bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supplemental Table for "Review of filter strip performance and function for improving water quality from agricultural lands." Transactions of the ASABE. NRES-14169-2020. Spreadsheet.
Authors: Douglas-Mankin Kyle
Published: January 2021

This Dataset was compiled from cited literature in support of the review article "Douglas-Mankin KR, Helmers MJ, Harmel RD. 2021. Review of filter strip performance and function for improving water quality from agricultural lands. Trans. ASABE, 64(2). https://doi.org/10.13031/trans.14169", which summarizes, analyzes, and interprets data from 74 published studies to assess filter strip effectiveness in reducing sediment, nutrients, pesticides, and pathogens from agricultural lands. Journal article will be online April 2021.
The historical roots of the creation of the Catalan private-public hospital model: c. 1870-1935
Authors: Pons-Pons Jerònia , Vilar-Rodríguez Margarita
Published: January 2021

This paper analyses the roots of the creation of the Catalan hospital model, based on a preponderance of privately owned hospitals and beds over those of public provision. In particular, on the basis of new statistical and documentary sources and a review of the existing historiography, this study reinterprets the keys that shaped this historical model during what is considered to be a strategic period of the process, 1870-1935. In the late nineteenth century, hospitals dependent on provincial authorities became private charity institutions in the provincial capitals, under the control of the medical and economic elites (a decisive process in the case of the city of Barcelona). Later, during the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera and the Second Republic, institutional impetus helped foster a system of district hospitals intended to meet the public demand for a network of public utility hospitals. This network was made up the few publicly owned hospitals and numerous privately owned ones. The philosophy of this model was taken up again during the transition to democracy after responsibility for healthcare was devolved to the Government of Catalonia 1981.
How to evaluate the capacity of hospital systems in a very long term international comparative perspective? Hospital beds per inhabitant in Catalonia 1900s-2010s
Authors: Fernández Pérez Paloma
Published: January 2021

This article proposes that the number of hospital beds available in a territory can be used as a comparative tool to gain a perspective on the very long term evolution of the historical capacity of hospital systems worldwide. The article presents: 1) the issues stemming from a lack of sources and comparative data available internationally before 1960; 2) data for the early 20th century for Barcelona and other cities of the world,; 3) data on hospital beds for various countries since the 1960s, with attention to data for Catalonia,; 4) data for the number of hospital beds per 1000 inhabitants for the past few decades in Catalonia, and a comparison with other autonomous communities and countries. The sources are the League of Nations, Yearbooks for Barcelona, the National Statistics Institute of Spain (Instituto Nacional de Estadística, INE), IDESCAT, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the OECD. The article provides research data that confirm that the beginning of the modern increase in the number of hospital beds per capita in Catalonia started as the rest of the Western world in the first third of the 20th century. Such growth was maintained throughout the 20th century up until the 1980s. After the 1980s, in Barcelona as in the rest of the world, there was a process of reducing hospital beds per capita. This has therefore created the possibility of hospital services being overwhelmed very quickly in the instance of a widespread health emergency.
Origin and evolution of the Emergency Service of the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (1967 to 1986)
Authors: Vila-Gimeno Carmen
Published: January 2021

This paper aims to present the origin and evolution of hospital emergency services through the Emergency Service of the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau de Barcelona, as it is the centre that has best preserved information about its own process, its evolution as a hospital and its adaptation to social change.A very particular characteristic of this hospital is that it managed to integrate its users as part of the management board at a time when the country was in the middle of a democratic transition after forty years under a dictatorship.For the realization of this paper, we have used the qualitative methodology has been used, in particular, Heidegger's hermeneutical phenomenology, so as to triangulate documentary analysis with open interviews with relevant people about the historical process being studied, and to obtain the resulting document. A descriptive work, with a completely objective, historical account.The existence of this article cannot be explained without considering the importance of certain documentary sources that remain, so far, largely unexplored, such as the archives of the neighbourhood associations of Barcelona and the impact of social movements in achieving the creation of new health services, their maintenance and surveillance, and the promotion of their development according to the needs of each historical moment. That would be the main conclusion.
Comparison of different calibration methods for Mueller matrix microscopy of cells
Authors: Meng Ruoyu , Chen Zhenhua , Wang Xingjian , Liu Yudi , He Honghui , Ma Hui
Published: January 2021

Mueller matrix (MM) imaging has demonstrated its potential application in much research, especially in probing delicate and complex biomedical specimens. Qualities of MM images are important for further quantitative characterization. In this paper, we compare the performance and imaging qualities of three calibration methods. Air, waveplate and cell specimen are selected as standard samples for comparison. In addition, we also propose two general MM imaging quality indices that can be used as quantitative evaluations for MM imaging systems and calculation processes based on real samples. The numerical calibration method turns out to give the best accuracy and precision, as well as the best image qualities.
Jones pupil decomposition and its lithographic imaging impacts
Authors: Niu Zhiyuan , Ding Ming , Jiang Junhai , Shang Hongbo , Zhu Siyu , Zhang Fang , Shi Weijie , Zeng Aijun , Huang Huijie
Published: January 2021

