bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Serum Resistin and Multicytokine Inflammatory Pathway Is Linked With and Helps Predict All-cause Death in Diabetes
Authors: Scarale Maria Giovanna , Antonucci Alessandra , Cardellini Marina , Copetti Massimiliano , Salvemini Lucia , Menghini Rossella , Mazza Tommaso , Casagrande Viviana , Ferrazza Gianluigi , Lamacchia Olga , De Cosmo Salvatore , Di Paola Rosa , Federici Massimo , Trischitta Vincenzo , Menzaghi Claudia
Published: June 2021

Context

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) shows a high mortality rate, partly mediated by atherosclerotic plaque instability. Discovering novel biomarkers may help identify high-risk patients who would benefit from more aggressive and specific managements. We recently described a serum resistin and multicytokine inflammatory pathway (REMAP), including resistin, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, that is associated with cardiovascular disease.

Objective

We investigated whether REMAP is associated with and improves the prediction of mortality in T2D.

Methods

A REMAP score was investigated in 3 cohorts comprising 1528 patients with T2D (409 incident deaths) and in 59 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA; 24 deaths). Plaques were classified as unstable/stable according to the modified American Heart Association atherosclerosis classification.

Results

REMAP was associated with all-cause mortality in each cohort and in all 1528 individuals (fully adjusted hazard ratio [HR] for 1 SD increase = 1.34, P < .001). In CEA patients, REMAP was associated with mortality (HR = 1.64, P = .04) and a modest change was observed when plaque stability was taken into account (HR = 1.58; P = .07). REMAP improved discrimination and reclassification measures of both Estimation of Mortality Risk in Type 2 Diabetic Patients and Risk Equations for Complications of Type 2 Diabetes, well-established prediction models of mortality in T2D (P < .05-< .001).

Conclusion

REMAP is independently associated with and improves predict all-cause mortality in T2D; it can therefore be used to identify high-risk individuals to be targeted with more aggressive management. Whether REMAP can also identify patients who are more responsive to IL-6 and IL-1β monoclonal antibodies that reduce cardiovascular burden and total mortality is an intriguing possibility to be tested.
Social groupwork for promoting psychological well-being of adolescents enrolled in sponsorship programs
Authors: Joseph Shinto , Karalam Dr. Sheeja Remani B
Published: June 2021

Background:The dearth of data on adolescents highlighted in the UN’s data disaggregation against the agenda ‘no one left behind’ calls for research on ‘the second decade’. Moreover, India is a country with the world’s largest adolescent population, and as such, studies and policies for developing competencies of adolescents are crucial to the country’s development; interventions instilling confidence to aspire to a better future in underprivileged adolescents are vital to mitigate inequity.

Methods:This intervention study adopted a quasi-experimental design to measure the effectiveness of social groupwork in raising the psychological well-being of adolescents in child sponsorship programs in Kerala. Forty adolescents from a Child Sponsorship Program (CSP) center in Kochi were recruited for the study. Those suggested by the CSP center considering their poor academic performance and behavior problems were allocated to the intervention group and the rest to the comparison group.  The intervention was designed in response to the information garnered through a preliminary study and administered to the intervention group (n=20). We conducted pre-test and post-test for both the intervention group and comparison group (n=20).

Results:Comparison between pre- and post-measurements carried out using paired sample t-test for the intervention group and comparison group separately gave a p-value of <0.05 for the intervention group and >0.05 for the comparison group. Thus, it was proved that psychological well-being of participants in the intervention group was raised significantly due to the social group work intervention.

Conclusions:Applying refined granularity, this research adds data specifically on adolescents enrolled in child sponsorship programs and sets a blueprint for social groupwork to improve their psychological well-being. Proposing a conceptual framework for child sponsorship programs, this study recommends further research in all aspects of its functioning, and interventions at group, family, and community levels, for the well-being and empowerment of marginalized adolescents.
The combination of ADSCs and 10% PRP increases Rb protein expression on senescent human dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Murlistyarini Sinta , Aninda Lulus Putri , Afridafaz Ufida Aini , Widyarti Sri , Endharti Agustina Tri , Sardjono Teguh Wahju
Published: June 2021

Background: The senescence process in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) is caused by cell cycle withdrawal processes, one of which is the result of the retinoblastoma (Rb) protein being in a hypo-phosphorylated state. Since adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have a paracrine effect, ADSCs were utilized to improve the senescence process of HDFs. The use of non-autologous cell culture media to grow ADSCs can be legally problematic; therefore, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can be considered as an alternative medium. PRP contains various growth factors that can be used to process the reversal of senescent HDFs. The combination of ADSCs and PRP is expected to increase the expression of Rb protein in HDFs that have undergone the senescence process.

Methods: This study was performed in vitro with a randomized sample, and non-blinded pre-and post-test control group. The primary culture of senescent HDFs was transfected with a combination of ADSCs and 10% PRP. The effect on migration was observed through the scratch test, while the effect of PRP on reversal senescence was observed through Sa-β-gal analysis and the expression of protein Rb with ELISA.

