bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research progress in optical neural networks: theory, applications and developments
Authors: Liu Jia , Wu Qiuhao , Sui Xiubao , Chen Qian , Gu Guohua , Wang Liping , Li Shengcai
Published: April 2021

With the advent of the era of big data, artificial intelligence has attracted continuous attention from all walks of life, and has been widely used in medical image analysis, molecular and material science, language recognition and other fields. As the basis of artificial intelligence, the research results of neural network are remarkable. However, due to the inherent defect that electrical signal is easily interfered and the processing speed is proportional to the energy loss, researchers have turned their attention to light, trying to build neural networks in the field of optics, making full use of the parallel processing ability of light to solve the problems of electronic neural networks. After continuous research and development, optical neural network has become the forefront of the world. Here, we mainly introduce the development of this field, summarize and compare some classical researches and algorithm theories, and look forward to the future of optical neural network.
Targeting regulatory T cells for immunotherapy in melanoma
Authors: Huang Lili , Guo Yeye , Liu Shujing , Wang Huaishan , Zhu Jinjin , Ou Lingling , Xu Xiaowei
Published: April 2021

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential in the maintenance of immunity, and they are also a key to immune suppressive microenvironment in solid tumors. Many studies have revealed the biology of Tregs in various human pathologies. Here we review recent understandings of the immunophenotypes and suppressive functions of Tregs in melanoma, including Treg recruitment and expansion in a tumor. Tregs are frequently accumulated in melanoma and the ratio of CD8+T cells versus Tregs in the melanoma is predictive for patient survival. Hence, depletion of Tregs is a promising strategy for the enhancement of anti-melanoma immunity. Many recent studies are aimed to target Tregs in melanoma. Distinguishing Tregs from other immune cells and understanding the function of different subsets of Tregs may contribute to better therapeutic efficacy. Depletion of functional Tregs from the tumor microenvironment has been tested to induce clinically relevant immune responses against melanomas. However, the lack of Treg specific therapeutic antibodies or Treg specific depleting strategies is a big hurdle that is yet to be overcome. Additional studies to fine-tune currently available therapies and more agents that specifically and selectively target tumor infiltrating Tregs in melanoma are urgently needed.
Ultrastructure comparée du cytoplasme périphérique des oocytes mûrs et des œufs vierges deXenopus laevis(Bactracien anoure)
Authors: Van Gansen P.
Published: April 2021

Au cours de ces dernières années, les travaux de J. Brachet et de ses collaborateurs sur le rôle des acides nucléiques dans le développement embryonnaire des Amphibiens ont eu pour fil conducteur deux hypothèses fondamentales (Brachet, 1964,1965): (1) Les synthèses protéiniques, aux différentes étapes de la morphogenèse, se feraient dans le cytoplasme au niveau de polysomes; la synthèse de leurs RNA messagers serait dirigée par les DNA de noyaux dont l’activation (derepression) serait contrôlée par leurs territoires cytoplasmiques respectifs.(2) certaines de ces étapes, en particulier pendant les stades initiaux du développement, il existerait dans le cytoplasme des relais de l’information héréditaire, sous la forme de DNA cytoplasmique ou de m-RNA stables.
Skeletal Muscle Adaptive Responses to Different Types of Short-Term Exercise Training and Detraining in Middle-Age Men
Authors: CALLAHAN MARCUS J. , PARR EVELYN B. , SNIJDERS TIM , CONCEIÇÃO MIGUEL S. , RADFORD BRIDGET E. , TIMMINS RYAN G. , DEVLIN BROOKE L. , HAWLEY JOHN A. , CAMERA DONNY M.
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Whether short-term, single-mode exercise training can improve physical fitness before a period of reduced physical activity (e.g., postsurgery recovery) is not well characterized in clinical populations or middle-age adults. We investigated skeletal muscle adaptive responses after endurance exercise training (ENT), high-intensity interval training (HIIT), or resistance exercise training (RET), and a subsequent period of detraining, in sedentary, middle-age men.

Methods

Thirty-five sedentary men (39 ± 3 yr) were randomized to parallel groups and undertook 6 wk of either ENT (n = 12), HIIT (n = 12), or RET (n = 11) followed by 2.5 wk of detraining. Skeletal muscle fiber characteristics, body composition, muscle thickness, muscle strength, aerobic capacity, resting energy expenditure, and glucose homeostasis were assessed at baseline, and after exercise training and detraining.

Results

Lean mass increased after RET and HIIT (+3.2% ± 1.6% and +1.6% ± 2.1%, P < 0.05). Muscle strength (sum of leg press, leg extension, and bench press one-repetition maximums) increased after all training interventions (RET, +25% ± 5%; HIIT, +10% ± 5%; ENT, +7% ± 7%; P < 0.05). Aerobic capacity increased only after HIIT and ENT (+14% ± 7% and +11% ± 11%, P < 0.05). Type I and II muscle fiber size increased for all groups after training (main effect of time, P < 0.05). After a period of detraining, the gains in lean mass and maximal muscle strength were maintained in the RET and HIIT groups, but maximal aerobic capacity declined below posttraining levels in HIIT and ENT (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Six weeks of HIIT induced widespread adaptations before detraining in middle-age men. Exercise training–induced increases in aerobic capacity declined during 2.5 wk of detraining, but gains in lean mass and muscle strength were maintained.
The Impact of 6-Month Land versus Water Walking on Cerebrovascular Function in the Aging Brain
Authors: GREEN DANIEL J. , SMITH KURT , MASLEN BARBARA A. , COX KAY L. , LAUTENSCHLAGER NICOLA T. , PESTELL CARMELA F. , NAYLOR LOUISE H. , AINSLIE PHILIP N. , CARTER HOWARD H.
Published: April 2021

Introduction

To examine the hypothesis that exercise training induces adaptation in cerebrovascular function, we recruited 63 older adults (62 ± 7 yr, 46 females) to undertake 24 wk of either land walking or water walking, or participate in a nonexercise control group. This is the first multi-interventional study to perform a comprehensive assessment of cerebrovascular function in response to longer term (6-month) training interventions, including water-based exercise, in older healthy individuals.

