bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Field-deployable molecular diagnostic platform for arbovirus detection in Aedes aegypti
Authors: Rutkowski Natalie , Dong Yuemei , Dimopoulos George
Published: September 2020

Background

Surveillance of mosquito infection status is critical for planning and deployment of proper mosquito control initiatives. Point-of-care (POC) detection assays are necessary for monitoring the infection prevalence and geographical range of viruses in mosquito vector populations. We therefore assessed the novel real-time PCR (qPCR) bCUBE (Hyris, London, UK) molecular diagnostic system as a tool for virus detection.

Methods

Aedes aegypti Rps17 was used to validate and determine correlation coefficient for the novel bCUBE qPCR system to a laboratory standard StepOnePlus real-time PCR system (Applied Biosystems, Waltham, MA, USA). Experimentally infected Ae. aegypti were quantified for Zika (ZIKV) and dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV2) viral genomic RNA. Infection prevalence was compared to plaque assay.

Results

We developed and validated a novel qPCR system for the detection of ZIKV and DENV2 using the real-time qPCR system bCUBE. With bCUBE-based qRT-PCR, viral genomic RNA could be detected in individually infected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes and in pools of 5, 10 or 15 mosquitoes.

Conclusions

The portable qPCR bCUBE diagnostic system is capable of detecting Zika and dengue virus in mosquitoes and therefore has potential as a practical field-deployable diagnostic test for vector-borne disease surveillance programmes.
Interleukin (IL)-25 suppresses IL-22-induced osteoclastogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis via STAT3 and p38 MAPK/IκBα pathway
Authors: Min Hong Ki , Won Ji-Yeon , Kim Bo-Mi , Lee Kyung-Ann , Lee Seoung-Joon , Lee Sang-Heon , Kim Hae-Rim , Kim Kyoung-Woon
Published: September 2020

Background

The present study aimed to evaluate the suppressive role of interleukin (IL)-25 in IL-22-induced osteoclastogenesis and receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) expression in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Serum from patients with RA and osteoarthritis (OA), and healthy controls, and synovial fluid from patients with RA and OA were collected, and the levels of IL-22 and IL-25 were measured. RA and OA synovial tissues were stained against IL-25. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) of patients with RA were cultured with IL-22, in the presence or absence of IL-25, and RANKL expression was measured by real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Human peripheral blood monocytes were cultured under IL-22/RANKL + M-CSF, with or without IL-25, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cells and osteoclast-related markers were investigated to determine osteoclastogenesis.

Results

Serum and synovial IL-25 levels in RA were upregulated compared to those in OA and healthy control, and elevated expression of IL-25 in RA synovial tissue was re-confirmed. IL-25 and IL-22 levels showed significant correlation in serum and synovial fluid. Pre-treatment of FLS with IL-25 reduced IL-22-induced RANKL expression at the RNA level. The suppressive effects of IL-25 were confirmed to occur through the STAT3 and p38 MAPK/IκBα pathways. IL-25 reduced osteoclast differentiation and suppressed the expression of osteoclast-related markers.

Conclusion

In the current study, we demonstrated the regulatory effect of IL-25 on IL-22-induced osteoclastogenesis. Therapeutic approach involving augmentation of IL-25 regulatory response may serve as a novel treatment option for RA, especially by suppressing osteoclastogenesis.
The role of public-private partnerships in
extending public healthcare provision to irregular migrants: stopgap or foot in the
door?
Authors: Gottlieb Nora , Filc Dani , Davidovitch Nadav
Published: September 2020

In this commentary to the paper “Ensuring HIV care to undocumented
migrants in Israel: a public-private partnership case study” by Chemtob et al. we
discuss the role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a mechanism for
integrating previously excluded groups in public healthcare provision. Drawing on
PPP case-studies as well as on Israel’s pandemic preparedness policies during the
Covid-19 outbreak, we examine potential implications for the populations in question
and for health systems.

In our view, Chemtob et al. describe an exceptional achievement, where a
PPP served as a stepping stone for the subsequent integration of irregular migrants’
in publicly funded HIV care. However, we argue that in many other cases PPPs are
liable to undermine public healthcare and inclusionary claims. This view is informed
by the fundamentally different concepts of healthcare that underlie PPPs and public
healthcare provision (namely, health care as a commodity vs. access to healthcare as
a right) and existing evidence on PPPs’ role in facilitating welfare retrenchment.
In contexts that are dominated by an exclusionary stance toward irregular migrants,
such as contemporary Israel, we believe that PPPs will become stopgaps that
undermine health rights, rather than a first foot in the door that leads toward
equitable provision of healthcare for all.
Experimental evaluation of flexible duplexing in multi-tier MIMO networks
Authors: Fanjul Jacobo , Fernández Renzo D. , Ibáñez Jesús , García-Naya José A. , Santamaria Ignacio
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we present an experimental evaluation of the performance benefits provided by flexible duplexing, an access technique that allows uplink and downlink cells to coexist within the same time-frequency resource blocks. In order to replicate a wireless multi-tier network composed of 1 macro-cell and 2 small cells, a measurement campaign has been conducted using an indoor wireless testbed comprised of a total of 6 multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) software-defined radio (SDR) devices. Since each cell has a single active user, each uplink/downlink configuration can be identified with a different interference channel, over which interference alignment (IA) is used as an inter-cell interference management technique and compared to other existing methods. The obtained results show that flexible duplexing clearly outperforms the conventional time-division duplex (TDD) access approach, where all cells operate synchronized either in uplink or dowlink mode. Additionally, interference alignment consistently provides better results in most of the interference regimes when compared to minimum mean square error (MMSE)-based schemes. The impact of channel estimate quality on the different communication strategies is also studied. It is worth highlighting that the presented over-the-air (OTA) experiments represent the first implementation of IA with real-time precoding and decoding.
A note on degenerate r-Stirling numbers
Authors: Kim Taekyun , Kim Dae San , Lee Hyunseok , Park Jin-Woo
Published: September 2020

