bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Superior atomic coherence time controlled by crystal phase transition and optical dressing
Authors: Li Jinyang , Zhu Jianfeng , Imran Muhammad , Fan Huanrong , Mujahid Anas , Nadeem Faisal , Li Peng , Zhang Yanpeng
Published: April 2022

We compare the atomic coherence time of doped ion crystals, i.e., BiPO4: Eu3+, YPO4: Eu3+, YPO4: Pr3+, and Y2SiO5: Pr3 + crystals. Such atomic coherence time is controlled by crystal field splitting (CF-splitting) and optical (photon and phonon) dressing. Compared with the other doped ion crystals, BiPO4: Eu3+ exhibits the longest coherence time. By controlling thermal phonon, phase-transition phonon, broadband or narrowband excitation, and fluorescence (FL) or spontaneous four-wave-mixing ratio (S-FWM), a superior atomic coherence time of up to 10 ± 0.6 ms is achieved in the pure hexagonal (0.5:1) phase of BiPO4: Eu3+. Furthermore, the relationship between TAT-splitting and spectral Autler–Townes (SAT)-splitting was investigated. This superior atomic coherence time has potential applications in quantum memory devices.
Shadowfocimetry: adapting the holographic principle to a manual focimeter for visualization/marking of permanent engravings in progressive addition lenses
Authors: Ferrer-Altabás Sara , Picazo-Bueno José Ángel , Granero-Montagud Luis , Micó Vicente
Published: April 2022

Focimeters, especially manual versions, are the most used ophthalmic devices for dioptric power measurement in optometric clinical care. In the particular case of progressive addition lenses (PALs), they are used to determine far/near vision correction powers, but the user/clinician needs to know at which part of the PAL the measurement must be taken. For this reason, PALs have permanent engravings acting as reference marks to define the far/near vision areas for every PAL design. However, for several reasons these engravings are often difficult to localize and identify, making an accurate dioptric power determination difficult. In this Letter, we present an adaptation of the Gabor holographic principle to a manual focimeter and describe the methodology for the correct localization, visualization, and marking process of the reference engravings in PALs. Experimental results considering different types of PALs are included and the main limitations of the technique are also discussed.
Infrared-blocking plasmonic meta-glass for energy-saving passive windows
Authors: Chowdhary Ashish Kumar , Bhowmik Tanmay , Sikdar Debabrata
Published: April 2022

Passive windows that can concurrently block infrared radiation while allowing transmission of visible radiation help in significantly reducing global energy usage by cooling and lighting systems deployed in buildings and vehicles. This Letter reports a design of plasmonic “meta-glass” that blocks up to ∼87% of infrared radiation over a spectral window of 750–1800 nm, predominantly responsible for indoor radiative heating, while maintaining an average visible transmission of 60% for providing indoor illumination. Our polarization-independent design comprises a two-dimensional hexagonal array of tungsten nanorings placed on top of a silica glass substrate. By virtue of surface plasmons excitation in the infrared regime, we achieve selective suppression in the transmission spectrum, which is tailorable by adjusting the dimension of the nanorings. The theoretically calculated figure-of-merit indicates that our proposed meta-glass designs outperform some of the recently reported window glass varieties in the literature.
On z-coherence of beams radiated by Schell-model sources with Gaussian profile
Authors: Santarsiero M. , Piquero G. , de Sande J. C. G. , Korotkova O. , Martínez-Herrero R. , Gori F.
Published: April 2022

The degree of coherence and the intensity distribution on the axis of the beam radiated by a planar partially coherent source of the Schell-model type are investigated. We present an expression for the on-axis cross-spectral density which is valid for a very general Schell-model source, with the only constraint that the intensity distribution across the source is Gaussian. Furthermore, we show that such an expression takes very simple analytical forms for several commonly used degrees of coherence of the source.
Understanding photosynthetic biofilm productivity and structure through 2D simulation
Authors: Polizzi Bastien , Fanesi Andrea , Lopes Filipa , Ribot Magali , Bernard Olivier
Published: April 2022

We present a spatial model describing the growth of a photosynthetic microalgae biofilm. In this 2D-model we consider photosynthesis, cell carbon accumulation, extracellular matrix excretion, and mortality. The rate of each of these mechanisms is given by kinetic laws regulated by light, nitrate, oxygen and inorganic carbon. The model is based on mixture theory and the behaviour of each component is defined on one hand by mass conservation, which takes into account biological features of the system, and on the other hand by conservation of momentum, which expresses the physical properties of the components. The model simulates the biofilm structural dynamics following an initial colonization phase. It shows that a 75 μm thick active region drives the biofilm development. We then determine the optimal harvesting period and biofilm height which maximize productivity. Finally, different harvesting patterns are tested and their effect on biofilm structure are discussed. The optimal strategy differs whether the objective is to recover the total biofilm or just the algal biomass.
Moving in on human motor cortex. Characterizing the relationship between body parts with non-rigid population response fields
Authors: Schellekens Wouter , Bakker Carlijn , Ramsey Nick F. , Petridou Natalia
Published: April 2022

