bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tamm Plasmon Polaritons: UV to NIR
Authors: Chen Kuo-Ping
Published: December 2022

Tamm plasmon polariton (TPP) is proposed to demonstrate the ultra-sharp resonance and strong fields confinement. Different applications from UV to NIR are presented, including selective thermal emissions, UV lasers, chirality mirrors, sensors, etc. A DBR-side TPP structure can overcome the limitations of the intrinsic property of the metal, which can support a stronger and narrower TPP resonance. The lithography-free, low cost, and refractory feature of the DBR-side TPP structures pave more possibilities for applications in nanophotonics.
Metalens for structured light
Authors: Chen Mu Ku , Chu Cheng Hung , Kuo Hsin Yu , Chen Yu Han , Lin Ren Jie , Chung Tsung Lin , Huang Yi-Teng , Chen Jia-Wern , Tsai Din Ping
Published: December 2022

Metasurfaces have very wide application such as beam de- flection, holographic images, polarization generation, tunable meta-devices, sensing, achromatic metalens [1] and pixel-level full-color routing [2][3]. Metalens have great ability in light focusing and can be tailored to exhibit varied functionalities in ultrathin optical applications. A metalens is realized by using integrated-resonant unit elements whose geometric phase are combined with phase compensation from integrated-resonant unit elements. In this work, we use metalens array to project a focused light spots array which has potential in the structure light application.
Surface Plasmons in Double Layer Remote-grating System
Authors: Wu Chang-Lin , Li Jia-Han , Hsueh Chun-Hway
Published: December 2022

Exciting the surface plasmons with large near-field intensity enhancement is important for the nanophotonic applications.
Plasmonic Hot Carrier Detection via SrTiO3 Interfacial Layer
Authors: Matsui Takayuki , Li Yi , Oulton Rupert F. , Cohen Lesley F. , Maier Stefan A.
Published: December 2022

Energetic hot carrier injection from metal plasmonic structure to adjacent semiconductor lies at the center of the application of non-radiative decays, photochemical reactions and energy harvesting. Plasmonic hot-electron devices, till now, have been highly focused on a Schottky barrier structures to separate the energetic carriers before the thermalization. For instance, much efforts were putted in exploring high absorption structure with enough thin metal; enough thin compared to mean free path. However, interfacial engineering of the device; exploring a new device structure, have not been fully investigated.
Blue shift in band gap and enhanced emission in SnS nanostructures with high Sn concentration
Authors: Warrier Anita R , Dharmalingam Anitha
Published: December 2022

Among the IV-VI group semiconductor nanostructures, GeS, SnS and PbS are important functional materials. SnS has been attracting wide attention due to its layered property and low toxicity. SnS has a narrow band gap and belongs to the layered semiconductors having orthorhombic structures, where Sn and S are tightly bonded in a layer and layers are bonded by weak Vanderwaals force [1]. In this work we report on the shift in band gap and enhanced photoluminescence in SnS nanostructures by increasing the Sn concentration.
Graphene modulated Surface Plasmon Resonance
Authors: Yu Min-Wen , Yang Jhen-Hong , Li Ju-Hong , Lu Tien-Chang , Lin Tzy-Rong , Chen Kuo-Ping
Published: December 2022

Graphene and 2D materials have gathered great attention lately, due to its property of interface modification. Combin- ing graphene with metals, it would be able to modulate the carrier concentration of metals and also plasmon frequency.
In-situ ultra-low frequency SERS spectroscopy at electrified interfaces
Authors: Ikeda Katsuyoshi
Published: December 2022

Surface-specific vibrational spectroscopy is recognized as a powerful tool for in-situ observation of electrode/electrolyte interfaces. However, terahertz (THz) or far-infrared (FIR) absorption spectroscopy is hardly applicable to in-situ observation of such “buried” interfaces, especially for detecting low frequency extramolecular vibrations including rich information on electrode/molecule interactions. On the other hand, surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy has a potential advantage in detecting such low frequency vibration modes even under electrochemical conditions.
Role of sparsity in optical phase imaging
Authors: Khare Kedar
Published: December 2022

Phase measurement is an important problem in Optics with wide ranging applications including large scale interferometers (e.g. LIGO), imaging of transparent cells for diagnostic applications, optical metrology, astronomical imaging through atmosphere, coherent diffraction imaging with X-rays, to name a few topics of interest.
See-Through Aerial Display with AIRR by Using Retro-Reflector as a Speaker
Authors: Fujii Kengo , Kakinuma Ryota , Ito Shusei , Yasugi Masaki , Yamamoto Hirotsugu
Published: December 2022

Aerial imaging by retro-reflection (AIRR) is a method to form an aerial image by use of a retro-reflector [1].
Multi-photon induced plasmon chemical transformation for laser microfabrication
Authors: Takeuchi Yuki , Mukaiyama Kotaro , Takeyasu Nobuyuki , Hanada Yasutaka
Published: December 2022

Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) enable the light to confine to sub-wavelength space. Metallic nanostructure is often used for plasmonic device since plasmon resonance band is generally formed at visible regime. SPPs lead to several orders enhancement of incident light intensity at the metallic nanosurface. While this remarkable effect has been studied for useful application (e.g. SERS, TERS photoluminescence, etc.), it was found plasmon generated highly energetic carriers through Landau damping, referred as hot electrons and holes. The hot carrier induces chemical transformation of molecules at the plasmonic nanosurface. The fact chemically inert molecules reacted by hot carrier has been reported in the recent [1].
On the Scattering by SiO2-VO2 Core-Shell Nanoparticle
Authors: Baqir M.A. , Choudhury P.K. , Naqvi Q.A.
Published: December 2022

The scattering of waves remains greatly important phenomenon of research focus involving the objects having size parameters ranging from macro- to nano-structured dimensions. Among the others, some of the notable examples would include the radar- and antenna-related applications [1]. Electromagnetic cloaking is greatly dependent on the extent of scattering response [2]. The role of scattering has been discussed in the context of metamaterials comprised of metal-dielectric partners crafted in certain forms [3]. Surface plasmon resonance remains the prime feature as the effects can be tailored depending on the shape and size of meta-atoms [4-6]. VO2 being a phase-changing material [7,8], here we discuss the scattering characteristics of SiO2-VO2 nanoshells considering different core/shell dimensional parameters, and also, the ambient temperature.
Looking through diffusive glass by digital amplitude/phase correction
Authors: Watanabe Wataru , Tabata Soichiro , Araki Fumito , Arimoto Hidenobu
Published: December 2022

Many researchers have investigated optical imaging through diffusive media or scattering media. Wide variety of techniques to reconstruct complex amplitude of an object trough diffusive glass or thin scattering media has been reported [1-5]. Among them, digital holography enables reconstruction of intensity and phase images of objects through a diffusive glass plate [6]. In Ref. 6, object light and light from diffusive glass are treated as independent wave. We proposed reconstruction of phase and intensity information of an object behind diffusive glass by digital holography [7,8]. Our method measured transmittance and phase of diffusive glass in advance. By a known complex amplitude of diffusive glass, complex amplitude of an object through diffusive glass is reconstructed by digital correction of the transmittance and phase change of diffusive glass. The object intensity and phase at an arbitrary distance can be reconstructed by optical back propagation. In this paper, we investigated reconstruction of complex amplitude of an object through diffusive glass by changing the distance between an object and diffusive glass / between ad diffusive glass and a camera.
Selective surface-enhanced Raman scattering platform with functional phage as a bio-receptor
Authors: Lee Jong-Min , Jeong Na-Na , Devaraj Vasanthan , Kim Minjun , Adhiari Samir , Kim Won-Geun , Sohn Jong-Ryeul , Lee Donghan , Oh Jin-Woo
Published: December 2022

Phage display, an attracting attention, and recipient of 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry is a method for screening functional bacteriophages (phage) with high binding affinity for the target molecules, can enhance selectivity and sensitivity when applied to sensors [1]. In particular, the functional phage is expected to be suitable for the SERS plat-form because low selectivity is a problem even though the SERS platform is known to have high sensitivity. Here we present a method for applying functional phage to the SERS platform as a bio-receptor [2]. The binding affinity of the functional phage for the target substance was verified by the isotherm titration calorimetry (ITC). As a result, it was confirmed that the selectivity and sensitivity of the SERS platform into which the phage was introduced were enhanced in proportion to the binding affinity.
Diffractive imaging and information science
Authors: Shioya Hiroyuki
Published: December 2022

The information technology has significantly contributed in sciences and engineering fields. A recent remarkable development of the technology in data science or artificial intelligence is expected in order to realize the utility analysis as a kind of computational solver for many remained difficult problems in these fields. The Fourier phase problem arises in the intensity measurements on scattering waves, and the lost phase is required to reconstruct the target image caused by the waves. The microscope using the diffraction pattern and reconstruction of the Fourier phase is called “diffractive imaging.” The phase retrieval is indispensable for establishing the imaging, and the phase-reconstruction process is performed by the iterative Fourier transforms. Figure 1 presents a schematic picture for the imaging. A phase- received image is obtained by the diffraction pattern and phase reconstruction. The development of the phase retrieval algorithms has qualitatively supported to establish the imaging. The objective lens of the method consists of the high-speed processing hardware and the algorithms. Then the imaging is so called “digital lens microscope.”
Control of color and brightness using polarization color
Authors: Shibata Yutaro , Sakurai Sho , Mori Motoki , Harada Kenji
Published: December 2022

Retarder films exhibit polarization color using polarizer. With conventional polarization color control, only color can be controlled. In this presentation, we talk about a control of color and also brightness using polarization color.
Numerical Analysis for Diffractive Augmented Reality with Depth using a Metalens
Authors: Kim Sangyoon , Choi Jung-Beom , Kim Hwi
Published: December 2022

