bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MYTHS OR MEMORIES
Authors: Manou Prodromos
Published: April 2023

In the old times, not so old and distant as we think now, the elders also known as ‘the moonstruck’ would gather after a long day at work around a fire, a hearth, and as they removed the weariness of the whole day, they would invite the younger members of the family and would share their memories. Stories of their past, stories they heard of or seen with their own eyes, stories they witnessed and stories they only listened to. Stories so old, from memories faded, forgotten, narratives of incidents changed, that connect with events leading to legends, and folk tales. Tales born from tradition and memory. A very old memory, with a plot easy to understand and usually local - a place near the place of those storytellers. Those entertainers of the not so far away world, would produce images in the minds of their audience, colours and forms as they were responsible for keeping that legend and memory alive. The result of that storytelling around the fire was thousands of images. Then the images would turn to words from that young audience that would grow older and become those elder near the fireplace. It was their time to disseminate the images in the heads of the next generation, and keep those memories alive.
THE HAND MEMORY
Authors: Calegari Giulio
Published: April 2023

Traces of ancient gestures are recalled and re-interpreted in an artistic way. Prehistoric chipped stone artefacts: preserve techniques, gestures, sounds and memories. Maybe stories. Just like in a book or in a musical score. We can reconstruct these ancient artefacts and use them to verify their function.
PROJECT SPINOZA: RE/MEMBERING SENSORIAL COGENCY - (Part two)
Authors: Barth Theodor
Published: April 2023

The purpose of this article is to present a research portfolio – composed of an online archive and an index from 2020-22 – and perform its outcomes in a memory-theatre. The design needed for this theatre is modelled on Baruch Spinoza’s Ethica, in which the order of a geometrical demonstration hosts a philosophical investigation. The non-same rules/ heteronomy of the host and the guest, in Spinoza’s opus magnum, is an instance of a wider phenomenon which the article seeks to explore and exploit: the docking of an investigation, by the means of a contraption that is foreign to it, intercepting images of what the present may have in store (whether past, present, or future). The sensorial cogency that picks up on elements it can comprehend, but never fully contain: the mnemonic slippery nature of the image. On this backdrop, the article discusses different ways of pairing up with the environment, through media that are hosted rather than belonging there: the different terms of populating the present, being together or forming a group, serve to elucidate certain aspects of memory – mnemonic devices with an environmental footprint – in fieldwork, laboratory research, digital culture or presently the electrosphere. The article thereby seeks to develop and propose some designs to work with the problem of interception – picking up changes in the ‘memory of the present’ (Bergson, 2021): what it holds and what it has in store. The article seeks to establish a parity between apparatuses with such impact, in view of comparing them: whether they are as simple as 1) a post in a hole (a datum), or more complex as 2) a computer docked to a home-office (another datum). In the presentation of the portfolio, a framework for partaking of such changes, compiling the experience prompted by them, is proposed (Benjamin, 1999). The major feature of this framework is then deepened in a situated case-study: here, positions coexisting and valued on different terms, in the presence of a cabin in reconstruction, shift as they are logged in a guest book. In a section on design, the article probes a broader applicability of what has been found in the case-study, based on a wider fieldwork experience. Principle: repair also writes re-pair. In the conclusion, a design for a ‘contemporary interception’ is demonstrated visually. The anthroponomical framework is conceived as a scholarly contribution to art, and an artistic contribution to science, through a mnemonic understanding of the technical image.
Imitatio, Aemulatio or Comparatio? Demetrius Poliorcetes and his attitude towards Alexander the Great’s accomplishment and legacy
Authors: Zieliński Tomasz
Published: April 2023

Artykuł podejmuje problem naśladowania Aleksandra Wielkiego przez Demetriusza Poliorketesa. Pogląd, że imitatio Alexandri stanowiło dominujący stosunek tego władcy do pamięci o Aleksandrze został szeroko zaakceptowany przez współczesnych badaczy. Z tego powodu porównują oni obu władców i oceniają Demetriusza przez pryzmat osiągnięć Aleksandra. Autor stara się zwrócić uwagę na problemy takiego podejścia dla ukazania osiągnięć Poliorketesa. Wskazuje również, że utrudnia nam ono poznanie rzeczywistych celów władcy.
Kondycja wojsk koronnych w listach Jana Joachima Kampenhausena komendanta garnizonu lwowskiego z lat 1712-1715 do hetmana wielkiego koronnego Adama Mikołaja Sieniawskiego
Authors: Krasoń Maksymilian
Published: April 2023

W niniejszej pracy, na podstawie analizy korpusu listów komendanta garnizonu lwowskiego, Jana Joachima Kampenhausena do hetmana wielkiego koronnego Adama Mikołaja Sieniawskiego, podjęta została próba ukazania kłopotów z jakimi zmagały się wojska polskie na początku XVIII stulecia, które to ze względu na swój ich szeroki wachlarz, czynią z tejże korespondencji cenny, a wręcz modelowy przykład, niewystępujący w dotychczasowej historiografii.
Future Contingencies and the Arrow and Flow of Time in a Non-Deterministic World According to the Temporal-Modal System TM
Authors: Arsenijević Miloš , Jandrić Andrej
Published: April 2023