For cortical motor activity, the relationships between different body part representations is unknown. Through reciprocal body part relationships, functionality of cortical motor areas with respect to whole body motor control can be characterized. In the current study, we investigate the relationship between body part representations within individual neuronal populations in motor cortices, following a 7 Tesla fMRI 18-body-part motor experiment in combination with our newly developed non-rigid population Response Field (pRF) model and graph theory. The non-rigid pRF metrics reveal somatotopic structures in all included motor cortices covering frontal, parietal, medial and insular cortices and that neuronal populations in primary sensorimotor cortex respond to fewer body parts than secondary motor cortices. Reciprocal body part relationships are estimated in terms of uniqueness, clique-formation, and influence. We report unique response profiles for the knee, a clique of body parts surrounding the ring finger, and a central role for the shoulder and wrist. These results reveal associations among body parts from the perspective of the central nervous system, while being in agreement with intuitive notions of body part usage.
The chromatin remodeling protein CHD-1 and the EFL-1/DPL-1 transcription factor cooperatively down regulate CDK-2 to control SAS-6 levels and centriole number
Authors: Iyer Jyoti , Gentry Lindsey K. , Bergwell Mary , Smith Amy , Guagliardo Sarah , Kropp Peter A. , Sankaralingam Prabhu , Liu Yan , Spooner Eric , Bowerman Bruce , O’Connell Kevin F.
Published: April 2022

Centrioles are submicron-scale, barrel-shaped organelles typically found in pairs, and play important roles in ciliogenesis and bipolar spindle assembly. In general, successful execution of centriole-dependent processes is highly reliant on the ability of the cell to stringently control centriole number. This in turn is mainly achieved through the precise duplication of centrioles during each S phase. Aberrations in centriole duplication disrupt spindle assembly and cilia-based signaling and have been linked to cancer, primary microcephaly and a variety of growth disorders. Studies aimed at understanding how centriole duplication is controlled have mainly focused on the post-translational regulation of two key components of this pathway: the master regulatory kinase ZYG-1/Plk4 and the scaffold component SAS-6. In contrast, how transcriptional control mechanisms might contribute to this process have not been well explored. Here we show that the chromatin remodeling protein CHD-1 contributes to the regulation of centriole duplication in theC.elegansembryo. Specifically, we find that loss of CHD-1 or inactivation of its ATPase activity can restore embryonic viability and centriole duplication to a strain expressing insufficient ZYG-1 activity. Interestingly, loss of CHD-1 is associated with increases in the levels of two ZYG-1-binding partners: SPD-2, the centriole receptor for ZYG-1 and SAS-6. Finally, we explore transcriptional regulatory networks governing centriole duplication and find that CHD-1 and a second transcription factor, EFL-1/DPL-1 cooperate to down regulate expression of CDK-2, which in turn promotes SAS-6 protein levels. Disruption of this regulatory network results in the overexpression of SAS-6 and the production of extra centrioles.
“Using the same hand”: The complex local perceptions of integrated one health based interventions in East Africa
Authors: Davis Alicia , Virhia Jennika , Bunga Catherine , Alkara Shayo , Cleaveland Sarah , Yoder Jonathan , Kinung’hi Safari , Lankester Felix
Published: April 2022

Background

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) such as soil transmitted helminths (STH) and human rabies represent a significant burden to health in East Africa. Control and elimination remains extremely challenging, particularly in remote communities. Novel approaches, such as One Health based integrated interventions, are gaining prominence, yet there is more to be learned about the ways in which social determinants affect such programmes.

Methodology

In 2015 a mixed method qualitative study was conducted in northern Tanzania to determine community perceptions towards integrated delivery of two distinct healthcare interventions: treatment of children for STH and dog vaccination for rabies. In order to assess the effectiveness of the integrated approach, villages were randomly allocated to one of three intervention arms: i) Arm A received integrated mass drug administration (MDA) for STH and mass dog rabies vaccination (MDRV); ii) Arm B received MDA only; iii) Arm C received MDRV only.

Principle findings

Integrated interventions were looked upon favourably by communities with respondents in all arms stating that they were more likely to either get their dogs vaccinated if child deworming was delivered at the same time and vice versa. Participants appreciated integrated interventions, due to time and cost savings and increased access to essential health care. Analysis of qualitative data allowed deeper exploration of responses, revealing why people appreciated these benefits as well as constraints and barriers to participation in integrated programmes.

Conclusions/significance

An interdisciplinary One Health approach that incorporates qualitative social science can provide key insights into complex local perceptions for integrated health service delivery for STH and human rabies. This includes providing insights into how interventions can be improved while acknowledging and addressing critical issues around awareness, participation and underlying health disparities in remote pastoralist communities.
Clinical similarities and differences between two large HIV cohorts in the United States and Africa
Authors: Monroe Anne K. , Polyak Christina S. , Castel Amanda D. , Esber Allahna L. , Byrne Morgan E. , Maswai Jonah , Owuoth John , Maganga Lucas , Bahemana Emmanuel , Adamu Yakubu , Iroezindu Michael , Kibuuka Hannah , Kiweewa Francis , Greenberg Alan E. , Crowell Trevor A. , Ake Julie A. ,   on behalf of the DC Cohort Executive Committee and AFRICOS Study Group
Published: April 2022

Background

Washington, DC, and sub-Saharan Africa are both affected by generalized HIV epidemics. However, care for persons living with HIV (PLWH) and clinical outcomes may differ in these geographically and culturally diverse areas. We compared patient and clinical site characteristics among adult persons living with HIV (PLWH) enrolled in two longitudinal HIV cohort studies—the African Cohort Study (AFRICOS) and the DC Cohort.