Methods

Intracranial blood flow velocities (middle cerebral artery (MCAv) and posterior cerebral artery) were assessed at rest and in response to neurovascular coupling, hypercapnic reactivity, and cerebral autoregulation.

Results

We observed no change in resting MCAv in response to either training intervention (pre vs post, mean (95% confidence interval), land walking: 65 (59–70) to 63 (57–68) cm·s−1, P = 0.33; water walking: 63 (58–69) to 61 (55–67) cm·s−1, P = 0.92) compared with controls and no change in neurovascular coupling (land walking: P = 0.18, water walking: P = 0.17). There was a significant but modest improvement in autoregulatory normalized gain after the intervention in the water-walking compared with the land-walking group (P = 0.03). Hypercapnic MCAv reactivity was not different based on exercise group (land: P = 087, water: P = 0.83); however, when data were pooled from the exercise groups, increases in fitness were correlated with decreases in hypercapnic reactivity (r
2 = 0.25, P = 0.003).

Conclusions

Although exercise was not associated with systematic changes across multiple domains of cerebrovascular function, our data indicate that exercise may induce modest changes in autoregulation and CO2 reactivity. These findings should encourage further studies of the longer-term implications of exercise training on cerebrovascular health.
Κοινωνική οικονομία και κοινωνικής επιχειρηματικότητα
Authors: Μπέφας Κωνσταντίνος
Published: April 2021

Στην παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή επιχειρείται αρχικά μια προσπάθεια ανάδειξης των καίριων ερωτημάτων που αφορούν στην διαμόρφωση και εξέλιξη της διαδικασίας της κοινωνικής επιχειρηματικότητας καθώς και της πρακτικής προσέγγισης της ευρύτερης κοινωνικής οικονομίας. Σκοπός της εργασίας είναι η συγκέντρωση εκείνων των στοιχείων που περιέχονται στις σύγχρονες μεθόδους ανάπτυξης της κοινωνίας και ταυτόχρονα η προσπάθεια δημιουργίας ενός ασφαλέστερου, αποδοτικότερου και αποτελεσματικότερου μοντέλου πλέγματος κοινωνικών δεικτών που αφορούν τα ζητήματα κοινωνικής πολιτικής για τη περίπτωση της Κεντρικής Μακεδονίας. Στο πλαίσιο της παρούσας διατριβής έγνε προσπάθεια να απαντηθούν ζητήματα όπως: oΠοια είναι τα χαρακτηριστικά των κλασικών μεθόδων κοινωνικών δεικτών ; oΠως αντιμετωπίζεται σε διεθνές και κυρίως σε εθνικό επίπεδο το θέμα της κοινωνικής επιχειρηματικότητας.; oΠοιες είναι οι προσδοκίες και προοπτικές για τον κλάδο της κοινωνικές επιχειρηματικότητας oΠοιες νέες μεθόδους θα μπορούσαν να προταθούν , που θα μπορούσαν να συνδράμουν στην επιστημονική διεύρυνση του κλάδου των κοινωνικών δεικτών. oΠοια είναι τα συγκριτικά πλεονεκτήματα και ποιες οι συγκριτικές αδυναμίες έναντι των παραδοσιακών μεθόδων; Ποιες οι ευκαιρίες και οι προκλήσεις; Παράλληλα στο πλαίσιο της παρούσας εργασίας έγινε προσπάθεια: •Να δημιουργηθεί ένας μόνιμος μηχανισμός κοινωνικών δεικτών πάνω στα ζητήματα κοινωνικής πολιτικής σε περιφερειακό και τοπικό επίπεδο. •Να εντοπιστούν οι καλές πρακτικές που θα μπορούσαν να περιληφθούν στην ανάπτυξη προσεγγίσεων για την υποστήριξη κοινωνικών επιχειρήσεων σε όλη τη χώρα στο μέλλον. •Να αξιολογηθούν μια σειρά από θέματα που παρουσιάζουν ενδιαφέρον για τον τομέα της κοινωνικής επιχείρησης.
How to promote ‘discipline without tough love’ during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Suzuki Shunji
Published: April 2021

Background: In Japan, the effect of education using the leaflet ‘Discipline Without Tough Love’ on mothers during caring for their infants have been reported. We examined the effect of this education on pregnant Japanese women.

Methods: The present study was a prospective investigation of all Japanese women with singleton pregnancies who visited our hospital for a perinatal visit at 20-23 weeks’ gestation between November 2017 and March 2018 and gave birth at ≥ 37 weeks’ gestation at our hospital. We examined the maternal feelings (bonding situation) to babies of women who received the leaflet in comparison with that in women who did not receive it during the health check-up performed routinely at one month after delivery using the Japanese version of the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale.

