bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prospective Study of Homologous Recombination Repair Gene Mutation Prevalence in Patients With Advanced Prostate Cancer From Latin America: Challenges and Future Approaches
Authors: Manneh Ray , Verson Carmen Alaez , Martin Angel , Delgado Arturo , Isaacsson Velho Pedro H. , Manduley Alejandro , Tejado Luis , Rodríguez Yolanda , Vargas Carmen , Barata Pedro C.
Published: May 2024

PURPOSE

The prevalence of homologous recombination repair gene mutations (HRRm) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is unknown. Prevalence of homologous Recombination repair (HRR) gene mutatiOns in patientS with metastatic castration resistant ProstatE Cancer in LaTin America (PROSPECT) aimed to determine this prevalence and to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a prospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study across 11 cancer centers in seven LAC countries. After informed consent, all eligible participants underwent genomic testing by provided blood samples for germline HRR testing; they also provided PC tissue blocks if available for somatic HRR testing.

RESULTS

Between April 2021 and April 2022, 387 patients (median age, 70 years [49-89], 94.3% Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 0-1) with mCRPC were enrolled in the study. Almost 40% of them had a family history of cancer, and the overall time from their initial PC and mCRPC diagnosis was 3 years and 1 year, respectively. The overall prevalence of germline HRRm was 4.2%. The mutations detected included the genes CHEK2 (n = 4, 1%), ATM (n = 3, 0.8%), BRCA2 (n = 3, 0.8%), BRIP1 (n = 2, 0.5%), RAD51B (n = 2, 0.5%), BRCA1 (n = 1, 0.3%), and MRE11 (n = 1, 0.3%). The prevalence of somatic HRRm could not be assessed because of high HRR testing failure rates (79%, 199/251) associated with insufficient DNA, absence of tumor cells, and poor-quality DNA.

CONCLUSION

Despite the study's limitations, to our knowledge, PROSPECT was the first attempt to describe the prevalence of HRRm in patients with PC from LAC. Notably, the germline HRRm prevalence in this study was inferior to that observed in North American and European populations. The somatic HRR testing barriers identified are being addressed by several projects to improve access to HRR testing and biomarker-based therapies in LAC.
Defining Overweight and Obesity by Percent Body Fat Instead of Body Mass Index
Authors: Potter Adam W , Chin Geoffrey C , Looney David P , Friedl Karl E
Published: May 2024

Objective

Thresholds for overweight and obesity are currently defined by body mass index (BMI), a poor surrogate marker of actual adiposity (percent body fat [%BF]). Practical modern technologies provide estimates of %BF but medical providers need outcome-based %BF thresholds to guide patients. This analysis determines %BF thresholds based on key obesity-related comorbidities, exhibited as metabolic syndrome (MetSyn). These limits were compared to existing BMI thresholds of overweight and obesity.

Design

Correlational analysis of data from cross sectional sampling of 16 918 adults (8734 men and 8184 women) from the US population, accessed by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey public use datasets.

Results

Individuals measured by BMI as overweight (BMI > 25 kg/m2) and with obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) included 5% and 35% of individuals with MetSyn, respectively. For men, there were no cases of MetSyn below 18%BF, %BF equivalence to “overweight” (ie, 5% of MetSyn individuals) occurred at 25%BF, and “obesity” (ie, 35% of MetSyn individuals) corresponded to 30%BF. For women, there were no cases of MetSyn below 30%BF, “overweight” occurred at 36%BF, and “obesity” corresponded to 42%BF. Comparison of BMI to %BF illustrates the wide range of variability in BMI prediction of %BF, highlighting the potential importance of using more direct measures of adiposity to manage obesity-related disease.

Conclusion

Practical methods of body composition estimation can now replace the indirect BMI assessment for obesity management, using threshold values provided from this study. Clinically relevant “overweight” can be defined as 25% and 36% BF for men and women, respectively, and “obesity” is defined as 30% and 42% BF for men and women.
Epidemiology of Intimate Partner and Domestic Violence–Related Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States, 2018 to 2021: A National Trauma Data Bank Cohort Analysis of 3891 Patients
Authors: Ramesh Rithvik , Yue John K. , Manley Geoffrey T. , Tarapore Phiroz E. , DiGiorgio Anthony M.
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Despite profound medico-socio-legal consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI) from intimate partner violence and domestic violence (IPV/DV), the incidence and acute outcomes of concurrent IPV/DV-TBI are not well understood. We examined US IPV/DV patients with/without TBI (IPV/DV-TBI; non-TBI) using the National Trauma Data Bank. We hypothesized IPV/DV-TBI would be associated with elevated morbidity.