The aim of this paper is to study the unsigned degenerate r-Stirling numbers of the first kind as degenerate versions of the r-Stirling numbers of the first kind and the degenerate r-Stirling numbers of the second kind as those of the r-Stirling numbers of the second kind. For the degenerate r-Stirling numbers of both kinds, we derive recurrence relations, generating functions, explicit expressions, and some identities involving them.
Targeting α-synuclein by PD03 AFFITOPE® and Anle138b rescues neurodegenerative pathology in a model of multiple system atrophy: clinical relevance
Authors: Lemos Miguel , Venezia Serena , Refolo Violetta , Heras-Garvin Antonio , Schmidhuber Sabine , Giese Armin , Leonov Andrei , Ryazanov Sergey , Griesinger Christian , Galabova Gergana , Staffler Guenther , Wenning Gregor Karl , Stefanova Nadia
Published: September 2020

Background

Misfolded oligomeric α-synuclein plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of α-synucleinopathies including Parkinson’s disease and multiple system atrophy, and its detection parallels activation of microglia and a loss of neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Here we aimed to analyze the therapeutic efficacy of PD03, a new AFFITOPE® immunotherapy approach, either alone or in combination with Anle138b, in a PLP-α-syn mouse model.

Methods

The PLP-α-syn mice were treated with PD03 immunotherapy, Anle138b, or a combination of two. Five months after study initiation, the mice underwent behavioral testing and were sacrificed for neuropathological analysis. The treatment groups were compared to the vehicle group with regard to motor performance, nigral neuronal loss, microglial activation and α-synuclein pathology.

Results

The PLP-α-syn mice receiving the PD03 or Anle138b single therapy showed improvement of gait deficits and preservation of nigral dopaminergic neurons associated with the reduced α-synuclein oligomer levels and decreased microglial activation. The combined therapy with Anle138b and PD03 resulted in lower IgG binding in the brain as compared to the single immunotherapy with PD03.

Conclusions

PD03 and Anle138b can selectively target oligomeric α-synuclein, resulting in attenuation of neurodegeneration in the PLP-α-syn mice. Both approaches are potential therapies that should be developed further for disease modification in α-synucleinopathies.
Assessment of deicing salt storage and distribution as a salinization point source: the influence of permitting standards on water quality
Authors: Tharp Rebecca , Allen Dana
Published: September 2020

Background

Road deicing salts are impacting freshwater ecosystems in snowy regions worldwide. Rock salt (typically sodium chloride) is transported to and stored in regional facilities that operate year-round and are continuous potential sources of chloride discharge to adjacent water bodies, resulting in different impacts to aquatic ecosystems than chloride pollution from spatially diffuse road networks. The regulatory tools and associated monitoring regimes used by state and federal agencies related to permitting of these facilities is inconsistent. Selection of the regulatory standards and monitoring location in the receiving water body (and how the definition of ‘receiving water body’ is applied) can have a significant influence on the measured or modeled impact of a facility on aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, selection of the monitored media (surface water, soil pore water, shallow ground water, or vegetation) can further influence findings, resulting in inconsistent conclusions of environmental impact and potentially allow exceedances of regulatory thresholds of chloride. This study evaluates chloride pollution from salt loading over two years from a state-permitted salt storage and transport facility in Shelburne, Vermont, USA to an adjacent wetland and river that drains to Lake Champlain. Water quality results and modeled assumptions made by the permittee were compared to monitoring data at two discharge points from the site including a drainage channel downstream of the site’s stormwater pond and at a shallow ground water seep below the rail car unloading area.

Results

Results indicate elevated chloride concentrations (average of 243 and 643 mg L−1) at the discharge points to the receiving water body, in conflict with findings from annual permittee assessments. Soil cores taken in the wetland in the vicinity of the control and two discharge points also indicate elevated Cl− (p ≤ 0.035) and Na+ (p ≤ 0.0006). Samples of Tsuga canadensis at the discharge points and at the control site indicate elevated chloride in plant tissues.