It is shown how the temporal-modal system of events TM (axiomatized in Appendix) allows for the avoidance of the logical determinism without the rejection of the principle of bivalence. The point is that the temporal and the modal parts of TM are so inter-related that modalities are in-the-real-world-inherent modalities independently of whether they concern actual or only possible events. Though formulated in a tenseless language, whose interpretation does not require the assumption of tense facts at the basic level of reality, TM implies an objective, observer-independent difference between tenses based only on the way in which modalities are distributed along the time continuum. The conclusion is that the arrow of time is an intra-model characteristic of any model of TM that describes the non-deterministic real world up to a certain point of its history, while the flow of time is an inter-model characteristic of the continuous transition between these models.
Identifying odds of bloodstream infection in repaired silastic central venous catheters in a pediatric population
Authors: Taroc Ann-Marie , Sullivan Erin
Published: April 2023

Background: Silicone central venous catheters (CVCs) that weaken or rupture are reparable using a commercial repair kit. A literature review exploring bloodstream infections in repaired CVCs identified many findings indicating low or no increased risk of infection. This study aimed to understand pediatric patients’ risk of bloodstream infection with repaired Hickman or Broviac catheters. Methods: A matched retrospective case-control study examined central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) or bacteremia in two separately matched cohorts of patients with silicone-type catheters. Controls were patients with CVCs selected from 2016 to 2019 and were matched to cases based on age group (older or younger than 3 years). Conditional logistic regression models calculated odds ratios (OR), with 95% confidence intervals (CI) representing the odds of a line repair occurring 30 days before an event among cases versus controls. Results: In 61 CLABSI cases and 104 controls, the OR of exposure to a line repair was 0.43; 95% CI, 0.05-3.87, P = 0.45. In comparing 49 bacteremia cases to 109 controls, the OR of exposure to a line repair was 6.69; 95% CI, 0.69-8, P = 0.10. Conclusions: The frequency of CVC repair was relatively low. Associations between repair and infection were not detected in either cohort; however, odds of line repair exposure appeared to be higher in bacteremia cases (a trend not observed in the CLABSI cohort). More extensive studies examining the demographic and clinical characteristics of the CVC repair population will be critical for improving outcomes.
Good Relations
Authors: Russell Meredith Jones
Published: April 2023

In the final part of this series, Meredith Jones Russell finds out why settings make an effort to build strong relationships with the parents who use their baby rooms
Wider Learning
Authors: Allingham Sue
Published: April 2023

In the final part of her series on observation to support wellbeing, Dr Sue Allingham focuses on developing the Specific Areas of Learning
Physical Development on a Budget: Open and closed
Authors: Manners Lala
Published: April 2023

Doors, which come with varying materials, colours and numbers, are a useful resource for supporting strength, balance and co-ordination, says Dr Lala Manners
The Plants in My Street
Authors: Mountain Julie
Published: April 2023

Dandelions are versatile ‘weeds’ – they are edible, make great loose parts and provide a host of opportunities for fun, says Julie Mountain
We’ve Explored... the World
Authors: Rawstrone Annette
Published: April 2023

A parent-run circle time session opened up explorations of countries around the world, which involved kimonos, kilts and a drumming workshop. By Annette Rawstrone
Bittersweet
Authors: Rawstrone Annette
Published: April 2023

Using food as a reward can set up emotional ties to certain foods and promote a problematic idea of food hierarchy. By Annette Rawstrone
Food Safety: Partnership Content
Authors: Weber Rupert
Published: April 2023

Rupert Weber, general manager, apetito talks about the importance of managing young children's allergens.
Must Reads
Authors: Arnold Cath
Published: April 2023

Dr Cath Arnold reviews a book that gives a scientific insight into children’s developing brains in layman’s terms, and a book on implementing the early years curriculum
Recruitment: Vital Support
Authors: Caswell Jo , Peach Kate
Published: April 2023

How to effectively use agency staff to the benefit of the setting’s children and its employees. By Jo Caswell and Kate Peach, owners of Peachwell early years consultancy
Safeguarding Part 1: In Need
Authors: Buckler Rachel
Published: April 2023

What are the competencies needed for safeguarding in the early years? By Rachel Buckler, a trainer and consultant specialising in safeguarding practices and procedures
Profile of Hypertensive Patients Indicated to Surgical Procedures in The Oral Cavity
Authors: Borja de Melo Téssia Richelly Nóbrega , Barros Freitas Dalva Zélia , Machado Patriota Irley Gonzaga , Rivera Giovani Amado , Araújo Flaviano Falcão de
Published: April 2023

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the profile of hypertensive patients, indicated surgical procedures in the oral cavity.

