bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cost and pollution by the use of xylene in cervical cytology in four Peruvian hospitals
Authors: Moya-Salazar Jeel , Salazar-Hernández Richard , Rojas-Zumaran Victor , Cruz-Gonzales Gloria , Contreras-Pulache Hans
Published: April 2022

Background: Cytological samples are cleared with xylene in two or three baths during a Pap test, however, this solvent has a high degree of toxicity, and being a controlled reagent infers high costs for its purchase and implications for environmental pollution. We estimated the impact of xylene during the Pap test in terms of the number of liters and cost of two baths of xylene, and also estimated the impact with three baths 

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in four hospitals of EsSalud in Peru in two stages. First, the analysis of the impact due to the use of two baths of xylene was conducted during the period 2015–2019, and second, the estimates were calculated based on the assumption of three baths of xylene for the years 2020–2025. The assumption was based on the recommendations of the 2018 EsSalud cytology guideline. The monthly amount of xylene was ~10 liters per bath/month and the cost per liter was estimated at 8.13 USD (27 soles). 

Results: For the staining of 594,898 cytology tests, 7,848 liters of xylene were necessary, resulting in a cost of 60,861 USD (202,068 soles) during the period 2015–2019. The estimates showed a maximum assumption of 9,483 liters and 77,110 USD (256,040 soles) for the use of three baths of xylene in the four EsSalud hospitals (p = 0.0025) during the period 2020–2025.  

Conclusions: We determined that there was a high economic impact of using xylene with two baths from 2015 to 2019 and a dramatic increase in costs with the possible use of three baths of xylene in the Pap test for the following five years.
Analysis of the replanting of banana hills with infection by the bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum philotype II race 2 and economic losses
Authors: Grajales-Amorocho Marly , Acosta-Minoli Cesar , Muñoz-Pizza Dalia , Manrique-Arias Oscar , Muñoz Loaiza Anibal
Published: April 2022

Background: Moko is a disease caused by the bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum philotype II race 2, which has caused great economic losses and continues without proper management. So far there is no treatment to control the disease and the best solution is to avoid the arrival of the bacteria.  This is done through strategies for managing the cultivation and eradication of infected plants, since the bacteria have the ability to spread through water, wind, and animals, among others. However, the main form of dispersal is infected planting material (hills). Methods: For this reason, to investigate the dynamics of Moko disease in plantain, a population simulation model with nonlinear ordinary differential equations was presented, with disease prevention and population of susceptible and infected plants and associated economic losses over time. Results: We found that replanting infected hills has a large effect on increasing the incidence of the disease and on production costs, in addition to generating greater economic losses. Both prevention strategies should be implemented in a medium proportion ( f=60% ; g=70%),  in order to sustain a reasonable amount of susceptible plants over time. With this, the infected plants tend to be controlled, as well as leading to lower economic losses in general. Conclusion: cultural control strategies in banana Moko disease, such as disinfestation of tools, footwear, weed pruning, among others, are important agronomic practices for disease control, however the identification of infected hills plays an essential role in preventing the spread of the disease.
Determinants of maternal healthcare service utilisation among Indonesian mothers: A population-based study
Authors: Aji Ridwan Setyo , Efendi Ferry , Kurnia Iqlima Dwi , Tonapa Santo Imanuel , Chan Chong-Mei
Published: April 2022

Background:In Indonesia, maternal health care services are widely available, aiming to improve health and survival among mothers. However, these services remain underutilised, and its determining factor was unknown. This study sought to identify determinant factors of maternal healthcare services utilisation among Indonesian mothers.

Methods:This population-based cross-sectional study leveraged the 2017 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey data. A total of 12,033 mothers aged from 15 to 49 years who had a live birth in the five years preceding the survey were included in the analysis. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify the determinant factors.

Results:Approximately 93.44% of the mothers had adequate antenatal care, 83.73% had a delivery at the healthcare facility, and 71.46% received postnatal care. The mother’s age and household wealth index were the typical determinants of all maternal healthcare services. Determinants of antenatal care visits were husband’s occupational status, the number of children, and access to the healthcare facility. Next, factors that drive mothers’ delivery at the healthcare facility were the mother’s education level, husband’s educational level, and residential area. The use of postnatal care was determined by the mother’s occupational status, husband’s educational level, number of children, wealth index, access to the healthcare facility, and residential area.

