bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Garcinone-E exhibits anticancer effects in HeLa human cervical carcinoma cells mediated via programmed cell death, cell cycle arrest and suppression of cell migration and invasion
Authors: Yang Linli , Xu Zhen , Wang Wuliang
Published: July 2020

Xanthones are an important class of natural compounds bearing huge bioactivity profiles. Garcinone-E is one among most active xanthones showing potential anticancer activity against various human cancer cell lines. Therefore, the current study was performed to explore the anticancer potency of naturally occurring garcinone-E xanthone against human HeLa cervical cancer cells. The underlying mechanism of action was also tried to be explored via testifying its induction of programmed cell death, arrest of cell cycle, suppression of cell migration, cell invasion and cell adhesion. MTT assay was implemented to estimate the viability of HeLa cells after garcinone-E exposure and clonogenic assay was used to analyze the effect on clonogenic potential. Acridine orange/ethidium bromine (AO/EB) staining assay was performed for monitoring of programmed cell death along with western blotting. Flow cytometric studies were carried out to analyze cell cycle check points. Transwell chambers assays were carried out for studying the impact of garcinone-E on migration and invasion potency of HeLa cells. Western blotting was used to study the expressions of apoptosis linked proteins in HeLa cells. Results indicated that garcinone-E remarkably decreased the viability to minimum in HeLa cells in both dose and time-reliant manner. The clonogenic capacity of HeLa cells was efficiently reduced by garcinone exposure. AO/EB staining showed that the anti-viability action of garcinone-E was apoptosis allied which was supported by western blotting as well. The cell cycle check points study indicated cell cycle arrest at G2/M-phase. HeLa cell migration and invasion were reduced efficiently after being subjected to garcinone-E treatment in a dose reliant fashion. In conclusion, garcinone-E has a remarkable potential to act as anti-cervical cancer chemopreventive provided further in vivo studies are required.
Correction to: Temporal transcriptional patterns of cyanophage genes suggest synchronized infection of cyanobacteria in the oceans
Authors: Chen Yue , Zeng Qinglu
Published: July 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Recent eruption history inferred from eruption ages of the two latest lava flows using multi-dating at Yokodake Volcano, Japan
Authors: Nitta Hiroya , Saito Takeshi , Shitaoka Yorinao
Published: July 2020

Reconstruction of the eruption history of an active volcano is necessary to elucidate its volcanic activity and to assess the probability of its volcanic eruption. Yokodake volcano in central Japan is the only active volcano among the Yatsugatake volcano group. It has effused nine lava flows, most of which have not been dated. For this study, we ascertained the eruption ages of the latest lava (Y9) and second most recent lava (Y8) using radiocarbon (14C), thermoluminescence (TL), and paleomagnetic dating methods. Results revealed the eruption ages of the two lava flows and the recent eruption history of Yokodake volcano. Yokodake volcano effused its Y8 lava flow at ca. 3.4 ka, ejected NYk-2 tephra with explosive eruption at ca. 2.4–2.2 ka, and effused the Y9 lava flow associated with Y9-T tephra at ca. 0.6 ka. Magma eruption rates of Yokodake at 34 ky and 3.4 ky were estimated as about 9 × 10−3 km3/ky and 1 × 10−2 km3/ky, indicating a stable eruption rate maintained during the past 34 ky. This result suggests that Yokodake volcano retains some potential for eruption, although the volcanic activity of the Yatsugatake volcanoes (10−1–10−2 km3/ky) has weakened over time.
Influence of adult diet on biological parameters of the housefly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae)
Authors: Ganda Haffizou , Abihona Hermann A. , Zannou-Boukari Elisabeth T. , Kenis Marc , Chrysostome Christophe A. A. M. , Mensah Guy A.
Published: July 2020

Background

Housefly (Musca domestica L. 1758) larvae are used in various parts of the world for animal feeding either by exposing substrates for natural oviposition or in industrial systems involving an adult rearing unit to produce eggs that are then placed in a substrate suitable for larval development. In order to develop M. domestica rearing system in Benin, effects of five types of food (pineapple, papaya, banana, honey, and a mixture of milk + sugar) on some biological parameters (female fecundity, adult mortality, egg hatching, pupation, and emergence time and rates) have been evaluated.

Results

Flies fed with pineapple and milk + sugar showed the highest fecundity (respectively 321 and 325 eggs per female within 10 days). Adult mortality rates decreased significantly with flies fed with honey (27% in 10 days) and milk + sugar (37%) compared to flies fed on local fruits (57 to 62%). Only minor differences were observed between the five foods in egg hatching, pupation and emergence rates.

Conclusion

This study showed that pineapple can be used to feed M. domestica instead of the conventional and more expensive milk + sugar mixture without major impact on the efficiency of M. domestica rearing.
Toxic effects of an organophosphate pesticide, envoy 50 SC on the histopathological, hematological, and brain acetylcholinesterase activities in stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis)
Authors: Akter Rabeya , Pervin Mst Arzu , Jahan Halima , Rakhi Sharmin Ferdewsi , Reza A. H. M. Mohsinul , Hossain Zakir
Published: July 2020

Background

Freshwater fish in Bangladesh are adversely affected by the washed off pesticides, used in agriculture. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impacts of a commonly used organophosphate pesticide on freshwater stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis, which envisioned that the possible threats might occur by this organophosphate group to other species in the wild.

