bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial to evaluate effectiveness of a self-help group intervention to encourage smoke-free homes in slums of Kochi(Kochi Intervention for tobacco smoke free homes-KIFT)
Authors: Sreedevi Aswathy , Krishnapillai Vijayakumar , Thulaseedharan Jissa Vinoda , Irazola Vilma , Krishnan Sajitha , Kunoor Akhilesh , Menon Jaideep Chanavil , Danaei Goodarz
Published: March 2024

Background Exposure to second hand smoke (SHS) is a cause for heart disease and lung cancer among non- smokers. This cluster randomized control trial will evaluate the effectiveness of a tobacco smoke free home intervention in reducing exposure to second hand smoke. Protocol The intervention will be conducted among 30 clusters in urban and peri-urban areas of Kochi, India. The sample size is 300 per arm and 15 clusters to detect a minimal difference of 0.03ng/ml in cotinine levels between groups, at 80% power with a two-sided alfa of 0.05 considering variable cluster size. A baseline survey will be undertaken to identify smokers. Data related to smoking, indoor smoking, nicotine dependence, blood pressure (BP) of smokers, morbidity experienced, and lung volume Fev1/Fev6 of smokers will be measured. Urine cotinine, morbidity, BP of spouse and child will be assessed. Air quality monitors measuring PM2.5 will be placed in homes. Trained self-help group women and frontline health workers will implement the intervention. The intervention will consist of monthly home visits to educate the smoker on the harms of second-hand smoke using 3 A’s. The circle of influencers around the smoking men will also be contacted by the members of self-help group to provide support to stop smoking within homes and to quit. They will then organize two-three meetings of community leaders and heads of women’s groups, present data on harms of SHS, and explain the rationale for establishing smoke free homes in their community for a duration of six months. After the intervention a post assessment will be conducted and this will be repeated after six months. Ethics and dissemination The trial protocol was approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee of Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences. Results will be submitted to open access peer reviewed journals and shared with other stakeholders. Trial registration CTRI/2021/06/034478
Presentations and Incidence of Ocular Injuries Caused by Motorcycle Accidents in Iraq
Authors: Hashim Zainab A. , Mohammed‎ Suzan K. , Abdulla Marwan Y. , Fawzi Hayder A
Published: March 2024

Background Motorcycle accidents can be particularly hazardous, as riders are exposed to various risk factors, such as high speeds, lack of protective enclosures, and limited safety features. Aim of the study To describe the ocular injuries associated with motorcycled accidents presented to a tertiary center in Iraq. Patients and methods A multicenter cross-sectional (survey) study that involved 335 cases of motorcycle accidents that presented with unilateral or bilateral ocular trauma. The study was carried out at Ibn Al-Haitham Teaching Hospital, Al-Nauman Teaching Hospital, Al-Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital, and forensic centers located in Baghdad (Iraq capital) and Al-Qadisiyah from 1st of June 2019 to 1st of June 2023. Information regarding ocular injuries was recorded and classified according to the International Ocular Trauma Classification. Results The study involved 335 ophthalmological accidents; the mean age of the patients was 27.84± 9.6 years, most of them were males (96.7%), and there were only 11 females as passengers, 39 (11.6%) had injuries in both eyes. Lesions involving the periorbita, lids, and conjunctiva comprised most of the findings. There were 60.9% of patients with lid lacerations with or without sub-conjunctival bleeding, 22.1% with corneoscleral injury, and 17.9% with commotio retinae. It was the leading cause of decreased visual acuity, with 9% having lens capsule damage with or without iris prolapse and 8.1% having a ruptured capsule, 55.82% of patients had a mild injury, 27.16% had a moderate injury, and 17.01% had a severe injury. Conclusion Eye injury associated with motorcycle accidents mainly affect males in their youth age and has serious outcomes, sometimes ending with blindness.
Assessment of treatment expectations in women with suspected endometriosis: A psychometric analysis
Authors: Meyrose Ann-Katrin , Basedow Lukas A. , Hirsing Nina , Buchweitz Olaf , Rief Winfried , Nestoriuc Yvonne
Published: March 2024

