated with structural and functional velopharyngeal anomalies. However, not all patients with 22q11.2DS presenting for treatment will have an established diagnosis and/or have been evaluated for critical medical comorbidities including congenital cardiovascular anomalies, bleeding diatheses, hypocalcemia, and cervical spine instability. When considering surgical management for patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), it is imperative to be aware of the clinical features of 22q11.2DS to avoid serious morbidity and mortality. This is illustrated here with 2 case examples. First, a 10-year-old male with 22q11.2DS presented at 6 years old for treatment of VPI associated with submucous cleft palate. Preoperative computed tomographic angiography revealed right carotid artery tortuosity and retropharyngeal displacement, while intraoperative Doppler ultrasound confirmed carotid artery medialization at the base of the proposed flap. Consequently, he underwent Furlow palatoplasty instead of pharyngeal flap. Second, a 5-year-old male with 22q11.2DS presented at 4 years old for treatment of VPI. Palatal lengthening with double-opposing buccal flaps was performed to mitigate the risk for carotid artery injury, need for preoperative imaging, and risk for developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Right carotid artery medialization was seen intraoperatively as marked pulsations. Both patients underwent cardiac and anesthesia evaluations prior to surgery given their histories of congenital heart defects (CHD) and prior postoperative hypocalcemia.
CPT-based liquefaction case histories compiled from three earthquakes in Canterbury, New Zealand
Authors: Geyin Mertcan , Maurer Brett W , Bradley Brendon A , Green Russell A , van Ballegooy Sjoerd
Published: March 2021

Earthquakes occurring over the past decade in the Canterbury region of New Zealand have resulted in liquefaction case-history data of unprecedented quantity. This provides the profession with a unique opportunity to advance the prediction of liquefaction occurrence and consequences. Toward that end, this article presents a curated dataset containing ∼15,000 cone-penetration-test-based liquefaction case histories compiled from three earthquakes in Canterbury. The compiled, post-processed data are presented in a dense array structure, allowing researchers to easily access and analyze a wealth of information pertinent to free-field liquefaction response (i.e. triggering and surface manifestation). Research opportunities using these data include, but are not limited to, the training or testing of new and existing liquefaction-prediction models. The many methods used to obtain and process the case-history data are detailed herein, as is the structure of the compiled digital file. Finally, recommendations for analyzing the data are outlined, including nuances and limitations that users should carefully consider.
Azithromycin and the microbiota of cystic fibrosis sputum
Authors: Acosta Nicole , Thornton Christina S. , Surette Michael G. , Somayaji Ranjani , Rossi Laura , Rabin Harvey R. , Parkins Michael D.
Published: March 2021

Background

Azithromycin is commonly prescribed drug for individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF), with demonstrated benefits in reducing lung function decline, exacerbation occurrence and improving nutrition. As azithromycin has antimicrobial activity against components of the uncultured microbiome and increasingly the CF microbiome is implicated in disease pathogenesis – we postulated azithromycin may act through its manipulation. Herein we sought to determine if the CF microbiome changed following azithromycin use and if clinical benefit observed during azithromycin use associated with baseline community structure.

Results

Drawing from a prospectively collected biobank we identified patients with sputum samples prior to, during and after initiating azithromycin and determined the composition of the CF microbial community by sequencing the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. We categorized patients as responders if their rate of lung function decline improved after azithromycin initiation. Thirty-eight adults comprised our cohort, nine who had not utilized azithromycin in at least 3 years, and 29 who were completely naïve. We did not observe a major impact in the microbial community structure of CF sputum in the 2 years following azithromycin usage in either alpha or beta-diversity metrics. Seventeen patients (45%) were classified as Responders – demonstrating reduced lung function decline after azithromycin. Responders who were naïve to azithromycin had a modest clustering effect distinguishing them from those who were non-Responders, and had communities enriched with several organisms including Stenotrophomonas, but not Pseudomonas.

Conclusions

Azithromycin treatment did not associate with subsequent large changes in the CF microbiome structure. However, we found that baseline community structure associated with subsequent azithromycin response in CF adults.
Neurological manifestations and complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yassin Ahmed , Nawaiseh Mohammed , Shaban Ala , Alsherbini Khalid , El-Salem Khalid , Soudah Ola , Abu-Rub Mohammad
Published: March 2021

Background

The spectrum of neurological involvement in COVID-19 is not thoroughly understood. To the best of our knowledge, no systematic review with meta-analysis and a sub-group comparison between severe and non-severe cases has been published. The aim of this study is to assess the frequency of neurological manifestations and complications, identify the neurodiagnostic findings, and compare these aspects between severe and non-severe COVID-19 cases.