Methodology

To study the potential hazards of Envoy 50 SC on H. fossilis, fry of the fish were exposed to the acute toxicity tests. Changes in the hematological parameters, organ-specific histomorphologies, and brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities were determined by treating the fish with agricultural recommended dose and below that dose of 0.015 and 0.0075 ppm, respectively.

Results

LC50 of Envoy 50 SC for the fish was determined as 0.151 (0.014–0.198) ppm. Pesticide abruptly altered the normal tissue structures of the gill, liver, and kidney. The major alterations included were the gill lamellae missing, gill clubbing, hyperplasia, nuclear hypertrophy, vacuolation, glomerular expansion, increasing diameter of the renal tubules, hemorrhage, necrosis, and pyknosis. In blood cells, changes observed in the peripheral nuclear erythrocyte were large lymphocyte, dead cell, fusion of the cells, binucleated cells, tear-shaped cells, ghost cells, senile cells, and abnormal structures of the cells. Significantly lower (P < 0.05) red blood cell (RBC) count and AChE activities in fish brain due to the pesticide exposure suggested the reasons of abrupt behavior, increased oxygen consumption, and fish mortality at higher concentration of this organophosphate pesticide.

Conclusion

The presence of pesticides, even at low concentrations, caused deleterious effects on the earlier life stages of a comparatively harder and robust fish, suggesting a wider range effect on the more sensitive wild life, in particular decrease in survival in their native environment. Therefore, measures should be taken to minimize the risk of contamination of the aquatic environment by such toxic chemicals.
The searching algorithm for detecting a Markovian target based on maximizing the discounted effort reward search
Authors: Abd Allah El-Hadidy Mohamed
Published: July 2020

This paper presents the searching algorithm to detect a Markovian target which moves randomly in M-cells. Our algorithm is based on maximizing the discounted effort reward search. At each fixed number of time intervals, the search effort is a random variable with a normal distribution. More than minimizing the non-detection probability of the targets at time interval i, we seek for the optimal distribution of the search effort by maximizing the discounted effort reward search. We present some special cases of one Markovian and hidden target. Experimental results for a Markovian, hidden target are obtained and compared with the cases of applying and without applying the discounted effort reward search.
Qualitative Study of Pediatric Early Warning Systems’ Impact on Interdisciplinary Communication in Two Pediatric Oncology Hospitals With Varying Resources
Authors: Graetz Dylan , Kaye Erica C. , Garza Marcela , Ferrara Gia , Rodriguez Mario , Soberanis Vásquez Dora Judith , Méndez Aceituno Alejandra , Antillon-Klussmann Federico , Gattuso Jami S. , Mandrell Belinda N. , Baker Justin N. , Rodriguez-Galindo Carlos , Mack Jennifer W. , Agulnik Asya
Published: July 2020

PURPOSE

Hospitalized pediatric oncology patients are at high risk of deterioration and require frequent interdisciplinary communication to deliver high-quality care. Pediatric early warning systems (PEWS) are used by hospitals to reduce deterioration, but it is unknown how these systems affect communication about patient care in high- and limited-resource pediatric oncology settings.

METHODS

This qualitative study included semistructured interviews describing PEWS and subsequent team communication at 2 pediatric cancer centers, 1 in the United States and 1 in Guatemala. Participants included nurses, and frontline and intensive care providers who experienced recent deterioration events. Transcripts were coded and analyzed inductively using MAXQDA software.

RESULTS

The study included 41 providers in Guatemala and 42 providers in the United States (33 nurses, 30 ward providers, and 20 pediatric intensive care providers). Major themes identified include “hierarchy,” “empowerment,” “quality and method of communication,” and “trigger.” All providers described underlying medical hierarchies affecting the quality of communication regarding patient deterioration events and identified PEWS as empowering. Participants from the United States described the algorithmic approach to care and technology associated with PEWS contributing to impaired clinical judgement and a lack of communication. In both settings, PEWS sparked interdisciplinary communication and inspired action.

CONCLUSION

PEWS enhance interdisciplinary communication in high- and limited-resource study settings by empowering bedside providers. Traditional hierarchies contributed to negative communication and, in well-resourced settings, technology and automation resulted in lack of communication. Understanding contextual elements is integral to optimizing PEWS and improving pediatric oncology outcomes in hospitals of all resource levels.
Sorafenib Maintenance After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Acute Myeloid Leukemia With FLT3–Internal Tandem Duplication Mutation (SORMAIN)
Authors: Burchert Andreas , Bug Gesine , Fritz Lea V. , Finke Jürgen , Stelljes Matthias , Röllig Christoph , Wollmer Ellen , Wäsch Ralph , Bornhäuser Martin , Berg Tobias , Lang Fabian , Ehninger Gerhard , Serve Hubert , Zeiser Robert , Wagner Eva-Maria , Kröger Nicolaus , Wolschke Christine , Schleuning Michael , Götze Katharina S. , Schmid Christoph , Crysandt Martina , Eßeling Eva , Wolf Dominik , Wang Ying , Böhm Alexandra , Thiede Christian , Haferlach Torsten , Michel Christian , Bethge Wolfgang , Wündisch Thomas , Brandts Christian , Harnisch Susanne , Wittenberg Michael , Hoeffkes Heinz-Gert , Rospleszcz Susanne , Burchardt Alexander , Neubauer Andreas , Brugger Markus , Strauch Konstantin , Schade-Brittinger Carmen , Metzelder Stephan K.
Published: July 2020