Conclusions: The utilisation of each maternal healthcare service was determined by various socio-structural and intermediary determinants, but the mother’s age and household wealth index were emerged as the typical determinants of all maternal healthcare services. Providing maternal healthcare services that are adjusted and tuned with these socio determinant factors may ensure that mothers can adequately utilise each service.
The Dark Side of Technological Modularity: Opportunistic Information Hiding During Interorganizational System Adoption
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Sanjith , Matta Moksh , Cavusoglu Hasan
Published: April 2022

To drive competitive advantage in today’s fast-paced and disruptive business environment, firms are increasingly investing in the modularization of their technology infrastructure. In a rapidly changing and interconnected business environment where flexibility is key, modularity is often hailed as a foundational pillar of information technology systems of the future. For networked firms, modularity has been traditionally viewed as unambiguously beneficial because it allows for closer alignment with partner firms and also mitigates risk by lowering partner switching costs. However, we find that in interfirm networks undergoing technology transitions in the form of adoption of new interorganizational systems such as blockchains, modularity can also engender additional risks. Specifically, the early stages of IOS adoption are characterized by information asymmetries, and we find that high levels of technological modularity can render firms more susceptible to opportunistic information withholding by network partners. Our findings run counter to the traditional view of modularity as a capability that can improve the efficiency of IOS adoption, or as a governance mechanism that reduces risks associated with IOS adoption. As optimism and investments toward modularity grow, by identifying associated risks, our work cautions managers to adopt a more qualified view of this capability during technological transitions.
Implementing a nurse-led paediatric palliative care service
Authors: Sadler Kim , Nancarrow Lori , Alyami Hamad Husain , Abudari Gassan
Published: April 2022

Background:

Children with life-limiting illnesses are living longer. They have complex care needs and require specialised knowledge and skills, yet paediatric palliative care is still at its infancy in most settings worldwide.

Aims:

To describe the process of implementing a nurse-led paediatric palliative care programme in a large tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Methods:

The steps that led to the implementation of this new nurse-led programme will be described through a 1-year analysis of collected data.

Findings:

A total of 107 children received services from the paediatric palliative care programme for over one year, with cancer being the predominant diagnosis (n=71, 66.3%). More than half of the children had a do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) order (n=54, 50.5%). The most frequently encountered issues were the family's difficulty in coping with the disease (n=80, 74.7%) and a child's uncontrolled pain (n=72, 67.3%). The most frequent interventions were family support and counselling (n=71, 66.3%), family education about symptom management (n=69, 64,5%) and adjusted analgesics (n=60, 56%). Children in the terminal stage of their disease had significantly more issues.

Conclusion:

Effective paediatric palliative care can be successfully implemented in a healthcare setting even when resources are limited. A nurse-led service was found to be a viable option for the delivery of palliative care to children with serious illnesses.
Leadership Expectations of Secondary School Students in the Context of School Principals
Authors: Demirbilek Mesut
Published: April 2022

In the research, it was aimed to learn the leadership expectations of secondary school students in the context of school principals. In this context, focus group interviews were conducted with sixteen students studying at different grade levels in the research conducted with a phenomenological design, and the data obtained were subjected to content analysis. When the findings were examined, it was seen that the leadership expectations of the students from the school principals were shaped in four sub-themes (behavior, values, skills and abilities, and characteristics). According to the results obtained, students from school principals about leadership; In the behavior sub-theme, they expect the most discipline and valuing ideas, they expect the most fairness, tolerance and understanding in the values sub-theme, they expect the most professional expertise in the skills and abilities sub-theme, and they expect the most compassion and sincerity in the characteristics sub-theme. The results show that the expectations of the students, which are the basic elements of the education process, should be taken into account by the school leaders.
The study of postmortem blood gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) concentrations in Thai dead bodies unrelated to GHB use
Authors:   Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, Kumfao Naruemon , Sukata Siriluck ,   Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, Phuangphung Peerayuht ,   Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Published: April 2022

Background: Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is classified as a category I psychotropic substance in Thai legislation. It can be exogenously consumed or endogenously produced and cut-off concentrations are required. Baseline GHB concentration ranges in Thai postmortem cases are still not available. Objectives: To determine baseline GHB concentrations and factors influencing GHB concentrations in Thai postmortem cases. Materials and methods: Postmortem femoral and cardiac blood samples were collected from Thai cadavers aged 18 years old or older sent for medico-legal autopsies at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University between 18th August 2021 and 25th January 2022 with postmortem interval (PMI) not greater than 24 hours. Case data including sex, age, PMI, sites of collection and causes of death were recorded. Blood GHB concentrations were extracted using protein precipitation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Descriptive statistics, paired samples Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Spearman's correlation, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis H test were analyzed where appropriate. Results: A total of 150 subjects were recruited; 63 (42%) were female with mean age 44.59 years old (range 18-75 years old). Femoral and cardiac GHB concentration ranges were <0.5-20.81 µg/mL and 1.12-39.04 µg/mL, respectively while median GHB concentrations in femoral and cardiac blood were 6.38 and 8.41 µg/mL. Femoral GHB concentrations were significantly lower than cardiac GHB concentrations (p<0.001). Both femoral and cardiac blood showed a positive correlation between GHB concentrations and PMI (Spearman’s correlation =0.52 and 0.32, p<0.001). Most GHB concentrations in femoral blood were less than 10 µg/mL and almost all samples from both sources had GHB concentrations less than 30 µg/mL. Conclusion: GHB concentrations in Thai postmortem cases were <0.5-20.81 µg/mL in femoral blood and 1.12-39.04 µg/mL in cardiac blood, respectively. GHB concentrations in femoral blood were significantly lower than in cardiac blood. GHB concentrations significantly increased with longer PMI
A Selective Encryption/Decryption Method of Sensitive Music Usage History Information on Theme, Background and Signal Music Blockchain Network
Authors: Kim Youngmo , Park Byeongchan , Kim Seok-Yoon
Published: April 2022

