bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Poor outcome associated with mucormycosis in critically ill hematological patients: results of a multicenter study
Authors: Jestin Matthieu , Azoulay Elie , Pène Frédéric , Bruneel Fabrice , Mayaux Julien , Murgier Martin , Darmon Michael , Valade Sandrine
Published: February 2021

Background

Mucormycosis is an emerging fungal infection that may lead to multi-organ failure, especially in patients with hematological malignancies (HM). We performed a retrospective, cohort study, in five intensive care units (ICU) to assess the outcome of critically ill patients with HM and mucormycosis between 2002 and 2018. The secondary objective was to identify prognostic factors in this setting.

Results

Twenty-six patients were included with a median age of 38 years [IQR, 26–57]). Acute leukemia was the most frequent underlying disease (50%). Nine patients (35%) underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Nineteen patients (73%) had neutropenia and 16 (62%) had received steroids. The main reason for admission was acute respiratory failure (n = 14, 54%) followed by shock (n = 5 19%). The median SOFA score at admission was 7 [5–8].

According to EORTC/MSG criteria, mucormycosis was "proven" in 14 patients (54%), "probable" in 5 (19%) and “possible” in 7 (27%) in whom diagnosis was made by qPCR.RhizopusandMucorwere the most frequent documented species. Seven patients (27%) had concurrentAspergillusinfection. Mucormycosis was diagnosed 1 day [−4 to + 6] after ICU admission. Sixteen patients (62%) had pulmonary involvement and ten (38%) rhino-cerebral involvement. Infection was disseminated in eight patients (31%). Twenty-two patients (85%) were treated with liposomal amphotericin B; 12 (46%) received antifungal combination including posaconazole in 7. Eight patients (31%) underwent curative surgery. Twenty-one patients (81%) required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), 18 (69%) vasopressors, and 9 (35%) renal replacement therapy. ICU and hospital mortality rates were 77% and 88%, respectively. The median overall survival was 9 days [3–22]. IMV was strongly associated with ICU mortality (p < 0.001) Three variables were associated with day 90 mortality in a Cox model including allogeneic SCT (HR 4.84 [95% CI 1.64–14.32]), SOFA score (1.19 [1.02–1.39]) and dual therapy (3.02 [1.18–7.72]).

Conclusions

Mucormycosis is associated with a high mortality rate in patients with HM, especially in allogeneic SCT recipients. Benefit of ICU management in these patients should be assessed before admission and strategies aiming to improve these patients’ outcome are urgently needed.
An SIR epidemic model for COVID-19 spread with fuzzy parameter: the case of Indonesia
Authors: Abdy Muhammad , Side Syafruddin , Annas Suwardi , Nur Wahyuddin , Sanusi Wahidah
Published: February 2021

The aim of this research is to construct an SIR model for COVID-19 with fuzzy parameters. The SIR model is constructed by considering the factors of vaccination, treatment, obedience in implementing health protocols, and the corona virus-load. Parameters of the infection rate, recovery rate, and death rate due to COVID-19 are constructed as a fuzzy number, and their membership functions are used in the model as fuzzy parameters. The model analysis uses the generation matrix method to obtain the basic reproduction number and the stability of the model’s equilibrium points. Simulation results show that differences in corona virus-loads will also cause differences in the transmission of COVID-19. Likewise, the factors of vaccination and obedience in implementing health protocols have the same effect in slowing or stopping the transmission of COVID-19 in Indonesia.
Treatment of eating disorders in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: a case series
Authors: Yaffa Serur , Adi Enoch-Levy , Itai Pessach , Marit Joffe-Milstein , Doron Gothelf , Daniel Stein
Published: February 2021

Background

Eating disorders (EDs) are among the most difficult psychiatric disorders to treat in normal conditions. They are likely even more difficult to manage in at-risk conditions such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently there is limited evidence about the particular needs and recommended treatment of adolescents with EDs during the COVID-19 outbreak, in particular regarding the use of telemedicine and the involvement of the family in long distance-treatment.

Aims

We sought to discuss the advantages and problems associated with the use of multi-professional long-distance telemedicine treatment in the management of adolescents with EDs and their families during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Methods

We gathered data about the treatment of adolescents with EDs in our pediatric ED-treatment center in Israel during the COVID-19 outbreak in the first 10 months of 2020, and compared it to the respective period in the past five years (2015–2019). Second, we described the management of four young females with anorexia nervosa (AN), treated in the ambulatory, daycare and inpatient facilities of our center during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings

Slightly less patients were treated in our center during the COVID-19 pandemic than in the respective period in the past five years. These patients received at that time considerably more treatment sessions from all treatment providers (psychiatrists, clinical nutritionists and psychotherapists). This was related, in part, to the extensive use of telemedicine during that period (more than as third of all sessions were carried out with telemedicine in comparison to no use of long-distance treatment in the previous years). The condition of the four adolescents with AN was compromised at the start of the COVID-19 quarantine. The use of multi-disciplinary long-distance telemedicine treatment resulted in an improvement in the condition in three of the four adolescents, living in well-organized families, with the motivation and ability to adjust to the new conditions, but not in one adolescent whose family experienced more problems. These families might require the use of face-to-face interventions even during pandemic conditions.