PURPOSE

Despite undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT), patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with internal tandem duplication mutation in the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 gene ( FLT3-ITD) have a poor prognosis, frequently relapse, and die as a result of AML. It is currently unknown whether a maintenance therapy using FLT3 inhibitors, such as the multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor sorafenib, improves outcome after HCT.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind phase II trial (SORMAIN; German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00000591), 83 adult patients with FLT3-ITD–positive AML in complete hematologic remission after HCT were randomly assigned to receive for 24 months either the multitargeted and FLT3-kinase inhibitor sorafenib (n = 43) or placebo (n = 40 placebo). Relapse-free survival (RFS) was the primary endpoint of this trial. Relapse was defined as relapse or death, whatever occurred first.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 41.8 months, the hazard ratio (HR) for relapse or death in the sorafenib group versus placebo group was 0.39 (95% CI, 0.18 to 0.85; log-rank P = .013). The 24-month RFS probability was 53.3% (95% CI, 0.36 to 0.68) with placebo versus 85.0% (95% CI, 0.70 to 0.93) with sorafenib (HR, 0.256; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.65; log-rank P = .002). Exploratory data show that patients with undetectable minimal residual disease (MRD) before HCT and those with detectable MRD after HCT derive the strongest benefit from sorafenib.

CONCLUSION

Sorafenib maintenance therapy reduces the risk of relapse and death after HCT for FLT3-ITD–positive AML.
Total Body Irradiation and Risk of Breast Cancer After Blood or Marrow Transplantation: A Blood or Marrow Transplantation Survivor Study Report
Authors: McDonald Andrew M. , Chen Yanjun , Wu Jessica , Hageman Lindsey , Francisco Liton , Kung Michelle , Wong F. Lennie , Ness Emily , Landier Wendy , Battles Kevin , Salzman Donna , Weisdorf Daniel J. , Forman Stephen J. , Arora Mukta , Armenian Saro H. , Bhatia Smita
Published: July 2020

PURPOSE

To examine the association between total body irradiation (TBI) and subsequent breast cancer in women treated with blood or marrow transplantation (BMT) for hematologic malignancies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Participants were drawn from the BMT Survivor Study (BMTSS), a retrospective cohort study that included patients who underwent transplantation between 1974 and 2014 and survived for ≥ 2 years after BMT. Patients with pre-BMT chest radiation or a history of breast cancer were excluded. Participants completed the BMTSS survey, which included details regarding breast cancer diagnosis. Subsequent breast cancer was confirmed by pathology report review or physician notes. Cox proportional hazards models assessed the association between TBI and subsequent breast cancer. Standardized incidence ratios were calculated to determine the excess risk of subsequent breast cancer compared with that in the general population.

RESULTS

A total of 1,464 female BMT survivors (allogeneic: n = 788; autologous: n = 676) participated, with a median follow-up of 9.3 years from BMT. TBI was used in 660 patients (46%). Thirty-seven women developed subsequent breast cancer (allogeneic: n = 19; autologous: n = 18). Multivariable analysis revealed that exposure to TBI was associated with an increased risk of subsequent breast cancer among allogeneic BMT survivors (hazard ratio [HR], 3.7 [95% CI, 1.2 to 11.8]; P = .03) and autologous BMT survivors (HR, 2.6 [95% CI, 1.0 to 6.8]; P = .048). Pre-BMT exposure to alkylating agents was associated with an increased risk of subsequent breast cancer among autologous BMT survivors (HR, 3.3 [95% CI, 1.0 to 9.0]; P = .05). Compared with that in the general population, exposure to TBI at age < 30 years was associated with a 4.4-fold higher risk of subsequent breast cancer in allogeneic BMT survivors and a 4.6-fold higher risk in autologous BMT survivors.

CONCLUSION

The association between TBI and subsequent breast cancer, especially among those exposed at a young age, as well as pre-BMT exposure to alkylating agents, should inform breast cancer screening for early detection.
A Comprehensive Update on Aspirin Management During Noncardiac Surgery
Authors: Gerstein Neal S. , Albrechtsen Cory L. , Mercado Nestor , Cigarroa Joaquin E. , Schulman Peter M.
Published: July 2020