Conclusions

Determination of exceedances of chronic and acute standards vary based on the sampling location and medium, indicating a need for consistency and outcome-based monitoring point selection criteria and a move away from reliance on self-reporting by permittees.
Disruption of ruminal homeostasis by malnutrition involved in systemic ruminal microbiota-host interactions in a pregnant sheep model
Authors: Xue Yanfeng , Lin Limei , Hu Fan , Zhu Weiyun , Mao Shengyong
Published: September 2020

Background

Undernutrition is a prevalent and spontaneous condition in animal production which always affects microbiota-host interaction in gastrointestinal tract. However, how undernutrition affects crosstalk homeostasis is largely unknown. Here, we discover how undernutrition affects microbial profiles and subsequently how microbial metabolism affects the signal transduction and tissue renewal in ruminal epithelium, clarifying the detrimental effect of undernutrition on ruminal homeostasis in a pregnant sheep model.

Results

Sixteen pregnant ewes (115 days of gestation) were randomly and equally assigned to the control (CON) and severe feed restriction (SFR) groups. Ewes on SFR treatment were restricted to a 30% level of ad libitum feed intake while the controls were fed normally. After 15 days, all ewes were slaughtered to collect ruminal digesta for 16S rRNA gene and metagenomic sequencing and ruminal epithelium for transcriptome sequencing. Results showed that SFR diminished the levels of ruminal volatile fatty acids and microbial proteins and repressed the length, width, and surface area of ruminal papillae. The 16S rRNA gene analysis indicated that SFR altered the relative abundance of ruminal bacterial community, showing decreased bacteria about saccharide degradation (Saccharofermentans and Ruminococcus) and propionate genesis (Succiniclasticum) but increased butyrate producers (Pseudobutyrivibrio and Papillibacter). Metagenome analysis displayed that genes related to amino acid metabolism, acetate genesis, and succinate-pathway propionate production were downregulated upon SFR, while genes involved in butyrate and methane genesis and acrylate-pathway propionate production were upregulated. Transcriptome and real-time PCR analysis of ruminal epithelium showed that downregulated collagen synthesis upon SFR lowered extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, inactivated JAK3-STAT2 signaling pathway, and inhibited DNA replication and cell cycle.

Conclusions

Generally, undernutrition altered rumen bacterial community and function profile to decrease ruminal energy retention, promoted epithelial glucose and fatty acid catabolism to elevate energy supply, and inhibited the proliferation of ruminal epithelial cells. These findings provide the first insight into the systemic microbiota-host interactions that are involved in disrupting the ruminal homeostasis under a malnutrition pattern.
The population ecology of undesigned systems: an analysis of the Arizona charter school system
Authors: Mars Matthew M. , Bronstein Judith L.
Published: September 2020

The application of ecological concepts and principles to the study of organization design and system development is now commonplace. Population ecology is one biological perspective that has been especially influential within the organization design literature. In the current study, we illustrate for the first time how this framework can be used to reveal when and in what ways intervention is warranted within a system that, like a biological population in nature, has emerged with little to no purposeful design. Specifically, we use 20 years of data on 1,074 Arizona charter schools to illustrate how population analysis can be used to uncover the characteristics of individual organizations that have the highest ability to survive over time within systems that have been allowed to emerge with little to no purposeful design. Our findings lead us to argue how pre-intervention population analysis at the system level can influence organization-level design choices in a way that enables dynamic fit and thereby enhances the likelihood of organization survivorship and innovation over time.
Evaluation of a Mainstream Model of Genetic Testing for Men With Prostate Cancer
Authors: Scheinberg Tahlia , Goodwin Annabel , Ip Emilia , Linton Anthony , Mak Blossom , Smith David P. , Stockler Martin R. , Strach Madeleine C. , Tran Ben , Young Alison L. , Zhang Alison Y. , Mahon Kate L. , Horvath Lisa G.
Published: September 2020

PURPOSE:

To identify the approximately 12% with inherited cancer predisposition, all men with metastatic prostate cancer (mPC) should be offered germline genetic testing. This guides treatment choices and impacts cancer prevention in the family. Limited genetic services globally present a barrier to testing. This study tested a potential solution, “mainstreaming,” where counseling and testing are performed by the patient’s oncologist.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Men with mPC at three Australian sites were offered germline genetic testing at their medical oncology appointment. Panel testing ( ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, CHEK2, EPCAM, FANCA, HOXB13, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, NBN, PALB2, PMS2, RAD51D, and TP53) was performed on saliva/blood (Invitae, San Francisco, CA). Primary outcomes were clinician and patient satisfaction. Secondary outcomes included mutation rates and resource allocation.

RESULTS:

Of 66 men offered testing, 63 (95%) accepted. Four pathogenic variants were identified (two BRCA2, one NBN, and one MSH6). Fifty patients and nine clinicians completed questionnaires. Satisfaction was high. All patients were pleased to have had testing overall, 98% (46 of 47) to have had testing at their usual oncology appointment, and all to receive results from their usual specialist, rather than a separate genetics appointment. A total of 88% (7 of 8) of clinicians felt confident, and all were satisfied with mainstreaming. Mainstreaming was resource efficient, requiring 87% fewer genetic consultations than traditional genetic counseling.