Results: The senescent HDFs that received a combined transfection of ADSCs and 10% PRP proliferated rapidly in the scratch test. Based on the Sa-β-gal assay, they showed fewer senescent HDFs cells. The combination of ADSCs and 10% PRP elevated the expression of Rb protein significantly (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: The combination of ADSCs and 10% PRP was shown to have a reversal effect on the senescence process of HDFs in vitro.
Functional Literacy of a Primary Schoolchildren: Ways to Overcome Difficulties in Its Formation
Authors: Vinogradova Natalya
Published: June 2021

The article discusses the problem of the formation of functional literacy of primary schoolchildren as the main learning outcome that meets the requirements of the Federal State Educational Standard of Primary General Education. The article reveals the characteristics of the concept of “functional literacy”, which includes two groups of achievements of a younger student - subject and metasubject. The reader gets acquainted with the widespread pedagogical “mistakes” of the teacher, as well as the difficulties that children face in the learning process. The main types of educational activity are determined, which to the greatest extent contribute to the formation of functional literacy of primary schoolchildren, which primarily include search and research activities.
Ensuring the Continuity of Preschool and Primary School Education: Organizing Work with Children Experiencing Learning Difficulties
Authors: Novikova Galina
Published: June 2021

The article analyzes the works of domestic teachers and psychologists, devoted to the organization of work with children experiencing difficulties in the process of mastering educational programs. On the basis of the ideas put forward by the researchers, the authors formulated and characterize the actual way of preventing the failure of first-graders - the implementation in practice of the principle of continuity of education during preschool childhood and at the first stage of school education. The urgent need for the manifestation of greater attention of primary school teachers to the analysis of the psychological and pedagogical reasons for school failure, as well as the organization of a differentiated approach to teaching children of special social groups is revealed.
Katherine of Aragon's Deathbed: Why Chapuys Brought a Fool
Authors: Van Pelt Nadia T.
Published: June 2021

This essay examines the presence of a fool in the retinue of Imperial Ambassador Eustace Chapuys at Katherine of Aragon’s deathbed. Did this fool primarily bring comic relief or was he, as Henry VIII’s servants suspected, an intelligencer or spy? Seeking to revisit current understandings of what court fools were expected to be able to do or facilitate, I observe that Chapuys used his fool to underline his own role as a representative of the emperor, and to signal that despite the king’s beliefs that he was now divorced, Katherine’s legal status had not changed in the eyes of Catholic Europe.
Claire M.L. Bourne. Typographies of Performance in Early Modern England. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2020. Pp 328.
Authors: Adams Brandi K.
Published: June 2021

Review of Claire M.L. Bourne's Typographies of Performance in Early Modern England by Brandi K. Adams.
Sophie Chiari and John Mucciolo, eds. Performances at Court in the Age of Shakespeare. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2019. Pp 278.
Authors: Hamlet Jess
Published: June 2021

Jess Hamlet's review of Performances at Court in the Age of Shakespeare, edited by Sophie Chiari and John Mucciolo.
Fabien Cavaillé, ed. and Richard Hillman, ed. and trans. Coriolan by Alexandre Hardy. Tours: Presses Universitaires François-Rabelais, 2019. Pp 180.
Authors: Rayfield Lucy
Published: June 2021

Lucy Rayfield's review of Coriolan by Alexandre Hardy, edited by Fabien Cavaillé and translated and edited by Richard Hillman.
Tiffany Stern, ed. Rethinking Theatrical Documents in Shakespeare’s England. Bloomsbury, 2020. Roslyn L. Knutson, David McInnis, and Matthew Steggle, eds. Loss and the Literary Culture of Shakespeare’s Time. Palgrave Macmillan, 2020.
Authors: Tavares Elizabeth
Published: June 2021

Elizabeth Tavares's double of review of Rethinking Theatrical Documents in Shakespeare’s England, edited by Tiffany Stern and Loss and the Literary Culture of Shakespeare’s Time, edited by Roslyn L. Knutson, David McInnis, and Matthew Steggle.
LA COORDINACIÓN DE LAS PRESTACIONES DE ASISTENCIA PERSONAL EN EL DERECHO DE LA UNIÓN EUROPEA.
Authors: M. Jimeno Jiménez Fernando
Published: June 2021

En el presente trabajo se analiza la prestación económica de asistencia personal derivada de situación de dependencia, en relación con la aplicación de los derechos de libre circulación y residencia previstos en la normativa de la UE. Como objetivo central se examina la posible inclusión en el Reglamento 883/04, de coordinación de sistemas de Seguridad Social en la UE. La jurisprudencia del TJUE ha sido protagonista en la determinación de las reglas aplicables en materia de totalización de periodos de residencia y aseguramiento (reconocimiento, conservación y recuperación), así como en la supresión del requisito de residencia (principio de exportación).
THE WELFARE STATE: GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS, OBSTACLES AND CHALLENGES IN LATIN AMERICA.
Authors:   ,, Godinho Delgado Mauricio , Vasconcelos Porto Lorena
Published: June 2021

