bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeting neoantigens for cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Zhao Xuan , Pan Xiaoxin , Wang Yi , Zhang Yi
Published: July 2021

Neoantigens, a type of tumor-specific antigens derived from non-synonymous mutations, have recently been characterized as attractive targets for cancer immunotherapy. Owing to the development of next-generation sequencing and utilization of machine-learning algorithms, it has become feasible to computationally predict neoantigens by depicting genetic alterations, aberrant post-transcriptional mRNA processing and abnormal mRNA translation events within tumor tissues. Consequently, neoantigen-based therapies such as cancer vaccines have been widely tested in clinical trials and have demonstrated promising safety and efficacy, opening a new era for cancer immunotherapy. We systematically summarize recent advances in the identification of both personalized and public neoantigens, neoantigen formulations and neoantigen-based clinical trials in this review. Moreover, we discuss future techniques and strategies for neoantigen-based cancer treatment either as a monotherapy or as a combination therapy with radiotherapy, chemotherapy or immune checkpoint inhibitors.
EUV signals associated with O+ ions observed from ISS-IMAP/EUVI in the nightside ionosphere
Authors: Nakano Shin’ya , Hozumi Yuta , Saito Akinori , Yoshikawa Ichiro , Yamazaki Atsushi , Yoshioka Kazuo , Murakami Go
Published: July 2021

The extreme ultraviolet (EUV) imager, EUVI-B, on board the International Space Station (ISS) under the International Space Station–ionosphere-mesosphere-atmosphere plasmasphere cameras (ISS-IMAP) mission was originally intended to observe EUV emissions at 83.4 nm scattered by $${\mathrm O}^+$$

O

+

ions. During the mission, EUVI-B occasionally detected evident EUV signals in the umbra of the Earth. However, the source of the signals has not been verified. To evaluate the effect of the 83.4 nm EUV, we conduct a Monte Carlo simulation which considers multiple scattering of the 83.4 nm EUV by $${\mathrm O}^+$$

O

+

ions. In addition, we modeled the contribution of the 91.1 nm emission, which is due to recombination of $${\mathrm O}^{+}$$

O

+

ions and electrons, because the 91.1 nm EUV might affect the measurement from EUVI-B due to the wavelength range covered. The results suggest that the effect of the 83.4 nm EUV is likely to be negligible while the 91.1 nm EUV explains the observations from EUVI-B morphologically and quantitatively. We therefore conclude that the EUV signals observed by EUVI-B in the umbra of the Earth can largely be attributed to 91.1 nm emission due to recombination. This conclusion would facilitate the use of the EUVI-B data for reconstructing the $${\mathrm O}^+$$

O

+

density.
Mining methods and typical structural mechanisms of terpene cyclases
Authors: Huang Zheng-Yu , Ye Ru-Yi , Yu Hui-Lei , Li Ai-Tao , Xu Jian-He
Published: July 2021

Terpenoids, formed by cyclization and/or permutation of isoprenes, are the most diverse and abundant class of natural products with a broad range of significant functions. One family of the critical enzymes involved in terpenoid biosynthesis is terpene cyclases (TCs), also known as terpene synthases (TSs), which are responsible for forming the ring structure as a backbone of functionally diverse terpenoids. With the recent advances in biotechnology, the researches on terpene cyclases have gradually shifted from the genomic mining of novel enzyme resources to the analysis of their structures and mechanisms. In this review, we summarize both the new methods for genomic mining and the structural mechanisms of some typical terpene cyclases, which are helpful for the discovery, engineering and application of more and new TCs.
Spatiotemporal patterns of sediment deposition on the northern slope of the South China Sea in the last 150,000 years
Authors: Hu Zhe , Huang Bao-Qi , Liu Le-Jun , Wang Na
Published: July 2021

The source-to-sink system of the northern South China Sea (SCS) has been widely discussed during the past few decades. Sr–Nd isotope, clay minerals and trace elements were extensively used as the proxies of sediment provenance, however, still little is known about the transport processes and controlling mechanisms on detailed spatiotemporal scales due to the limitations of these methods. Here we put forward the new provenance proxies RAK and RKCN based on major element compositions to study the spatiotemporal changes in sediment provenance since 150 ka mainly from four sites, DLW3101, MD12-3429, ZHS-176 and MD12-3432, which are located on the northern SCS continental slope. Our results show that, spatially, the pathways and intensities of contour currents and gravity flows play important roles in sediment transport. For alongslope processes, the South China Sea Branch of Kuroshio Current (SCSBKC) and the Deep Water Current (DWC) transport sediments from southwestern Taiwan, while the Intermediate Water Current (IWC) can carry sediments from Hainan, the Red River or the Indochina Peninsula. For downslope processes, gravity flows transport materials from the Pearl River delta and shelf to the slope. Moreover, seafloor bathymetry influences sediment transport by altering the pathways of ocean currents. Temporally, the impacts of sea level and monsoon rainfall fluctuations are always superimposed over the last 150 ka. Sea level fluctuations could significantly change the distance from the Pearl River estuary to the slope, while variations in the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) rainfall would affect continental erosion rates in the source regions.
Rendang lokan: history, symbol of cultural identity, and food adaptation of Minangkabau tribe in West Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors: Fatimah Siti , Syafrini Delmira , Wasino  , Zainul Rahadian
Published: July 2021