Conclusion

The choice of the mode of treatment for adolescents with EDs during pandemic times (telemedicine vs. face-to-face) should consider the functioning of the family.
Epistaxis first-aid management: A needs assessment among healthcare providers
Authors: Sowerby Leigh , Rajakumar Chandheeb , Davis Matthew , Rotenberg Brian
Published: February 2021

Purpose

To perform a needs assessment of epistaxis first-aid measures practiced by family physicians and Emergency Department (ED) staff in London, Ontario, Canada.

Methods

Paper-based multiple-choice questionnaires were distributed to participants. Participant recruitment was conducted in two parts: 1) 28 Emergency Medicine (EM) attending physicians, 21 resident physicians training in the ED, and 26 ED nurses were surveyed while on duty in the ED; 2) 27 family physicians providing walk-in or urgent care and attending a continuing medical education (CME) event were also surveyed. Respondents were asked to identify where to apply compression to the nose and how patients should be positioned during acute epistaxis.

Results

Regarding where to apply compression, 19% of family physicians, 43% of EM physicians, 24% of residents, and 8% of ED nurses responded correctly. Regarding positioning, all groups responded similarly with 54–62% responding correctly. Twenty-one percent of emergency physicians, 19% of residents, 11% of family physicians, and 4% of nurses responded correctly to both questions.

Conclusions

Most family physicians, EM attending physicians, ED nurses, and residents could not correctly identify basic first-aid measures for acute epistaxis. This study identifies an area where knowledge is lacking and the potential for improvement in patient management and education.

Grapical Abstract
The Mag.num core field model as a parent for IGRF-13, and the recent evolution of the South Atlantic Anomaly
Authors: Rother M. , Korte M. , Morschhauser A. , Vervelidou F. , Matzka J. , Stolle C.
Published: February 2021

We present the GFZ candidate field models for the $$13{\mathrm{th}}$$

13
th

 Generation International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF-13). These candidates were derived from the geomagnetic core field model, which is constrained by Swarm satellite and ground observatory data from November 2013 to August 2019. Data were selected from magnetically quiet periods, and the model parameters have been obtained using an iteratively reweighted inversion scheme approximating a robust modified Huber norm as a measure of misfit. The root mean square misfit of the model to Swarm and observatory data is in the order of 3–5 nT for mid and low latitudes, with a maximum of 44 nT for the satellite east component data at high latitudes. The time-varying core field is described by order 6 splines and spherical harmonic coefficients up to degree and order 20. We note that the temporal variation of the core field component of the model is strongly damped and shows a smooth secular variation that suits well for the IGRF, where secular variation is represented as constant over 5-year intervals. Further, the external field is parameterised by a slowly varying part and a more rapidly varying part controlled by magnetic activity and interplanetary magnetic field proxies. Additionally, the Euler angles of the magnetic field sensor orientation are co-estimated. A widely discussed feature of the geomagnetic field is the South Atlantic Anomaly, a zone of weak and decreasing field strength stretching from southern Africa over to South America. The IGRF and indicate that the anomaly has developed a second, less pronounced eastern minimum at Earth’s surface since 2007. We observe that while the strong western minimum continues to drift westwards, the less pronounced eastern minimum currently drifts eastward at Earth’s surface. This does not seem to be linked to any eastward motion at the core–mantle boundary, but rather to intensity changes of westward drifting flux patches contributing to the observed surface field. Also, we report a sudden change in the secular variation measured at two South Atlantic observatories around 2015.0, which occurred shortly after the well-known jerk of 2014.0.
Ruminal resistome of dairy cattle is individualized and the resistotypes are associated with milking traits
Authors: Xue Ming-Yuan , Xie Yun-Yi , Zhong Yi-Fan , Liu Jian-Xin , Guan Le Luo , Sun Hui-Zeng
Published: February 2021

Background

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most urgent threat to global public health, as it can lead to high morbidity, mortality, and medical costs for humans and livestock animals. In ruminants, the rumen microbiome carries a large number of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), which could disseminate to the environment through saliva, or through the flow of rumen microbial biomass to the hindgut and released through feces. The occurrence and distribution of ARGs in rumen microbes has been reported, revealing the effects of external stimuli (e.g., antimicrobial administrations and diet ingredients) on the antimicrobial resistance in the rumen. However, the host effect on the ruminal resistome and their interactions remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the ruminal resistome and its relationship with host feed intake and milk protein yield using metagenomic sequencing.