Methods

A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases was conducted for studies published between the 1st of January 2020 and 22nd of April 2020. In addition, we scanned the bibliography of included studies to identify other potentially eligible studies. The criteria for eligibility included studies published in English language (or translated to English), those involving patients with COVID-19 of all age groups, and reporting neurological findings. Data were extracted from eligible studies. Meta-analyses were conducted using comprehensive meta-analysis software. Random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled percentages and means with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the effect of individual studies on the summary estimate. A subgroup analysis was conducted according to severity. The main outcomes of the study were to identify the frequency and nature of neurological manifestations and complications, and the neuro-diagnostic findings in COVID-19 patients.

Results

44 articles were included with a pooled sample size of 13,480 patients. The mean age was 50.3 years and 53% were males. The most common neurological manifestations were: Myalgia (22.2, 95% CI, 17.2 to 28.1%), taste impairment (19.6, 95% CI, 3.8 to 60.1%), smell impairment (18.3, 95% CI, 15.4 to 76.2%), headache (12.1, 95% CI, 9.1 to 15.8%), dizziness (11.3, 95% CI, 8.5 to 15.0%), and encephalopathy (9.4, 95% CI, 2.8 to 26.6%). Nearly 2.5% (95% CI, 1 to 6.1%) of patients had acute cerebrovascular diseases (CVD). Myalgia, elevated CK and LDH, and acute CVD were significantly more common in severe cases. Moreover, 20 case reports were assessed qualitatively, and their data presented separately.

Conclusions

Neurological involvement is common in COVID-19 patients. Early recognition and vigilance of such involvement might impact their overall outcomes.
Identification and development of an independent immune-related genes prognostic model for breast cancer
Authors: Chen Lin , Dong Yuxiang , Pan Yitong , Zhang Yuhan , Liu Ping , Wang Junyi , Chen Chen , Lu Jianing , Yu Yun , Deng Rong
Published: March 2021

Background

Breast cancer is one of the main malignant tumors that threaten the lives of women, which has received more and more clinical attention worldwide. There are increasing evidences showing that the immune micro-environment of breast cancer (BC) seriously affects the clinical outcome. This study aims to explore the role of tumor immune genes in the prognosis of BC patients and construct an immune-related genes prognostic index.

Methods

The list of 2498 immune genes was obtained from ImmPort database. In addition, gene expression data and clinical characteristics data of BC patients were also obtained from the TCGA database. The prognostic correlation of the differential genes was analyzed through Survival package. Cox regression analysis was performed to analyze the prognostic effect of immune genes. According to the regression coefficients of prognostic immune genes in regression analysis, an immune risk scores model was established. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to probe the biological correlation of immune gene scores. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results

In total, 556 immune genes were differentially expressed between normal tissues and BC tissues (p < 0. 05). According to the univariate cox regression analysis, a total of 66 immune genes were statistically significant for survival risk, of which 30 were associated with overall survival (P < 0.05). Finally, a 15 immune genes risk scores model was established. All patients were divided into high- and low-groups. KM survival analysis revealed that high immune risk scores represented worse survival (p < 0.001). ROC curve indicated that the immune genes risk scores model had a good reliability in predicting prognosis (5-year OS, AUC = 0.752). The established risk model showed splendid AUC value in the validation dataset (3-year over survival (OS) AUC = 0.685, 5-year OS AUC = 0.717, P = 0.00048). Moreover, the immune risk signature was proved to be an independent prognostic factor for BC patients. Finally, it was found that 15 immune genes and risk scores had significant clinical correlations, and were involved in a variety of carcinogenic pathways.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our study provides a new perspective for the expression of immune genes in BC. The constructed model has potential value for the prognostic prediction of BC patients and may provide some references for the clinical precision immunotherapy of patients.
NOX5 is expressed aberrantly but not a critical pathogenetic gene in Hirschsprung disease
Authors: Wang Jing , Xiao Jun , Meng Xinyao , Chu Xufeng , Zhuansun Di Di , Xiong Bo , Feng Jiexiong
Published: March 2021

Background

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a congenital disorder characterized by the absence of intramural ganglion cells in the distal gastrointestinal tract (GI), which results in tonic contraction of the aganglionic gut segment and functional intestinal obstruction. Recent studies have suggestedNADPH oxidase 5(NOX5) as a candidate risk gene for HSCR. In this study, we examined the function ofNOX5to verify its role in the development of the enteric nervous system (ENS).

Methods

HSCR tissue specimens (n = 10) were collected at the time of pull-through surgery and control specimens (n = 10) were obtained at the time of colostomy closure in patients. TheNOX5expression in aganglionic and ganglionic segments of HSCR colon and normal colon were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC), western blot and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). The gene expression levels and spatiotemporal expression spectrum ofNOX5in different development stages of zebrafish embryo were determined using qPCR and in-situ hybridization (ISH). The enteric nervous system inNOX5Morpholino (MO) knockdown and wild type (WT) zebrafish embryo was analyzed by whole-mount immunofluorescence (IF). Intestinal transit assay was performed to analyze the gastrointestinal motility inNOX5knockdown and control larvae.