Results: There were no significant differences in maternal feelings for their babies between the two groups of women.

Conclusions: We did not identify any effect of health consultations cased on ‘Discipline Without Tough Love’ during pregnancy on maternal feelings toward babies at one month after delivery. A further study to enlighten pregnant women about parenting without corporal punishment will be needed in Japan.

Registration: Japan Registry of Clinical Trials 1030190112; registered on 5 October 2019.
ASaiM-MT: a validated and optimized ASaiM workflow for metatranscriptomics analysis within Galaxy framework
Authors: Mehta Subina , Crane Marie , Leith Emma , Batut Bérénice , Hiltemann Saskia , Arntzen Magnus Ø , Kunath Benoit J. , Pope Phillip B. , Delogu Francesco , Sajulga Ray , Kumar Praveen , Johnson James E. , Griffin Timothy J. , Jagtap Pratik D.
Published: April 2021

The Earth Microbiome Project (EMP) aided in understanding the role of microbial communities and the influence of collective genetic material (the ‘microbiome’) and microbial diversity patterns across the habitats of our planet. With the evolution of new sequencing technologies, researchers can now investigate the microbiome and map its influence on the environment and human health. Advances in bioinformatics methods for next-generation sequencing (NGS) data analysis have helped researchers to gain an in-depth knowledge about the taxonomic and genetic composition of microbial communities. Metagenomic-based methods have been the most commonly used approaches for microbiome analysis; however, it primarily extracts information about taxonomic composition and genetic potential of the microbiome under study, lacking quantification of the gene products (RNA and proteins). On the other hand, metatranscriptomics, the study of a microbial community’s RNA expression, can reveal the dynamic gene expression of individual microbial populations and the community as a whole, ultimately providing information about the active pathways in the microbiome.  In order to address the analysis of NGS data, the ASaiM analysis framework was previously developed and made available via the Galaxy platform. Although developed for both metagenomics and metatranscriptomics, the original publication demonstrated the use of ASaiM only for metagenomics, while thorough testing for metatranscriptomics data was lacking.  In the current study, we have focused on validating and optimizing the tools within ASaiM for metatranscriptomics data. As a result, we deliver a robust workflow that will enable researchers to understand dynamic functional response of the microbiome in a wide variety of metatranscriptomics studies. This improved and optimized ASaiM-metatranscriptomics (ASaiM-MT) workflow is publicly available via the ASaiM framework, documented and supported with training material so that users can interrogate and characterize metatranscriptomic data, as part of larger meta-omic studies of microbiomes.
Case Report: Polyvinylpyrrolidone deposition disease from repeated injection of opioid substitution drugs: report of a case with a fatal outcome
Authors: Stalund Ida Viken , Riise Gro Nygard , Leh Friedemann , Bjånes Tormod Karlsen , Riise Lars , Svarstad Einar , Leh Sabine
Published: April 2021

Background: Intravenous injection of oral opioid substitution drugs (OSD) is widespread among injecting drug users. Several OSDs contain the polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as an excipient. Parenterally administered PVP of high molecular weight may accumulate in tissues and organs. This phenomenon was first described in the 1950s, when PVP was utilised in medication for parenteral use. We report a case of an opioid-addicted patient with extensive PVP–deposition caused by repeated injections of OSDs.

Case presentation: A 30-year-old male drug addicted patient in opioid substitution therapy (OST) was repeatedly referred to his local hospital in a poor general condition. Work-up revealed severe normocytic anaemia, renal insufficiency, pancreas insufficiency and pathological fractures. Biopsies from fractured bones, bone marrow and gastric mucosa showed extensive infiltrates of histiocytes with intracytoplasmic vacuoles. Vacuole content stained slightly bluish in hematoxylin and eosin stain, red in Congo red stain and black in periodic acid methenamine silver stain. The morphological appearance and staining properties were in accordance with the diagnosis of PVP deposition. The patient had been injecting both buprenorphine tablets and a specific methadone syrup for several years. The methadone syrup contained large amounts of high molecular weight PVP, making it the most likely cause of the deposition. His health quickly deteriorated and he died, impaired by multi-organ failure and cachexia, five years after the first diagnosis of PVP-deposition. The autopsy revealed extensive PVP-deposition in all sampled organs and tissues.

Conclusions: Histological investigation and the correct identification of PVP in the biopsies led to the discovery of a severe adverse effect from long-standing misuse of a drug. The disseminated PVP deposition likely contributed to multi-organ dysfunction and cachexia with a fatal outcome. The deposited PVP likely originated from repeated injections of a certain methadone syrup.
Medical students’ relative immunity, or lack thereof, against COVID-19 emotional distress and psychological challenges; a descriptive study from Jordan
Authors: Kheirallah Khalid , Bloukh Sarah , Khasawneh Wasim , Alsulaiman Jomana , Khassawneh Adi , Al-Mistarehi Abdel-Hameed , Alqudah Mohammad , Elsalem Lina , Al Bashir Samir , Awad Hasan H. , Al-Shatanawi Tariq , Saleh Tareq
Published: April 2021

Background: Emotional distress is a major impact of COVID-19 among not only the general public but also healthcare workers including medical students. This study aimed at describing self-reported changes in emotional reactions associated with COVID-19 among medical students in Jordan and to assessing the potential effect of social media utilization on emotional distress among this group.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was utilized to collect data early on during the outbreak in Jordan. All medical students in Jordan were eligible to complete an online questionnaire assessing self-reported emotional reactions to COVID-19 that covered four main domains: negative emotion (anxiety, worry, depression, panic, loneliness, and nervousness), positive emotion (happiness, joy, and excitement), sleep disorders (insomnia, shallow sleep, nightmares, and insufficient sleep), and aggression (verbal argument and physical fighting). The frequency of social media utilization as a main source of COVID-19 information was also assessed.