Rendangis a kind of food that has become one of cultural heritages of Minangkabau tribe. It is not only a local food that has been crowned the best food in the world by CNN, but it also serves as the cultural identity. Most of people think that rendang is only made from beef of buffalo meat. In fact, rendang has many varieties that relate to the types of the area and the local natural resources where it is cooked. West Sumatra consists of mountainous and coastal areas. One of the popular rendang varieties in coastal areas isRendang Lokan—it is not made from beef but oyster (lokan). Rendang Lokan is a kind of food for people who live in this area. They use resources of the sea for their foods. Rendang, for Minangkabau tribe, is not only considered as a traditional food but also as a symbol of cultural identity from a certain area. This article is aimed at discussing the history of using Oyster as the main ingredient for rendang as one of the rendang varieties coming from the coastal areas in West Sumatra. The results show that rendang lokan is a representation of the characteristics of Minangkabau people who have the ability to adapt themselves to the local environmental conditions in maintaining their cultural identity. Rendang lokan was initially created as the adjustment of the Minangkabau people who live in the coastal areas to the local natural resources and their economic conditions.
Ethnomedical uses, chemical constituents, and evidence-based pharmacological properties of Chenopodium ambrosioides L.: extensive overview
Authors: Kasali Félicien Mushagalusa , Tusiimire Jonans , Kadima Justin Ntokamunda , Agaba Amon Ganafa
Published: July 2021

Background

The Chenopodium genus is a plant family widely spread worldwide that includes various plant species reputed to possess several medicinal virtues in folk medicines. Chenopodium ambrosioides L. is among the most used plants in traditional medicines worldwide. This review aimed to highlight ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical status, and pharmacological properties of C. ambrosioides L.

Main body of the abstract

The analysis of relevant data highlights various ethnomedicinal uses against human and veterinary diseases in forty countries. Most indications consisted of gastrointestinal tract dysfunctioning troubles and worms parasitemia. Around 330 chemical compounds have been identified in different plant parts, especially in its essential oil fractions (59.84%). However, only a few compounds—mainly monoterpenes and glycosides—have been isolated and characterized. Experimental pharmacological studies validated a large scale of significant health benefits. It appeared that many monoterpenes are antioxidant, insecticidal, trypanocidal, analgesic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, acaricidal, amoebicidal, anthelmintic, anticancer, antibacterial, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, antifertility, antifungal, anti-leishmanial, antimalarial, antipyretic, antisickling, antischistosomal, antiulcer, anxiolytic, immunomodulatory, molluscicidal, and vasorelaxant agents.

Short conclusion

Thus, the Chenopodium ambrosioides species necessitates further chemical studies to isolate and characterize new bioactive secondary metabolites and pharmacological investigations to precise the mechanisms of action before clinical trials.
Arabic translation and validation of the Sinus and Nasal Quality of Life Survey (SN-5) in pediatric patients with chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Ragab Ahmed A. , Kasemy Zeinab A. , Hamdan Ahmad M.
Published: July 2021

Background

This study aimed to validate the translation of the Sinus and Nasal Quality of Life Survey (SN-5) into Arabic (SN-5a) in pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients. A prospective cohort randomized controlled study was conducted on 129 children with CRS and 100 age- and sex-matched healthy children. The questionnaire was translated into the Arabic language with cross-cultural adaptation. Caregivers answered the questionnaire during their first visits and after 1 week; to assess test–retest reliability and after 2 weeks of medical treatment to test the questionnaire’s ability to detect changes in patients’ symptoms. The responses of the patients and control groups were compared to assess the external validity.

Results

The SN-5a showed internal consistency and reliability, with Cronbach’s alpha value being 0.69. Item–item and item–total correlation analysis showed adequate construct validity with a highly significant negative correlation between the SN-5 questionnaire items and visual analog scale (VAS) (p < 0.001). There were highly significant positive correlations between items of the questionnaire in the 1st and 2nd visits at 1 week (p < 0.001). A highly significant difference between the case and control groups had been shown for all SN-5a items (p < 0.001). Two weeks after treatment, there were large changes in all the questionnaire items between the first and last visits (effect size > 0.8 for all).

Conclusion

The translated SN-5a exhibited adequate construct validity, internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and external validity with quite enough ability to assess the longitudinal changes of the disease.
Language proficiency and mental disorders among migrants: A systematic review
Authors: Montemitro C. , D’Andrea G. , Cesa F. , Martinotti G. , Pettorruso M. , Di Giannantonio M. , Muratori R. , Tarricone I.
Published: July 2021

Background

In this review, we aimed to evaluate the association between language proficiency (LP) and the prevalence and severity of mental disorders in migrants. Secondarily, we aimed to consider whether sociodemographic and migration-related factors may affect the correlation between LP and mental disorders.

Methods

MEDLINE, PsycArticles, EMBASE, and PsycInfo were systematically searched in April 2020 to identify original studies reporting prevalence of psychiatric symptoms or disorders among migrants and taking into account linguistic factors.