Background Treatment expectations influence clinical outcomes in various physical and psychological conditions; however, no studies have explored their role in endometriosis treatment. It is necessary to understand how these expectations can be measured to study treatment expectations and their effects in clinical practice. This study aimed to psychometrically analyze and compare different treatment expectation measurements and describe treatment expectations in women with suspected endometriosis. Method Analysis of cross-sectional baseline data of a mixed-method clinical observational study of N=699 patients undergoing laparoscopy in Germany. Descriptives, bivariate associations, convergent and discriminant validity of four expectation measurements (Treatment Expectation Questionnaire (TEX-Q); Generic rating scale for previous treatment experiences, treatment expectations, and treatment effects (GEEE); numerical rating scales (NRS) assessing improvement and worsening of endometriosis symptoms, expected Pain Disability Index (PDI); range: 0 to 10) were estimated. A cluster analysis was performed on the three GEEE items. Results Most participants expected high improvement (M=6.68 to 7.20, SD=1.90 to 2.09) and low worsening (M=1.09 to 2.52, SD=1.80 to 2.25) of disability from laparoscopy. Participants who expected greater worsening expected more side effects (r=.31 to .60, p<.001). Associations between the positive and negative expectation dimensions, including side effects, were small to non-significant (r =|.24| to .00, p<.001 to.978). Four distinct clusters, described as’positive’, ‘no pain, no gain’, ‘diminished’, and ‘uniform’ were found, with a total PVE of 62.2%. Conclusions Women with suspected endometriosis reported positive expectations concerning laparoscopy, but wide ranges indicated interindividual differences. Treatment expectations seem to be a multidimensional construct in this patient group. The investigated measurements did not correlate to the extent that they measured exactly the same construct. The selection of measurements should be carefully considered and adapted for the study purposes. Clusters provide initial indications for individualized interventions that target expectation manipulation. Trial Registration Number ID NCT05019612 (ClinicalTrials.gov)
The genome sequence of the Crescent Groundling, Teleiodes luculella (Hübner, 1813)
Authors: Boyes Douglas , Boyes Clare ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: March 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Teleiodes luculella (the Crescent Groundling; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Gelechiidae). The genome sequence is 454.5 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 30 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.32 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 19,943 protein coding genes.
Failures in Forecasting: An Experiment on Interpersonal Projection Bias
Authors: Bushong Benjamin , Gagnon-Bartsch Tristan
Published: March 2024

Using a real-effort experiment, we show that people project their current tastes onto others when forecasting others’ behavior, even when their tastes are exogenously manipulated and transparently different. In the first part of our experiment, “workers” stated their willingness to continue working on a tedious task. We varied how many initial tasks workers completed before eliciting their willingness to work (WTW); some were relatively fresh when stating their WTW, whereas others were relatively tired. Later, a separate group of “predictors”—who also worked on the task—guessed the WTW of workers in each state. We find: (i) tired workers were less willing to work than fresh workers; (ii) predictors (in aggregate) accurately guessed the WTW of workers when they were in the same state as the workers about whom they were predicting; but (iii) when fresh predictors were guessing about tired workers, they substantially overestimated their WTW; and (iv) when tired predictors were guessing about fresh workers, they underestimated their WTW. Using an additional treatment, we find that workers also mispredicted their own future WTW, and we compare the magnitudes of intrapersonal and interpersonal projection bias.

This paper was accepted by Axel Ockenfels, behavioral economics and decision analysis.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.00655 .
The response of osmotic demyelination syndrome to plasmapheresis in a patient presenting with catatonia after correction of hyponatraemia in hyperemesis gravidarum
Authors: Rangsrisaeneepitak Vimonsri , Tekarnjnavanit Arnant , Kanjanapipatkul Pattarapol , Koowattanatianchai Sukrisd
Published: March 2024

Osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) is a disorder characterised by the widespread development of demyelination in both pontine and extrapontine regions. It has been recognised as a complication arising from the rapid correction of hyponatraemia. This study presents the case of a 20-year-old Thai female patient at 10 weeks gestation, exhibiting an initial presentation of catatonia – an uncommon manifestation of ODS. The patient developed symptoms following the rapid correction of hyponatraemia in the context of hyperemesis gravidarum. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed a trident or bat-wing-shaped pattern in T2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences at the central pons. The patient underwent five cycles of plasmapheresis and received rehabilitation, leading to clinical improvement.
Insegurança alimentar domiciliar em um município do sul do Brasil: estudo de base populacional
Authors: Zanoni Edimar Torres , Dallazen Camila , Schäfer Antônio Augusto , Santos Leonardo Pozza dos , Quadra Micaela Rabelo , Meller Fernanda de Oliveira
Published: March 2024

Introdução: A insegurança alimentar (IA) é caracterizada pela falta de acesso a alimentos em quantidade e qualidade adequadas. Nos últimos anos, uma tendência de crescimento em sua prevalência vem sendo observada, e fatores sociodemográficos parecem influenciar a IA. Objetivo: Verificar a prevalência de IA e seus fatores associados em domicílios de um município do sul de Santa Catarina. Métodos: Estudo transversal de base populacional, conduzido em Criciúma-SC em 2019, com indivíduos com ≥18 anos. Todos os domicílios nos quais o chefe da família (indivíduo que contribuía com a maior parte da renda domiciliar) participou da pesquisa foram incluídos nas análises. A IA domiciliar foi avaliada através da Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar, e características sociodemográficas e alimentares foram avaliadas como variáveis independentes. Para avaliar as associaçõesentre IA e as variáveis independentes, foram realizadas análises ajustadas utilizando-se Regressão de Poisson, considerando nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Participaram do estudo 439 domicílios e 562 indivíduos. A prevalência de IA foi de 25,8%, sendo maior nos domicílios com: moradores entre 18 e 29 anos (RP=1,72; IC95%1,08-2,76) e entre 30 e 39 anos (RP=2,02; IC95%1,35-3,03),de cor parda (RP=1,47; IC95% 1,01-2,13), menores de 18 anos de idade (RP=1,70; IC95% 1,16;2,47),e que realizavam 1-2 refeições diárias (RP=2,29; IC95% 1,15-4,60), todos comparados com seus pares. Ademais, a renda apresentou tendência linear inversa com a IA, isto é, conforme a diminuição da renda, maior a prevalência de IA domiciliar (<0,001). Conclusão: Um em cada quatro domicílios apresenta IA,sendo esse desfecho influenciado por fatores demográficos, socioeconômicos e nutricionais. Diante desses achados, será possível direcionar as ações e políticas públicas para agarantia da alimentação adequada à população.
Safety and effectiveness of butorphanol in epidural labor analgesia: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tang Guan-Cheng , He Man , Huang Zhen-Zhao , Cheng Yan
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND

Epidural analgesia is the most effective analgesic method during labor. Butorphanol administered epidurally has been shown to be a successful analgesic method during labor. However, no comprehensive study has examined the safety and efficacy of using butorphanol as an epidural analgesic during labor.