Results

NOX5is strongly expressed in the ganglion cells in the proximal segment of HSCR colons and all segments of normal colons. Moreover, the expression ofNOX5is markedly decreased in the aganglionic segment of HSCR colon compared to the ganglionic segment. In zebrafish,NOX5mRNA level is the highest in the one cell stage embryos and it is decreased overtime with the development of the embryos. Interestingly, the expression ofNOX5appears to be enriched in the nervous system. However, the number of neurons in the GI tract and the GI motility were not affected uponNOX5knockdown.

Conclusions

Our study shows thatNOX5markedly decreased in the aganglionic segment of HSCR but didn’t involve in the ENS development of zebrafish. It implies that absence of intestinal ganglion cells may lead to down-regulation ofNOX5.
Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Mahanintangtong and its constituent herbs, a formula used in Thai traditional medicine for treating pharyngitis
Authors: Dechayont Bhanuz , Phuaklee Pathompong , Chunthorng-Orn Jitpisute , Juckmeta Thana , Prajuabjinda Onmanee , Jiraratsatit Kitrawee
Published: March 2021

Background

Mahanintangtong is listed in the Thailand’s National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM). It is used to treat non-specific fevers and illnesses such as pharyngitis and chickenpox. In this study, we investigated the biological activities of the different medicinal plants used in the Mahanintangtong formula.

Methods

The plant materials were extracted by maceration and decoction. Antimicrobial activity, assessed by disc diffusion method, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were compared with commercially available standard antibiotics. To elucidate the anti-inflammatory mechanisms, inhibition of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) production was tested by Griess and ELISA techniques. Antioxidant activity was measured by ABTS and DPPH scavenging assays.

Results

The extracts with the best antimicrobial activities were carbonizedTectona grandisshowing againstStreptococcus pyogenes,Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) andPseudomonas aeruginosa. The ethanol extract ofDracaena loureiroiwood exhibited the highest NO and IL-6 inhibitory activity with IC50values of 9.42 ± 1.81 and 12.02 ± 0.30 μg/mL, respectively. The ethanol extract ofPogostemon cablinhad the highest TNF-α inhibitory with IC50values of 10.68 ± 0.02 μg/mL. In anti-free radical testing, the ethanol extract ofD. loureiroidisplayed high antioxidant activity by both ABTS and DPPH assays.

Conclusion

The ethanol extracts from carbonizedT. grandisand Mahanintangtong showed good antimicrobial activity, especially againstS. pyogenes, and good anti-inflammatory activity. These findings are relevant to the pathogenesis of pharyngitis and justify additional studies to see if Mahanintangtong could have clinical utility.
Stimulating research on childhood adversities, borderline personality disorder, and complex post-traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Krause-Utz Annegret
Published: March 2021

Traumatic events of a long-lasting invasive, primarily interpersonal nature (e.g., childhood abuse, intimate partner violence) can have wide-ranging consequences across various life domains. This involves an increased risk of developing mental disorders, such as (complex) post-traumatic stress (PTSD, CPTSD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD). Both within and outside of these diagnostic boundaries, complex trauma has been associated with emotional dysregulation, dissociation, distrust, interpersonal problems, and maladaptive coping behaviours, such as self-harm and suicidal behaviour. Knowledge on the devastating consequences of complex trauma has steadily increased. One of the remaining research questions is why some people develop certain psychopathological symptoms or disorders after complex trauma while others do not. Moreover, more research is needed to better understand how disorders such as BPD and CPTSD can be differentiated, both descriptively and empirically. This special issue brings together a collection of review articles and original research articles on this topic to stimulate further research in the field. Findings enhance the understanding of long-term consequences of childhood adversities and highlight important psychopathological mechanisms that may underlie an increased risk to develop certain mental disorders.
PET/CT F18-FDG with soft tissue plasmacytomas in multiple myeloma
Authors: Martí Alejandro , Morón Sarai , Chinchilla Sandra , González Eliana
Published: March 2021

Multiple myeloma is characterized by malignant proliferation of clonal plasma cells. Usually, appears as a generalized disease but it can present as solitary bone plasmacytoma or a solitary soft tissue mass or extramedullary plasmacytoma. In the case of extramedullary involvement, it could present as soft tissue plasmacytomas and the prognosis is poor. The 18F-FDG PET/CT could be a valuable tool for characterization of the medullary and extramedullary involvement. We present a case of F18-FDG PET/CT with extramedullary involvement with soft tissue plasmacytomas in the setting of MM.
Neuroimaging evaluation of deep brain stimulation in the treatment of representative neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders
Authors: Peng Shichun , Dhawan Vijay , Eidelberg David , Ma Yilong
Published: March 2021