Results

The search of electronic databases initially yielded 1,944 citations. Of the 197 full texts assessed for eligibility, 41 studies were selected for inclusion in the systematic review. Thirty-five of the papers included reported a significant negative association between low LP and prevalence and/or severity of psychiatric symptoms or disorders, whereas only two records found the opposite relationship and four papers reported no association between them. Inadequate LP was consistently associated with several mental disorders in migrants, including psychotic, mood, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorders. Notably, all the four longitudinal studies that met inclusion criteria for this review reported a positive effect of LP acquisition over time on prevalence or symptom severity of mental disorders.

Conclusions

Even though larger prospective studies are needed to better evaluate the relationship between LP and psychiatric disorders among migrants, we believe that the present findings could be inspiring for authorities to provide support and courses to improve migrants’ language proficiency upon arrival.
Revised Neuroblastoma Risk Classification System: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Irwin Meredith S. , Naranjo Arlene , Zhang Fan F. , Cohn Susan L. , London Wendy B. , Gastier-Foster Julie M. , Ramirez Nilsa C. , Pfau Ruthann , Reshmi Shalini , Wagner Elizabeth , Nuchtern Jed , Asgharzadeh Shahab , Shimada Hiroyuki , Maris John M. , Bagatell Rochelle , Park Julie R. , Hogarty Michael D.
Published: July 2021

PURPOSE

Treatment planning for children with neuroblastoma requires accurate assessment of prognosis. The most recent Children's Oncology Group (COG) risk classification system used tumor stage as defined by the International Neuroblastoma Staging System. Here, we validate a revised classifier using the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group Staging System (INRGSS) and incorporate segmental chromosome aberrations (SCA) as an additional genomic biomarker.

METHODS

Newly diagnosed patients enrolled on the COG neuroblastoma biology study ANBL00B1 between 2007 and 2017 with known age, International Neuroblastoma Staging System, and INRGSS stage were identified (N = 4,832). Tumor MYCN status, ploidy, SCA status (1p and 11q), and International Neuroblastoma Pathology Classification histology were determined centrally. Survival analyses were performed for combinations of prognostic factors used in COG risk classification according to the prior version 1, and to validate a revised algorithm (version 2).

RESULTS

Most patients with locoregional tumors had excellent outcomes except for those with image-defined risk factors (INRGSS L2) with MYCN amplification (5-year event-free survival and overall survival: 76.3% ± 5.8% and 79.9% ± 5.5%, respectively) or patients age ≥ 18 months with L2 MYCN nonamplified tumors with unfavorable International Neuroblastoma Pathology Classification histology (72.7% ± 5.4% and 82.4% ± 4.6%), which includes the majority of L2 patients with SCA. For patients with stage M (metastatic) and MS (metastatic, special) disease, genomic biomarkers affected risk group assignment for those < 12 months ( MYCN) or 12-18 months ( MYCN, histology, ploidy, and SCA) of age. In a retrospective analysis of patient outcome, the 5-year event-free survival and overall survival using COG version 1 were low-risk: 89.4% ± 1.1% and 97.9% ± 0.5%; intermediate-risk: 86.1% ± 1.3% and 94.9% ± 0.8%; high-risk: 50.8% ± 1.4% and 61.9% ± 1.3%; and using COG version 2 were low-risk: 90.7% ± 1.1% and 97.9% ± 0.5%; intermediate-risk: 85.1% ± 1.4% and 95.8% ± 0.8%; high-risk: 51.2% ± 1.4% and 62.5% ± 1.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

A revised 2021 COG neuroblastoma risk classifier (version 2) that uses the INRGSS and incorporates SCAs has been adopted to prospectively define COG clinical trial eligibility and treatment assignment.
Daily Labor Supply and Adaptive Reference Points
Authors: Thakral Neil , Tô Linh T.
Published: July 2021

This paper provides field evidence on how reference points adjust, a degree of freedom in reference-dependence models. Examining this in the context of cabdrivers’ daily labor-supply behavior, we ask how the within-day timing of earnings affects decisions. Drivers work less in response to higher accumulated income, with a strong effect for recent earnings that gradually diminishes for earlier earnings. We estimate a structural model in which drivers work toward a reference point that adjusts to deviations from expected earnings with a lag. This dynamic view of reference dependence reconciles conflicting “neoclassical” and “behavioral” interpretations of evidence on daily labor-supply decisions. (JEL J22, J31, L94)
Targeting In-Kind Transfers through Market Design: A Revealed Preference Analysis of Public Housing Allocation
Authors: Waldinger Daniel
Published: July 2021

Public housing benefits are rationed through wait lists. Theoretical work on public housing allocation has debated how much choice applicants should have over units, identifying a possible trade-off between efficiency and redistribution. This paper empirically establishes the existence and economic importance of this trade-off using wait list data from Cambridge, Massachusetts. I estimate a model of public housing preferences in a setting where heterogeneous apartments are rationed through waiting time. Eliminating choice would improve targeting but reduce tenant welfare by more than 30 percent. Such a change is only justified on targeting grounds by a strong social preference for redistribution. (JEL D47, H75, I38, R38)
Identifying Present Bias from the Timing of Choices
Authors: Heidhues Paul , Strack Philipp
Published: July 2021