Results

The ruminal resistome conferred resistance to 26 classes of antimicrobials, with genes encoding resistance to tetracycline being the most predominant. The ARG-containing contigs were assigned to bacterial taxonomy, and the majority of highly abundant bacterial genera were resistant to at least one antimicrobial, while the abundances of ARG-containing bacterial genera showed distinct variations. Although the ruminal resistome is not co-varied with host feed intake, it could be potentially linked to milk protein yield in dairy cows. Results showed that host feed intake did not affect the alpha or beta diversity of the ruminal resistome or the abundances of ARGs, while the Shannon index (R2 = 0.63, P < 0.01) and richness (R2 = 0.67, P < 0.01) of the ruminal resistome were highly correlated with milk protein yield. A total of 128 significantly different ARGs (FDR < 0.05) were identified in the high- and low-milk protein yield dairy cows. We found four ruminal resistotypes that are driven by specific ARGs and associated with milk protein yield. Particularly, cows with low milk protein yield are classified into the same ruminal resistotype and featured by high-abundance ARGs, including mfd and sav1866.

Conclusions

The current study uncovered the prevalence of ARGs in the rumen of a cohort of lactating dairy cows. The ruminal resistome is not co-varied with host feed intake, while it could be potentially linked to milk protein yield in dairy cows. Our results provide fundamental knowledge on the prevalence, mechanisms and impact factors of antimicrobial resistance in dairy cattle and are important for both the dairy industry and other food animal antimicrobial resistance control strategies.
Implementation of a Multidisciplinary Expert Testicular Cancer Tumor Board Across a Large Integrated Healthcare Delivery System Via Early Case Ascertainment
Authors: Harzstark Andrea L. , Altschuler Andrea , Amsden Laura B. , Alavi Mubarika , Liu Liyan , Presti Joseph C. , Brenman Leslie Manace , Walker Lauren C. , Ryken Rene R. , De Mucha Flores Aileen C. , Nichols Craig , Herrinton Lisa J.
Published: February 2021

PURPOSE

In 2016, Kaiser Permanente Northern California began regionalizing testicular cancer care using population-based tumor board review. This mixed methods evaluation describes implementation outcomes and learnings.

METHODS

We conducted in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, administered surveys to local oncologists and urologists, and used clinical data to evaluate changes in care delivery during 2015-2018.

RESULTS

An average of 135 patients with testicular cancer were diagnosed each year. Interviews with 16 key stakeholders provided several insights. Implementation resulted in high levels of satisfaction, was dependent on leadership and staff at various levels, and required technology and consulting solutions aligned to user agreements and clinical workflows. Of 123 local oncologists and urologists who completed surveys, 97% understood why care was regionalized and 89% agreed that tumor board review improved treatment decisions. Among 177 patients with stage I seminoma, the percentage appropriately observed rather than treated with adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy increased from 48% (95% CI, 35 to 62) in 2015 to 87% (75 to 99) in 2018. Review altered care based on pathology and radiology re-review in 14.5 % of cases.

CONCLUSION

Regionalization was feasible and effective.
Awareness and Acceptability of Breast Reconstruction Among Women With Breast Cancer: A Prospective Survey
Authors: Nair Nita S. , Penumadu Prasanth , Yadav Prabha , Sethi Nitin , Kohli Pavneet S. , Shankhdhar Vinaykant , Jaiswal Dushyant , Parmar Vani , Hawaldar Rohini W. , Badwe Rajendra A.
Published: February 2021

PURPOSE

Quality of life has become an integral aspect of the management of breast cancer. Many women still need to undergo a modified radical mastectomy (MRM). Factors affecting the choice a woman makes to undergo breast reconstruction (BR) are unclear and are hypothesized to be influenced by socioeconomic factors. We conducted a survey to evaluate the awareness and acceptability of BR among women with breast cancer at our institution.

METHODS

A novel questionnaire was designed and served to 3 groups of women: planned for MRM, follow up (FU) post-MRM, and FU post breast-conserving surgery.

RESULTS

Responses were analyzed from 492 women. Of these, 280 (56.91%) were planned for MRM and 212 (43.08%) women were on FU. Almost 45% women were older than 50 years of age, and literacy rate was 87.6%. More than 70% were homemakers and 15 women (3%) were unmarried. The aspects evaluating awareness of BR suggested that 251 (51.01%) women had knowledge about BR. Major source of information was the surgeon (45.81%) and media (32.87%). About 80% women on FU post-MRM did not want reconstruction, and 55% did not opt for BR as they had coped with the mastectomy and did not feel the need for BR. Only 6% cited family or financial reasons and 10% cited recurrence concerns. Among women planned for surgery, 65.71% had not considered BR. When questioned, 25 (12.88%) felt influenced by cost, 102 (52.58%) felt they did not need it, and 20 (10.31%) were worried it would affect treatment.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows high awareness regarding BR, but only 27.89% women opt for BR independent of economic issues. We recommend all patients should be counseled about the reconstructive options when their MRM is planned.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Oncologists: Results of an International Study
Authors: Jazieh Abdul Rahman , Coutinho Anelisa K. , Bensalem Assia A. , Alsharm Abdullah A. , Errihani Hassan , Mula-Hussain Layth , Al-Sukhun Sana , Sampaio-Filho Carlos A. , Khorshid Ola M. R. , De Guzman Roselle B. , Alkaiyat Mohammad O. , Jradi Hoda A.
Published: February 2021

PURPOSE

As frontline workers facing the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers should be well-prepared to fight the disease and prevent harm to their patients and themselves. Our study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of oncologists in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on them.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated questionnaire disseminated to oncologists by SurveyMonkey. The tool had 42 questions that captured participants’ knowledge, attitude, and practice; their experiences; and the pandemic’s impact on various aspects of their lives. Participants from Middle East and North African countries, Brazil, and the Philippines completed the electronic survey between April 24 and May 15, 2020.