The Jones pupil is a full description of imaging properties of projection lenses in optical lithography. The decomposition of the Jones pupil into components with clear physical meanings was studied previously; however, the decomposition method has not been studied systematically. To generalize the existing decomposition method, this work is aimed at finding all the decomposition methods and analyzing the lithographic imaging impacts. In this work, six decomposition methods are proposed, and the lithographic imaging impacts of the Jones components are studied and compared for all the decomposition methods. The results demonstrate that, although the decomposition methods are different, their lithographic impacts are identical. To be specific, apodization has a dominant impact on the critical dimension with a magnitude of 1.3 nm, and the impact of diattenuation is 0.3 nm. In contrast, the impacts of the other Jones components of aberration, birefringence, rotator, and ellipticity are negligible. This work gives a complete understanding of the imaging impacts of the Jones pupil.
Optical design and fabrication of a smartphone fundus camera
Authors: Chen Weilin , Chang Jun , Zhao Xuehui , Liu Sitong
Published: January 2021

Fundus examination plays an important part in a medical setting. The fundus camera is one of the detection instruments used in obtaining fundus images, which can reflect information about disease and other conditions. However, traditional fundus cameras have many disadvantages in regard to data sharing, image recognition, and processing, as well as doctor-patient communication. In recent years, mobile medical systems have gradually become more prevalent in medical and health system environments. In this paper, we propose a design method for a smartphone fundus camera consisting of an illumination system and an imaging system. The end of the system can be combined with a smartphone to take the fundus images directly. We manufactured a prototype, designed an artificial eye model, and carried out a series of experiments. The results show that we can get fundus images clearly, and the imaging system will be able to correct refractive errors ranging from

−

8

D

∼
+

8

D

. The spatial resolution of the system is up to 15 µm. This is a portable device with an overall size of

160

m
m

×
160

m
m

×
80

m
m

and a weight of 540 g. It has the advantages of lower price, simple operation, high resolution, and compact size, making it suitable as a portable ocular monitoring device.
Shape of particle backscattering in the North Pacific Ocean: the χ factor
Authors: Zhang Xiaodong , Hu Lianbo , Gray Deric , Xiong Yuanheng
Published: January 2021

Volume scattering functions were measured using two instruments in
waters near the Ocean Station Papa (50°N 145°W) and show consistency
in estimating the

χ

factor attributable to particles (

χ
p

). While

χ
p

in the study area exhibits a limited
variability, it could vary significantly when compared with data
obtained in various parts of the global oceans. The global comparison
also confirms that the minimal variation of

χ
p

is at scattering angles near 120°.
With an uncertainty of

<

10

%

,

χ
p

can be assumed as spectrally
independent. For backscatter sensors with wide field of view (FOV),
the averaging of scattering within the FOV reduces the values of

χ
p

needed to compute the backscattering
coefficient by up to 20% at angles

<

130

∘

.
Development of a laser scanning projection system with a dual-diameter fitting method and particle swarm optimization
Authors: Hou Maoshegn , Shi Zhengxue , Liu Jiqiang , Chen Yuqing , Li Tianxiong
Published: January 2021

Laser scanning projection can project outlines of assembled components onto a work surface accurately, which can improve assembly efficiency, and is widely applied in industry manufacturing. In order to achieve accurate calibration and projection, a mathematical model of the calibration process is developed, and the dual-diameter fitting method is proposed to extract the central positions of retroreflective targets. Then, a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is introduced to solve the coordinate transformation matrix between the world frame and the projector frame, and the optimal parameters of the PSO algorithm are obtained to improve the convergence probability of the transformation matrix solutions. The maximum error of the retroreflective targets’ central positions between the calculated and theoretical positions is

1.82

×

10

−
6

m
m

through the simulation experiment. Furthermore, a novel laser scanning projection setup and a control system based on LabVIEW are developed. Experiments are actually carried out by scanning six retroreflective targets on a standard workpiece, and the transformation matrix is solved correspondingly. The results indicate that the maximum beam steering angle error between the theoretical and actual values calculated by the abovementioned transformation matrix is

5.215668

×

10

−
9

degrees. Finally, the projection accuracy is verified by a standard workpiece with accurate patterns. The experiment results prove that the position error of the developed laser scanning projection system is better than 0.5 mm.
Dispersion-managed technique in temporal-frequency measurement for MoTe2-based ultrafast laser
Authors: Han X. X. , Yan X. A. , Xia Y. W. , Wang X. F. , Huang T. C.
Published: January 2021

Ultrafast phenomena exist widely in modern scientific research. The time scale of ultrafast phenomena is mostly in the order of picosecond, femtosecond, or even attosecond. Nowadays, it is still a major challenge to study these nonrepetitive transient processes. Here, a temporal-frequency measurement based on a dispersion-managed technique has been proposed for an

M
o
T
e

2

-based ultrafast laser. The temporal-frequency measurement comprises a laser diode, an optical switch, a section of tunable dispersion compensation fiber, and a three-port beam splitter. Resolution of the proposed measurement can be tuned in a wide range; further, the upper and lower resolution limits are numerically simulated. The proposed measurement is expected to be applied in ultrafast pulse detection due to its application in real-time measurement of ultrafast nonrepetitive signals.
Study of Mechanical Properties in AISI 1020 Steel Used in Diaphragms in Wind Tunnels
Authors: Zanni E. G. S. , Ferreira C. C. A. , Harada A. T. , Abdalla A. J. , Lima M. S. F.
Published: January 2021

