bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Creating perfect composite vortex beams with a single all-dielectric geometric metasurface
Authors: Zhang Bolun , Hu Zheng-da , Wang Jicheng , Wu Jingjing , Tian Sang
Published: October 2022

Optical vortex beam carrying orbit angular momentum has been extensively researched and applied recently. Among which a perfect vortex beam (PVB) has attracted much attention owing to its topological charge (TC)-irrelevant intensity profile. However, the morphology singularity, as well as implementation complexity of the PVB tie the degree of freedom for multiplexing. Herein, by introducing the concept of a composite vortex beam, we originally propose a novel kind of PVB – perfect composite vortex beam (PCVB) – which possesses a rosette-like intensity pattern that is exactly correlated with the TC and can be directly generated using a single all-dielectric geometric metasurface rather than bulky optical systems. We numerically simulate the broadband generation of the proposed PCVB with various TCs, sizes, and rotation angles. To further explore the potential of our design in practical applications, we demonstrated the coaxial array of the PCVBs and detected their optical angular force for manipulating nanoparticles. We believe that our fruitage may pave a desirable avenue for optical communication, information processing, and optical manipulation.
Miniaturized ultrasound detector arrays in silicon photonics using pulse transmission amplitude monitoring
Authors: Hazan Yoav , Nagli Michael , Levi Ahiad , Rosenthal Amir
Published: October 2022

Silicon photonics holds promise for a new generation of ultrasound-detection technology, based on optical resonators, with unparalleled miniaturization levels, sensitivities, and bandwidths, creating new possibilities for minimally invasive medical devices. While existing fabrication technologies are capable of producing dense resonator arrays whose resonance frequency is pressure sensitive, simultaneously monitoring the ultrasound-induced frequency modulation of numerous resonators has remained a challenge. Conventional techniques, which are based on tuning a continuous wave laser to the resonator wavelength, are not scalable due to the wavelength disparity between the resonators, requiring a separate laser for each resonator. In this work, we show that the Q-factor and transmission peak of silicon-based resonators can also be pressure sensitive, exploit this phenomenon to develop a readout scheme based on monitoring the amplitude, rather than frequency, at the output of the resonators using a single-pulse source, and demonstrate its compatibility with optoacoustic tomography.
Huygens’ metasurface-based surface plasmon coupler with near-unit efficiency
Authors: Zhu Rongrong , Liu Dan , Shen Lian , Zhuang Yaqiang , Bi Gang , Cai Tong
Published: October 2022

Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) and their counterparts at low frequency (i.e., spoof SPPs) have been attracting a lot of attention recently due to their potential application for routing information with high speeds and bandwidth. To further develop integrated plasmonics, a high-efficiency surface plasmon coupler is required for full elimination of the intrinsic scattering and reflection when exciting the highly confined plasmonic modes, but a solution to this challenge has remained elusive so far. To take on this challenge, here we propose a feasible spoof SPP coupler based on a transparent Huygens’ metasurface, which is able to realize more than 90% efficiency in near- and far-field experiments. To be specific, electrical and magnetic resonators are designed separately on both sides of the metasurface to satisfy the impedance-matching condition everywhere, leading to full conversion of plane wave propagation into surface wave propagation. Moreover, a well-optimized plasmonic metal which is able to support an eigen SPP is designed. This proposed high-efficiency spoof SPP coupler based on a Huygens’ metasurface may pave the way for the development of high-performance plasmonic devices.
Hilbert phase microscopy based on pseudo thermal illumination in the Linnik configuration
Authors: Rogalski Mikołaj , Cywińska Maria , Ahmad Azeem , Patorski Krzysztof , Micó Vicente , Ahluwalia Balpreet S. , Trusiak Maciej
Published: October 2022

Quantitative phase microscopy (QPM) is often based on recording an
object-reference interference pattern and its further phase
demodulation. We propose pseudo Hilbert phase microscopy (PHPM) where
we combine pseudo thermal light source illumination and Hilbert spiral
transform (HST) phase demodulation to achieve hybrid
hardware-software-driven noise robustness and an increase in
resolution of single-shot coherent QPM. Those advantageous features
stem from physically altering the laser spatial coherence and
numerically restoring spectrally overlapped object spatial
frequencies. The capabilities of PHPM are demonstrated by analyzing
calibrated phase targets and live HeLa cells in comparison with laser
illumination and phase demodulation via temporal phase shifting (TPS)
and Fourier transform (FT) techniques. The performed studies verified
the unique ability of PHPM to combine single-shot imaging, noise
minimization, and preservation of phase details.
Synchronous upconversion of quantum cascade lasers in AgGaS2
Authors: Pedersen Rasmus L. , Tidemand-Lichtenberg Peter , Pedersen Christian
Published: October 2022