A (partially naïve) quasi-hyperbolic discounter repeatedly chooses whether to complete a task. Her net benefits of task completion are drawn independently between periods from a time-invariant distribution. We show that the probability of completing the task conditional on not having done so earlier increases towards the deadline. Conversely, we establish nonidentifiability by proving that for any time-preference parameters and any dataset with such (weakly increasing) task-completion probabilities, there exists a stationary payoff distribution that rationalizes the agent’s behavior if she is either sophisticated or fully naïve. Additionally, we provide sharp partial identification for the case of observable continuation values. (JEL C14, D11, D15, D90, D91)
The Impacts of a Multifaceted Prenatal Intervention on Human Capital Accumulation in Early Life
Authors: Carneiro Pedro , Kraftman Lucy , Mason Giacomo , Moore Lucie , Rasul Imran , Scott Molly
Published: July 2021

We evaluate an intervention targeting early life nutrition and well-being for households in extreme poverty in Northern Nigeria. The intervention leads to large and sustained improvements in children’s anthropometric and health outcomes, including an 8 percent reduction in stunting 4 years, post-intervention. These impacts are partly driven by information-related channels. However, the certain and substantial flow of cash transfers is also key. They induce positive labor supply responses among women, and enables them to undertake productive investments in livestock. These provide protein rich diets for children, and generate higher household earnings streams long after the cash transfers expire. (JEL I12, I32, I38, J13, J16, J22, O12)
Can exposure to panoramic radiographs induce genotoxic effects on the oral epithelium? A systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Santos Marcos Antônio Lima dos , Couto Graziane Ribeiro , Sabey Mark Jon Santana , Borges Danilo de Paula Ribeiro , Takeshita Wilton Mitsunari
Published: July 2021

Radiographic examinations combined with clinical and histological tests play an important role in diagnosing changes in the craniofacial region. Considering that X-radiation is a form of ionizing energy capable of damaging the DNA of individuals, it has been the object of studies since its introduction. The micronucleus test is used to quantify this damage, assessing whether or not chromosomal breakage occurs.

Objective:

To evaluate, through a systematic review (SR) with meta-analysis, the occurrence of genotoxic effects in the oral epithelium after the exposure of patients to panoramic radiographs.

Methods:

An SR was performed with the PICOS (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Study design) strategy, aiming to answer the following question: “Can panoramic radiographs induce genotoxic effects on the oral epithelium?” The study was registered in the PROSPERO (International prospective register of systematic reviews) platform. A systematic search was performed in the following electronic databases: PubMed (including MedLine), Scopus, Embase, LILACS, Medline EbscoHost, and Google Scholar. Treatment effects were defined as standardized mean difference (SMD), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were established. The Joanna Briggs Institute questionnaire for observational studies was applied to assess the risk of bias. The GRADE tool was used to assess the quality of evidence of the SR.

Results:

A total of 251 potentially relevant studies were selected through the search strategy. After screening titles and abstracts, 11 full-text manuscripts were assessed for eligibility and nine observational studies were included in the meta-analysis. The present study showed an increase in micronuclei after the exposure (SMD = 0.21, 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.28, p = 0.02), with a Tau2index = 0.00, Chi2 = 2.35, and p-value = 0.97. Therefore, the articles selected were considered homogeneous and the I² of 0% indicated low heterogeneity.

Conclusion:

According to the studies analysed, although the quality of evidence was considered low, panoramic radiographs can cause genotoxic damage in the oral epithelium but with a small effect size.
Takıyyüddin Râsıd ve Cebir Risalesi: Matematiksel Değerlendirme, Tercüme ve Editio Princeps
Authors: Baga Elif
Published: July 2021

Takıyyüddin Râsıd (ö. 993/1585), Osmanlı riyâzî ilimler geleneğinin en önemli temsilcilerinden biridir. Günümüze ulaşan eserlerinden araştırmalarını astronomi, astronomi aletleri, matematik, optik, mekanik ve fizik konularında yoğunlaştırdığı anlaşılır. Osmanlı’nın tek rasathanesi olan İstanbul Rasathanesi’ni kurması ve yönetmesi, Râsıd’ı birçok yönden önemli bir figür haline getirmiştir. Ancak mezkûr öneme rağmen onun öğrendiği, öğrettiği, ürettiği ve kullandığı matematik çok az sayıda araştırmaya konu olmuştur. Halbuki yapılan bir işin veya üretilen bir eserin niteliğini ve seviyesini belirlemenin önde gelen yolu, nasıl bir “alet” ile meydana getirildiğine bakmaktır. Dolayısıyla bu makalede, riyâzî ilimlerde tebarüz etmiş bilginlerin ilmî karakteri ve kariyerini ortaya koymanın, matematik eserlerinin tahlilinden geçtiği tezinden yola çıkılarak Takıyyüddin Râsıd ’ın cebir risalesinin editio princeps, tercüme ve değerlendirmesi sunulacaktır. Cebir ilminin, herhangi bir konuda, mikdârî veya adedî fark etmeksizin karşılaşılan tüm problemlere uygulanabilme mizacı, mezkûr tezi ve dolayısıyla makalenin amacını daha anlamlı hale getirir. Klasik matematik eserlerinin sahih bir tetkiki için öncelikle orijinal metnin doğrulanması ve kolay bir okuyuş sağlayacak surete sokulması, ardından söz konusu dile kazandırılması ve son olarak matematiksel tahlil ve tarihsel değerlendirmeye tabi tutulması gerekliliği de makalenin ana yapısı ve muhtevasının gerekçesini açıklar.
Independent predictors of comprehensive knowledge of HIV in general population: findings from the Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey (2015-16)
Authors: Show Kyaw Lwin , Shewade Hemant Deepak , Kyaw Khine Wut Yee , Wai Khin Thet , Hone San , Oo Htun Nyunt
Published: July 2021

