bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface Dyakonov–Cherenkov radiation
Authors: Hu Hao , Lin Xiao , Wong Liang Jie , Yang Qianru , Liu Dongjue , Zhang Baile , Luo Yu
Published: January 2022

Recent advances in engineered material technologies (e.g., photonic crystals, metamaterials, plasmonics, etc.) provide valuable tools to control Cherenkov radiation. In all these approaches, however, the particle velocity is a key parameter to affect Cherenkov radiation in the designed material, while the influence of the particle trajectory is generally negligible. Here, we report on surface Dyakonov–Cherenkov radiation, i.e. the emission of directional Dyakonov surface waves from a swift charged particle moving atop a birefringent crystal. This new type of Cherenkov radiation is highly susceptible to both the particle velocity and trajectory, e.g. we observe a sharp radiation enhancement when the particle trajectory falls in the vicinity of a particular direction. Moreover, close to the Cherenkov threshold, such a radiation enhancement can be orders of magnitude higher than that obtained in traditional Cherenkov detectors. These distinct properties allow us to determine simultaneously the magnitude and direction of particle velocities on a compact platform. The surface Dyakonov–Cherenkov radiation studied in this work not only adds a new degree of freedom for particle identification, but also provides an all-dielectric route to construct compact Cherenkov detectors with enhanced sensitivity.
Rethinking Research in English with Nontraditional Adult Students
Authors: Fulford Collie
Published: January 2022

Adult students of diverse experiences, disciplines, and identities can become valued contributors to faculty-directed research while also benefiting from the experience. However, national data show that older students participate in mentored research at one of the lowest rates among all groups tracked. This article forwards principles for facilitating nontraditional students’ involvement in collaborative research. These were developed during studies conducted about and with adult undergraduates at a historically Black university. Student researchers’ insights, adult learning theory, and the scholarship of undergraduate research and mentoring indicate interlacing benefits that students, faculty, and English studies may gain from developing such research partnerships.
The Methods Course as Access Point
Authors: Halasek Kay , Lang Susan , Koneval Addison
Published: January 2022

This article examines a required undergraduate empirical methods course in writing, rhetoric, and literacy to assess how well it introduces humanities students to empirical research methods. The common curriculum contains a commitment to affordable learning as well as to making students agents of their own learning. Student work artifacts, pre- and post-course surveys, and course evaluations were collected and analyzed to examine the impact of the course on student understanding of and engagement in undergraduate research. Initial results indicate that students are gaining skills that will enable them to function as researchers going forward.
The Role of the Graduate Student in Inclusive Undergraduate Research Experiences
Authors: Franz Hannah , Charity Hudley Anne , King Rachael Scarborough , Calhoun Kendra , miles-hercules deandre , Muwwakkil Jamaal , Edwards Jeremy , Duffie Cecily A. , Knox Danielle , Lawton Bishop , Merritt John Henry
Published: January 2022

The authors present a lab-based research model that engages graduate students in undergraduate research mentorship positions that are mutually beneficial for graduate students, undergraduates, and faculty. They show how this model can be scaled up and adapted across the range of English disciplines. The authors share examples of the different types of research that they have engaged in for linguistics, literary archival studies, creative writing, and writing pedagogy. These examples illustrate how undergraduate research mentorship can prepare graduate students to teach and mentor students using effective methods in various institutional contexts.
The Trajectory of an Undergraduate Researcher
Authors: Bresee Andrea , Kinkead Joyce
Published: January 2022

This article focuses on the progress of an undergraduate English major on the scholarship continuum outlined by Laurie Grobman (2009). The student engaged in authentic research in a research methods course for English majors, a class that also meets a university requirement of “quantitative intensive,” and she completed two research projects of note. Her journey has implications and significance for faculty in designing undergraduate research experiences.
High-content image analysis to study phenotypic heterogeneity in endothelial cell monolayers
Authors: Chesnais Francois , Hue Jonas , Roy Errin , Branco Marco , Stokes Ruby , Pellon Aize , Le Caillec Juliette , Elbahtety Eyad , Battilocchi Matteo , Danovi Davide , Veschini Lorenzo
Published: January 2022

Endothelial cells (ECs) are heterogeneous across and within tissues, reflecting distinct, specialised functions. EC heterogeneity has been proposed to underpin EC plasticity independently from vessel microenvironments. However, heterogeneity driven by contact-dependent or short-range cell–cell crosstalk cannot be evaluated with single cell transcriptomic approaches, as spatial and contextual information is lost. Nonetheless, quantification of EC heterogeneity and understanding of its molecular drivers is key to developing novel therapeutics for cancer, cardiovascular diseases and for revascularisation in regenerative medicine. Here, we developed an EC profiling tool (ECPT) to examine individual cells within intact monolayers. We used ECPT to characterise different phenotypes in arterial, venous and microvascular EC populations. In line with other studies, we measured heterogeneity in terms of cell cycle, proliferation, and junction organisation. ECPT uncovered a previously under-appreciated single-cell heterogeneity in NOTCH activation. We correlated cell proliferation with different NOTCH activation states at the single-cell and population levels. The positional and relational information extracted with our novel approach is key to elucidating the molecular mechanisms underpinning EC heterogeneity.
Case Report: Anorexia as a new type of adverse reaction caused by the COVID-19 vaccination: a case report applying detailed personal care records
Authors: Osozawa Soichi
Published: January 2022

