bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The dopamine receptor D4 regulates the proliferation of pulmonary arteries smooth muscle in broilers by downregulating AT1R
Authors: Yang Xiaoqi , Fu Yang , Wu Lianfeng , Li Antong , Ji Luyao , Li Hao , Peng Yuxuan , Zhang Jiabin , Zhou Donghai , Zhou Huiping
Published: August 2021

The major cause of pulmonary vascular remodeling in broilers is abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and one of the main causes of pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS) in broilers is pulmonary artery vascular remodeling. Forty Arbor Acres (AA) broilers were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10): a control group (deionized water, 0 g/L NaCl), a freshwater group (FW, deionized water + 1 g/L NaCl), highly salinized freshwater group 1 (H-SFW-1, deionized water + 2.5 g/L NaCl) and highly salinized freshwater group 2 (H-SFW-2, deionized water + 5 g/L NaCl). The results of in vivo experiments showed that vascular smooth muscle of the broilers could be significantly proliferated by intake of high-salinity fresh water (H-SFW-1 & H-SFW-2), which significantly increased the content of angiotensin II (Ang II) and the expression of angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor protein. Meanwhile, it significantly decreased the expression of dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) protein. The results of in vitro experiments showed that exogenous Ang II induced the proliferation of primary VSMCs in broilers, which could be significantly inhibited by DRD4 agonists (D4A, HY-101384A) and enhanced by DRD4 inhibitors (D4I, HY-B0965). In addition, the results of immunoblotting and fluorescence quantitative PCR showed that AT1 receptors could be negatively regulated by DRD4 in VSMCs of broilers, either at the transcriptional or translational level. At the same time, the expression of AT1 receptor could be increased by DRD4 inhibition by D4I and decreased by DRD4 activation by D4A. The negative regulatory effect of DRD4 on AT1 receptor occurred in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that long-term intake of highly salinized fresh water can cause PHS in broilers, accompanied by varying degrees of proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle. This mechanism may involve response of its receptor being induced by increased Ang II, while DRD4 can negatively regulate it.
Attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination and willingness to pay: comparison of people with and without mental disorders in China
Authors: Hao Fengyi , Wang Bokun , Tan Wanqiu , Husain Syeda Fabeha , McIntyre Roger S. , Tang Xiangdong , Zhang Ling , Han Xiaofan , Jiang Li , Chew Nicholas W. S. , Tan Benjamin Yong-Qiang , Tran Bach , Zhang Zhisong , Vu Gia Linh , Vu Giang Thu , Ho Roger , Ho Cyrus S. , Sharma Vijay K.
Published: August 2021

Background

Acceptance and willingness to pay for the COVID-19 vaccine are unknown.

Aims

We compared attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination in people suffering from depression or anxiety disorder and people without mental disorders, and their willingness to pay for it.

Method

Adults with depression or anxiety disorder (n = 79) and healthy controls (n = 134) living in Chongqing, China, completed a cross-sectional study between 13 and 26 January 2021. We used a validated survey to assess eight aspects related to attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccines. Psychiatric symptoms were assessed by the 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale.

Results

Seventy-six people with depression or anxiety disorder (96.2%) and 134 healthy controls (100%) reported willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. A significantly higher proportion of people with depression or anxiety disorder (64.5%) were more willing to pay for the COVID-19 vaccine than healthy controls (38.1%) (P ≤ 0.001). After multivariate adjustment, severity of depression and anxiety was significantly associated with willingness to pay for COVID-19 vaccination among psychiatric patients (P = 0.048). Non-healthcare workers (P = 0.039), health insurance (P = 0.003), living with children (P = 0.006) and internalised stigma (P = 0.002) were significant factors associated with willingness to pay for COVID-19 vaccine in healthy controls.

Conclusions

To conclude, psychiatric patients in Chongqing, China, showed high acceptance and willingness to pay for the COVID-19 vaccine. Factors associated with willingness to pay for the COVID-19 vaccine differed between psychiatric patients and healthy controls.
Gemcitabine Plus Cisplatin Versus Fluorouracil Plus Cisplatin as First-Line Therapy for Recurrent or Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Final Overall Survival Analysis of GEM20110714 Phase III Study
Authors: Hong Shaodong , Zhang Yaxiong , Yu Gengsheng , Peng Peijian , Peng Jiewen , Jia Jun , Wu Xuan , Huang Yan , Yang Yunpeng , Lin Qing , Xi Xuping , Xu Mingjun , Chen Dongping , Lu Xiaojun , Wang Rensheng , Cao Xiaolong , Chen Xiaozhong , Lin Zhixiong , Xiong Jianping , Lin Qin , Xie Conghua , Li Zhihua , Pan Jianji , Li Jingao , Wu Shixiu , Lian Yingni , Yang Quanlie , Zhao Chong , Fang Wenfeng , Zhang Li
Published: August 2021

PURPOSE

GEM20110714 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01528618 ), the first randomized, phase III study of systemic chemotherapy in recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), reported significant progression-free survival improvement with gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GP) versus fluorouracil plus cisplatin (FP; hazard ratio, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.68; P < .001). Data from the final analysis of overall survival (OS) are presented here.