The theme, background, and signal music usage history information consists of general information such as music information, platform information, and music usage information, and sensitive information such as rights management information, music usage permission range, and contract information. If sensitive information among these is disclosed, disputes such as trade secrets and infringement of personal information protection between companies or between companies and individuals may arise.
We propose a selective encryption/decryption method to secure the confidentiality, integrity, reliability and non-repudiation of sensitive music usage history information used in the theme, background, and signal music blockchain environment. In the proposed method, a monitoring company encrypts sensitive information using a secret key for usage history information, which is combined with general information, and digitally signs it using a private key to register it in a block. A trust group can view and access the information at the time of inquiry by verifying the digital signature with the public key of the monitoring company and then can decrypt the sensitive information using the private key.
Vehicle Classification and Tracking Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Ahn Hyochang , Lee Yong-Hwan
Published: April 2022

Traffic volume is gradually increasing due to the development of technology and the concentration of people in cities. As the results, traffic congestion and traffic accidents are becoming social problems. Detecting and tracking a vehicle based on computer vision is a great helpful in providing important information such as identifying road traffic conditions and crime situations. However, vehicle detection and tracking using a camera is affected by environmental factors in which the camera is installed. In this paper, we thus propose a deep learning based on vehicle classification and tracking scheme to classify and track vehicles in a complex and diverse environment. Using YOLO model as deep learning model, it is possible to quickly and accurately perform robust vehicle tracking in various environments, compared to the traditional method.
XGBoost Regression Classifier (XRC) Model for Cyber Attack Detection and Classification Using Inception V4
Authors: Raghunath K. M. Karthick , Kumar V. Vinoth , Venkatesan Muthukumaran , Singh Krishna Kant , Mahesh T. R. , Singh Akansha
Published: April 2022

Massive reliance on practical systems has resulted in several security concerns. The ability to identify anomalies is a critical safety feature enabled by anomaly diagnostic techniques. The construction of a data system faces a significant issue in cyber security. Because of the exploitation of valuable data, cybersecurity impacts the privacy of such data. Attack incidents must be examined using an appropriate analytics approach in elevating the safety level. Design of advanced analytical, conceptual model creation gives practical guidance and prioritizes threats/attacks across the network system. There is now substantial effectiveness in attack categorization, and evaluation through Convolution Neural Network (CNN) based classifiers. In light of the drawbacks of previous approaches, this research proposes an approach relying on the Deep Learning (DL) strategies for cyberattacks detection and categorization in the context of cyberspace incidents. Likewise, this article presents an XGBoost Regression Classifier (XRC) using Inception V4 to address those restrictions. XGBoost refers to Extreme Gradient Boosting, a decentralized gradient-boosted decision tree (GBDT) supervised learning framework that is robust and can be used in a decentralized context. XGBoost is a well-known machine learning technique because of its ability to produce outstanding accuracy. The concepts of both XGBoost and Regression classifiers are integrated and represented as a suggested hybridized classifier, which is implemented in Inception V4 to further train and test the model. The proposed XRC categorizes and forecasts several common types of network cyberattacks that includes Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), Phishing, Cross-site Scripting (CS), Internet of Things (IoT). The sigmoidal function is used as a supportive activator to the hybridized classifier to lower the erroneous ratio and increase the effectiveness. Research shows that training and testing errors were substantially decreased when using XRC. In 9 out of 13 instances, over 97% of threats are detected by the XRC, and over 75% of threats are detected in its most challenging datasets.
Excluding familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia before surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism – a practical evaluation of urinary calcium using a retrospective cohort design
Authors: McAllister J , Arshad MF , Rab E , Balasubramanian SP
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia (FHH) and primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) are both associated with raised serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels; the former should be excluded in patients undergoing surgery for the latter. Twenty-four-hour urinary calcium collections (24UCA) can be performed to quantify total calcium excreted; however, results of this method do not take into account factors such as kidney function. Current guidelines suggest measuring urine calcium to creatinine clearance ratio (CCCR) as the initial step. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of CCCR and 24UCA in a cohort design, to reliably exclude FHH patients before surgery for PHPT.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of all patients having urine calcium investigations in a single centre, over a 2-year period was performed. Relevant biochemical data and recorded diagnoses were collected.