Background: Myanmar has the third highest number of people living with HIV in Southeast Asia behind Indonesia and Thailand. The independent predictors of comprehensive HIV knowledge among general population are not known.

Methods: In this nationally representative study, we adopted a cross-sectional design using secondary data from the Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey (2015-16). We included all women and men aged 15-49 years who participated in the survey. We have provided weighted estimates as the analyses were weighted for the multi-stage sampling design. We used modified Poisson regression with robust variance estimates model to identify independent predictors of comprehensive knowledge.

Results: Of 17,622 analyzed, 3,599 (20.4%, 95% CI: 19.7, 21.1) had comprehensive knowledge of HIV. Late adolescents, those with less than a high school education, those involved in agriculture and the poorest two quintiles were less likely to have comprehensive knowledge of HIV.

Conclusion: In Myanmar, comprehensive knowledge of HIV among the general population needs to be improved and we identified certain independent predictors that could be specifically targeted by the national programme.
Metronomic oral vinorelbine doublet chemotherapy with carboplatin in treatment of advanced lung cancer: a feasibility and safety study
Authors: Kandi Maria , Meldgaard Peter , Knap Marianne Marquard
Published: July 2021

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is globally one of the most common forms of cancer. Palliative treatment is a delicate balance against toxicity and survival. Using small frequent doses of chemotherapy, metronomic regimens have been hypothesized to maintain or even improve efficacy while achieving a lower treatment-related toxicity. The mechanism is thought to result from a more continuous exposure of the tumour cells to the drugs. Treating NSCLC, this study addresses the feasibility and tolerability of carboplatin in combination with 12 weeks of daily metronomic vinorelbine.

Method: Patients were included over a period of ten months. All patients had biopsy-verified incurable NSCLC and were candidates for first line chemotherapy (PD-L1<50% and no targetable mutations). This open label, non-randomized prospective safety and feasibility study was investigator initiated. Patients received up-to four cycles of standard dose carboplatin AUC 5 every third week in combination with 12 weeks of metronomic oral daily Navelbine® (20/30 mg). Patients were evaluated by CT scans after end of treatment and then every 8 weeks (+/- 1 week) until progression.

Results: A total of 20 patients were included. Male/female-ratio was 4/16. Age ranged from 49-83 with a median of 70.5 years. Majority had adenocarcinoma (95%). Two patients withdrew their consent within a week. 18 patients were included in safety analysis. 13 received all four cycles. Grade 1/2 toxicity was frequently seen and included fatigue 13 (72%), diarrhoea 13 (72%), constipation/congestion 13 (72%). Grade 3 toxicities were dyspnoea 2 (11%), nausea 3 (17%) and fatigue 3 (17%). Two (11%) had grade 4 toxicity with neutropenic fever, both recovered. No grade 5 toxicity was detected.

Conclusion: In treatment of NSCLC this study is the first addressing the regimen of carboplatin in combination with daily metronomic vinorelbine. We conclude that doublet chemotherapy with daily vinorelbine is safe and feasible.
The indigenous meaning of dysmenorrhea: using modified photovoice to document perspectives of traditional health practitioners (THPs) and indigenous knowledge holders (IKHs)
Authors: Rasweswe Melitah Molatelo , Peu Mmapheko Doriccah , Mulaudzi Fhumulani Mavis
Published: July 2021

Background: Globally, health understanding and beliefs vary across sub-cultural groups, depending on geographical location. Increasingly, various parts of the world recognize these perspectives to offer culturally sensitive healthcare services at primary level. Understanding the indigenous perspectives of dysmenorrhea meaning from the custodians of knowledge holders may add to the value of literature that may be used to advocate humanized culturally sensitive healthcare. This article aimed to explore and describe the perspectives regarding the meaning of indigenous dysmenorrhea among Batlokwa traditional health practitioners (THPs) and indigenous knowledge holders (IKHs).

Methods: A qualitative, explorative study with a modified photovoice design, which included photographs, interviews and lekgotla discussion was employed to engage THPs and IKHs residing in Botlokwa Limpopo province, South Africa. Initially, a purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants, followed by snowball sampling. The participants themselves analyzed the photographs and described their meaning during individual interview using the acronym “PHOTO”. The researchers employed thematic analysis of interviews and Lekgotla discussion, in which themes were identified, formulated and analyzed from the codified data set.