Augmented reality (AR) is the significant technology of head-mounted-display (HMD) which is one of the next-generation displays, and has received great attention in recent years [1]. AR displays have been studied for a long time with folded freeform optics in optical design. Recently, diffraction optics based on flat plate integrated optics technology has been introduced to reduce the form factor of optical systems dramatically.
Changing Size of Aerial Image Formed with AIRR by Use of Clear Spheres
Authors: Fujii Kengo , Yamamoto Hirotsugu
Published: December 2022

Aerial imaging by retro-reflection (AIRR) is an aerial-image-forming technique by use of a retro-reflector [1]. Our previous study proposed a novel steganography that utilizes AIRR and two clear spheres in the same size. The proposed technique used one of the clear spheres as a key to form an aerial image that was formed with AIRR [2].
Towards the use of 2D materials as unique protection layer for accelerator beam source
Authors: Yamaguchi Hisato
Published: December 2022

Many grand challenges for humanity, including the quest for sustainable energy, continued scaling of computational power, detection and mitigation of pathogens, and study of the structure and dynamics of the building blocks of life require the ability to access, observe, and control matter on the frontier timescale of electronic motion and the spatial scale of atomic bonds.
Thermoelectric Generation under Uniform Temperature Environment induced by Metamaterial Thermoelectric Device
Authors: Asakura Takuya , Kubo Wakana
Published: December 2022

Thermoelectric conversion is a technology based on direct conversion of heat energy into electricity; it is expected to be a promising tool for recovering waste heat for energy saving and more efficient fuel usage [1].
Irradiation Performances Analysis of Multi-LED Optical Wireless Power Transmission System Based on Collimation Scheme
Authors: Zhao Mingzhi , Miyamoto Tomoyuki
Published: December 2022

LED-based optical wireless power transmission (OWPT) systems are a novel technology for remote power transmission with the advantages of safety, long distance, high directionality, and no EMI.
Birefringence Measurements of the Stretched Hydrogel Materials and Shark Corneas by Photoelastic Method
Authors: Lin Yu-Hsiang , Ma Yu-Chi , Hsu Yu-Cheng , Li Jia Han
Published: December 2022

The human cornea comprises many tissues and structures [1], which can be divided into epithelium, anterior elastic lamina, stroma, descemets membrane and endothelium of the anterior chamber from the outside to the inside.
Mid-infrared extraordinary transmission through gold-covered dielectric microsphere monolayer
Authors: Tam H. TT. , Kajikawa K.
Published: December 2022

Extraordinary optical transmission (EOT), originally reported by Ebbesen et al. [1], is a phenomenon that electromagnetic waves pass through small holes periodically perforated in a metallic film with high transmittance.
Intrinsic circularly polarized H1 photonic crystal cavity modes near exceptional points
Authors: Fong C.F. , Ota Y. , Arakawa Y. , Iwamoto S. , Kato Y. K.
Published: December 2022

Non-Hermitian systems are open physical systems that could exchange energy with their surrounding environment.
Molecular orientation mapping down to sub-wavelength scale
Authors: Juodkazis Saulius , Ryu Meguya , Nishijima Yoshiaki , Ng Soon Hock , Morikawa Junko
Published: December 2022

Polarisation of light can be used to measure orientation of absorbing dipoles, birefringent domains, material re-distribution in complex mixtures at very different spectral domains: from visible throughout infra-red (IR) to sub-mm wavelength at THz frequencies.
Direct generation of green vortex from a Pr:YLF laser by an optical needle pump geometry
Authors: Miike Taku , Morohashi Takuya , Rao A Srinivasa , Miamoto Katsuhiko , Omatsu Takashige
Published: December 2022

Optical vortex has been receiving tremendous interests in a wide range of applications such as fluorescence microscopy with a high spatial resolution beyond the diffraction limit [1], optical manipulation [2], and materials processing [3].
Considering memory functionality for planer wave-guide structures with photo-magnetic materials
Authors: Munekata Hiro
Published: December 2022

Form of an optical memory unit is illustrated schematically in Figs. 1(a) and (b); (a) Mach-Zehnder interferometer (WG-MZI) and (b) WG splitter/selector.
Generation of tunable terahertz Bessel beam with a Tsurupica Axicon lens
Authors: Nomura Riku , Miyamoto Katsuhiko , Omatsu Takashige
Published: December 2022

Bessel beams possess unique properties, such as non-diffraction, super-resolution focused spot, and self-healing effects [1].
Up-Conversion Cross-Correlation for Characterization of Sub-Nanosecond Terahertz-Wave Pulses
Authors: Takida Yuma , Nawata Kouji , Notake Takashi , Minamide Hiroaki
Published: December 2022

Over the last decade, there has been a growing interest in the development of semiconductor-based THz-wave detectors with high-speed responses for many applications, such as non-destructive sensing and wireless communications.
Multi-wavelength stepping wedge cavity design for a mixed chirality single-walled carbon nanotube film
Authors: Yang HeeBong , Kim Na Young
Published: December 2022

A planar microcavity is a well-known photonic structure by sandwiching two distributed-Bragg-reflectors (DBRs).
Chirality distributions of grown single-walled carbon nanotubes assigned by photoluminescence spectroscopy
Authors: Irita Masaru , Yamamoto Takahiro , Homma Yoshikazu
Published: December 2022