Background: In Japan, more than 1,000 participants died shortly after receiving the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, but the causal relation between the injection and death remains uncertain. Methods: Applying long-term personal vital care data for 28 months for an elderly patient, I investigated and evidenced adverse reactions after the first dose of the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccination. Results: The precise, detailed, and continuous data statistically clarified the long-term fevers associated with no meals or drinks. Interrupted time series analysis showed significant and fluctuating increases of body temperatures, pressures, and pulses, although solely long-term plots showed an abrupt and timely increase in these vital data after the vaccine. Conclusions: Anorexia was fatal, and newly reported in the present care records since the patient received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Knowledge and Agency. The Case of Claes Rålamb and the Swedish Embassy to Istanbul, 1657–58
Authors: Forss Charlotta
Published: January 2022

This article explores the interplay between knowledge and agency in early modern diplomacy. Focusing on the power dynamics of early modern empire through a case study of a Swedish embassy to the Ottoman Empire in 1657–58, the article shows how agency and knowledge interlinked throughout the diplomatic mission. At the centre of the study is Claes Rålamb, a Swedish nobleman who was sent to Istanbul to secure an alliance between Sweden and the Ottoman vassal state Transylvania. Rålamb’s journey to, and stay in, Istanbul was framed by global political developments, yet, it was also directly influenced by local customs and personal connections. In particular, Rålamb’s ability to act as an agent of the Swedish Empire was shaped by the difficulties of attaining reliable information. Moreover, the framework within which he was able to act changed between different stages of the journey. This makes the intersection between knowledge and agency a fruitful focal point for examining early modern empire, going beyond traditional national frameworks and categories of actors. Rålamb was sent out as an envoy of the Swedish empire, yet the meaning of that position changed constantly.
Relating Semantics for Epistemic Logic
Authors: Giordani Alessandro
Published: January 2022

The aim of this paper is to explore the advantages deriving from the application of relating semantics in epistemic logic. As a first step, I will discuss two versions of relating semantics and how they can be differently exploited for studying modal and epistemic operators. Next, I consider several standard frameworks which are suitable for modelling knowledge and related notions, in both their implicit and their explicit form and present a simple strategy by virtue of which they can be associated with intuitive systems of relating logic. As a final step, I will focus on the logic of knowledge based on justification logic and show how relating semantics helps us to provide an elegant solution to some problems related to the standard interpretation of the explicit epistemic operators.
Formacja pastoralnoteologiczna kleryków w świetle "Ratio institutionis sacerdotalis pro Polonia" z 2021 roku
Authors: Kurosz Jolanta , Wielebski Tomasz
Published: January 2022

Obowiązujący od 1 października 2021 roku dokument Droga formacji prezbiterów w Polsce. Ratio institutionis sacerdotalis pro Polonia staje się bodźcem do postawienia pytania o to, jak powinna wyglądać formacja pastoralnoteologiczna kleryków w seminariach w Polsce. Dokument wskazując na konieczność integralności całej formacji kandydatów do kapłaństwa, zwraca uwagę, że ma ona być osiągnięta przez harmonijne powiązanie czterech jej wymiarów: ludzkiego, duchowego, intelektualnego i duszpasterskiego, podkreślając konieczność jej nachylenia duszpasterskiego (por. RISP 74; 80; 463). Prowadzone rozważania zawarto w trzech punktach. Po przedstawieniu celu formacji (1) ukazano jej etapy (2), a następnie podjęto refleksję nad całym procesem kształcenia dokonującym się w jej ramach (3).
Compartment syndrome as a donor-site complication of anterolateral thigh free flap: a case report
Authors: Moon Bo Min , Pae Woo Sik
Published: January 2022

Compartment syndrome (CS) occurs infrequently as a complication at the donor site of an anterolateral thigh free flap (ALT-FF). We treated a 26-year-old male patient who was a professional soldier with large thigh muscles. A defect on the right ankle was reconstructed with a 30×10-cm2-sized ALT-FF. By the pinch test, the flap width was designed to be sufficient for primary closure of the donor site. However, on postoperative day 8, severe pain, tension, and purulent discharge were found at the donor site. We diagnosed CS clinically, and immediately performed incision and drainage. Various extrinsic and intrinsic factors can influence the development of CS. Therefore, in patients with these contributing factors, such as young men with high muscle mass, a higher level of suspicion for CS is needed. Moreover, it would be safer to design the flap width to be smaller than the pinch test would indicate or to cover the donor site with a skin graft.
Educação Aberta como mudança de jogo: histórias da pandemia
Authors: Ribeiro Renata Aquino
Published: January 2022