Results: 59.9% of participants were females, 64.9% were enrolled at the two major medical schools in Jordan, and 59.6% were in the pre-clinical stage (years). A significant proportion of participants self-reported increased negative emotional levels of anxiety (49.2%), worry (72.4%), depression (23.1%), panic (22.6%), and nervousness (38.2%) and decreased positive emotional levels of happiness (44.8%), joy (47.3%), and feelings of excitement (45.1%). Self-reported sleep disorders were not as common (less than 15% for any of the four items), while arguing with others was at 26.7%. Significant differences by gender and academic year were detected. Almost half of participants reported using social media as a main source of COVID-19 information “most/all-the-times” with a significant effect of such on reducing emotional distress.

Conclusion: The results suggest a potential effect of COVID-19 on the emotional distress of medical students. Addressing and mitigating such effects is crucial. The buffering effect of social media should be further investigated.
Study of Antibodies to Cytolethal Distending Toxin B (CdtB) and Antibodies to Vinculin in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Zaki Maysaa El Sayed , Elhammady Dina , Foda Salama Mona , Abdelsalam Mostafa , Osman Asmaa Osama Bakr
Published: April 2021

Background:Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder, categorized into various subtypes. Post-infection IBS may be attributed to the release of cytolethal distending toxin B (CdtB), which cross-reacts with the adhesion protein vinculin responsible for normal intestinal contractility.

Objective:This study aims to identify anti-CdtB and anti-vinculin levels in IBS patients compared to healthy control.

Subjects and methods:This retrospective case-control study was conducted on 100 patients with IBS, as determined by a questionnaire based on Rome IV criteria, recruited from the outpatient clinics of the Tropical Medicine at Mansoura University Hospital from January 2019 to January 2020.

Results:Anti-vinculin and anti-CdtB levels were significantly elevated in patients with IBS (1.58±0.496ng/ml, 2.47±0.60ng/ml)  when compared to control subjects (1.13±0.249ng/ml, 2.1±0.24 ng/ml), respectively with P=0.001 for both.  Anti-vinculin level was significantly higher in the IBS-D subtype than the other subtypes (P=0.001) while, Anti-CdtB was significantly elevated in IBS-C, IBS-D subgroups compared to control subjects (P=0.001).

Conclusion:Findings of the present study support the hypothesis that IBS results from post-infectious disorders initiated by bacterial enteritis. A hypothesis could be applied to all IBS subgroups. On the other hand. These biomarkers might reflect the post-infectious state's severity. These findings need further extensive longitudinal studies in patients with IBS.
Global prevalence of prolonged gastrointestinal symptoms in COVID-19 survivors and potential pathogenesis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yusuf Fauzi , Fahriani Marhami , Mamada Sukamto S. , Frediansyah Andri , Abubakar Azzaki , Maghfirah Desi , Fajar Jonny Karunia , Maliga Helnida Anggun , Ilmawan Muhammad , Emran Talha Bin , Ophinni Youdiil , Innayah Meutia Rizki , Masyeni Sri , Ghouth Abdulla Salem Bin , Yusuf Hanifah , Dhama Kuldeep , Nainu Firzan , Harapan Harapan
Published: April 2021

Background: This study aimed to determine the cumulative prevalence of prolonged gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, abdominal pain, and dysgeusia, in survivors of both mild and severe COVID-19 worldwide and to discuss the potential pathogenesis.  

Methods: Three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched for relevant articles up to January 30, 2021. Data on study characteristics, clinical characteristics during follow-up, the number of patients with prolonged GI symptoms, and total number of COVID-19 survivors were retrieved according to PRISMA guidelines. The quality of eligible studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The pooled prevalence of specific prolonged GI symptoms was calculated and the association between COVID-19 severity and the occurrence of prolonged GI symptoms was assessed if appropriate.  

Results: The global prevalence of prolonged nausea was 3.23% (95% CI: 0.54%–16.53%) among 527 COVID-19 survivors. Vomiting persisted in 93 of 2,238 COVID-19 survivors (3.19%, 95% CI: 1.62%–6.17%) and prolonged diarrhea was found in 34 of 1,073 survivors (4.12%, 95% CI: 1.07%–14.64%). A total of 156 patients among 2,238 COVID-19 survivors (4.41%, 95% CI: 1.91%–9.94%) complained of persistent decreased or loss of appetite. The cumulative prevalence of prolonged abdominal pain was 1.68% (95% CI: 0.84%–3.32%), whereas persistent dysgeusia was identified in 130 cases among 1,887 COVID-19 survivors (7.04%, 95% CI: 5.96%–8.30%). Data was insufficient to assess the relationship between COVID-19 severity and the occurrence of all prolonged GI symptoms.  

