bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chromatic confocal sensor-based on-machine measurement for microstructured optical surfaces featuring a self-aligned spiral center
Authors: Zhou Rongjing , Zhu Zi-Hui , Kong Lingbao , Wang Haitao , Zhu Zhiwei
Published: April 2023

Chromatic confocal sensor-based on-machine measurement is effective for identifying and compensating for form errors of the ultra-precisely machined components. In this study, an on-machine measurement system was developed for an ultra-precision diamond turning machine to generate microstructured optical surfaces, for which the sensor probe adopts a uniform spiral scanning motion. To avoid the tedious spiral center alignment, a self-alignment method was proposed without additional equipment or artefact, which identified the deviation of the optical axis to the spindle axis by matching the measured surface points and the designed surface. The feasibility of the proposed method was demonstrated by numerical simulation with full consideration of noises and system dynamics. Practically, taking a typical microstructured surface as an example, the on-machine measured points were reconstructed after calibrating the alignment deviation, which was then verified by off-machine white light interferometry measurement. Avoiding tedious operations and special artefacts may significantly simplify the on-machine measurement process, thereby greatly improving the efficiency and flexibility for the measurement.
Multiple solution solving in plasmon sensing by deep learning: determination of layer refractive index and thickness in one experiment: comment
Authors: Ye Weixiang
Published: April 2023

In a recent Letter [Opt. Lett. 46, 5667 (2021)10.1364/OL.444442], Du et al. proposed a deep learning method for determining the refractive index (n) and thickness (d) of the surface layer on nanoparticles in a single-particle plasmon sensing experiment. This comment highlights the methodological issues arising in that Letter.
End-to-end aperture layout optimization and image restoration for optical sparse aperture systems
Authors: Zhao Wenxiu , Zhang Xiaofang
Published: April 2023

The optical sparse aperture (OSA) imaging technique is capable of improving the spatial resolution of a telescope while maintaining lower size, weight, and cost. The majority of OSA system researches separately focus on the design optimization of aperture layout and the method for image restoration, which have great design redundancy. In this Letter, an end-to-end design framework that simultaneously optimizes the aperture layout parameters of the OSA system and neural network parameters of image restoration is proposed, which achieves excellent imaging quality. The results show that adequate image mid-frequency information captured by the OSA system benefits network processing more than incomplete high-frequency information in a few directions. Based on this framework, we design a simplified OSA system on geostationary orbit. The simulation results show that our simplified OSA system with six sub-apertures measuring 1.2m each has a comparable imaging performance to a single-aperture system measuring 12 m.
Exciting-frequency-adaptive amplitude/phase hybrid holographic inscription in plasmonic polymers
Authors: Liu Hongfang , Fu Shencheng , Tao Yuxin , Miao Jingying , Li Xin , Qi Xiuping , Zhang Xintong , Liu Yichun
Published: April 2023

Plasmonic holography is generally regarded as an effective technology for 3D display that meets the requirements of the human visual system. However, low readout stability and large cross talk in the frequency field during a plasmonic photo-dissolution reaction set a huge obstacle for application of color holography. Herein, we propose a new, to the best of our knowledge, route toward producing exciting frequency sensitive holographic-inscription based on plasmonic nano-Ag adaptive growth. Donor-molecule-doped plasmonic polymers on polyethylene terephthalate substrates exhibit wide spectral response range, accurate optical frequency sensing, and bending durability. The resonant plasmonic particles act as optical antennas and transfer energy to surrounding organic matrices for nanocluster production and non-resonant particle growth. The surface relief hologram is also highly dependent on the excitation frequency, so we successfully obtain a controllable cross-periodic structure with amplitude/phase mixed information, as well as color holographic display. This work provides a bright way to high-density storage, information steganography, and virtual/augmented reality.
Strain-tunable valley polarization and localized excitons in monolayer WSe2
Authors: Zheng Haihong , Wu Biao , Li Shaofei , He Jun , Liu Zongwen , Wang Chang-Tian , Wang Jian-Tao , Duan Ji-an , Liu Yanping
Published: April 2023

Monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have a crystalline structure with broken spatial inversion symmetry, making them promising candidates for valleytronic applications. However, the degree of valley polarization is usually not high due to the presence of intervalley scattering. Here, we use the nanoindentation technique to fabricate strained structures of WSe2 on Au arrays, thus demonstrating the generation and detection of strained localized excitons in monolayer WSe2. Enhanced emission of strain-localized excitons was observed as two sharp photoluminescence (PL) peaks measured using low-temperature PL spectroscopy. We attribute these emerging sharp peaks to excitons trapped in potential wells formed by local strains. Furthermore, the valley polarization of monolayer WSe2 is modulated by a magnetic field, and the valley polarization of strained localized excitons is increased, with a high value of up to approximately 79.6%. Our results show that tunable valley polarization and localized excitons can be realized in WSe2 monolayers, which may be useful for valleytronic applications.
Ultra-stable cryogenic sapphire cavity laser with an instability reaching 2 × 10−16 based on a low vibration level cryostat
Authors: He Leilei , Zhang Jingxuan , Wang Zhiyuan , Chang Jialu , Wu Qiyue , Lu Zehuang , Zhang Jie
Published: April 2023