O texto é uma tradução adaptada de obra colaborativa publicada por autores da Grécia, Itália, Polônia, Uruguai e Brasil. Buscou-se manter o texto original resumindo apenas o necessário para adequação à publicação. No trabalho são apresentadas iniciativas positivas e mudanças na educação originadas como uma reação ao fechamento das escolas durante a pandemia do COVID-19 em 2020 e que são parte do que são conhecidas como Práticas de Educação Aberta e Recursos Educacionais Abertos. O objetivo dessa análise é iniciar a discussão sobre o papel protagonizado pela Educação Aberta durante a pandemia e fornecer argumentos que apoiem a formação de políticas públicas. Serão descritas iniciativas de cinco países – Grécia, Itália, Polônia, Uruguai e Brasil. Para cada país forneceremos: 1. histórias específicas sobre a compreensão mais ampla do conceito de Educação Aberta durante a pandemia para incentivar debate e inspiração. Cada iniciativa é relacionada a uma Recomendação de Recurso de Educação Aberta da UNESCO (UNESCO, 2021); 2. as reações governamentais frente à pandemia e as ações tomadas, também do ponto de vista do uso da Educação Aberta para aprendizagem remota;  3. uma breve descrição dos sistemas educacionais nos dias antes da pandemia. Conclusões chave do estudo foram tiradas a partir dos registros das discussões entre os autores dos relatos e ativistas da Educação Aberta durante um workshop de dois dias em outubro de 2020 tais como: recursos, instituições e infra-estrutura construídos no modelo da Educação Aberta fornecem resiliência aos sistemas educacionais.
Educação básica e as novas formas de aprender e ensinar na cibercultura
Authors: Souza Karine Pinheiro , Aquino Renata , Lima Vagna
Published: January 2022

O número temático da Revista Docência e Cibercultura (ReDoC) possui o tema "Eclosão dos saberes e fazeres: exercício da docência na educação básica". Para exaltar o movimento que pulsou, ressoou e intensificou a cultura digital, a educação on-line, com seus avanços, mas também profundas contradições, na eclosão de temas que passaram a ser amplamente discutidos, tais como:  ensino remoto,  ensino híbrido, educação on-line, cibercultura, multiletramentos, didáticas interativas, sala de aula on-line, jogos educacionais, games, formação docente, políticas de inclusão, educação aberta, humor, multimodalidades, produção artístico cultural.
A PERTINÊNCIA TEMÁTICA NO CONTROLE ABSTRATO DE CONSTITUCIONALIDADE COMO REQUISITO LIMITADOR À EFETIVAÇÃO DO ACESSO À JUSTIÇA
Authors: Vianna Alves Ferreira Olavo Augusto , Silvestrini João Pedro , Nunes Danilo Henrique
Published: January 2022

O objetivo pretendido corresponde na discussão referente à possibilidade de a pertinência temática, como jurisprudência defensiva da Suprema Corte, ocasionar em exigência jurisprudencial limitadora à efetivação do princípio do acesso à justiça. Por ser atribuição do Estado Democrático de Direito a efetivação dos direitos e garantias fundamentais, compreende-se que a pertinência temática consiste em jurisprudência inconstitucional que viola o princípio constitucional da inafastabilidade da jurisdição, previsto no artigo 5º, inciso XXXV, da Constituição Federal de 1988. É empregado o método dedutivo, baseado em estudos da jurisprudência do Pretório Excelso, na Constituição Federal de 1988, na legislação infraconstitucional e na doutrina.
O RELATÓRIO COMO ELEMENTO ESSENCIAL DA DECISÃO JUDICIAL
Authors: Pereira Carlos Frederico Bastos
Published: January 2022

O presente artigo examina o relatório como elemento estruturante das decisões judiciais e defende a necessidade de valorizá-lo na sentença e nos julgamentos colegiados a partir de suas funções descritiva e preparatória.
A VIOLAÇÃO DA COLEGIALIDADE E DA SUSTENTABILIDADE JUDICIAL NO SUPERIOR TRIBUNAL DE JUSTIÇA: inconstitucionalidade por prática viciada reiterada
Authors: Gomes Magno Federici , Santos Janaina Ferreira da Silva , Torres Manrique Jorge Isaac
Published: January 2022

O respeito ao princípio da colegialidade pelo Superior Tribunal de Justiça (STJ) é o objeto deste artigo. Acerca do resultado do julgamento dos recursos interpostos contra as decisões monocráticas proferidas no STJ, elaborou-se uma pesquisa teórico documental, com base empírica quantitativa em menor grau, pelo método indutivo. Constatou-se que o STJ inviabiliza a revisão material das decisões monocráticas pelo órgão colegiado, objetivando aumentar a celeridade dos julgamentos, o que é uma prática inconstitucional. Identificou-se conflito entre os princípios da razoável duração do processo e da colegialidade, que foi solucionado pelo postulado da proporcionalidade.
POSIBILIDADES EN LA ATRIBUCIÓN DE LA VIVIENDA FAMILIAR ANTE LA SEPARACIÓN Y DIVORCIO DE MUTUO ACUERDO: DEL CONVENIO REGULADOR A LOS PACTOS PREMATRIMONIALES
Authors: Rodríguez Almudena Gallardo
Published: January 2022

En el presente artículo se analizan las diferentes opciones que tienen los cónyuges en España cuando desean separarse o divorciarse de mutuo acuerdo, tramitando su caso ante los tribunales. De forma concreta, se analizan dos opciones: el convenio regulador y los pactos prematrimoniales; desde el punto de vista jurídico. En este sentido, se expone la realidad a nivel nacional pero también autonómica; cuestión que singulariza esta cuestión en el sistema judicial español
BREVES CONSIDERAÇÕES SOBRE DESAFIOS E PERSPECTIVAS PARA A EFICIÊNCIA DO CUMPRIMENTO DE SENTENÇA E DO PROCESSO DE EXECUÇÃO NO BRASIL
Authors: Mendes Aluisio Gonçalves de Castro , Silva Larissa Clare Pochmann da
Published: January 2022