Methods: Treated an observational and cross-sectional research, with a quantitative approach, whose sample consisted of 50 medical records of patients diagnosed with arterial hypertension. A survey was conducted at the Clinical School of the University Center of Patos - UNIFIP / PB. Data collection was performed by a single examiner. The information was distributed on the form prepared for this purpose. The data were computed using the SPSS software for Windows, v. 22, and analyzed by descriptive statistics that use as frequencies, media and standard deviations.

Results: The average age of the patients was 48 years. The majority of the sample was composed of women (58%); by white patients (40%); non-smoking patients (52%) and ex-alcoholics (36%). As for diseases associated with hypertension, diabetes was more prevalent (18%), being also the most frequent among the variations associated with family history (20%). The drug most used by patients was Losartana (34%); and the local dental anesthetic, a 2% Mepivacaine associated with Epinephrine 1,100.00 (56%). Most patients were seen in the morning shift (58%).

Conclusions: It was concluded that white non-smoking women and ex-alcoholics were more prevalent among hypertensive patients, with diabetes being a disease more associated with arterial hypertension.
Formulation and Evaluation of Nutritional, Rheological, Microstructural Parameters and Shelf Life of Instant Buckwheat Soup Mix
Authors: Gomathi G. K. , S. Parameshwari S. Parameshwari
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACT: Buckwheat is an underutilized pseudo- cereal which has potential as a functional food ingredient. The investigation study was carried out to formulate a buckwheat based soup mix. The different level of incorporation (0 to 50%) of gelatinised buckwheat flour was used to prepare soup mix at a different concentration. 30% buckwheat flour incorporation was identified as the best based on proximate, functional and sensory parameters. Storage study at ambient condition, showed a declining trend in sensory score, whereas the total plate count was increasing. The developed instant buckwheat soup mix requires less time for preparation without compensating on the health benefits. Non-communicable diseases (NCD) are chronic diseases that are not transmissible from one person to another. The scope of the study indicated that the effect of buckwheat incorporated instant soup mix helps to prevent non-communicable diseases.
Qualitative Analysis of Culturable Gut Microbes of Selected Cephalopod Species- A Comparative Study
Authors: Chunduri Jayaprada Rao , Singh P Prarthana , P Nair Arati , A Patel Nidhi , B Mehta Sonali
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACT: Microbes present in the digestive tract of an organism are of great importance. The microbial qualitative and quantitative composition represents the physical, physiological conditions, habits, habitats of the organisms as well as their association patterns. The microbes of digestive system have prominent role not only in the sustainability of the organism but also in the food processing industry. The marine cephalopods are one of the preferred marine food resources, next to marine fisheries. The current study aims to understand the microbial content in the digestive system of consumable cephalopods such as sepia and cuttlefish. The commercially available squids from the market and cuttlefish samples from fishing area were collected and used for this study. The organisms were dissected in aseptic conditions and bacteria collected from the guts of these animals. Culturable bacteria were isolated and, identified using gram characteristics as well as 16s r RNA techniques based molecular identification. The identified bacteria were reported to Gen Bank submission. Bacterial representation in the gut microbiome of cephalopods is low and showed distinct difference between cuttlefish and squid species. This low number of bacterial composition may be due to the habitat conditions or the association of bacteria with the animal requires further studies to understand. The commercial value of cephalopods as protein rich food prioritizes the need to address proper treatment process which can alleviate their presence in Indian food industry scenario. The inter and intra-species relation of microbes and metazoans and the associated macromolecules can be used for pharma industry also in future
Estimation of Pulmonary Gas Exchange in the Human Respiratory System Under Normal and Abnormal Conditions
Authors: Patel Nirali , Patel Kaushal
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACT: The human respiratory system is a collection of organs and tissues that regulate gas exchange in the body. There are millions of alveoli in the lungs surrounded by tiny blood capillaries. By breathing, the body inhales oxygen which moves from the alveoli to the blood capillary, and then exhales carbon dioxide in the air that diffuses across the pulmonary membrane of the blood capillary to the alveoli. We aim to develop a mathematical model of respiratory gas exchange that can handle various situations. A Model should be capable of finding the diffusion rate of oxygen that enters into the capillary from the lungs and dissolves into a different level of hemoglobin. It is also able to give the relationship between oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration with time. Numerical simulation helps us to predict the responses of the cardiorespiratory system during a heavy workout, usual activity, and inactive situations. It also considered the various factors that affect the gas exchange relation between partial pressure and saturation.
Nutritional and Sensory Characterization of Watermelon Rind Powder Incorporated Crackers
Authors: R. Arivuchudar R. Arivuchudar
Published: April 2023