In order to realize single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) chiral selective growth, it is important to elucidate the mechanism of SWNT chirality (n,m) selectivity.
Development of a Terahertz Parametric Generator/Detector for Nondestructive Testing
Authors: Murate Kosuke , Kawase Kodo
Published: December 2022

We have been researched in the development of an injection-seeded terahertz parametric generator (is-TPG) [1] and terahertz parametric detector [2].
Terahertz near-field imaging of highly-malignant early-stage breast cancer
Authors: Okada Kosuke , Cassar Quentin , Murakami Hironaru , MacGrogan Gaëtan , Guillet Jean-Paul , Mounaix Patrick , Tonouchi Masayoshi , Serita Kazunori
Published: December 2022

Terahertz (THz) imaging has a potential to intraoperatively diagnose breast cancers in a label-free manner [1].
Plasmonic bound states in the continuum for unpolarized weak spatially coherent light
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Liang Yao , Qu Jiaqi , Chen Mu Ku , Cui Mingjie , Cheng Zhi , Zhang Jingcheng , Yao Jin , Chen Shufan , Tsai Din Ping , Yu Changyuan
Published: December 2022

Plasmonic resonances empowered by bound states in the continuum (BICs) offer unprecedented opportunities to tailor light–matter interaction. However, excitation of high quality-factor (

Q

-factor) quasi-BICs is often limited to collimated light at specific polarization and incident directions, rendering challenges for unpolarized focused light. The major hurdle is the lack of robustness against weak spatial coherence and poor polarization of incident light. Here, addressing this limitation, we demonstrate sharp resonances in symmetric plasmonic metasurfaces by exploiting BICs in the parameter space, offering ultraweak angular dispersion effect and polarization-independent performance. Specifically, a high-

Q

(

≈
71

) resonance with near-perfect absorption (

>
90
%

) is obtained for the input of unpolarized focused light covering wide incident angles (from 0° to 30°). Also, giant electric and magnetic field enhancement simultaneously occurs in quasi-BICs. These results provide a way to achieve efficient near-field enhancement using focused light produced by high numerical aperture objectives.
The burden of respiratory conditions in the emergency department of Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania in the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross sectional descriptive study
Authors: Ndumwa Harrieth P. , Mboya Erick A. , Amani Davis Elias , Mashoka Ramadhani , Nicholaus Paulina , Haniffa Rashan , Beane Abi , Mfinanga Juma , Sunguya Bruno , Sawe Hendry R. , Baker Tim
Published: December 2022

Globally, respiratory diseases cause 10 million deaths every year. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the burden of respiratory illness increased and led to significant morbidity and mortality in both high- and low-income countries. This study assessed the burden and trend of respiratory conditions among patients presenting to the emergency department of Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania and compared with national COVID-19 data to determine if this knowledge may be useful for the surveillance of disease outbreaks in settings of limited specific diagnostic testing. The study used routinely collected data from the electronic information system in the Emergency Medical Department (EMD) of Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania. All patients presenting to the EMD in a 2-year period, 2020 and 2021 with respiratory conditions were included. Descriptive statistics and graphical visualizations were used to describe the burden of respiratory conditions and the trends over time and to compare to national Tanzanian COVID-19 data during the same period. One in every four patients who presented to the EMD of the Muhimbili National Hospital had a respiratory condition– 1039 patients per month. Of the 24,942 patients, 52% were males, and the median age (IQR) was 34.7 (21.7, 53.7) years. The most common respiratory diagnoses were pneumonia (52%), upper respiratory tract infections (31%), asthma (4.8%) and suspected COVID-19 (2.5%). There were four peaks of respiratory conditions coinciding with the four waves in the national COVID-19 data. We conclude that the burden of respiratory conditions among patients presenting to the EMD of Muhimbili National Hospital is high. The trend shows four peaks of respiratory conditions in 2020–2021 seen to coincide with the four waves in the national COVID-19 data. Real-time hospital-based surveillance tools may be useful for early detection of respiratory disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies in settings with limited diagnostic testing.
Barriers to providing healthcare to children living with cerebral palsy in Ghana: A qualitative study of healthcare provider perspectives
Authors: Oguntade Habibat A. , Nishath Thamanna , Owusu Prince G. , Papadimitriou Christina , Sakyi Kwame S.
Published: December 2022