Conclusion: Persistent GI symptoms among COVID-19 survivors after discharge or recovery raises a concern regarding the long-term impact of the COVID-19 infection on the quality of life of the survivors. Despite several potential explanations proposed, studies that aim to follow patients after recovery from COVID-19 and determine the pathogenesis of the prolonged symptoms of COVID-19 survivors are warranted.  

PROSPERO registration: CRD42021239187.
Refining livestock mortality indicators: a systematic review
Authors: Wong Johanna T. , Vance Ciara , Peters Andrew
Published: April 2021

Background:Livestock mortality impacts farmer livelihoods and household nutrition. Capturing trends in livestock mortality at localised or national levels is essential to planning, monitoring and evaluating interventions and programs aimed at decreasing mortality rates. However, livestock mortality data is disparate, and indicators used have not been standardised. This review aims to assess livestock mortality indicator definitions reported in literature, and define the ages where mortality has greatest impact.

Methods:A systematic review was conducted, limited to articles focussed on mortality of cattle, sheep and goats. Peer-reviewed articles in Web of Science until year 2020 were assessed for inclusion of age-based definitions for mortality indicators and data on age distribution of mortality. Indicator definitions for each species were collated and similar terms and age groups most targeted were compared. The cumulative distribution of age at mortality was compared across studies graphically where possible; otherwise, age patterns for mortality were collated.

Results:Most studies reported mortality risk rather than rate, and there was little agreement between indicator definitions used in the literature. The most common indicators reported were perinatal and neonatal mortality in cattle, and for perinatal, neonatal and pre-weaning mortality indicators for sheep and goats. Direct comparison of age distribution of mortality was only possible for cattle, which found that approximately 80% of all mortalities within the first 12 months had occurred by six months of age. A significant finding of the study is the variation in age groups for which mortality is reported, which impedes the comparison of mortality risk across studies, particularly for sheep and goats.

Conclusions:This study demonstrates the importance and value of standardising mortality risk indicators for general use, including a young stock mortality risk indicator measuring mortality in the highest risk period of birth to six months of age in cattle, sheep and goats.
Protocol for a mixed methods process evaluation of the LinkMM randomised controlled trial “Use of link workers to provide social prescribing and health and social care coordination for people with complex multimorbidity in socially deprived areas”
Authors: Kiely Bridget , O'Donnell Patrick , Byers Vivienne , Galvin Emer , Boland Fiona , Smith Susan M. , Connolly Deirdre , O'Shea Eamon , Clyne Barbara
Published: April 2021

Background

Multimorbidity, defined as two or more chronic conditions is increasing in prevalence and is associated with increased health care use, fragmented care and poorer health outcomes. Link workers are non-health or social care professionals who support people to connect with resources in their community to improve their well-being, a process commonly referred to as social prescribing.  The use of link workers in primary care may be an effective intervention in helping those with long‐term conditions manage their illness and improve health and well‐being, but the evidence base in limited. The LinkMM study is a randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of link workers based in primary care, providing social prescribing and health and social care coordination for people with multimorbidity. The aim of the LinkMM process evaluation is to investigate the implementation of the link worker intervention, mechanisms of impact and influence of the specific context on these, as per the Medical Research Council framework, using quantitative and qualitative methods.

Methods

Quantitative data will be gathered from a number of sources including researcher logbooks, participant baseline questionnaires, client management database, and will be analysed using descriptive statistics. Semi structured interviews with participants will investigate their experiences of the intervention. Interviews with link workers, practices and community stakeholders will explore how the intervention was implemented and barriers and facilitators to this. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts will be conducted.

Discussion

The process evaluation of the LinkMM trial will provide important information allowing a more in-depth understanding of how the intervention worked and lessons for future wider scale implementation.
A data processing approach with built-in spatial resolution reduction methods to construct energy system models
Authors: Fleischer Christian Etienne
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Data processing is a crucial step in energy system modelling which prepares input data from various sources into a format needed to formulate a model. Multiple open-source web-hosted databases offer pre-processed input data within the European context. However, the number of documented open-source data processing workflows that allow for the construction of energy system models with specified spatial resolution reduction methods is still limited.

Methods: This paper presents a novel data processing approach to construct sector-coupled energy system models for European countries while maximising the use of existing web-hosted pre-processed data. Three power and heat optimisation models of Germany were constructed using different spatial resolution reduction methods.

Results: Significant variation in generation, transmission and storage capacity of electricity were observed between the optimisation results of the energy system models. The results of the model that used administrative state boundaries to define regions were found to be sensitive to the omission of solar rooftop photovoltaic availability.

Conclusions: This paper uses the proposed data processing approach to demonstrate the importance of spatial context when building and analysing power and heat optimisation models.
Qual é o lugar das narrativas na mudança organizacional? uma metassíntese de estudos de casos qualitativos
Authors: Seefeld Rodrigo , Ceni Jéssica Cristina
Published: April 2021

De acordo com a perspectiva de processos, organizações deixaram de ser consideradas substâncias, tornando-se mudanças. Ou seja, todas as coisas na realidade social, e não apenas as organizações, estão em constante fluxo de vir a ser (becoming), de transformação. Uma forma pela qual a mudança se estabelece é por meio de narrativas. O objetivo da presente pesquisa é compreender de que maneira as narrativas são empregadas na mudança organizacional. Foi realizada uma metassíntese a partir dos pressupostos formulados por Hoon (2013). A pesquisa possui abordagem qualitativa, de caráter descritivo e exploratório. Ao final da análise, constitui uma contribuição à teoria a ideia de que para uma mudança se tornar legítima e ser absorvida pelos membros organizacionais, são utilizadas narrativas como ferramenta de criação de sentido e de alinhamento para a manutenção e a legitimação do seu processo.
Image steganography with visual illusion
Authors: Jiao Shuming , Feng Jun
Published: April 2021