O presente artigo trata dos atuais desafios para a eficiência do cumprimento e do processo de execução no Brasil, construindo possíveis propostas para sanar ou, pelo menos, reduzir os gargalos identificados para a execução no país.
CÃO QUE LADRA NÃO MORDE? A TUTELA COLETIVA CONSUMERISTA NA AMÉRICA LATINA
Authors: Gómez Manuel
Published: January 2022

Este artigo descreve a situação atual da proteção ao consumidor na América Latina, com atenção especial aos esforços recentes realizados, tanto em nível nacional, como regional, e aos desafios enfrentados. Ele examina o panorama da tutela coletiva  consumerista na região e também discute o uso de litígios transnacionais como uma estratégia corretiva para as deficiências do regime de proteção ao consumidor latino-americano. Como mostra o artigo, a despeito das  muitas diferenças entre os sistemas jurídicos nacionais dos países latino-americanos, tem havido algumas tentativas de alcançar a  sincronização regional. Desde o anteprojeto da CIDIP-VII elaborado sob a égide da Organização dos Estados Americanos (“OEA”), ao significativo esforço empreendido pela Conferência das Nações Unidas para o Comércio e o Desenvolvimento (“UNCTAD”) com o apoio do governo suíço; vários países agora podem coordenar suas atividades e trabalhar para harmonizar seus regimes jurídicos. Não obstante essa  perspectiva otimista, ainda existem alguns obstáculos importantes que se interpõem e que impediram esses sistemas modernizados de proteção ao consumidor de atingir alguns de seus objetivos. Ao concluir o artigo, sugeriu-se, como uma forma possível de mitigar os problemas existentes, que os países latino-americanos prestem mais atenção em assegurar  que os consumidores tenham acesso a meios locais e eficazes de proteção judicial (em outras palavras, que os remédios existentes não apenas “ladrem, mas também mordam”.
COMPORTAMENTO DE ADITIVOS PLASTIFICANTES DE DIFERENTES FORNECEDORES NA PRODUÇÃO DE CONCRETO
Authors: Polesello Eduardo , Dreher Anderson Luis
Published: January 2022

Tendo em vista que o uso de aditivos químicos busca melhorar as propriedades do concreto e que sua eficiência está diretamente ligada à interação química com o cimento, este estudo busca avaliar a influência do uso de aditivos plastificantes de quatro diferentes fornecedores na produção de concreto. Foi analisado, por meio da presente pesquisa, um traço de concreto, considerando-se quatro tipos de aditivos plastificantes e dois tipos de cimento Portland. No estado fresco do concreto, foi analisada a trabalhabilidade através do ensaio de determinação da consistência pelo abatimento do tronco de cone, em um tempo definido como inicial e após 30 minutos, para avaliar a capacidade de manutenção dessa trabalhabilidade. Já no estado endurecido, foi realizada a análise de resistência à compressão, aos 7, 28 e 63 dias de idade, e estimada a durabilidade do concreto através do ensaio de absorção de água por capilaridade, aos 28 dias. O estudo mostrou que a marca do aditivo plastificante, assim como o tipo de cimento, gera influência sobre a trabalhabilidade das misturas. Ainda, no estado endurecido, quando realizada a análise estatística dos resultados, verificou-se que as duas variáveis exercem influência significativa sobre a resistência à compressão e sobre a absorção de água por capilaridade dos concretos.
Auditory-Perceptual Judgement of Speech-Language Pathologists in Fricative Distortion by EPG Task
Authors: Kim Ji-Yeong , Woo Seong-Tak , Ha Ji-Wan
Published: January 2022

Objectives: In a clinical setting, a ‘trained ear’ is the essentials for speech–language pathologists (SLPs) because most SLPs rely on the auditory - perceptual method during assessment and treatment for speech difficulties. However, transcribing distortion errors using only auditory-perceptual judgement is a difficult task. This study investigated the auditory– perceptual ability in terms of distortion errors for pre and present SLPs.Methods: Sixty pre and present SLPs completed a survey, then performed a perceptual judgement task which was manufactured by electropalatography (EPG). The task consisted of 30 questions, including distorted (dentalized, palatalized, lateralized) and normal speech samples of Korean fricative /s/ with different types of vowels (/ɑ/, /u/) and lengths (1-syllabled, 2- syllabled, sentence).Results: There was no significant difference in the distortion task among three groups. All participants had the highest score in “dentalization”, the lowest in “lateralization”, and all distortion types were perceived better in the /u/ context than /ɑ/. Also, SLPs tended to judge “lateralization” errors as “normal articulation” and many of the participants perceived “palatalization” as “lateralization”.Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that active auditory training for SLPs is necessary to improve auditory perceptual ability, and suggests that EPG could be a useful instrument for the auditory training program.
Exploring the Korean Hangul Word Decoding Properties of Children with Reading Disabilities: Implication for Reading Intervention and Reading Related Language Factors
Authors: Lee Eun Ju
Published: January 2022