RESULTS

Of the 1,010 physicians who participated in the study, 54.75% were male and 64.95% were medical or clinical oncologists. The level of knowledge regarding the prevention and transmission of the virus was good in 52% of participants. The majority (92%) were worried about contracting the virus either extremely (30%) or mildly (62%), and 84.85% were worried about transmitting the virus to their families. Approximately 76.93% reported they would take the COVID 19 vaccine once available, with oncologists practicing in Brazil having the highest odds ratio of intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine (odds ratio, 11.8, 95% CI, 5.96 to 23.38, P < .001). Participants reported a negative impact of the pandemic on relations with coworkers (15.84%), relations with family (27.84%), their emotional and mental well-being (48.51%), research productivity (34.26%), and financial income (52.28%).

CONCLUSION

The COVID-19 pandemic has adverse effects on various personal and professional aspects of oncologists’ lives. Interventions should be implemented to mitigate the negative impact and prepare oncologists to manage future crises with more efficiency and resilience.
Screening for Palliative Care Needs: Pilot Data From German Comprehensive Cancer Centers
Authors: Roch Carmen , Heckel Maria , van Oorschot Birgitt , Alt-Epping Bernd , Tewes Mitra
Published: February 2021

PURPOSE:

Guidelines recommend several screening tools to identify patients with complex palliative needs. This diversity and lack of structural recommendations offer a wide scope for implementing screening. Against this background, the current status of implementation at German Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCCs) funded by the German Cancer Aid has not yet been investigated.

METHODS:

e-mail survey of the 17 hospital sites of the 13 CCCs. The questionnaire asked for structural characteristics of the centers as well as preconditions of the screening process. Structurally established screening procedures (one item) and standardized workflows, modes of performance, screening tools (four items), modes of training how to screen, and responsibilities (two items) were assessed.

RESULTS:

In a 2-month period, 15 hospital sites responded; seven hospital sites conducted a palliative care needs (PCN) screening. Only one hospital site carried out PCN screening in almost all oncology departments, but only with the distress thermometer. Other hospital sites determined palliative needs by assessing physical symptoms using the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale or the Minimal Documentation System, and two hospital sites combined tools to determine both physical and psychological stress. The type of screening varied from paper-pencil–based to tablet computer–based documentation. The main barriers to implementation were identified as a lack of human resources and a lack of structural conditions.

CONCLUSION:

There is a lack of consensus among palliative care specialists and oncologists in the CCCs supported by the German Cancer Aid in PCN screening as well as of structured guidelines and the professional association. Structural requirements should be adapted to these needs, which include both technical and human resources. A combined psycho-oncologic and palliative care screening might help to formulate best practice recommendations.
Associations of Serum Cortisol with Cardiovascular Risk and Mortality in Patients Referred to Coronary Angiography
Authors: Pilz Stefan , Theiler-Schwetz Verena , Trummer Christian , Keppel Martin H , Grübler Martin R , Verheyen Nicolas , Odler Balazs , Meinitzer Andreas , Voelkl Jakob , März Winfried
Published: February 2021

Context

Serum cortisol may be associated with cardiovascular risk factors and mortality in patients undergoing coronary angiography, but previous data on this topic are limited and controversial.

Objective

We evaluated whether morning serum cortisol is associated with cardiovascular risk factors, lymphocyte subtypes, and mortality.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study performed at a tertiary care centre in south-west Germany between 1997 and 2000. We included 3052 study participants who underwent coronary angiography. The primary outcome measures were cardiovascular risk factors, lymphocyte subtypes, and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.

Results

Serum cortisol was associated with an adverse cardiovascular risk profile, but there was no significant association with coronary artery disease or acute coronary syndrome. In a subsample of 2107 participants, serum cortisol was positively associated with certain lymphocyte subsets, including CD16+CD56+ (natural killer) cells (P < 0.001). Comparing the fourth versus the first serum cortisol quartile, the crude Cox proportional hazard ratios (with 95% CIs) were 1.22 (1.00-1.47) for all-cause and 1.32 (1.04-1.67) for cardiovascular mortality, respectively. After adjustments for various cardiovascular risk factors, these associations were attenuated to 0.93 (0.76-1.14) for all-cause, and 0.97 (0.76-1.25) for cardiovascular mortality, respectively.