Brain stimulation technology has become a viable modality of reversible interventions in the effective treatment of many neurological and psychiatric disorders. It is aimed to restore brain dysfunction by the targeted delivery of specific electronic signal within or outside the brain to modulate neural activity on local and circuit levels. Development of therapeutic approaches with brain stimulation goes in tandem with the use of neuroimaging methodology in every step of the way. Indeed, multimodality neuroimaging tools have played important roles in target identification, neurosurgical planning, placement of stimulators and post-operative confirmation. They have also been indispensable in pre-treatment screen to identify potential responders and in post-treatment to assess the modulation of brain circuitry in relation to clinical outcome measures. Studies in patients to date have elucidated novel neurobiological mechanisms underlying the neuropathogenesis, action of stimulations, brain responses and therapeutic efficacy. In this article, we review some applications of deep brain stimulation for the treatment of several diseases in the field of neurology and psychiatry. We highlight how the synergistic combination of brain stimulation and neuroimaging technology is posed to accelerate the development of symptomatic therapies and bring revolutionary advances in the domain of bioelectronic medicine.
The association of manganese superoxide dismutase gene polymorphism (Rs4880) with diabetic macular edema in a cohort of type 2 diabetic Egyptian patients
Authors: Abdou Doaa M. , Mohammed Nesrine S. , El Fouli Marwa , Medaney Hanan A. , El Kateb Sarah M. , El-Gabrty Safaa A.
Published: March 2021

Background

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME) are the leading causes of blindness in patients with diabetes. Increasing numbers of people with diabetes worldwide suggest that DR and DME will continue to be major contributors to vision loss and associated functional impairment for years to come. Oxidative stress is a key participant in the development and progression of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications. Antioxidant status can affect vulnerability to oxidative damage, onset and progression of diabetes, and complications of diabetes. Manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) is a key mitochondrial enzyme in cell defense against reactive oxygen species (ROS). DR and progression to DME have been associated with polymorphism in the second exon of the Mn-SOD gene at the 16th amino acid (Ala16Val) in the mitochondrial targeting sequence (MTS) of the protein. The study aimed to investigate the association between Ala16Val Mn-SOD gene polymorphism and the susceptibility to DR and DME in type 2 DM (T2DM).

Results

In this study, 150 patients with type 2 DM were enrolled: 100 patients with DR with and without diabetic macular edema (DME) and 50 patients with type 2 diabetes with a duration of 10 years without DR. Ala16Val SNP of the Mn-SOD gene (rs4880) was detected by TaqMan real-time PCR. The results showed that the homozygous polymorphic variant VV between the DME group is significantly higher than the non-DME group (P 0.018) among the DR group.

Conclusion

Mn SOD A16V polymorphism itself may not be associated with DR; meanwhile, it may be implicated in the pathogenesis of DME.
“String of pearls sign” on FDG PET imaging in two patients with PUO of diverse etiologies and rare associations
Authors: Yuvan Shrinivas , Palaniswamy Shanmuga Sundaram , Subramanyam Padma
Published: March 2021

Background

Pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) may be related to several pathologies that need to be identified for proper treatment. PET is found to have highest diagnostic yield in identifying various causes of PUO. The aim of this study is to highlight and justify the use of 18F FDG PET (Fluorine Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography) imaging as a whole body screening tool in two unique cases of febrile illness with lymphadenopathy but with diverse etiologies based on PET-guided biopsy. The unique arrangement of PET positive nodal disease as a “string of pearls sign” helps in easy identification of nodal disease.

Case presentation

The first case presented with fever and headache (past history of meningitis), high ferritin level, leukopenia, anemia, and raised inflammatory markers. CSF cell count was high, with mildly elevated protein and low glucose levels. PET positive nodes were biopsied; Kikuchi Fujimoto disease was confirmed with unexpected FDG avid pachymeningeal enhancements on PETMR indicating associated (active) meningitis which would have been missed if CT or MR was done as a standalone imaging. Lumbar puncture confirmed aseptic meningitis. The patient was treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, inj. methylprednisolone, and immunoglobulin together with hydroxychloroquine. The patient improved on follow-up. The second case presented with low-grade fever, pruritis, and nodular swellings in extremities, anemia, and pancytopenia. Based on PETCT findings, biopsy was attempted from FDG avid axillary nodes. Mantle cell lymphoma with rare nodular involvement of cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue was confirmed. Chemotherapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy was initiated, and the patient is doing well clinically.