Aspirin is considered critical lifelong therapy for patients with established cardiovascular (CV) disease (including coronary artery, cerebrovascular, and peripheral arterial diseases) and is consequently one of the most widely used medications worldwide. However, the indications for aspirin use continue to evolve and recent trials question its efficacy for primary prevention. Although one third of patients undergoing noncardiac surgery and at risk for a major adverse CV event receive aspirin perioperatively, uncertainty still exists about how aspirin should be optimally managed in this context, and significant practice variability remains. Recent trials suggest that the risks of continuing aspirin during the perioperative period outweigh the benefits in many cases, but data on patients with high CV risk remain limited. We performed a comprehensive PubMed and Medline literature search using the following keywords: aspirin, aspirin withdrawal, perioperative, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease, and CV disease; we manually reviewed all relevant citations for inclusion. Patients taking aspirin for the primary prevention of CV disease should likely discontinue it during the perioperative period, especially when there is a high risk of bleeding. Patients with established CV disease but without a coronary stent should likely continue aspirin during the perioperative period unless undergoing closed-space surgery. Patients with a history of coronary stenting also likely need aspirin continuation throughout the perioperative period for nonclosed space procedures. Perioperative clinicians need to balance the risks of ceasing aspirin before surgery against its continuation during the perioperative interval using a patient-specific strategy. The guidance on decision-making with regard to perioperative aspirin cessation or continuation using currently available clinical data from studies in high-risk patients along with nonclinical aspirin studies is conflicting and does not enable a simplified or unified answer. However, pertinent guidelines on CV disease management provide a basic framework for aspirin management, and large trial findings provide some insight into the safety of perioperative aspirin cessation in some contexts, although uncertainty on perioperative aspirin still exists. This review provides an evidence-based update on perioperative aspirin management in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery with a focus on recommendations for perioperative clinicians on continuing versus holding aspirin during this context.
Preoperative Pressure Pain Threshold Is Associated With Postoperative Pain in Short-Stay Anorectal Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Luedi Markus M. , Schober Patrick , Hammoud Bassam , Andereggen Lukas , Hoenemann Christian , Doll Dietrich
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND:

Postoperative pain management is key for patient satisfaction. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) has been studied in some surgical cohorts but has not been studied in relationship to acute postoperative pain in short-stay patients undergoing anorectal surgery. We hypothesized that preoperative finger PPT measurements can identify respective patients with higher postoperative pain. Aiming to understand the relationship with subjective postoperative pain perception, we tested the hypotheses that preoperative PPT is associated with postoperative Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores and correlates with postoperative analgesic consumption in short-stay patients undergoing anorectal surgery.

METHODS:

We prospectively assessed preoperative PPT in a cohort undergoing anorectal surgery, known as a moderately to severely painful procedure. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the relationship with postoperative VAS pain scores at 1 and 3 days as well as 4 weeks postoperatively. Logistic regression was used to study the relationship with additional postoperative analgesic consumption.

RESULTS:

We studied 128 patients and found that preoperative PPT is significantly associated with postoperative pain (P value for interaction = .025). Logistic regression modeling additionally revealed an association between the preoperative PPT and the need for additional postoperative analgesics, with odds of requiring additional analgesia decreasing by about 10% for each 1-point increase in PPT (odds ratio [OR] = 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 00.81–0.98; P = .012).

CONCLUSIONS:

Preoperative finger PPT is associated with postoperative pain and might help identify patients who are at risk of developing more severe postoperative pain on anorectal surgery. Especially in ambulatory and short-stay settings, this approach can help to address patients’ high variability in pain sensitivity to facilitate appropriate postoperative analgesia, timely discharge, and prevent readmission.
Unexplained Methemoglobinemia in Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Case Report
Authors: Faisal Hina , Bloom Alexi , Gaber A. Osama
Published: July 2020

Methemoglobinemia is a rare disorder of the blood in which there is an increase in methemoglobin, which occurs when hemoglobin is present in the oxidized form. Methemoglobin impairs hemoglobin’s ability to transport oxygen, produces functional anemia, and leads to tissue hypoxia. We report the successful management of a case of refractory hypoxia due to acutely acquired methemoglobinemia in a patient undergoing treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. The cause of methemoglobinemia in this patient remains unknown. Hypoxia and methemoglobinemia did not respond to methylene blue and required administration of packed red blood cell transfusions.
Genre Conflation and Fictional Religiosity inGuilian meng(Returning to the Lotus Dream)
Authors: Li Mengjun
Published: July 2020

The early Qing (1644–1911) midlength vernacular novel Guilian meng 歸蓮夢 (Returning to the Lotus Dream, hereafter Lotus Dream), attributed to Su'an zhuren 蘇庵主人 (Master of Su'an, hereafter Su'an), features a triple hybrid narrative: a hagiographic account of the female protagonist's path to Buddhist enlightenment, a scholar-beauty romance, and a heroic military adventure. Although Su'an (himself a lay Buddhist) claims to preach Buddhist teachings through the novel, the text does not represent the exclusive voice of a single religion or belief system. Instead, its hybrid narrative allows Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, and the teachings of other popular sects to interact, intertwine, and compete. This essay argues that the novel's narrative amalgamation is a result of the author's conscious adherence to established genre conventions and market tastes, while it quietly subsumes other religious beliefs into its own Buddhism. In its own way, the novel reflects the larger trend of syncretism, found in literary and religious practices alike in the seventeenth century. As such, Lotus Dream offers us a good example of “fictional religiosity,” encompassing both the religious elements scattered throughout vernacular novels and these novels' growing cultural authority. The religiosity of fiction is best understood in light of the notion of xiaoshuo jiao 小說教 (cult/teachings of fiction), denoting the genre's quasi-religious power of persuasion. Lotus Dream thus serves as an excellent starting point for a reconsideration of the spiritual authority that vernacular novels exercised in the Qing dynasty.
Recent advances in understanding and managing chordomas: an update
Authors: Connors Scott W. , Aoun Salah G. , Shi Chen , Peinado-Reyes Valery , Hall Kristen , Bagley Carlos A.
Published: July 2020