We investigate synchronous upconversion of a pulsed, tunable quantum cascade laser (QCL) in the important 5.4–10.2 µm range, with a 30 kHz, Q-switched, 1064 nm laser. The possibility to accurately control the repetition rate and pulse duration of the QCL results in a good temporal overlap with the Q-switched laser, leading to an upconversion quantum efficiency of 16% in a 10 mm-long AgGaS2 crystal. We investigate the noise properties of the upconversion process in terms of pulse-to-pulse energy stability and timing jitter. For QCL pulses in the 30–70 ns range the upconverted pulse-to-pulse stability is approximately 1.75%. The demonstrated combination of broad tunability and high signal to noise in the system is well-suited for mid-IR spectral analysis of highly absorbing samples.
Fast rendering and display of light field images with a controllable lighting mechanism
Authors: Feng Yushun , Lou Yimin , Hu Juanmei , Wu Fengmin
Published: October 2022

A fast light field (LF) image rendering method with controllable lighting mechanism is proposed and demonstrated. It solves the issue that previous image-based methods could not render and edit lighting effects for LF images. In contrast to previous methods, light cones and normal maps are defined and used to expand the RGBD images into RGBDNθ data, which gives more degrees of freedom to render LF images. Conjugate cameras are used to capture the RGBDN data, which simultaneously solve the pseudoscopic imaging problem. Perspective coherence is used to accelerate the RGBDNθ-based LF rendering process, which has been shown to be on average 30 times faster than the traditional per-viewpoint rendering (PVR) method. Vivid three-dimensional (3D) images with Lambertian reflection and non-Lambertian reflection effects including specular lighting and compound lighting have been reconstructed in 3D space using a homemade LF display system. The proposed method injects more flexibility into the rendering of LF images and can also be used in holographic display, augmented reality, virtual reality, and other fields.
Tunable VUV frequency comb for 229mTh nuclear spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Chuankun , Li Peng , Jiang Jie , von der Wense Lars , Doyle John F. , Fermann Martin E. , Ye Jun
Published: October 2022

Laser spectroscopy of the 229mTh nuclear clock transition is necessary for the future construction of a nuclear-based optical clock. Precision laser sources with broad spectral coverage in the vacuum ultraviolet are needed for this task. Here, we present a tunable vacuum-ultraviolet frequency comb based on cavity-enhanced seventh-harmonic generation. Its tunable spectrum covers the current uncertainty range of the 229mTh nuclear clock transition.
Oxide Materials for Emerging Applications in Photonics: introduction to the special issue
Authors: Kinsey N. , Grange R. , Mendez B. , Sun K. , Muskens O. L.
Published: October 2022

This is an introduction to the feature issue of Optical Materials Express on Oxide Materials for Emerging Applications in Photonics.
Ultrafast modulation of terahertz waves using on-chip dual-layer near-field coupling
Authors: Zhang Yaxin , Ding Kesen , Zeng Hongxin , Kou Wei , Zhou Tianchi , Zhou Hongji , Gong Sen , Zhang Ting , Wang Lan , Liang Shixiong , Lan Feng , Dong Yazhou , Feng Zhihong , Gong Yubin , Yang Ziqiang , Mittleman Daniel M.
Published: October 2022

As a key potential component of future sixth-generation (6G)
communication systems, terahertz (THz) technology has received much
attention in recent years. However, a lack of effective high-speed
direct modulation of THz waves has limited the development of THz
communication technology. Currently, most high-speed modulators are
based on photonic systems that can modulate electromagnetic waves with
high speed using sophisticated optoelectronic conversion techniques.
Yet, they usually suffer from low conversion efficiency of light to
the THz range, resulting in low output power of the modulated THz
waves. Here, we describe a guided-wave modulator for THz signals whose
performance nearly matches that of existing in-line fiber-optic
modulators. Our results demonstrate a maximum modulation depth greater
than 20 dB (99%) and a maximum sinusoidal modulation speed of more
than 30 GHz, with an insertion loss around 7 dB. We demonstrate the
capabilities of this modulator in a point-to-point communication link
with a 25 Gbit/s modulation speed. Our modulator design, based on
near-field coupling of a THz transmission line to a single resonant
meta-element, represents a powerful improvement for on-chip integrated
high-performance THz devices.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by decreased Pavlovian influence on instrumental behavior
Authors: Peng Ziwen , He Luning , Wen Rongzhen , Verguts Tom , Seger Carol A. , Chen Qi
Published: October 2022

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by uncontrollable repetitive actions thought to rely on abnormalities within fundamental instrumental learning systems. We investigated cognitive and computational mechanisms underlying Pavlovian biases on instrumental behavior in both clinical OCD patients and healthy controls using a Pavlovian-Instrumental Transfer (PIT) task. PIT is typically evidenced by increased responding in the presence of a positive (previously rewarded) Pavlovian cue, and reduced responding in the presence of a negative cue. Thirty OCD patients and thirty-one healthy controls completed the Pavlovian Instrumental Transfer test, which included instrumental training, Pavlovian training for positive, negative and neutral cues, and a PIT phase in which participants performed the instrumental task in the presence of the Pavlovian cues. Modified Rescorla-Wagner models were fitted to trial-by-trial data of participants to estimate underlying computational mechanism and quantify individual differences during training and transfer stages. Bayesian hierarchical methods were used to estimate free parameters and compare the models. Behavioral and computational results indicated a weaker Pavlovian influence on instrumental behavior in OCD patients than in HC, especially for negative Pavlovian cues. Our results contrast with the increased PIT effects reported for another set of disorders characterized by compulsivity, substance use disorders, in which PIT is enhanced. A possible reason for the reduced PIT in OCD may be impairment in using the contextual information provided by the cues to appropriately adjust behavior, especially when inhibiting responding when a negative cue is present. This study provides deeper insight into our understanding of deficits in OCD from the perspective of Pavlovian influences on instrumental behavior and may have implications for OCD treatment modalities focused on reducing compulsive behaviors.
Experimental guidance for discovering genetic networks through hypothesis reduction on time series
Authors: Cummins Breschine , Motta Francis C. , Moseley Robert C. , Deckard Anastasia , Campione Sophia , Gameiro Marcio , Gedeon Tomáš , Mischaikow Konstantin , Haase Steven B.
Published: October 2022