METHODS

From February 2012 to October 2015, 362 patients were randomly assigned to receive either GP (gemcitabine 1 g/m2once daily on days 1 and 8 and cisplatin 80 mg/m2once daily on day 1; n = 181) or FP (fluorouracil 4 g/m2in continuous intravenous infusion over 96 hours and cisplatin 80 mg/m2once daily on day 1; n = 181) once every 21 days. The primary end point was progression-free survival, which has been previously reported; OS was a secondary end point.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up time of 69.5 months with GP and 69.7 months with FP, 148 (81.8%) and 166 (91.7%) deaths occurred in the GP and FP arms, respectively. The estimated hazard ratio for OS was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.58 to 0.90; two-sided P = .004). The median OS was 22.1 months (95% CI, 19.2 to 25.0 months) with GP versus 18.6 months (95% CI, 15.4 to 21.7 months) with FP. The OS probabilities at 1, 3, and 5 years were 79.9% versus 71.8%, 31.0% versus 20.4%, and 19.2% versus 7.8%, respectively. Poststudy therapy was administered in 51.9% and 55.2% of patients in the GP and FP arms, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Among patients with previously untreated advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma, those who receive GP have longer OS than those receive FP. Gemcitabine plus cisplatin should be considered a preferred front-line option for these patients.
A RACIONALIDADE NA INTERPRETAÇÃO E APLICAÇÃO DO DIREITO: DO DESAFIO KELSENIANO AO DESAFIO DOS BONS ARGUMENTOS
Authors: Krell Andreas Joachim , Maia Vítor Mendonça
Published: August 2021

Objetivo: Buscamos demonstrar a necessidade de superação do “desafio kelseniano” referente à pretensa impossibilidade de racionalidade na interpretação e aplicação do Direito. Procuramos questionar o modelo kelseniano de ciência para a área jurídica e investigar se há uma objetividade no uso de “bons argumentos” capaz de impor um maior padrão de racionalidade aos operadores jurídicos brasileiro no momento da tomada de decisão.Metodologia: Partimos de uma pesquisa jurídica mais tradicional (embora não dogmática), baseada em uma resenha bibliográfica crítica de doutrina nacional e estrangeira. Compreendemos a ciência jurídica como uma ciência de ação que deve oferecer caminhos teóricos viáveis para a tomada de decisões e a solução de problemas concretos.Resultados: Concluímos que a ideia de Kelsen sobre a interpretação do Direito é resultado do seu conceito positivista de ciência, baseado na comprovação empírica das ciências exatas. A sua distinção rígida entre juízos de fato e juízes de valor (inacessíveis para o conhecimento científico) e afirmação da prevalência da vontade sobre a racionalidade no ato de interpretar/aplicar uma lei entram em conflito com o dever constitucional de fundamentação racional das decisões judiciais.Contribuições: Levantamos argumentos contra uma visão relativista da interpretação do Direito, que contribui para a imprevisibilidade das decisões judiciais. Esclarecemos diferentes aspectos da teoria de Kelsen que versam sobre a interpretação e aplicação da lei que são pouco discutidas na academia do Direito brasileiro.
Covid-19-induced pulmonary hypertension in children, and the use of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors
Authors: Dimiati Herlina , Umara Dimas Arya , Naufal Iflan
Published: August 2021

Respiratory tract infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) first occurred in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and was declared as a pandemic by WHO. The interaction between the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and pulmonary hypertension (PH) in children is not widely known. Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDEI), one class of drugs used to treat PH, including sildenafil, can suppress angiotensin type I (AT-1) receptor expression. Furthermore, it reduces proinflammatory cytokines and infiltrates the alveolar, inhibits endothelial and smooth muscle transition, mesenchymal cells in the pulmonary artery, and prevents clotting and thrombosis complications. Sildenafil has shown positive effects by diverting the blood flow to the lungs in such a way that ventilation is adequate and can also be anti-inflammatory.
Are behaviour change techniques and intervention features associated with effectiveness of digital cardiac rehabilitation programmes? A systematic review protocol
Authors: Kenny Eanna , McEvoy John W. , McSharry Jenny , Collins Linda M. , Taylor Rod S. , Byrne Molly
Published: August 2021

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a complex intervention that aims to stabilise, slow, or reverse the progression of CVD and improve patients’ functional status and quality of life. Digitally delivered CR has been shown to be effective and can overcome many of the access barriers associated with traditional centre-based delivered CR programmes. However, there is a limited understanding of the behaviour change techniques (BCTs) and intervention features that maximise the effectiveness of digital programmes. Therefore, this systematic review will aim to identify the BCTs that have been used in digital CR programmes and to determine which BCTs and intervention features are associated with programme effectiveness.

Methods: PubMed, MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE, CINHAL, PsycINFO and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials will be searched from inception to June 2021 for randomised controlled trials of digital CR with CVD patients. Screening, data extraction, intervention coding and risk of bias will be performed by one reviewer with a second reviewer independently verifying a random 20% of the articles. Intervention content will be coded using the behaviour change technique taxonomy v1 and the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist and intervention features will be identified. A meta-analysis will be conducted to calculate the pooled effect size of each outcome, and meta-regression analyses will investigate whether intervention features and the presence and absence of individual BCTs in interventions are associated with intervention effectiveness.