Children with neurodevelopmental disabilities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) experience profound health and social inequities. While challenges faced by children living with disabilities and their caregivers have been widely documented, little is known about barriers faced by healthcare providers (HCPs) who serve these children. This study seeks to understand the barriers to testing, diagnosing, referral, and treatment of children living with cerebral palsy (CLWCP) from the perspectives of HCPs in Ghana. This qualitative study was conducted in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. A snowball sampling strategy was used to recruit HCPs from major hospitals, education centers, and health facilities. Data were collected through 11 semi-structured in-depth interviews (IDIs) with HCPs. Using an adapted version of the Sweat & Denison socio-ecological framework (SDSF), barriers to providing healthcare to CLWCPs were organized into superstructural, structural, environmental, relational, individual, and technological levels. We found that barriers to providing healthcare to CLWCPs exist at all levels of the adapted framework. The most salient barriers were identified at the superstructural, structural, and environmental levels. All HCPs expressed frustration with Ghana’s health insurance policies and inadequacies of the health systems infrastructures, such as patient assessment rooms, health information systems, and pharmaceutical products for CP care. HCPs also reported that disability-related stigma often discourages providers in training from specializing in the area of developmental disabilities. HCPs emphasized critical challenges related to local perceptions of disability, gender norms and ideologies, and health system policies and infrastructure. Findings highlight the importance of identifying multi-level factors that can influence testing, diagnosing, referral, treatment, and provision of care for CLWCPs in Ghana. Addressing identified challenges from each level of influence may improve CLWCP’s experiences throughout the care continuum.
Conjectures and refutations: Species diversity and phylogeny of Australoheros from coastal rivers of southern South America (Teleostei: Cichlidae)
Authors: Santos de Lucena Carlos A. , Kullander Sven , Norén Michael , Calegari Bárbara
Published: December 2022

Morphological and genetic analyses of species ofAustraloherosfocusing on those distributed in coastal rivers from the Rio de La Plata north to the Rio Buranhém, support recognition of 17 valid species in the genus. Eight species are represented in coastal rivers:A acaroides,A.facetus,A.ipatinguensis,A.oblongus,A.ribeirae, andA.sanguineusare validated from earlier descriptions.Australoheros mboapariis a new species from the Rio Taquari in the Rio Jacuí drainage.Australoheros ricaniis a new species from the upper Rio Jacuí. Specimens from the Rio Yaguarón and Rio Tacuary, affluents of Laguna Merín, and tributaries of the Rio Negro, tributary of the Rio Uruguay are assigned toA.minuanopending critical data on specimens from the type locality ofA.minuano.Australoheros taurais a junior synonym ofA.acaroides.Australoheros autrani,A.saquarema,A.capixaba,A.macaensis,A.perdi, andA.muriaeare junior synonyms ofA.ipatinguensis.Heros autochthon,A.mattosi,A.macacuensis,A.montanus,A.tavaresi,A.paraibae, andA.barbosae, are junior synonyms ofA.oblongus.Heros jenynsiiis a junior synonym ofA.facetus.
Predictors of unfavourable treatment outcome in patients diagnosed with drug-resistant tuberculosis in the Torres Strait / Papua New Guinea border region
Authors: Foster J’Belle , Mendez Diana , Marais Ben J. , Peniyamina Dunstan , McBryde Emma S.
Published: December 2022

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is an ongoing challenge in the Torres Strait Islands (TSI) / Papua New Guinea (PNG) border region. Treatment success rates have historically been poor for patients diagnosed with DR-TB, leading to increased transmission. This study aimed to identify variables associated with unfavourable outcome in patients diagnosed with DR-TB to inform programmatic improvements. A retrospective study of all DR-TB cases who presented to Australian health facilities in the Torres Strait between 1 March 2000 and 31 March 2020 was performed. This time period covers four distinct TB programmatic approaches which reflect Australian and Queensland Government decisions on TB management in this remote region. Univariate and multivariate predictors of unfavourable outcome were analysed. Unfavourable outcome was defined as lost to follow up, treatment failure and death. Successful outcome was defined as cure and treatment completion. In total, 133 patients with resistance to at least one TB drug were identified. The vast majority (123/133; 92%) of DR-TB patients had pulmonary involvement; and of these, 41% (50/123) had both pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB. Unfavourable outcomes were observed in 29% (39/133) of patients. Patients living with human immunodeficiency virus, renal disease or diabetes (4/133; 4/133; 3/133) had an increased frequency of unfavourable outcome (p <0.05), but the numbers were small. Among all 133 DR-TB patients, 41% had a low lymphocyte count, which was significantly associated with unfavourable outcome (p <0.05). We noted a 50% increase in successful outcomes achieved in the 2016–2020 programmatic period, compared to earlier periods (OR 5.3, 95% Confidence Interval [1.3, 20.4]). Being a close contact of a known TB case was associated with improved outcome. While DR-TB treatment outcomes have improved over time, enhanced surveillance for DR-TB, better cross border collaboration and consistent diagnosis and management of comorbidities and other risk factors should further improve patient care and outcomes.
Descriptive epidemiology of hospitalized patients with bacterial nosocomial pneumonia who experience 30-day readmission in the US, 2014–2019
Authors: Zilberberg Marya D. , Nathanson Brian H. , Puzniak Laura A. , Zilberberg Noah W. D. , Shorr Andrew F.
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Nosocomial pneumonia (NP) remains associated with excess morbidity and mortality. The effect of NP on measures such as re-admission at 30 days remains unclear. Moreover, differing types of NP may have varying impacts on re-admissions.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study within the Premier Research database, a source containing administrative, pharmacy, and microbiology data. We compared NP patients readmitted with pneumonia (RaP) as the principal diagnosis to those readmitted for other reasons (RaO) with respect to the type of NP (ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia [VABP], ventilated hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia [vHABP], and non-ventilated HABP [nvHABP]), and characteristics and outcomes of the index hospitalization.