Large programs of dynamic gene expression, like cell cyles and circadian rhythms, are controlled by a relatively small “core” network of transcription factors and post-translational modifiers, working in concerted mutual regulation. Recent work suggests that system-independent, quantitative features of the dynamics of gene expression can be used to identify core regulators. We introduce an approach of iterative network hypothesis reduction from time-series data in which increasingly complex features of the dynamic expression of individual, pairs, and entire collections of genes are used to infer functional network models that can produce the observed transcriptional program. The culmination of our work is a computational pipeline, Iterative Network Hypothesis Reduction from Temporal Dynamics (Inherent dynamics pipeline), that provides a priority listing of targets for genetic perturbation to experimentally infer network structure. We demonstrate the capability of this integrated computational pipeline on synthetic and yeast cell-cycle data.
Antisense non-coding transcription represses the PHO5 model gene at the level of promoter chromatin structure
Authors: Novačić Ana , Menéndez Dario , Ljubas Jurica , Barbarić Slobodan , Stutz Françoise , Soudet Julien , Stuparević Igor
Published: October 2022

Pervasive transcription of eukaryotic genomes generates non-coding transcripts with regulatory potential. We examined the effects of non-coding antisense transcription on the regulation of expression of the yeast PHO5 gene, a paradigmatic case for gene regulation through promoter chromatin remodeling. A negative role for antisense transcription at the PHO5 gene locus was demonstrated by leveraging the level of overlapping antisense transcription through specific mutant backgrounds, expression from a strong promoter in cis, and use of the CRISPRi system. Furthermore, we showed that enhanced elongation of PHO5 antisense leads to a more repressive chromatin conformation at the PHO5 gene promoter, which is more slowly remodeled upon gene induction. The negative effect of antisense transcription on PHO5 gene transcription is mitigated upon inactivation of the histone deacetylase Rpd3, showing that PHO5 antisense RNA acts via histone deacetylation. This regulatory pathway leads to Rpd3-dependent decreased recruitment of the RSC chromatin remodeling complex to the PHO5 gene promoter upon induction of antisense transcription. Overall, the data in this work reveal an additional level in the complex regulatory mechanism of PHO5 gene expression by showing antisense transcription-mediated repression at the level of promoter chromatin structure remodeling.
A two–tiered system for selective receptor and transporter protein degradation
Authors: Golden Charlotte Kathleen , Kazmirchuk Thomas David Daniel , McNally Erin Kate , El eissawi Mariyam , Gokbayrak Zeynep Derin , Richard Joël Denis , Brett Christopher Leonard
Published: October 2022

Diverse physiology relies on receptor and transporter protein down–regulation and degradation mediated by ESCRTs. Loss–of–function mutations in human ESCRT genes linked to cancers and neurological disorders are thought to block this process. However, when homologous mutations are introduced into model organisms, cells thrive and degradation persists, suggesting other mechanisms compensate. To better understand this secondary process, we studied degradation of transporter (Mup1) or receptor (Ste3) proteins when ESCRT genes (VPS27, VPS36) are deleted inSaccharomyces cerevisiaeusing live-cell imaging and organelle biochemistry. We find that endocytosis remains intact, but internalized proteins aberrantly accumulate on vacuolar lysosome membranes within cells. Here they are sorted for degradation by the intralumenal fragment (ILF) pathway, constitutively or when triggered by substrates, misfolding or TOR activation in vivo and in vitro. Thus, the ILF pathway functions as fail–safe layer of defense when ESCRTs disregard their clients, representing a two–tiered system that ensures degradation of surface polytopic proteins.
Clinical and hematological profiles of children with dengue residing in a non-endemic zone of Bangladesh
Authors: Islam Saiful , Khan Md. Abdullah Saeed , Badal Md. Fakhrul Amin , Khan Muhammad Ziaul Islam , Gozal David , Hasan Mohammad Jahid
Published: October 2022

Background

The clinical and hematological parameters of children with dengue during an outbreak in a non-endemic region have not been well described. To delineate the clinical profile of pediatric cases from a tertiary care center located in a non-endemic zone (Tangail district) in Bangladesh was the objective of the study.