Conclusion

The clinical impact of PET is twofold in both cases. It has accurately identified the nodal involvement even those subcentimetric in size by exhibiting a unique sign on PET resembling a “string of pearls” in the neck and chest with unrelated diverse etiologies. Secondly, additional findings of meningitis in the first case and cutaneous/subcutaneous nodular lymphomatous deposits in the second patient were possible only with whole body FDG PETMR/CT imaging. The rate of additional disease detection by PET is found to be greater than other conventional imaging modalities due to the functional basis of investigation.
Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis Masquerading as a Compressive Neuraxial Lesion Following Lumbar Epidural Placement in a Parturient: A Case Report
Authors: Henshaw Daryl S. , Harstroem Caroline , Forest Daniel
Published: March 2021

We report the management of a parturient with undiagnosed hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HOKPP) who underwent epidural analgesia for labor, complicated by an unintentional dural puncture, and the eventual use of epidural anesthesia for cesarean delivery. Following discharge, she represented with lower extremity paresis. After being evaluated for a compressive neuraxial lesion, she made a full recovery following potassium repletion. The obstetric anesthetic implications for patients with HOKPP and how this disorder impacts the evaluation of acute motor weakness in the immediate postpartum period in a patient who recently received a neuraxial procedure are discussed.
Parental Resources and College Attendance: Evidence from Lottery Wins
Authors: Bulman George , Fairlie Robert , Goodman Sarena , Isen Adam
Published: March 2021

We examine US children whose parents won the lottery to trace out the effect of financial resources on college attendance. The analysis leverages federal tax and financial aid records and substantial variation in win size and timing. While per-dollar effects are modest, the relationship is weakly concave, with a high upper bound for amounts greatly exceeding college costs. Effects are smaller among low-SES households, not sensitive to how early in adolescence the shock occurs, and not moderated by financial aid crowd-out. The results imply that households derive consumption value from college, and household financial constraints alone do not inhibit attendance. (JEL G51, I22, I23, I24, I26, I28, J24, J31)
Monetary Policy and Bubbles in a New Keynesian Model with Overlapping Generations
Authors: Galí Jordi
Published: March 2021

I analyze an extension of the New Keynesian model that features overlapping generations of finitely lived agents and (stochastic) transitions to inactivity. In contrast with the standard model, the proposed framework allows for the existence of rational expectations equilibria with asset price bubbles. I study the conditions under which bubble-driven fluctuations may emerge and the type of monetary policy rules that may prevent them. I conclude by discussing some of the model’s welfare implications. (JEL E12, E32, E44, E52, E63)
Μεταγνωστικές εμπειρίες στην προοπτική μνήμη νεότερων και μεγαλύτερων σε ηλικία ατόμων: παίζει ρόλο η απερισκεψία;
Authors: Τάνου Γαρυφαλλιά , Κωσταρίδου-Ευκλείδη Αναστασία
Published: March 2021

The present study aimed to examine metacognitive experiences in situations with respect to perspective memory (PM). The metacognitive experiences studied were blank in mind, “tip of the tongue”, mind wandering, and mind blanking. Young, middle-aged and elderly people of both sexes participated in this study. We also studied affect, cognitive failures and mindlessness as personality traits, which were also used as correlation factors of metacognitive experiences. The results of the current study showed that personality traits are related to metacognitive experience of blank in the mind, but not with performance in the PM task. Moreover, the results showed that there is a decline in task performance in older people, but no effect on metacognitive experiences. There were also high correlations between the metacognitive experiences of mind wandering, blank in mind and mind blanking, but there were no correlations between them and the “tip of the tongue” experience. Finally, regarding the correlation of affect with the task performance and metacognitive experiences, it was found that neutral affect correlates positively with mind wandering and blank in mind and negatively with mind blanking self-reports, but it does not necessarily correlate with lower task performance.
Διερεύνηση της ικανότητας ταξινόμησης σε ενήλικες και παιδιά μέσω μίας δοκιμασίας ελεύθερης ταξινόμησης με τρισδιάστατα αντικείμενα
Authors: Μαλεγιαννάκη Αμαρυλλίς-Χρυσή , Κανάκη Δέσποινα , Πρώιου Χαρίκλεια
Published: March 2021

In the present pilot study, we investigated how adults and school-aged children (typically developing and with learning difficulties) form conceptual categories through testing procedures that are assumed to promote abstract thinking. The comparison of these age groups is of interest, since abstract way of thinking arises at school age but is not completed until adulthood. Moreover, it is the first time to our knowledge that a typically developing sample is compared to children displaying learning disabilities, in studying abstract thinking. In the study, 30 adults (mean age = 32,4 years), 36 typically developing children (mean age = 8,93) and 14 children with learning difficulties (mean age = 9,7) were asked to create classifications through a free three-dimensional object classification procedure. A mixed ANOVA revealed more taxonomic than thematic classifications overall. Moreover, adults made fewer classifications as compared to the children of both groups (whose scores did not differ significantly from each other). However, no interaction between age and type of classification was observed. In conclusion, it seems that application of a modified free object classification test can promote abstract thinking during three-dimensional object classification regardless of age. Beyond these pilot findings, further research is suggested to identify motivational parameters in classification, as well as classification patterns in clinical groups experiencing learning difficulties.
Shared intentionality in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Authors: Papoulidi Asimenia , Papaeliou Christina F. , Samartzi Stavroula
Published: March 2021