Cryogenic ultra-stable lasers have extremely low thermal noise limits and frequency drifts, but they are more seriously affected by vibration noise from cryostats. Main material candidates for cryogenic ultra-stable cavities include silicon and sapphire. Although sapphire has many excellent properties at low temperature, the development of sapphire-based cavities is less advanced than that of silicon-based. Using a homemade cryogenic sapphire cavity, we develop an ultra-stable laser source with a frequency instability of 2(1) × 10−16. This is the best frequency instability level among similar systems using cryogenic sapphire cavities reported so far. Low vibration performance of the cryostat is demonstrated with a two-stage vibration isolation, and the vibration suppression is optimized by tuning the mixing ratio of the gas–liquid-helium. With this technique, the linear power spectral densities of vibrations at certain frequencies higher than tens of hertz are suppressed by two orders of magnitude in all directions.
Spectroscopy and 2.8 µm laser operation of disordered Er:CLNGG crystals
Authors: Normani Simone , Loiko Pavel , Pan Zhongben , Dunina Elena , Fomicheva Liudmila , Kornienko Alexey , Braud Alain , Chen Weidong , Griebner Uwe , Petrov Valentin , Camy Patrice
Published: April 2023

We report on the first, to the best of our knowledge, laser operation on the 4I11/2 → 4I13/2 transition of erbium-doped disordered calcium lithium niobium gallium garnet (CLNGG) crystals with broadband mid-infrared emission properties. A 41.4 at.% Er:CLNGG continuous-wave laser generated 292 mW at 2.80 µm with 23.3% slope efficiency and a laser threshold of 209 mW. Er3+ ions in CLNGG feature inhomogeneously broadened spectral bands (σSE = 1.79 × 10−21 cm2 at 2.79 µm; emission bandwidth, 27.5 nm), a large luminescence branching ratio for the 4I11/2 → 4I13/2 transition of 17.9%, and a favorable ratio of the 4I11/2 and 4I13/2 lifetimes, exhibiting values of 0.34 ms and 1.17 ms (for 41.4 at.% Er3+), respectively.
Graded-index core-based polarization beam splitters realized with symmetric polymer directional couplers
Authors: Tasnim Fariha , Afsary Noor , Faruk Rasel Md Omar , Ishigure Takaaki
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we design and demonstrate polymer-based polarization beam splitters realized with parabolic graded-index (GI) directional couplers at 1550 nm. We design and investigate these beam splitters by using the beam propagation method (BPM) and the RSoft CAD BeamPROP solver is used for model design and characterization. We study the splitting ratio of 50:50 and 100:0 of these beam splitters for both transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes of the polarized light. In particular, the 50:50 beam splitters exhibit an output efficiency of 95% due to the absence of polarization. However, in the presence of the polarization effect, the polarization dependency is analyzed and manipulated successfully, and the output efficiency increases by approximately 98% at an incident angle of 31∘ due to the polarized launch field. Moreover, the 100:0 beam splitters act as the switching devices realized with parabolic GI polymer directional couplers. The insertion losses of the GI beam splitters are 0.162 dB and 0.186 dB, while the excess losses are 0.148 dB and 0.149 dB for TE and TM modes, respectively. Also, the polarization extinction ratio (PER) of the 100:0 beam splitters is >25 dB and >20 dB for TE and TM modes, respectively.
Sensitive detection of electric field-induced second harmonic (E-FISH) signals
Authors: Hogue Justin , Cusson Patrick , Meunier Michel , Seletskiy Denis , Reuter Stephan
Published: April 2023

We demonstrate sensitive electric field measurements by coherent homodyne amplification of electric-field induced second harmonic generation (E-FISH) technique. In the process of E-FISH, an applied electric field breaks centrosymmetryof an otherwise homogeneous medium, in turn promoting generation of second harmonic frequency of an incident field. Due to weak third-order hyperpolarizability and requirement of an applied field to break the symmetry, the E-FISH technique has been mainly used to study high fields, also requiring strong optical field and sensitive detection. Here we superimpose the E-FISH signal with an auxilliary beam,also termed a local oscillator (LO), at double of the incident frequency. Coherent superposition of the LO and the E-FISH output allows for a homodyne amplification of the otherwise weak nonlinear signal. We have demonstrated an increase of signal to noise by a factor of 7, which results in a measurement time reduction of a factor of 49. This technique, local oscillator E-FISH, LOE-FISH, has a number of advantages: Detection with intensified detectors is not required. Furthermore, instead of mJ pulsed lasers, we can work with μJ pulsed lasers, which allows measuring at repetition rates of MHz and opens single shot and real time capability. The LOE-FISH technique increases in sensitivity at lower electric field. Our work is a demonstration of the principle. Already with our first results from the demonstration one can see the high potential of LOE-FISH.
Betaine Treatment Prevents TNF-α-Mediated Muscle Atrophy by Restoring Total Protein Synthesis Rate and Morphology in Cultured Myotubes
Authors: Di Credico Andrea , Gaggi Giulia , Izzicupo Pascal , Vitucci Daniela , Buono Pasqualina , Di Baldassarre Angela , Ghinassi Barbara
Published: April 2023