Discussion: The review will identify BCTs and intervention features that are associated with digital CR programmes and adopt a systematic approach to describe the content of these programmes using the BCT taxonomy (v1) and TIDieR checklist. The results will provide key insights into the content and design of successful digital CR programmes, providing a foundation for further development, testing and refinement.
Azithromycin and cefixime combination versus azithromycin alone for the out-patient treatment of clinically suspected or confirmed uncomplicated typhoid fever in South Asia: a randomised controlled trial protocol
Authors: Giri Abhishek , Karkey Abhilasha , Dongol Sabina , Arjyal Amit , Maharjan Archana , Veeraraghavan Balaji , Paudyal Buddhi , Dolecek Christiane , Gajurel Damodar , Phuong Dung Nguyen Thi , Thanh Duy Pham , Qamar Farah , Kang Gagandeep , Hien Ho Van , John Jacob , Lawson Katrina , Wolbers Marcel , Hossain Md. Shabab , Sharifuzzaman M , Luangasanatip Nantasit , Maharjan Nhukesh , Olliaro Piero , Rupali Priscilla , Shakya Ronas , Shakoor Sadia , Rijal Samita , Qureshi Sonia , Baker Stephen , Joshi Subi , Ahmed Tahmeed , Darton Thomas , Bao Tran Nguyen , Lubell Yoel , Kestelyn Evelyne , Thwaites Guy , Parry Christopher M. , Basnyat Buddha
Published: August 2021

Background: Typhoid and paratyphoid fever (enteric fever) is a common cause of non-specific febrile infection in adults and children presenting to health care facilities in low resource settings such as the South Asia.  A 7-day course of a single oral antimicrobial such as ciprofloxacin, cefixime or azithromycin is commonly used for its treatment. Increasing antimicrobial resistance threatens the effectiveness of these treatment choices. We hypothesize that combined treatment with azithromycin (active mainly intracellularly) and cefixime (active mainly extracellularly) will be a better option for the treatment of typhoid fever in South Asia.

Methods: This is a phase IV, international multi-centre, multi-country, comparative participant-and observer-blind, 1:1 randomised clinical trial. Patients with suspected uncomplicated typhoid fever will be randomised to one of the two interventions: Arm A: azithromycin 20mg/kg/day oral dose once daily (maximum 1gm/day) and cefixime 20mg/kg/day oral dose in two divided doses (maximum 400mg bd) for 7 days, Arm B: azithromycin 20mg/kg/day oral dose once daily (max 1gm/day) for 7 days AND cefixime-matched placebo for 7 days. We will recruit 1500 patients across sites in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan. We will assess whether treatment outcomes are better with the combination after one week of treatment and at one- and three-months follow-up.

Discussion: Combined treatment may limit the emergence of resistance if one of the components is active against resistant sub-populations not covered by the other antimicrobial’s activity. If the combined treatment is better than the single antimicrobial treatment, this will be an important result for patients across South Asia and other typhoid endemic areas.

Clinicaltrials.gov registration: NCT04349826 (16/04/2020)
Medical Anthropology
Authors: Mihel' Dmitriy
Published: August 2021

The textbook sets out the goals and objectives of medical anthropology as an interdisciplinary field of scientific knowledge, discusses the range of its main problems. The most significant subject areas of the discipline are considered: health and disease in the context of culture, healing systems (traditional medicine and biomedicine), humanitarian problems of reproductive and mental health, etc.
Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation.
For researchers, teachers and students of humanitarian and medical universities studying under bachelor's and master's programs, anyone interested in medical anthropology.
Social and identification status of communication studies
Authors: Goyhman Oskar , Goncharova Lyubov' , Larionova Alla , Kargin Nikolay , Klyukanov Igor' , Dosmuhamet Nur - Ahmet , Privalova Irina , Semenova Lidiya , Silant'eva Margarita , Koshlyakova Mariya , Sinekopova Galina
Published: August 2021

The collective monograph is devoted to interdisciplinary problems of communication in a modern multimodal society. A number of aspects outlining the status of communication studies as a scientific, practical and social phenomenon are discussed. The authors ask questions about the influence of digitalization on interpersonal and intercultural communication in the modern world, consider the philosophical and cultural meanings of the communicative self-identity of peoples from the positions of national and state ideologies, touch upon the problems of communication in various spheres and discourses: professional, media, political, scientific, educational and social. The monograph also touches on the linguo-axiological, image and linguistic-cultural aspects of communicative processes.
The study consists of seven chapters that reveal the authors ' views on the current state and prospects for the development of communicative science and humanities in general.
It is addressed to representatives of the scientific community - scientists, graduate students, undergraduates, as well as anyone interested in the issues of communication studies as an important and complex social phenomenon.
Business law
Authors: Demichev Alekey , Karpychev Mihail , Leonov Aleksandr , Malyutina Oksana , Nazarova Nadezhda , Pchelkin Aleksndr , Rashidov Omar , Sizemova Ol'ga , Huzhin Al'fir
Published: August 2021