Results

In total, 296 urine calcium measurements were included from 199 patients. Ten (5%) had genetically confirmed or suspected FHH, 171 (85.9%) had surgically proven or suspected PHPT and the remainder had other diagnoses. At a CCCR cut-off of ≤0.020, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) were 2.33% and 100%, respectively. At a cut-off of ≤0.015, NPV was maintained at 100% and PPV increased to 3.28%. Low 24UCA measurements (<2.5mmol/L/24h) generated a NPV for FHH of 95.2%.

Conclusion

A CCCR measurement below 0.020 should raise the possibility of FHH and genetic screening should be considered. 24UCA had a lower predictive power to exclude FHH (NPV), and measurements should be interpreted in the context of renal function.
Validating low-fidelity arthroscopic simulation in medical students: a feasibility trial
Authors: Oh GY , Gibson M , Khanom S , Jaiswal P , Patel A
Published: April 2022

Introduction

With surgical opportunities becoming increasingly restricted for orthopaedic trainees, simulation training is a valuable alternative at providing sufficient practice. This pilot study aims to assess the potential effectiveness of low-fidelity simulation in teaching medical students basic arthroscopic skills and the feasibility of its incorporation into formal student training programmes.

Methods

Twenty-two medical students completed pre- and post-training tests on the Probing (Task 1) and Maze (Task 2) exercises from the Sawbones ‘Fundamentals of Arthroscopy Surgery Training’ (FAST) programme. Training consisted of practising horizon control, deliberate linear motion and probing within 25min over a period of days. Completion time and error frequency were measured. The difference in performance was assessed using a paired two-tailed t-test. Qualitative data were collected.

Results

Test completion time decreased significantly by a mean of 83s (±46s, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 37 to 129) for Task 1 (p=0.001) and 105s (±55s, 95% CI 50 to 160) for Task 2 (p=0.0007). Frequency of direct visualisation errors decreased significantly by a mean of 1.0 errors (±1.0 errors, 95% CI 0.1 to 2.0) for Task 1 (p = 0.04) and 0.8 errors (±0.8 errors, 95% CI 0.1 to 1.6) for Task 2 (p = 0.04). At post-training, 82% of participants were willing to incorporate FAST into formal training.

Conclusions

Low-fidelity simulators such as FAST can potentially teach basic arthroscopic skills to medical students and are feasible for incorporation into formal training. They also give students a cost-effective and safe basic surgical training experience.
Terahertz device utilizing a transmissive geometric metasurface
Authors: Li Jiu-Sheng , Chen Yi
Published: April 2022

Due to potential applications in next generation high-capacity wireless communication systems, generating and controlling vortex beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) has received considerable attention. In this work, a scheme is proposed to generate two/four splitting vortex beams and focusing vortex beams with different topological charges under left circularly polarized and right circularly polarized terahertz waves under incidence. The meta-unit cell consists of a two-flying-fish-shaped patterned metallic top layer and an identical metallic patterned bottom layer separated by a silica layer. Full-wave simulation results agree well with that of calculation predictions. The proposed terahertz metasurface-based devices are able to carry different OAM modes and can abruptly manipulate during propagation, which indicates that such metasurface-based devices may have promising applications in terahertz wireless communication links in the future.
Light-induced thermomagnetic recording of thin-film magnet CoFeB on silicon waveguide for on-chip magneto-optical memory
Authors: Murai Toshiya , shoji Yuya , Mizumoto Tetsuya
Published: April 2022

Thermomagnetic recording is a technique used as a writing process for magneto-optical (MO) drives. Despite their significant advantages, such as rewritability, nonvolatility, reliability, and large cycling endurance, MO drives are rarely used today because of the complex drive systems that must deal with magnetic field and lightwave simultaneously. This study reports on the light-induced thermomagnetic recording of a ferromagnetic thin-film CoFeB on a Si photonic platform. Lightwave guided in the Si waveguide evanescently coupled to the thin-film magnet and underwent optical absorption, resulting in heating and a decrease in coercive force. Therefore, we observed magnetization reversal with an applied magnetic field for both continuous and modulated light pulses using a magneto-optical Kerr effect microscope, and the light-induced thermomagnetic recording was experimentally demonstrated on a Si photonic platform. The proposed scheme enables the realization of on-chip MO memories on the Si photonic platform in which neither bulky free-space optics nor mechanical rotation systems are required.
Extremely angle-stable transparent window for TE-polarized waves empowered by anisotropic metasurfaces
Authors: Chu ZunTian , Li Tiefu , Wang Jiafu , Jiang Jinming , Zhang Zhongtao , Zhu Ruichao , Jia Yuxiang , Gui Boheng , Zhang Hong , Qu Shaobo
Published: April 2022