Skeletal muscle atrophy is represented by a dramatic decrease in muscle mass, and it is related to a lower life expectancy. Among the different causes, chronic inflammation and cancer promote protein loss through the effect of inflammatory cytokines, leading to muscle shrinkage. Thus, the availability of safe methods to counteract inflammation-derived atrophy is of high interest. Betaine is a methyl derivate of glycine and it is an important methyl group donor in transmethylation. Recently, some studies found that betaine could promote muscle growth, and it is also involved in anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Our hypothesis was that betaine would be able to prevent tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-mediated muscle atrophy in vitro. We treated differentiated C2C12 myotubes for 72 hr with either TNF-α, betaine, or a combination of them. After the treatment, we analyzed total protein synthesis, gene expression, and myotube morphology. Betaine treatment blunted the decrease in muscle protein synthesis rate exerted by TNF-α, and upregulated Mhy1 gene expression in both control and myotube treated with TNF-α. In addition, morphological analysis revealed that myotubes treated with both betaine and TNF-α did not show morphological features of TNF-α-mediated atrophy. We demonstrated that in vitro betaine supplementation counteracts the muscle atrophy led by inflammatory cytokines.
Systematic comparison of unilamellar vesicles reveals that archaeal core lipid membranes are more permeable than bacterial membranes
Authors: Łapińska Urszula , Glover Georgina , Kahveci Zehra , Irwin Nicholas A. T. , Milner David S. , Tourte Maxime , Albers Sonja-Verena , Santoro Alyson E. , Richards Thomas A. , Pagliara Stefano
Published: April 2023

One of the deepest branches in the tree of life separates the Archaea from the Bacteria. These prokaryotic groups have distinct cellular systems including fundamentally different phospholipid membrane bilayers. This dichotomy has been termed the lipid divide and possibly bestows different biophysical and biochemical characteristics on each cell type. Classic experiments suggest that bacterial membranes (formed from lipids extracted from Escherichia coli, for example) show permeability to key metabolites comparable to archaeal membranes (formed from lipids extracted from Halobacterium salinarum), yet systematic analyses based on direct measurements of membrane permeability are absent. Here, we develop a new approach for assessing the membrane permeability of approximately 10 μm unilamellar vesicles, consisting of an aqueous medium enclosed by a single lipid bilayer. Comparing the permeability of 18 metabolites demonstrates that diether glycerol-1-phosphate lipids with methyl branches, often the most abundant membrane lipids of sampled archaea, are permeable to a wide range of compounds useful for core metabolic networks, including amino acids, sugars, and nucleobases. Permeability is significantly lower in diester glycerol-3-phosphate lipids without methyl branches, the common building block of bacterial membranes. To identify the membrane characteristics that determine permeability, we use this experimental platform to test a variety of lipid forms bearing a diversity of intermediate characteristics. We found that increased membrane permeability is dependent on both the methyl branches on the lipid tails and the ether bond between the tails and the head group, both of which are present on the archaeal phospholipids. These permeability differences must have had profound effects on the cell physiology and proteome evolution of early prokaryotic forms. To explore this further, we compare the abundance and distribution of transmembrane transporter-encoding protein families present on genomes sampled from across the prokaryotic tree of life. These data demonstrate that archaea tend to have a reduced repertoire of transporter gene families, consistent with increased membrane permeation. These results demonstrate that the lipid divide demarcates a clear difference in permeability function with implications for understanding some of the earliest transitions in cell origins and evolution.
Neural spiking for causal inference and learning
Authors: Lansdell Benjamin James , Kording Konrad Paul
Published: April 2023

When a neuron is driven beyond its threshold, it spikes. The fact that it does not communicate its continuous membrane potential is usually seen as a computational liability. Here we show that this spiking mechanism allows neurons to produce an unbiased estimate of their causal influence, and a way of approximating gradient descent-based learning. Importantly, neither activity of upstream neurons, which act as confounders, nor downstream non-linearities bias the results. We show how spiking enables neurons to solve causal estimation problems and that local plasticity can approximate gradient descent using spike discontinuity learning.
Comparing estimates of household expenditures between pictorial diaries and surveys in three low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Murphy Adrianna , Palafox Benjamin , Chifamba Jephat , Kruger Iolanthé M. , Ncube Brian J. , Ncube Tatenda L. , Rangarajan Sumathy , Swart Elizabeth Catherina , Tsolkile Lungiswa , Walli-Attaei Marjan , West Nicola J. , Yeates Karen E. , Yusuf Salim , McKee Martin , Hanson Kara
Published: April 2023