It is well documented that the ability and motivation to engage with others in collaborative activities with joint goals and shared intentions is the foundation of human uniqueness. However, children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) show difficulties in sharing their motives, intentions, and emotions with others about topics in the environment and manifest low levels of engagement. The purpose of the present study was to compare the level of intentionality and social engagement in 10 children with ASD and 10 typically developing (TD) children, matched for mental age, during free play interactions with their mothers. Children were video recorded while playing with their mothers in a naturalistic condition with toys provided by the researcher. For the microanalysis of the video recordings the EUDICO Linguistic Annotator was used, which permits the analysis of joint behaviors and captures subtle qualitative differences in social engagement. Results indicated that children with ASD showed deficits in joint attention, exhibited no functional play and employed less communicative gestures than their peers in the comparison group. These differences between the two groups in their mode of communication led to the emergence of two distinct patterns of engagement which depict the different level of intentionality that these groups have in sharing their experiences during mother-child interactions. These representative patterns of interaction can be used as a potential tool for early identification of children at risk of ASD well before other behaviors become fully manifested.
Vorwort und Impressionen
Authors: Lassau Guido
Published: March 2021

Vorwort des Kantonsarchäologen Guido Lassau und Impressionen aus dem Berichtsjahr 2017.
Der Petersberg: Ein Viertel im Wandel der Zeit
Authors: Billo Sven , Graber Simon , Lassau Guido , Niederhäuser Andreas
Published: March 2021

Für den Bau des Spiegelhofs in den Jahren 1937 bis 1939 wurde das Altstadtviertel am Petersberg abgebrochen. Dabei wurden gut 1000 Jahre alte Hausgrundrisse aus Holz entdeckt, die sich dank einer in Basel seltenen Bodenbeschaffenheit (Feuchtboden) hervorragend erhalten hatten. Diese Befunde sind für Basel und die Schweiz einzigartig, aber auch europaweit weitgehend ohne Parallelen. Das aktuelle Umbauprojekt im Spiegelhof ermöglichte der Archäologischen Bodenforschung neue Einblicke in das frühe Handwerkerviertel.
CODECHECK: an Open Science initiative for the independent execution of computations underlying research articles during peer review to improve reproducibility
Authors: Nüst Daniel , Eglen Stephen J.
Published: March 2021

The traditional scientific paper falls short of effectively communicating computational research.  To help improve this situation, we propose a system by which the computational workflows underlying research articles are checked. The CODECHECK system uses open infrastructure and tools and can be integrated into review and publication processes in multiple ways. We describe these integrations along multiple dimensions (importance, who, openness, when). In collaboration with academic publishers and conferences, we demonstrate CODECHECK with 25 reproductions of diverse scientific publications. These CODECHECKs show that asking for reproducible workflows during a collaborative review can effectively improve executability. While CODECHECK has clear limitations, it may represent a building block in Open Science and publishing ecosystems for improving the reproducibility, appreciation, and, potentially, the quality of non-textual research artefacts. The CODECHECK website can be accessed here: https://codecheck.org.uk/.
Calcium imaging analysis – how far have we come?
Authors: Robbins Miranda , Christensen Charles N. , Kaminski Clemens F. , Zlatic Marta
Published: March 2021

Techniques for calcium imaging were first achieved in the mid-1970s, whilst tools to analyse these markers of cellular activity are still being developed and improved. For image analysis, custom tools were developed within labs and until relatively recently, software packages were not widely available between researchers. We will discuss some of the most popular, alongside our preferred, methods for calcium imaging analysis that are now widely available and describe why these protocols are so effective. We will also describe some of the newest innovations in the field that are likely to benefit researchers, particularly as calcium imaging is often an inherently low signal-to-noise method. Although calcium imaging analysis has seen recent advances, particularly following the rise of machine learning, we will end by highlighting the outstanding requirements and questions that hinder further progress, and pose the question of how far we have come in the past sixty years and what can be expected for future development in the field.
Modelling pooling strategies for SARS-CoV-2 testing in a university setting
Authors: Hemani Gibran , Thomas Amy C. , Walker Josephine G. , Trickey Adam , Nixon Emily , Ellis David , Kwiatkowska Rachel , Relton Caroline , Danon Leon , Christensen Hannah , Brooks-Pollock Ellen
Published: March 2021

Background: Pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are important elements in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and there remains a reliance on testing to manage the spread of the disease. In the UK, many universities opened for blended learning for the 2020-2021 academic year, with a mixture of face to face and online teaching.

Methods: In this study we present a simulation framework to evaluate the effectiveness of different mass testing strategies within a university setting, across a range of transmission scenarios.