Watermelon, is a seasonal fruit with 91% of waterand is relished for its taste, good appeal and nutritional properties. The rind which occupiesa huge volume of the fruit is often disposed off and contributes to a large share from fruit waste. Watermelon rind is known to be a source of moisture, carbohydrate, protein, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. This study was framed with the intention of incorporating the wellness of watermelon rind in the commonly consumed snack, crackers. The watermelon rind was dried and powdered by using standard procedures. The powdered rind was incorporated in the ratio of 10%, 20% and 30% to the refined wheat flour and three variations of crackers namely C1, C2 and C3 were formulated. A significant difference (P<0.05) was found in the means of all the organoleptic parameters and the highly accepted variation in terms of organoleptic evaluation namely C3, was further subjected to nutritional evaluation.When compared with the control crackers the watermelon rind flour (30%) incorporated crackers was found to be superior in nutritional aspects.
A Semi-parametric NHPP-based Software Reliability Modeling with Local Polynomial Debug Rate
Authors: Li Siqiao , Dohi Tadashi , Okamura Hiroyuki
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we propose a new non-homogeneous Poisson process (NHPP) based software reliability model (SRM), where the software debug rate is given by a local polynomial function. The main feature of this semi-parametric SRM is to control the goodness-of-fit by changing the polynomial degree. Numerical examples with 16 actual software development project data are devoted to comparing our SRM with the well-known existing NHPP-based SRMs in terms of goodness-of-fit and predictive performances.
Management Options and Decision Making Algorithm for Distal Femur Fractures
Authors: Azam Mohsin e
Published: April 2023

Distal femur is a complex fractures and most of times a personalized approach is needed for these fractures. Over a period of time variety of approaches and implants have been used for these fractures. The guiding principles for achieving good prognosis is meticulous surgical technique, preservation of fracture biology, restoration of articular surface and overall alignment of the limb. In case of geriatric fractures factors like long terms health and functional goals also need to be taken into consideration in planning treatment. This review focusses on providing an overview of the management options and lay down the premise for the symposium Keywords: .Distal femur fractures, surgical management, decision making
Frequency of Motor Bike Injuries, Helmet Vs Non Helmet Wearing in Karachi Pakistan
Authors: Kumar Ranjeet , Muzamil Muhamad , Mahmood Kashif , Bhatti Anisuddin , Minhas Saeedi , Kumar Vinod
Published: April 2023

Purpose: To assess the frequency of motor bike injuries in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, and frequency of helmet and non helmet wearing among motorcyclist. Design: cross-sectional study. Place and duration of study: Accident& emergency department of Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Center, Civil hospital, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Aga Khan hospital and Liaqat Hospital Karachi. Pakistan from Jan 2014 to December 2014. Patients and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out by ROAD TRAFFIC INJURY RESEARCH AND PREVENTION CENTRE “RTIR&PC” in the five tertiary care hospitals (Civil Hospital ,Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and Aga Khan Hospital) of Karachi, Pakistan. All male motorbike accident victims presented to the emergency department of the selected hospital, were included in the study. A pretested trauma registry form was completed for all patients. Results: Total numbers of accidents were 24360 and total number of injured were 30274. Minor injury 23825 approximately 78.6%, around 65 per day, serious were 5382 approximately 17%,around 15 per day and fatal were 1067 approximately 3.5%, 3 per day. Bike rider injuries were 25855 approximately 85% of all injuries and fatal bike rider accident were 506 approximately 47% of all fatalities. Helmet wearing bike riders were 1123 approximately 4.3% and non helmet wearing were 16681 approximately 64.5%. Injuries related to body part were , head and neck 23% ,fatal were 53%, face 17% ,fatal were 16%, chest 1% fatal 1%, abdomen, pelvic contents 1% fatal 1%, extremity, pelvic girdle 29% fatal 17% external injuries 28% fatal 12%. Conclusion: Injuries in city of Karachi are an important public health problem and contribute to major bulk of Emergency facilities. Motorbike riders are known to be more vulnerable to road accidents and became victims of severe form of injuries even death by road traffic accidents, this unfortunately also becomes a socio economic problem. Non helmet wearing is the major risk factor in fatality for motor bike accidents. By putting into effect laws that enforce road safety measures and helmet usage can prevent these injuries. Key Words: Motor bike , Helmet and Karachi.
Symposium on Pelviacetabular Fracture
Authors: Makker Harish
Published: April 2023

Dear Friends I have been given the responsibility of editor of a Symposium issue of Trauma International on Pelvi- Acetabular Fractures. The idea came so as to dedicate an issue of Trauma International to the -Cadaveric Pelvi Acetabular Fracture Fixation Workshop under C ARM -after creating fractures in a cadaver, which was done for the first time in the world in 2014 and again in 2015. I have tried to include all relevant topics in this symposium so as to make it a comprehensive presentation of diagnosis and management of pelvi -cetabular and sacral #s and its treatment. The symposium is planned to run in three issues of Trauma International. To my knowledge this is a budding field of Orthopaedics as not many surgeons are still comfortable approaching this deep and curved bone and in midlevel and big cities, very few percentage of surgeon attempt this surgery and so has a vast scope of teaching this branch of orthopaedics. To learn a complicated surgery, the methods are- Read from Text book, Attend conferences and workshops, Work under a surgeon who has a vast experience in handling such cases [it may not be necessary that you get such cases when you visit him] or attend such cadaveric workshops where life like atmosphere and fracture-created cadavers are present. Masters of the field are there to reduce and fix it and you get a chance to do the same under their guidance. I had this idea for last few years and with the help of my friends I could achieve this and did the world`s first pelvi -acetabular fracture fixation workshop in September 2014 .My Faculty were Dr. Ramesh Sen of PGI Chandigarh and Dr. Vivek Trikha of AIIMS Delhi and nearby faculty from Kanpur and Lucknow ,which paved the way for 2nd workshop in November 2015 and further an invite to be Editor of a Symposium Issue of Trauma International. Hope this will make a small but significant approach to attract and invite young and not so young surgeons to attempt this branch of orthopaedics. More details will follow in the regular issue of the Journal.
History of Pelvi-Acetabular Fracture Treatment
Authors: Prasad A S , Rishi Rahul
Published: April 2023