Results: In total, eight women participated in the photovoice study. The findings showed that indigenous understanding of dysmenorrhea stems from the African belief about health and illness with special emphasis on importance of holistic meaning. To the THPs and IKHs dysmenorrhea was a broad and integrated trend of a normal or abnormal process of illness that occurs periodically during menstruation.

Conclusions: The THP’s and IKH’s indigenous meaning of dysmenorrhea reflects physical, mental, emotional, social, environmental, political and economic dimensions. Therefore, dysmenorrhea should be understood from a holistic approach. With appropriate partnerships and processes in place, this knowledge may be well represented in dominant healthcare systems and health research.
Case Report: Cerebral venous thrombosis revealing celiac disease
Authors: Wiem Romdhane , Sondess Arfa , Jihene Chelly , Olfa Jomaa , Sonia Hammami , Karima Hmida , Fatma El Arbi , Olfa Berriche
Published: July 2021

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune enteropathy resulting from intolerance of an individual genetically predisposed to gluten. It has a large clinical polymorphism ranging from a classic digestive clinical presentation due to the malabsorption syndrome to extra-intestinal symptoms. Among the hematologic abnormalities, venous thromboembolic disease (VTE) has been reported, and they are most often located in the abdomen or lower limbs, but the cerebral localization was exceptionally described. We report a case of CD revealed by cerebral thrombophlebitis.

A 44-year-old patient with no medical history and no drug intake, presented with hemiplegia followed by a status epilepticus in a context of apyrexia, initially hospitalized in intensive care. Magnetic imaging resonance displayed a cerebral venous thrombosis of the sigmoid sinus requiring anticoagulant treatment, then transferred to our department for the etiological investigation. On questioning, the patient reported chronic diarrhea and weight loss with no other associated symptoms. The examination revealed an underweight patient with pale conjunctiva, improvement of her deficit symptoms, and no other abnormalities.

Laboratory tests noted biological signs of malabsorption. The thrombophilia assessment revealed a protein C deficiency with a slight increase in anticardiolipin antibodies and anti-Beta 2 glycoprotein 1 antibodies. Immunological tests noted positives anti-transglutaminase and IgA anti-endomysium antibodies. Duodenal biopsy demonstrated villous atrophy. After ruling out the other causes of VTE, the diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis secondary to CD was retained.

Early diagnosis and treatment of CD improves the quality-of-life for patients and may spare them various long-term or even fatal complications.
Impact of AYUSH interventions on COVID-19: a protocol for a living systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Thakar Anup , Panara Kalpesh , Goyal Mandip , Kumari Ritu , Sungchol Kim
Published: July 2021

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created a great burden on governments and the medical fraternity globally. Many clinical studies from the Indian system of Traditional Medicines [Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH)] have been carried out to find appropriate solutions. Through a living systematic review and meta-analysis, this study aims to determine the effectiveness of the Traditional System of Indian Medicine (AYUSH system) in lowering the incidence, duration, and severity of COVID-19.

Methods: We will search the following databases: Pubmed; the Cochrane central register of controlled trials (CENTRAL); the Clinical Trials Registry - India (CTRI); Digital Helpline for Ayurveda Research Articles (DHARA): AYUSH research portal; and World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 database. Clinical improvement, WHO ordinal scale, viral clearance, incidences of COVID-19 infection, and mortality will be considered as primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes will be use of O2 therapy or mechanical ventilator, admission to high dependency unit or emergency unit, duration of hospitalization, the time to symptom resolution, and adverse events. Two authors will independently search the articles, extract the data and disagreements will be resolved by the involvement of a third reviewer. Data will be synthesized, and the risk of bias will be assessed with RevMan 5.4 tool. Certainty of evidence will be assessed through the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations) tool. The review will be updated bi-monthly with two updates.

Conclusion: This living systematic review will be the first to address AYUSH interventions in COVID-19, synthesizing the full spectrum of Indian Traditional System of Medicine against COVID-19. It will facilitate professionals, guideline developers, and authorities with up to date synthesis on interventions periodically to make health-care decisions on AYUSH therapies in the management of COVID-19.
ECG of the month
Authors: Bloe Charles
Published: July 2021

In this issue's ECG of the month, Charles Bloe presents a case of an 80-year-old man experiencing acute upper epigastric pain, but was otherwise fit and active.
Fast and accurate polarimetric calibration of infrared imaging polarimetric sensors
Authors: Gogler Sławomir , Bieszczad Grzegorz , Swiderski Jacek , Firmanty Krzysztof , Bareła Jarosław , Piątkowski Tadeusz
Published: July 2021