Results: The sensitivity of 5x pooled RT-qPCR tests appears to be higher than testing using the lateral flow device with relatively little loss compared to single RT-qPCR tests, and is improved by pooling by social cluster. The range of strategies that we evaluated give comparable results for estimating prevalence.

Conclusions: Pooling tests by known social structures, such as student households can substantially improve the cost effectiveness of RT-qPCR tests. We also note that routine recording of quantitative RT-qPCR results would facilitate future modelling studies.
The WHO guideline on drugs to prevent COVID-19: small numbers- big conclusions
Authors: Schilling William HK , Callery James J. , Chandna Arjun , Hamers Raph L , Watson James A , White Nicholas J
Published: March 2021

The World Health Organization living guideline on drugs to prevent COVID-19 has recently advised that ongoing trials evaluating hydroxychloroquine in chemoprophylaxis should stop. The WHO guideline cites “high certainty” evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis does not reduce mortality and does not reduce hospital admission, and “moderate certainty” evidence of poor tolerability because of a significantly increased rate of adverse events leading to drug discontinuation. Yet there is no such evidence. In the three pre-exposure chemoprophylaxis RCTs evaluated in the guideline there were no deaths and only two COVID-19-related hospital admissions, and there was a mistake in the analysis of the number of discontinuations (after correction there is no longer a statistically significant difference between those taking the drug and the controls). Guidelines on the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 should be based on sufficient verified evidence, understanding of the disease process, sound statistical analysis and interpretation, and an appreciation of global needs.
Knowledges, attitudes and behaviors related to sexually transmitted diseases of male undergraduate students from three faculties of Chiang Mai University
Authors: Luksameevanish Noparit , Krue-in Kwanhataikarn , Moonsawat Guanoon , Sriwongsa Pantritra , Nopparatkailas Rawee , Sastraruji T Thanapat , Sookkhee Siriwoot
Published: March 2021

Objectives To study differences in knowledge, risky behavior and attitudes related to sexually transmitted diseases in male undergraduate students from three faculties of Chiang Mai University. Methods This cross-sectional study surveyed 652 male undergraduate students from three faculties including 85 from Associated Medical Science (AMS), 480 from Engineering (ENG) and 87 from Economics (ECON) as representative of health sciences, science/technology, and social sciences/humanities, respectively. An online questionnaire was used to evaluate the students’ knowledge, risky behavior and attitudes related to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Descriptive statistics included one-way ANOVA and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Results AMS male students had a higher average score for knowledge related to STDS than the other groups. There were, however, significant differences among AMS students to the questions, “Should parents teach appropriate sex education to their young children?” and “Do you think early STD screening is good?” (both p = 0.001). Positive correlations were found between self-reported alcohol drinking and visiting of entertainment places in all the groups (rAMS = 0.673, p < 0.001; rENG = 0.595, p < 0.001; rECON= 0.595, p < 0.001). Self-reported risky behavior was positively correlated with frequency of having sex during the past 2 months and alcoholic drinking (rAMS = 0.510 and = 0.409; rENG = 0.562 and = 0.345; rECON = 0.655 and = 0.259, respectively. All were p < 0.001) Conclusions Male health sciences students possessed higher knowledge, reported lower risk behaviors, and expressed more positive attitudes toward individuals with STDs than the other groups. Providing knowledge about STDs and encouraging abstinence from alcohol should be used to reduce the incidence of risky behavior and the incidence of STDs among male university undergraduates.
Electrically controlled 1  ×  2 tunable switch using a phase change material embedded silicon microring
Authors: Ali Nadir , Panepucci Roberto R. , Xie Yiwei , Dai Daoxin , Kumar Rajesh
Published: March 2021

Phase change material

G
e

2

S
b

2

T
e

5

(GST) has recently emerged as a highly promising candidate for photonic device applications owing to its high optical contrast, self-holding bi-stability, and fast material response. Here, we propose and analyze a

1
×
2

tunable switch using a GST embedded silicon microring resonator exploiting high optical contrast during GST phase change and a high thermo-optic coefficient of amorphous phase GST. Our device exhibits high extinction ratios of 25.57 dB and 18.75 dB at through and drop ports, respectively, with just a 1 µm long GST layer. The two states of the switch are realizable by electrically inducing phase change in GST. For post phase change from amorphous to crystalline and vice versa, the fall time down the 80% of phase transition temperature is

∼

66

n
s

and

∼

45

n
s

, respectively. The resonance wavelength shift per unit active length is 0.661 nm/µm, and the tuning efficiency is 1.16 nm/mW. The large wavelength tunability (4.63 nm) of the proposed switch makes it an attractive option for reconfigurable photonic integrated circuits.
Rapid gemstone screening and identification using fluorescence
spectroscopy
Authors: Tsai Tsung-Han , D’Haenens-Johansson Ulrika F. S.
Published: March 2021