Acetabular Fractures were treated conservatively before 1960. Robert Judet in 1960 started to treat displaced Acetabular Fractures Surgically. In the modern world of fast moving vehicular traffic, the Pelvic Fractures are the third most common cause of death in Motor Vehicle accidents. The associated injuries to the abdomen, chest, CNS and long bones as well as hemodynamic instability is frequently present Implementation of the ATLS protocol has helped in the early management of such patients but even during the ”golden hour” further decisions need to be taken regarding the surgical management (temporary or definitive) in order to improve survival rates in such patients. Acetabular Fixation can be delayed for a week after the index injury managing the life threatening injuries first. However they may have to be fixed as a damage control orthopedics when the Hemorrhage of pelvis fracture itself is a cause of the shock. Keywords: Acetabulum Fractures, Pelvis Fracture, treatment.
Emergency Management of Pelvic Fractures
Authors: Faruqui Nadeem Akhtar
Published: April 2023

Hemorrhage is leading cause of death following pelvic fractures. 15-25% of patients of closed pelvic fractures and 50% of open pelvic fracture patients die as a result of haemorrhage. The main source of hemorrhage is the shearing injury of posterior thin walled venous plexus (80%). Other sources of bleeding include the bleeding cancellous bone and arterial injury. Injury to the pelvic viscera is also quite common because of the close proximity. Perineal lacerations make a closed injury into an open injury thereby more than doubling the risk of morbidity and mortality. Adequate fluid replacement and application of a pelvic Binder or Sheet can markedly reduce the mortality associated with this fracture. A linen sheet folded onto itself to make it about 20-30 cms wide applied tightly over the pelvis and centered over the trochanters can significantly reduce the mortality figures. Keywords: Acetabulum fractures, pelvis fracture, emergency management.
Biomechanics of Cancellous Screw
Authors: Thakur Anand J
Published: April 2023

Understanding the basics of implant biomechanics is the foundation of orthopaedic surgery and practice. Bone screws are the most commonly used implant in orthopaedic trauma surgery. This article aims to review the biomechanics and the engineering principles of a bone screw and also discuss the various avatars of a bone screw with main focus on the cancellous screws. Keywords: Cancellous screws, biomechanics, orthopaedic trauma.
Care–life balance: a new normal for men too?
Authors: Prinzellner Yvonne , Simon Ali , Drachmann Danielle , Ghanem Mouna , Münter Lars , Yghemonos Stecy
Published: April 2023

In this ‘Debates and issues’ article, we want to highlight: the issue of a lack of male informal carers; the underlying reasons for it, such as stereotypes, socialisation and representations; and the implications for society, for example, gender inequality and the growing need for informal carers due to shifting demographics in Western societies. In our opinion, there is a lack of research on men in (informal) care work and too little conversation on the reasons why, for example, toxic masculinities, the lack of role models and the neglect of the care sector by policymakers.
Characteristics of Henle’s fiber layer in healthy and glaucoma eyes assessed by polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography
Authors: Motschi Alice R. , Schwarzhans Florian , Desissaire Sylvia , Steiner Stefan , Bogunović Hrvoje , Roberts Philipp K. , Vass Clemens , Hitzenberger Christoph K. , Pircher Michael
Published: April 2023

Using conventional optical coherence tomography (OCT), it is difficult to image Henle fibers (HF) due to their low backscattering potential. However, fibrous structures exhibit form birefringence, which can be exploited to visualize the presence of HF by polarization-sensitive (PS) OCT. We found a slight asymmetry in the retardation pattern of HF in the fovea region that can be associated with the asymmetric decrease of cone density with eccentricity from the fovea. We introduce a new measure based on a PS-OCT assessment of optic axis orientation to estimate the presence of HF at various eccentricities from the fovea in a large cohort of 150 healthy subjects. By comparing a healthy age-matched sub-group (N = 87) to a cohort of 64 early-stage glaucoma patients, we found no significant difference in HF extension but a slightly decreased retardation at about 2° to 7.5° eccentricity from the fovea in the glaucoma patients. This potentially indicates that glaucoma affects this neuronal tissue at an early state.
Robustness of the wide-field imaging Mueller polarimetry for brain tissue differentiation and white matter fiber tract identification in a surgery-like environment: an ex vivo study
Authors: Felger Leonard , Rodríguez-Núñez Omar , Gros Romain , Maragkou Theoni , McKinley Richard , Moriconi Stefano , Murek Michael , Zubak Irena , Novikova Tatiana , Pierangelo Angelo , Schucht Philippe
Published: April 2023