Polarimetric imaging cameras require polarimetric calibration to accurately estimate the incident Stokes vector of incoming radiation. This calibration establishes a relationship between changes in the sensor signal and incident Stokes vector. In the standard procedure, an imager is presented with a set of input Stokes vectors with two different radiance values. In the long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) and mid-wavelength infrared bands, blackbodies with different temperatures are used for each set of Stokes vectors. The radiometric offset is subtracted, and standard radiometric or nonuniformity correction procedures are performed in a separate step. This paper proposes an alternative all-in-one approach that combines radiometric calibration, nonuniformity correction, and polarimetric calibration. The standard and proposed methods are compared for a division-of-time LWIR polarimeter. The proposed calibration method achieves an RMS error of 0.34% compared with the conventional technique’s error of 0.83%, yielding a factor of 2.4 improvement in the reconstructed accuracy of a linear Stokes vector; in addition, it is less time-consuming and less prone to ambient temperature fluctuations than the typical two-point method. The method also accounts for beam wander and narcissus effects and enables simple, straightforward polarimetric measurement.
Design analysis and test verification of a rigid–flexible, dual-mode coupling support structure for space-based rectangular curved prisms
Authors: Jia Xin-Yin , Wang Fei-Cheng , Li Li-Bo , Zhang Zhao-Hui , Liu Jia , Hu Bing-Liang
Published: July 2021

In view of the functional requirements of high reliability and stability support of optical components of space remote sensors, a rigid–flexible, dual-mode coupling support structure for space-based rectangular curved prisms (SRCPs) was designed. In-depth studies of the support principle and engineering realization of the SRCPs and optimization of the flexible adhesive structure were performed. Static and dynamic simulations were conducted on the mirror subassembly by means of finite element analysis, and test verification was also performed. The tests revealed that the surface shape error of the mirror subassembly after mechanical testing was

0.021

λ

, the displacement of the mirror body was 0.008 mm, the inclination angle was

∼

0.8

′
′

, the mass of the mirror subassembly was 4.79 kg, the fundamental frequency was 283 Hz, and the maximum amplification of the total rms acceleration was 4.37. All indexes were superior to those of the design requirements. On this basis, bonding tests and mechanical tests of a rectangular curved prism reflector, a rectangular curved prism, and a rectangular plane reflector employing this proposed support structure were continued. The test results verified the reliability, stability, and universal applicability of the proposed rigid–flexible, dual-mode peripheral bonding support structure.
Statistical modeling of retinal optical coherence tomography using the Weibull mixture model
Authors: Jorjandi Sahar , Amini Zahra , Plonka Gerlind , Rabbani Hossein
Published: July 2021

In this paper, a novel statistical model is proposed for retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. According to the layered structure of the retina, a mixture of six Weibull distributions is proposed to describe the main statistical features of OCT images. We apply Weibull distribution to establish a more comprehensive model but with fewer parameters that has better goodness of fit (GoF) than previous models. Our new model also takes care of features such as asymmetry and heavy-tailed nature of the intensity distribution of retinal OCT data. In order to test the effectiveness of this new model, we apply it to improve the low quality of the OCT images. For this purpose, the spatially constrained Gaussian mixture model (SCGMM) is implemented. Since SCGMM is designed for data with Gaussian distribution, we convert our Weibull mixture model to a Gaussian mixture model using histogram matching before applying SCGMM. The denoising results illustrate the remarkable performance in terms of the contrast to noise ratio (CNR) and texture preservation (TP) compared to other peer methods. In another test to evaluate the efficiency of our proposed model, the parameters and GoF criteria are considered as a feature vector for support vector machine (SVM) to classify the healthy retinal OCT images from pigment epithelial detachment (PED) disease. The confusion matrix demonstrates the impact of the proposed model in our preliminary study on the OCT classification problem.
Random laser as a potential tool for the determination of the scattering coefficient
Authors: Hohmann Martin , Späth Moritz , Ni Dongqin , Dörner Dominique , Lengenfelder Benjamin , Klämpfl Florian , Schmidt Michael
Published: July 2021

The determination of the optical properties of a turbid medium is a major topic in the field of optics. Generally, they comprise the parameters µ
a
, µ
s
, g and n. There is, however, a lack of techniques for the direct determination of the scattering coefficient µ
s
. This study, therefore, proposes the random laser (RL) as a tool to directly measure µ
s
- and not

μ
s
′

. Evidence is found that it is possible to determine µ
s
in the diffusive regime by means of the RL. Based on these findings, a local model of the RL is developed and presented in this study.
Vision vibration measurement based on coded illumination in a single frame
Authors: Zhang Yuanjun , Qu Xinghua , Liang Xiaobo , Xu Lianyin , Wang Jindong , Zhang Fumin
Published: July 2021

A vision-based mechanical vibration measurement method is presented and verified by experiments in this paper. The coded illumination is projected on the objects by a digital light processing projector with a digital micromirror device in it. The projection patterns are designed to be concentric. In one integration time of the camera, the projector is exposed several times, which embeds temporal information in the images. A single frame can be divided into subframes by separating the coded concentric patterns. The centroids of the coded concentric patterns are fitted, and the centroids are treated as virtual feature points with vibration information. The acquisition devices are common low-speed cameras, and they record the vibration whose frequency exceeds the camera frame rate. The temporal resolution is increased by 10 times, corresponding to the 400 Hz sampling frequency in the experiment. We can measure the vibration of multiple points with different sampling frequencies. The frequency measurement accuracy is in the subhertz level in low-frequency measurement, relative error is always slightly greater than 0.01 in high-frequency measurement, and the amplitude resolution is 130 µm.
Quantification and reduction of Poisson-Gaussian mixed noise induced errors in ellipsometry
Authors: Jiang Bo , Meng Kai , Youcef-Toumi Kamal
Published: July 2021