Methods

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics of a 250-bed general hospital in Tangail, Bangladesh, between June 2019 to September 2019. Data collection was done using a pre-structured case record form. All patients underwent detailed history taking, physical examination, and hematological profiling. A total of 123 confirmed dengue cases were analyzed.

Results

The average age of patients was 7.3±4.1 (SD) years, with nearly two-thirds being male (61.8%) and the majority living in rural areas (76.4%). Fever (100%), body ache (57.7%), headache (56.9%), and rash (55.3%) were the four common clinical manifestations. NS1 antigen and anti-dengue IgM antibody tests were positive in 86% (102 out of 119) and 37.7% (20 out of 53) of cases, respectively. Thrombocytopenia was present in 42% of cases. The majority of the cases had dengue fever (73.2%), and the remaining cases were either dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome (26.8%). Clinical and hematological parameters varied with the type of dengue. Particularly, rash (p = <0.001), bleeding manifestation (p = <0.001), vomiting (p = 0.012), hypotension (p = 0.018), pleural effusion (p = 0.018), ascites (p = 0.018), hepatomegaly (p = <0.001) and low platelet count (<150 x 103cells/μL) (p = 0.038) were significantly more common among dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome cases.

Conclusions

The present study documented the clinical features of dengue in a pediatric group of patients from a non-endemic zone of Bangladesh. This vulnerable patient group requires earlier identification and keen attention during management.
Can deep learning reduce the time and effort required for manual segmentation in 3D reconstruction of MRI in rotator cuff tears?
Authors: Kim Hyojune , Shin Keewon , Kim Hoyeon , Lee Eui-sup , Chung Seok Won , Koh Kyoung Hwan , Kim Namkug
Published: October 2022

Background/Purpose

The use of MRI as a diagnostic tool has gained popularity in the field of orthopedics. Although 3-dimensional (3D) MRI offers more intuitive visualization and can better facilitate treatment planning than 2-dimensional (2D) MRI, manual segmentation for 3D visualization is time-consuming and lacks reproducibility. Recent advancements in deep learning may provide a solution to this problem through the process of automatic segmentation. The purpose of this study was to develop automated semantic segmentation on 2D MRI images of rotator cuff tears by using a convolutional neural network to visualize 3D models of related anatomic structures.

Methods

MRI scans from 56 patients with rotator cuff tears (T2 Linear Coronal MRI; 3.0T, 512 mm × 512 mm, and 2.5-mm slice thickness) were collected. Segmentation masks for the cuff tendon, muscle, bone, and cartilage were obtained by four orthopedic shoulder surgeons, and these data were revised by a shoulder surgeon with more than 20 years’ experience. We performed 2D and 3D segmentation using nnU-Net with secondary labels for reducing false positives. Final validation was performed in an external T2 MRI dataset (10 cases) acquired from other institutions. The Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) was used to validate segmentation quality.

Results

The use of 3D nnU-Net with secondary labels to reduce false positives achieved satisfactory results, even with a limited amount of data. The DSCs (mean ± SD) of the cuff tendon, muscle, bone, and cartilage in the internal test set were 80.7% ± 9.7%, 85.8% ± 8.6%, 97.8% ± 0.6%, and 80.8% ± 15.1%, respectively. In external validation, the DSC of the tendon segmentation was 82.74±5.2%.

Conclusion

Automated segmentation using 3D U-Net produced acceptable accuracy and reproducibility. This method could provide rapid, intuitive visualization that can significantly facilitate the diagnosis and treatment planning in patients with rotator cuff tears.
Dietary similarity among jaguars (Panthera onca) in a high-density population
Authors: Foster Rebecca J. , Harmsen Bart J.
Published: October 2022

Prey remains found in carnivore scats provide generalised dietary profiles of sampled populations. The profile may be biased if individual diets differ and some individuals are over- or under-represented in the sample. Quantifying individual contributions allows us to recognise these potential biases and better interpret generalised profiles. Knowing the dietary differences or similarity between individuals can help us to understand selection pressures and identify drivers of distribution and abundance. Using the results of individual faecal genotyping, we re-interpreted our previously-published generalised dietary profile of an elusive, neotropical felid, the jaguar (Panthera onca; Foster et al. (2010)). We quantified individual sample sizes, assessed whether the generalised profile was influenced by the inclusion of scats originating from the same individual and prey carcass (pseudo-replication), and quantified the distribution of prey species among individuals. From an original sample of 322 jaguar scats from a high-density jaguar population in Belize, we identified 206 prey items (individual prey animals) in 176 independent scats representing 32 jaguars (26 males, 3 females, 3 unknown sex). The influence of pseudo-replication in the original dietary profile was minimal. The majority of scats (94%) came from male jaguars. Eight males accounted for two-thirds of the prey items, while 24 jaguars each contributed <5% of the prey items. With few exceptions, the jaguars followed the same broad diet, a 2:1:1 ratio of nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus noveminctus), other vertebrates ≤10kg, and ungulates, primarily peccaries (Tayassu pecari and Pecari tajacu). We noted prey switching between wild and domestic ungulates for individuals spanning protected forests and farmland. This first scat-based study exploring individual variation in jaguar diet highlights the importance of armadillos and peccaries for male jaguars in Belize, the need for research on their roles in supporting high-density jaguar populations, and the need for more data on female diet from across the jaguar range.
Subjective health awareness and sensory ability of taste and olfaction: A case study of a health promotion class for older people
Authors: Inoue Sana , Watanabe Junji , Wada Yuji
Published: October 2022