The textbook examines the main problems of business law based on the analysis of current legislation and law enforcement practice.
Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation and the Educational standard of the National Research University " Higher School of Economics "in the field of training"Jurisprudence".
For students of higher educational institutions studying in the field of Law and the specialties "Law Enforcement" and "Legal support of national security" , as well as for anyone interested in the problems of business law.
International Financial Reporting Standards
Authors: Get'man Viktor , Rozhnova Ol'ga , Grishkina Svetlana , Sidneva Vera , Litvinenko Mihail , Kaspina Roza , Vahrushina Mariya , Sotnikova Lyudmila , Dombrovskaya Elena , Alekseeva Gul'nara , Petrov Aleksando
Published: August 2021

The textbook analyzes the system of international financial reporting Standards (IFRS): its principles, formation, advantages and feasibility of implementation.
All IFRS are considered: presentation of financial statements; inventories; statement of cash flows; accounting policies, changes in accounting estimates and errors; contracts, etc. The financial lease is also reflected in the lessee's statements under RAS and IFRS, etc.
Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation.
For students studying in the areas of "Economics" and "Management", as well as for everyone who wants to improve their level in the field of preparing consolidated financial statements.
Problems of the territorial organization of the national economy and finance
Authors: Pischulov Viktor
Published: August 2021

The monograph is devoted to certain difficult-to-understand issues of the national economy. The definitions of the main concepts used in the presentation of problems are given. The issues under consideration are of interest in practical activities to regulate the interaction of economic entities in the conditions of territorial markets.
The problems of the theory of the modern system of regulation of the national economy are considered. The analysis of the methodology of institutional models for building the main structural elements of the economy in the regions of the country is carried out.
It may be interesting for practitioners engaged in the problems of regional economy, researchers, teachers, graduate students.
Fundamentals of anti-corruption in the Russian Federation
Authors: Zenin Sergey
Published: August 2021

In the Russian Federation, combating corruption is considered as a strategic state task, for the solution of which the efforts of state authorities, local self-government, civil society institutions, organizations and individuals are mobilized.
The textbook consistently reveals the legal and organizational foundations of combating corruption in the Russian Federation, reflects theoretical and methodological approaches to combating corruption, and also takes into account law enforcement practice, including issues of legal responsibility in this area.
The explanations and recommendations contained in the book will be useful both for teachers organizing the learning process and for students (students and undergraduates, state and municipal employees, employees of organizations undergoing advanced training in educational organizations of higher education) in educational, methodological, social and educational work.
Control and supervision as guarantees of legality: theoretical and legal aspect
Authors: Red'ko Aleksandr , Nistratov Sergey
Published: August 2021

For the first time, the monograph examines new phenomena of the political and legal life of the Russian Federation (legal monitoring and international control) as legal instruments that guarantee compliance with the rule of law.
It is intended for cadets, students, adjuncts and teaching staff of educational organizations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.
Accounting and analysis of bankruptcies
Authors: Kukukina Irina , Astrahanceva Irina
Published: August 2021

The textbook introduces the history of the formation of the institute of bankruptcy, conducting reorganization and liquidation procedures in a crisis, diagnosing the financial condition of an enterprise based on situational and coefficient analysis, multiplicative factor models for assessing the threat of bankruptcy, methods for assessing the value of an insolvent enterprise, as well as accounting for operations related to bankruptcy procedures. The possibilities of an integrated approach to the development of a strategy for overcoming the crisis and choosing ways to restructure a bankrupt enterprise are considered.
Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation.
For teachers, postgraduates and students of higher educational organizations, employees of analytical services, anti-crisis managers.
Panic Selling When Disaster Strikes: Evidence in the Bond and Stock Markets
Authors: Huynh Thanh D. , Xia Ying
Published: August 2021

This study uses disaggregated establishment-level data to identify a firm’s exposure to physical climate risk and examines investors’ reaction to natural disasters in both the U.S. corporate bond and stock markets. We find that, when a firm is exposed to disasters, investors overreact by depressing the current bond and stock prices, causing future returns to be higher. However, firms with a strong environmental profile experience lower selling pressure on their bonds and stocks, although their fundamentals weakened following disasters. The evidence suggests that corporate investment in improving environmental profiles pays off when climate change risk is materialized.

This paper was accepted by Colin Mayer, Special Section of Management Science on Business and Climate Change.

Supplemental Material: The data files and online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2021.4018 .
Optimizing Disruption Tolerance for Rail Transit Networks Under Uncertainty
Authors: Xu Lei , Ng Tsan Sheng (Adam) , Costa Alberto
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we develop a distributionally robust optimization model for the design of rail transit tactical planning strategies and disruption tolerance enhancement under downtime uncertainty. First, a novel performance function evaluating the rail transit disruption tolerance is proposed. Specifically, the performance function maximizes the worst-case expected downtime that can be tolerated by rail transit networks over a family of probability distributions of random disruption events given a threshold commuter outflow. This tolerance function is then applied to an optimization problem for the planning design of platform downtime protection and bus-bridging services given budget constraints. In particular, our implementation of platform downtime protection strategy relaxes standard assumptions of robust protection made in network fortification and interdiction literature. The resulting optimization problem can be regarded as a special variation of a two-stage distributionally robust optimization model. In order to achieve computational tractability, optimality conditions of the model are identified. This allows us to obtain a linear mixed-integer reformulation that can be solved efficiently by solvers like CPLEX. Finally, we show some insightful results based on the core part of Singapore Mass Rapid Transit Network.
Ocena osiąganych efektów kształcenia przez studentów kierunku Położnictwo na studiach niestacjonarnych II stopnia
Authors: Panczyk Mariusz , Belowska Jarosława , Zarzeka Aleksander , Gotlib Joanna
Published: August 2021