Results

Among 17,819 patients with NP, 14,123 (79.3%) survived to discharge, of whom 2,151 (15.2%) required an acute readmission within 30 days of index discharge. Of these, 106 (4.9%) were RaP, and the remainder were RaO. At index hospitalization, RaP patients were older (mean age [SD] 67.4 (13.9] vs. 63.0 [15.2] years), more likely medical (44.3% vs. 36.7%), and less chronically ill (median [IQR] Charlson scores (3 [2–5] vs. 4 [2–5]) than persons with RaO. Bacteremia (10.4% vs. 17.5%), need for vasopressors (15.1% vs. 20.0%), dialysis (9.4% vs. 16.5%), and/or sepsis (9.4% vs. 16.5%) or septic shock 14.2% vs. 17.1%) occurred less frequently in the RaP group. With respect to NP type, nvHABP was most common in RaP (47.2%) and VABP in RaO (38.1%).

Conclusions

One in seven survivors of a hospitalization complicated by NP requires an acute rehospitalization within 30 days. However, few of these readmissions had a principal diagnosis of pneumonia, irrespective of NP type. Of the 5% of NP subjects with RaP, the plurality initially suffered from nvHABP.
Depression, anxiety, and burnout among hospital workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Pala Andrea Norcini , Chuang Jessica C. , Chien Ai , Krauth David M. , Leitner Stefano A. , Okoye Nnenna M. , Costello Sadie C. , Rodriguez Robert M. , Sheira Lila A. , Solomon Gina , Weiser Sheri D.
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Healthcare personnel have faced unprecedented mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study objective is to assess differences in depression, anxiety, and burnout among healthcare personnel with various occupational roles and whether financial and job strain were associated with these mental health outcomes.

Methods

We employed an anonymous survey between July and August 2020 at an urban county hospital in California, USA. We assessed depression, anxiety, and burnout using validated scales, and asked questions on financial strain and job strain. We performed logistic and linear regression analyses.

Results

Nurses (aOR 1.93, 95% CIs 1.12, 3.46), social workers (aOR 2.61, 95% CIs 1.35, 5.17), service workers (aOR 2.55, 95% CIs 1.20, 5.48), and administrative workers (aOR 2.93, 95% CIs 1.57, 5.61) were more likely than physicians to screen positive for depression. The odds of screening positive for anxiety were significantly lower for ancillary workers (aOR 0.32, 95% CIs 0.13–0.72) compared with physicians. Ancillary (aB = -1.77, 95% CIs -1.88, -0.47) and laboratory and pharmacy workers (aB -0.70, 95% CI -1.34, -0.06) reported lower levels of burnout compared with physicians. Financial strain partially accounted for differences in mental health outcomes across job categories. Lack of time to complete tasks and lack of supervisory support were associated with higher odds of screening positive for depression. Less job autonomy was associated with higher odds of screening positive for anxiety and higher burnout levels.

Conclusions

We found significant disparities in mental health outcomes across occupational roles. Policies to mitigate the adverse impact of COVID-19 on health workers’ mental health should include non-clinical staff and address financial support and job characteristics for all occupational roles.
Abnormalities of hippocampus and frontal lobes in heart failure patients and animal models with cognitive impairment or depression: A systematic review
Authors: Lu Ziwen , Teng Yu , Wang Lei , Jiang Yangyang , Li Tong , Chen Shiqi , Wang Baofu , Li Yang , Yang Jingjing , Wu Xiaoxiao , Cheng Weiting , Cui Xiangning , Zhao Mingjing
Published: December 2022

Aims

This systematic review aimed to study the hippocampal and frontal changes of heart failure (HF) patients and HF animal models with cognitive impairment or depression.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was conducted independently by reviewers using PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases.

Results and conclusions

30 studies were included, involving 17 pieces of clinical research on HF patients and 13 studies of HF animal models. In HF patients, the hippocampal injuries were shown in the reduction of volume, CBF, glucose metabolism, and gray matter, which were mainly observed in the right hippocampus. The frontal damages were only in reduced gray matter and have no difference between the right and left sides. The included HF animal model studies were generalized and demonstrated the changes in inflammation and apoptosis, synaptic reduction, and neurotransmitter disorders in the hippocampus and frontal lobes. The results of HF animal model studies complemented the clinical observations by providing potential mechanistic explanations of the changes in the hippocampus and frontal lobes.
How does digital village construction influences carbon emission? The case of China
Authors: Hao Aimin , Hou Yirui , Tan Jiayin
Published: December 2022