Impedance mismatch generally exists upon interfaces between different media. This is especially true for TE-polarized waves with large incident angles since there is no Brewster effect. As a result, high-efficiency transmission can only be guaranteed within limited incident angle range. It is desirable that transparent windows possess robust angle-stability. In this work, we propose a strategy of realizing transparent windows with extreme angle-stability using anisotropic metasurfaces. Different from traditional isotropic materials, anisotropic metasurfaces require specific three-dimensional permittivity and permeability parameters. Theoretical formulas are derived to realize a highly efficient transmission response without angular dispersion. To validate our design concept, a two-layer cascaded electromagnetic anti-reflector is designed, and it exhibits a characteristic impedance matching for nearly all incidence angles under TE-polarization illumination. As a proof-of-concept, a prototype of extremely angle-stable transparent window is fabricated and measured. Compared with the pure dielectric plate, the reflection coefficients are on average reduced by 40% at 13.5 GHz for TE-polarized waves from 0° to 80°. Therefore, we think, anisotropic cascaded electromagnetic transparent windows are capable of tailoring the electromagnetic parameter tensors as desired, and provide more adjustable degrees of freedom for manipulating electromagnetic wavefronts, which might open up a promising way for electromagnetic antireflection and find applications in radomes, IR windows and others.
Flexible terahertz metamaterial biosensor for label-free sensing of serum tumor marker modified on a non-metal area
Authors: Fang Weihao , Ma Zhengtai , Lv Xiaoqing , Liu Jian , Pei Weihua , Geng Zhaoxin
Published: April 2022

Terahertz (THz) metamaterials for rapid label-free sensing show application potential for the detection of cancer biomarkers. A novel flexible THz metamaterial biosensor based on a low refraction index parylene-C substrate is proposed. The biomarkers are modified on non-metal areas by a three-step modification method that simplifies the modification steps and improves the modified effectivity. Simulation results for non-metal modification illustrate that a bulk refractive index sensitivity of 325 GHz/RIU is achieved, which is larger than that obtained for the traditional metal modification (147 GHz/RIU). Meanwhile, several fluorescence experiments proved the uniform modification effect and selective adsorption capacity of the non-metal modification method. The concentration of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) biomarkers for breast cancer patients tested using this THz biosensor is found to be consistent with results obtained from traditional clinical tests. The limit of detection reaches 2.97 ng/mL. These findings demonstrate that the flexible THz metamaterial biosensor can be extensively used for the rapid detection of cancer biomarkers in the future.
Cross-talk elimination for lenslet array near eye display based on eye-gaze tracking
Authors: Ye Bi , Fujimoto Yuichiro , Uchimine Yuta , Sawabe Taishi , Kanbara Masayuki , Kato Hirokazu
Published: April 2022

Lenslet array (LA) near-eye displays (NEDs) are a recent technical development that creates a virtual image in the field of view of one or both eyes. A problem occurs when the user’s pupil moves out of the LA-NED eye box (i.e., cross-talk) making the image look doubled or ghosted. It negatively impacts the user experience. Although eye-gaze tracking can mitigate this problem, the effect of the solution has not been studied to understand the impact of pupil size and human perception. In this paper, we redefine the cross-talk region as the practical pupil movable region (PPMR50), which differs from eye box size because it considers pupil size and human visual perception. To evaluate the effect of eye-gaze tracking on subjective image quality, three user studies were conducted. From the results, PPMR50 was found to be consistent with human perception, and cross-talk elimination via eye-gaze tracking was better understood in a static gaze scenario. Although the system latency prevented the complete elimination of cross-talk for fast movements or large pupil changes, the problem was greatly alleviated. We also analyzed system delays based on PPMR50, which we newly defined in this paper and provided an optimization scheme to meet the maximum eyeball rotation speed.
Classical multielectron model atoms with optimized ionization energies
Authors: Zhou Jie , Wang Xu
Published: April 2022

We propose a method to build stable classical multielectron model atoms with the ionization energies optimized to experimental values. Based on the work of Kirschbaum and Wilets [Phys. Rev. A 21, 834 (1980)10.1103/PhysRevA.21.834], which introduces auxiliary potentials to simulate quantum mechanical effects, we implement a genetic algorithm to optimize the related parameters such that the model atoms yield correct (first few) ionization energies. Ionization-energy optimized model atoms automatically show separated electron shells, consistent to normal expectations. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the importance of correct ionization energies, as well as new perspectives to double ionization processes.
Reconfigurable photonics-based millimeter wave signal aggregation for non-orthogonal multiple access
Authors: Ragheb Amr M. , Seleem Hussein E. , Almaiman Ahmed S. , Alshebeili Saleh A.
Published: April 2022