Conclusions

Despite significant associations with classic cardiovascular risk factors and natural killer cells, serum cortisol was not a significant and independent predictor of mortality in patients referred to coronary angiography. These findings might reflect that adverse cardiovascular effects of cortisol could be counterbalanced by some cardiovascular protective actions.
LAMA: automated image analysis for the developmental phenotyping of mouse embryos
Authors: Horner Neil R. , Venkataraman Shanmugasundaram , Armit Chris , Casero Ramón , Brown James M. , Wong Michael D. , van Eede Matthijs C. , Henkelman R. Mark , Johnson Sara , Teboul Lydia , Wells Sara , Brown Steve D. , Westerberg Henrik , Mallon Ann-Marie
Published: February 2021

Advanced 3D imaging modalities, such as micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), have been incorporated into the high-throughput embryo pipeline of the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC). This project generates large volumes of raw data that cannot be immediately exploited without significant resources of personnel and expertise. Thus, rapid automated annotation is crucial to ensure that 3D imaging data can be integrated with other multi-dimensional phenotyping data. We present an automated computational mouse embryo phenotyping pipeline that harnesses the large amount of wild-type control data available in the IMPC embryo pipeline in order to address issues of low mutant sample number as well as incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity. We also investigate the effect of developmental substage on automated phenotyping results. Designed primarily for developmental biologists, our software performs image pre-processing, registration, statistical analysis and segmentation of embryo images. We also present a novel anatomical E14.5 embryo atlas average and, using it with LAMA, show that we can uncover known and novel dysmorphology from two IMPC knockout lines.
Role of in-phase and out-of-phase chemical shift MRI in differentiation of non-neoplastic versus neoplastic benign and malignant marrow lesions
Authors: van Vucht Niels , Santiago Rodney , Pressney Ian , Saifuddin Asif
Published: February 2021

Objective:

To determine its ability of in-phase (IP) and out-of-phase (OOP) chemical shift imaging (CSI) to distinguish non-neoplastic marrow lesions, benign bone tumours and malignant bone tumours.

Methods:

CSI was introduced into our musculoskeletal tumour protocol in May 2018 to aid in characterisation of suspected bone tumours. The % signal intensity (SI) drop between IP and OOP sequences was calculated and compared to the final lesion diagnosis, which was classified as non-neoplastic (NN), benign neoplastic (BN) or malignant neoplastic (MN).

Results:

The study included 174 patients (84 males; 90 females: mean age 44.2 years, range 2–87 years). Based on either imaging features (n = 105) or histology (n = 69), 44 lesions (25.3%) were classified as NN, 66 (37.9%) as BN and 64 (36.8%) as MN. Mean % SI drop on OOP for NN lesions was 36.6%, for BN 3.19% and for MN 3.24% (p < 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and diagnostic accuracy of CSI for differentiating NN from neoplastic lesions were 65.9%, 94.6%, 80.6%, 89.1%% and 87.4% respectively, and for differentiating BN from MN were 9.1%, 98.4%, 85.7%, 51.2 and 53.1% respectively.

Conclusion:

CSI is accurate for differentiating non-neoplastic and neoplastic marrow lesions, but is of no value in differentiating malignant bone tumours from non-fat containing benign bone tumours.

Advances in knowledge:

CSI is of value for differentiating non-neoplastic marrow lesions from neoplastic lesions, but not for differentiating benign bone tumours from malignant bone tumours as has been previously reported.
Neuroanatomical MRI study: reference values for the measurements of brainstem, cerebellar vermis, and peduncles
Authors: Metwally Maha Ibrahim , Basha Mohammad Abd Alkhalik , AbdelHamid Ghada Adel , Nada Mohamad Gamal , Ali Reham Ramadan , frere Reem Abdel Fattah , Elshetry Al Shaimaa Fathi
Published: February 2021

Objectives:

To set age-specific normal reference values for brainstem, cerebellar vermis, and peduncles measurements and characterize values’ variations according to gender, age, and age by gender interaction.

Methods:

565 normal brain magnetic resonance examinations with normal anatomy and signal intensity of the supra- and infratentorial structures were categorized into six age groups (infant, child, adolescent, young adult, middle-age adult, and old aged adults). Patients with congenital malformations, gross pathology of the supra- or infratentorial brain, brain volume loss, developmental delay, metabolic disorders, and neuropsychological disorders (n = 2.839) were excluded. On midsagittal T  1 weighted and axial T  2 weighted images specific linear diameters and ratios of the brainstem, cerebellar vermis, and peduncles were attained. Two observers assessed a random sample of 100 subjects to evaluate the inter- and intraobserver reproducibility. Intraclass correlation coefficients, means ± standard deviation, one and two-way analysis of variance tests were used in the statistical analysis.

Results:

Good to excellent inter- and intraobserver measurements’ reproducibility were observed, except for the transverse diameter of the midbrain, the anteroposterior diameter of the medulla oblongata at the pontomedullary and cervicomedullary junctions, cerebellar vermis anteroposterior diameter, and thickness of the superior cerebellar peduncle. Age-specific mean values of the investigated measurements were established. A significant gender-related variation was recorded in the anteroposterior diameter of the basis pontis (p = 0.044), the anteroposterior diameter of the medulla oblongata at the cervicomedullary junction (p = 0.044), and cerebellar vermis height (p = 0.018). A significant age-related change was detected in all measurements except the tectal ratio. Age by gender interaction had a statistically significant effect on the tectal ratio, inferior, and middle cerebellar peduncles’ thickness (p = 0.001, 0.022, and 0.028, respectively).