Chordomas are rare and difficult-to-treat tumors arising from the embryonic notochord. While surgery is the mainstay of treatment, and despite new techniques aimed at maximizing total tumoral resection, recurrence remains high and the probability of disease-free survival low. New breakthroughs in genetics, targeted molecular therapy, and heavy-particle beam therapy offer some promise as adjuvant treatments in addition to surgical resection. A multidisciplinary approach encompassing genetics, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery, at a facility experienced in the management of this complex disease, offers the best chance of survival and quality of life to patients while limiting the intrinsic morbidity of these treatments.
clustifyr: an R package for automated single-cell RNA sequencing cluster classification
Authors: Fu Rui , Gillen Austin E. , Sheridan Ryan M. , Tian Chengzhe , Daya Michelle , Hao Yue , Hesselberth Jay R. , Riemondy Kent A.
Published: July 2020

Assignment of cell types from single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data remains a time-consuming and error-prone process. Current packages for identity assignment use limited types of reference data and often have rigid data structure requirements. We developed the clustifyr R package to leverage several external data types, including gene expression profiles to assign likely cell types using data from scRNA-seq, bulk RNA-seq, microarray expression data, or signature gene lists. We benchmark various parameters of a correlation-based approach and implement gene list enrichment methods. clustifyr is a lightweight and effective cell-type assignment tool developed for compatibility with various scRNA-seq analysis workflows. clustifyr is publicly available at https://github.com/rnabioco/clustifyr
Worst-Case Expected Shortfall with Univariate and Bivariate Marginals
Authors: Dhara Anulekha , Das Bikramjit , Natarajan Karthik
Published: July 2020

Computing and minimizing the worst-case bound on the expected shortfall risk of a portfolio given partial information on the distribution of the asset returns is an important problem in risk management. One such bound that been proposed is for the worst-case distribution that is “close” to a reference distribution where closeness in distance among distributions is measured using [Formula: see text]-divergence. In this paper, we advocate the use of such ambiguity sets with a tree structure on the univariate and bivariate marginal distributions. Such an approach has attractive modeling and computational properties. From a modeling perspective, this provides flexibility for risk management applications where there are many more choices for bivariate copulas in comparison with multivariate copulas. Bivariate copulas form the basis of the nested tree structure that is found in vine copulas. Because estimating a vine copula is fairly challenging, our approach provides robust bounds that are valid for the tree structure that is obtained by truncating the vine copula at the top level. The model also provides flexibility in tackling instances when the lower dimensional marginal information is inconsistent that might arise when multiple experts provide information. From a computational perspective, under the assumption of a tree structure on the bivariate marginals, we show that the worst-case expected shortfall is computable in polynomial time in the input size when the distributions are discrete. The corresponding distributionally robust portfolio optimization problem is also solvable in polynomial time. In contrast, under the assumption of independence, the expected shortfall is shown to be #P-hard to compute for discrete distributions. We provide numerical examples with simulated and real data to illustrate the quality of the worst-case bounds in risk management and portfolio optimization and compare it with alternate probabilistic models such as vine copulas and Markov tree distributions.
What will children's services look like in the future?
Authors: Hancock David
Published: July 2020

This year's Infant Mental Health Week coincided with the global coronavirus pandemic. This article highlights some of the themes and topics explored to try to make sense of the possible effects of COVID-19 on children's services
What can surgeons do to increase the appeal of a surgical career?
Authors: Twigg Victoria
Published: July 2020

A look at what might be putting medical students off pursuing a career in surgery.
Should all surgical trainees rotate through the emergency department?
Authors: Yuen J , Graham B , Bullough R
Published: July 2020

Reflection from a neurosurgical trainee.
Method for black ice detection on roads using tri-wavelength backscattering measurements
Authors: Ma Xinxu , Ruan Chi
Published: July 2020

This paper provides a method of detecting black ice on a road surface by multiwavelength noncontact optical technology. The laser sources, wavelengths of 1310, 1430, and 1550 nm, were irradiated on the road surface. Then, we define the ratio of the backscattering power under a certain condition to the backscattering power under dry conditions as the normalized reflectance. It is found that the normalized reflectance under dry, water, black ice, icy, and snowy conditions is different. Therefore, the normalized reflectance can be used to identify black ice on a road surface.
Hematocrit significantly confounds diffuse correlation spectroscopy measurements of blood flow
Authors: Sathialingam Eashani , Williams Evelyn Kendall , Lee Seung Yup , McCracken Courtney E. , Lam Wilbur A. , Buckley Erin M.
Published: July 2020

Diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) is an optical modality used to measure an index of blood flow in biological tissue. This blood flow index depends on both the red blood cell flow rate and density (i.e., hematocrit), although the functional form of hematocrit dependence is not well delineated. Herein, we develop and validate a novel tissue-simulating phantom containing hundreds of microchannels to investigate the influence of hematocrit on blood flow index. For a fixed flow rate, we demonstrate a significant inverse relationship between hematocrit and blood flow index that must be accounted for to accurately estimate blood flow under anemic conditions.
Bidirectional optical neuromodulation using capacitive charge-transfer
Authors: Melikov Rustamzhon , Srivastava Shashi Bhushan , Karatum Onuralp , Dogru-Yuksel Itir Bakis , Dikbas Ugur Meric , Kavakli Ibrahim Halil , Nizamoglu Sedat
Published: July 2020