The quality of the dietary habits of older adults is important for increasing healthy life expectancy. As with other physical senses, the senses of taste and olfaction change with age. In contrast to physical sensations that can be visibly compared with those of other people, taste and olfaction are personal sensations, making it challenging to infer associated changes. This study investigated the characteristics of taste and olfaction in healthy older adults and compared them with those of young adults. In the taste assessment, threshold values were measured using the whole-mouth method with a diagnostic assay kit (Tastedisc). The olfactory assessment measured the overall identification ability using a card-type olfactory identification test kit (Open Essence). Additionally, participants’ subjective health awareness was measured using a visual analog scale. The taste and olfactory assessments results showed that the older group had lower overall sensory sensitivity than the young group, and that there was no correlation between taste and olfactory sensitivity in the older group, while a trend was observed in the young group. Moreover, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding subjective health awareness, indicating that participants in our research considered themselves healthy regardless of age. This suggests that the subjective health awareness of older people in the health promotion class is somehow independent from their sensory ability.
Efficient learning representation of noise-reduced foam effects with convolutional denoising networks
Authors: Kim Jong-Hyun , Kim YoungBin
Published: October 2022

This study proposes a neural network framework for modeling the foam effects found in liquid simulation without noise. The position and advection of the foam particles are calculated using the existing screen projection method, and the noise problem that occurs in this process is prevented by using the neural network. A significant problem in the screen projection approach is the noise generated in the projection map during the projecting of momentum onto the discretized screen space. We efficiently solve this problem by utilizing a denoising neural network. Following the selection of the foam generation area using a projection map, the foam particles are generated through the inverse transformation of the 2D space into 3D space. This solves the problem of small-sized foam dissipation that occurs in conventional denoising networks. Furthermore, by integrating the proposed algorithm with the screen-space projection framework, it is able to maintain all the advantages of this approach. In conclusion, the denoising process and clean foam effects enable the proposed network to model the foam effects stably.
Scientific and engineering practices aligned with the NGSS in the performance of secondary stage physics teachers
Authors: Al-Salamat Mohammad Khair M.
Published: October 2022

The study aimed to unravel the degree to which scientific and engineering practices complied with the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) were present in the performance of physics teachers at the secondary stage in Taif city, Saudi Arabia. The study also sought to identify the effect of the qualification and years of experience variables on the degree to which the NGSS-aligned practices were present in the performance of physics teachers. The study adopted a mixed method in applying a closed-ended questionnaire and an interview. The questionnaire comprised 44 indicators and was applied to (49) teachers who were randomly selected. The interview was applied to (6) education supervisors who were purposively selected. The results revealed that the following five practices: “asking questions and identifying problems”; “obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information”; “planning and carrying out investigations”; “analyzing and interpreting data”; and “involvement with proofs and evidence” all rated medium. The three practices, “interpretation and solutions design”; “developing and using models”; and “using mathematics and computational thinking” all rated weak. Data analysis of education supervisors’ interviews revealed that their opinions were, to an extent, concordant with the questionnaire findings. The results also revealed that graduate teachers exhibited a higher level of these practices than the teachers with just BS degrees while years of experience, as a variable, had no significant difference in teachers’ use of these practices. It was concluded that teachers of physics need to reconsider their teaching practices to be aligned with NGSS. This study can be a contribution to teachers’ professional development efforts that target the alignment of science instruction with the NGSS.
The impact of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) design features on the transmission of viruses, including the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19): A systematic review of humidity
Authors: Thornton Gail M. , Fleck Brian A. , Dandnayak Dhyey , Kroeker Emily , Zhong Lexuan , Hartling Lisa
Published: October 2022

The aerosol route has been a pathway for transmission of many viruses. Similarly, recent evidence has determined aerosol transmission for SARS-CoV-2 to be significant. Consequently, public health officials and professionals have sought data regarding the role of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) features as a means to mitigate transmission of viruses, particularly coronaviruses. Using international standards, a systematic review was conducted to comprehensively identify and synthesize research examining the effect of humidity on transmission of coronaviruses and influenza. The results from 24 relevant studies showed that: increasing from mid (40–60%) to high (>60%) relative humidity (RH) for SARS-CoV-2 was associated with decreased virus survival; although SARS-CoV-2 results appear consistent, coronaviruses do not all behave the same; increasing from low (<40%) to mid RH for influenza was associated with decreased persistence, infectivity, viability, and survival, however effects of increased humidity from mid to high for influenza were not consistent; and medium, temperature, and exposure time were associated with inconsistency in results for both coronaviruses and influenza. Adapting humidity to mitigate virus transmission is complex. When controlling humidity as an HVAC feature, practitioners should take into account virus type and temperature. Future research should also consider the impact of exposure time, temperature, and medium when designing experiments, while also working towards more standardized testing procedures.