Conclusion:

This study provides age-specific normal mean values for various linear dimensions and ratios of the posterior fossa structures with documentation of measurements’ variability according to gender, age, and their interaction.

Advances in knowledge:

It provides a valuable reference in the clinical practice for easier differentiation between physiological and pathological conditions of the posterior fossa structures especially various neurodegenerative diseases and congenital anomalies.
Assessing the Need for Educational Targets and Methodology Modifications when Learning English Online
Authors: Shpynova A. , Andreeva N.
Published: February 2021

The article considers the case of teaching a university course of English as a foreign language, namely a précis writing course, in spring 2020 under the circumstances of a rapid and mandatory switching to online education. The authors seek to identify whether it is necessary to change the educational targets initially set for traditional offline study if the course is delivered through digital technologies. The article highlights the main difficulties faced by university teachers and students, assesses communication capability in case of online education, and examines the efficiency of various academic activities inside the course.
Basic Model and Strategy of Ecotourism in the Belarusian Polesie
Authors: Devletov O. , Sazbandyan T. , Gvozdeva K.
Published: February 2021

Based on a systematic approach, the authors consider the problems of forming the basic model and strategy of ecotourism in the Belarusian Polesie in 2000-2010 and give an expert forecast of the industry's development for the period up to 2025. The article reveals the features of ecotourism development in the Western part of the Belarusian Polesie. It is shown that ensuring environmental stability in modern conditions is predetermined by the formation of the concept of the ecological framework of the territory. It is noted that the blocks of the ecological framework are largely able to perform tourist and recreational functions. In addition, the article considers the natural and cultural-historical prerequisites for the development of ecotourism in the Gomel region, assesses the current level of development of this type of tourism, and determines the directions for further development of ecotourism in the region.
Support Forums and Software Vendor’s Pricing Strategy
Authors: Dey Debabrata , Ghoshal Abhijeet , Lahiri Atanu
Published: February 2021

Practice and Policy Oriented Abstract
From Monetary to Nonmonetary Mechanism Design via Artificial Currencies
Authors: Gorokh Artur , Banerjee Siddhartha , Iyer Krishnamurthy
Published: February 2021

Nonmonetary mechanisms for repeated allocation and decision making are gaining widespread use in many real-world settings. Our aim in this work is to study the performance and incentive properties of simple mechanisms based on artificial currencies in such settings. To this end, we make the following contributions: For a general allocation setting, we provide two black-box approaches to convert any one-shot monetary mechanism to a dynamic nonmonetary mechanism using an artificial currency that simultaneously guarantees vanishing gains from nontruthful reporting over time and vanishing losses in performance. The two mechanisms trade off between their applicability and their computational and informational requirements. Furthermore, for settings with two agents, we show that a particular artificial currency mechanism also results in a vanishing price of anarchy.
Cultura Material do Japão no Período Kofun: um Panorama Introdutório
Authors: Nogueira Redditt Larissa Bianca
Published: February 2021

O período Kofun (300-700 EC), classificado como proto-histórico, é crucial para a compreensão do processo de formação do Estado Japonês. No presente artigo, buscar-se-á apresentar em termos introdutórios os principais elementos da cultura material deste período como foco em contextos funerários e ênfase nas variações temporais, compreendendo a cultura como algo dinâmico e não estático.
The genus Dolichandrone (Fenzl.) Seem. (Bignoniaceae) in Thailand
Authors: Boonthasak Weereesa , NGERNSAENGSARUAY CHATCHAI
Published: February 2021

Abstract. Boonthasak W, Ngernsaengsaruay C. 2021. The genus Dolichandrone (Fenzl.) Seem. (Bignoniaceae) in Thailand. Biodiversitas 22: 1120-1128. Morphological, anatomical, and palynological studies of the genus Dolichandrone (Bignoniaceae) Thailand were conducted. Three species, D. columnaris Santisuk, D. serrulata (Wall. ex DC.) Seem., and D. spathacea (L. f.) Seem. were investigated. Morphological descriptions, distributions and ecological information are provided. A key to the species based on morphological characters are leaflet margins, length of lower cylindric tube and upper campanulate tube of corolla, width of upper campanulate tube of corolla, winged seed, shape and characters of fruits, width of septum, characters and width of pseudoseptum. D. columnaris occurs in low-lying rice fields and marshlands only in the peninsular region. D. serrulata occurs in mixed deciduous forest and low-lying rice fields in the eastern, central and peninsular regions. D. spathacea occurs in edges of mangrove forest in the central, south-eastern and peninsular regions. A key to the species based on anatomical characters includes leaf type, number of rows of palisade cells, arrangement of axial parenchyma, and height of ray parenchyma. All pollen grains are similar and do not provide characters for identification within the genus Dolichandrone.
Place leadership and the role of the third sector and civil society
Authors: Potluka Oto , Sancino Alessandro , Diamond John , Rees James
Published: February 2021