This work aims to study the mechanical properties in the tensile and impact of AISI 1020 steel, to evaluate the effectiveness of the application of laser heat treatments in regions with notches, facilitating the breaking, in these structures, when reaching a certain stress level. This material is used in wind tunnel diaphragms. It is intended to create a well-defined region where the fracture is fragile, with rapid rupture, keeping the adjacent regions ductile, so that, after the fracture, there is deformed material in the vicinity of the broken surface. To facilitate this rupture, a heat treatment and a weld were carried out, in the region of the notch, both with laser, so that later this material could be analyzed.
Nonlinear optical response in crystalline atomically-thin films
Authors: Echarri A. Rodríguez , Cox Joel D. , de Abajo F. Javier García
Published: January 2021

Transdimensional materials as atomically thin-films of noble metals show promising optical properties for next-generation nanophotonic devices. We reveal their linear and nonlinear optical properties when combined with their plasmonic response.
Bio-Medical Monitoring System Using Photoplethysmography with Li-Fi Interface
Authors: Arora Aditya , Saini Shivam , Parikh Jolly , Puri Yugnanda
Published: January 2021

This paper presents an unobtrusive system for measuring heart rate using photoplethysmography combined with a Li-Fi transceiver and a microcontroller with the ability to compute and push data onto the cloud in realtime for analysis.
Carrier-envelope-stabilized optical frequency combs: effect of fluctuations on the comb line shape
Authors: Citrin D. S.
Published: January 2021

We consider theoretically the power spectral density

S
E

(
ν
)

of an otherwise periodic optical pulse train with optical field

E
(
t
)

, i.e., the optical frequency comb, in the presence of noise in the pulse-to-pulse carrier-envelope phase slip in carrier-envelope-stabilized optical pulse trains. The spectrum is a frequency comb where the comb line shape is Gaussian. To obtain these results, we implement a heuristic theory based on an Adler equation for the carrier-envelope frequency noise that for weak noise leads to fluctuation statistics described by an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process.
Mapping Atomic Motions with Ultrabright Electrons: Fundamental Space-Time Limits to Imaging Chemistry
Authors: Dwayne. Miller R. J.
Published: January 2021

The development of ultrabright electrons has made it possible to literally light up atomic motions, detecting changes in position less than thermal motions - and holds the prospect for retrieving quantum aspects of molecular dynamics
Optical parametric amplification of phase-stable terahertz-to-mid-infrared pulses studied in the time domain
Authors: Kanda Natsuki , Ishii Nobuhisa , Itatani Jiro , Matsunaga Ryusuke
Published: January 2021

We report optical parametric amplification (OPA) of low-frequency infrared pulses in the intermediate region between terahertz (THz) frequency and mid-infrared (MIR), i.e., from 16.9 to 44.8 THz (6.7–17.8 μm). The 255-fs laser output of the Yb:KGW regenerative amplifier is compressed to 11-fs pulses using a multi-plate broadening scheme, which generates THz-to-MIR pulses with a spectrum extending to approximately 50 THz by intra-pulse differential frequency generation (DFG) in GaSe. The THz-to-MIR pulses are further amplified using a two-stage OPA in GaSe. The temporal dynamics and photocarrier effects during OPA are characterized in the time domain. Owing to the intra-pulse DFG, the long-term phase drift of the THz-to-MIR pulses after two-stage OPA is as small as 16 mrad during a 6-h operation without any active feedback. Our scheme using the intra-pulse DFG and post-amplification proposes a new route to intense THz-to-MIR light sources with extreme phase stability.
Ultimate resolution limits of speckle-based compressive imaging
Authors: Lochocki Benjamin , Abrashitova Ksenia , de Boer Johannes F. , Amitonova Lyubov V.
Published: January 2021

Compressive imaging using sparsity constraints is a very promising field of microscopy that provides a dramatic enhancement of the spatial resolution beyond the Abbe diffraction limit. Moreover, it simultaneously overcomes the Nyquist limit by reconstructing an N-pixel image from less than N single-point measurements. Here we present fundamental resolution limits of noiseless compressive imaging via sparsity constraints, speckle illumination and single-pixel detection. We addressed the experimental setup that uses randomly generated speckle patterns (in a scattering media or a multimode fiber). The optimal number of measurements, the ultimate spatial resolution limit and the surprisingly important role of discretization are demonstrated by the theoretical analysis and numerical simulations. We show that, in contrast to conventional microscopy, oversampling may decrease the resolution and reconstruction quality of compressive imaging.
Observation of the rotational Doppler shift with spatially incoherent light
Authors: Anderson Alexander Q. , Strong Elizabeth F. , Heffernan Brendan M. , Siemens Mark E. , Rieker Gregory B. , Gopinath Juliet T.
Published: January 2021