Methods

The DC Cohort is a clinic-based city-wide longitudinal cohort comprised of PLWH attending 15 HIV clinics in Washington, DC. Patients’ socio-demographic characteristics, clinical evaluations, and laboratory data are retrospectively collected from electronic medical records and limited manual chart abstraction. AFRICOS is a prospective observational cohort of PLWH and uninfected volunteers attending 12 select HIV care and treatment facilities in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. AFRICOS study participants are a subset of clinic patients who complete protocol-specific visits every 6 months with history and physical examination, questionnaire administration, and blood/sputum collection for ascertainment of HIV outcomes and comorbidities, and neurocognitive and functional assessments. Among participants aged ≥ 18 years, we generated descriptive statistics for demographic and clinical characteristics at enrollment and follow up and compared them using bivariable analyses.

Results

The study sample included 2,774 AFRICOS and 8,420 DC Cohort participants who enrolled from January 2013 (AFRICOS)/January 2011 (DC Cohort) through March 2018. AFRICOS participants were significantly more likely to be women (58.8% vs 27.1%) and younger (83.3% vs 61.1% aged < 50 years old) and significantly less likely to be MSM (only 0.1% of AFRICOS population reported MSM risk factor) than DC Cohort. Similar rates of current viral suppression (about 75% of both samples), hypertension, hepatitis B coinfection and alcohol use were observed. However, AFRICOS participants had significantly higher rates of CD4<200 and tuberculosis and significantly lower rates of obesity, DM, hepatitis C coinfection and syphilis.

Conclusions

With similar viral suppression outcomes, but many differences between our cohorts noted, the combined sample provides unique opportunities to assess and compare HIV care and treatment outcomes in the U.S. and sub-Saharan Africa. Comparing these two cohorts may inform care and treatment practices and may pave the way for future pathophysiologic analyses.
Predictive risk factors for early recurrence in patients with localized pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who underwent curative-intent resection after preoperative chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Murata Yasuhiro , Ogura Toru , Hayasaki Aoi , Gyoten Kazuyuki , Ito Takahiro , Iizawa Yusuke , Fujii Takehiro , Tanemura Akihiro , Kuriyama Naohisa , Kishiwada Masashi , Sakurai Hiroyuki , Mizuno Shugo
Published: April 2022

Background

The optimal surgical indication after preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) remains a subject of debate for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) because early recurrence often occurs even after curative-intent resection. The present study aimed to identify perioperative risk factors of early recurrence for patients with PDAC who underwent curative-intent resection after preoperative CRT.

Methods

Two hundred three patients with PDAC who underwent curative-intent resection after preoperative CRT from February 2005 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The optimal threshold for differentiating between early and late recurrence was determined by the minimum p-value approach. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify predictive factors for early recurrence.

Results

In 130 patients who developed recurrence after resection, 52 who had an initial recurrence within 12 months were defined as the early recurrence group, and the remaining 78 were defined as the late recurrence group. The incidence of hepatic recurrence was significantly higher in the early recurrence group than in the late recurrence group (39.7 vs. 15.4%). The early recurrence group had significantly lower 3-year rates of post-recurrence and overall survival than the late recurrence group (4.0 and 10.7% vs. 9.8 and 59.0%, respectively). Serum level of CA19-9 before surgery ≥56.8 U/ml was identified as an independent risk factor for early recurrence (OR:3.07, 95%CI:1.65–5.73, p<0.001) and associated with a significantly higher cumulative incidence rate of hepatic recurrence and lower rates of recurrence-free and overall survival.

Conclusion

Serum level of CA19-9 before surgery after preoperative CRT was a strong predictive factor for early recurrence.
Impact of correcting misinformation on social disruption
Authors: Iizuka Ryusuke , Toriumi Fujio , Nishiguchi Mao , Takano Masanori , Yoshida Mitsuo
Published: April 2022