Only relatively recently, place leadership has become an important debate in the leadership studies and public administration literatures. From a place leadership perspective, there is clearly a potential role for third sector organisations and the voluntary engagement that citizens can play for places through different activities, such as for example social innovation, public services provision, volunteering, civic engagement, advocacy, enhancement of the quality of life, strengthening of social bonds and social cohesion. However, the topic of civil society and third sector organisations is still neglected in research and public policy debates on place-based leadership. Our special issue aims at filling this gap.
Super achromatic wide-angle quarter-wave plates using multi-twist retarders
Authors: Li Lingshan , Escuti Michael J.
Published: February 2021

The achromaticity and wide-angle property of quarter-wave plates (QWPs) are crucial for the color uniformity and image resolution of the future displays such as virtual reality (VR) pancake lens and augmented reality (AR) waveguide/focusing systems. However, most reported achromatic wide-angle QWPs designs composed by stacks of different birefringent plates are too complicated with limited achromaticity and wide-angle performance. The multi-twist retarders (MTR) QWPs presented in previous work already showed its potential to achieve high achromaticity in RGB using one monolithic film in normal incidence, but the incompetent polarization control in blue-violet limits its application in LED-based polarization-sensitive AR/VR headsets. In this work, we theoretically investigate a new type of MTR QWPs achieving super achromaticity from violet to red with average ellipticity 43° and simultaneously maintaining wide-viewing angle up to ±45°, which enables a precise polarization control within the field-of-view (FOV) of current AV/VR headset. The new proposed MTR QWP is also reported to obtain average reflection luminance leakage 0.15~% and maximum leakage 0.23~%, making it a promising element to reduce polarization leakage and enhance image resolution in the next-generation displays.
Feature-based characterization and extraction of ripple errors over the large square aperture
Authors: Fei Wenhui , Zhao Lei , Bai Jian , Zhou Xiangdong , Hou Jing , Yan Hao , Wang Kaiwei
Published: February 2021

Freeform surfaces play an important role in modern optical systems with compactness and better performance. The fabrication tools tend to impart a structured signature on optical surfaces, called ripple errors, during the freeform surface manufacturing process. The description and extraction of ripple errors for freeform surface fabrication and testing have attracted extensive attention. In this paper, we develop a fast and accurate method to describe ripple errors for the large aperture based on Fourier model coupling. The polynomial expression is transformed into Fourier series form and surface errors are reconstructed by frequency feature extraction combining with the least square method. The high accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method for representing and filtering ripple errors consuming little computer memory are demonstrated using real experimental data. The proposed method offers a robust and powerful tool not only suitable for surface error characterization but also for image filtering and analysis.
Accurate fabrication of SNAP microresonators via a femtosecond laser with multidimensional optimized parameters
Authors: Yu Qi , Zhang Zhen , Shu Xuewen
Published: February 2021

Surface nanoscale axial photonics (SNAP) microresonators with nanoscale effective radius variations (ERVs) along the optical fiber axis can be fabricated by inscribing axially oriented lines inside the fiber with a femtosecond laser. Here, we propose the multi-dimensional fabrication parameter system for the femtosecond laser fabrication of SNAP devices and systematically investigate the relationships between the introduced ERV and the multidimensionally controllable fabrication parameters. Specifically, both the qualitative and quantitative processing principles are revealed. As a proof-of-principle, by multidimensionally optimizing the fabrication parameters, we realize a SNAP microresonator with the characteristics of both small axial size and maximal ERV. The achieved ERV is almost 5 times larger than the ERV achieved with the previous unoptimized method. Our work promotes the fs laser inscription technology to be a flexible and versatile approach for fabricating the SNAP devices with ultra-high precision, ultra-low loss and high robustness.
Shear deformation response of a holographic sensor based on elastic poly(MMA-co-LMA) photopolymer
Authors: Liu Hongpeng , Wei Mingzhao , Li Li , Wang Baohua , Yu Dan , Wang Weibo
Published: February 2021

A holographic sensor based on camphorquinon doped poly (methyl methacrylate-co-lauryl methacrylate) (poly (MMA-co-LMA)) elastic photopolymer is developed for characterizing the shear deformation of material. A shear angle and its transverse displacement, which are induced by a couple of shear stresses, are analyzed using a diffraction spectrum of a transmission holographic sensor. The dependence of the peak wavelength shift on the shear deformation presents a good linear relationship which provides a quantitative characterization means. The detectable maximum of the shear angle exceeds 26.1 deg, and the peak wavelength shift closes to 4.0 nm. The available sensitivity is better than 3.33 deg/0.5 nm (shear angle/wavelength shift) using a commercial spectrometer with 0.5 nm of resolution. Finally, the reversibility response of shear deformation further confirmed the practical applicability of the elastic polymer-based shear deformation sensor. The spectrum measurement of shear deformation provides a novel measurement means for the mechanical deformation of materials and expands the application of a holographic sensor.
Broadband fiber-based entangled photon-pair source at telecom O-band
Authors: Chen Changjia , Xu Calvin , Riazi Arash , Zhu Eric Y. , Gladyshev Alexey V. , Kazansky Peter G. , Qian Li
Published: February 2021