AIM

To assess butorphanol's safety and efficacy for epidural labor analgesia.

METHODS

The PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Google Scholar databases will be searched from inception. Other types of literature, such as conference abstracts and references to pertinent reviews, will also be reviewed. We will include randomized controlled trials comparing butorphanol with other opioids combined with local anesthetics for epidural analgesia during labor. There will be no language restrictions. The primary outcomes will include the visual analog scale score for the first stage of labor, fetal effects, and Apgar score. Two independent reviewers will evaluate the full texts, extract data, and assess the risk of bias. Publication bias will be evaluated using Egger's or Begg's tests as well as visual analysis of a funnel plot, and heterogeneity will be evaluated using the Cochran Q test, P values, and I 2 values. Meta-analysis, subgroup analysis, and sensitivity analysis will be performed using RevMan software version 5.4. This protocol was developed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Protocols statement, and the PRISMA statement will be used for the systematic review.

RESULTS

This study provides reliable information regarding the safety and efficacy of using butorphanol as an epidural analgesic during labor.

CONCLUSION

To support clinical practice and development, this study provides evidence-based findings regarding the safety and efficacy of using butorphanol as an epidural analgesic during labor.
Applying Proper Orthogonal Decomposition to Parabolic Equations: A Reduced Order Numerical Approach
Authors: MORARU Mircea
Published: March 2024

n this paper we present a low-order numerical scheme developed using the Proper Orthogonal (POD) method to address non-homogeneous parabolic equations in both one and two dimensions. The proposed schemes leverage the POD technique to reduce the computational complexity associated with solving these equations while maintaining accuracy. By employing POD, the high-dimensional problem is approximated by a reduced set of models, allowing for a more efficient representation of the system dynamics. The application of this method to non-homogenous parabolic equations offers a promising approach for enhancing the computational efficiency of simulations in diverse fields, such as fluid dynamics, heat conduction, and reaction-diffusion processes. The presented numerical scheme demonstrates its efficacy in achieving accurate results with significantly reduced computational costs, making it a valuable tool for applications demanding efficient solutions to non-homogeneous parabolic equations in one and two dimensions.
The Garden State: Conceptualizing Nineteenth-century Latin American Environmental Discourse on Nature/Nation's Transformation
Authors: Peach Niall
Published: March 2024

Abstract: Imagining Spanish America as Eden and sublime force, colonial environmental aesthetics inaugurated American disponibilité , figuring environment in the colonial matrix of power as the non-place outside of European time and space. The image of the garden evoked by this aesthetics corresponded to the desired, secular transformation of environment, which delimited the location of a colonial vegetal-human relations of extraction. I contend that in the transition period from colony to republic, cultural, political, and scientific discourse used the image and language of the garden to reestablish claims over territory by shifting from the Edenic to georgic mode. I offer the Garden State as a (neo)imperial environmental aesthetic to lay bare the politics and poetics of place-making and its entanglements—through agriculture and horticulture—as part of a response to the rise of liberal agro-economic policy and the proliferation of the plantation model in the work of naturalists, politicians, Neo-classical, and Romantic writers. By placing ecocriticism, environmental history, and plant studies into conversation with garden theory through this framework, I argue we can better attend to the concentric material and literary gardens and garden-like formations tied to plantation logic and the ordered cultivation and civilization of space and human-vegetal relations in Latin America's nineteenth century.
Combined ion beam irradiation platform and 3D fluorescence microscope for cellular cancer research
Authors: Harken Andrew D. , Deoli Naresh T. , Perez Campos Citlali , Ponnaiya Brian , Garty Guy , Lee Grace S. , Casper Malte J. , Dhingra Shikhar , Li Wenze , Johnson Gary W. , Amundson Sally A. , Grabham Peter W. , Hillman Elizabeth M. C. , Brenner David J.
Published: March 2024

To improve particle radiotherapy, we need a better understanding of the biology of radiation effects, particularly in heavy ion radiation therapy, where global responses are observed despite energy deposition in only a subset of cells. Here, we integrated a high-speed swept confocally-aligned planar excitation (SCAPE) microscope into a focused ion beam irradiation platform to allow real-time 3D structural and functional imaging of living biological samples during and after irradiation. We demonstrate dynamic imaging of the acute effects of irradiation on 3D cultures of U87 human glioblastoma cells, revealing characteristic changes in cellular movement and intracellular calcium signaling following ionizing irradiation.
OSNR enhancement of Rayleigh-assisted Brillouin-Raman fiber laser via double pass configuration
Authors: Mamdoohi G. , Soltanian M. R. K.
Published: March 2024