Taking 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2020 as a research sample, this paper empirically tests the impact of digital village construction on carbon emissions. This study found that there is an "inverted U" curve relationship between digital rural construction and rural carbon emissions. Agricultural planting structure and agricultural technology efficiency are important ways for digital village construction to reduce agricultural carbon emissions. The study also found that the higher the level of economic development, the stronger the carbon emission reduction effect of digital village construction. In addition, there are also significant differences in the carbon emission reduction effect of digital village construction in regions with different environmental regulation intensities. Finally, in terms of the relationship between digital economic activities and carbon emission reduction, the research conclusions of this paper have important implications.
Pre-service factors associated with sexual misconduct among male U.S. Marines
Authors: LeardMann Cynthia A. , Haile Yohannes G. , McAnany Jennifer , Stander Valerie A. , Williams Diane , Millegan Jeffrey , Carlton Keyia N. ,   for the Recruit Assessment Program
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Sexual assault is a prevalent and persistent problem in the military, yet few studies have examined predictors of sexual offenses. The study aim was to determine pre-service factors associated with sexual offense conviction among U.S. Marines.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from male active duty U.S. Marines (2003–2018). Pre-service factors were assessed using survey data from the Recruit Assessment Program, obtained prior to recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. These survey data were linked with sexual offense conviction data obtained from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service Consolidated Law Enforcement Operations Center.

Results

Of the 146,307 participants, the majority were 18–19 years old (66.7%) and non-Hispanic, White (62.1%) with a high school education or less (76.8%); 107 received convictions for a sexual offense. In unadjusted analyses, race and ethnicity, parental education, type of primary caregiver, parental death, family economic status, childhood emotional trauma, childhood physical abuse, childhood sexual abuse, and unprotected sex were associated with a sexual offense conviction. In the final multivariable model, race and ethnicity (American Indian/Alaskan Native, odds ratio [OR]: 5.28, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.86–14.98; Hispanic, OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.06–3.18; multiracial/other, OR: 3.28, 95% CI: 1.56–6.89), education (≤ high school, OR: 2.65; 95% CI: 1.21–5.80), parental death (OR: 2.27; 95% CI: 1.16–4.45), unprotected sex (OR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.03–3.05), and school suspension/expulsion (OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.02–2.65) were significant predictors of a subsequent sexual offense conviction.

Conclusions

Results underscore the importance of understanding factors associated with sexual offense and highlight the large discrepancy between self-reported estimates of sexual assault and sexual offense convictions. Findings may inform the development of effective strategies to reduce sexual misconduct, such as technology-facilitated programs that provide private, targeted education; supportive assistance; and prevention materials to individuals who may have elevated sexual misconduct risk.
Impact of increased kidney function on clinical and biological outcomes in real-world patients treated with Direct Oral Anticoagulants
Authors: Corrochano Mariana , Acosta-Isaac René , Plaza Melania , Muñoz Rodrigo , Mojal Sergi , Moret Carla , Souto Joan Carles
Published: December 2022

Background and purpose

Renal excretion of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) varies depending on the drug. Hypothetically, an increased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) may lead to suboptimal dosing and a higher thromboembolic events incidence. However, real-world patient data do not support the theoretical risk. The aim is to analyse DOAC outcomes in patients with normal and high (≥90 mL/min) GFR, focusing on biological parameters and thrombotic/haemorrhagic events.

Methods

Observational prospective single-centre study and registry of patients on DOACs. Follow-up was 1,343 patient-years. A bivariate analysis was performed of baseline variables according to GFR (<90 mL/min vs ≥90 mL/min). Anti-Xa activity before and after drug intake (HemosIL, Liquid Anti-Xa, Werfen) was measured for edoxaban, apixaban, and rivaroxaban; diluted thrombin time for dabigatran (HEMOCLOT); and additionally, plasma concentrations in edoxaban (HemosIl, Liquid Anti-Xa suitably calibrated).

Results

1,135 patients anticoagulated with DOACs were included and 152 patients with GFR ≥90 mL/min. Of 18 serious thrombotic complications during follow-up, 17 occurred in patients with GFR <90 mL/min, and 1 in a patient with GFR ≥90 mL/min. A higher incidence of complications was observed in patients with normal GFR, but the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). No statistically significant differences with clinical relevance were observed between the normal or supranormal groups in anti-Xa activity or in edoxaban plasma concentrations.

Conclusions

There was no increased incidence of thrombotic/haemorrhagic complications in our patients treated with DOACs, including 66% treated with edoxaban, and patients with GFR ≥90 mL/min. Likewise, drug anti-Xa activity and edoxaban plasma concentration did not seem to be influenced by GFR.
Understanding the domain of driving distraction with knowledge graphs
Authors: Xu Wenxia , Feng Lei , Ma Jun
Published: December 2022