CONCLUSION:

This study demonstrates that mainstreaming of men with mPC is feasible, resource efficient, and satisfactory for clinicians and patients. Widespread implementation as standard of care would facilitate timely access to genetic testing for men with mPC.
Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Shock Delivered During Electroconvulsive Therapy Despite Magnet Application: A Case Report
Authors: Streckenbach Scott C. , Benedetto William J. , Fitzsimons Michael G.
Published: September 2020

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in a patient with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) presents challenges to anesthesiologists. We encountered a patient who received an inappropriate shock during ECT despite magnet application. The phenomenon provides insight into how ICDs work—how they can inappropriately detect ECT stimulation and how they deliver antitachycardia therapy. We illuminate issues related to using magnets, discuss risks associated with inappropriate ICD therapy, and provide guidance for ICD management during ECT.
In the Image of Pasteur
Authors: Velmet Aro
Published: September 2020

How does an imperial lens change our view of capitalism and science in early twentieth-century France? Using the colonial expansion of the Pasteur Institutes as a case study, this article argues that French microbiologists developed both new business models and new values of masculine comportment during their time in the colonies. There the dynamic interaction between economic success and demonstration of scientific masculinity became particularly important in reshaping how Pastorians both saw the future of their institution and interpreted the meaning of its past. Against the image of the ascetic, nonprofit scientist, Pastorians in the colonies opposed an ambitious and entrepreneurial hero. After the Great War undermined the ascetic model and weakened the economic power of the metropolitan institute, colonial Pastorians were able to shape representations of the Pastorian network to the public and narrate the history of its founder as a heroic conqueror of the microbial world.

Comment une optique impériale change-t-elle notre perspective sur le capitalisme et la science au début du vingtième siècle ? Prenant l'expansion coloniale des instituts Pasteur comme exemple, cet article avance que les microbiologistes français ont développé à la fois de nouveaux modèles économiques et de nouvelles valeurs du comportement masculin au cours de leur séjour dans les colonies. Ici, l'interaction dynamique entre le succès économique et la démonstration de la masculinité scientifique est devenue particulièrement importante pour remodeler à la fois la façon dont les pastoriens voyaient l'avenir de leur institution et interpretaient le sens de son passé. Contre l'image du scientifique ascétique, les pastoriens coloniaux opposaient un héros ambitieux et entreprenant. Après que la Grande Guerre a sapé le modèle ascétique et affaibli le pouvoir économique de l'Institut métropolitain, les pastoriens coloniaux ont pu façonner des représentations publiques du réseau pastorien et raconter l'histoire de son fondateur comme conquérant héroïque du monde microbien.
“Víctima del terremoto del amor y la pasión”
Authors: Minor Denise
Published: September 2020

This essay examines Poet Francisco X. Alarcón’s artistic expression of romance for gays within Latino communities. This study advances the concept of a “homoamorous” genre that privileges intimacy and romance between gay men without sensationalizing the physical contact such relationships may include. It also traces the evolution of Alarcón’s expression of his gay identity over the course of three decades from verse that centered upon loneliness and guilt, through a period of “liberation” poetry, and ultimately to a long and very productive period resulting in a body of work that captures the love and sexual satisfaction that can grow from a committed relationship. These periods are marked by different imagery, language, and poetic structure.
Nucleolar size regulates nuclear envelope shape in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Male Gurranna , Deolal Pallavi , Manda Naresh Kumar , Yagnik Shantam , Mazumder Aprotim , Mishra Krishnaveni
Published: September 2020

Nuclear shape and size are cell-type specific. Change in nuclear shape is seen during cell division, development and pathology. The nucleus of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is spherical in interphase and becomes dumbbell shaped during mitotic division to facilitate the transfer of one nucleus to the daughter cell. Because yeast cells undergo closed mitosis, the nuclear envelope remains intact throughout the cell cycle. The pathways that regulate nuclear shape are not well characterized. The nucleus is organized into various subcompartments, with the nucleolus being the most prominent. We have conducted a candidate-based genetic screen for nuclear shape abnormalities in S. cerevisiae to ask whether the nucleolus influences nuclear shape. We find that increasing nucleolar volume triggers a non-isometric nuclear envelope expansion resulting in an abnormal nuclear envelope shape. We further show that the tethering of rDNA to the nuclear envelope is required for the appearance of these extensions.
Mucin-type O-glycosylation controls pluripotency in mouse embryonic stem cells via Wnt receptor endocytosis
Authors: Pecori Federico , Akimoto Yoshihiro , Hanamatsu Hisatoshi , Furukawa Jun-ichi , Shinohara Yasuro , Ikehara Yuzuru , Nishihara Shoko
Published: September 2020

Mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can differentiate into a range of cell types during development, and this pluripotency is regulated by various extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Mucin-type O-glycosylation has been suggested to be a potential factor in the control of ESC pluripotency, and is characterized by the addition of N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) to serine or threonine residues of membrane-anchored proteins and secreted proteins. To date, the relationship between mucin-type O-glycosylation and signaling in ESCs remains undefined. Here, we identify the elongation pathway via C1GalT1 that synthesizes T antigen (Galβ1-3GalNAc) as the most prominent among mucin-type O-glycosylation modifications in ESCs. Moreover, we show that mucin-type O-glycosylation on the Wnt signaling receptor frizzled-5 (Fzd5) regulates its endocytosis via galectin-3 binding to T antigen, and that reduction of T antigen results in the exit of the ESCs from pluripotency via canonical Wnt signaling activation. Our findings reveal a novel regulatory mechanism that modulates Wnt signaling and, consequently, ESC pluripotency.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Comparison of two lipid emulsions on interleukin-1β, interleukin-8 and fatty acid composition in infants post gastrointestinal surgery: a randomized trial
Authors: Hanindita Meta Herdiana , Irawan Roedi , Ugrasena I Dewa Gede , Hariastawa I. G. B. Adria
Published: September 2020

Background: Nutritional support plays an essential role for recovery in infants who undergo gastrointestinal surgery. The current standard type of intravenous lipid emulsion (IVLE) used as parenteral nutrition is the mixture of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) and long chain triglyceride (LCT) rich in ω-6. Studies showed that ω-6 is associated with higher level of proinflammatory cytokines, leading to increased mortality rate, morbidity rate, and postoperative recovery time. The latest generation of  emulsion is a mixture of MCT, LCT, olive oil (OO), and fish oil (FO) which may optimize the ω6/ω3 ratio. This study aimed to compare the effect of MCT/LCT/OO/FO IVLE to standard IVLE on IL-1β, IL-8 and plasma fatty acid composition in infants who had undergone gastrointestinal surgery.

Methods: A single-blind, randomised controlled, pretest-posttest design study was done in twelve subjects that were classified into two groups. Group 1 received standard IVLE, group 2 received MCT/LCT/OO/FO IVLE. The type of standard and MCT/LCT/OO/FO IVLE used in this study were Lipofundin 20% and SMOFlipid 20%, respectively, both administered for three consecutive days in 1-4 gram/kilogram/day. IL-1β and IL-8 were examined using ELISA while fatty acid composition was analyzed using gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS).  Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS for Mac 23.

Results: No statistical difference was found in age, gender, birth weight and diagnosis, between both groups. Leukocyte level was significantly lower in MCT/LCT/OO/FO group 3 days after surgery (p=0.025). CRP level was lower in MCT/LCT/OO/FO group 3 days after surgery (p=0.01) and in changes within 3 days (p=0.016). There were no differences in IL-1β and IL-8 but ω-6 was higher in standard IVFE group on third day after surgery (p=0,048).

Conclusion: MCT/LCT/OO/FO IVLE can significantly lower leukocyte, CRP and ω-6 levels and is comparable with standard IVLE on IL-1β & IL-8 levels in infants underwent gastrointestinal surgery.
Fatores associados a pratica de atividades físicas durante a pandemia da COVID-19 no estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
Authors: Rodrigues Phillipe , Reis Erika Cardoso dos , Bianchi Lucas , Palma Alexandre
Published: September 2020

A relação entre os determinantes sociais e a prática de atividade física em um período de distanciamento social ainda é desconhecida. O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar os fatores associados à prática de atividade física durante o distanciamento social induzido pela pandemia da COVID-19. Foi realizado um estudo observacional do tipo transversal com indivíduos maiores de 18 anos. A coleta de dados foi realizada de 28 de abril a 11 de maio de 2020 por meio de um questionário eletrônico online. Participaram da pesquisa 1.138 indivíduos residentes do estado do Rio de Janeiro. A maior parte dos indivíduos eram do sexo feminino (63,1%), brancos (61,9%) e estavam na faixa etária de 18 a 39 anos (60,5%). A prática de atividades físicas foi relatada por 66,1% dos entrevistados. Foram analisadas, via modelos de regressão logístico e logístico ordinal variáveis sociodemográficas, participação em atividades físicas e a frequência desta prática. As variáveis associadas com a maior chance de praticar atividades físicas durante o distanciamento foram o sexo masculino, idade acima de 40 anos, maior escolaridade, não ser profissional de serviço essencial e não ter filhos. As chances de praticar atividades físicas com maior frequência também esteve associada ao sexo masculino, a idade acima de 40 anos, não ser profissional de serviço essencial e não ter filhos. Conclui-se que a prática de atividades físicas durante o período de distanciamento social está associada aos determinantes sociais. Assim, recomendamos que políticas de promoção de atividades físicas tenham um olhar prioritário para os grupos de maior vulnerabilidade.
London Heathrow Airport Uses Real-Time Analytics for Improving Operations
Authors: Guo Xiaojia , Grushka-Cockayne Yael , De Reyck Bert
Published: September 2020