METHODS:

National Trauma Data Bank Trauma Quality Programs Participant Use Files years 2018 to 2021 were queried for patients aged ≥18 years with IPV/DV using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision external cause codes. TBI/non-TBI was defined using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision diagnosis codes. TBI severity was defined by the Glasgow Coma Scale (severe = 3-8, moderate = 9-12, and mild = 13-15). Outcomes were intensive care unit (ICU) admission, in-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), and discharge home. Multivariable regressions examined associations between TBI and outcomes, controlling for sociodemographic and injury severity variables.

RESULTS:

Of 3891 IPV/DV-related cases, 31.1% were IPV/DV-TBI. Cranial injuries included skull fracture (30.2%), subdural (19.8%), subarachnoid (13.4%), and epidural (1.1%) hemorrhage, contusion (8.1%), and cerebral edema (3.3%). In IPV/DV-TBI, mild/moderate/severe TBI proportions were 87.4%/4.3%/8.3%, with mean LOS 11.5 ± 10.9/14.4 ± 27.3/5.0 ± 7.7-days and mortality 0.9%/22.5%/28.6%, respectively. Compared with non-TBI, IPV/DV-TBI had more female (77.2%/64.6%, P < .001) and fewer Black patients (28.9%/36.6%, P < .001), more ICU admissions (20.9%/7.5%, P < .001) and mortality (4.1%/1.8%, P < .001), longer LOS (5.3 ± 9.5/4.5 ± 6.4-days, P = .008), and decreased discharge home (79.8%/83.8%, P = .005). Multivariable regressions confirmed the associations between TBI and ICU admission (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 4.29, 95% CI [3.46-5.33]), mortality (aOR = 3.20 [1.99-5.15]), LOS (adjusted mean difference = +1.22 [0.68-1.76]), and inability to discharge home (aOR = 0.57 [0.46-0.71]).

CONCLUSION:

One-third of US IPV/DV-related trauma cases have TBI, comprising predominantly female patients. Black patients with IPV/DV-related trauma were overrepresented compared with US census estimates. IPV/DV-TBI had increased ICU admissions, LOS, in-hospital mortality, and inability to discharge home compared with non-TBI. Investigating morbidity risk factors and providing sociomedical resources during acute care are critically needed in this vulnerable population.
A zebrafish model of diabetic nephropathy shows hyperglycemia, proteinuria and activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway
Authors: Zang Liqing , Saitoh Sei , Katayama Kan , Zhou Weibin , Nishimura Norihiro , Shimada Yasuhito
Published: May 2024

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), as a complication of diabetes, is a substantial healthcare challenge owing to the high risk of morbidity and mortality involved. Although significant progress has been made in understanding the pathogenesis of DN, more efficient models are required to develop new therapeutics. Here, we created a DN model in zebrafish by crossing diabetic Tg(acta1:dnIGF1R-EGFP) and proteinuria-tracing Tg(l-fabp::VDBP-GFP) lines, named zMIR/VDBP. Overfed adult zMIR/VDBP fish developed severe hyperglycemia and proteinuria, which were not observed in wild-type zebrafish. Renal histopathology revealed human DN-like characteristics, such as glomerular basement membrane thickening, foot process effacement and glomerular sclerosis. Glomerular dysfunction was restored upon calorie restriction. RNA sequencing analysis demonstrated that DN zebrafish kidneys exhibited transcriptional patterns similar to those seen in human DN pathogenesis. Notably, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway was activated, a phenomenon observed in the early phase of human DN. In addition, metformin improved hyperglycemia and proteinuria in DN zebrafish by modulating Akt phosphorylation. Our results indicate that zMIR/VDBP fish are suitable for elucidating the mechanisms underlying human DN and could be a powerful tool for therapeutic discovery.
Reproductive biology of Capparis decidua (Kair): A potential underutilized multipurpose plant of arid and semi arid region
Authors: Saresh NV , Piyush Pradhan , Dileep Kumar , Godara Asu Singh , Yadav Manoj Kumar , Dhanger Parveen
Published: May 2024