In this Letter, we report a polarization-entangled photon-pair source based on type-II spontaneous parametric downconversion at telecom O-band in periodically poled silica fiber (PPSF). The photon-pair source exhibits more than 130 nm (

∼

24

T
H
z

) emission bandwidth centered at 1306.6 nm. The broad emission spectrum results in a short biphoton correlation time, and we experimentally demonstrate a Hong–Ou–Mandel interference dip with a full width of 26.6 fs at half-maximum. Owing to the low birefringence of the PPSF, the biphotons generated from type-II SPDC are polarization-entangled over the entire emission bandwidth, with a measured fidelity to a maximally entangled state greater than 95.4%. The biphoton source provides the broadest bandwidth entangled biphotons at O-band to our knowledge.
MCVD-based GRIN-axicon for the generation of scalable Bessel–Gauss beams
Authors: Quémener Mireille , Grégoire Nicolas , Morency Steeve , Côté Daniel , Thibault Simon
Published: February 2021

In this Letter, we introduce a graded-index (GRIN)–lens combination named GRIN-axicon, which is a versatile component capable of generating high-quality scalable Bessel–Gauss beams. To the best of our knowledge, the GRIN-axicon is the only optical component that can be introduced in both larger-scale laboratory setups and miniaturized all-fiber optical setups, while having an easy control of the dimensioning of the generated focal line. We show that a GRIN lens with a hyperbolic secant refractive index profile with a sharp central dip and no ripples generates a Bessel–Gauss beam with a high-intensity central lobe when coupled to a simple lens. Such fabrication characteristics are very suitable for the modified chemical vapor deposition (MCVD) process and enable easy manufacturing of an adaptable component that can fit in any optical setup.
Rayleigh speckle-based wavemeter with high dynamic range and fast reference speckle establishment process assisted by optical frequency combs
Authors: Wan Yangyang , Fan Xinyu , Wang Shuai , Zhang Zhaopeng , Xu Bingxin , He Zuyuan
Published: February 2021

Compact speckle-based spectrometers that acquire lightwave wavelength from the speckle generated by turbid media are promising for high-resolution spectral analysis. For these devices, the reference establishment process is time consuming, and it is very difficult to obtain reference speckles covering a wide bandwidth with high resolution, which restricts the dynamic range in frequency (the ratio of bandwidth to resolution). In this Letter, we introduce optical frequency combs (OFCs) to the system to overcome these problems, which exist in the wavemeter based on Rayleigh speckle obtained from a single-mode fiber. In the experiment, the proposed wavemeter has a 1.5 nm bandwidth with 60 am resolution, covering a dynamic range in the frequency of

2
×

10
7

, and a fast reference speckle establishment process that takes only 0.9 ms. The proposed method assisted by OFCs is a good prospect for a more practical speckle-based wavemeter with higher dynamic ranges.
A mesoscopic simulator to uncover heterogeneity and evolutionary dynamics in tumors
Authors: Jiménez-Sánchez Juan , Martínez-Rubio Álvaro , Popov Anton , Pérez-Beteta Julián , Azimzade Youness , Molina-García David , Belmonte-Beitia Juan , Calvo Gabriel F. , Pérez-García Víctor M.
Published: February 2021

Increasingly complex in silico modeling approaches offer a way to simultaneously access cancerous processes at different spatio-temporal scales. High-level models, such as those based on partial differential equations, are computationally affordable and allow large tumor sizes and long temporal windows to be studied, but miss the discrete nature of many key underlying cellular processes. Individual-based approaches provide a much more detailed description of tumors, but have difficulties when trying to handle full-sized real cancers. Thus, there exists a trade-off between the integration of macroscopic and microscopic information, now widely available, and the ability to attain clinical tumor sizes. In this paper we put forward a stochastic mesoscopic simulation framework that incorporates key cellular processes during tumor progression while keeping computational costs to a minimum. Our framework captures a physical scale that allows both the incorporation of microscopic information, tracking the spatio-temporal emergence of tumor heterogeneity and the underlying evolutionary dynamics, and the reconstruction of clinically sized tumors from high-resolution medical imaging data, with the additional benefit of low computational cost. We illustrate the functionality of our modeling approach for the case of glioblastoma, a paradigm of tumor heterogeneity that remains extremely challenging in the clinical setting.
Neural signatures of arbitration between Pavlovian and instrumental action selection
Authors: Gershman Samuel J. , Guitart-Masip Marc , Cavanagh James F.
Published: February 2021

Pavlovian associations drive approach towards reward-predictive cues, and avoidance of punishment-predictive cues. These associations “misbehave” when they conflict with correct instrumental behavior. This raises the question of how Pavlovian and instrumental influences on behavior are arbitrated. We test a computational theory according to which Pavlovian influence will be stronger when inferred controllability of outcomes is low. Using a model-based analysis of a Go/NoGo task with human subjects, we show that theta-band oscillatory power in frontal cortex tracks inferred controllability, and that these inferences predict Pavlovian action biases. Functional MRI data revealed an inferior frontal gyrus correlate of action probability and a ventromedial prefrontal correlate of outcome valence, both of which were modulated by inferred controllability.