Improving airport collaborative decision making is at the heart of airport operations centers (APOCs) recently established in several major European airports. In this paper, we describe a project commissioned by Eurocontrol, the organization in charge of the safety and seamless flow of European air traffic. The project’s goal was to examine the opportunities offered by the colocation and real-time data sharing in the APOC at London’s Heathrow airport, arguably the most advanced of its type in Europe. We developed and implemented a pilot study of a real-time data-sharing and collaborative decision-making process, selected to improve the efficiency of Heathrow’s operations. In this paper, we describe the process of how we chose the subject of the pilot, namely the improvement of transfer-passenger flows through the airport, and how we helped Heathrow move from its existing legacy system for managing passenger flows to an advanced machine learning–based approach using real-time inputs. The system, which is now in operation at Heathrow, can predict which passengers are likely to miss their connecting flights, reducing the likelihood that departures will incur delays while waiting for delayed passengers. This can be done by off-loading passengers in advance, by expediting passengers through the airport, or by modifying the departure times of aircraft in advance. By aggregating estimated passenger arrival time at various points throughout the airport, the system also improves passenger experiences at the immigration and security desks by enabling modifications to staffing levels in advance of expected surges in arrivals. The nine-stage framework we present here can support the development and implementation of other real-time, data-driven systems. To the best of our knowledge, the proposed system is the first to use machine learning to model passenger flows in an airport.
Long-term follow-up of resection of primary benign right ventricular tumours: a 10-year surgical experience
Authors: Qiao E , Wang Y , Huang Z , Li F , Wang W
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Primary benign right ventricular tumours are rare. They can cause significant mortality without appropriate and timely treatment. We investigated surgical treatment and survival characteristics for right ventricular tumours.

Materials and methods

From 2007 to 2017, 21 patients with primary benign right ventricular tumours who underwent tumour resection were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical findings and follow-up results were analysed.

Results

Thirteen men and eight women were enrolled, with a mean age of 42.3 ± 15.3 years. The most frequent histotypes were myxoma, haemangioma and papillary fibroelastoma. Eight patients underwent concomitant tricuspid valvuloplasty and one had tricuspid valve replacement. No major adverse events or death occurred during the perioperative period. One patient with haemangioma underwent partial tumour resection; however, the tumour regressed gradually during follow-up. Within the 10-year follow-up period (mean 4.8 ± 2.6 years), the recurrence-free and overall survival rates were 81.0% and 85.7%, respectively.

Conclusions

Tumour resection for primary benign right ventricular tumours is safe and effective, and has a good prognosis. Tricuspid valvuloplasty or tricuspid valve replacement may be necessary for the resection of right ventricular tumours to improve the haemodynamics. Haemangiomas naturally undergo spontaneous regression.
Interviewing adolescents through time: balancing continuity and flexibility in a qualitative longitudinal study
Authors: Vogl Susanne , Zartler Ulrike
Published: September 2020

Qualitative longitudinal research (QLR) has great potential for elucidating processes and change over time. Despite the growing interest in QLR, methodological and practical challenges require further reflection. In this contribution, we reflect on two major issues in interviewing adolescents in QLR: panel maintenance and changes in the research set-up, including interviewing technique, content and interviewer (dis)continuity. Based on experiences from a panel study on understanding how young people’s opportunities in life are shaped during a transitional stage (‘Pathways to the Future’), we present methodological and pragmatic decisions, rationales and lessons learnt to inform future qualitative longitudinal studies. We show how change is omnipresent in QLR practice, and how it demands researchers’ openness and flexibility as well as finding a balance between continuity and adaption. The process can be challenging, but it also offers opportunities.
Polarization-insensitive dielectric metalenses with different numerical apertures and off-axis focusing characteristics
Authors: Chen Deli , Wang Junjie , Qi Yongle , Wang Shuaimeng , Xue Qi , Sun Xiaohong
Published: September 2020

Optical metasurfaces with an ultra-thin, planar structure can easily adjust the phase and polarization of light waves. Based on the principle of the resonant phase, a cubic nanopillar is designed to construct the polarization-insensitive metalens in the visible light range. By simulating the phase and transmission efficiency of a cubic nanopillar with a width of

50

∼

200

n
m

, the optimized height of the nanopillar is obtained. Metalenses with different numerical apertures are designed to obtain the sub-wavelength focusing effect. The focusing performance of the same metalens remains the same when the right-handed circular polarization light and the left-handed circular polarization light are incident, respectively, which proves that the designed structure is insensitive to circular polarization light. At the same time, the different off-axis focusing metalenses that can achieve flexible focusing in the desired spatial location are also designed and investigated. This research provides a reference to design polarization-insensitive photonic integrated components and flexible imaging metalenses.
Design of a near-infrared plasmonic gas sensor based on graphene nanogratings
Authors: Maleki Morteza , Mehran Mahdiyeh , Mokhtari Arash
Published: September 2020

In this work, a gas sensor based on the plasmonic double-layer graphene nanograting (GNG) structure with an enhanced figure of merit (FoM) is presented in the near-infrared region. This structure includes double periodic graphene nanoribbon arrays, separated by a dielectric. The wavelength interrogation method is employed to accurately investigate the behavior of the proposed structure for various physical and geometrical parameters, including the array pitch, graphene nanoribbon width, refractive index of the intermediate dielectric between the GNGs, and the chemical potential of the graphene. A sharp dip is achieved by the guided-mode resonance between the two GNG layers, due to their near-field coupling. For the optimized design, obtained sensitivity and FoM are 430.91 nm/RIU and