Aim. An analysis of consistence in evaluating students’ achievements in subjects completed with an exam and included in the curriculum at the department of midwifery of part-time studies at Medical University of Warsaw (MUW).
Materials and methods. The authors used examination data of 231 subjects, part-time midwifery students of the second degree at MUW between the years 2007-2012. A retrospective analysis was used for analyzing students’ achievements and learning results in eight subjects completed with an exam.
In order to determine the trends in evaluating students in consecutive years, a non-parametric ANOVA Kruskal-Wallis rank test was used. Assessing the subsequent compliance of evaluation of exam subjects was performed using Kendall coefficient. Evaluation of internal validity of educational measurement was established on the basis of inter-correlation analysis and multi-dimensional regression analysis.
Results. An analysis of internal compliance in evaluating students in subsequent years showed that for the vast majority of the studied subjects there was no consistency in evaluating students (Kruskal-Wallis rank ANOVA test, p < 0.005). For subsequent ranges of education, an insufficient level of educational measurement was found (Kendall coefficient = 0.11). Evaluating accuracy in the analysis of inter-correlation shows that for the eight studied subjects there are positive dependencies between the results of teaching students in individual areas of education. Confirmation of the above dependencies was also obtained in the analysis of regression.
Conclusions. Low level of compliance in evaluating students in subsequent years proves that there is insufficient cohesion within the system of measuring the learning outcomes. Prognosis analysis which would include the dependent variables connected with the future of graduates should be an important element of educational system evaluation in the future.
Reflective practice in the professional development of working nurses
Authors: Zdanowicz Tomasz , Cuber Tomasz , Dobrowolska Beata
Published: August 2021

Introduction. Donald Schön claims that reflective practice is not only about dealing with difficult and untypical situations but also the development of one’s professional activity.
Aim of the Study. The aim of the study was to elicit the opinions of nurses about the concept of professional self-development and the possibility of using reflective practice for this purpose.
Material and methods. The diagnostic survey method was used, with the survey questionnaire developed by the authors. The surveyed group consisted of 136 (100%) nurses working in Lublin.
Results. The majority of study participants stated that reflection was an important part of their professional development (frequent – 44.90%, very frequent – 28.70%). Most nurses (85.29%) regard self-development as important. There was a relationship between caring for one’s development and education (p=0.030). There is also a correlation between the need for caring for one’s development and the opinion on occupational burnout (p=0.019).
Conclusions. (1) The majority of the nurses regarded the need to care for their professional development as important, and the nurses who applied reflection in practice perceived the need as more crucial. (2) The nurses with higher education more often claimed that one should definitely care for his/her development. (3) Nurses who assessed themselves as definitely not burned out understand that professional development is crucial.
Climbing out of the unknown
Authors: Phillips Hannah
Published: August 2021

In this instalment of her story, patient columnist, Hannah Phillips, describes being unexpectedly thrown into the worst procedure of her journey yet, at one of the most exciting times in her life.
The experience and psychological impact of a sharps injury on a nursing student population in the UK
Authors: Hambridge Kevin , Endacott Ruth , Nichols Andrew
Published: August 2021

Aims:

The aims of this study were to explore the experience and psychological impact of sustaining a sharps injury within a nursing student population in the UK. Design: A qualitative approach was taken, using two methods to gather data, namely a Twitter chat and interviews.

Methods:

A Twitter chat was orchestrated to investigate the experiences of sharps injury with nursing students and registered nurses nationwide (n=71). Interviews were conducted with nursing students from a university in the UK who had sustained a sharps injury (n=12) to discover their experiences and the impact of the injury. Findings were then synthesised and examined.

Results:

Some nursing students reported psychological impacts after sustaining the sharps injury, which affected both their professional and personal life. The qualitative findings were synthesised into eight themes.

Conclusion:

Sharps injuries can have many psychological impacts on the individual nursing student and necessary support should be available.
Considering claims against the NHS
Authors: Tingle John
Published: August 2021

John Tingle, Lecturer in Law, Birmingham Law School, University of Birmingham, discusses the NHS Resolution annual report and accounts for 2020/21 and recent advice from the Medical Defence Union
The benefits of using a first generation SEM scanner versus an equipment selection pathway in preventing HAPUs
Authors: Ropper Ruth
Published: August 2021