Human eyes are often “cheated” by an optical illusion (or visual illusion) so that the perceived image differs from the physical reality. But various optical illusions have been seldom investigated for technological applications such as image processing and optical display in the past. As a unique attempt of combining information technology with optical illusion, we propose a novel image steganography scheme based on a color assimilation illusion. A synthesized image containing a grayscale background and a saturated color line (or point) grid can be perceived as a color image, with external secret data hidden simultaneously.
Mode switching using optically induced long-period gratings: a theoretical analysis
Authors: Fernandes Gil M. , Rocha Ana M. , Facão Margarida
Published: April 2021

We show that optically induced long-period grating (OLPG) is a particular case of inter-modal Bragg-scattering four-wave mixing (BS-FWM). To carry out such analysis, a vector model for the inter-modal BS-FWM was proposed and further tailored to investigate the energy transfer induced by OLPGs. Both processes, BS-FWM and OLPGs, have been proposed for in-line all-optical mode switching in transmission systems with space-division multiplexing (SDM). In this scope, we demonstrate that the bandwidth of OLPGs is larger than the BS-FWM. Furthermore, we show that OLPG-based mode switching can take place in two windows, if both pump beams are launched near the zero value of the differential mode-group delay, and the central wavelength and the bandwidth of such windows can be tuned by properly adjusting the wavelength and the optical power of the pump beams.
Generation and compression of an intense infrared white light continuum in YAG irradiated by picosecond pulses
Authors: Ishii Nobuhisa , Maruyama Momoko , Nagashima Keisuke , Ochi Yoshihiro , Itakura Ryuji
Published: April 2021

An intense white light (WL) continuum from 1600 to 2400 nm is generated in a 20-mm-long YAG irradiated by 1-ps, 1030-nm pulses. Long filamentation formed in the YAG is proven to be responsible for the enhancement of the longer-wavelength spectral part of the WL. The WL is compressed down to 24.6 fs ( 3.9 cycles at 1900 nm) after optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification in a lithium niobate crystal near degeneracy, confirming that its spectral phase is well behaved. The pulse compression experiment reveals that the group delay introduced in the WL generation process is dominated by the dispersion of YAG.
Narrow linewidth VCSEL based on resonant optical feedback from an on-chip microring add-drop filter
Authors: Jiang Lidan , Shi Leilei , Luo Jing , Gao Qirui , Lan Tianyi , Huang Ligang , Zhu Tao
Published: April 2021

We demonstrate a narrow linewidth vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) by injecting resonant optical feedback into the lasing cavity. A single longitudinal mode VCSEL with a Lorentzian linewidth of 32.6 kHz and a purified optical spectrum is experimentally achieved by an on-chip microring add-drop filter with a quality factor of 1.36 million, where the feedback level is

−

47.77

d
B

. The frequency noise spectrum of the VCSEL demonstrates that the thermo-optic effect in the microring resonator can also stabilize the lasing frequency. A VCSEL with narrow linewidth and stable frequency provides a high-performance light source for a single VCSEL or VCSEL array-based application.
Optical frequency-to-time mapping using a phase-modulated frequency-shifting loop
Authors: Yang Hongzhi , Brunel Marc , Vallet Marc , Zhang Haiyang , Zhao Changming
Published: April 2021

A real-time spectral analysis is demonstrated experimentally with a frequency-shifting loop that includes an electro-optic phase modulator. When a single-frequency laser seeds the loop, pulse doublets are emitted if the integer Talbot condition is satisfied. With a polychromatic seed, frequency-to-time mapping is demonstrated, namely the temporal output of the loop maps the spectral power of the seed, with a resolution of 400 kHz. Due to the phase modulation function, the mapping is shown to be nonlinear. The results are in agreement with the theoretical predictions of [H. Yang et al., J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 37, 3162 (2020)JOBPDE0740-322410.1364/JOSAB.389801]. The extension to integrated systems for applications is discussed.
Giant terahertz polarization rotation in ultrathin films of aligned carbon nanotubes
Authors: Baydin Andrey , Komatsu Natsumi , Tay Fuyang , Ghosh Saunab , Makihara Takuma , Noe G. Timothy , Kono Junichiro
Published: April 2021

For easy manipulation of polarization states of light for applications
in communications, imaging, and information processing, an efficient
mechanism is desired for rotating light polarization with a minimum
interaction length. Here, we report giant polarization rotations for
terahertz (THz) electromagnetic waves in ultrathin (

∼

45

n
m

), high-density films of aligned
carbon nanotubes. We observed polarization rotations of up to

∼

20
∘

and

∼

110
∘

for transmitted and reflected THz
pulses, respectively. The amount of polarization rotation was a
sensitive function of the angle between the incident THz polarization
and the nanotube alignment direction, exhibiting a “magic” angle at
which the total rotation through transmission and reflection becomes
exactly 90°. Our model quantitatively explains these giant rotations
as a result of extremely anisotropic optical constants, demonstrating
that aligned carbon nanotubes promise ultrathin, broadband, and
tunable THz polarization devices.
Chlamydia pneumoniae and chronic asthma: Updated systematic review and meta-analysis of population attributable risk
Authors: Hahn David L.
Published: April 2021

Background

Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cp) is an obligate intracellular human respiratory pathogen producing persisting lung infection with a plausible link to asthma pathogenesis. The population attributable risk of potentially treatable Cp infection in asthma has not been reported.