Artificial control of neural activity allows for understanding complex neural networks and improving therapy of neurological disorders. Here, we demonstrate that utilization of photovoltaic biointerfaces combined with light waveform shaping can generate safe capacitive currents for bidirectional modulation of neurons. The differential photoresponse of the biointerface due to double layer capacitance facilitates the direction control of capacitive currents depending on the slope of light intensity. Moreover, the strength of capacitive currents is controlled by changing the rise and fall time slope of light intensity. This approach allows for high-level control of the hyperpolarization and depolarization of membrane potential at single-cell level. Our results pave the way toward advanced bioelectronic functionalities for wireless and safe control of neural activity.
Efficient characterization of optical vortices via diffraction from parabolic-line linear gratings
Authors: Amiri Pouria , Mardan Dezfouli Ali , Rasouli Saifollah
Published: July 2020

The diffraction from a linear grating having a quadratic curvature on
its lines is proposed for vortex beam characterization. Three types of
transmission functions are considered for the gratings, including pure
amplitude, pure phase, and hybrid amplitude and phase profiles. The
first-order diffraction of the vortex beam through such gratings is
only a set of elongated intensity spots. The number of spots
determines the value of the topological charge (TC), and the sign of
the TC can be distinguished with the elongation (and rotation)
direction of the spots. This method is effective because over a given
diffraction order, all of the energy of the beam transfers into the
bright bar-like spots. Another advantage of the method is its ease of
use, because it is not sensitive to the relative location of the beam
axis and the grating center. Using a spatial light modulator, we
provide different hybrid amplitude and phase linear gratings with a
quadratic curvature on their lines and demonstrate the effectiveness
of the proposed method experimentally. Also, the same justification
was done in the diffraction of vortex beams from printed pure
amplitude gratings. We have also investigated the effect of lateral
shearing between the amplitude and phase parts of the hybrid grating
on the resulted diffraction pattern. It is shown that for given values
of lateral shear, one of the first-order diffraction patterns is
eliminated, and the intensity of the other one is maximized. Finally,
we present the key results of the diffraction of optical vortices from
annular amplitude and phase gratings and from phase objects having
linearly increasing phase functions along the radial direction. It is
shown that the diffraction of optical vortices only from the
parabolic-line linear gratings is insensitive to the off-axis value of
the beam and grating centers.
Key space enhancement of a chaos secure communication based on VCSELs with a common phase-modulated electro-optic feedback
Authors: Wang Hongxiang , Lu Tianfeng , Ji Yuefeng
Published: July 2020

In this paper, a novel chaotic secure communication system based on vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSEL) with a common phase-modulated electro-optic (CPMEO) feedback is proposed. The security of the CPMEO system is guaranteed by suppressing the time-delay signature (TDS) with a low-gain electro-optic (EO) feedback loop. Furthermore, the key space is enhanced through a unique secondary encryption method. The first-level encrypted keys are the TDS in the EO feedback loop, and the second-level keys are the physical parameters of the VCSEL under variable-polarization optical feedback. Numerical results show that, compared to the dual-optical feedback system, the TDS of the CPMEO system is suppressed 8 times to less than 0.05 such that they can be completely concealed when the EO gain is 3, and the bandwidth is doubled to over 22 GHz. The error-free 10 Gb/s secure optical transmission can be realized when the time-delay mismatch is controlled within 3 ps. It is shown that the proposed scheme can significantly improve the system performance in TDS concealment, as well as bandwidth and key space enhancement, which has great potential applications in secure dual-channel chaos communication.
Laser-induced ultrasonics for detection of low-amplitude grating through metal layers with finite roughness
Authors: Edward Stephen , Zhang Hao , Witte Stefan , Planken Paul C. M.
Published: July 2020

We report on the use of laser-induced ultrasonics for the detection of gratings with amplitudes as small as 0.5 nm, buried underneath an optically opaque nickel layer. In our experiments, we use gratings fabricated on top of a nickel layer on glass, and we optically pump and probe the sample from the glass side. The diffraction of the probe pulse from the acoustic echo from the buried grating is measured as a function of time. We use a numerical model to show how the various physical phenomena such as interface displacement, strain-optic effects, thermo-optic effects, and surface roughness influence the shape and strength of the time-dependent diffraction signal. More importantly, we use a Rayleigh-Rice scattering theory to quantify the amount of light scattering, which is then used as in input parameter in our numerical model to predict the time-dependent diffracted signal.
Chromium doped zinc selenide optical fiber lasers
Authors: Sparks Justin R. , Aro Stephen C. , He Rongrui , Goetz Melanie L. , Krug James P. , McDaniel Sean A. , Berry Patrick A. , Cook Gary , Schepler Kenneth L. , Sazio Pier J. , Gopalan Venkatraman , Badding John V.
Published: July 2020

The optical fiber geometry is known for rugged, high power laser sources that are preferred for many applications, but is typically limited to the visible and near-infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum due to the transmission limits of silica (< 2 µm). This wavelength range could be extended into the mid-infrared using transition metal doped, crystalline II-VI optical gain media, but these materials cannot be fabricated into optical fibers using conventional glass drawing methods. An in-situ high pressure chemical vapor deposition method for the fabrication of silica-cladded