Objectives: This study analyzed the Korean Hangul word decoding properties of children with reading disabilities by considering reading intervention and reading related language factors.Methods: A corresponding sample t-test, correlation analysis, and repeated measurement were examined for the relevance of Hangul and reading difficulties, predictors of Hangul reading difficulties, and the effects of Korean word meaningfulness (word/non-word) and spelling regularity (regular/irregular) variables.Results: 1) After reading intervention, children with reading disabilities improved in their Hangul decoding, listening comprehension, phonological awareness, and word writing scores. 2) Before and after reading interventions, variables related to decoding were receptive vocabulary, phonological awareness, word writing, and rapid naming. 3) The variables of children’s ability that predicted decoding were word writing, listening comprehension, receptive vocabulary, and rapid naming; and the variable that predicted non-word decoding was word writing. Phonological awareness, which showed significant correlation with decoding scores, did not act as a significant predictor of decoding scores. 4) Reading interventions and decoding-level variables (word meaning and spelling regularity) both showed significant effects in the decoding of Korean Hangul, especially after reading interventions.Conclusion: The reading disability of Hangul is acting on both the characteristics of the ideogram and phonogram system, and the characteristics of Hangul’s unique spelling system.
Risk Factors for Subtypes of Children with Speech Sound Disorders Classified by Linguistic Symptoms
Authors: Pi Minkyeong , Ha Seunghee
Published: January 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate 22 risk factors for speech sound disorders (SSDs) and to find out whether there are differences in risk factors for each subtype of SSDs of Dodd’s model.Methods: Sixty-two children with SSDs aged 3-9 years participated in the study, and 22 risk factors reported in literature were investigated through parental interviews and a nonverbal intelligibility test. Children with SSDs were divided into children with articulation disorders, phonological delays, and consistent/inconsistent phonological disorders.Results: As a result of the principal component analysis, 22 risk factors were classified into 1) language and gross motor development, 2) gender and early development, 3) otitis media with effusion, 4) socioeconomic status, and 5) family history. Among all risk factors, only general developmental delay around 2 years of age showed a significantly different frequency among subtypes of SSDs.Conclusion: This study directly investigated the risk factors of children with SSDs and classified a number of risk factors into five categories. This study suggests that if children show early general developmental delays, they should be closely monitored and early evaluation and interventions should be planned.
Reading Comprehension Monitoring of Expository Discourses in Third to Fifth Grade ADHD Children with/without Vocabulary Delay
Authors: Park Kyungmin , Yoon Hyojin
Published: January 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate reading comprehension monitoring including three types of error detection (lexical inconsistency, internal inconsistency, external inconsistency) and correction with expository discourse in school-aged children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Methods: Nineteen ADHD children with vocabulary delay, 17 ADHD children without vocabulary delay, and 20 typically developing children students from third, fourth, and fifth grades participated in the study. In order to assess comprehension monitoring; expository discourses contained three different types of errors. Comprehension monitoring tasks were presented in the following order: First, children were asked to find out errors in two expository texts of comparison and causation. After finding out errors, children were asked to change the appropriate words verbally.Results: ADHD children with vocabulary delay did show difficultly in reading comprehension monitoring tasks when compared to age-matched typically developing children and ADHD children without language impairment. Internal inconsistency was the most difficult error to identify and correct, and lexical inconsistency was the easiest error for all three groups.Conclusion: The result proposed that even children with ADHD who have no difficulty in basic language and reading skills were likely to have difficulty properly using reading comprehension monitoring, which is closely related to working memory and executive functions. The poor comprehension monitoring skills would negatively influence effective reading comprehension.
Liver Fibrosis: Underlying Mechanisms and Innovative Therapeutic Approach. A Review Article
Authors: El Awdan Sally A , F. Asaad Gihan
Published: January 2022

Liver fibrosis is considered: “a pathological repairing process in liver injuries leading to extracellular cell matrix (ECM) accumulation evidencing chronic liver diseases”. Chronic viral hepatitis, alcohol consumption, autoimmune diseases as well as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis are from the main causes of liver fibrosis (Lee et al., 2015; Mieli-Vergani et al., 2018). Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) exist in the sinus space next to the hepatic epithelial cells as well as endothelial cells (Yin et al., 2013). Normally, HSCs are quiescent and mainly participate in fat storage and in the metabolism of vitamin A. HSCs are produced during liver injury and then transformed into myofibroblasts. The activated HSCs resulted in a sequence of events considered as marks fibrosis. The activation of HSCs mostly express alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Moreover, ECM is synthesized and secreted by HSCs that affects markedly the structure and function of the liver tissue leading to fibrosis (Tsuchida et al., 2017; Han et al., 2020). Hence, activated HSCs are attracting attention as potential targets in liver fibrosis. Many signaling molecules are involved in HSCs activation first and foremost, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) (Tsuchida et al., 2017; Wang et al., 2020c) as interfering the PDGF or TGF-β signaling pathways is a growing field for liver fibrosis treatment.
A Brief Overview on Probiotics: The Health Friendly Microbes
Authors: Mishra Sanjukta , Acharya Swastik
Published: January 2022