In most low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), household out-of-pocket (OOP) health spending constitutes a major source of healthcare financing. Household surveys are commonly used to monitor OOP health spending, but are prone to recall bias and unable to capture seasonal variation, and may underestimate expenditure–particularly among households with long-term chronic health conditions. Household expenditure diaries have been developed as an alternative to overcome the limitations of surveys, and pictorial diaries have been proposed where literacy levels may render traditional diary approaches inappropriate. This study compares estimates for general household and chronic healthcare expenditure in South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe derived using survey and pictorial diary approaches. We selected a random sub-sample of 900 households across urban and rural communities participating in the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology study. For a range of general and health-specific categories, OOP expenditure estimates use cross-sectional survey data collected via standardised questionnaire, and data from these same households collected via two-week pictorial diaries repeated four times over 2016–2019. In all countries, average monthly per capita expenditure on food, non-food/non-health items, health, and consequently, total household expenditure reported by pictorial diaries was consistently higher than that reported by surveys (each p<0.001). Differences were greatest for health expenditure. The share of total household expenditure allocated to health also differed by method, accounting for 2% in each country when using survey data, and from 8–20% when using diary data. Our findings suggest that the choice of data collection method may have significant implications for estimating OOP health spending and the burden it places on households. Despite several practical challenges to their implementation, pictorial diaries offer a method to assess potential bias in surveys or triangulate data from multiple sources. We offer some practical guidance when considering the use of pictorial diaries for estimating household expenditure.
Spatial and multilevel analysis of sanitation service access and related factors among households in Ethiopia: Using 2019 Ethiopian national dataset
Authors: Demsash Addisalem Workie , Tegegne Masresha Derese , Wubante Sisay Maru , Walle Agmasie Damtew , Donacho Dereje Oljira , Senishaw Andualem Fentahun , Emanu Milkias Dugassa , Melaku Mequannent Sharew
Published: April 2023

Background

Billions of people have faced the problem of accessing appropriate sanitation services. This study aimed to explore the spatial distribution of households’ access to sanitation services and identify associated factors in Ethiopia.

Methods

The 2019 Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey data was used with a total of 6261 weighted samples. A cross-sectional study design with a two-stage cluster sampling technique was used. Global Moran’s I statistic measure, Getis-Ord Gi*, and the ordinary Kriging Gaussian interpolation were used for spatial autocorrelation, hot spot analysis, and interpolation of unsampled areas, respectively. A purely spatial Bernoulli-based model was employed to determine the geographical locations of the most likely clusters. A multilevel logistic regression model was used, and predictors with a P value of less than 0.05 with a 95% CI were considered significant factors.

Results

Overall, 19.7% of households had access to improved sanitation services in Ethiopia. Poor sanitation service access was significantly clustered, with hotspots of poor access identified in the South Nations Nationality and People’s Region (SNNPR), Oromia, Amhara, and Benishangul Gumuz regions. A total of 275 significant clusters were identified. Households in the circled area were more vulnerable to poor sanitation service access. Rural households, on-premises water access, media exposure, and rich wealth status were statistically significant factors for access to sanitation services.

Conclusions

Access to sanitation services among households in Ethiopia is insufficient. The majority of the households had no access to sanitation services. Stakeholders are recommended to raise household members’ awareness of sanitation services, give priority to the hotspot areas, and encourage poor households to have access to toilet facilities. Household members recommended using the available sanitation service and keeping the sanitation service clean. Households are recommended to construct clean shared sanitation facilities.
Schistosomiasis screening in non-endemic countries from a cost perspective: Knowledge gaps and research priorities. The case of African long-term residents in a Metropolitan Area, Spain
Authors: Roure Sílvia , López Francesc , Oliva Irene , Pérez-Quílez Olga , March Oriol , Chamorro Anna , Abad Elena , Muñoz Israel López , Castillo Amaia , Soldevila Laura , Valerio Lluís , Lozano Manolo , Masnou Helena , Oliveira Mario , Cañas Laura , Gibrat Mireia , Chuecos Marta , Montero Juan José , Colmenares Karen , Falguera Gemma , Bonet Josep Maria , Isnard Mar , Prat Núria , Estrada Oriol , Clotet Bonaventura , Vallès Xavier
Published: April 2023

Background

Imported schistosomiasis is an emerging issue in European countries as a result of growing global migration from schistosomiasis-endemic countries, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. Undetected infection may lead to serious long-term complications with an associated high cost for public healthcare systems especially among long-term migrants.

Objective

To evaluate from a health economics perspective the introduction of schistosomiasis screening programs in non-endemic countries with high prevalence of long-term migrants.

Methodology

We calculated the costs associated with three approaches—presumptive treatment, test-and-treat and watchful waiting—under different scenarios of prevalence, treatment efficacy and the cost of care resulting from long-term morbidity. Costs were estimated for our study area, in which there are reported to reside 74,000 individuals who have been exposed to the infection. Additionally, we methodically reviewed the potential factors that could affect the cost/benefit ratio of a schistosomiasis screening program and need therefore to be ascertained.

Results

Assuming a 24% prevalence of schistosomiasis in the exposed population and 100% treatment efficacy, the estimated associated cost per infected person of a watchful waiting strategy would be €2,424, that of a presumptive treatment strategy would be €970 and that of a test-and-treat strategy would be €360. The difference in averted costs between test-and-treat and watchful waiting strategies ranges from nearly €60 million in scenarios of high prevalence and treatment efficacy, to a neutral costs ratio when these parameters are halved. However, there are important gaps in our understanding of issues such as the efficacy of treatment in infected long-term residents, the natural history of schistosomiasis in long-term migrants and the feasibility of screening programs.