The rotational Doppler shift (RDS) is typically measured by illuminating a rotating target with a laser prepared in a simple, known orbital angular momentum (OAM) superposition. We establish theoretically and experimentally that detecting the rotational Doppler shift does not require the incident light to have a well-defined OAM spectrum but instead requires well-defined correlations within the OAM spectrum. We demonstrate measurement of the rotational Doppler shift using spatially incoherent light.
Absorptive frequency selective surface with two alternately switchable transmission/reflection bands
Authors: Zhu Zhibiao , Li Yongfeng , Zhang Jieqiu , Wang Jiafu , Wan Weipeng , Zheng Lin , Feng Mingde , Chen Hongya , Qu Shaobo
Published: January 2021

The traditional frequency selective surface (FSS) needs further improvement with the development of stealth technology, and the design of multifunctional FSSs is essential. In this letter, an active absorptive FSS (AFSS) has been designed based on the absorption structure of the spoof surface plasmon polariton (SSPP) and the switching activity of the active FSS. The active FSS embedded with PIN diodes realizes the shift of two transmission/reflection frequency bands by controlling the bias voltage of the feed network, which switches from one band-pass response (at around 3.06 GHz) to the other (at around 4.34 GHz). And when one of the transmission windows switches to the other, the original transmission window closes. The upper plasmonic structure achieves a continuous and efficient absorption band from 6.31 to 8.34 GHz. A sample was also fabricated and carried out to verify the numerical simulation, and the experimental and simulation results are consistent. This work provides new ideas for the design of active AFSS and promotes its application in common aperture radome, antenna isolation, and electromagnetic shielding.
Quantum optomechanics without the radiation pressure force noise
Authors: Davuluri Sankar
Published: January 2021

This Letter proposes a new method to eliminate the quantum radiation pressure force noise in optomechanics at frequencies much smaller than the resonance frequency of the optomechanical mirror. With no radiation pressure force noise, the shot noise and thermal noise together determine the total noise in the system. The force sensitivity of the optomechanical cavity is improved beyond standard quantum limit at frequencies much smaller than the resonance frequency of the mechanical oscillator. Finally, optimum optomechanical cavity design parameters for attaining the best sensitivity are discussed.
Fast and large-range frequency hopping receiving based on simultaneous photonic filtering and digitizing
Authors: Sun Yiwei , Wang Sitong , Chen Jianping , Wu Guiling
Published: January 2021

We propose a frequency hopping receiving method that can receive signals with a large frequency hopping range and rapid hopping speed simultaneously. It is based on simultaneous photonic filtering and digitizing, and the reception frequency is tuned by changing the temporal shape of the sampling optical pulse. The proposed receiving method is verified by an experimental verification scheme. In the verification scheme, the optical pulse from a mode-locked laser is shaped to obtain several sub-pulses with different temporal shapes by spectral shaping and frequency-to-time mapping. The reception of the frequency hopping signal is performed by introducing certain delay through a switchable delay line to select different sub-pulses as the optical sampling pulse. The frequency hopping speed and range of the verification scheme are limited mainly by the speed of the optical switches and the bandwidth of electro-optic modulators, respectively. In experiments, with available devices, frequency hopping signals with a switching time of 250 ns and signals whose carrier frequency hops from 13.35 GHz to 39.30 GHz are successfully received.
Anisotropic confinement of chromophores induces second-order nonlinear optics in a nanoporous photonic metamaterial
Authors: Waszkowska Karolina , Josse Pierre , Cabanetos Clément , Blanchard Philippe , Sahraoui Bouchta , Guichaoua Dominique , Syvorotka Igor , Kityk Olha , Wielgosz Robert , Huber Patrick , Kityk Andriy V.
Published: January 2021

Second-order nonlinear optics is the base for a large variety of devices aimed at the active manipulation of light. However, physical principles restrict its occurrence to non-centrosymmetric, anisotropic matter. This significantly limits the number of base materials exhibiting nonlinear optics. Here, we show that embedding chromophores in an array of conical channels 13 nm across in monolithic silica results in mesoscopic anisotropic matter and thus in a hybrid material showing second-harmonic generation. This nonlinear optics is compared to the one achieved in corona-poled polymer films containing the identical chromophores. It originates in the confinement-induced orientational order of the elongated guest molecules in the nanochannels. This leads to a non-centrosymmetric dipolar order and hence to a nonlinear light–matter interaction on the sub-wavelength, single-pore scale. Our study demonstrates that the advent of large-scale, self-organized nanoporosity in monolithic solids along with the confinement-controllable orientational order of chromophores at the single-pore scale provides a reliable and accessible tool to design materials with a nonlinear meta-optics.
Tensorial phase control in nonlinear meta-optics
Authors: Gigli Carlo , Marino Giuseppe , Artioli Alberto , Rocco Davide , De Angelis Costantino , Claudon Julien , Gérard Jean-Michel , Leo Giuseppe
Published: January 2021

Nonlinear metasurfaces have recently brought harmonic generation to subwavelength level, with spectral and polarization control unachievable in bulk crystals. Not only does nonlinear meta-optics enable the investigation of nonlinear physics at the nanoscale, but it also opens promising technological perspectives. To date, however, no full-phase control has been demonstrated on a harmonic field generated with a sufficient efficiency for most practical purposes. In this work, based on the

χ

(
2
)

fully tensorial features of AlGaAs metasurfaces, we propose a robust method to generate