Several studies have demonstrated improved clinical outcomes in pressure ulcer prevention using the SEM scanner, but none have compared it with other methods. In one of Scotland's health boards, ‘hot spot’ wards had been unable to reduce the number of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs) after several years of focused improvement work. In addition, other wards showed high use of dynamic therapy systems with associated costs. This review compares the use of a first generation SEM scanner versus a mattress and equipment selection pathway over a 6-week period. The findings show that the SEM scanner wards had zero HAPU while the equipment pathway wards developed a total of 4 HAPU. The two SEM scanner wards showed a 11% and 33% reduction in dynamic therapy use, while the pathway wards showed an average 40% increase. Consideration should be given to using SEM scanners to support staff decision-making to reduce HAPU development and dynamic therapy usage.
The aetiology of medical device-related pressure ulcers and how to prevent them
Authors: Gefen Amit
Published: August 2021

This article provides an introduction to the aetiology of medical device-related pressure ulcers (MDRPUs), describes the vicious cycle that leads to these injuries and highlights bioengineering methodologies and findings that connect the aetiology to the clinical practice of preventing MDRPUs. Specifically, the vicious cycle of MDRPUs is triggered by the sustained tissue deformations induced by a skin-contacting device. The primary, deformation-inflicted cell damage leads to a secondary inflammatory-oedema-related damage and then to tertiary ischaemic damage. Each of these three factors contributes to cumulative cell death and tissue damage under and near the applied device. The damage therefore develops in an escalated manner, as a result of the added contributions of the above three factors. This phenomenon is exemplified through two common clinical scenarios. First, through the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) masks, which are being applied extensively in the current COVID-19 pandemic, and, second, through the use of doughnut-shaped head positioners, which are applied to surgical patients and sometimes to bedridden individuals who receive intensive care in a supine position. These two medical devices cause intense, localised mechanical loads in the facial skin and underlying tissues (CPAP mask) and at the occipital scalp (doughnut-shaped positioner), where the soft tissues cannot swell in response to the inflammatory oedema as, in both cases, the tissues are sandwiched between the device and the skull. Accordingly, the two device types result in characteristic MDRPUs that are avoidable through appropriate prophylactic interventions, that is, preventive dressings under the CPAP mask and replacement of the doughnut device by a soft, shape-conforming support aid to alleviate and disperse the localised soft tissue deformations. Hence, understanding the aetiology of MDRPUs targets and focuses effective clinical interventions.
Insights on Ethiopian montane ground beetles biodiversity: Taxonomic study of afro-alpine and sub-alpine Trechini (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Trechinae)
Authors: QUÉINNEC ERIC , OLLIVIER ERIC , REEB CATHERINE
Published: August 2021

Based on collaborative work of a French-Ethiopian team, we investigated the diversity and distribution of Ethiopian trechine beetles (Carabidae, Trechini), in the sub-alpine and afro-alpine ecosystems. Four new genera, three new subgenera and eighteen new species are described from Ethiopian Highland environments: Trechus (Abyssinotus) subgen. nov. (type species: salomon sp. nov.) and Trechus (Abyssinotus) sabae sp. nov. (Mount Choke, Amhara), Trechus (s. str.) lalibelae sp. nov. (Abuna Yusef Mountains, Amhara), T. (s. str.) habeshaicus sp. nov. (Menz-Guassa Plateau, Amhara), Trechus (s. str.) kosso sp. nov. (Bale Mountains, Oromia), Deuveopsis gen. nov. (type species: lobeliae sp. nov.) (Mount Choke, Amhara), Deuveopsis (Abayopsis) subgen. nov. (type species: basilewskianus Geginat, 2008) (Mount Choke, Amhara), Aethiopsis gen. nov. (type species: chioriae sp. nov.) (Abuna Yusef Mountains, Amhara), Aethiopsis abunaensis sp. nov. (Abuna Yusef Mountains, Amhara), Aethiopsis wolloi sp. nov. (Abuna Yusef Mountains, Amhara), Aethiopsis lastaensis sp. nov. (Abuna Yusef Mountains, Amhara), Aethiopsis meneliki sp. nov. (Delanta Mountains, Amhara), Aethiopsis delantae sp. nov. (Delanta Mountains, Amhara), Aethiopsis guassaensis sp. nov. (Menz-Guassa Plateau, Amhara), Afrotrechus gen. nov. (type species: afroalpinus sp. nov.) (Mount Choke, Amhara), Afrotrechus abyssinicus sp. nov. (Mount Choke, Amhara), Afrotrechus (Abyssiniopsis) subgen. nov. (type species: amharicus (Ortuño and Novoa, 2011) comb. nov.) (Mount Choke, Amhara), Afrotrechus (Abyssiniopsis) bunae sp. nov. (Belleta Forest, Oromia), Nilotrechus gen. nov. (type species: reebae sp. nov.) (Mount Choke, Amhara), Nilotrechus niloticus sp. nov. (Mount Choke, Amhara). New data and informations are provided for previously described species: Trechus (A.) dimorphicus Pawlowski, 2001 comb. nov., Trechus (A.) chokensis Pawlowski, 2001 comb. nov., Trechus (A.) gigas Pawlowski, 2001 comb.nov., and Trechus (s. str.) bipartitus Raffray, 1885, sublaevis Raffray, 1885 and aethiopicus Alluaud, 1918. The putative phylogenetic affinities of the different genera are discussed. Considerations about microspeciation and endemism on Mount Choke are proposed.
Cryptoanalysis and enhancement of a binary image encryption system based on interference
Authors: Du Jiahui , Xiong Yi , Quan Chenggen
Published: August 2021