Conclusion

Our results support the roll-out of a schistosomiasis screening program based on a test-and-treat strategy from a health economics perspective under the most likely projected scenarios, but important knowledge gaps should be addressed for a more accurate estimations among long-term migrants.
Delpinium uncinatum mediated green synthesis of AgNPs and its antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, cytotoxic and antimicrobial potentials
Authors: Rehman Hina , Ali Waqar , Ali Mohammad , Khan Nadir Zaman , Aasim Muhammad , Khan Ayaz Ali , Khan Tariq , Ali Muhammad , Ali Ashaq , Ayaz Muhammad , Shah Muzamil , Hashmi Syed Salman
Published: April 2023

Green synthesis of nanoparticles is becoming a method of choice for biological research due to its environmentally benign outcomes, stability and ease of synthesis. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using stem (S-AgNPs), root (R-AgNPs) and mixture of stem and root (RS-AgNPs) ofDelphinium uncinatum. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by standardized techniques and evaluated for their antioxidant, enzyme inhibition, cytotoxic and antimicrobial potentials. The AgNPs exhibited efficient antioxidant activities and considerable enzyme inhibition potential against alpha amylase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes. S-AgNPs showed strong cytotoxicity against human hepato-cellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) and high enzyme inhibitory effect (IC50 values 27.5μg/ml for AChE and 22.60 μg/ml for BChE) compared to R-AgNPs and RS-AgNPs. RS-AgNPs showed significant inhibition of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Aspergillus flavus and exhibited higher biocompatibility (<2% hemolysis) in human red blood cells hemolytic assays. The present study showed that biologically synthesized AgNPs using the extract of various parts of D. uncinatum have strong antioxidant and cytotoxic potentials.
Predicting the current and future distributions of Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) in China under climate change based on the MaxEnt model
Authors: Xu Yuandong , Zhu Ruifen , Gao Lifang , Huang Dejun , Fan Yan , Liu Chang , Chen Jishan
Published: April 2023

Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.), one of the important exotic plants, gives great economic value to animal husbandry in China. In order to study the distribution of Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) in China and its response to climate change, based on the distribution records of Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.), our study used the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model and geographic information system (GIS) methods, combined with environmental factors such as climate and terrain, to predict the potential distribution areas suitable for Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) under current and future climate scenarios. The results showed that annual precipitation was the most important factor affecting the distribution of Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.). In current climate scenario, the total area of suitable for Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) growth was about 576.5 km2, accounting for about 60.5% of the total land area of China. Among all the suitable areas, the area of low, middle and high fitness areas accounted for 5.69%, 20.55% and 33.81% of the total area respectively. In future climate scenarios (RCP4.5), the suitable area of Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) would decrease with climate change, showing a clear trend of northward expansion in China. A concentrated and contiguous distribution region for Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) would appear in northeast China. The model was tested by the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), and the average area under the curve of ROC of the training set was 0.985, which was reliable. This work provided an important reference and theoretical basis for the efficient utilization and plant regionalization of Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) in future.
Medico-economic comparison of two anticoagulant treatment strategies: Vitamin K antagonists vs. direct oral anticoagulants in older adults in nursing homes in France. The “MIKADO” study
Authors: Pisica–Donose George , Piccoli Matthieu , Genet Bastien , Bouee Stéphane , Berechet Stefan , Berechet Ion , Cortes Antonin Dacasa , Atsamena Sabri , Bayle Catherine , Badescu Mihai , Catelain François , Kermeche Lynda , Merlier Isabelle , Rakotoniary Sahondranirina , Savin Valérie , Vidal Ariane , Vidal Jean-Sébastien , Hanon Olivier
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Currently, two classes of oral anticoagulants are available in nursing home residents: vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC). DOACs have a higher net clinical benefit than VKAs but DOACs are about 10 times more expensive than VKAs. The objective of our study was to assess and compare the overall costs of anti-coagulant strategy (VKA or DOAC), i.e., including drugs, laboratory costs and time spent in human capital (nurses and medical time) in nursing homes in France.

Methods

This was an observational, multicenter, prospective study including nine nursing homes in France. Among these nursing homes, 241 patients aged 75 years and older and treated with VKA (n = 140) or DOAC (n = 101) therapy accepted to participate in the study.

Results

During the 3-month follow-up period, the adjusted mean costs per patient were higher for VKA than DOACs for nurse care (€327 (57) vs. €154 (56), p<.0001) for general practitioner care (€297 (91) vs. €204 (91), p = 0.02), for coordinating physicians care (€13 (7) vs. €5 (7), p < 0.07), for laboratory tests (€23 (5) vs. €5 (5), p<.0001), but were lower for drug costs (€8 (3) vs. €165 (3), p<.0001). The average overall cost for 3 months per patient was €668 (140) with VKA vs. €533 (139) with DOAC (p = 0.02).