People are obtaining more and more information from social media and other online sources, but the spread of misinformation can lead to social disruption. In particular, social networking services (SNSs) can easily spread information of uncertain authenticity and factuality. Although many studies have proposed methods that addressed how to suppress the spread of misinformation on SNSs, few works have examined the impact on society of diffusing both misinformation and its corrective information. This study models the effects of effort to reduce misinformation and the diffusion of corrective information on social disruption, and it clarifies these effects. With the aim of reducing the impact on social disruption, we show that not only misinformation but also corrective information can cause social disruption, and we clarify how to control the spread of the latter to limit its impact. We analyzed the misinformation about a toilet-paper shortage and its correction as well as the social disruption this event caused in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. First, (1) we analyzed the extent to which misinformation and its corrections spread on SNS, and then (2) we created a model to estimate the impact of misinformation and its corrections on the world. Finally, (3) We used our model to analyze the change in this impact when the diffusion of the misinformation and its corrections changed. Based on our analysis results in (1), the corrective information spread much more widely than the misinformation. From the model developed in (2), the corrective information caused excessive purchasing behavior. The analysis results in (3) show that the amount of corrective information required to minimize the societal impact depends on the amount of misinformation diffusion. Most previous studies concentrated on the impact of corrective information on attitudes toward misinformation. On the other hand, the most significant contribution of this study is that it focuses on the impact of corrective information on society and clarifies the appropriate amount of it.
A web-based cross-sectional study assessing the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of radiology staff in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Abdeen Rawan
Published: April 2022

The 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic has not only created massive public health issues, it has also produced excessive psychological disorders in healthcare professionals, including radiology staff. The aim of this study is to assess the risk perception and mental health of radiology staff in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researcher asked radiology staff to complete an online Google Forms questionnaire, between June 10, 2020 and June 17, 2020, which contained demographic data and self-designed questions related to anxiety, insomnia, depressive symptoms, and mental health services during the pandemic. A total of 168 radiology staff participated in the study. The results indicated that 53.05% and 57.14% of the participants were experiencing mild to severe symptoms of anxiety and depression, respectively. Moreover, 47.02% of the participants were experiencing insomnia symptoms. Among all the participants, only 16.61% had received psychological materials from their hospital during the pandemic, while 22.02% had accessed online psychological assistance techniques. The health of roughly one-third (30.95%) of the participants was worse than it had been before the pandemic. COVID-19 is a source of mental health disorders for healthcare professionals, particularly radiology staff. The findings of this study indicate that more than 70% of radiology staff in Saudi Arabia are concerned about insufficient protective measures and the risk of infection. In addition, a large percentage of them have experienced mental health disorders, such as anxiety, insomnia, and depression. Regular mental healthcare services are required to decrease the negative impact of the pandemic and enhance the overall mental health of the radiology staff.
Barriers to high school and university students’ physical activity: A systematic review
Authors: Ferreira Silva Regina Márcia , Mendonça Carolina Rodrigues , Azevedo Vinicius Diniz , Raoof Memon Aamir , Noll Priscilla Rayanne E. Silva , Noll Matias
Published: April 2022

Physical inactivity commonly occurs throughout one’s life, particularly during adolescence and young adulthood. Multiple factors can negatively influence participation in physical activity, but there has been no review examining the barriers to physical activity among high school and university students. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to summarize evidence of barriers to the practice of physical activity among high school and university students. The literature search was conducted without time limits using five databases, including CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus. In total, 59 studies (37 with high school students [n = 22,908] and 22 with university students [n = 15,411]) were included. The main barriers identified in high school and university students were lack of time, lack of motivation, and lack of accessible places. These findings may be useful in designing and implementing evidence-informed interventions and programs for physical activity promotion in students.
Synaptic counts approximate synaptic contact area in Drosophila
Authors: Barnes Christopher L. , Bonnéry Daniel , Cardona Albert
Published: April 2022

The pattern of synaptic connections among neurons defines the circuit structure, which constrains the computations that a circuit can perform. The strength of synaptic connections is costly to measure yet important for accurate circuit modeling. Synaptic surface area has been shown to correlate with synaptic strength, yet in the emerging field of connectomics, most studies rely instead on the counts of synaptic contacts between two neurons. Here we quantified the relationship between synaptic count and synaptic area as measured from volume electron microscopy of the larval Drosophila central nervous system. We found that the total synaptic surface area, summed across all synaptic contacts from one presynaptic neuron to a postsynaptic one, can be accurately predicted solely from the number of synaptic contacts, for a variety of neurotransmitters. Our findings support the use of synaptic counts for approximating synaptic strength when modeling neural circuits.
Anemia and associated factors among patients admitted with metabolic syndromes at Worabe Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Southern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Timerga Abebe , Haile Kassahun , Dessu Samuel
Published: April 2022

Background

Anemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells is inadequate to meet the physiologic needs of the human body oxygen and it is highly prevalent among individuals with metabolic syndromes as a complication in turn speed up the progression and the number of adverse outcomes unless the proper measure is undertaken. Determination of anemia may play a major role in the management and early aversion of complications in an admitted patient with metabolic syndromes. Therefore, this study aimed to determine anemia and its associated factors among patients with admitted metabolic syndromes at Worabe Comprehensive Specialized hospital, Southern Ethiopia from March 1 to May 30, 2021.

Methods and materials

An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted on 324 adult patients admitted with metabolic syndromes. Structured questionnaires through face-to-face interviews and participants’ medical records were used to collect information on determinants related to anemia. A blood sample was collected to determine hematological parameters, biochemical profile, and blood film preparation. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 22. Binary logistic regression analyses were done to identify factors associated with anemia. The p-value was set at <0.05 with a 95% confidence interval of the adjusted odds ratio.