We propose and demonstrate a 10 GHz spacing multi-wavelength Brillouin-Raman fiber laser (MBRFL) with wide bandwidth and an outstanding optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR). This is achieved by utilizing loop mirror at one end of the laser cavity through a symmetrical bi-directional Raman pumping scheme. The setup is arranged in a double pass configuration by employing different lengths of dispersion compensating fibers (DCF). The attainment of MBRFL with outstanding performance necessitates the optimization of Raman pump power, Brillouin pump wavelength, and DCF length. By employing an 11 km DCF, when setting the Brillouin pump wavelength at 1531.4 nm, 504 Stoke lines are produced with a channel spacing of 0.08 nm. All the counted laser lines have less than a 1-dB peak amplitude variation and are spread across a 40.4 nm bandwidth that covers from 1531.4 to 1571.8 nm wavelength. In this case, the Raman pump power is fixed at 900 mW which results in average OSNR and Stokes peak amplitude level of 28 dB and -7 dBm respectively. To date, this is the simplest cavity design with the widest bandwidth and flattest spectrum together with outstanding OSNR attained in 10 GHz spacing multi-wavelength fiber lasers that incorporate a single low-power Raman pump unit.
Nano-imprint lithography of broad-band and wide-angle antireflective structures for high-power lasers
Authors: Modaresialam Mehrnaz , Granchi Nicoletta , Stehlik Marek , Petite Camille , Delegeanu Sorin , Gourdin Anthony , Bouabdellaoui Mohammed , Intonti Francesca , Kerzabi Badre , Grosso David , Gallais Laurent , Abbarchi Marco
Published: March 2024

We demonstrate efficient anti reflection coatings based on adiabatic index matching obtained via nano-imprint lithography. They exhibit high total transmission, achromaticity (99.5% < T < 99.8% from 390 to 900 nm and 99% < T < 99.5% from 800 to 1600 nm) and wide angular acceptance (T > 99% up to 50 degrees). Our devices show high laser-induced damage thresholds in the sub-picosecond (>5 J/cm2 at 1030 nm, 500 fs), nanosecond (>150 J/cm2 at 1064 nm, 12 ns and >100 J/cm2 at 532 nm, 12 ns) regimes, and low absorption in the CW regime (<1.3 ppm at 1080 nm), close to those of the fused silica substrate.
Efficient tunable cascaded Raman source with all-silica fibers based on 2-µm DSR pulse pumping
Authors: Wang Zhuang , Wang Mingxin , Huang Xirui , Gu Ronghui , Li Jianfeng , Li Heping , Liu Yong
Published: March 2024

We present an efficient tunable all-silica-fiber 2nd-order cascaded Raman pulse laser utilizing 2-µm dissipative-soliton-resonance (DSR) rectangular pulses for pumping and highly GeO2-doped silica fiber as Raman gain medium. When pumped at 1966.5 nm, the maximum 1st-order Raman optical conversion efficiency is up to 64.4% at 2153 nm, with 92.4% spectral purity and 0.39-W average power. The maximum 2nd-order Raman optical conversion efficiency is 19.3% at 2370 nm, with 39.2% spectral purity and 0.25-W average power. To our knowledge, these conversion efficiencies and spectral purities represent the highest levels achieved in a mid-infrared all-silica-fiber cascaded pulsed Raman laser. Additionally, by adjusting the central wavelength of the DSR seed pulse, the 2nd-order Raman light can be tuned within a range of 41 nm (2354∼2395 nm). Our system provides a simple and easy-to-implement solution for realizing efficient tunable cascaded pulsed Raman lasers in the 2.4-µm band.
Phase distribution and circular dichroism switchable terahertz chiral metasurface
Authors: Xie Dongliang , Chen Luzhen , Luo Tao , Kang Wenhui , Qu Yi , Wang Tianwu
Published: March 2024

Chiral metasurfaces have many applications in the terahertz (THz) band, but they still lack modulation flexibility and functionality expansion. This paper presents a terahertz chiral metasurface with switchable phase distribution and switchable circular dichroism (CD). The metasurface unit consists of a metallic inner ring embedded in vanadium oxide and a vanadium oxide outer ring, state switching by thermal control of vanadium oxide and a change in the frequency of the incident wave. Based on the switchable phase distribution, we designed a focusing vortex beam generator with adjustable focal lengths through simulation. Based on the switching CD capability, we simulate its mode switching in near-field imaging using numerical simulation, and innovatively propose an optical encryption method. Utilizing the chiral property, we also designed dual-channel switchable holographic imaging in the same frequency band, which combined with the state change of VO2 can realize a total of 4 holograms switching. Our proposed metasurface is expected to provide new ideas for the study of optical encryption and wavefront modulation of dynamics.
Light-driven phase transition of diffractive optical elements based on liquid crystal elastomers
Authors: Chen Lei , Liu Jianxun , Cheng Ming , Wang Zhenming , Cai Wenfeng , Ma Zongjun , Bai Ziyan , Kong Delai , Cen Mengjia , Liu Yan Jun
Published: March 2024