Conclusion

Our study showed that in nursing homes despite a higher drug cost, DOAC therapy is associated with a lower total cost and less time used by nurses and physicians for drug monitoring when compared to VKA.
No ground truth? No problem: Improving administrative data linking using active learning and a little bit of guile
Authors: Tahamont Sarah , Jelveh Zubin , McNeill Melissa , Yan Shi , Chalfin Aaron , Hansen Benjamin
Published: April 2023

While linking records across large administrative datasets [“big data”] has the potential to revolutionize empirical social science research, many administrative data files do not have common identifiers and are thus not designed to be linked to others. To address this problem, researchers have developed probabilistic record linkage algorithms which use statistical patterns in identifying characteristics to perform linking tasks. Naturally, the accuracy of a candidate linking algorithm can be substantially improved when an algorithm has access to “ground-truth” examples—matches which can be validated using institutional knowledge or auxiliary data. Unfortunately, the cost of obtaining these examples is typically high, often requiring a researcher to manually review pairs of records in order to make an informed judgement about whether they are a match. When a pool of ground-truth information is unavailable, researchers can use “active learning” algorithms for linking, which ask the user to provide ground-truth information for select candidate pairs. In this paper, we investigate the value of providing ground-truth examples via active learning for linking performance. We confirm popular intuition that data linking can be dramatically improved with the availability of ground truth examples. But critically, in many real-world applications, only a relatively small number of tactically-selected ground-truth examples are needed to obtain most of the achievable gains. With a modest investment in ground truth, researchers can approximate the performance of a supervised learning algorithm that has access to a large database of ground truth examples using a readily available off-the-shelf tool.
A seeding-based neuronal model of tau aggregation for use in drug discovery
Authors: Amorim Ines S. , Challal Sylvie , Cistarelli Laetitia , Dorval Thierry , Abjean Laurene , Touzard Manuelle , Arbez Nicolas , François Arnaud , Panayi Fany , Jeggo Ross , Cecon Erika , Oishi Atsuro , Dam Julie , Jockers Ralf , Machado Patricia
Published: April 2023

Intracellular accumulation of tau protein is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s Disease and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, as well as other neurodegenerative disorders collectively known as tauopathies. Despite our increasing understanding of the mechanisms leading to the initiation and progression of tau pathology, the field still lacks appropriate disease models to facilitate drug discovery. Here, we established a novel and modulatable seeding-based neuronal model of full-length 4R tau accumulation using humanized mouse cortical neurons and seeds from P301S human tau transgenic animals. The model shows specific and consistent formation of intraneuronal insoluble full-length 4R tau inclusions, which are positive for known markers of tau pathology (AT8, PHF-1, MC-1), and creates seeding competent tau. The formation of new inclusions can be prevented by treatment with tau siRNA, providing a robust internal control for use in qualifying the assessment of potential therapeutic candidates aimed at reducing the intracellular pool of tau. In addition, the experimental set up and data analysis techniques used provide consistent results in larger-scale designs that required multiple rounds of independent experiments, making this is a versatile and valuable cellular model for fundamental and early pre-clinical research of tau-targeted therapies.
Back-to-Africa introductions of Mycobacterium tuberculosis as the main cause of tuberculosis in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Authors: Zwyer Michaela , Rutaihwa Liliana K. , Windels Etthel , Hella Jerry , Menardo Fabrizio , Sasamalo Mohamed , Sommer Gregor , Schmülling Lena , Borrell Sonia , Reinhard Miriam , Dötsch Anna , Hiza Hellen , Stritt Christoph , Sikalengo George , Fenner Lukas , De Jong Bouke C. , Kato-Maeda Midori , Jugheli Levan , Ernst Joel D. , Niemann Stefan , Jeljeli Leila , Ballif Marie , Egger Matthias , Rakotosamimanana Niaina , Yeboah-Manu Dorothy , Asare Prince , Malla Bijaya , Dou Horng Yunn , Zetola Nicolas , Wilkinson Robert J. , Cox Helen , Carter E Jane , Gnokoro Joachim , Yotebieng Marcel , Gotuzzo Eduardo , Abimiku Alash’le , Avihingsanon Anchalee , Xu Zhi Ming , Fellay Jacques , Portevin Damien , Reither Klaus , Stadler Tanja , Gagneux Sebastien , Brites Daniela
Published: April 2023

In settings with high tuberculosis (TB) endemicity, distinct genotypes of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) often differ in prevalence. However, the factors leading to these differences remain poorly understood. Here we studied the MTBC population in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania over a six-year period, using 1,082 unique patient-derived MTBC whole-genome sequences (WGS) and associated clinical data. We show that the TB epidemic in Dar es Salaam is dominated by multiple MTBC genotypes introduced to Tanzania from different parts of the world during the last 300 years. The most common MTBC genotypes deriving from these introductions exhibited differences in transmission rates and in the duration of the infectious period, but little differences in overall fitness, as measured by the effective reproductive number. Moreover, measures of disease severity and bacterial load indicated no differences in virulence between these genotypes during active TB. Instead, the combination of an early introduction and a high transmission rate accounted for the high prevalence of L3.1.1, the most dominant MTBC genotype in this setting. Yet, a longer co-existence with the host population did not always result in a higher transmission rate, suggesting that distinct life-history traits have evolved in the different MTBC genotypes. Taken together, our results point to bacterial factors as important determinants of the TB epidemic in Dar es Salaam.
Effect of zinc hydroxychloride supplementation combined with an anticoccidial drug on Eimeria tenella infection in broiler chickens
Authors: Nonkookhetkhong Tippayaporn , Chalalai Thanyakorn
Published: April 2023

Background and Aim: Eimeria tenella is a causative agent of avian cecal coccidiosis resulting in bleeding, diarrhea, weight loss, high morbidity, and mortality in chickens. Zinc supplementation increases body weight gain, reduces mortality, and improves some immune response parameters of broilers infected with E. tenella. This study aimed to investigate the effects of zinc hydroxychloride (ZnOHCl) supplementation and ZnOHCl combined with an anticoccidial drug on E. tenella infection in broiler chickens.