We demonstrate a gemstone screening device based on fluorescence
spectroscopy. The device can be used to rapidly separate colorless and
near-colorless (

D

to

J

color grades) natural diamonds from
laboratory grown diamonds and diamond simulants, detect multi-treated
pink diamonds, and identify certain colored gemstones, such as
corundum, spinel, beryl, and zoisite. The device’s reflection fiber
probe enables testing of both loose and mounted gemstones with exposed
facet faces that are larger than 0.9 mm. The experimental prototype
demonstrates high accuracy for automatic diamond gemstone screening,
referring 100% of the laboratory grown diamonds and simulants tested.
The pink diamond screening algorithm can detect 100% of pink
multi-treated diamonds and laboratory grown diamonds. Finally, the
suitability of this device for the fluorescence analysis of corundum,
beryl, spinel, zoisite, garnet, and topaz was evaluated.
Large-scale, cell-resolution volumetric mapping allows layer-specific investigation of human brain cytoarchitecture
Authors: Costantini Irene , Mazzamuto Giacomo , Roffilli Matteo , Laurino Annunziatina , Maria Castelli Filippo , Neri Mattia , Lughi Giovanni , Simonetto Andrea , Lazzeri Erica , Pesce Luca , Destrieux Christophe , Silvestri Ludovico , Conti Valerio , Guerrini Renzo , Saverio Pavone Francesco
Published: March 2021

Although neuronal density analysis on human brain slices is available from stereological studies, data on the spatial distribution of neurons in 3D are still missing. Since the neuronal organization is very inhomogeneous in the cerebral cortex, it is critical to map all neurons in a given volume rather than relying on sparse sampling methods. To achieve this goal, we implement a new tissue transformation protocol to clear and label human brain tissues and we exploit the high-resolution optical sectioning of two-photon fluorescence microscopy to perform 3D mesoscopic reconstruction. We perform neuronal mapping of 100mm3 human brain samples and evaluate the volume and density distribution of neurons from various areas of the cortex originating from different subjects (young, adult, and elderly, both healthy and pathological). The quantitative evaluation of the density in combination with the mean volume of the thousands of neurons identified within the specimens, allow us to determine the layer-specific organization of the cerebral architecture.
Topological phenomena demonstrated in photorefractive photonic lattices [Invited]
Authors: Xia Shiqi , Song Daohong , Wang Nan , Liu Xiuying , Ma Jina , Tang Liqin , Buljan Hrvoje , Chen Zhigang
Published: March 2021

Topological photonics has attracted widespread research attention in the past decade due to its fundamental interest and unique manner in controlling light propagation for advanced applications. Paradigmatic approaches have been proposed to achieve topological phases including topological insulators in a variety of photonic systems. In particular, photonic lattices composed of evanescently coupled waveguide arrays have been employed conveniently to explore and investigate topological physics. In this article, we review our recent work on the demonstration of topological phenomena in reconfigurable photonic lattices established by site-to-site cw-laser-writing or multiple-beam optical induction in photorefractive nonlinear crystals. We focus on the study of topological states realized in the celebrated one-dimensional Su-Schrieffer-Heeger lattices, including nonlinear topological edge states and gap solitons, nonlinearity-induced coupling to topological edge states, and nonlinear control of non-Hermitian topological states. In the two-dimensional case, we discuss two typical examples: universal mapping of momentum-space topological singularities through Dirac-like photonic lattices and realization of real-space nontrivial loop states in flatband photonic lattices. Our work illustrates how photorefractive materials can be employed conveniently to build up various synthetic photonic microstructures for topological studies, which may prove relevant and inspiring for the exploration of fundamental phenomena in topological systems beyond photonics.
Experimental Fock-state bunching capability of non-ideal single-photon states
Authors: Zapletal Petr , Darras Tom , Le Jeannic Hanna , Cavaillès Adrien , Guccione Giovanni , Laurat Julien , Filip Radim
Published: March 2021

Advanced quantum technologies, as well as fundamental tests of quantum
physics, crucially require the interference of multiple single photons
in linear-optics circuits. This interference can result in the
bunching of photons into higher Fock states, leading to a complex
bosonic behavior. These challenging tasks timely require to develop
collective criteria to benchmark many independent initial resources.
Here we determine whether

n

independent imperfect single photons
can ultimately bunch into the Fock state

|

n
⟩

. We thereby introduce an experimental
Fock-state bunching capability for
single-photon sources, which uses phase-space interference for extreme
bunching events as a quantifier. In contrast to autocorrelation
functions, this operational approach takes into account not only
residual multi-photon components but also a vacuum admixture and the
dispersion of individual photon statistics. We apply this approach to
high-purity single photons generated from an optical parametric
oscillator and show that they can lead to a Fock-state capability of
at least 14. Our work demonstrates a novel collective benchmark for
single-photon sources and their use in subsequent stringent
applications.