0
−
2

π

phase-encoded second harmonic light for nonlinear wavefront shaping, experimentally demonstrating nonlinear beam steering and all-dielectric metalenses that generate and focus second harmonic beams to sub-wavelength spot sizes. Nonlinear generation with record efficiency and phase control are achieved in nanostructured arrays that are fully compatible with mature III-V semiconductor technology. This breakthrough paves the way for the development of ultrathin, free-space photonic devices for nonlinear imaging, including night vision.
Improved detection performance in blood cell count by an attention-guided deep learning method
Authors: Jiang Zhengfen , Liu Xin , Yan Zhuangzhi , Gu Wenting , Jiang Jiehui
Published: January 2021

Blood cell count plays an important role in the field of clinical medical diagnosis. To effectively automate the counting of blood cells, recently, the deep-learning-based detection method represented by the YOLO has been proposed and used successfully. Nevertheless, the YOLO detection method has difficulties in insufficient positioning of the bounding boxes and in distinguishing overlapping objects. To overcome the limitations, we propose a new deep-learning-based method, termed Attention-YOLO, which is achieved by adding the channel attention mechanism and the spatial attention mechanism to the feature extraction network. By using the filtered and weighted feature vector to replace the original feature vector for residual fusion, Attention-YOLO can help the network to improve the detection accuracy. The experimental results indicate that compared to the standard YOLO network, the Attention-YOLO can achieve a better detection performance in blood cell count without introducing too many additional parameters, where the recognition accuracy of cells (RBCs, WBCs, and platelets) has an improvement of 6.70%, 2.13%, and 10.44%, respectively, and the mean Average Precision (mAP) has an improvement of 7.10%.
Analysis on viewing angle of holographic image reconstructed from a digital Fourier hologram in a holographic display
Authors: Chae Byung Gyu
Published: January 2021

We analyze the viewing angle of a holographic image reconstructed from the digital Fourier hologram with an enhanced numerical aperture (NA). The viewing angle of the reconstructed image depends on the NA of the digital hologram that is determined by a focal length of Fourier lens and hologram aperture size, which is irrespective of a location of imaging plane. The enhanced-NA digital hologram reconstructs the image with an angle larger than a diffraction angle of a hologram pixel. We also characterize the aliasing effect for this type of digital Fourier hologram, and find that the alias-free region exists even at a high numerical aperture. Numerical simulation and optical experiments are conducted to verify this interpretation of the viewing angle of holographic images.
Trapping of rare earth-doped nanorods using quasi Bessel beam optical fiber tweezers
Authors: Minz R. A. , Tiwari U. , Kumar A. , Nic Chormaic S. , Lahlil K. , Gacoin T. , Mondal S. K. , Fick J.
Published: January 2021

We demonstrate optical trapping of rare earth-doped NaYF4:Er/Yb nanorods of high aspect ratio (length 1.47 μm and diameter 140 nm) using a quasi Bessel beam (QBB) generated by positive axicon optical fiber tips. Propulsion or trapping of the nanorods is demonstrated using either single or dual fiber nano-tip geometries. The optical force exerted on the trapped nanorods, their velocities, and their positions have been analyzed. We determine the trap stiffness for a single nanorod to be 0.12 pN/μm (0.003 pN/μm) by power spectrum analysis and 0.13 pN/μm (0.015 pN/μm) by Boltzmann statistics in the direction perpendicular to (along) the fiber axes for an average optical power of 34 mW. The experiments illustrate the advantage of using a QBB for multiple nanorod trapping over a large distance of up to 30 μm.
Terahertz wave avalanche breakdown transistor for high-performance switching
Authors: Wang Weijun , Du Liang-Hui , Li Jiang , Tang Pei-Ren , Sun Changlin , Chen Songlin , Wang Jun , Zhai Zhao-Hui , Gao Zhipeng , Li Ze-Ren , Yao Jianquan , Ling Furi , Zhu Li-Guo
Published: January 2021

There is still a lack of high-performance terahertz (THz) modulators with wide operation bandwidth and large modulation depth due to the underlying physics limitation behind existing approaches. Meanwhile, for many applications, simple compact THz modulators working straightforward in the transmission mode are also highly desired. Here, we demonstrate a THz modulator with a maximal transmission-amplitude modulation depth of 99.9% (switching ratio of 1000) based on a commonly used silica-on-silicon structure. Different from those reported graphene or metamaterials enhanced proposals, the device we proposed works within a reversible avalanche breakdown region of silicon that has not been studied yet and has the potential to modulate/switch THz waves efficiently. Further, we proved that the modulation depth exceeds 97% in the frequency range from 0.2 to 1 THz in the experiment. The simplicity and generality of this new type of near-perfect THz modulator will undoubtedly attract lots of attention of researchers in the near future due to its potential to be engineered into integrated devices.
Solution-processed lead-free bulk 0D Cs3Cu2I5 single crystal for indirect gamma-ray spectroscopy application
Authors: Xu Qiang , Wang Juan , Zhang Qindong , Ouyang Xiao , Ye Maheng , Xie Weiting , Yan Xuewen , Li Deyuan , Ouyang Xiaoping , Tang Xiaobing , Zhang Xiaodong
Published: January 2021