Results

A total of 324 admitted adult patients with metabolic syndromes were involved. The overall prevalence of anemia among study participants was 25.3% (95%CI: 20.7, 30.2), of which 52.4% had moderate anemia and 56% had microcytic types of anemia. Being alcoholic (AOR = 6.25, 95% CI: (3.05, 12.82)), obese (AOR = 3.34, 95% CI: (1.02, 11.21)), dyslipidemic (AOR = 2.06, 95% CI: (1.02, 4.17)), and diabetic (AOR = 2.61, 95%CI: (1.31, 5.21)) were significantly associated with anemia.

Conclusion

The prevalence of anemia among patients admitted with metabolic syndrome observed in this study was a moderate public health problem. Taking alcohol, being dyslipidemic, obese and diabetic was significantly associated with anemia. The finding of this study should be taken into consideration to implement preventive interventions on identified factors in study percipients. Taking fruit and vegetable, and promoting physical exercise, routine determination of fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin level in adult admitted metabolic syndromes patients were recommended to minimize the emergence of anemia.
The role of eCIRP in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice
Authors: Bolourani Siavash , Sari Ezgi , Brenner Max , Wang Ping
Published: April 2022

Objective and design

We examined the role of eCIRP in the pathogenesis of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF).

Material and methods

Publicly available gene expression omnibus datasets were analyzed for the expression of CIRP in lung samples from patients with PF. Wild type (WT) or CIRP-/-mice received daily injections of 10 μg/g bleomycin for 10 days. A subset of bleomycin-injected WT mice was treated with the eCIRP antagonist C23 (8 μg/g/day) from day 10 to day 19. At three weeks, transthoracic echocardiography was performed to measure the degree of pulmonary hypertension, and lung tissues were collected and analyzed for markers of fibrosis.

Results

Analysis of the mRNA data of human lung samples showed a significant positive correlation between CIRP and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), an important marker of fibrosis. Moreover, the expression of CIRP was higher in patients with acute exacerbation of PF than in patients with stable PF. CIRP-/-mice showed attenuated induction of α-SMA and collagens (Col1a1, Col3a1), reduced hydroxyproline content, decreased histological fibrosis scores, and improved pulmonary hypertension as compared to WT mice. WT mice treated with C23 also had significant attenuation of the above endpoint measure.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that eCIRP plays a key role in promoting the development of PF, and blocking eCIRP with C23 can significantly attenuate this process.
Long-term stability of clopidogrel solid dispersions—Importance of in vitro dissolution test
Authors: Osmanović Omerdić Ehlimana , Alagić-Džambić Larisa , Krstić Marko , Pašić-Kulenović Maja , Medarević Đorđe , Ivković Branka , Vasiljević Dragana
Published: April 2022

Formulation of solid dispersions (SDs), in which the drug substance is dissolved or dispersed inside a polymer matrix, is one of the modern approaches to increase the solubility and dissolution rate of poorly soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), such as clopidogrel. In the form of a free base, clopidogrel is unstable under increased both high moisture and temperature, so it is most often used as its salt form, clopidogrel hydrogen sulfate (CHS).The aim of this study was the formulation, characterization, and long-term stability investigation of CHS solid dispersions, prepared with four different hydrophilic polymers (poloxamer 407, macrogol 6000, povidone, copovidone) in five API/polymer ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:5, 1:9). SDs were prepared by the solvent evaporation method, employing ethanol (96% v/v) as a solvent. Initial results of the in vitro dissolution test showed an increase in the amount of dissolved CHS from all prepared SD samples compared to pure CHS, corresponding physical mixtures (PMs), and commercial tablets. SDs, prepared with poloxamer 407, macrogol 6000, and copovidone, at CHS/polymer ratios 1:5 and 1:9, notably increased the amount of dissolved CHS (> 80%, after 60 min), thus they were selected for further characterization. To assess the SDs long-term stability, in vitro dissolution studies, clopidogrel content determination, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were performed initially and after 12 months of long-term stability studies under controlled conditions (25°C, 60% RH) meeting the ICH guideline Q1A (R2) requirements. The clopidogrel content in the selected samples was very similar at the beginning (96.13% to 99.93%) and at the end (95.98% to 99.86%) of the conducted test. DSC curves and FT-IR spectra of all SD samples after 12 months of stability study, showed the absence of CHS crystallization, which is an indication of good stability. However, the in vitro dissolution test showed a considerable reduction in CHS released from SDs with macrogol 6000. The amount of dissolved CHS from SDs with macrogol 6000 was initially 94.02% and 92.01%, and after 12 months of stability study, only 65.13% and 49.62%. In contrast, the amount of dissolved CHS from SDs prepared with poloxamer 407 and copovidone was very similar after 12 months of the stability study compared to the initial values. Results obtained indicated the great importance of the in vitro dissolution test in determining the long-term stability and quality of SDs.
Novel GxE effects and resilience: A case:control longitudinal study of psychosocial stress with war-affected youth
Authors: Mulligan Connie J. , Clukay Christopher J. , Matarazzo Anthony , Hadfield Kristin , Nevell Lisa , Dajani Rana , Panter-Brick Catherine
Published: April 2022