This paper provides an analysis of the organizational model of the political and the civil societies which became prevalent in Western Europe after the Second World War: the Welfare State. It also provides a discussion on the reasons why this model of organization has never been effectively implemented in any Latin American country. To this end, firstly, the text highlights the many and most important characteristics of the Welfare State, with attention to the peculiarities it assumes in specific European countries. Secondly, based on these comparative elements, a typological synthesis of the Welfare States is drawn, considering the range from the most sophisticated examples to those which only meet the minimum relevant criteria of this model of State and social organization. Finally, the reality of Latin American countries is analyzed and it is indicated to what extent they have (or have not) structured something that could be effectively considered a Welfare State. In this framework, it is concluded that, although there are a few Latin American countries showing progress in terms of achieving these characteristics in comparison with the great majority of countries in the region, the obstacles and challenges for the full structuring of a real Welfare State in this region of the globe are still persistent.
Legal challenges for robots and autonomous artificial intelligence systems in the healthcare context with special reference to Covid-19 health crisis.
Authors: Atienza Macías Elena
Published: June 2021

It is no longer far from reality that machines will not only help, but in many cases replace humans in their roles as caregivers, healthcare professionals, doctors and specialists, as well as in the decision-making process in the healthcare sector. Indeed, the field of health and care is an undisputed arena for the spread of robotic innovation. Artificial Intelligence has changed the architecture of the world, and this extends to the world of healthcare. This status quo will generate - or rather is already generating, given that robotics is not the future, but is already a reality - a series of multiple and multidisciplinary novel issues for health law and policy. This paper focuses on exploring the main legal considerations that arise, highlighting the need for various reforms of legal doctrine and regulatory structures. Given that robots and Artificial Intelligence are an emerging rather than an established component of healthcare delivery, this paper aims to provoke, challenge and inspire critical thinking about what is likely to be one of the highlights for health law and policy debates in the coming decades.
La aplicación de la Inteligencia Artificial en el proceso: ¿un nuevo reto para las garantías procesales?.
Authors: San Miguel Caso Cristina
Published: June 2021

La aplicación de la Inteligencia Artificial en el ámbito jurídico no está exenta de controversia debido a la multitud de vicisitudes que se generan como consecuencia de los riesgos implícitos que conlleva el uso de estos nuevos sistemas. Partiendo de un análisis exhaustivo en torno al concepto de Inteligencia Artificial se analizarán, desde la perspectiva procesal, tanto las ventajas como los problemas que genera la implantación de los sistemas inteligentes dentro de un proceso penal. Posteriormente, dichos inconvenientes se pondrán en relación con las garantías procesales configurándose, estas últimas, como un límite ético y jurídico en el desarrollo y utilización de la Inteligencia Artificial. Finalmente, y tomando como referencia la novedosa propuesta de Reglamento del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo por el que se establecen las normas armonizadas sobre Inteligencia Artificial se llevará a cabo una reflexión sobre la concurrencia necesaria de una serie de principios que, con carácter general y transversal, deben ser tenidos en cuenta en las futuras y eventuales regulaciones sobre la materia objeto de estudio
La calidad en los contenidos o servicios digitales prestados por Inteligencia Artificial desde el derecho de consumo: un breve ensayo.
Authors: García Goldar Mónica
Published: June 2021

En este trabajo analizaremos si la normativa europea de consumo se adecúa a las especificidades de los contenidos o servicios digitales generados por Inteligencia Artificial. De forma más concreta, evaluaremos cuál es la repercusión de la calidad como criterio de valoración de la satisfacción y las opciones de las que dispone el consumidor en caso de que dicho resultado generado por IA (bien sea un contenido, bien un servicio) no le satisfaga. Ello nos llevará a defender que la omisión de la calidad como un criterio de conformidad objetivo no resulta justificable y que debería interpretarse aplicable igualmente, toda vez que la IA es una tecnología en desarrollo y puede que no siempre conduzca a resultados satisfactorios.
Organización y control de las carreras de postas del Paraguay como entramado del Estado nacional entre 1843 Y 1856.
Authors: García Riart Jorge Gustavo
Published: June 2021

La organización y el control de las carreras de postas en el Paraguay, como medio de comunicación, entre 1843 y 1856, constituyó un factor importante para la consolidación de Estado nacional. Pocos estudios sociales incorporan la categoría de los correos postales como elemento de formación del nacionalismo. En este sentido, este trabajo es inédito al proponer el entramado de las postas como factor constituyente de la identidad nacional. Esta red de comunicación, compuesta por más de dos centenares de paradas oficiales, cuyos protagonistas fueron los maestros de postas y el contenido principal la orden oficial, contribuyó, en tiempo del nacionalismo lopista, también a moldear un sentido de territorio-nación y de conciencia social
Using Stretch Goals for Idea Generation Among Employees: One Size Does Not Fit All!
Authors: Ahmadi Saeedeh , Jansen Justin J. P. , Eggers J. P.
Published: June 2021