Materials and Methods: Forty one-day-old broilers were randomly divided into five groups, the study was replicated twice and had four chickens per replicate. Group 1 was an uninfected and unmedicated control group, and Group 2 was an infected but unmedicated control group. Group 3 was infected and treated with 120 mg/kg ZnOHCl, Group 4 was infected and medicated with 7 mg/kg toltrazuril (TOL), and Group 5 was infected and treated with 120 mg/kg ZnOHCl and 7 mg/kg TOL. Body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were monitored on days 15, 21, and 28. Oocyst shedding, hematological data, and lesion scores were analyzed on 7 days post-infection.

Results: The average weight gain, feed intake, and packed cell volume of chickens treated with ZnOHCl and TOL were significantly higher than those of the infected and unmedicated controls (p = 0.05). Lesion scores, oocyst output, and lymphocytes of the chickens treated with ZnOHCl and TOL were significantly lower than those of the infected and unmedicated controls (p = 0.05).

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that zinc supplementation alone reduced only oocyst output. However, growth performance, lesion scores, and oocyst output were affected by the combination of ZnOHCl and TOL supplementation. This suggests that ZnOHCl supplementation combined with an anticoccidial drug can improve growth performance and lessen the severity of E. tenella infection.

Keywords: anticoccidial drug, broilers, Eimeria tenella, zinc hydroxychloride.
대학생의 아동학대 인식, 신고의도 및 신고태도
Authors:   Crisis and Emergency Management: Theory and Praxis, Choi Mi Jin , Yu Juyoun
Published: April 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate university students' awareness, reporting intention, and reporting attitude towards child abuse and neglect. A cross-sectional study was conducted by web-based survey of 333 university students. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation in SPSS 26.0. The mean scores of child abuse awareness and reporting intention were 6.13±0.75, and 5.58±1.02 respectively. The mean score of effectiveness and obstacles in attitude toward reporting were 3.14±0.75 and 2.79±0.79 respectively. Students were most aware of physical abuse and showed the intention to report it; however they did not have a high awareness and reporting intention for neglect or emotional abuse. Child abuse awareness and reporting intention were significantly positively correlated and obstacles in attitude toward reporting had a negative correlation with awareness and reporting intention. Therefore, education to raise awareness of child abuse targeting university students and attempts to lower the obstacles related to reporting child abuse should be made together.
표면유속과 평균유속의 관계 고찰
Authors:   Crisis and Emergency Management: Theory and Praxis, Lee Hyun Seok , Lee Ki Won , Shin Hyung Jin , Maeng Seung Jin , Park In Seong
Published: April 2023

Surface velocity measurement using electromagnetic waves is common in flood season discharge surveys in Korea. In order to expand the relatively safe non-contact discharge survey, this study investigated the reliability of the coefficient that converts surface velocity to mean velocity in rivers and waterways. Surface and mean velocity were investigated for agricultural reservoir spillways, gravel rivers, and irrigation canals, and the volumetric capacity of agricultural reservoirs was confirmed. As a result of the investigation, the mean velocity conversion coefficients according to the riverbed slope or riverbed material were very diverse, such as 0.61, 0.90, 0.52, and 0.88. The above result makes it clear that each investigation point has a unique conversion coefficient according to the characteristics of the bed material. In other words, accurate discharge investigation is possible by knowing the unique conversion factor to each point. The importance of water management due to climate change is increasing day by day. Accurate flow rate for rivers and waterways will be used as an essential factor for quantitative water resource management in the future.
부모자녀 의사소통이 초등학생의 사이버불링에 미치는 영향: 학교적응 유연성과 공격성의 다중매개효과
Authors:   Crisis and Emergency Management: Theory and Praxis, Choi Jin Oh
Published: April 2023

This study aimed to examine the effects of elementary school students’s parents-child communication (PCC) on their cyber bullying and to investigate the multi-mediating effects of their school adjustment resilience(SAR) and aggression on those effects. From two elementary schools in capital area, 617 4-6th students were surveyed about their PCC, SAR, aggression and cyber bullying. The gathered data were analyzed by Structural Equation Modeling(SEM). The important results of the study were as follows. First, elementary school students’ negative PCC increased their cyber bullying through complete medication of SAR and aggression. Second, elementary school students’ low SAR and aggression could increase cyber bullying directly as well as indirectly. Third, multi-mediating effects analysis found the three paths from PCC to cyber bullying: ‘PCC → SAR → cyber bullying’ , ‘PCC → aggression → cyber bullying’, ‘PCC → SAR → aggression → cyber bullying’. This study provides insights regarding how to devise effective cyber bullying prevention and intervention programs for elementary school students.
공론조사에서 선택 변경과 숙의효과: 신고리 5·6호기 공론화와 사용후 핵연료 관리정책 공론화 사례
Authors:   Crisis and Emergency Management: Theory and Praxis, Kwon Tae-Hyeong
Published: April 2023