Diffractive optical element is advantageous for miniaturization, arraying and integration of optical systems. They have been widely used in beam shaping, diffractive imaging, generating beam arrays, spectral optimization and other aspects. Currently, the vast majority of diffractive optics are not tunable. This limits the applicability and functionality of these devices. Here we report a tunable diffractive optical element controlled by light in the visible band. The diffractive optical element consists of a square gold microarray deposited on a deformable substrate. The substrate is made of a liquid crystal elastomer. When pumped by a 532 nm laser, the substrate is deformed to change the crystal lattice. This changes the far-field diffraction pattern of the device. The proposed concept establishes a light-controlled soft platform with great potential for tunable/reconfigurable photonic devices, such as filters, couplers, holograms and structural color displays.
Terahertz-triggered ultrafast nonlinear optical activities in two-dimensional centrosymmetric PtSe2
Authors: Chen Xin , Sang Jianhua , Wang Kang , Zheng Zhuorui , Fang Yifei , Wang Jun , Wu Xiaojun , Song Liwei , Tian Ye , Leng Yuxin , Li Ruxin
Published: March 2024

The nonlinear mechanisms of polarization and optical fields can induce extensive responses in materials. In this study, we report on two kinds of nonlinear mechanisms in the topological semimetal PtSe2 crystal under the excitation of intense terahertz (THz) pulses, which are manipulated by the real and imaginary parts of the nonlinear susceptibility of PtSe2. Regarding the real part, the broken inversion symmetry of PtSe2 is achieved through a THz-electric-field polarization approach, which is characterized by second harmonic generation (SHG) measurements. The transient THz-laser-induced SHG signal occurs within 100 fs and recombines to the equilibrium state within 1 ps, along with a high signal-to-noise ratio (∼51 dB) and a high on/off ratio (∼102). Regarding the imaginary part, a nonlinear absorption change can be generated in the media. We reveal a THz-induced absorption enhancement in PtSe2 via nonlinear transmittance measurements, and the sheet conductivity can be modulated up to 42% by THz electric fields in our experiment. Therefore, the THz-induced ultrafast nonlinear photoresponse reveals the application potential of PtSe2 in photonic and optoelectronic devices in the THz technology.
Year-long optical time scale with sub-nanosecond capabilities
Authors: Formichella Valerio , Signorile Giovanna , Thai Tung Thanh , Galleani Lorenzo , Pizzocaro Marco , Goti Irene , Condio Stefano , Clivati Cecilia , Risaro Matias , Levi Filippo , Calonico Davide , Sesia Ilaria
Published: March 2024

An atomic time scale is a method for marking events and the passage of time by using atomic frequency standards. Thanks to the superior performance of atomic clocks based on optical transitions, time scales generated with optical clocks have the potential to be more accurate and stable than those based on microwave clocks. In this work, we demonstrate an experimental optical time scale based on the INRiM Yb optical lattice clock and a hydrogen maser as a flywheel oscillator, showing sub-nanosecond accuracy over months-long periods and nanosecond accuracy over a 1-year period. The obtained results show that optical time scales have competitive performances even when the optical clock has a limited and non-uniformly distributed up-time. Consequently, we are working to include the Yb clock within the ensemble of clocks routinely used for the generation of the Italian time scale. Furthermore, these results represent a crucial step towards the future redefinition of the second of the International System of Units based on an optical transition.
Optical trapping-enhanced probes designed by a deep learning approach
Authors: Peng Miao , Xiao Guangzong , Chen Xinlin , Du Te , Kuang Tengfang , Han Xiang , Xiong Wei , Zhu Gangyi , Yang Junbo , Tan Zhongqi , Yang Kaiyong , Luo Hui
Published: March 2024

Realizing optical trapping enhancement is crucial in biomedicine, fundamental physics, and precision measurement. Taking the metamaterials with artificially engineered permittivity as photonic force probes in optical tweezers will offer unprecedented opportunities for optical trap enhancement. However, it usually involves multi-parameter optimization and requires lengthy calculations; thereby few studies remain despite decades of research on optical tweezers. Here, we introduce a deep learning (DL) model to attack this problem. The DL model can efficiently predict the maximum axial optical stiffness of Si/Si3N4 (SSN) multilayer metamaterial nanoparticles and reduce the design duration by about one order of magnitude. We experimentally demonstrate that the designed SSN nanoparticles show more than twofold and fivefold improvement in the lateral ( k
x
and k
y
) and the axial ( k
z
) optical trap stiffness on the high refractive index amorphous TiO2 microsphere. Incorporating the DL model in optical manipulation systems will expedite the design and optimization processes, providing a means for developing various photonic force probes with specialized functional behaviors.
Effects of time management interventions on mental health and wellbeing factors: A protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Young Anna Navin , Bourke Aoife , Foley Sarah , Di Blasi Zelda
Published: March 2024

Background

Poor employee mental health and wellbeing are highly prevalent and costly. Time-related factors such as work intensification and perceptions of time poverty or pressure pose risks to employee health and wellbeing. While reviews suggest that there are positive associations between time management behavior and wellbeing, there is limited rigorous and systematic research examining the effectiveness of time management interventions on wellbeing in the workplace. A thorough review is needed to synthesize time management interventions and their effectiveness to promote employee mental health and wellbeing.