During neurooncological surgery, the visual differentiation of healthy and diseased tissue is often challenging. Wide-field imaging Muller polarimetry (IMP) is a promising technique for tissue discrimination and in-plane brain fiber tracking in an interventional setup. However, the intraoperative implementation of IMP requires realizing imaging in the presence of remanent blood, and complex surface topography resulting from the use of an ultrasonic cavitation device. We report on the impact of both factors on the quality of polarimetric images of the surgical resection cavities reproduced in fresh animal cadaveric brains. The robustness of IMP is observed under adverse experimental conditions, suggesting a feasible translation of IMP for in vivo neurosurgical applications.
Cloud height and thickness measurement based on a superconducting nanowire single-photon detector
Authors: Gao Tianquan , Feng Jiali
Published: April 2023

At present, the methods for measuring cloud height and thickness mainly include using micro-pulse lidar and microwave radiometer data. To further study cloud height and thickness, a superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD) is applied to a lidar system for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, to analyze the cloud height and thickness. In the experiment, a 1.2-m-diameter horizon telescope is used for laser emitting and echo receiving, a 1064 nm near-IR pulse laser with a single pulse energy of 4 mJ is used as the system emission laser, and a 4-pixel SNSPD array detector is used as the end receiver to complete the echo photon reception. By analyzing the experimental data, the distributions of cloud height and cloud thickness can be obtained using the laser ranging system. The cloud cover condition on a certain day was measured, and the obtained cloud bottom height was about 1222 m, cloud top height was about 1394 m, and cloud cover thickness was about 172 m. The difference between the cloud cover thickness and the forecast value was 28 m. The cloud cover height and thickness measured by this method are true and credible.
Image reconstruction for low cost spatial light interference microscopy with fixed and arbitrary phase modulation
Authors: Pan Yang , Smith Zachary J. , Chu Kaiqin
Published: April 2023

During the past decade, spatial light interference microscopy (SLIM) has undergone rapid development, evidenced by its broadening applications in biology and medicine. However, the need for an expensive spatial light modulator (SLM) may limit its adoption, and the requirement for multiple images per plane limits its speed in volumetric imaging. Here we propose to address these issues by replacing the SLM with a mask fabricated from a low cost optical density (OD) filter, and recover high contrast images computationally rather than through phase-shifting. This is done using a specially constructed Wiener filter to recover the object scattering potential. A crucial part of the Wiener filter is estimating the arbitrary phase introduced by the OD filter. Our results demonstrate that not only were we able to estimate the OD filter’s phase modulation in situ, but also the contrast of the reconstructed images is greatly improved. Comparisons with other related methods are also performed, with the conclusion that the combination of an inexpensive OD mask and modified Wiener filtering leads to results that are closest to the traditional SLIM setup. Thus, we have demonstrated the feasibility of a low cost, high speed SLIM system utilizing computational phase reconstruction, paving the way for wider adoption of high resolution phase microscopy.
Polymer optical fiber detector adapted for low-dose-rate gamma-ray detection
Authors: Yu Junchang , Zhao Kexin , Zhou Hang , Zhang Qing , Zhang Hongquan
Published: April 2023

In this Letter, a polymer optical fiber (POF) detector with a convex spherical aperture microstructure probe is designed for low-energy and low-dose rate gamma-ray detection. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate that this structure has a higher optical coupling efficiency and that the angular coherence of the detector depends strongly on the depth of the probe micro-aperture. By modeling the relationship between angular coherence and micro-aperture depth, the optimal depth of the micro-aperture is determined. The sensitivity of the fabricated POF detector is 701 cps at 59.5-keV gamma-ray of 2.78 µSv/h and the maximum percentage error of the average count rate at different angles is 5.16%.
Flat visible spectrum by a genetic algorithm optimized photonic crystal fiber in the GHz comb spacing
Authors: Yang Ruoao , Ma Yifan , Zhao Minghe , Han Wei , Li Qian , Chen Zhangyuan , Wang Aimin , Yun Set Sze , Yamashita Shinji , Zhang Zhigang
Published: April 2023