ZnSe

fiber cores uniformly doped with

Cr

2
+

is reported. Optical pumping experiments reveal that these doped fibers exhibit threshold behavior and thus function as mid-infrared optical fiber lasers. Finite element calculations show that undesirable thermal effects common in bulk II-VI crystals are mitigated in the fiber geometry.
Journalism, Democracy, and Human Rights in Zimbabwe, Bruce Mutsvairo and Cleophas T. Muneri (2019)
Authors: Amah Munachim
Published: July 2020

Review of: Journalism, Democracy, and Human Rights in Zimbabwe, Bruce Mutsvairo and Cleophas T. Muneri (2019)

London: Lexington Books, 164 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-49859-976-4, h/bk, $85.00 (£54.95),

ISBN 978-1-49859-977-1, e/bk, $80.50 (£54.95)
eSport and the exploitation of digital labour
Authors: McCutcheon Christopher , Hitchens Michael
Published: July 2020

Our discussion overviews eSports’ connection to labour, work and the digital economy in an effort to situate and make contextual comment on those issues, finding that there is a particular concern in regard to the economic exploitation of fan-based digital labour, and specifically in relation to digital labour and streaming platforms. Our concern emerges from the powerless individuals of many of the aspirational eSports fan participants within the economic structure of the eSports industry and specifically in relation to online streaming platforms and their advertising sales economic activity. We find that significant further work is required by government and regulators to ensure that power-deficient individuals such as aspirational eSports players and juveniles are not economically exploited by eSports institutions and for-profit streaming services.
Los movimientos activistas del VIH / sida en el cine
Authors: Clua García Rafael , Mestres I Camps Lourdes , De Dios Sánchez Rosa , Terradas Robledo Roser
Published: July 2020

A principios de 1980 la irrupción del VIH / sida generó miedos, discriminación y estigmatización hacia personas y colectivos afectados. Como respuesta, aparecieron movimientos activistas para defender los derechos de las personas con VIH / sida y promover la introducción de tratamientos efectivos y accesibles. Tras más de tres décadas de epidemia, se han filmado varias películas sobre dichos movimientos. Sin embargo, son escasos los estudios que analicen el valor de la participación ciudadana en la lucha del VIH / sida dentro del cine. El objetivo del artículo es describir y analizar las películas más representativas de este fenómeno. Se analizan How to survive a plague, Larry Kramer In Love and Anger, The Normal Heart, 120 battements par minute y Dallas Buyers Club y se discuten con otras relacionadas. Estas películas nos muestran la fuerza de los movimientos activistas para promover la implicación de los gobiernos, las farmacéuticas y los profesionales en la lucha del VIH / sida. Por ello, se proponen unos objetivos para su debate en entornos docentes de las ciencias sociales y de la salud, para continuar apoyando el compromiso y las estrategias de la sociedad civil en los avances de la investigación, los autocuidados y los tratamientos del VIH / sida.
A Síndrome de Burnout em docentes / Burnout Syndrome in Professor's
Authors: Carvalho Miete Pinheiro , Macêdo Maria Erilúcia Cruz
Published: July 2020

Este trabalho trata de um estudo sobre a Síndrome de Burnout em docentes. E teve como objetivo compreender como a Síndrome de Burnout nos docentes está afetando dentro da sala de aula. Analisando as causas e as consequências que a síndrome traz e a partir dos resultados alcançados, sugerir desempenhos para a melhoria da qualidade de vida dos professores. O método de pesquisa utilizado foi desenvolvido por meio de pesquisa bibliográfica, com procura em livros, revistas e artigos científicos. Os resultados do estudo apontam que os docentes em exercício que mostram sinais e sintomas de burnout estão afetando na aprendizagem do aluno e sendo afetados tanto fisicamente quanto mentalmente. Baseado no estudo, foi possível reconhecer o quanto estas adversidades podem afetar a vida profissional e pessoal do docente, verificando o quanto o reconhecimento do trabalho é importante para o equilíbrio do ser humano.
Os Relacionamentos Interpessoais e a Influência no Alcance dos Objetivos Organizacionais / Interpersonal Relationships and the Influence on the Scope of Organizational Goals
Authors: Beserra Edilane Palácio , Macedo Maria Erilúcia Cruz
Published: July 2020

Com a evolução dos tempos as pessoas cada vez mais têm acesso às informações, sabem e buscam seus direitos, desta forma, os clientes estão mais exigentes e as empresas precisam estar mais atentas e buscar superar as expectativas do mercado, atuando de maneira mais arrojada, preocupadas com o bem-estar dos seus colaboradores, pois os benefícios serão notórios se as relações interpessoais forem satisfatórias, gerando mais responsabilidade e compromisso com a empresa. Os colaboradores passam a maior parte do tempo de suas vidas no trabalho, por isso a preocupação em proporcionar um ambiente mais agradável, em que a potencialidade funcional possa ser desenvolvida. Percebemos que é de extrema necessidade detectar os fatores que alteram o clima organizacional para otimização dos resultados, tornando uma empresa mais segura, confiável e produtiva, ajustando o foco dos que compõem o quadro de funcionários, para os interesses convirjam e sejam produzidos e compartilhados em equipe.
A Eficácia da Análise do Comportamento no Tratamento a Pacientes com Transtorno Obsessivo Compulsivo (TOC) / The Effectiveness of Behavior Analysis in Treating Patients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Authors: Leite Madson Márcio De Farias
Published: July 2020