Method

A systematic search will be conducted using the following databases: PsychINFO via OVID (1806-Present), Web of Science, Scopus via Elsevier (1976-Present), Academic Search Complete (EBSCO), Cochrane Library via Wiley (1992-Present), and MEDLINE via OVID (1946-Present). The review will include experimental and quasi-experimental studies that evaluate the effects of time management interventions on wellbeing outcomes on healthy adults in a workplace context. Only studies in English will be included. Two authors will independently perform the literature search, record screening, data extraction, and quality assessment of each study included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Data will be critically appraised using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tools. Depending on the data, a meta-analysis or a narrative synthesis will be conducted. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed in the development of this protocol. The protocol has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD4202125715).

Discussion

This review will provide systematic evidence on the effects of time management interventions on wellbeing outcomes in the workplace. It will contribute to our understanding of how time management approaches may help to address growing concerns for employee mental health and wellbeing.
An estimation method for sensor faults based on observer in interconnected systems
Authors: Sun Yanxiu , Li Hong
Published: March 2024

In this research, a class of nonlinear interconnected systems with sensor faults were investigated and an estimation method was proposed for system sensor faults based on the theory of system state reconstruction. Considering sensor fault vectors in nonlinear interconnected systems, this method constructed a generalized nonlinear interconnected system, whose state was designed by augmenting the original system state and fault vectors, which provides a foundation for fault estimation of nonlinear interconnected systems. An augmented observer was developed by equivalent transformation of generalized interconnected system, so as to realize robust estimations of sensor faults in interconnected systems. This estimation method took into account the effect of external disturbance of the system on fault estimation and estimated the convergence speed of error system; the developed method also considered the convenience of solving the gain matrix of the augmented observer, which was beneficial to the realization of sensor fault estimation in interconnected system. The sensor estimation method proposed in the paper has the advantages of robustness in fault estimation,rapidity in error convergence, and convenience in solving the gain matrix. Finally, the state and sensor fault estimation errors of two interconnected systems can both approach 0 within 10 seconds, thus achieving the purpose of fault estimation. Two simulation experiments verified the effectiveness of the proposed fault estimation method and provided a reference for the fault estimation method of nonlinear interconnected systems with disturbance.
A DNA barcode library of Austrian geometridae (Lepidoptera) reveals high potential for DNA-based species identification
Authors: Schattanek-Wiesmair Benjamin , Huemer Peter , Wieser Christian , Stark Wolfgang , Hausmann Axel , Koblmüller Stephan , Sefc Kristina M.
Published: March 2024

Situated in the Eastern section of the European Alps, Austria encompasses a great diversity of different habitat types, ranging from alpine to lowland Pannonian ecosystems, and a correspondingly high level of species diversity, some of which has been addressed in various DNA barcoding projects. Here, we report a DNA barcode library of all the 476 species of Geometridae (Lepidoptera) that have been recorded in Austria. As far as possible, species were sampled from different Austrian regions in order to capture intraspecific genetic variation. In total, 2500 DNA barcode sequences, representing 438 species, were generated in this study. For complete coverage of Austrian geometrid species in the subsequent analyses, the dataset was supplemented with DNA barcodes from specimens of non-Austrian origin. Species delimitations by ASAP, BIN and bPTP methods yielded 465, 510 and 948 molecular operational taxonomic units, respectively. Congruency of BIN and ASAP partitions with morphospecies assignments was reasonably high (85% of morphospecies in unique partitions), whereas bPTP appeared to overestimate the number of taxonomic units. The study furthermore identified taxonomically relevant cases of morphospecies splitting and sharing in the molecular partitions. We conclude that DNA barcoding and sequence analysis revealed a high potential for accurate DNA-based identification of the Austrian Geometridae species. Additionally, the study provides an updated checklist of the geometrid moths of Austria.
Health status of transgender people globally: A systematic review of research on disease burden and correlates
Authors: Scheim Ayden I. , Rich Ashleigh J. , Zubizarreta Dougie , Malik Mannat , Baker Kellan E. , Restar Arjee J. , van der Merwe Leigh Ann , Wang June , Beebe Bianca , Ridgeway Kathleen , Baral Stefan D. , Poteat Tonia , Reisner Sari L.
Published: March 2024

Background and objectives

Transgender and gender diverse (trans) health research has grown rapidly, highlighting the need to characterize the scientific evidence base. We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed research on disease burden and correlates in trans adolescents and adults over a 20-month period to identify knowledge gaps and assess methodological characteristics including measurement of gender identity, community engagement, and study quality.

Data sources, eligibility criteria, and synthesis methods

We searched seven databases using terms related to (a) transgender populations and (b) health or disease. Eligible studies were in English, French, or Spanish and reported original quantitative data on mental health or substance use conditions, infectious diseases, or non-communicable conditions in at least 25 trans individuals aged 15+. Quality assessment was performed in duplicate on a 10% sample of articles and findings were summarized using narrative synthesis.