Foliation and flowering of Capparis decidua occurs three times a year i.e. from January to November months. Flowers are bracteate, pedicellate, complete, hermaphrodite, zygomorphic, hypogynous with slender pedicel, usually light red, scarlet red and yellow in colour. Anthesis was maximum between 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 PM and 6.00 to 10.00 AM. Pollen grains are prolate, tricolporate, trilobed, with costae, colpal membrane sparsely granulated. Anther dehiscence takes place after 20–30 minutes of anthesis at 6.00 to 8.00 PM by the time the flowers starts antehsizing, the anthers are almost mature. The viability of pollen grains ranges from 38–52%, and starts decreasing in the stored pollen. The percentage fruit set decreases with the collection time of the pollen grains and plant type. According to visual observation stigmatic surface change in the appearance i.e. green coloured stigma was considered receptive while dull and brown was accounted non-receptive. Pollen germination in-vivo showed 80 per cent stigma receptive and 90 percent of fruit set in the flowers pollinated on the time of anthesis. Pollen grains per anther were ranging from 331–369, fully developed and mature anthers differing significantly among the plant types. The mean number of pollen grains per ovule was 4309 thus the pollen-ovule ratio was 431:1. There is 17–23% fruit set observed under self pollination (autogamy and geitonogamy) and 52–72% as a result of cross pollination. The cross pollinated nature of C. decidua is due to entomophilic nature of flowers, insect visitors which play the main role of pollination are from Apidae and Papilionidae.
Ιπνοποιών έργα
Authors: Παππάς Ιωάννης
Published: May 2024

Η διατριβή πραγματεύεται αναλυτικά και συνθετικά το θέμα των κλιβάνων όπτησης κεραμικών αγγείων της Εποχής του Χαλκού. Επικεντρώνεται σε αυτούς στον ευρύτερο αιγαιακό χώρο – σε νησιά του και στην Κρήτη, όσο και στο ηπειρωτικό του μέρος, στην Πελοπόννησο, τη Στερεά Ελλάδα, τη Θεσσαλία και τη Μακεδονία. Εγγράφει, επίσης, σημαντικές εγκαταστάσεις με τέτοιες δομές στα παράλια και την ενδοχώρα της Μικράς Ασίας, την Ανατολία και στη Βόρεια Συρία, στο πλαίσιο κυρίως μιας συγκριτικής προσέγγισής τους με εκείνες στο Αιγαίο, για την ανάδειξη αναλογιών και διαφορών που θα έδειχναν πιθανές σχέσεις και διαδράσεις τους, και όποιες ανταλλαγές τεχνογνωσίας σε αυτόν τον τομέα της πυροτεχνολογίας. Εκτός από την σύνθεση των συνολικών αναλυτικών δεδομένων, έμφαση δίδεται στα πρώιμα καμίνια της 3ης χιλιετίας, και τους αιγαιακούς κλιβάνους Τύπων Ι και ΙΙ της 2ης χιλιετίας π.Χ., ενώ επικεντρώνεται σε παρατηρήσεις για τον μινωικό κλίβανο Τύπου ΙΙΙ με κανάλια/αεραγωγούς – τρέχουσες υποθέσεις για την προέλευσή και τον τρόπο λειτουργίας του, και τις εν δυνάμει σχέσεις του με τις δομές Τύπων I και II στο ηπειρωτικό και το νησιωτικό Αιγαίο. Εδώ ενσωματώνεται η πρωτότυπη μελέτη και πρόταση για την πειραματική κατασκευή ενός κλίβανου Τύπου III. Στο τελευταίο μέρος ανιχνεύονται σχέσεις των κλιβάνων με ευρύτερους εργαστηριακούς χώρους κατασκευής των αγγείων, και τίθεται, έτσι, το ζήτημα του δύσκολου ορισμού ενός μινωικού και εν γένει αιγαιακού προϊστορικού κεραμεικού εργαστηρίου. Μελετώνται οι περιπτώσεις 29 εγκαταστάσεων με κλιβάνους στην Κρήτη και τα συναφή τους τεκμήρια, κυρίως οι αρχιτεκτονικές συνάφειες και τα κινητά συνευρήματά τους. Στα αρχαιολογικά στοιχεία προστίθεται και η αναλογική συμβολή εθνογραφικών μαρτυριών από δύο παραδοσιακούς τέτοιους χώρους του προηγούμενου αιώνα, τον ένα στην Κρήτη και τον άλλο στην Τυνησία.
MODELING OF TWO-FREQUENCY SIGNAL SCATTERING ON A DIFFRACTION STRUCTURE
Authors: Avetisyan Tatiana V. , Lvovich Yakov E. , Preobrazhensky Andrey P.
Published: May 2024