Methods

The author searched from 2000 to 2020 inclusive for previously un-reviewed and new cross sectional and prospective controlled studies of Cp biomarkers and chronic asthma in both children and adults. Qualitative descriptive results and quantitative estimates of population attributable risk for selected biomarkers (specific IgG, IgA and IgE) are presented.

Findings

No large, long-term prospective population-based studies of Cp infection and asthma were identified. About half of case-control studies reported one or more significant associations of Cp biomarkers and chronic asthma. Heterogeneity of results by age group (pediatric v adult asthma), severity category (severe/uncontrolled, moderate/partly controlled, mild/controlled) and antibody isotype (specific IgG, IgA, IgE) were suggested by the qualitative results and confirmed by meta-analyses. The population attributable risks for Cp-specific IgG and IgA were nul in children and were 6% (95% confidence interval 2%-10%, p = 0.002) and 13% (9%-18%, p<0.00001) respectively in adults. In contrast to the nul or small population attributable risks for Cp-specific IgG and IgA, the population attributable risk for C. pneumoniae-specific IgE (children and adults combined) was 47% (39%-55%, p<0.00001). In the subset of studies that reported on asthma severity categories, Cp biomarkers were positively and significantly (P<0.00001) associated with asthma severity.

Interpretation

C. pneumoniae-specific IgE is strongly associated with asthma and asthma severity, suggesting a possible mechanism linking chronic Cp infection with asthma in a subset of individuals with asthma. Infection biomarkers should be included in future macrolide treatment trials for severe and uncontrolled asthma.
Prognostic value of the postoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in solid tumors: A meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Meilong , Yang Shizhong , Feng Xiaobin , Li Chengquan , Yu Fei , Dong Jiahong
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Numerous studies have demonstrated that a variety of systemic inflammatory markers were associated with the survival of different tumors. However, the association between elevated postoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (postNLR) and long-term outcomes, including overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), in patients with solid tumors remains controversial. A systematic review was conducted to explore the association between the postNLR and long-term outcomes in solid tumors.

Materials and methods

Relevant literature was identified using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library from the initiation of the databases to October 2020. Data were extracted from included studies reporting hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), and were pooled using generic inverse-variance and random-effects modeling. 25 studies reporting on7539 patients were included in the analysis.

Results

Elevated postNLR was associated with poor OS (HR 1.87, 95% CI = 1.53–2.28; P < 0.00001), and worse DFS (HR 1.69, 95% CI = 1.28–2.22; P = 0.0002). Subgroup analyses showed that the trend of the pooled HR for most of the subgroups was not changed, and the heterogeneity of the same tumor type was not obvious. However, there was no correlation between high postNLR obtained within 7days and poor DFS (n = 3, HR 1.25, 95CI% = 0.54–2.88; P = 0.60).

Conclusions

Elevated postNLR might be a readily available and inexpensive biomarker for long-term outcomes in solid tumors. Multicenter and prospective studies are needed to explore the impact of the postNLR on the prognosis of solid tumors.
Site-specific responses of lowland rice to acidulated and calcined phosphate rock fertilizers in the Center-West region of Burkina Faso
Authors: Fukuda Monrawee , Soma Dohan M. , Iwasaki Shinya , Nakamura Satoshi , Kanda Takashi , Ouattara Korodjouma , Nagumo Fujio
Published: April 2021

Soil phosphorus (P) deficiency is a major constraint of crop production in Sub-Saharan Africa. In particular, in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Burkina Faso, P is rarely replenished as fertilizer supplies are limited in rural areas and because of the socio-economic situation of farmers. There is however, an abundance of local phosphate rock resource in the country. The development of local inorganic P fertilizers to improve crop production and replace the nutrients removed after harvesting, as well as to promote to sustainable agriculture, is desired. This study evaluated the efficiency of low-grade Burkina Faso phosphate rock (BPR)-based P fertilizers, produced by acidulation and calcination-the major fertilizer processing methods, on lowland rice production and the soil factors influencing their effectiveness. The results showed that the acidulated P fertilizers were as effective as conventional commercial P fertilizers on various soil types, textures, and fertility. Calcined P fertilizers were consistently effective on fine-textured soils with high basic fertility. It was found that fine soil texture and basic fertility of the initial soils were important factors in agronomic efficiency of BPR-based fertilizers and the resilience of rice production to climatic variability. It is recommended that soil type, with respect to soil texture, soil properties, inherent fertility, and water availability, should be considered when using BPR-based fertilizers for rice cultivation.
Employability skills and quality of life among employees with mild and moderate intellectual disability who attend occupation centres in catalonia (Spain)
Authors: González Fernández Henar , Laborda Molla Cristina , Jariot García Mercè
Published: April 2021