Results

The 328 included studies were conducted in 45 countries, with most from North America (54%) and limited research from South Asia (3%), Sub-Saharan Africa (3%), and the Middle East and North Africa (2%). Most studies used cross-sectional designs (73%) and convenience sampling (65%). Only 30% of studies reported any form of community engagement. Mental health and substance use disorders were the most studied area (77% of studies) and non-communicable conditions the least (16%). Available data indicated that trans populations experience high disease burden with considerable heterogeneity within and across settings. Of 39 articles assessed for quality, 80% were rated as fair, 18% as poor, and 3% as good quality.

Conclusions and implications

Geographic, gender-specific, and topical gaps remain in trans health, but we found more research from African countries, with transmasculine people, and on non-communicable conditions than previous syntheses. Areas for growth in trans health research include community engagement, non-binary health, chronic and age-related conditions, and health determinants.

Registration

PROSPERO CRD42021234043.
Characterizing major depressive disorder and substance use disorder using heatmaps and variable interactions: The utility of operant behavior and brain structure relationships
Authors: Vike Nicole L. , Bari Sumra , Kim Byoung Woo , Katsaggelos Aggelos K. , Blood Anne J. , Breiter Hans C. ,   on behalf of the Massachusetts General Hospital Phenotype Genotype Project
Published: March 2024

Background

Rates of depression and addiction have risen drastically over the past decade, but the lack of integrative techniques remains a barrier to accurate diagnoses of these mental illnesses. Changes in reward/aversion behavior and corresponding brain structures have been identified in those with major depressive disorder (MDD) and cocaine-dependence polysubstance abuse disorder (CD). Assessment of statistical interactions between computational behavior and brain structure may quantitatively segregate MDD and CD.

Methods

Here, 111 participants [40 controls (CTRL), 25 MDD, 46 CD] underwent structural brain MRI and completed an operant keypress task to produce computational judgment metrics. Three analyses were performed: (1) linear regression to evaluate groupwise (CTRL v. MDD v. CD) differences in structure-behavior associations, (2) qualitative and quantitative heatmap assessment of structure-behavior association patterns, and (3) the k-nearest neighbor machine learning approach using brain structure and keypress variable inputs to discriminate groups.

Results

This study yielded three primary findings. First, CTRL, MDD, and CD participants had distinct structure-behavior linear relationships, with only 7.8% of associations overlapping between any two groups. Second, the three groups had statistically distinct slopes and qualitatively distinct association patterns. Third, a machine learning approach could discriminate between CTRL and CD, but not MDD participants.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that variable interactions between computational behavior and brain structure, and the patterns of these interactions, segregate MDD and CD. This work raises the hypothesis that analysis of interactions between operant tasks and structural neuroimaging might aide in the objective classification of MDD, CD and other mental health conditions.
Affectation of COVID-19 pandemic on the use and abundance of wild resources in Tabasco, Mexico: A qualitative assessment
Authors: Martínez-Sánchez José Luis , Zequeira Larios Carolina , Hernandez Ramirez Florisel
Published: March 2024

Southern Mexico is particularly rich in natural resources, yet unemployment has risen to 8% during the COVID-19 pandemic. The effect of the pandemic on the use and abundance of Tabasco’s wild resources was examined through personal surveys. By using Microsoft Forms® with cell phones 1,963 surveys were collected. Cronbach’s alpha, Z-value, and chi2 were calculated using the MAXQDA Analytics Pro program. A higher abundance of wild resources before the pandemic than today (57% vs. 11%) was observed. During the pandemic, people referred more to a high use (28%) of resources than to a low use (20%). This caused the low abundance or scarcity of wild products to be greater during the pandemic than before the pandemic (43% vs. 4%). Wild foods and timber were the most used products. The pandemic has produced a greater use of natural resources probably due to the high unemployment rate in rural areas. Future studies of wild products should address the relevant products in the locality and their even sampling. Finding suitable respondents is highly recommended.
CLEC11A methylation is correlated to AML subtypes and cytogenetic risk factors but not patient demographics
Authors: Swanson Allyson J. , Rogowski Victor J. , Bishop Jacob A. , Walker Dylan M. , Roxas Gina M. , Raimondi Stacey L.
Published: March 2024

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive and lethal cancer of the blood, which leads to the death of over 11,000 patients in the United States each year. Research on identifying, characterizing, and treating AML is crucial in the fight against this deadly disease. Recent studies have examined the role of CLEC11A in cancer, including AML. However, there have been conflicting reports related to tumor progression and survival. Because survival is based on a variety of factors, including classification of the tumor, genetic risk factors, and demographics, it is imperative that we determine what role CLEC11A may have in cancer survival. Therefore, utilizing data from the Genomic Data Commons, we analyzed CLEC11A methylation in 108 AML patients compared to FAB classification, cytogenetic risk factors, age, race, and gender. Our results show statistically significant correlations between methylation of CLEC11A and FAB classification as well as poor genetic risk factors. However, no difference was observed in CLEC11A methylation when compared to demographic data. Our results, matched with a known biological function of CLEC11A in early hematopoiesis, indicate that CLEC11A may be an important marker for AML diagnosis and prognosis and provide relevant data in the ongoing search for novel therapeutics to improve AML survival.
Como mensurar ecossistemas de empreendedorismo? Debate atual e desafios para o caso Brasileiro
Authors: Santos Guilherme de Oliveira , Monteiro Caio José das Chagas , Ribeiro Leonardo Santos , Araújo Yasmin Ventura
Published: March 2024