Clinical trial registration: PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020193968.
Association between executive function and excess weight in pre-school children
Authors: Likhitweerawong Narueporn , Khorana Jiraporn , Boonchooduang Nonglak , Phinyo Phichayut , Patumanond Jayanton , Louthrenoo Orawan
Published: October 2022

The association between executive function and excess weight is becoming increasingly evident. However, the results of previous studies are still inconclusive, and there is a lack of evidence in early childhood. This study aims to examine the association between executive function, in terms of overall and subscales of executive function (e.g., inhibition, working memory, and shifting), and weight excess in preschoolers. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted on children aged 2–5 years of age from public and private schools in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Participants’ weights and heights were measured and classified into three weight status groups (i.e., children with normal weight, overweight, and obesity groups). Executive function was assessed using the parent-report Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool (BRIEF-P). Multivariable polynomial regression was performed to analyze the association between executive function and weight status. A total of 1,181 children were included in the study. After adjusting for confounders, impaired overall executive function significantly increased the probability of being overweight (odds ratio [OR] = 2.47; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.33 to 4.56). A similar trend of association was also found between impaired inhibition and overweight status (OR = 2.33; 95%CI 1.11 to 4.90). Furthermore, poor working memory was associated with both overweight and obesity (OR = 1.87; 95%CI 1.09 to 3.20 and OR = 1.74; 95%CI 1.09 to 2.78, respectively). Our data suggest that deficits in executive function, particularly inhibition and working memory, are associated with weight excess in preschoolers. Early promotion of executive function may be needed at this developmental age to prevent unhealthy weight status.
The degree of recovery in swallowing ability in older inpatients with aspiration pneumonia is related to intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps than to muscle mass
Authors: Akazawa Naoki , Kishi Masaki , Hino Toshikazu , Tsuji Ryota , Tamura Kimiyuki , Hioka Akemi , Moriyama Hideki
Published: October 2022

Background & aim

A recent study reported that the increase in intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps in older inpatients is related to a decreasing degree of recovery in swallowing ability compared to the loss of muscle mass. However, whether the association remains true in case of aspiration pneumonia is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between the degree of recovery in swallowing ability and intramuscular adipose tissue in the quadriceps of older inpatients with aspiration pneumonia.

Methods

This prospective study included 39 older patients with aspiration pneumonia. Swallowing ability was assessed using the Food Intake Level Scale (FILS). The indicators for the degree of recovery in swallowing ability were FILS at discharge and change in FILS. A greater change in FILS indicates a greater improvement in swallowing ability. Intramuscular adipose tissue and muscle mass of the quadriceps were evaluated at admission using echo intensity and muscle thickness on ultrasound images, respectively. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine whether the echo intensity of the quadriceps was independently and significantly related to FILS at discharge and the change in FILS. Independent variables were age, sex, days from disease onset, echo intensity and muscle thickness of the quadriceps, subcutaneous fat thickness of the thigh, FILS at admission, and number of units of rehabilitation therapy.

Results

Echo intensity of the quadriceps (β = −0.363, p = 0.012) and FILS at admission (β = 0.556, p < 0.001) were independently and significantly associated with FILS at discharge (R2= 0.760, f2= 3.167, statistical power = 1.000). Similar variables (echo intensity of the quadriceps [β = −0.498, p = 0.012] and FILS at admission [β = −0.635, p < 0.001]) were independently and significantly related to change in FILS (R2= 0.547, f2= 1.208, statistical power = 0.998). Quadriceps muscle thickness was not independently and significantly related to FILS at discharge and change in FILS.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps in older inpatients with aspiration pneumonia is more strongly related to the degree of recovery in swallowing ability (that is, swallowing ability at discharge and change in swallowing ability) than muscle mass, and patients who have high intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps at admission have a lower degree of recovery in swallowing ability.
Effects of assisted reproductive technology on severe maternal morbidity risk in both singleton and multiple births in Korea: A nationwide population-based cohort study
Authors: Nam Jin Young , Hwang Seoyeon , Jang Sung-In , Park Eun-Cheol
Published: October 2022

Background

Whether infertility treatment predicts severe maternal morbidity in both singleton and twin pregnancies is controversial. We conducted this nationwide population-based cohort study to compare pregnancies conceived through assisted reproductive technology treatments, such as intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization, with unassisted pregnancies.

Methods

This study included 269,930 women who experienced childbirth in 2018, using data of the National Health Insurance Service National Delivery Cohort in Korea. The primary outcome was assessed using a severe maternal morbidity algorithm developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States. A modified Poisson regression was used to estimate the adjusted risk ratio of severe maternal morbidity.

Results

Severe maternal morbidity occurred in 6,333 (2.3%) of 280,612 deliveries investigated. The risk of severe maternal morbidity was approximately 1.5-fold higher among women who received in vitro fertilization (risk ratio: 1.51, 95% confidence interval: 1.36–1.68) than among fertile women. However, no significant association between intrauterine insemination and maternal morbidity was identified. Via subgroup analysis, in vitro fertilization increased the risk of severe maternal morbidity by 1.6- and 1.3-fold in singleton and multiple births, respectively (singleton: risk ratio: 1.62, 95% confidence interval: 1.43–1.83; multiple birth: risk ratio: 1.31, 95% confidence interval: 1.07–1.60).