174.68

R
I
U

−
1

, respectively, when the finite-element method is used for the simulations. The high FoM is a result of the field enhancement at the edges of the graphene nanoribbons, as well as the narrow resonance linewidth achieved by the sharp transmission dip. In addition to the high performance and FoM, the structure is robust to the misalignment of two GNG layers, offering a solution for practical gas sensing applications. To the best of our knowledge, the proposed GNG-based structure enjoys a boosted FoM compared to the previously proposed integrated gas sensors, as well as a practically feasible design for fabrication.
Design optimization of a 6.4 mm-diameter electromagnetic 2D scanning micromirror
Authors: Kang Sung-Yoon , Park Jae-Hyoung , Ji Chang-Hyeon
Published: September 2020

We present the design optimization, fabrication, and analysis of an electromagnetic biaxial scanning micromirror with 6.4 mm-diameter. The scanner is composed of a micromirror supported by two concentric gimbal structures with unique single turn coil. A cylindrical permanent magnet assembly is placed under the micromirror to provide a radial magnetic field for actuation. Lumped element model parameters and magnetic circuit have been optimized to maximize the driving torque. Fabricated micromirror has been actuated at 300 Hz and 1,010 Hz and maximum optical scan angle of 25.6° and 35.3° have been obtained for the vertical and horizontal scans, respectively. Crosstalk during the actuation has been analyzed, and improved models have been proposed to reduce the crosstalk.
Spatially single mode photon pair source at 800 nm in periodically poled Rubidium exchanged KTP waveguides
Authors: Eigner Christof , Padberg Laura , Santandrea Matteo , Herrmann Harald , Brecht Benjamin , Silberhorn Christine
Published: September 2020

Photon pair sources in the visible to NIR wavelength region play a key role in quantum optics. The wavelength range around 800 nm provides an opportunity for using low cost detectors, which makes it highly interesting for practical, large scale quantum applications. Here, we report on the realization of single mode Rubidium (Rb) exchanged waveguides in periodically poled (PP) Potassium Titanyl Phosphate (Rb:KTiOPO4 or Rb:KTP) for frequency-non-degenerate type II parametric down-conversion pumped at 400 nm and generating pairs of photons at around 800 nm. The source exhibits a nonlinear conversion efficiency of 2.0%/(Wcm2), estimated from SHG measurements. Characterisation of the generated two-photon state confirms nonclassical photon-number correlations, characterized by g(1,1). The high nonlinear conversion efficiency and low temperature sensitivity make this source a promising candidate for operations in both classical and quantum integrated network applications.
Spherical self-diffraction for speckle suppression of a spherical phase-only hologram
Authors: Li Bingyi , Wang Jun , Chen Chun , Li Yuejia , Yang Ruoxue , Chen Ni
Published: September 2020

The spherical computer-generated hologram is inevitably suffered from the speckle noise since it is necessary to add random phase to the object to ensure the scattering characteristic of reconstructed image. The speckle noise seriously degrades the quality of reconstructed image especially for a spherical phase-only hologram (SPOH). In this paper, spherical self-diffraction iteration (SSDI) algorithm is proposed to suppress the speckle noise in the SPOH. The algorithm is based on spherical self-diffraction (SSD) model which is a special case of spherical back-propagation (SBP) model at limit condition. The correctness of SBP and SSD as well as the effectiveness of SSDI algorithm are verified by numerical simulations. Meaningfully, the proposed method significantly outperforms the conventional methods in speckle suppression performance and computing speed. As far as we known, models of SBP and SSD as well as conception of SSDI are firstly proposed and applied for speckle suppression of SPOH.
Perfect mid-infrared dual-band optical absorption realized by a simple lithography-free polar dielectric/metal double-layer nanostructure
Authors: Shen Huijin , Yang Liu , Jin Yi , He Sailing
Published: September 2020

A perfect mid-infrared dual-band absorber based on a very simple lithography-free polar dielectric/metal double-layer nanostructure is demonstrated experimentally. Silicon dioxide (SiO2) is chosen as the top polar dielectric, which is deposited through room-temperature plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition to protect the bottom metal layer. A nearly 100% absorption is obtained at the wavelength of ∼ 10 µm due to the constructive interference resonance, which is related to the SiO2 thickness but insensitive to the light polarization or incident angle. Another enhanced absorption is observed experimentally at ∼ 8 µm under oblique incidence. Both numerical simulation and analytical calculation show that such absorption enhancement is induced by the excitation of the Berreman mode, where the refracted light propagates almost horizontally within the SiO2 layer. Different from the interference-induced absorption, the Berreman mode induced absorption exists even for a very thin absorber and is sensitive to the light polarization and incident angle.
Quantitative measurement and mechanism analysis of the high-efficiency laser propulsion of a graphene sponge
Authors: Wang Lei , Tam Wing Yim , Zhao Qiuling , Wang Xia
Published: September 2020