Esta pesquisa surgiu da necessidade de investigar a contribuição da Análise do Comportamento no tratamento de pessoas portadoras do Transtorno Obsessivo-Compulsivo (TOC). O TOC é um transtorno caracterizado por obsessões (pensamentos, ideias ou imagens invasivas) e/ou compulsões (comportamentos repetitivos e voluntários executados pelo indivíduo com o propósito de eliminar ou neutralizar algum pensamento incomodo ou evento ameaçador). A Terapia Comportamental está sendo reconhecida pela sua efetividade no tratamento de problemas pertinentes ao TOC. Uma técnica que tem sido usada como forma de intervenção no tratamento, é a exposição com prevenção de respostas (EPR). Esta técnica vem mostrando resultados na habituação dos indivíduos às situações ansiogênicas e ao bloqueio da resposta de esquiva. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi investigar se a Análise do Comportamento, por meio de suas técnicas, beneficiaria pacientes diagnosticados com TOC. Adotou-se aqui como metodologia a pesquisa bibliográfica, em que se realizou uma busca de artigos procedentes do banco de dados do Scielo e outros trabalhos publicados que tratassem do TOC e a Análise do Comportamento, como suas técnicas aplicadas ao tratamento desse tipo de transtorno. Os artigos encontrados mostraram que os resultados obtidos com a aplicação da técnica em pacientes com o transtorno trouxeram a eles uma melhora nas compulsões e nas ansiedades, fazendo assim com que estes pudessem ter novamente a qualidade de vida a qual tinham antes de serem acometidos pelo TOC. Palavras- chave: transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo, família, tratamento, análise do comportamento
Desafios e Perspectivas do Professor na Educação Inclusiva de Crianças com Deficiência Intelectual/Síndrome de Down / Challenges and Perspectives of the Teacher in the Inclusive Education of Children with Intellectual Disabilities / Down Syndrome
Authors: Leite Madson Márcio De Farias , Mont´Alverne Clara Roseane Da Silva Azevedo
Published: July 2020

O presente estudo surgiu da necessidade de investigar qual seria os desafios e perspectivas do professor no processo de inclusão de crianças com deficiência intelectual/Síndrome de Down, uma vez que esse profissional é de grande contribuição no processo de inclusão escolar, podendo proporcionar melhores condições de aprendizagem e permanência no espaço educacional. O objetivo da pesquisa é analisar quais os desafios e perspectivas do professor na educação inclusiva de crianças com deficiência intelectual/síndrome de down. A prática docente é de extrema importância no processo de aprendizagem, uma vez que o professor passa a ser o elo entre o conhecimento e o estudante, é através da educação que se pode formar cidadãos mais críticos e conhecedores de seus direitos e deveres. A inclusão é um processo essencial na vida das crianças com algumas necessidades especiais, uma vez que é através da inclusão que essas crianças podem de fato conquistar sua cidadania, independência e autonomia. Adotou-se aqui como metodologia a pesquisa bibliográfica, na qual se buscou artigos que tratassem da referida temática. Diante do exposto, esta pesquisa concluiu através da análise dos artigos avaliados que diante de diversos desafios enfrentados pelos professor, este é ainda descrito como um dos profissionais que fazem total diferença na vida dessas crianças, podendo trazer tanto benefícios relacionados ao aprendizado cognitivo, como aspectos relacionados a sua vida de forma integral diante de todas as adversidades imposta pela deficiência.
Novas Ferramentas para encontrar Talentos: Recrutamento e Seleção On-Line / New Tools for Finding Talents: Online Recruitment and Selection
Authors: Duarte Neto Antônio , Bandeira Pablo Sthefano Roque de Souza , Macêdo Maria Erilúcia Cruz
Published: July 2020

Os processos envoltos no sistema de recrutamento e seleção possuem, geralmente, o objetivo de localizar profissionais que estão dentro ou fora do mercado de trabalho para que estes ocupem um determinado perfil solicitado que remete a vaga numa empresa ou instituição. Com a informatização dos processos, o setor de Recursos Humanos, responsável por essa atribuição, passa por uma transformação empírica, transfigurando os modelos até então conhecidos para realizar essa tarefa. O presente trabalho tem como função principal trazer os conceitos de recrutamento e seleção, delineando-os de acordo com as evoluções que estes tem sofrido perante o cenário da informatização, para, logo em seguida, trabalhar as consequências dessas mudanças e categorizá-las como positivas ou negativas. A metodologia escolhida para esse caso em específico foi a pesquisa bibliográfica, a pesquisa documental e a análise de dados de cunho secundário com fundamentação em outros trabalhos científicos que tratam da mesma temática. Além disso, o conceito de Recrutamento e Seleção utilizados foram aqueles encontrados nas obras de Idalberto Chiavenato (2010) e, por isso, o trabalho segue uma linha de justificativa pautada no intuito de trazer novas perspectivas à área dos Recursos Humanos e sua informatização que, como se sabe, é um dos pontos chave para a organização administrativa de uma empresa.