Responses to early life adversity differ greatly across individuals. Elucidating which factors underlie this variation can help us better understand how to improve health trajectories. Here we used a case:control study of refugee and non-refugee youth, differentially exposed to war-related trauma, to investigate the effects of genetics and psychosocial environment on response to trauma. We investigated genetic variants in two genes (serotonin transporter, 5-HTT, and catechol-O-methyltransferase, COMT) that have been implicated in response to trauma. We collected buccal samples and survey data from 417 Syrian refugee and 306 Jordanian non-refugee youth who were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial to evaluate a mental health-focused intervention. Measures of lifetime trauma exposure, resilience, and six mental health and psychosocial stress outcomes were collected at three time points: baseline, ~13 weeks, and ~48 weeks. We used multilevel models to identify gene x environment (GxE) interactions and direct effects of the genetic variants in association with the six outcome measures over time. We did not identify any interactions with trauma exposure, but we did identify GxE interactions with both genes and resilience; 1) individuals with high expression (HE) variants of 5-HTTLPR and high levels of resilience had the lowest levels of perceived stress and 2) individuals homozygous for the Val variant of COMT with high levels of resilience showed stable levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms. We also identified a direct protective effect of 5-HTTLPR HE homozygotes on perceived insecurity. Our results point to novel interactions between the protective effects of genetic variants and resilience, lending support to ideas of differential susceptibility and altered stress reactivity in a cohort of war-affected adolescents.
NK cells and monocytes modulate primary HTLV-1 infection
Authors: Moles Ramona , Sarkis Sarkis , Galli Veronica , Omsland Maria , Artesi Maria , Bissa Massimiliano , McKinnon Katherine , Brown Sophia , Hahaut Vincent , Washington-Parks Robyn , Welsh Joshua , Venzon David J. , Gutowska Anna , Doster Melvin N. , Breed Matthew W. , Killoran Kristin E. , Kramer Joshua , Jones Jennifer , Moniuszko Marcin , Van den Broeke Anne , Pise-Masison Cynthia A. , Franchini Genoveffa
Published: April 2022

We investigated the impact of monocytes, NK cells, and CD8+ T-cells in primary HTLV-1 infection by depleting cell subsets and exposing macaques to either HTLV-1 wild type (HTLV-1WT) or to the HTLV-1p12KO mutant unable to infect replete animals due to a single point mutation in orf-I that inhibits its expression. The orf-I encoded p8/p12 proteins counteract cytotoxic NK and CD8+ T-cells and favor viral DNA persistence in monocytes. Double NK and CD8+ T-cells or CD8 depletion alone accelerated seroconversion in all animals exposed to HTLV-1WT. In contrast, HTLV-1p12KO infectivity was fully restored only when NK cells were also depleted, demonstrating a critical role of NK cells in primary infection. Monocyte/macrophage depletion resulted in accelerated seroconversion in all animals exposed to HTLV-1WT, but antibody titers to the virus were low and not sustained. Seroconversion did not occur in most animals exposed to HTLV-1p12KO. In vitro experiments in human primary monocytes or THP-1 cells comparing HTLV-1WT and HTLV-1p12KO demonstrated that orf-I expression is associated with inhibition of inflammasome activation in primary cells, with increased CD47 “don’t-eat-me” signal surface expression in virus infected cells and decreased monocyte engulfment of infected cells. Collectively, our data demonstrate a critical role for innate NK cells in primary infection and suggest a dual role of monocytes in primary infection. On one hand, orf-I expression increases the chances of viral transmission by sparing infected cells from efferocytosis, and on the other may protect the engulfed infected cells by modulating inflammasome activation. These data also suggest that, once infection is established, the stoichiometry of orf-I expression may contribute to the chronic inflammation observed in HTLV-1 infection by modulating monocyte efferocytosis.
Hearing loss in vestibular schwannoma
Authors: Marcos Alonso Susana , Almeida Ayerve Cristina Nicole , Pacheco López Sofía , Peña Navarro Paula , Sánchez Gómez Hortensia , Santa Cruz Ruíz Santiago , Batuecas Caletrío Ángel
Published: April 2022

Purpose: The most common reason for consultation in patients suffering from Vestibular Schwannoma (VS) is progressive hearing loss. The main objective of this study is analyzing the hearing loss in patients with VS and determining the extent to which the tumor grade and the hearing loss are related.

 Methods: An observational retrospective study was conducted with a sample of 291 patients diagnosed with VS between 1995 and 2017 in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery of the Tertiary Care Primary Center of Salamanca. We analyzed preoperative and postoperative data from patients with VS as well as radiological and surgical findings.

Results: The most common reason for consultation at diagnosis was progressive unilateral hearing loss (31.6%). The relationship between the size of the VS and hearing loss in the patients who reported progressive unilateral hearing loss as a reason for consultation was not statistically significant (p=0.099).