Conclusions

This study suggested that in vitro fertilization was associated with the risk of severe maternal morbidity in both singleton and multiple births. Further research should identify patient- and treatment-specific factors that may mitigate or prevent adverse maternal health risks.
Study on the properties of mud films derived from naturally weathered red-bed soil under pressureless conditions
Authors: Gao Yi , Liu Zhen , Zhou Cuiying
Published: October 2022

Mulching film is an important material in ecological restoration, such as desert control, saline alkali land improvement, and slope greening protection. At present, both solid and liquid mulching films are mainly made of man-made materials, which have a great impact on the ecological environment and are expensive. Naturally weathered red-bed soil mud films are being applied in the construction industry because of their advantages of environmental friendliness and low cost. However, at present, film formation needs to occur under pressure, in complex processes, which results in great application limitations, so it is difficult to popularize and apply these natural mud films to the field of ecological restoration. Therefore, exploring high-quality film formation under pressureless conditions is key for the application of naturally weathered red-bed soil mud films in the field of ecological restoration. To solve this problem, this paper takes naturally weathered red-bed soil, without additives; designs and carries out mud film-forming tests of naturally weathered red-bed soil and a comparison test with bentonite under pressureless conditions; tests the influence of mud particle gradation, viscosity and moisture content on the film-forming effect; optimizes the mud film-forming ratio; and further studies the thickness, water resistance, compression resistance. Acid and alkali resistances are tested and compared with international standards. The results show that the naturally weathered red-bed soil can form a mud film under pressureless conditions. The optimal (high-quality) film corresponds to a mud viscosity of 29.6–52.6 Pa·s, water content of 15–35%, and content of particles with particle sizes smaller than 1 mm of 75%-85%. Compared with international standards and bentonite, the naturally weathered red-bed soil mud film meets the ecological restoration standard, has a better water resistance, compression resistance, and acid and alkali resistances than bentonite mud film, and has the advantages of a wide distribution, low cost, simple sample preparation and wide application range. Therefore, weathered red-bed soil mud film is a film technology with obvious comparative advantages that can be introduced into the field of ecological restoration and has broad prospects.
Do reasons for undergoing bariatric surgery influence weight loss and health-related quality of life?–A Swedish mixed method study
Authors: Jaensson Maria , Josefsson Emma , Stenberg Erik , Dahlberg Karuna
Published: October 2022

Background

A wish for improved health or avoidance of ill health is often given as reason for wanting to undergo bariatric surgery. How such reasons relate to postoperative outcome is unclear.

Objective

The aim was to explore Swedish patients’ reasons for undergoing bariatric surgery. Also, we wanted to analyze if there were sex and age differences and associations with weight loss and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Settings

This was a single-center study conducted at a university hospital.

Method

Data on 688 patients (528 women and 160 men) including a free text response was analyzed inductively and deductively using predefined statements and was merged with data from the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry. All data was analyzed using descriptive and analytic statistics.

Result

The most common reason for undergoing bariatric surgery was pain in different body parts. A wish for an improved medical condition was reported by most patients (59%, n = 408), followed by physical limitations making daily life difficult (42%, n = 288). Men and women reported similar reasons. Younger patients were more distressed about physical appearance (p = 0.001) and older patients wanted to improve their medical condition (p = 0.013). Health-related quality of life improved irrespective of reasons for undergoing surgery.

Conclusion

The most reported reasons for undergoing bariatric surgery were a wish for improved medical condition and to make daily life easier. Factors associated with the decision for surgery showed that there were few sex differences, but age seemed to be a factor. The HRQoL trajectory showed improvement regardless of reasons for undergoing surgery.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on changes in temperature-sensitive cardiovascular and respiratory disease mortality in Japan
Authors: Ohashi Yukitaka , Takane Yuya , Nakajima Ko
Published: October 2022

Some cardiovascular and respiratory diseases are triggered by changes in ambient temperature or extremes of temperature. This study aimed to clarify the changes in mortality associated with temperature-sensitive diseases in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. We used data from three major cities (Sapporo City, Tokyo 23 wards, and Osaka City) from 2010 to 2019 to determine disease mortality rates and monthly mean temperatures from April to December. If the pandemic had not occurred in 2020, the results showed that temperature-sensitive disease death counts would have increased from 324 to 980, based on a 95% confidence interval estimated from the past 10 years in Sapporo (19–56% increase in actual deaths from 2020), from 651 to 2,653 in Tokyo (10–39% increase), and from 235 to 1,343 in Osaka (8–48% increase). Analyses of meshed population data during the COVID-19 pandemic indicated that inhibiting people’s behaviour and outdoor mobility, especially in older men, caused a decrease in mortality.
Inhibition of vaccinia virus L1 N-myristoylation by the host N-myristoyltransferase inhibitor IMP-1088 generates non-infectious virions defective in cell entry
Authors: Priyamvada Lalita , Kallemeijn Wouter W. , Faronato Monica , Wilkins Kimberly , Goldsmith Cynthia S. , Cotter Catherine A. , Ojeda Suany , Solari Roberto , Moss Bernard , Tate Edward W. , Satheshkumar Panayampalli Subbian
Published: October 2022