This study explores heterogeneity in the efficacy of stretch goals for engaging employees in innovation, as stretch goals may both boost norm-breaking creativity and hamper fruitful ideation by overwhelming employees. Through a multilevel perspective, we demonstrate that stretch goals motivate more capable employees (successful, experienced, senior) to submit useful innovative ideas by combining the motivation of stretch goals with these employees' ability to discern fruitful from futile ideas. Other employees, meanwhile, may “spin their wheels” and submit lower-quality ideas based on their inability to apply useful knowledge. Empirically, we leverage idea generation data from a Fortune 500 firm. We contribute to stretch goals research by demonstrating both the intended and the unintended consequences that shape employee behavior and to the innovation literature by articulating when stretch goals can and cannot motivate valuable innovation from employees.
Walk the Line: Optimizing the Layout Design of Moving Walkways
Authors: Boysen Nils , Briskorn Dirk , Schwerdfeger Stefan
Published: June 2021

A moving walkway (also denoted as moving sidewalk, travelator, autowalk, pedestrian conveyor, or skywalk) is a slow moving conveyor that transports standing or walking people horizontally over a short to medium distance. Constantly moving walkways have a long-lasting tradition especially inside large buildings, such as airport terminals and railway stations. Novel technological developments allow to accelerate walkways in their middle sections up to 12 km/h, while still providing a safe and much slower entrance and exit. Furthermore, first applications of moving walkways as environmentally friendly and space-efficient alternatives for urban public transport exist. In this context, our paper aims to support the layout design of moving walkways with optimization. Given a straight corridor (e.g., an airport terminal) and the passenger flows within the corridor (e.g., among gates), we aim to optimally place bidirectional walkway segments. We show that the resulting optimization problem is efficiently solvable by dynamic programming even if multiple relevant extensions, such as multiple objectives, budget constraints, and minimum safety distances, among subsequent segments are relevant. We apply our algorithm to explore the impact of constantly moving and accelerating walkways on total travel times and benchmark solutions without walkway support in a real-world case study. Our results reveal that wrongly placed walkways may considerably slow down passenger transport, but a very simple design rule leads to near-optimal results.
Renal Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism Secondary to Vaccine-induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT)
Authors: Cliff-Patel Nikita , Moncrieff Lindsay , Ziauddin Veqas
Published: June 2021

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of the UK has approved the use of three vaccines to combat COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2). There have been rare reports of thrombosis after vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine. We present three cases of vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) in one UK district general hospital following administration of this vaccine. Two of the patients had asymptomatic pulmonary emboli, while the other is the first known case of both renal vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
What is a risk assessment?
Authors: Sharma Priya
Published: June 2021

Priya Sharma explains the intricacies of health and safety in the dental practice
Introducing day case thyroid lobectomy at a tertiary head and neck centre
Authors: Sheikh Z , Lingamanaicker V , Irune E , Fish B , Jani P
Published: June 2021

Background

Thyroid lobectomy is considered to be a safe day case procedure by the British Association of Day Surgery. However, currently only 5.5% of thyroid surgeries in the UK are undertaken as day cases. We determine if and how thyroid lobectomy with same-day discharge could safely be introduced in our centre.

Methods

We analysed all thyroid lobectomy surgeries performed between April 2015 and May 2019. Exclusion criteria included completion surgery, revision surgery, additional procedures and disseminated disease. Outcomes were benchmarked against surgeon-reported complications from the British Association of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgery’s 5th National Audit. Additionally, we reviewed the number of patients who met day case criteria currently in use at our hospital to determine accessibility to the service.

Results

In total, 259 thyroid lobectomy surgeries were undertaken and of these 173 met the inclusion criteria. There was no mortality, return to theatre for evacuation of postoperative haematoma or readmission. There was one postoperative haematoma which was drained at the bedside. Some 47 of the 173 (27.2%) patients met day case criteria currently in use at our centre.

Conclusions

Day case surgery provides a cost-effective solution to rising bed pressures and a coherent protocol can optimise patient safety and experience.
Tracheomalacia after thyroidectomy for retrosternal goitres requiring sternotomy– a myth or reality?
Authors: Sulaiman A , Lutfi A , Ikram M , Fatimi S , Bin Pervez M , Shamim F , Abbas SA , Iftikhar H
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Tracheomalacia after thyroidectomy is not well understood. Reports on tracheomalacia are conflicting, with some suggesting a high rate and other large cohorts in which no tracheomalacia is reported. The aim of our study was to assess the incidence and factors associated with tracheomalacia after thyroidectomy in patients with retrosternal goitres requiring sternotomy at a high-volume tertiary care referral centre.

Methods

A longitudinal cohort study was conducted from January 2011 to December 2019. All adult patients who underwent thyroidectomy with sternotomy were included. Tracheomalacia was considered when tracheal rings were soft compared with other parts (proximal or distal) of the trachea and required either tracheostomy or resection with anastomosis. The decision to perform a tracheostomy or to administer continuous or bilevel positive airway pressure postoperatively was made depending on the degree of tracheomalacia. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with tracheomalacia.

Results

We evaluated 40 patients who underwent thyroidectomy with sternotomy. The mean age of our cohort was 48.7 ± 11.3 years and the population was predominantly female (67.5%). One patient required tracheal resection with anastomosis, and two patients required tracheostomy. Multivariable logistic regression analysis did not reveal any patient- or thyroid-related factor significantly associated with the development of tracheomalacia in our cohort.