             Conclusion: The most common reason for consultation in VS is progressive unilateral hearing loss. The hearing loss caused by VS does not have a statistically significant association with any particular tumor grade, although severe and profound hearing loss is more commonly associated with grade III-IV neurinomas, whereas mild hearing loss or normal hearing are more likely in grade I-II tumors.
Critical topics and good practices for trust in science communication before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gubitosa Carlo , Domingo David
Published: April 2022

For a qualitative analysis of factors affecting trust in science communication (scicomm) we used the Delphi method to reach a pool of experts based in Italy and Belgium (researchers/academics, journalists and scicomm practitioners) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results revealed a ‘strong’ consensus (confirmed before and during the pandemic) about good practices promoting trust in scicomm (mainly based on direct interactions with targeted audiences), and about critical topics where trust plays a key role. Such topics include vaccines and the role of pharmaceutical companies, climate change and environmental issues, medical sciences, communication of health risks and public health issues. According to our results, issues related to health and environment were perceived as critical and controversial subjects for trust in scicomm even before the pandemic. The same pool of experts also expressed very diverse views regarding risks and threats to trust in scicomm, and the social, cultural, political and environmental factors that can increase and promote trust in scientific communication among lay audiences. Such diversity reveals the need for further research to explore differences due to the context, based on the individual views of experts or generated from a conceptualisation of trust in scicomm which may be still fuzzy and unclear.
COVID-19 in Hidalgo, Mexico. A study of territorial inequalities
Authors: Medina Pérez Patricia Catalina , Tapia Fernández Héctor Jesús
Published: April 2022

Introduction: The ongoing global pandemic due to the COVID-19 virus has had varying impacts on the quality of life in different regions. This article aims to identify areas of high social vulnerability in the municipalities in Hidalgo with information gathered in 2015.

Methodology: The social vulnerability index was calculated by using the principal component analysis technique along with geographic information systems to evaluate its relationship with COVID-19 fatality ratio. Variables were constructed based on information taken from the 2015 Intercensal Survey for municipalities.

Results: Two regions, one in the northeast and the other in the southwest of the state of Hidalgo, showed a strong relationship between social vulnerability and the fatality ratio.

Conclusions: The variables that best explain social vulnerability in the Municipalities in Hidalgo are those that contemplate population characteristics. The findings could be used in planning social actions so that they not only focus on health care services in order to reduce the impacts of the current pandemic and reduce mortality due to COVID-19 in the most vulnerable sectors in Municipalities in Hidalgo.
Phosphorus Concentrations and Stocks in Different Soil Classes, Uses and Coverages in Agreste Pernambucano, Brazil
Authors: Luna Igor Revelles Gomes , Corrêa Marcus Metri , Primo Dário Costa , Rolim Neto Fernando Cartaxo , Silva João Paulo Siqueira da , Menezes Rômulo Simões Cezar , Santos João Paulo de Oliveira
Published: April 2022

Changes in land use cause a mosaic of areas in the landscape with different uses and coverage. This condition compromises soil nutrient stocks, especially phosphorus (P). In this sense, this study aimed to determine the concentrations of extractable and total phosphorus in 04 soil classes (Yellow Argisol, Litholic Neosol, Entisol and Planosol), 04 uses and covers (Open Native Caatinga, Dense Native Caatinga, Agriculture and Pasture) of the soil, in 04 depths (0-10, 10-20, 20-30 and 30-40 cm). To determine the extractable P, the Mehlich 1 and colorimetric reading were used. Total phosphorus was determined by sulfur digestion and colorimetry. The results of extractable and total P concentrations were higher for the Argisol and Planosol classes. It was observed that there were reductions in extractable P concentrations between the soil layers as the soil profile deepened. Depths between 0-20 cm generally showed higher concentrations of extractable and total phosphorus in agriculture. Among the four soil classes studied, the highest average values of extractable and total P stocks occurred in Litholic Neosols and Planosols, mainly due to agricultural use. P deficiency has been a limiting factor to agricultural productivity and, especially in the Agreste region of Pernambuco, where the main soil classes under natural cover have low levels of available and total P.
Hernández Espejo, M. Á. y Lugo Hubp, J. (2021). Glosario geomorfológico para montañistas.
Authors: Sunyer Martín Pere
Published: April 2022

México: Instituto de Geografía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, (Colección Geografía para el siglo XXI. Textos universitarios. Núm. 28). 231 pp., ISBN 970-32-2965-4
García Redondo, J. M. (Ed.: 2021). Percepciones y representaciones del mar de California (1533-1829)
Authors: Busto Ibarra Karina
Published: April 2022

Vol. I, Granada: Editorial Comares. 292 pp. ISBN: 978-84-1369-088-9
Pinzón Ríos, G. (Coord. 2021), Cabotajes novohispanos. Espacios y contactos marítimos en torno a la Nueva España
Authors: Maestri Nicoletta
Published: April 2022

México: Instituto de Investigaciones Históricas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, (Serie Historia Novohispana, 114), 459 pp., ISBN: 978-607-30-5011-1
Valdez-Bubnov, I. (2021). La conquista y el mar: una historia global
Authors: Arreguín Rodríguez Andrea Lizette
Published: April 2022