Bulk scintillators that are with high density, low cost, and fine pulse-height energy spectral resolution, and are non-hygroscopic and user friendly, are desired for high-energy gamma-ray spectroscopy application. Recently, low-cost solution-processed perovskite nanoscintillators have been demonstrated with outstanding performances for indirect low-energy X-ray detection; however, the stability and thickness are not suitable for high-energy gamma-ray detection. Here, we report scintillation performances of a low-cost solution-processed bulk 0D

Cs

3

Cu

2

I
5

single crystal. The self-trapped exciton emission results in a large Stokes shift (109 nm) that is reabsorption free. A broad X-ray excited emission matches well with the sensitivity of a silicon photodiode. The unique

Cs

+

surrounded isolated

[

Cu

2

I
5

]

3
−

cluster scintillator provides ultra-stability in air and strong radiation hardness under high-dose gamma-ray exposure from a 60Co source. This solution-processed

Cs

3

Cu

2

I
5

scintillator is expected with low-cost and has detection performances comparable to commercial alkali-halide scintillator products.
Greenhouse conditions in lower Eocene coastal wetlands?—Lessons from Schöningen, Northern Germany
Authors: Lenz Olaf K. , Riegel Walter , Wilde Volker
Published: January 2021

The Paleogene succession of the Helmstedt Lignite Mining District in Northern Germany includes coastal peat mire records from the latest Paleocene to the middle Eocene at the southern edge of the Proto-North Sea. Therefore, it covers the different long- and short-term climate perturbations of the Paleogene greenhouse. 56 samples from three individual sections of a lower Eocene seam in the record capture the typical succession of the vegetation in a coastal wetland during a period that was not affected by climate perturbation. This allows facies-dependent vegetational changes to be distinguished from those that were climate induced. Cluster analyses and NMDS of well-preserved palynomorph assemblages reveal four successional stages in the vegetation during peat accumulation: (1) a coastal vegetation, (2) an initial mire, (3) a transitional mire, and (4) a terminal mire. Biodiversity measures show that plant diversity decreased significantly in the successive stages. The highly diverse vegetation at the coast and in the adjacent initial mire was replaced by low diversity communities adapted to wet acidic environments and nutrient deficiency. The palynomorph assemblages are dominated by elements such asAlnus(Betulaceae) orSphagnum(Sphagnaceae). Typical tropical elements which are characteristic for the middle Eocene part of the succession are missing. This indicates that a more warm-temperate climate prevailed in northwestern Germany during the early lower Eocene.
How perceptions of autonomy relate to beliefs about inequality and fairness
Authors: Aldama Abraham , Bicchieri Cristina , Freundt Jana , Mellers Barbara , Peters Ellen
Published: January 2021

Although inequality in the US has increased since the 1960s, several studies show that Americans underestimate it. Reasons include overreliance on one’s local perspective and ideologically-motivated cognition. We propose a novel mechanism to account for the misperceptions of income inequality. We hypothesize that compared to those who feel less autonomy, the people who believe they are autonomous and have control over their lives also believe that (1) income inequality is lower and (2) income inequality is more acceptable. Using a representative sample of 3,427 Americans, we find evidence to support these hypotheses.
Nationality dominates gender in decision-making in the Dictator and Prisoner’s Dilemma Games
Authors: Kumar Melisa Maya , Tsoi Lily , Lee Michelle Seungmi , Cone Jeremy , McAuliffe Katherine
Published: January 2021

Across a variety of contexts, adults tend to cooperate more with ingroup members than outgroup members. However, humans belong to multiple social groups simultaneously and we know little about how this cross-categorization affects cooperative decision-making. Nationality and gender are two social categories that are ripe for exploration in this regard: They regularly intersect in the real world and we know that each affects cooperation in isolation. Here we explore two hypotheses concerning the effects of cross-categorization on cooperative decision-making. First, theadditivity hypothesis(H1), which proposes that the effects of social categories are additive, suggesting that people will be most likely to cooperate with partners who are nationalityandgender ingroup members. Second, thecategory dominance hypothesis(H2), which proposes that one category will outcompete the other in driving decision-making, suggesting that either nationality or gender information will be privileged in cooperative contexts. Secondarily, we test whether identification with—and implicit bias toward—nationality and gender categories predict decision-making. Indian and US Americans (N= 479), made decisions in two cooperative contexts—the Dictator and Prisoner’s Dilemma Games—when paired with partners of all four social categories: Indian women and men, and US American women and men. Nationality exerted a stronger influence than gender: people shared and cooperated more with own-nationality partners and believed that own-nationality partners would be more cooperative. Both identification with—and implicit preferences for—own-nationality, led to more sharing in the Dictator Game. Our findings are most consistent with H2, suggesting that when presented simultaneously, nationality, but not gender, exerts an important influence on cooperative decision-making. Our study highlights the importance of testing cooperation in more realistic intergroup contexts, ones in which multiple social categories are in play.
Simulation training in pancreatico-jejunostomy using an inanimate biotissue model improves the technical skills of hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgical fellows
Authors: Yoshioka Ryuji , Imamura Hiroshi , Ichida Hirofumi , Gyoda Yu , Mizuno Tomoya , Mise Yoshihiro , Saiura Akio
Published: January 2021

Background

Technical proficiency of the operating surgeons is one of the most important factors in the safe performance of pancreaticoduodenectomy. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether surgical simulation of pancreatico-jejunostomy (PJ) using an inanimate biotissue model could improve the technical proficiency of hepato-biliary pancreatic (HBP) surgical fellows.