Probiotics are defined as non-pathogenic live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefits on the host. Association of probiotics with human beings has a lot of history. Well known as 'health-friendly bacteria', they are widely used commercially as a functional food. The popularity of probiotics has gone exponentially high due to an increasing number of clinical trials, supporting their beneficial effects. Several in vivo and in-vitro experimental evidence supports strain-specific and disease-specific probiotic efficacy to prevent and ameliorate antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, traveller's diarrhoea, ulcerative colitis, and many more. Besides, numerous recent studies have reported that probiotics could have a significant effect in alleviating various metabolic, lifestyle and diet-related disorders like obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome Strains of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Saccharomyces boulardii are the most commonly used as probiotics. Safety, efficacy, pathogenicity, infectivity, intrinsic property, virulence factors are to be addressed during probiotic selection. The underlying mechanisms of probiotics effects are still not fully elucidated and have been under intensive research. Numerous diverse, strain-specific probiotic mechanisms have been proposed, which include early colonization of perturbed microbes, competitive exclusion of pathogens, short-chain volatile fatty acid production, alteration of gut pH, immunomodulation and many more. Considering the remarkable influence on human health, probiotics seem to be alluring attractive agents to promote human health conditions and to improve the quality of life against several diseases. This review discusses the current documentation and recent advances on probiotics and their possible health attributes, in scientific literature, focusing on diverse, heterogeneous, and strain-specific mechanisms of action. Randomised human controlled clinical trials are needed to reconfirm its safety and beneficial effects.
In-vitro Anti-Tuberculosis, Anti-Efflux Pumps and Anti-Biofilm Effects of Crinum Asiaticum Bulbs
Authors: Ofori Michael , Danquah Cynthia Amaning , Ativui Selase , Doe Peace , Asamoah Williams Adu
Published: January 2022

Drug resistant tuberculosis remains one of the major challenges associated with treatment and management of tuberculosis (TB) in the public health system and in clinical settings. In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that about 186,772 people died from drug-resistant tuberculosis out of the 500000 reported cases and this is alarming. There is a pressing need from every angle in drug discovery to develop novel compounds that could possess diverse mechanisms of action to tackle drug-resistant tuberculosis. The Crinum asiaticum bulbs extract are used ethno medicinally to treat upper respiratory tract infections and as well as wound healing agent. The aim of this work is to investigate the in-vitro anti-tuberculosis effect of Crinum asiaticum bulbs extracts and to assess the inhibitory properties against bacteria efflux pumps expression and biofilm formation. The results obtained showed that the Crinum asiaticum bulbs extracts (CAE) were effective in inhibiting Mycobacterium smegmatis (NCTC 8159) and Mycobacterium aurum (NCTC 10437) with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 125 μg/ml and 250 μg/ml against M. smegmatis and M. aurum respectively. The CAE markedly inhibited the efflux pumps of both M. smegmatis and M. aurum from expressing with the chloroform extract producing the greatest inhibition. The CAE (ethanol, methanol, chloroform and hexane) significantly (***ρ˂0.005) inhibited M. smegmatis’ and M. aurum’s biofilm formation in-vitro. Among the various extracts of Crinum asiaticum, the chloroform extract exhibited the greatest inhibition against M. smegmatis and M. aurum biofilm formation with significance levels of ***ρ˂0.005 and ***ρ˂0.005. In conclusion the CAE has anti-tuberculosis effect and could tackle drug resistant TB as exhibited through the anti-efflux and anti-biofilm forming properties of the extract against the selected Mycobacterium species.
Cisplatin Resistance in Ovarian Cancer: Classical Outlook and Newer Perspectives
Authors: Borkar Prachitee , Bhandari Prasan , Yadav Shraddha , Prabhu Ashwini
Published: January 2022

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common gynecological cancers. Recently, there is increase in incidence of ovarian cancer not only India but also worldwide. Ovarian cancer patients exhibit nonspecific symptoms during early course of disease. As a consequence, 70% of these patients are diagnosed in advanced stages. Ovarian cancer treatment includes cytoreductive surgery followed by platinum-based chemotherapy. However, these patients develop fatal recurrence due to development of platinum resistance. Cisplatin, (platinum analog) resistance is multifactorial and complex. Earlier, resistance was mainly attributed to conventional molecular mechanisms like decreased intracellular accumulation of cisplatin, enhanced DNA repair and increased cisplatin detoxification. Nevertheless, emergence of knowledge of tumor biology have lead to discovery of other contributing mechanisms. These tumor microenvironment related factors include physical blockade, hypoxia, cancer stem cells, cancer associated fibroblasts and many others. Understanding these mechanisms of cisplatin resistance is crucial for development of novel strategy to combat the same. Hence, this review summarizes all the mechanisms of resistance of cisplatin in ovarian cancer.
Real-Life Data on Total Vitamin D3 (25-Hydroxyvitamin D) Concentrations in Basrah, Iraq
Authors: Hussein Ibrahim Hani , Mansou Abbas Ali , Nwayyir Hussein Ali , Abdullah Almomin Ammar Mohammed Saeed , Alibrahim Nassar Taha Yaseen , Alidrisi Haider Ayad , Jabbar Al-Waeli Dheyaa Kadhim , Zaboon Ibrahim Abbood , Hussein Rudha Naser , Mohammed Adel Gassab , Kadhim Muayad Baheer , Ali Alhamza Ali Hussain
Published: January 2022