A reconfigurable optical-to-electrical signal aggregation is proposed, for the first time, using optical signal processing and photo-mixing technology. Two optically modulated quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) signals are aggregated into a single 16-quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM) signal and, simultaneously, carried over a 28-GHz millimeter wave (MMW) carrier using an optimized heterodyne beating process through a single photodiode. To demonstrate the system reconfigurability, aggregation of two optical binary phase-shift keying signals is mapped into MMW QPSK or four-level pulse amplitude modulation signals by controlling the relative phases and amplitudes, respectively, of the input signals. In addition, the aggregation of two 16-QAM signals into a 256-QAM signal and the aggregation of three QPSK signals into a 64-QAM format are achieved. Besides, we report the effect of laser phase noise on signal aggregation performance. The de-aggregation of the aggregated MMW signals is performed electrically using a successive interference cancellation algorithm. Moreover, a proof-of-concept experiment is conducted to validate the numerical simulations. Two 1-Gbaud BPSK (1 Gbps) and QPSK (2 Gbps) optical signals are optically transmitted over a 20-km single-mode fiber as MMW over fiber signals. Then, the signals are aggregated into QPSK (2 Gbps) and 16-QAM (4 Gbps) 28-GHz MMW signals, respectively. The aggregated signal is further transmitted over a 1-m wireless channel. The performance of the proposed system is evaluated using bit error rate and error vector magnitude metrics.
Dual-band fiber optic parametric amplifier for bi-directional transient-sensitive fiber optical transmission links
Authors: Gaur Chandra B. , Gordienko Vladimir , Doran Nick J.
Published: April 2022

We demonstrate an in-line polarization-insensitive fiber optic parametric amplifier (PI-FOPA) to simultaneously amplify burst and non-burst signals transmitted in opposite directions in C and L bands. The PI-FOPA provides >16 dB polarization insensitive net gain for signals which are 53 nm apart and counter-propagating in an extended reach link: an upstream bursty signal at 1533 nm and a downstream non-burst signal at 1586 nm. The PI-FOPA potential application as an in-line dual-band amplifier in transient-sensitive communication links is demonstrated by its employment in an extended reach access network with a symmetric 10 Gbps capacity.
Partially gold-coated tilted FBGs for enhanced surface biosensing
Authors: Zhu Tianbo , Loyez Médéric , Chah Karima , Caucheteur Christophe
Published: April 2022

To date, there is clear experimental evidence that gold-coated tilted fiber Bragg gratings (TFBGs) are highly sensitive plasmonic biosensors that provide temperature-compensated detection of analytes at concentrations in the picomolar range. As most optical biosensors, they bring an evanescent wave in the surrounding medium, which makes them sensitive to both surface refractive index variations (= the useful biosensing signal) and to bulk refractive index changes (= the non-useful signal for biosensing). This dual sensitivity makes them prone to drift. In this work, we study partially gold-coated TFBGs around their cross-section. These gratings present the ability to discriminate both volume and surface refractive index changes, which is interesting in biosensing to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio. The effects induced in the TFBGs transmitted amplitude spectra were analyzed for surrounding refractive index (SRI) changes in the range 1.3360–1.3370. Then, the gold film was biofunctionalized with human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2) aptamers using thiol chemistry. The detection of HER2 proteins (a relevant cancer biomarker) at 10−9 g/mL, 10−8 g/mL and 10−6 g/mL demonstrated the advantage to identify environmental perturbations through the bare area of the TFBGs, which is left not functionalized. The non-specific drifts that could exist in samples are eliminated and a wavelength shift only related to the surface modification is obtained.
To generate a photonic nanojet outside a high refractive index microsphere illuminated by a Gaussian beam
Authors: Gašparić Vlatko , Mayerhöfer Thomas G. , Zopf David , Ristić Davor , Popp Jürgen , Ivanda Mile
Published: April 2022

A non-resonant, concentrated, narrow beam of light emerging from an illuminated microlens is called a photonic nanojet (PNJ). According to currently prevailing opinion, microspheres and microcylinders are only able to generate a PNJ in their exterior when their refractive index ns (or refractive index contrast) is less than 2. In this Letter we demonstrate that a PNJ can emerge from a microsphere even when ns > 2: first by employing the laws of geometrical optics for a divergent light source; then, by using ray transfer matrix analysis, a mathematical condition for the Gaussian beam (GB) outside the high ns microsphere is derived. The PNJ outside the microsphere with ns = 2.5 is simulated using Generalized Lorenz–Mie theory (GLMT), by using a front focused GB source. The simulated difference between front and back focusing on the dependence of ns is confirmed experimentally by Raman imaging. By opening the PNJ field for high refractive index materials, we believe this work will be a nucleus for new ideas in the field and enable new PNJ applications.
Operationalising effective coverage measurement of facility based childbirth in Gombe State; a comparison of data sources
Authors: Exley Josephine , Bhattacharya Antoinette , Hanson Claudia , Shuaibu Abdulrahman , Umar Nasir , Marchant Tanya
Published: April 2022