Coherent and flat supercontinuum (SC) sources are demanded for applications of metrology, spectroscopy, and bio-imaging. However, the process of SC generation is usually very complicated. We demonstrated a convenient and efficient method based on a genetic algorithm (GA). According to an objective spectrum, this algorithm could reverse-design the geometry of a fiber or waveguide without knowing the specific non-linear processes involved. Using this method, we designed a dispersion-managed photonic crystal fiber (PCF) for SC generation at 1 GHz comb spacing. With an input pulse of ∼150 fs, 450 pJ at 1050 nm, a 3 dB fluctuation spectrum ranging from 510 nm to 850 nm is obtained, which is absolutely fit to the calibration of an astronomical spectrograph.
Dynamics of a dispersion-tuned swept-fiber laser
Authors: Li Duidui , Yin Guolu , Huang Ligang , Gao Lei , Dang Laiyang , Zhang Zeheng , Huang Jingsheng , Lu Huafeng , Zhu Tao
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we studied the dynamics of a dispersion-tuned swept-fiber laser both experimentally and theoretically. By adding a dispersion compensation fiber and an electro-optic modulator in the laser cavity, an actively mode-locked laser was obtained by using intensity modulation, and wavelength sweeping was realized by changing the modulation frequency. Using a high-speed real-time oscilloscope, the dynamic behaviors of the swept laser were investigated during wavelength switching, static-sweeping cycle, and continuous sweeping, respectively. It was found that the laser generates relaxation oscillation at the start of the sweeping mode. The relaxation oscillation process lasted for about 0.7 ms, and then the laser started to operate stably. Due to the nonlinear effect, new wavelengths were generated in the relaxation oscillation process, which is not beneficial for applications. Fortunately, relaxation oscillation disappears if the laser starts up and operates in the continuous sweeping mode, and the good sweeping symmetry between the positive sweep and negative sweep increases the application potential of the laser. In addition, the instantaneous linewidth is almost the same as that in the static state. These results describe the characteristics of the laser from a new perspective and reveal, to the best our knowledge, the intensity dynamics of such lasers for the first time. This paper provides some new research basis for understanding the establishment process of dispersion-tuned swept-fiber lasers and their potential application in the future.
Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on internet gaming disorder among general population: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gopali Lovin , Dhital Rolina , Koirala Rachita , Shrestha Trijya , Bhusal Sandesh , Rimal Reshika , Shrestha Carmina , Shah Richa
Published: April 2023

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) has been rising in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a noticeable shift in the way people interact with technology, which could have further contributed to an increase in IGD. Post-pandemic, the concern for IGD is likely to continue as people have become increasingly reliant on online activities. Our study aimed to assess the prevalence of IGD among the general population globally during the pandemic. Relevant studies that assessed IGD during COVID-19 were identified using PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycNET between 2020, Jan 1 and 2022, May 23. We used NIH Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies to assess the risk of bias, and GRADEpro for the certainty of the evidence. Three separate meta-analyses were performed using Comprehensive meta-analysis software and Revman 5.4. In total, 362 studies were identified, of which 24 observational (15 cross-sectional and 9 longitudinal) studies among 83,903 population were included in the review, and 9 studies in the meta-analysis. The risk of bias assessment showed an overall fair impression among the studies. The meta-analysis for a single group of 3 studies showed the prevalence rate of 8.00% for IGD. Another meta-analysis of 4 studies for a single group showed a pooled mean of 16.57 which was lower than the cut-off value of the IGDS9-SF tool. The two-group meta-analysis of 2 studies showed no significant difference between the groups before and during COVID-19. Our study showed no clear evidence of increased IGD during COVID-19 due to limited number of comparable studies, substantial heterogeneity, and low certainty of evidence. Further well-designed studies are needed to provide stronger evidence to implement suitable interventions to address IGD worldwide. The protocol was registered and published in the International Prospective Register for Systematic Review (PROSPERO) with the registration number CRD42021282825.
Monkeypox detection from skin lesion images using an amalgamation of CNN models aided with Beta function-based normalization scheme
Authors: Pramanik Rishav , Banerjee Bihan , Efimenko George , Kaplun Dmitrii , Sarkar Ram
Published: April 2023

We have recently been witnessing that our society is starting to heal from the impacts of COVID-19. The economic, social and cultural impacts of a pandemic cannot be ignored and we should be properly equipped to deal with similar situations in future. Recently, Monkeypox has been concerning the international health community with its lethal impacts for a probable pandemic. In such situations, having appropriate protocols and methodologies to deal with the outbreak efficiently is of paramount interest to the world. Early diagnosis and treatment stand as the only viable option to tackle such problems. To this end, in this paper, we propose an ensemble learning-based framework to detect the presence of the Monkeypox virus from skin lesion images. We first consider three pre-trained base learners, namely Inception V3, Xception and DenseNet169 to fine-tune on a target Monkeypox dataset. Further, we extract probabilities from these deep models to feed into the ensemble framework. To combine the outcomes, we propose a Beta function-based normalization scheme of probabilities to learn an efficient aggregation of complementary information obtained from the base learners followed by the sum rule-based ensemble. The framework is extensively evaluated on a publicly available Monkeypox skin lesion dataset using a five-fold cross-validation setup to evaluate its effectiveness. The model achieves an average of 93.39%, 88.91%, 96.78% and 92.35% accuracy, precision, recall and F1 scores, respectively. The supporting source codes are presented in https://github.com/BihanBanerjee/MonkeyPox.
The interplay between cognitive biases, attention control, and social anxiety symptoms: A network and cluster approach
Authors: Claus Nathalie , Takano Keisuke , Wittekind Charlotte E.
Published: April 2023