Conclusions

The incidence of tracheomalacia after thyroidectomy with sternotomy appears to be very low. However, the occurrence of tracheomalacia after thyroidectomy in cases of large goitre is possible and hence worrisome.
Appendicitis in the COVID-19 era: a modern challenge for experienced hands
Authors: Brown C , Waterman J , El Hitti E , Luton O , Joseph A , Pollitt MJ , Thippeswamy K , Robinson DBT
Published: June 2021

Introduction

The first wave of COVID-19 was accompanied by global uncertainty. Delayed presentation of patients to hospitals ensued, with surgical pathologies no exception. This study aimed to assess whether delayed presentations resulted in more complex appendicectomies during the first wave of COVID-19.

Methods

Operation notes for all presentations of appendicitis (n=216) within a single health board (three hospitals) during two three-month periods (control period (pre-COVID) vs COVID pandemic) were analysed, and the severity of appendicitis was recorded as per the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grading system.

Results

Presentations of appendicitis were delayed during the COVID period with a median duration of symptoms prior to hospital attendance of two days versus one day (p=0.003) with individuals presenting with higher median white cell count than during the control period (14.9 vs 13.3, p=0.031). Use of preoperative CT scanning (OR 3.013, 95% CI 1.694–5.358, p<0.001) increased significantly. More complex appendicectomies (AAST grade >1) were performed (OR 2.102, 95% CI 1.155–3.826, p=0.015) with a greater consultant presence during operations (OR 4.740, 95% CI 2.523–8.903, p<0.001). Despite the greater AAST scores recorded during the COVID period, no increase in postoperative complications was observed (OR 1.145, 95% CI 0.404–3.244, p=0.798).

Conclusions

Delayed presentations during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with more complex cases of appendicitis. Important lessons can be learnt from the changes in practice employed as a result of this global pandemic.
Precariousness among young migrants in Europe: a consequence of exclusionary mechanisms within state-controlled neoliberal social work in Sweden
Authors: Elsrud Torun , Lalander Philip
Published: June 2021

This ethnographic article addresses social work’s participation in exclusionary practices performed by migration authorities in Sweden, leading to extreme precariousness among young people searching for protection. Through ethnographic descriptions of young people who fled from Sweden to other European countries, we argue that Swedish social workers played an active role in depriving young people of their social rights. A central concept in the article is administrative violence. Such institutionalised violence risks being excluded from a moral assessment. We argue that moral responsibility is not about following state rules, but may instead involve acting in a way that rules do not support. If social work accepts the boundaries of the nation-state, its border work and the logics of neoliberal ideologies, it cannot live up to the ethical standards of social work and its emphasis on social justice.
A comparison of negative financial events experienced by carers and non-carers following onset of the Great Recession
Authors: Meyer Kylie , Gassoumis Zachary , Wilber Kathleen
Published: June 2021

This study compares carers and non-carers as regards experiences of harmful financial events during and immediately after the Great Recession. Carer status was associated with experiencing more negative financial events since the Great Recession began, even after controlling for covariates in a negative binomial regression. Carers had higher odds of reporting: job loss; moving in with family and friends to save money; and selling possessions to make ends meet. Compared to non-carers, carers were more likely to experience adverse financial events during and following the Great Recession.
Light scattering of Laguerre–Gaussian vortex beams by arbitrarily shaped chiral particles
Authors: Cui Zhiwei , Guo Shenyan , Wang Ju , Wu Fuping , Han Yiping
Published: June 2021

Laguerre–Gaussian (LG) beams with vortex phase possess a handedness, which would produce chiroptical interactions with chiral matter and may be used to probe structural chirality of matter. In this paper, we numerically investigate the light scattering of LG vortex beams by chiral particles. Using the vector potential method, the electric and magnetic field components of the incident LG vortex beams are derived. The method of moments (MoM) based on surface integral equations (SIEs) is applied to solve the scattering problems involving arbitrarily shaped chiral particles. The numerical results for the differential scattering cross sections (DSCSs) of several selected chiral particles illuminated by LG vortex beams are presented and analyzed. In particular, we show how the DSCSs depend on the chiral parameter of the particles and on the parameters describing the incident LG vortex beams, including the topological charge, the state of circular polarization, and the beam waist. This research may provide useful insights into the interaction of vortex beams with chiral particles and its further applications.
Simple approach for extending the ambiguity-free range of dual-comb ranging
Authors: Fellinger Jakob , Winkler Georg , Aldia P. E. Collin , Mayer Aline S. , Shumakova Valentina , Perner Lukas W. , Pecile Vito F. , Martynkien Tadeusz , Mergo Pawel , Soboń Grzegorz , Heckl Oliver H.
Published: June 2021

Dual-comb (DC) ranging is an established method for high-precision and high-accuracy distance measurements. It is, however, restricted by an inherent length ambiguity and the requirement for complex control loops for comb stabilization. Here, we present a simple approach for expanding the ambiguity-free measurement length of DC ranging by exploiting the intrinsic intensity modulation of a single-cavity dual-color DC for simultaneous time-of-flight and DC distance measurements. This measurement approach enables the measurement of distances up to several hundred kilometers with the precision and accuracy of a DC interferometric setup while providing a high data acquisition rate (