Estimating effective coverage of childbirth care requires linking population based data sources to health facility data. For effective coverage to gain widespread adoption there is a need to focus on the feasibility of constructing these measures using data typically available to decision makers in low resource settings. We estimated effective coverage of childbirth care in Gombe State, northeast Nigeria, using two different combinations of facility data sources and examined their strengths and limitations for decision makers. Effective coverage captures information on four steps: access, facility inputs, receipt of interventions and process quality. We linked data from the 2018 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) to two sources of health facility data: (1) comprehensive health facility survey data generated by a research project; and (2) District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2). For each combination of data sources, we examined which steps were feasible to calculate, the size of the drop in coverage between steps and the resulting estimate of effective coverage. Analysis included 822 women with a recent live birth, 30% of whom attended a facility for childbirth. Effective coverage was low: 2% based on the project data and less than 1% using the DHIS2. Linking project data with NDHS, it was feasible to measure all four steps; using DHIS2 it was possible to estimate three steps: no data was available to measure process quality. The provision of high quality care is suboptimal in this high mortality setting where access and facility readiness to provide care, crucial foundations to the provision of high quality of care, have not yet been met. This study demonstrates that partial effective coverage measures can be constructed from routine data combined with nationally representative surveys. Advocacy to include process of care indicators in facility summary reports could optimise this data source for decision making.
Pathological and immunological evaluation of different regimens of praziquantel treatment in a mouse model of Schistosoma mansoni infection
Authors: Membe Femoe Ulrich , Boukeng Jatsa Hermine , Greigert Valentin , Brunet Julie , Cannet Catherine , Kenfack Mérimé Christian , Gipwe Feussom Nestor , Kadji Fassi Joseph Bertin , Tienga Nkondo Emilenne , Abou-Bacar Ahmed , Pfaff Alexander Wilhelm , Dimo Théophile , Kamtchouing Pierre , Tchuem Tchuenté Louis-Albert
Published: April 2022

Background

One of the considerable challenges of schistosomiasis chemotherapy is the inefficacy of praziquantel (PZQ) at the initial phase of the infection. Immature schistosomes are not susceptible to PZQ at the curative dose. Here, we investigated the efficacy of different PZQ regimens administered during the initial stage ofSchistosoma mansoniinfection in mice.

Methodology/Principal findings

Two months-old mice were individually infected with 80S.mansonicercariae and divided into one infected-untreated control group (IC) and four PZQ-treated groups: PZQ at 100 mg/kg/day for five consecutive days (group PZQ1), PZQ at 100 mg/kg/day for 28 days (group PZQ2), PZQ at 18 mg/kg/day for 28 days (group PZQ3) and a single dose of PZQ at 500 mg/kg (group PZQ4). The treatment started on day one post-infection (p.i), and each group of mice was divided into two subgroups euthanized on day 36 or 56p.i, respectively. We determined the mortality rate, the parasitological burden, the hepatic and intestinal granulomas, the serum levels of Th-1, Th-2, and Th-17 cytokines, and gene expression. The treatment led to a significant (p <0.001) reduction of worm burden and egg counts in the intestine and liver in groups PZQ2 and PZQ3. On 56thdayp.i, there was a significant reduction (p <0.001) of the number and volume of the hepatic granulomas in groups PZQ2 and PZQ3 compared to group PZQ1 or PZQ4. Moreover, in group PZQ3, the serum levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-13, and IL-17 and their liver mRNA expressions were significantly reduced while IL-10 and TGF-β gene expression significantly increased. The highest mortality rate (81.25%) was recorded in group PZQ2.

Conclusion/Significance

This study revealed that the administration of PZQ at 18 mg/kg/day for 28 consecutive days was the optimal effective posology for treatingS.mansoniinfection at the initial stage in a murine model.
The global, regional, and national burden and quality of care index (QCI) of colorectal cancer; a global burden of disease systematic analysis 1990–2019
Authors: Nejadghaderi Seyed Aria , Roshani Shahin , Mohammadi Esmaeil , Yoosefi Moein , Rezaei Negar , Esfahani Zahra , Azadnajafabad Sina , Ahmadi Naser , Shahin Sarvenaz , Kazemi Ameneh , Namazi Shabestari Alireza , Khosravi Ardeshir , Mokdad Ali H. , Larijani Bagher , Farzadfar Farshad
Published: April 2022

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the five most incident and lethal cancers in world and its burden varies between countries and sexes. We aimed to present a comprehensive measure called the quality of care index (QCI) to evaluate the inequity and healthcare quality of care regarding CRC by sex and location.

Methods

Data on the burden of CRC were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019. It was transformed to four ratios, including mortality-to-incidence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs)-to-prevalence, prevalence-to-incidence, and years of life lost (YLLs)-to-years lived with disability (YLDs). Principal component analysis was implemented on the four ratios and the most influential component was considered as QCI with a score ranging from zero to 100, for which higher scores represented better quality of care. Gender Disparity Ratio (GDR) was calculated by dividing QCI for females by males.

Results

The global incidence and death numbers of CRC were 2,166,168 (95% uncertainty interval: 1,996,298–2,342,842) and 1,085,797 (1,002,795–1,149,679) in 2019, respectively. Globally, QCI and GDR values were 77.6 and 1.0 respectively in 2019. There was a positive association between the level of quality of care and socio-demographic index (SDI) quintiles. Region of the Americas and African Region had the highest and lowest QCI values, respectively (84.4 vs. 23.6). The QCI values started decreasing beyond the age of 75 in 2019 worldwide.