Methods

The biotissue drill consisted of sewing biotissues to simulate PJ. The drill was repeated a total of five times by each of the participant surgical fellows. The improvement of the surgical fellows’ technical proficiency was evaluated by the supervisor surgeons using the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) scale.

Results

Eight HBP surgical fellows completed all the 5 drills. Both the OSATS 25 score and OSATS summary score, assessed by the two supervisor surgeons, improved steadily with repeated execution of the PJ drill. The average OSATS score, as assessed by both the supervisor surgeons, improved significantly from the first to the final drill, with a P value of 0.003 and 0.014 for the assessment by the two surgeons, respectively. On the other hand, no chronological alteration was observed in time of procedure (P = 0.788).

Conclusion

Repeated execution of a biotissue PJ drill improved the HBP surgical fellows’ technical proficiency, as evaluated by OSATS. The present study lends support to the evidence that simulation training can contribute to shortening of the time required to negotiate the learning curve for the technique of PJ in the actual operating room.
Microbiome and ischemic stroke: A systematic review
Authors: Lee Yee Teng , Mohd Ismail Nor Ismaliza , Wei Loo Keat
Published: January 2021

Background

Ischemic stroke is one of the non-communicable diseases that contribute to the significant number of deaths worldwide. However, the relationship between microbiome and ischemic stroke remained unknown. Hence, the objective of this study was to perform systematic review on the relationship between human microbiome and ischemic stroke.

Methods

A systematic review on ischemic stroke was carried out for all articles obtained from databases until 22ndOctober 2020. Main findings were extracted from all the eligible studies.

Results

Eighteen eligible studies were included in the systematic review. These studies suggested that aging, inflammation, and different microbial compositions could contribute to ischemic stroke. Phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes also appeared to manipulate post-stroke outcome. The important role of microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids and trimethylamine N-oxide in ischemic stroke were also highlighted.

Conclusions

This is the first systematic review that investigates the relationship between microbiome and ischemic stroke. Aging and inflammation contribute to differential microbial compositions and predispose individuals to ischemic stroke.
Timing and causes of neonatal mortality in Tamale Teaching Hospital, Ghana: A retrospective study
Authors: Abdul-Mumin Alhassan , Cotache-Condor Cesia , Owusu Sheila Agyeiwaa , Mahama Haruna , Smith Emily R.
Published: January 2021

Neonatal deaths now account for more than two-thirds of all deaths in the first year of life and for about half of all deaths in children under-five years. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts up to 41% of the total burden of neonatal deaths worldwide. Our study aims to describe causes of neonatal mortality and to evaluate predictors of timing of neonatal death at Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), Ghana. This retrospective study was conducted at TTH located in Northern Ghana. All neonates who died in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) from 2013 to 2017 were included and data was obtained from admission and discharge books and mortality records. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess predictors of timing of neonatal death. Out of the 8,377 neonates that were admitted at the NICU during the 5-year study period, 1,126 died, representing a mortality rate of 13.4%. Of those that died, 74.3% died within 6 days. There was an overall downward trend in neonatal mortality over the course of the 5-year study period (18.2% in 2013; 14.3% in 2017). Preterm birth complications (49.6%) and birth asphyxia (21.7%) were the top causes of mortality. Predictors of early death included being born within TTH, birth weight, and having a diagnosis of preterm birth complication or birth asphyxia. Our retrospective study found that almost 3/4 of neonatal deaths were within the first week and these deaths were more likely to be associated with preterm birth complications or birth asphyxia. Most of the deaths occurred in babies born within health facilities, presenting an opportunity to reduce our mortality by improving on quality of care provided during the perinatal period.
Economic and epidemiological evaluation of interventions to reduce the burden of hepatitis C in Yunnan province, China
Authors: Heffernan Alastair , Ma Yanling , Nayagam Shevanthi , Chan Polin , Chen Zhongdan , Cooke Graham S. , Guo Yan , Liu Chuntao , Thursz Mark , Zhang Wanyue , Zhang Xiaobing , Zhang Xiujie , Jia Manhong , Hallett Timothy B.
Published: January 2021

Background

The paradigm shift in hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment options in the last five years has raised the prospect of eliminating the disease as a global health threat. This will require a step-change in the number being treated with the new direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Given constrained budgets and competing priorities, policy makers need information on how to scale-up access to HCV treatment. To inform such decisions, we examined the cost effectiveness of screening and treatment interventions in Yunnan, China.