To date, one of the important and urgent tasks of the science of electrodynamics is to study the scattering characteristics of various complex electrodynamic objects. Among them, hollow structures can be distinguished, which are part of antenna systems and structures of various technical facilities. Their contribution to the levels of electromagnetic fields in the anterior hemisphere can be quite large. The correct solution to the problem of scattering of electromagnetic wave scattering characteristics is associated with the use of appropriate methods. The paper considers the solution of the problem based on the method of integral equations. During the analysis of the two-frequency effect, the use of the wavelet transform is considered.
ROBOTIC EQUIPMENT OF THEATER STAGES
Authors: Volkov Andrey N. , Kochetkov Andrey V.
Published: May 2024

Background. The topic of the article is timely. Many interesting and technically quite feasible ideas in equipping the stage were not implemented in the theater due to the lack of direct groundwork and limited time resources.
Problem statement. Generalization of the latest experience in the field of theatrical machinery requires raising the issue to the level of an interdisciplinary scientific direction based on mechanics, mechatronics and robotics.
Purpose. The need to implement the increasingly complex ideas of performance directors in a modern theater requires the improvement of demonstration equipment, primarily theatrical machinery based on new scientific achievements and modern technical means of mechanization and automation.
Research methods. Special stage robots can have a very different appearance, for example, they can be zoomorphic or anthropomorphic, but while maintaining the style of constructivism, they can have a man-made appearance. Such robots can perform complex movements, while they usually have numerous moving parts with independent drives. To provide flexible motion control capabilities with a focus on spectator perception, it is required to use microprocessor control with coordination from central control computers.
Results. When setting requirements for such a technique, the orientation towards visual perception is specific, which is also used in demonstration robotics. Based on the scientific generalization of previous and new experience in creating technical equipment for theatrical productions of large theaters, the paper describes and characterizes typical tasks of creating and working out a scientific base for creating modern and promising equipment for theatrical productions based on general principles and practical methods of mechanics, mechatronics and robotics.
REDUCING THE CONGESTION AT A BUS STOP BY FORMING GROUPS OF BUSES IN CHELYABINSK CITY
Authors: Averyanov Yuri I. , Asfoor Hasanain Muhi Asfoor
Published: May 2024

The one of the main problems of congestion processes at bus stopping points (SP) is that an increase in the number of buses and routes leads to a disruption in the organization of their passage through the SP. The poor organization of bus passage through the SP can lead to the fact that during peak hours, the buses queue can stretch for hundreds of meters. The forming buses into a group can reduce the congestions at the SP and increase their throughput, as a result of the simultaneous arrival and departure of buses from the SPs. In order to check the stated hypothesis, experimental and theoretical studies were carried out on the process of passing buses through the SP “Revolution Sq." on Lenin Ave., Chelyabinsk city, Russia. In this article was found that, when using three buses in one group, the passenger service time at the SP will be reduced in the range of (52-56) %. This result can lead to assert that the buses movement in a group through the SP will increase its capacity by approximately 50% and reducing the possibility of congestion at bus stopping points.
Purpose. Reducing the congestion at the bus stopping points by forming groups of buses.
Methodology. In the article the observation and comparison methods are used as the analysis methods.
Results. The most informative parameters showing some aspects of carrying out the analysis of export operations are received.
Practical implications. The diagrams of the main data of experimental studies and theoretical dependences of the dwell time that spent by three buses in one group and three buses arriving one by one at SP “Revolution Sq." are got from the route numbers in the morning and evening.
THE USE OF WEB SERVICES TO OPTIMIZE THE LOGISTICS PROCESS IN THE ENGINEERING INDUSTRY
Authors: Nizamova Lilia N. , Isavnin Alexey G.
Published: May 2024