Objetivo: O artigo realiza uma revisão e uma sistematização das métricas propostas na literatura para a mensuração dos diferentes elementos dos ecossistemas de empreendedorismo e discussão acerca dos desafios para a mensuração de ecossistemas em nível regional e no caso brasileiro. Método: Revisão bibliográfica acerca das métricas propostas para Ecossistemas de Empreendedorismo e estatística descritiva para sistematizar os indicadores encontrados na literatura. Resultados: Ainda não há uniformidade na proposição de métricas. A maioria delas possui abordagem nacional e estão relacionadas com as dimensões políticas públicas e regulação, cultural e recursos. O esforço de aplicar a teoria sobre o caso brasileiro ainda é incipiente e é necessário construir métricas adequadas à realidade nacional. Contribuições teóricas/metodológicas: O artigo contribui com o debate acerca da mensuração de ecossistemas de empreendedorismo ao mostrar a diversidade de metodologias e indicadores propostos, as lacunas existentes, a necessidade de se pensar indicadores para o nível subnacional e as implicações para o caso brasileiro. Relevância/Originalidade: Apesar de seu potencial como ferramenta para políticas públicas, o conceito de EE e suas formas de mensuração ainda é pouco explorado pela comunidade acadêmica brasileira. O artigo pretende preencher essa lacuna e demonstrar que essa linha de pesquisa acadêmica é promissora.
La fracción no renovable de la biomasa como indicador de degradación forestal: Colombia como estudio de caso
Authors: Aristizábal Javier Dario , Gómez Alejandro
Published: March 2024

El monitoreo de la degradación forestal y su efecto en el perfil de emisiones del sector AFOLU constituye un reto significativo para países cuyos bosques tienen un papel crucial en el cumplimiento de sus objetivos climáticos. Recientemente, se han propuesto diversos métodos para la medición de esta actividad REDD+, entre las que se considera el uso de indicadores de apoyo como complemento a los enfoques tradicionales. Se propone el uso de la fracción no renovable de la biomasa como un potencial indicador del estado de la degradación de los bosques derivado del aprovechamiento insostenible de la biomasa leñosa. Se estableció que los bosques de las regiones del Caribe y el Pacífico presentaban degradación forestal, con efecto sobre las emisiones por deforestación y degradación forestal de Colombia en 2018. Se recomienda incorporar este indicador como herramienta de apoyo a los sistemas MRV del sector forestal.
Efectos de la fertilización sobre la producción de hojarasca de bosques post-minería del Chocó Biogeográfico
Authors: Quinto Mosquera Harley , Ibarguen Mosquera Sandra Milena , Cárdenas Victoria María Fernanda
Published: March 2024

Los nutrientes del suelo son considerados como factores limitantes de la productividad primaria neta (PPN) de los bosques tropicales. En este sentido, se ha planteado que, en etapas sucesionales iniciales, la PPN está limitada por N y, en etapas tardías, por P. Para probar dicha hipótesis, se midió la producción de hojarasca y el contenido de nutrientes en cinco tratamientos de fertilización (control, N, P, K y NPK) en bosques maduros y de post-minería del Chocó Biogeográfico. Se determinó que la producción de hojarasca post-minería fue mayor con la aplicación de N, K, y NPK, mientras que, en bosques maduros, fue mayor con la aplicación de N. Además, se registró un efecto significativo de la aplicación de N sobre el contenido foliar de N en post-minería. En conclusión, se evidenció una limitación nutricional múltiple de la PPN en etapas sucesionales tempranas, lo que denota un cambio en la limitación con la sucesión.
Biomass Storage Potential and Improvement in Soil Properties under Different Bamboo Plantations in the Terai Region of Central Himalaya
Authors: Sharma Nidhi , Kumar Dhirender , N.R. Sudhakara , Yeasin Mohammad , Juneja Bharti
Published: March 2024

This study evaluates six bamboo species, i.e., Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Bambusa nutans, Dendrocalamus asper, Bambusa bambos, Bambusa balcooa, and Dendrocalamus strictus, regarding their growth behavior, nutrient uptake, and effect on the soil properties of the Terai region. Various aboveground growth parameters exhibited significant variations with the maximum clump girth (8.60 m) and internodal length (35.37 cm) of B. nutans, which was also reported by the culm diameter (5.70 cm) of D. hamiltonii and the number of culms per clump (65) of D. strictus. The total aboveground biomass ranged from 51.14 Mg.ha-1 in D. asper to 362.56 Mg.ha-1 in D. hamiltonii. The most significant variation in soil properties was observed in the 0-40 cm soil layer. Under D. hamiltonii, the lowest soil bulk density (1.07 g.cm3; 1.21 g.cm3) and the maximum soil porosity (59.00%; 56.40%), soil organic carbon (1.54%; 0.72%), and available soil nitrogen (228.29 kg.ha-1; 173.73 kg.ha-1) were found the 0-40 and 40-80 cm soil layers. Furthermore, significant enhancements in soil microbial population were recorded. Thus, bamboo plantations have great potential to enhance the biomass generation and fertility quotient of fallow lands.