In this paper, cryptoanalysis on a binary image encryption system based on interference is conducted. In the cryptosystem under study, the binary plaintext image modulated by a random phase mask (RPM) is separated directly into two phase-only masks (POMs) as private keys. Phase wrapping operation is applied to modulate two separated POMs further for silhouette removal. The plaintext image can be reconstructed by compositing two phase-wrapped POMs. However, since the RPM used in the encryption process is irrelative to the plaintexts, it is possible to retrieve the RPM by a known-plaintext attack (KPA). And then with the help of the retrieved RPM, the information encoded in the arbitrarily given ciphertext can be reconstructed by a ciphertext-only attack (COA). Based on our analysis, a hybrid attack including a KPA and a COA with different constraints is proposed in this study. Besides, the cryptosystem under study can only be used to encode binary plaintexts, which would limit the application of this scheme in the information security. Consequently, an improved cryptosystem in which both binary and gray-scale plaintext images can be encoded is proposed. In addition, the RPM to generate two private keys in the enhanced system is dependent on the plaintexts, which makes the proposed encryption scheme immune to the proposed hybrid attack. The feasibility and effectiveness of the security-enhanced cryptosystem have been validated by numerical simulations.
Microscopic optical coherence tomography (mOCT) at 600 kHz for 4D volumetric imaging and dynamic contrast
Authors: Münter Michael , Pieper Mario , Kohlfaerber Tabea , Bodenstorfer Ernst , Ahrens Martin , Winter Christian , Huber Robert , König Peter , Hüttmann Gereon , Schulz-Hildebrandt Hinnerk
Published: August 2021

Volumetric imaging of dynamic processes with microscopic resolution holds a huge potential in biomedical research and clinical diagnosis. Using supercontinuum light sources and high numerical aperture (NA) objectives, optical coherence tomography (OCT) achieves microscopic resolution and is well suited for imaging cellular and subcellular structures of biological tissues. Currently, the imaging speed of microscopic OCT (mOCT) is limited by the line-scan rate of the spectrometer camera and ranges from 30 to 250 kHz. This is not fast enough for volumetric imaging of dynamic processes in vivo and limits endoscopic application. Using a novel CMOS camera, we demonstrate fast 3-dimensional OCT imaging with 600,000 A-scans/s at 1.8 µm axial and 1.1 µm lateral resolution. The improved speed is used for imaging of ciliary motion and particle transport in ex vivo mouse trachea. Furthermore, we demonstrate dynamic contrast OCT by evaluating the recorded volumes rather than en face planes or B-scans. High-speed volumetric mOCT will enable the correction of global tissue motion and is a prerequisite for applying dynamic contrast mOCT in vivo. With further increase in imaging speed and integration in flexible endoscopes, volumetric mOCT may be used to complement or partly replace biopsies.
Machine learning-based rapid diagnosis of human borderline ovarian cancer on second-harmonic generation images
Authors: Wang Guangxing , Sun Yang , Jiang Shuisen , Wu Guizhu , Liao Wenliang , Chen Yuwei , Lin Zexi , Liu Zhiyi , Zhuo Shuangmu
Published: August 2021

Regarding growth pattern and cytological characteristics, borderline ovarian tumors fall between benign and malignant, but they tend to develop malignancy. Currently, it is difficult to accurately diagnose ovarian cancer using common medical imaging methods, and histopathological examination is routinely used to obtain a definitive diagnosis. However, such examination requires experienced pathologists, being labor-intensive, time-consuming, and possibly leading to interobserver bias. By using second-harmonic generation imaging and k-nearest neighbors classifier in conjunction with automated machine learning tree-based pipeline optimization tool, we developed a computer-aided diagnosis method to classify ovarian tissues as being malignant, benign, borderline, and normal, obtaining areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 1.00, 0.99, 0.98, and 0.97, respectively. These results suggest that diagnosis based on second-harmonic generation images and machine learning can support the rapid and accurate detection of ovarian cancer in clinical practice.
Low-cost, chromatic confocal endomicroscope for cellular imaging in vivo
Authors: Kulkarni Nachiket , Masciola Andrew , Nishant Abhinav , Kim Kyung-Jo , Choi Heejoo , Gmitro Arthur , Freeman Esther E. , Semeere Aggrey , Nakalembe Miriam , Kang Dongkyun
Published: August 2021

We have developed a low-cost, chromatic confocal endomicroscope (CCE) that can image a cross-section of the tissue at cellular resolution. In CCE, a custom miniature objective lens was used to focus different wavelengths into different tissue depths. Therefore, each tissue depth was encoded with the wavelength. A custom miniature spectrometer was used to spectrally-disperse light reflected from the tissue and generate cross-sectional confocal images. The CCE prototype had a diameter of 9.5 mm and a length of 68 mm. Measured resolution was high, 2 µm and 4 µm for lateral and axial directions, respectively. Effective field size was 468 µm. Preliminary results showed that CCE can visualize cellular details from cross-sections of the tissue in vivo down to the tissue depth of 100 µm.
On the evaluation of temporal and spatial stability of color constancy algorithms
Authors: Buzzelli Marco , Erba Ilaria
Published: August 2021