Laser propulsion of a graphene sponge shows tremendous potential in propellant-free flight, photoresponsive actuators and micro opto-electro mechanical systems. However, the mechanism is still in dispute and the propulsion force hasn’t been accurately measured, seriously hindering its development. This work develops a quantitative method to measure the propulsion force. It is found that the characteristics of the force agree qualitatively with the Knudsen force due to laser-induced thermal nonequilibrium in rarefied gas, which might be another possible mechanism of laser propulsion of a graphene sponge. Also, this kind of laser propulsion is highly efficient, stable and sustainable.
Reconfigurable reflective arrayed waveguide grating using optimization algorithms
Authors: Fernández Juan , Felip Joan , Gargallo Bernardo , David Doménech José , Pastor Daniel , Domínguez-Horna Carlos , Muñoz Pascual
Published: September 2020

In this paper we report the experimental realization of a reconfigurable reflective arrayed waveguide grating on silicon nitride technology, using optimization algorithms borrowed from machine learning applications. A dozen of band-shape responses, as well as a spectral resolution change, are demonstrated in the optical telecom C-band, alongside a proof of operation of the same device in the O-band. In the context of programmable and reconfigurable integrated photonics, this building block supports multi-wavelength/band spectral shaping of optical signals that can serve to multiple applications.
Tunable dual-band terahertz absorber with all-dielectric configuration based on graphene
Authors: Cai Yijun , Guo Yongbo , Zhou Yuanguo , Huang Xindong , Yang Guoqing , Zhu Jinfeng
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we theoretically design a dual-band graphene-based terahertz (THz) absorber combining the magnetic resonance with a THz cold mirror without any metallic loss. The absorption spectrum of the all-dielectric THz absorber can be actively manipulated after fabrication due to the tunable conductivity of graphene. After delicate optimization, two ultra-narrow absorption peaks are achieved with respective full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 0.0272 THz and 0.0424 THz. Also, we investigate the effect of geometric parameters on the absorption performance. Coupled mode theory (CMT) is conducted on the dual-band spectrum as an analytic method to confirm the validity of numerical results. Furthermore, physical mechanism is deeply revealed with magnetic and electric field distributions, which demonstrate a totally different principle with traditional plasmonic absorber. Our research provides a significant design guide for developing tunable multi-resonant THz devices based on all-dielectric configuration.
Terahertz pulse-altered gene networks in human induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Tachizaki Takehiro , Sakaguchi Reiko , Terada Shiho , Kamei Ken-Ichiro , Hirori Hideki
Published: September 2020

Terahertz (THz) irradiation has been exploited in biomedical
applications involving non-invasive manipulation of living cells. We
developed an apparatus for studying the effects of THz pulse
irradiation on living human induced pluripotent stem cells. The THz
pulse of the maximum electric field reached 0.5 MV/cm and was applied
for one hour with 1 kHz repetition to the entire cell–culture area, a
diameter of 1 mm. RNA sequencing of global gene-expression revealed
that many THz-regulated genes were driven by zinc–finger transcription
factors. Combined with a consideration of the interactions of metal
ions and a THz electric field, these results imply that the local
intracellular concentration of metal ions, such as

Z
n

2
+

, was changed by the effective
electrical force of our THz pulse.
Efficient low-brightness-pumped Raman amplification of a single
high-order Bessel mode in 335-m of 70-µm-diameter silica-core step-index
fiber
Authors: Zhu Sheng , Feng Yutong , Barua Pranabesh , Nilsson Johan
Published: September 2020

We experimentally demonstrate Raman amplification of signal pulses in a
high-order Bessel mode (

L
P

06

) at a wavelength of 1121 nm in a
335-m step-index fiber with a 70-µm diameter, 0.227-NA pure-silica
core. This was pumped by 5-ns multimode pulses at 1065 nm from a
Yb-doped fiber master oscillation power amplifier. The mode purity of
the amplified pulses is well preserved to 23 dB of average-power gain,
to 774 W of peak power in 2 ns pulses at a 20 kHz repetition rate,
when pumped with a peak power of 942 W. The pump depletion as averaged
over the signal pulses reaches 59%. We believe, to the best of our
knowledge, that this is the first demonstration of stable mode
propagation and Raman amplification of a single Bessel-like
higher-order mode in a fiber of hundreds of meters. This shows the
potential for efficient power scaling of a single signal mode with
low-brightness pumping, comparable with that from continuous-wave
multimode diode lasers.
Photobleaching of UV-induced defects in Er/Al-doped glasses for fiber lasers
Authors: Bazakutsa A. P. , Rybaltovsky A. A. , Umnikov A. A. , Butov O. V.
Published: September 2020

This work contains a study of the mechanisms of emerging and dissociation of UV-induced defects responsible for the degradation of the gain in Er- and Al- codoped silica glass. We investigate absorption spectra changes at the visible and ultraviolet range under UV irradiation at 193 nm and show the role of molecular hydrogen in this process. This includes a detailed description of the observed processes in the glass in terms of photochemical reactions. We also considered the effect of photobleaching of defects under 976 nm irradiation.