Background: People from our region need a higher dose of vitamin D to maintain their serum 25(OH)D levels at concentrations greater than 20 ng/mL. This study aimed to obtain real data on vitamin D status in Basrah. Methods: Retrospective data analysis of patients seen over 2 years from May 2017 to the end of May 2019 at the Faiha Specialized Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolism Centre (FDEMC) in Basrah, a tertiary referring center of southern Iraq. Results: The cohort included 3692 persons. Vitamin D deficiency was evident among 62.5% of the studied persons (66.5% of women and 48.7% of men). Univariate analysis for factors associated with vitamin D deficiency found it was significantly associated with female sex (OR, 2.095; 95% CI, 1.793 to 2.448; P<0.0001), age less than 44 years (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 2.328 to 3.065; P<0.0001), nonmarried status (including single, widow and divorced) (OR, 0.768; 95% CI, 0.656 to 0.900; P<0.0001), nulliparous or unmarried status (OR, 0.684; 95% CI, 0.583 to 0.803; P<0.0001), housewife status (OR, 0.806; 95% CI, 0.673 to 0.967; P=0.020), and rural status (OR, 1.195; 95% CI, 1.034 to 1.382; P=0.016). No significant association was found between vitamin D deficiency and BMI. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, only female sex (OR, 0.513; 95% CI, 0.437 to 0.603; P<0.0001) and age less than 44 years (OR, 2.662; 95% CI, 2.252 to 3.147; P<0.0001), nulliparous or unmarried (OR, 0.814; 95% CI, 0.680 to 0.973; P=0.024) and rural residency (OR, 0.773; 95% CI, 0.647 to 0.924; P<0.0001) remained significantly associated. Conclusion: Women, a younger age, nulliparous, and a rural residency were associated with vitamin D deficiency.
Dynamic measurement of three-dimensional absolute displacements using dual-camera multiplexed digital holography
Authors: Pan Yun , Wang Kaifu
Published: January 2022

Digital holography has been frequently used to measure the micro-deformation in mechanical tests due to its full-field measurement with high resolution and accuracy. To measure dynamic three-dimensional absolute displacements without a known reference displacement, a new technique based on the combination of off-axis multiplexed digital holography and stereo photogrammetry is proposed. Under the illumination of two different wavelength lasers along various directions, two off-axis multiplexed holograms recorded by the dual-camera system are used to extract four phase maps with different sensitivity vectors simultaneously. Meanwhile, the variation of sensitivity vectors and registration of phase maps are carried out by the object shape measured by the dual-camera system. By the four registered phases with four varying sensitivity vectors, three-dimensional absolute displacements can be determined. The feasibility of our method is well demonstrated by a quantitative experiment and finite element analysis, and the dynamic measurement of a resistor undergoing thermal expansion is presented.
Integrated Fabry–Perot filter with wideband noise suppression for satellite-based daytime quantum key distribution
Authors: Han Liying , Li Yang , Xu Ping , Tao Xueying , Luo Wenbin , Cai Wenqi , Liao Shengkai , Peng Chengzhi
Published: January 2022

Spectral filtering is essential in daytime quantum key distribution (QKD), which can suppress the strong background noise caused by scattered solar irradiation. An integrated Fabry–Perot filter is implemented based on a scheme that combines a Fabry–Perot etalon and a dense-wavelength-division-multiplex filter for narrow linewidth filtering and broad-spectrum noise suppression, respectively. This filter is integrated into a butterfly package with single-mode fibers for optical input and output, thereby enhancing high robustness and ease of use. The measurement results show that the filter has a linewidth of 25.6 pm, a noise suppression of over 44.7 dB ranging between 1380–1760 nm, an optical efficiency of 74.5% with variation less than 0.9% in 120 min, and a polarization fidelity after compensation exceeding 99.9%. The ability of fine-tuning the central wavelength with 9.5 pm/°C makes it very suitable for satellite-based applications under the Doppler effect. Further analysis is also given to demonstrate the prospects of applying this filter in future satellite-based daytime QKD applications.
Specific features of the VCSEL spectra under microwave current modulation
Authors: Tsygankov E. A. , Zibrov S. A. , Vaskovskaya M. I. , Chuchelov D. S. , Vassiliev V. V. , Velichansky V. L. , Drakin A. E. , Bogatov A. P.
Published: January 2022

The optical spectrum of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser under microwave frequency current modulation is asymmetric in most cases, i.e., sidebands equidistant from the carrier have unequal powers. Spectra asymmetry is conventionally explained as a result of amplitude modulation affecting a phase-modulated field, but this approach does not give a comprehensive description of the asymmetry. We performed a sequential analysis based on Maxwell’s equations accounting for the nonlinear interaction of five spectral components of the laser field. This approach predicted a non-global asymmetry of the spectrum and a new resonant feature in the dependence of the second sidebands’ power ratio on the injection current, which we demonstrate experimentally.
Randomized probe imaging through deep k-learning
Authors: Guo Zhen , Levitan Abraham , Barbastathis George , Comin Riccardo
Published: January 2022

Randomized probe imaging (RPI) is a single-frame diffractive imaging method that uses highly randomized light to reconstruct the spatial features of a scattering object. The reconstruction process, known as phase retrieval, aims to recover a unique solution for the object without measuring the far-field phase information. Typically, reconstruction is done via time-consuming iterative algorithms. In this work, we propose a fast and efficient deep learning based method to reconstruct phase objects from RPI data. The method, which we call deep k-learning, applies the physical propagation operator to generate an approximation of the object as an input to the neural network. This way, the network no longer needs to parametrize the far-field diffraction physics, dramatically improving the results. Deep k-learning is shown to be computationally efficient and robust to Poisson noise. The advantages provided by our method may enable the analysis of far larger datasets in photon starved conditions, with important applications to the study of dynamic phenomena in physical science and biological engineering.
Mid-infrared broadband circular polarizer based on Weyl semimetals
Authors: Yang Chiyu , Zhao Bo , Cai Wenshan , Zhang Zhuomin M.
Published: January 2022