Deliberative polling has been widely used globally to enhance democracy and deliberation on key policy issues. This study analyzed deliberative effects and opinion changes for two cases of deliberative polling on nuclear energy policy issues in South Korea: whether to resume/discontinue Shin-Gori No.5·6 nuclear reactors and whether to construct a temporary storage of spent nuclear fuel. By using logistic models, it found out deliberative effect working for opinion changes on Shin-Gori No.5·6 nuclear reactors issue, but not significantly for opinion changes on the issue of spent nuclear fuel. In addition, this study analyzed whether deliberative effect has a direction of opinion changes. Deliberative effect seems to have no directional effect regarding Shin-Gori No.5·6 nuclear reactors issue, whereas having a directional effect towards ‘Yes’ for the spent nuclear fuel issue.
코로나19 팬데믹 상황에서 대구지역 거주 노인의 사회적 거리두기, 외로움, 우울, 불안과의 관련성
Authors:   Crisis and Emergency Management: Theory and Praxis, Hong Yeon Ran , Jang Gun Ja
Published: April 2023

This study aimed to investigate the association of social distancing with loneliness, depression, and anxiety during the early coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic for older adults in Daegu, South Korea. The study design was a descriptive study using convenience sampling. The participants were 176 elderly 65 or older enrolled in D university Lifelong Education Center, Senior College. Data were gathered using an online survey from August through October 2020. Data were analyzed using percentages, mean, standard deviations, and Pearson’s correlation analyses. The average mean scores of social distancing, loneliness, depression, and anxiety of the elderly were 2.72/4 points, 1.73/ 3 points, 0.30/1 point, and 0.32/1 point, respectively. Social distancing was showed significantly positive correlation with loneliness (r=.39, p<.001), depression (r=.30, p<.001), and anxiety (r=.13, p=.090). Since social distancing can increase the loneliness, depression, and anxiety of the Korean elderly, psychological measures to solve the mental health issues of the elderly are needed.
Quality of raw bulk-tank milk produced in northeast Brazil
Authors: Araújo Viviane Maia de , Barbosa Severino Benone Paes , Rangel Adriano  Henrique do Nascimento , Borba Luís Henrique Fernandes , Oliveira Juliana Paula Felipe de , Batista Ângela Maria Vieira
Published: April 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate the seasonal influence on the chemical composition, somatic cell count (SCC), and total bacterial count (TBC) of raw bulk-tank milk in northeastern Brazilian states. Data were obtained from milk samples from tanks collected monthly by industries registered with the Federal Inspection Service. According to normative instruction #62 (IN-62), two validity periods were considered. The highest recorded averages for chemical composition were between May and July. The mean fat content varied from 3.51% to 3.69%, and the protein content ranged from 3.07% to 3.17%. The averages of SCC ranged from 4.66 to 4.90 × 1,000 cells/ml, with the highest being recorded in July. At the same time, the TBC ranged from 2.34 to 2.53 cfu/ml. The highest TBC was recorded in March. The mean values of fat, protein, defatted dry extract, SCCs, and TBC were influenced by the months of the year. The means for these variables decreased in periods when Brazilian legislation was more severe. However, the SCC and TBC averages found in this study were still high, considering the quality of raw milk production. SCC and TBC presence still did not comply with the limits established by the legislation.
Anatomical, morphogenic and structural characteristics of Xaraés palisade grass under grazing
Authors: Basso Kelen Cristina , Galzerano Leandro , Silva Wilton Ladeira da , Ruggieri Ana Cláudia , Reis Ricardo Andrade
Published: April 2023

This study evaluated under grazing intensities and periods of the year: leaf anatomy of Urochloa brizantha cv. Xaraés and its correlation with morphogenetic and structural characteristics, and leaves degradation after in situ incubation. Treatments were four grazing intensities (GI) defined by the pasture residuals leaf area index (rLAI 0.8, 1.3, 1.8, and 2.3) with three replications in a completely randomized design. Cows grazed in a rotational stocking with pastures regrowth period determined by 95% light interception. Leaves showed a higher proportion of sclerenchyma (2.64%) in pastures under lower GI and in the dry season (2.42%). Pastures managed under higher GI showed lower number of expanded leaves (2.58), lower number of lives leaves (3.45), and lower leaf senescence rate (0.05 cm tiller−1 d−1). Positive correlation was observed between leaf elongation rate and adaxial epidermis and vascular tissues. rLAI 1.8 and 2.3 provided greater residues after in situ leaf incubation at times 12, 48, 72, and 96 h compared to rLAI 0.8 and 1.3. rLAI and period of the year had little influence on leaf anatomy of the Xaraés managed under 95% LI, and leaf anatomy is correlated with the morphogenetic and structural pasture characteristics. Pastures managed under lower GI show more residues after leaves incubation in rumen.