≈

2

k
H
z

) and requiring only the repetition rate of one of the combs to be stabilized.
Experimental measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution with the double-scanning method
Authors: Chen Yi-Peng , Liu Jing-Yang , Sun Ming-Shuo , Zhou Xing-Xu , Zhang Chun-Hui , Li Jian , Wang Qin
Published: June 2021

The measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution (MDI-QKD) can be immune to all detector side-channel attacks. Moreover, it can be easily implemented combining with the matured decoy-state methods under current technology. It, thus, seems a very promising candidate in practical implementation of quantum communications. However, it suffers from a severe finite-data-size effect in most existing MDI-QKD protocols, resulting in relatively low key rates. Recently, Jiang et al. [Phys. Rev. A 103, 012402 (2021).PLRAAN1050-294710.1103/PhysRevA.103.012402] proposed a double-scanning method to drastically increase the key rate of MDI-QKD. Based on Jiang et al.’s theoretical work, here we for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, implement the double-scanning method into MDI-QKD and carry out corresponding experimental demonstration. With a moderate number of pulses of

10

10

, we can achieve 150 km secure transmission distance, which is impossible with all former methods. Therefore, our present work paves the way toward practical implementation of MDI-QKD.
2.5  GHz harmonic mode locking from a femtosecond Yb-doped fiber laser with high fundamental repetition rate
Authors: Zhao Zihao , Jin Lei , Set Sze Yun , Yamashita Shinji
Published: June 2021

We experimentally demonstrated a high repetition rate harmonic mode-locked fiber laser with a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and super mode suppression ratio. A novel approach using a laser with a high fundamental repetition rate and low harmonic order was presented. 2.5 GHz harmonic mode-locking from an Yb-doped fiber laser was realized with a short cavity length corresponding to a 167 MHz fundamental repetition rate. The laser operated at anomalous net dispersion regime and generated soliton-like pulses at 1050 nm. At the harmonic order of 15th, the laser had a stable output of 773 fs at 2.5 GHz with the average power of 48 mW under a subwatt pump power of 406 mW, and the time jitter was 2 ps. A high RF SNR over 70 dB was measured. A super mode suppression ratio was confirmed larger than 60 dB. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the highest SNR and super mode suppression ratio achieved in harmonic mode-locked fiber lasers with an over 2 GHz repetition rate.
Mixture-of-Experts Variational Autoencoder for clustering and generating from similarity-based representations on single cell data
Authors: Kopf Andreas , Fortuin Vincent , Somnath Vignesh Ram , Claassen Manfred
Published: June 2021

Clustering high-dimensional data, such as images or biological measurements, is a long-standing problem and has been studied extensively. Recently, Deep Clustering has gained popularity due to its flexibility in fitting the specific peculiarities of complex data. Here we introduce the Mixture-of-Experts Similarity Variational Autoencoder (MoE-Sim-VAE), a novel generative clustering model. The model can learn multi-modal distributions of high-dimensional data and use these to generate realistic data with high efficacy and efficiency. MoE-Sim-VAE is based on a Variational Autoencoder (VAE), where the decoder consists of a Mixture-of-Experts (MoE) architecture. This specific architecture allows for various modes of the data to be automatically learned by means of the experts. Additionally, we encourage the lower dimensional latent representation of our model to follow a Gaussian mixture distribution and to accurately represent the similarities between the data points. We assess the performance of our model on the MNIST benchmark data set and challenging real-world tasks of clustering mouse organs from single-cell RNA-sequencing measurements and defining cell subpopulations from mass cytometry (CyTOF) measurements on hundreds of different datasets. MoE-Sim-VAE exhibits superior clustering performance on all these tasks in comparison to the baselines as well as competitor methods.
Inhibition of RPS6K reveals context-dependent Akt activity in luminal breast cancer cells
Authors: Erdem Cemal , Lee Adrian V. , Taylor D. Lansing , Lezon Timothy R.
Published: June 2021

Aberrant signaling through insulin (Ins) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF1) receptors contribute to the risk and advancement of many cancer types by activating cell survival cascades. Similarities between these pathways have thus far prevented the development of pharmacological interventions that specifically target either Ins or IGF1 signaling. To identify differences in early Ins and IGF1 signaling mechanisms, we developed a dual receptor (IGF1R & InsR) computational response model. The model suggested that ribosomal protein S6 kinase (RPS6K) plays a critical role in regulating MAPK and Akt activation levels in response to Ins and IGF1 stimulation. As predicted, perturbing RPS6K kinase activity led to an increased Akt activation with Ins stimulation compared to IGF1 stimulation. Being able to discern differential downstream signaling, we can explore improved anti-IGF1R cancer therapies by eliminating the emergence of compensation mechanisms without disrupting InsR signaling.
A computational model of pig ventricular cardiomyocyte electrophysiology and calcium handling: Translation from pig to human electrophysiology
Authors: Gaur Namit , Qi Xiao-Yan , Benoist David , Bernus Olivier , Coronel Ruben , Nattel Stanley , Vigmond Edward J.
Published: June 2021