This paper aims to provide insight into the driving distraction domain systematically on the basis of scientific knowledge graphs. For this purpose, 3,790 documents were taken into consideration after retrieving fromWeb of Science Core Collectionand screening, and two types of knowledge graphs were constructed to demonstrate bibliometric information and domain-specific research content respectively. In terms of bibliometric analysis, the evolution of publication and citation numbers reveals the accelerated development of this domain, and trends of multidisciplinary and global participation could be identified according to knowledge graphs from Vosviewer. In terms of research content analysis, a new framework consisting of five dimensions was clarified, including “objective factors”, “human factors”, “research methods”, “data” and “data science”. The main entities of this domain were identified and relations between entities were extracted using Natural Language Processing methods with Python 3.9. In addition to the knowledge graph composed of all the keywords and relationships, entities and relations under each dimension were visualized, and relations between relevant dimensions were demonstrated in the form of heat maps. Furthermore, the trend and significance of driving distraction research were discussed, and special attention was given to future directions of this domain.
Factors associated with non-response to naldemedine for opioid-induced constipation in cancer patients: A subgroup analysis
Authors: Kanbayashi Yuko , Shimizu Mayumi , Ishizuka Yuichi , Sawa Shohei , Yabe Katsushige , Uchida Mayako
Published: December 2022

Background

Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is one of the most common adverse events of opioid therapy and can severely reduce quality of life (QOL). Naldemedine is the orally available peripheral-acting μ-opioid receptor antagonist approved for OIC treatment. However in daily clinical practice, some cancer patients show insufficient control of OIC even while receiving naldemedine.

Objective

To identify factors associated with non-response to naldemedine in cancer patients.

Methods

This study retrospectively analyzed 127 cancer patients prescribed naldemedine at Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital in Japan between November 2016 and June 2021. For the regression analysis of factors associated with OIC, variables were extracted manually from electronic medical records. Naldemedine had been prescribed by the attending physician after the presence of OIC had been defined with reference to Rome IV diagnostic criteria. Naldemedine was evaluated as “effective” in cases where the number of defecations increased at least once in the first 3 days after starting naldemedine. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with non-response to naldemedine. The data used were from the group of patients who received naldemedine in our previous study.

Results

Factors significantly associated with non-response to naldemedine included chemotherapy with taxanes within 1 month of evaluation of naldemedine effect (odds ratio [OR] = 0.063; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.007–0.568), and addition of or switching to naldemedine due to insufficient efficacy of prior laxatives (OR = 0.352, 95% CI = 0.129–0.966).

Conclusion

The identification of factors associated with non-response to naldemedine prescribed for OIC may help improve QOL among cancer patients.
Imputation methods for missing failure times in recurrent-event survival analysis: Application to suicide attempts in the transgender population
Authors: Liu Shanshan , Reisner Sari L. , Herman Jody L. , Weller Edie
Published: December 2022

Suicide risk among transgender populations is an important public health issue. In a project evaluating association between gender affirmation and suicide attempts in the US Transgender Survey, we evaluated the relationship between gender affirmation and risk for suicide attempts. One of the challenges is that the age at suicide attempts was only collected for the first and last attempt. The initial zero-inflated negative binomial model enabled us to evaluate the association between gender affirmation and number of suicide attempts per 5 years adjusting for other covariates. However, ignoring missing failure times of recurrent events may have caused bias and loss of efficiency. In this paper, we use a recurrent-event survival analysis incorporating time-varying covariates with three approaches to impute the age at suicide attempt, estimates from three imputation approaches are similar. We were able to confirm the findings from the initial model and identify additional associations that were not detected in the initial analysis. Findings suggest the need to consider additional analytical approaches in settings with high data missingness by design. Research to validate and compare measures that ask first and last attempt to those which enumerate all attempts in this population will be important for future surveys.
Collateral positives of COVID-19 for culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Western Sydney, Australia
Authors: Cornell Samuel , Ayre Julie , Mac Olivia , Kapoor Raveena , Pickles Kristen , Batcup Carys , Dolan Hankiz , Bonner Carissa , Cvejic Erin , Mouwad Dana , Zacharia Dipti , Tularic Una , Santalucia Yvonne , Chen Ting Ting , Basic Gordana , McCaffery Kirsten , Muscat Danielle
Published: December 2022

Background

To investigate whether culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in Western Sydney have experienced any positive effects during the COVID-19 pandemic, and if so, what these were.

Methods

A cross–sectional survey with ten language groups was conducted from 21stMarch to 9thJuly 2021 in Sydney, Australia. Participants were recruited through bilingual multicultural health staff and health care interpreter service staff and answered a question, ‘In your life, have you experienced any positive effects from the COVID-19 pandemic?’ Differences were explored by demographic variables. Free–text responses were thematically coded using the Content Analysis method.

Results

707 people completed the survey, aged 18 to >70, 49% males and 51% females. Only 161 (23%) of those surveyed reported any positive impacts. There were significant differences in the proportion of those who reported positives based on age (p = 0.004), gender (p = 0.013), language (p = 0.003), health literacy (p = 0.014), English language proficiency (p = 0.003), education (p = <0.001) and whether participants had children less than 18 years at home (p = 0.001). Content Analysis of open-ended responses showed that, of those that did report positives, the top themes were ‘Family time’ (44%), ‘Improved self-care’ (31%) and, ‘Greater connection with others’ (17%).

Discussion

Few surveyed participants reported finding any positives stemming from the COVID–19 pandemic. This finding is in stark contrast to related research in Australia with participants whose native language is English in which many more people experienced positives. The needs of people from CALD backgrounds must inform future responses to community crises to facilitate an equitable effect of any collateral positives that may arise.