Conclusion

There is heterogeneity in QCI between SDI quintiles. More attention should be paid to people aged more than 75 years old because of the lower quality of care in this group.
Artificial intelligence supporting cancer patients across Europe—The ASCAPE project
Authors: Tzelves Lazaros , Manolitsis Ioannis , Varkarakis Ioannis , Ivanovic Mirjana , Kokkonidis Miltiadis , Useros Cristina Sabater , Kosmidis Thanos , Muñoz Montserrat , Grau Imma , Athanatos Manos , Vizitiu Anamaria , Lampropoulos Konstantinos , Koutsouri Tzortzia , Stefanatou Dimitra , Perrakis Konstantinos , Stratigaki Christina , Autexier Serge , Kosmidis Paris , Valachis Antonis
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Breast and prostate cancer survivors can experience impaired quality of life (QoL) in several QoL domains. The current strategy to support cancer survivors with impaired QoL is suboptimal, leading to unmet patient needs. ASCAPE aims to provide personalized- and artificial intelligence (AI)-based predictions for QoL issues in breast- and prostate cancer patients as well as to suggest potential interventions to their physicians to offer a more modern and holistic approach on cancer rehabilitation.

Methods and analyses

An AI-based platform aiming to predict QoL issues and suggest appropriate interventions to clinicians will be built based on patient data gathered through medical records, questionnaires, apps, and wearables. This platform will be prospectively evaluated through a longitudinal study where breast and prostate cancer survivors from four different study sites across the Europe will be enrolled. The evaluation of the AI-based follow-up strategy through the ASCAPE platform will be based on patients’ experience, engagement, and potential improvement in QoL during the study as well as on clinicians’ view on how ASCAPE platform impacts their clinical practice and doctor-patient relationship, and their experience in using the platform.

Ethics and dissemination

ASCAPE is the first research project that will prospectively investigate an AI-based approach for an individualized follow-up strategy for patients with breast- or prostate cancer focusing on patients’ QoL issues. ASCAPE represents a paradigm shift both in terms of a more individualized approach for follow-up based on QoL issues, which is an unmet need for cancer survivors, and in terms of how to use Big Data in cancer care through democratizing the knowledge and the access to AI and Big Data related innovations.

Trial registration

Trial Registration on clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04879563.
Evaluation of gene expression of PLEKHS1, AADAC, and CDKN3 as novel genomic markers in gastric carcinoma
Authors: Abdel-Tawab Marwa Sayed , Fouad Hanan , Othman Asmaa M. , Eid Ragaey A. , Mohammed Marwa Abdeltawab , Hassan Ahmed , Reyad Hoda Ramadan
Published: April 2022

Gastric cancer (GC) is considered lethal aggressive cancer. In Egypt, GC has a low incidence but unfortunately, it is mostly diagnosed at an advanced stage with a poor prognosis. Assessment of novel markers that can be used in the early detection of GC is an urgent need. The present study was performed to assess the association of the Pleckstrin homology domain-containing S1 (PLEKHS1)، arylacetamide deacetylase (AADAC, and Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3 (CDKN3) genes with GC and to correlate their gene expression levels with tumor stage, grade, and other clinicopathological features. The current work was performed on forty gastric tissue samples; twenty in Group 1 with GC tissues at different stages, and grades and twenty in Group 2 (control group) with non-tumorous tissue. PLEKHS1, AADAC, and CDKN3 gene expression were assessed by RT-qPCR. AADAC, CDKN3 genes were significantly (p<0.001) upregulated, while PLEKHS1 gene was significantly (p<0.001) downregulated in the GC group than the control group. AADAC gene expression exhibited a high significant (p<0.001) positive correlation with the tumor grades and the tumor stages. A high significant negative correlation between AADAC, and CDKN3 gene expression (r = -.760, p<0.001) was found. The three studied parameters showed high significant sensitivity and specificity in the prediction of the presence of GC. PLEKHS1, AADAC, and CDKN3 gene expressions were suggested to be used as diagnostic and predictive biomarkers of GC, additionally, AADAC may be used as a prognostic marker in these patients for further future confirming studies.
Effect of joint roughness coefficient and size on shear and characteristic strengths of structural planes
Authors: Hu Gaojian , Zhang Juan , Liang Wenxu , Wang Jie , Hu Jianli , Wang Long
Published: April 2022

Joint roughness coefficients (JRCs) influence the shear and characteristic strengths of structural planes; however, the relationship model of this influence is yet to be derived. This study investigates 11 numerical simulation programs using a realistic failure process analysis software. The influence of size and JRC on the shear strengths of the structural planes was studied. The stress-strain curves of different JRCs and their sizes were analyzed. Mathematical models of the shear strength of structural planes and JRC and sizes were formulated and proposed, and their expressions were obtained. Moreover, mathematical models of JRC and the characteristic size and strength of the structural planes were established.