Methods and findings

We simulated the HCV epidemic using a previously published model of HCV transmission and disease progression, calibrated to Yunnan data, and implemented a range of treatment and screening interventions from 2019. We incorporated treatment, diagnosis, and medical costs (expressed in 2019 US Dollars, USD) to estimate the lifetime benefits and costs of interventions. Using this model, we asked: is introducing DAAs cost effective from a healthcare sector perspective; what is the optimal combination of screening interventions; and what is the societal return on investment of intervention? The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of switching to DAAs with a median cost of 7,400 USD (50,000 Chinese Yuan) per course is 500 USD/disability adjusted life year (DALY) averted; at a threshold of 50% of Yunnan gross domestic product (2,600 USD), switching to DAAs is cost effective 94% of the time. At this threshold, the optimal, cost-effective intervention comprises screening people who inject drugs, those in HIV care, men who have sex with men, and ensuring access to DAAs for all those newly diagnosed with HCV. For each USD invested in this intervention, there is an additional 0·80 USD (95% credible interval: 0·17–1·91) returned through reduced costs of disease or increased productivity. Returns on investment are lower (and potentially negative) if a sufficiently long-term horizon, encompassing the full stream of future benefits, is not adopted. The study had two key limitations: costing data were not always specific to Yunnan province but were taken from China-level studies; and modelled interventions may require more operational research to ensure they can be effectively and efficiently rolled-out to the entire province.

Conclusions

Introducing DAAs is cost effective, the optimal package of screening measures is focussed on higher risk groups, and there are likely to be positive returns from investing in such HCV interventions. Our analysis shows that targeted investment in HCV interventions will have net benefits to society; these benefits will only increase as DAA costs fall.
Injection site vaccinology of a recombinant vaccinia-based vector reveals diverse innate immune signatures
Authors: Hazlewood Jessamine E. , Dumenil Troy , Le Thuy T. , Slonchak Andrii , Kazakoff Stephen H. , Patch Ann-Marie , Gray Lesley-Ann , Howley Paul M. , Liu Liang , Hayball John D. , Yan Kexin , Rawle Daniel J. , Prow Natalie A. , Suhrbier Andreas
Published: January 2021

Poxvirus systems have been extensively used as vaccine vectors. Herein a RNA-Seq analysis of intramuscular injection sites provided detailed insights into host innate immune responses, as well as expression of vector and recombinant immunogen genes, after vaccination with a new multiplication defective, vaccinia-based vector, Sementis Copenhagen Vector. Chikungunya and Zika virus immunogen mRNA and protein expression was associated with necrosing skeletal muscle cells surrounded by mixed cellular infiltrates. The multiple adjuvant signatures at 12 hours post-vaccination were dominated by TLR3, 4 and 9, STING, MAVS, PKR and the inflammasome. Th1 cytokine signatures were dominated by IFNγ, TNF and IL1β, and chemokine signatures by CCL5 and CXCL12. Multiple signatures associated with dendritic cell stimulation were evident. By day seven, vaccine transcripts were absent, and cell death, neutrophil, macrophage and inflammation annotations had abated. No compelling arthritis signatures were identified. Such injection site vaccinology approaches should inform refinements in poxvirus-based vector design.
Economic Space Development of the Cabinet Land-Lease Branch in Altai in the 80s - the First Half of the 90s of the 19th Century
Authors: Kukharenko A.E. , Kudenko N.V. , Skovorodnikov A.V.
Published: January 2021

The article examines the process of economic space development of the land-lease branch in the Altai mining district in the period between the administrative reforms of 1883 and 1896. The authors analyze the district administration actions on the land-lease relations development, point to the actions of officials and note the change in priorities in relation to the region land and forest resources after the revision of 1882. The conclusion is made that, in contrast to the previous period, when the actions of the district administration were chaotic and disinterested, since 1883 there has been a whole range of measures reflecting the systemic, purposeful and thoughtful nature of actions aimed at the development of rent. It is indicated that in addition to direct practical activities, officials were engaged in research and development of concepts for the industry development which was not observed before. It was already in the 80s of the 19th century the following approaches for the development of the economic sphere of land-lease relations were realized by the Cabinet administration inventory ("bringing all property to notice"), internal breakdown of land plots, measures to involve in economic turnover unsuitable for lease land, transition to long-term lease relations, etc. , which determined the nature of further intensification and modernization of the industry until 1917. Despite the limited resources, there was a significant increase in rental income, which increased in the first half of the 90s of the 19th century.
The Relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Soviet State in Central Asia in the 1940s - Mid 1960s (Illustrated by the Example of the Tashkent Deanery)
Authors: Tsyryapkina Yu.N.
Published: January 2021

In this article the author examines state-church relations in Central Asia in the 1940s - mid 1960s illustrated by the example of the Tashkent Deanery during the period of the development of the Russian Orthodox Church under the patronage of the institute of state commissioners for the Russian Orthodox Church. On the basis of an analysis of unpublished archival sources, the author describes the process of reconstruction of parishes on the territory of the Tashkent and Central Asian dioceses, analyzes the economic and property relations between the state and the church, and the financial activities of the Orthodox parishes of the Tashkent deanery. The author focuses on issues related to the staff of Orthodox priests assigned to parishes, their level of education. The author briefly touches on the problem of Catholics and representatives of the Armenian Gregorian Church, who were not allowed to establish houses of prayer. The article provides statistics of the rituals requested in Tashkent in the context of the Assumption Cathedral and the Alexander Nevsky Church. The author comes to the conclusion that the demand for Orthodox rituals in the churches of Tashkent was associated with the high proportion of the Russian population living in the capital.