Computational color constancy algorithms are commonly evaluated only through angular error analysis on annotated datasets of static images. The widespread use of videos in consumer devices motivated us to define a richer methodology for color constancy evaluation. To this extent, temporal and spatial stability are defined here to determine the degree of sensitivity of color constancy algorithms to variations in the scene that do not depend on the illuminant source, such as moving subjects or a moving camera. Our evaluation methodology is applied to compare several color constancy algorithms on stable sequences belonging to the Gray Ball and Burst Color Constancy video datasets. The stable sequences, identified using a general-purpose procedure, are made available for public download to encourage future research. Our investigation proves the importance of evaluating color constancy algorithms according to multiple metrics, instead of angular error alone. For example, the popular fully convolutional color constancy with confidence-weighted pooling algorithm is consistently the best performing solution for error evaluation, but it is often surpassed in terms of stability by the traditional gray edge algorithm, and by the more recent sensor-independent illumination estimation algorithm.
Colossal enhancement of the magnetic dipole moment by exploiting lattice coupling in metasurfaces
Authors: Rahimzadegan Aso , Alaee Rasoul , Karamanos Theodosios D. , Boyd Robert W. , Rockstuhl Carsten
Published: August 2021

An artificial magnetic response is not only intellectually intriguing
but also key to multiple applications. While previously suitably
structured metallic particles and high-permittivity dielectric
particles have been used for this purpose, here, we highlight the
possibility of exploiting lattice effects to significantly enhance an
intrinsically weak magnetic dipole moment of a periodically arranged
scatterer. We identify the effective magnetic dipole moment as it is
modulated by the lattice and coupled to other electromagnetic
multipole moments the scatterer can sustain. Besides a more abstract
consideration on the base of parametrized Mie coefficients to study
the theoretical upper limit, we present an actual particle that shows
an enhancement of the magnetic dipole moment by 100 with respect to
what is attainable as a maximal value for an isolated particle.
Design of an on-chip sensor operating near the dispersion turning point with ultrahigh sensitivity
Authors: Zhang Gangshun , Huang Tianye , Wu Zhichao , Tu Xin , Zhang Xiangli , Luo Dapeng , Lei Rongrong , Xu Guizhen , Zhang Wang
Published: August 2021

In this paper, an on-chip refractive index (RI) sensor based on the asymmetric Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) is proposed for sensitivity enhancement. The outstanding sensing performance is obtained by achieving the dispersion turning point (DTP). We analyze the necessary conditions for DTP formation, the transmission spectrum characteristics, and the sensing performance near the DTP. The results show that when the group index difference between the reference arm and the sensing arm is close to zero, high RI sensitivity can be obtained near the DTP. Since the resonance peaks on both sides of the DTP have different shift directions with the change of RI, by tracing the wavelength shift between the two resonance peaks, the RI sensitivity and the limit of detection can reach 40960 nm/refractive index unit (RIU) and

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. The proposed asymmetric MZI sensor provides a potential on-chip platform for high-performance RI sensing.
Broadband operation of a synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator with a spatially dispersed beam
Authors: Nagashima Keisuke , Itakura Ryuji , Ishii Nobuhisa
Published: August 2021

We demonstrate the broadband operation of a synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator (SPOPO) with a spatially dispersed beam and a fan-out type MgO-doped periodically poled

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(MgO:PPLT). Spatial dispersion was generated using a glass prism placed in the SPOPO cavity. The poling period was designed to match the spatial dispersion and phase matching in MgO:PPLT, and the spectral dispersion in the cavity was compensated for using a fused silica plate, which had a negative dispersion at a signal wavelength of 1500–1600 nm. We succeeded in generating signal pulses with a pulse length of 81 fs, which was approximately 1/5 of the pump pulse length.
On-chip monolithic Fourier transform spectrometers assisted by cGAN spectral prediction
Authors: Wang Huijie , Bao Yilin , Tang Jinlan , Li Qifeng , Shi Wei , Ma Xiangyun
Published: August 2021

Silicon photonic spatial heterodyne Fourier transform spectrometers (SH-FTSs) are attractive with chip-scale monolithic arrays of imbalanced Mach–Zehnder interferometers; however, there exist optical path difference (OPD) errors from the inevitable fabrication imperfection, which will severely distort the retrieved spectra. In this Letter, we propose that a predictive model can be created for rapid and accurate spectral recovery based on the conditional generative adversarial network (cGAN) featuring strong input-on-output supervision, instead of both complicated physical OPD modification and time-consuming iterative spectral calculation. As a demonstration, cGAN spectral prediction was performed for our previously presented dual-polarized SH-FTS with large OPD errors [Opt. Lett. 44, 2923 (2019)OPLEDP0146-959210.1364/OL.44.002923]. Due to the strong noise-resistant capability, the cGAN-predicted spectra can stay reliable, even though the signal-to-noise ratio of acquired interferograms dramatically drops from 1000 to 100, implying a lower limit of detection.