Ellipsometry is an important metrology tool in a plethora of industries. The measurement accuracy can be significantly affected by the existence of Poisson-Gaussian mixed noise. This paper quantifies the induced error on normalized Mueller matrix measurements through statistical analysis. A method is then proposed to mitigate the effects of Poisson-Gaussian noise in spectroscopic ellipsometry signal demodulation, based on maximum likelihood estimation. The noise is characterized through experiments on an in-house setup. The improved performance of dimension reconstruction from the proposed method is demonstrated through simulations.
Enhanced precision inspection of free-form surface with an improved whale optimization algorithm
Authors: Wang Zhongyu , Li Yaru , Tang Yingqi , Shang Zhendong
Published: July 2021

For precision inspection of free-form surface parts using non-contact measurement methods, the registration between the actual measurement model and the ideal design model is necessary.The traditional iterative closure point (ICP) method requires good initial parameters to obtain the global optimal transformation matrix, which is difficult to guarantee in the actual detection process. In order to improve the accuracy and robustness of free-form surface precision inspection, an Improved Whale Optimization Algorithm (IWOA) is proposed in this study.This algorithm can solve the required registration parameters by constantly updating the population. A measurement experimental system is designed to test the accuracy of blade registration. The performance of IWOA is evaluated by the actual measurement experiment, and the results are verified by a comparative study with Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA), Lévy flight trajectory-based Whale Optimization Algorithm (LWOA), and Adaptive Whale Optimization Algorithm (AWOA). The surface registration errors are 0.1711mm for IWOA, 2.0015 mm for WOA, 1.2656 mm for LWOA, 2.8132 mm for AWOA and 2.1537 mm for ICP. The results show that the accuracy of IWOA is more than 7 times higher than other four algorithms. In general, the experiments indicate that IWOA has a good registration ability and can meet the needs of industrial measurement.
Hybrid polarization grating for mode detection of vector beams
Authors: Sakamoto Moritsugu , Kaneko Yusuke , Kakedo Yushi , Noda Kohei , Sasaki Tomoyuki , Tanaka Masayuki , Sakai Takeya , Hattori Yukitoshi , Kawatsuki Nobuhiro , Ono Hiroshi
Published: July 2021

A hybrid polarization grating that can spatially separate orthogonal states of a vector beam with the same polarization topological charge is presented. The hybrid polarization grating is assembled using a fork-shaped polarization grating and a quarter-wave polarization grating and acts as a common pass interferometer for right- and left-circular polarization components of incident vector beams. The hybrid polarization grating can separate two vector beam states that have a 90 ° relative polarization azimuth angle difference. The number of detectable vector beams can be increased by replacing the hybrid polarization grating with a crossed-hybrid polarization grating. Device feasibility was demonstrated experimentally using hybrid polarization grating and crossed-hybrid polarization grating fabricated using the photoalignment method for photoreactive liquid crystals. This approach has the potential to demultiplex several vector beams stably and simultaneously using a compact optical system and should be applicable to vector beam division multiplexing and other applications requiring vector beam detection.
Aberration characteristic correlation configuration optimization of a conformal dome based on the von Karman surface
Authors: Ju Lin , Liu Yinglun , Ming Yue , Shi Xiaotian , Li Xueshen , Fan Zhigang
Published: July 2021

In this paper, the von Karman surface is used in the configuration design of the infrared conformal dome to improve its aerodynamic performance. The principle of differential geometry is used to study the geometric characteristics of the von Karman dome. Additionally, by using ray tracing, the geometric aberrations and wave aberrations of the von Karman dome are analyzed. Further, considering the geometric characteristics and aberration characteristics, an optimization method for the configuration of the von Karman dome is proposed. To prove the effectiveness of the optimization method, the aberrations introduced by the conformal dome after the configuration optimization and the original von Karman dome are compared. The comparison showed that the geometric aberration of the optimized conformal dome is reduced by 43.68%. The optimization method can significantly correct the aberration introduced by the von Karman dome and improve the guidance capability of infrared detection technology.
Distortion corrected tomographic near-eye displays using light field optimization
Authors: Lee Siwoo , Lee Seungjae , Kim Dongyeon , Lee Byoungho
Published: July 2021

Several multifocal displays have been proposed to provide accurate accommodation cues. However, multifocal displays have an undesirable feature, which is especially emphasized in near-eye displays configuration, that the field of views (FOVs) of the virtual planes change over depth. We demonstrate that this change in FOV causes image distortions, which reduces overall image quality, and depth perception error due to the variation of image sizes according to depths. Here, we introduce a light field optimization technique to compensate for magnification variations among the focal planes. Our approach alleviates image distortions, especially noticeable in the contents with large depth discontinuity, and reconstructs the image size to precise depths, while maintaining a specific tolerance length for the target eye relief. To verify the feasibility of the algorithm, we employ this optimization method for the tomographic near-eye display system to acquire the optimal image and backlight sequences for a volumetric scene. In general, we confirm that the structural similarity index measure of reconstructed images against ground truth increases by 20% when the eye relief is 15 mm, and the accommodation cue is appropriately stimulated at the target depth with our proposed method.