The pig is commonly used as an experimental model of human heart disease, including for the study of mechanisms of arrhythmia. However, there exist differences between human and porcine cellular electrophysiology: The pig action potential (AP) has a deeper phase-1 notch, a longer duration at 50% repolarization, and higher plateau potentials than human. Ionic differences underlying the AP include larger rapid delayed-rectifier and smaller inward-rectifier K+-currents (IKr and IK1 respectively) in humans. AP steady-state rate-dependence and restitution is steeper in pigs. Porcine Ca2+ transients can have two components, unlike human. Although a reliable computational model for human ventricular myocytes exists, one for pigs is lacking. This hampers translation from results obtained in pigs to human myocardium. Here, we developed a computational model of the pig ventricular cardiomyocyte AP using experimental datasets of the relevant ionic currents, Ca2+-handling, AP shape, AP duration restitution, and inducibility of triggered activity and alternans. To properly capture porcine Ca2+ transients, we introduced a two-step process with a faster release in the t-tubular region, followed by a slower diffusion-induced release from a non t-tubular subcellular region. The pig model behavior was compared with that of a human ventricular cardiomyocyte (O’Hara-Rudy) model. The pig, but not the human model, developed early afterdepolarizations (EADs) under block of IK1, while IKr block led to EADs in the human but not in the pig model. At fast rates (pacing cycle length = 400 ms), the human cell model was more susceptible to spontaneous Ca2+ release-mediated delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs) and triggered activity than pig. Fast pacing led to alternans in human but not pig. Developing species-specific models incorporating electrophysiology and Ca2+-handling provides a tool to aid translating antiarrhythmic and arrhythmogenic assessment from the bench to the clinic.
Human mobility at Tell Atchana (Alalakh), Hatay, Turkey during the 2nd millennium BC: Integration of isotopic and genomic evidence
Authors: Ingman Tara , Eisenmann Stefanie , Skourtanioti Eirini , Akar Murat , Ilgner Jana , Gnecchi Ruscone Guido Alberto , le Roux Petrus , Shafiq Rula , Neumann Gunnar U. , Keller Marcel , Freund Cäcilia , Marzo Sara , Lucas Mary , Krause Johannes , Roberts Patrick , Yener K. Aslıhan , Stockhammer Philipp W.
Published: June 2021

The Middle and Late Bronze Age, a period roughly spanning the 2ndmillennium BC (ca. 2000–1200 BC) in the Near East, is frequently referred to as the first ‘international age’, characterized by intense and far-reaching contacts between different entities from the eastern Mediterranean to the Near East and beyond. In a large-scale tandem study of stable isotopes and ancient DNA of individuals excavated at Tell Atchana (Alalakh, located in Hatay, Turkey), we explored the role of mobility at the capital of a regional kingdom, named Mukish during the Late Bronze Age, which spanned the Amuq Valley and some areas beyond. We generated strontium and oxygen isotope data from dental enamel for 53 individuals and 77 individuals, respectively, and added ancient DNA data of 10 newly sequenced individuals to a dataset of 27 individuals published in 2020. Additionally, we improved the DNA coverage of one individual from this 2020 dataset. The DNA data revealed a very homogeneous gene pool. This picture of an overwhelmingly local ancestry was consistent with the evidence of local upbringing in most of the individuals indicated by the isotopic data, where only five were found to be non-local. High levels of contact, trade, and exchange of ideas and goods in the Middle and Late Bronze Ages, therefore, seem not to have translated into high levels of individual mobility detectable at Tell Atchana.
GSTP1 positive prostatic adenocarcinomas are more common in Black than White men in the United States
Authors: Vidal Igor , Zheng Qizhi , Hicks Jessica L. , Chen Jiayu , Platz Elizabeth A. , Trock Bruce J. , Kulac Ibrahim , Baena-Del Valle Javier A. , Sfanos Karen S. , Ernst Sarah , Jones Tracy , Maynard Janielle P. , Glavaris Stephanie A. , Nelson William G. , Yegnasubramanian Srinivasan , De Marzo Angelo M.
Published: June 2021

GSTP1 is a member of the Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) family silenced by CpG island DNA hypermethylation in 90–95% of prostate cancers. However, prostate cancers expressing GSTP1 have not been well characterized. We used immunohistochemistry against GSTP1 to examine 1673 primary prostatic adenocarcinomas on tissue microarrays (TMAs) with redundant sampling from the index tumor from prostatectomies. GSTP1 protein was positive in at least one TMA core in 7.7% of cases and in all TMA cores in 4.4% of cases. The percentage of adenocarcinomas from Black patients who had any GSTP1 positive TMA cores was 14.9%, which was 2.5 times higher than the percentage from White patients (5.9%; P < 0.001). Further, the percentages of tumors from Black patients who had all TMA spots positive for GSTP1 (9.5%) was 3-fold higher than the percentage from White patients (3.2%; P<0.001). In terms of association with other molecular alterations, GSTP1 positivity was enriched in ERG positive cancers among Black men. By in situ hybridization, GSTP1 mRNA expression was concordant with protein staining, supporting the lack of silencing of at least some GSTP1 alleles in GSTP1-positive tumor cells. This is the first report revealing that GSTP1-positive prostate cancers are substantially over-represented among prostate cancers from Black compared to White men. This observation should prompt additional studies to determine whether GSTP1 positive cases represent a distinct molecular subtype of prostate cancer and whether GSTP1 expression could provide a biological underpinning for the observed disparate outcomes for Black men.
Feasibility and preliminary effects of a theory-based self-management program for kidney transplant recipients: A pilot study
Authors: Jeong Hye Won , Song Chi Eun , An Minjeong
Published: June 2021