As a three-dimensional topological phase of matter, Weyl semimetals possess extremely large gyrotropic optical response in the mid-infrared region, leading to the strong chiral anomaly. This study proposes a circular polarizer design with a double-WSM-layer structure. It is theoretically shown that the proposed polarizer possesses a high circular polarization efficiency and high average transmittance in the wavelength region from 9 µm to 15 µm at incidence angles up to 50°. The modified 4 × 4 matrix method is used to calculate the circularly polarized transmittance of Weyl semimetals in thin-film or multilayer structures. The temperature dependence on the transmittance is also examined to demonstrate the flexibility of the proposed polarizer in a varying temperature environment. This study reveals the technological prospect that Weyl semimetals are promising candidates for high-performance circular polarizers in infrared spectroscopy and polarimetry.
Resonance mode analysis of DNA self-assembled metamolecules with an effective refractive index model
Authors: Fukuhara Masashi , Tachiiri Yoshiaki
Published: January 2022

We investigated the feasibility of a simple effective refractive index model based on the finite-difference time-domain method for DNA self-assembled metamolecules. Metamolecules were fabricated with Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) and a two-layer rectangular DNA template. Simulated scattering spectra for AuNPs placed on the template (neff = 1.3), self-assembled DNA dimers (neff = 1.34), and quadrumers (neff = 1.5) matched well with experimental results. Dipolar and Fano-like resonances were predicted from the calculated field distribution. These results indicate that we can easily estimate the resonance mode of fabricated metamolecules on a glass substrate, even when they are surrounded by complex materials such as DNA, by using a simple refractive index model.
Single-shot optical sectioning microscopy based on structured illumination
Authors: Fu Zhiqiang , Chen Jialong , Liu Gan , Chen Shih-Chi
Published: January 2022

In this Letter, we present a single-shot 3D-resolved structured illumination microscopy (SIM) based on a digital micromirror device (DMD), a galvanometric mirror, and the HiLo algorithm. During imaging, the DMD rapidly generates sinusoidal and plane illuminations in the focal region. By synchronizing the DMD with a galvanometric scanner and exploiting the unique data readout process of the camera, the emissions from the specimen under two different illuminations, i.e., structured and uniform illumination, are projected to different regions on a camera, achieving high-resolution single-exposure optical sectioning at the camera’s limiting speed, i.e., 200 Hz, without sacrificing the resolution. A model has been developed to guide the design and optimization of the optical system. Imaging experiments on pollen and mouse kidney samples have been performed to verify the predicted performance. The results show that the single-shot SIM with the HiLo algorithm achieves comparable resolution to the standard two-shot HiLo method with a twofold speed enhancement, which may find important applications in biophotonics, e.g., visualizing high-speed biological events in vivo.
Tailoring of embedded dielectric alumina film in AlGaAs epilayer by selective thermal oxidation
Authors: Tavani Giulio , Chiappini Andrea , Fedorov Alexey , Scotognella Francesco , Sanguinetti Stefano , Chrastina Daniel , Bollani Monica
Published: January 2022

Vertical optical confinement is a critical requirement for a wide range of III-V photonic devices where Al2O3 material is the typical oxide used due to its low refractive index. This oxide layer can be formed from the oxidation of AlAs in an epitaxial GaAs/AlAs/GaAs or AlGaAs/AlAs/GaAs stack, with the advantage that the top layer remains single-crystalline. The thick film oxidation of AlAs is required for photonic applications. In this article, we report the oxidation processes developed to fully convert AlAs to AlOx films by analyzing both thin (100 nm) and thick (500 nm) AlAs films on GaAs (001) and 2° miscut GaAs (111)A substrate. Systematic microscopic characterization is performed to demonstrate the absence of any delamination at the oxide interfaces and the evolution of the diffusive oxidation process microscopically characterized is compared with an optical (µ-Raman) characterization. We demonstrate the selectivity of the AlAs oxidation process with respect to the active Al0.18Ga0.82As layer and the GaAs substrate. Finally, the proposed method is adopted to create a high refractive index contrast between the active optical material and the environment in the specific case of a III-V photonic crystal device, highlighting the potential of this approach for non-linear photonic applications.
Mutually testing source-device-independent quantum random number generator
Authors: Cheng Jialin , Qin Jiliang , Liang Shaocong , Li Jiatong , Yan Zhihui , Jia Xiaojun , Peng Kunchi
Published: January 2022

Quantum random numbers have an incomparable advantage over pseudo-random numbers since randomness originates from intrinsic property of quantum mechanics. The generation rate and the security of quantum random numbers are two significant indicators of a quantum random number generator (QRNG) for practical applications. Here we propose a mutually testing source-device-independent QRNG by simultaneously measuring a pair of conjugate quadratures from two separate parts of an untrusted continuous-variable quantum state. The amounts of randomness of the quadratures can be mutually estimated by each other via entropic uncertainty principle. Instead of randomly toggling between the conjugate quadratures of one state for collecting different types of data, two quadratures can generate check data and raw bits simultaneously and continuously in this mutually testing manner, which enhances the equivalent generation rate of private random bits to around 6 Gbit/s with a 7.5 mW laser beam. Moreover, the overall security is also improved by adjusting the conditional min-entropy in real time according to the continually monitored fluctuations of the local oscillator and the randomly measured electronic noise of homodyne detectors.