Cognitive models of social anxiety highlight the importance of different cognitive biases (e.g., attention bias, interpretation bias) and executive dysfunctions, which have, however, mostly been investigated in isolation. The present study explored their interplay using two statistical approaches: (1) network analysis to identify the unique associations between cognitive functions, and (2) cluster analysis to reveal how these associations (or combinations) are manifested in a population. Participants from the general population (N = 147) completed measures of attention control, attention bias, interpretation bias, and social anxiety symptoms. Network analysis showed an association between social anxiety symptoms and interpretation bias, although no other significant associations emerged. Cluster analysis identified a group of participants characterized by an adaptive cognitive pattern (i.e., low cognitive biases, good executive function); and a group exhibiting a more maladaptive pattern (i.e., high interpretation bias, good alerting but poor executive function). The maladaptive group showed higher levels of social anxiety than the adaptive group. Results highlight the strong association between social anxiety symptoms and interpretation bias, while challenging the putative role of attention bias. Attention control, particularly executive function, may limit the impact of cognitive bias on anxiety symptoms.
Early changes in immunoglobulin G levels during immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment are associated with survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients
Authors: Balcar Lorenz , Bauer David , Pomej Katharina , Meischl Tobias , Mandorfer Mattias , Reiberger Thomas , Trauner Michael , Scheiner Bernhard , Pinter Matthias
Published: April 2023

Background & aims

Immunotherapy represents the new standard of care in systemic first-line treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Biomarkers that predict treatment response and survival remain an unmet clinical need.

Methods

Patients with HCC treated with immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) between 10/2017 and 03/2022 were retrospectively evaluated. Immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgM, IgA) were measured at baseline and six weeks after initiation of ICI treatment. Impact of relative changes on overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and time to progression (TTP) were evaluated.

Results

Seventy-two patients with HCC receiving ICI (mostly atezolizumab/bevacizumab n = 54,75%) were included (mean age: 68±12 years, cirrhosis: 72%, mean Child-Turcotte-Pugh [CTP] score: 7±2 points). Most patients had a preserved performance status (ECOG-PS 0, n = 45, 63%), 25 (35%) showed macrovascular invasion, and 32 (44%) had extrahepatic spread.

Baseline immunoglobulin values (median, IgG: 1395mg/dL, IgM: 337mg/dL, IgA: 89mg/dL) were not different between responders and non-responders, and neither baseline nor follow-up immunoglobulin values correlated with OS, PFS, and TTP. However, the relative change in IgG (Δ-IgG) independently predicted OS in multivariable Cox regression analysis after adjusting for severity of liver disease, baseline AFP and CRP as well as for Δ-IgA and Δ-IgM. Patients could be stratified into high (Δ-IgG≥+14%) vs. low (Δ-IgG<+14%) risk groups (median OS: 6.4 vs. 15.9 months; p = 0.001). Importantly, Δ-IgG was also associated with PFS and TTP on adjusted multivariable Cox regression analyses.

Conclusion

Our study proposes a higher increase of Δ-IgG upon ICI treatment as a negative prognostic marker in patients with HCC, independent of underlying liver disease severity. These results require independent validation.
Malnutrition as a major related factor of frailty among older adults residing in long-term care facilities in Korea
Authors: Moon SeolHwa , Oh Eunmi , Chung Daum , Choi Rina , Hong Gwi-Ryung Son
Published: April 2023

Objectives

The objectives of this study were 1) to investigate the prevalence and co-existence of frailty and malnutrition and 2) to identify factors related to frailty (including malnutrition) according to the level of frailty.

Methods

Data collection was conducted from July 11, 2021, to January 23, 2022, in 558 older adults residing in 16 long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in Korea. The FRAIL-NH and Mini-Nutritional Assessment short form were used to measure frailty and nutrition, respectively. The data analysis included descriptive statistics and a multivariate logistic regression.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 83.68 (± 7.39) years. Among 558 participants, 37 (6.6%), 274 (49.1%), and 247 (44.3%) were robust, prefrail, and frail, respectively. At the same time, 75.8% were categorized as having malnutrition status (malnourished: 18.1%; risk of malnutrition: 57.7%), and 40.9% had co-existing malnutrition and frailty. In the multivariate analysis, malnutrition was identified as the major frailty-related factor. Compared with a normal nutritional status, the incidence of frailty in the malnutrition group was 10.35 times (95% CI: 3.78–28.36) higher than the incidence of robustness and 4.80 times (95% CI: 2.69–8.59) higher than the incidence of prefrail.

Conclusion

The prevalence of frailty and malnutrition, and their co-existence, among older adults residing in LTCFs was high. Malnutrition is a major factor that increases the incidence of frailty. Therefore, active interventions are needed to improve the nutritional status of this population.