We have recently shown that the replication of rhinovirus, poliovirus and foot-and-mouth disease virus requires the co-translational N-myristoylation of viral proteins by human host cell N-myristoyltransferases (NMTs), and is inhibited by treatment with IMP-1088, an ultrapotent small molecule NMT inhibitor. Here, we examine the importance of N-myristoylation during vaccinia virus (VACV) infection in primate cells and demonstrate the anti-poxviral effects of IMP-1088. N-myristoylated proteins from VACV and the host were metabolically labelled with myristic acid alkyne during infection using quantitative chemical proteomics. We identified VACV proteins A16, G9 and L1 to be N-myristoylated. Treatment with NMT inhibitor IMP-1088 potently abrogated VACV infection, while VACV gene expression, DNA replication, morphogenesis and EV formation remained unaffected. Importantly, we observed that loss of N-myristoylation resulted in greatly reduced infectivity of assembled mature virus particles, characterized by significantly reduced host cell entry and a decline in membrane fusion activity of progeny virus. While the N-myristoylation of VACV entry proteins L1, A16 and G9 was inhibited by IMP-1088, mutational and genetic studies demonstrated that the N-myristoylation of L1 was the most critical for VACV entry. Given the significant genetic identity between VACV, monkeypox virus and variola virus L1 homologs, our data provides a basis for further investigating the role of N-myristoylation in poxviral infections as well as the potential of selective NMT inhibitors like IMP-1088 as broad-spectrum poxvirus inhibitors.
Imagining the [Unbounded] Grounds of [Caribbean Canadian] Consciousness
Authors: Bogle Cornel , Bucknor Michael A.
Published: October 2022

The “Introduction” to this Special Issue on “Recognition and Recovery of Caribbean Canadian Cultural Production” surveys the multiple creative directions and critical orientations of Caribbean Canadian cultural production and raises key questions about the grounds on which Caribbean Canadian cultural production is recognized, especially in Canada. The guest editors also explore the productive, but sometimes problematic, relationship between Caribbean Canadian archives and the nation, Blackness, Indigeneity, queerness, publishing, popular culture, and settler colonialism. Even so, the writers see the possibilities of communities of relations as well as political alliances between different constituencies in both Canada and the Caribbean in confronting racial capitalism and the many afterlives of colonialism. Re-conceptualizing Caribbean Canadian cultural production as an archive, rather than a field of study, allows the guest editors to recognize the importance of certain commitments and values: an investment in an ethically conscious methodology, a refusal of reductive and essentializing conceptualizations of race, gender, sexuality, as well as the modern human, and a desire to build collectivities of political alliances. The unbounded and sometimes ungrounded nature of the Caribbean Canadian inspires an openness to new ways of thinking about the politics of cultural production in Canada and beyond.
The influence of COVID-19 on sentiments of higher education students - prospects for the spread of distance learning
Authors: Jackson Kevin , Konczos Szombathelyi Márta
Published: October 2022

Clayton Christensen’s theory of “disruptive innovation” describes how smaller firms, with access to far fewer resources, are still able to challenge and displace well-established industry leaders. Uber and Airbnb as startups were able to disrupt the global taxi and hotel industries despite the economic shock of the financial crisis (2007-2008). The COVID-19 pandemic is currently an even more powerful catalyst that is forcing businesses and institutions to define and adapt to the “new normal”. Higher education also finds itself at a critical crossroads where universities around world need to quickly adapt to the changing needs of younger generations, discover the optimal balance between traditional and online learning, find ways to reduce costs and avoid tuition escalation, and become better prepared for future health crises and geopolitical events. The COVID-19 pandemic has already significantly accelerated trends in education and a failure to adapt could spark the disruption in education that Christensen spoke of more than a decade ago. This research utilizes valuable feedback from a diverse group of international students to help educators better understand changes that occurred during COVID-19 and form recommendations regarding how to use technology to maximize learning outcomes.
Changes in perception of coffee in EU: Luxury good becoming inferior good
Authors: Vochozka Marek , Petrách Filip , Janek Svatopluk
Published: October 2022

Coffee is a very popular commodity on a global scale. Its consumption is somewhat influenced by the fact that coffee is addictive and potentially harmful to health. Using price elasticity, income elasticity, and subsequent multiple regression, the demand function for coffee is formulated on a sample of the EU countries. Our findings confirm that in today´s Europe, coffee is considered an inferior good with almost perfect price inelasticity. This confirms the importance of coffee for everyday consumption, and at the same time, determines the awareness of potential health risks it possesses for consumers in the case of its excessive consumption. The obtained results could be applied in further analyses of coffee within the supply-demand chain, including new views on the heterogeneity of coffee as an economic asset.