Self-care activities are important to prevent transplant-related side effects and complications among kidney transplant recipients. Therefore, we developed a theory-based self-management program for kidney transplant recipients hospitalized after surgery. This study aimed to examine the feasibility of the program and to identify its preliminary effects on autonomy, competence, and self-care agency. We assessed feasibility using quantitative data collected based on a single group repeated-measures design, along with qualitative data such as patients’ feedback on satisfaction during patient counseling. The program comprised video education and individual counseling by nurses. Thirty patients completed this program. Outcome variables were measured thrice: before education, immediately following the first week of video education, and after two consecutive weeks of counseling. A repeated measures ANOVA showed a statistically significant increase in autonomy (F = 5.03, p = .038), competence (F = 17.59, p < .001), and self-care agency (F = 24.19, p < .001). Our pilot study provided preliminary evidence supporting the feasibility for implementation of the theory-based self-management program, and suggesting its preliminary effects in improving autonomy, competence, and self-care agency among kidney transplant recipients. Further research is needed to examine the short- and long-term effects of this program in a longitudinal, randomized control study with a larger sample.
Prediction of preterm birth in nulliparous women using logistic regression and machine learning
Authors: Arabi Belaghi Reza , Beyene Joseph , McDonald Sarah D.
Published: June 2021

Objective

To predict preterm birth in nulliparous women using logistic regression and machine learning.

Design

Population-based retrospective cohort.

Participants

Nulliparous women (N = 112,963) with a singleton gestation who gave birth between 20–42 weeks gestation in Ontario hospitals from April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2014.

Methods

We used data during the first and second trimesters to build logistic regression and machine learning models in a “training” sample to predict overall and spontaneous preterm birth. We assessed model performance using various measures of accuracy including sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) in an independent “validation” sample.

Results

During the first trimester, logistic regression identified 13 variables associated with preterm birth, of which the strongest predictors were diabetes (Type I: adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 4.21; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.23–5.42; Type II: AOR: 2.68; 95% CI: 2.05–3.46) and abnormal pregnancy-associated plasma protein A concentration (AOR: 2.04; 95% CI: 1.80–2.30). During the first trimester, the maximum AUC was 60% (95% CI: 58–62%) with artificial neural networks in the validation sample. During the second trimester, 17 variables were significantly associated with preterm birth, among which complications during pregnancy had the highest AOR (13.03; 95% CI: 12.21–13.90). During the second trimester, the AUC increased to 65% (95% CI: 63–66%) with artificial neural networks in the validation sample. Including complications during the pregnancy yielded an AUC of 80% (95% CI: 79–81%) with artificial neural networks. All models yielded 94–97% negative predictive values for spontaneous PTB during the first and second trimesters.

Conclusion

Although artificial neural networks provided slightly higher AUC than logistic regression, prediction of preterm birth in the first trimester remained elusive. However, including data from the second trimester improved prediction to a moderate level by both logistic regression and machine learning approaches.
Bereavement care for ethnic minority communities: A systematic review of access to, models of, outcomes from, and satisfaction with, service provision
Authors: Mayland Catriona R. , Powell Richard A. , Clarke Gemma C. , Ebenso Bassey , Allsop Matthew J.
Published: June 2021

Objectives

To review and synthesize the existing evidence on bereavement care, within the United Kingdom (UK), for ethnic minority communities in terms of barriers and facilitators to access; models of care; outcomes from, and satisfaction with, service provision.

Design

A systematic review adopting a framework synthesis approach was conducted. An electronic search of the literature was undertaken in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Social Work Abstract and CINAHL via EBSCO, Global Health, Cochrane library, the Trip database and ProQuest between 1995 and 2020. Search terms included bereavement care, ethnic minority populations and the UK setting.

Results

From 3,185 initial records, following screening for eligibility, and full-text review of 164 articles, seven studies were identified. There was no research literature outlining the role of family, friends and existing networks; and a real absence of evidence about outcomes and levels of satisfaction for those from an ethnic minority background who receive bereavement care. From the limited literature, the overarching theme for barriers to bereavement care was ‘unfamiliarity and irregularities’. Four identified subthemes were ‘lack of awareness’; ‘variability in support’; ‘type and format of support’; and ‘culturally specific beliefs’. The overarching theme for facilitators for bereavement care was ‘accessibility’ with the two subthemes being ‘readily available information’ and ‘inclusive approaches’. Three studies reported on examples of different models of care provision.

Conclusions

This review reveals a stark lack of evidence about bereavement care for ethnic minority populations. In particular, understanding more about the role of family, friends and existing support systems, alongside outcomes and satisfaction will begin to develop the evidence base underpinning current provision. Direct user-representation through proactive engagement and co-design approaches may begin to determine the most appropriate models and format of bereavement care for ethnic minority communities to inform service design and delivery.