Background: The study explores the relationship between quality of life (QoL) and employability skills in a non-random sample of 100 employees of occupational centres (OCs) in Barcelona (Spain). The influence of gender, age and level of intellectual disability (ID) is also explored. Method: A quantitative approach was adopted to collect and examine data, gathered through two different instruments: the GENCAT SCALE (Verdugo et al., 2008) (and the Employability Skills Scale (Jariot, Laborda and González, 2020). Results: A correlation between QoL and employability skills has been found. A relationship between age and employability skills was also found, in which younger individuals reported better in employability skills. Age was also found to have an effect on some QoL domains. The ID level turned out to be a significant factor in the development of employability skills, as well as in some QoL domains. The crucial role of job placement in personal development is underlined, as well as the need for more inclusive procedures in occupancy services.
Diagramme zwischen Metapher und Explikation
Authors: Ernst Christoph
Published: April 2021

Diagrammatisches Denken kann als eine Praxis der Explikation verstanden werden, deren epistemologische und ästhetische Qualitäten in audiovisuellen Medien aufgegriffen, fortgeschrieben und reflektiert werden. Christoph Ernst baut auf semiotische und kognitionstheoretische Forschungsperspektiven auf und entwickelt die Grundlinien einer Medienästhetik der Diagrammatik, die anhand ausgewählter Filmbeispiele nachvollzogen werden. Die zeitgenössische Diskussion um medienkulturelle Konturen der Diagrammatik wird damit um eine für zentrale Forschungsfragen relevante Perspektive erweitert.
Kunst auf Sendung
Authors: Schönewald Sarah
Published: April 2021

Wie lässt sich Radiokunst in ihren vielfältigen Formen wissenschaftlich analysieren? Welche spezifischen ästhetischen Dimensionen können radiophone Arbeiten entfalten? Was muss die Kunstvermittlung leisten, um diesen Eigenheiten Rechnung zu tragen? Und wie lässt sich die Vermittlung von Radiokunst in ihrer Wirkung evaluieren? Ausgehend vom Projekt »Schlafradio« von Norbert Math und der Arbeit »Nacht. Stimme. Zerstreuung.« von der Künstlergruppe LIGNA schafft Sarah Schönewald die bislang fehlenden Grundlagen für eine methodisch gesicherte und theoretisch reflektierte Analyse und Vermittlung von Radiokunst im Kontext der musealen Ausstellung.
Taking Stakes in the Unknown
Authors: Adusei-Poku Nana
Published: April 2021

In 2001, Freestyle, a survey exhibition curated by Thelma Golden at the Studio Museum in Harlem, introduced both a young generation of artists of African descent and the ambitious yet knowingly opaque term post-black to a pre 9-11 and pre-Obama world. In Taking Stakes in the Unknown, Nana Adusei-Poku contextualizes the term post-black in its socio-historical and cultural context. Whilst exploring its present legacy and past potential, she examines works by artists who were defined as part of the post-black generation: Mark Bradford, Leslie Hewitt, Mickalene Thomas and Hank Willis Thomas - and, by expanding the scope of the definition, the Black German artist Philip Metz.
Paradoxien der Unternehmensgeschichtsschreibung
Authors: Brandt Teresa
Published: April 2021

Die Frage nach der Glaubwürdigkeit in Geschichtsschreibungen ist zuallererst eine Frage nach den sozialen Rahmenbedingungen ihrer Entstehung. Teresa Brandt untersucht Geschichtsschreibung daher als »sozialen Akt« und zeigt auf, wie bestimmte Mechanismen in unterschiedlichen Formen von Geschichtsschreibung für Glaubwürdigkeit sorgen und welche sozialen Abhängigkeiten Historiker*innen in ihrem Berufshabitus beeinflussen. Ihre Analyse deckt die Widersprüche auf, die zwischen dem Wunsch nach unabhängiger und freier Forschung und gleichzeitiger finanzieller und sozialer Abhängigkeit bestehen. Sie ist ein Plädoyer für die Stärkung des Selbstverständnisses von Historiker*innen und regt zur aktiven Reflexion über die Arbeitsbedingungen in der Wissenschaft an.
La société à l’épreuve des séries TV
Authors: Delporte Antoine , Lionel Francou
Published: April 2021

Aujourd’hui, les séries TV occupent une place importante dans les loisirs et les imaginaires. Des mutations récentes, tant de forme que de fond, ont permis aux séries américaines, autrefois dénigrées, de gagner en légitimité et de toucher un plus large public. Cet article se propose de les utiliser comme un dispositif d’enquête dans le cadre de la sociologie de l’épreuve de D. Martuccelli. Face aux défis de la société contemporaine, les individus iraient puiser, dans la fiction sérielle, des normes et modèles de référence dont ils peuvent ensuite se servir comme support. Dans ce court article, nous souhaitons partager une série de pistes de réflexion en vue d’une meilleure compréhension de la réalité sociale en nous basant sur l’identification des épreuves structurelles mises en scène dans la fiction télévisuelle et mobilisées par les individus.
Allosteric Modulators: Potential Treatment for Schizophrenia
Authors: Daya Ritesh
Published: April 2021

As an Honours Life Science student, Ritesh Daya worked in the department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience. Following a presentation of his work at the Ontario Undergraduate NeuroXchange conference, Ritesh was given an award for best poster presentation by a group of delegates from The Meducator. Under the supervision of Dr. Ram Mishra, Ritesh has been investigating the pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie schizophrenia, a severe and debilitating mental illness. The focus of his research involves testing a novel allosteric modulator to potentially treat schizophrenia and other dopamine-related disorders.