México: Dirección General de Publicaciones y Fomento Editorial, Instituto de Investigaciones Históricas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Colección México 500, volumen   5). 111 pp., ISBN 978-607-30-4696-1
Flow Analysis for Determining Design Parameters of Dipping Tanks in Continuous Latex-Gloves Production Lines Using Computational Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Koranuntachai Worrapol , Chantrasmi Tonkid , Nontakaew Udomkiat
Published: April 2022

In continuous latex-gloves production lines, ceramic formers are lowered into open-channel, latex-dipping tanks. These tanks are known to be critical to the final product quality, so they should be designed carefully. This paper presents a method to determine the optimal design and operating parameters of an island-type, latex-dipping tank. Typically, the conveyor speed is treated a given parameter. The length and the height of the tank can be trivially obtained and considered fixed in this work. The tank width and the driving pressure gradient, on the other hand, are complicated to choose appropriately. This study proposes a systematic approach to obtain the optimal values of these two parameters at each conveyor speed. The analysis consists of three main parts. First, all possible combinations of the parameters are determined by requiring the flow to be laminar and steady. In the second step, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are conducted to find the combination with the lowest maximum shear stress on the former. Finally, the results from the first two parts are logically combined to give the recommended parameter ranges. One of the practical benefits of the proposed method is that it can be used to find the optimal latex flow rate in the dipping tank of an existing production line. For example, a latex glove production line with the conveyor speed of 0.3 m/s and the tank width of 40 cm should adjust the flow inside the latex dipping tanks to be around 1,940–2,140 L/min.
Impact of Accumulated Dust on Performance of Two Types of Photovoltaic Cells: Evidence from the South of Jordan
Authors: Marashli Abdullah , Al Shaba'an Ghadeer Nyazi , Al-Twaissi Waed , Shalby Mohammad , Al-Rawashdeh Hani
Published: April 2022

This paper examines the impact of accumulated dust on two types of photovoltaic (PV) cells in the performance of solar panels facility located in the southern part of Jordan between January to August 2020.  To determine the performance of the solar PV panel system, two elements have been considered: sun radiation total efficiency and output power generated from the two types of the PV panel. Results of the study revealed that the mass of dust accumulated on the polycrystalline panel accumulated faster than on the cadmium telluride panel at a rate of 10.5 g/m2 for polycrystalline panels and 8.4g/m2 for cadmium telluride panel. Furthermore, results indicated that the projected drop in the efficiency of washed and unwashed polycrystalline panels decreased monthly by 5% and 16% respectively, while the efficiency of washed and unwashed cadmium telluride panels decreased monthly by 5% and 11.5% respectively. In the same context, results indicated that the wind speed, concentration rate, and relative humidity increased by 3%, 5%, and 8% respectively whereas the ambient temperature decreased by 4% monthly. On the other hand, the size and charge of accumulated dust on the cadmium telluride panel surface were larger than the size and charge of dust on the polycrystalline panel surface with a high percent of (Si) and low percent of (Ca) and (Fe). This research contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence for the impact of accumulated dust on PV panels applied on a dusty-weather such as the one in the southern part of Jordan.
Seed longevity characteristics of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes stored with different packaging materials under ambient tropical humid conditions
Authors: KEHINDE Tolulope Olaitan , ADEBISI Moruf Ayodele , LAWAL Isiaq Omoniyi , SHITTU Muibat Modupe , OKWI Evelyn Ese
Published: April 2022

Tomato seeds have a high commercial value, and the loss of seed physiological quality over time is demonstrated by their low storability unless hermetic conditions are used. This study aimed to store and preserve seed quality under ambient conditions using different packaging materials such as plastic bottles, glass bottles, paper envelope, earthen pot, polyethylene bag, galvanized iron tin. Freshly harvested seeds of four tomato genotypes were packed inside different containers and then sealed and stored for eight months under ambient humid tropical conditions. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using Tukey’s HSD test at 5 % probability level. The result revealed that envelope and earthen pot were not ideal for tomato seed storage for long time, because seed stored in air tight containers maintained desired seed quality than non- airtight packaging materials. Glass bottle was identified as the best packaging material in maintaining seed quality of tomato throughout the storage period. Tomato seeds could be stored up to between 120 and 180 days under ambient conditions, depending on genotype and storage medium of the seed lot.
Research on Scaffolding Instruction Strategies for English Writing Teaching of Rural Junior Middle School Students in China
Authors: Ma Xiulin , Jiang Xue , Jia Yujuan , Wu Tong , Nie Zhinie
Published: April 2022

In the teaching process of English composition writing of rural junior middle school students, there are some common cases that students "don't know how to start, the composition structure is not clear, the vocabulary sentence pattern is scanty and improper ". In view of these problems in teaching, this paper introduces scaffolding teaching strategy, designs the vocabulary sentence structure, writing frame, online interactive frame and other strategies to assist students in English writing based on the practice of English writing teaching. Through scaffolding teaching practice, the strategy and process of applying teaching scaffold to specific learning situation are explored. The results show that :(1) Scaffolding teaching ability can improve the English writing level of rural junior high school students, but also improve the learning interest of English writing in the process of learning;(2) Scaffolding teaching should not only pay attention to the process of knowledge construction, but also pay attention to the cultivation of students' interest in English learning to promote the development of learners' English writing ability.