One of the important sectors in the economy is the metallurgical industry, which supplies raw materials and semi-finished products to other strategically important industries. The issue of quality control in this area is very relevant. Since the quality of the metal depends on the quality of subsequent products, products that must withstand all prescribed loads and regulations, as well as ensure safe operation for many years. Accordingly, all products of the metallurgical industry are subject to mandatory certification. The quality certificate is an official document and confirms the declared characteristics of the metal. All information from the quality certificate should be recorded in the information system in such a way that it is possible to track each specific batch of metal with the characteristics declared according to the certificate from purchase to release of finished products. The article discusses new possibilities of using web services for the exchange of information on quality certificates between contractors with various information systems. The essence of this innovative method is that the metal supplier transmits the data according to the quality certificate together with the electronic printed form, and the buyer accepts this data and writes it to the integration bus using web services for subsequent transmission to the necessary information systems. Thus, the risk of errors that are present during manual input will be eliminated, the time for entering and processing information will be reduced to ensure the full operation of technical control in the organization.
Purpose. Optimization of the process of material and technical support by metal rolling for enterprises of the machine-building industry.
Methodology: the article used survey, analysis, comparison, modeling.
Results: a new method of transmitting information on quality certificates using web services, which allows you to avoid errors during manual entry, as well as optimize the registration process of admission.
Practical implications it is advisable to apply the obtained results for enterprises of the machine-building industry engaged in the purchase of rolled metal.
Psilocybin as a new way for depression treatment
Authors: Pawlicki Mateusz Maciej , Kłos Aleksandra , Stachyrak Karol , Mika Dawid , Mazur Bartosz , Turek Kamila , Lambach Maciej , Greguła Anna , Mazurek Aleksandra , Wilanowska Wiktoria
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Mental disorders are common and still growing problem around the globe. Significantly decreasing quality of life, they are often source of true suffering for patients and their families leading to further health issues or even dramatic outcomes resulting in death. As public awareness rises, more and more people understand risks and tend to look for help as fast as possible. Currently available treatment methods are not always efficient enough to deal with more complex cases. Therefore it is important to look for new therapy options incrementing chances of fast and successful treatment.
Results: Studies showed that psilocybin is not only able to lower depression and anxiety scores in patients with major depressive disorders or with serious life-threatening conditions but also proved this effect to be long-lasting. At the same time, no or little adverse side effects were noticed.
Conclusions: Psilocybin is potentially a good method for depression treatment in some groups of patients. It should be considered if other, better known therapies show little or no effects.
The Impact of “Retail Media” on Online Marketplaces: Insights from a Field Experiment
Authors: Abhishek Vibhanshu , Jerath Kinshuk , Sharma Siddhartha
Published: May 2024

A part of retail media wherein sponsored product listings are interleaved with organic product listings in the search results is a large and growing phenomenon. In this paper, we study the impact of displaying sponsored listings at top positions for the platform. Analyzing data from a large-scale field experiment at a leading online marketplace in India, we find nuanced results that substantially vary across product categories. In the electronics category, the sponsored listings receive fewer clicks than the organic listings that they replace. Surprisingly, this effect is reversed in the clothing category, in which the ads perform better than the displaced organic listings, suggesting that sponsored listings might help the platform identify new high-relevance products and improve search rankings for these categories. At the search level, we find that increasing the fraction of sponsored listings (by about 10% points) in the search results does not affect the performance in any product category. This implies that ads bring in additional revenue for the marketplace yet do not hurt overall consumer response (in the short run). We theorize that the variation across categories occurs because of differing degrees of information asymmetry on product relevance between the marketplace and the sellers.
A rare post-infectious autoimmune manifestation of COVID-19
Authors: Kaya Fatih , Alsafdi Tarek , Al-Suleh Manar Hussam
Published: May 2024

The incidence of post-infectious autoimmune diseases has been on the rise following the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, an autistic patient was admitted to the hospital presenting with a mild upper respiratory system COVID-19 infection. Months after recovery and polymerase chain reaction negativity, the patient developed HEp-2 cell positivity and presented with relapsing polychondritis (RP), a rare autoimmune disease. The mechanism of this autoimmune invasion is ultimately caused by activating a myriad of immune reactions. Lymphocytopenia almost always accompanies various clinical forms of COVID-19; however, it may drive the lymphocytopenia-induced proliferation of autoreactive T cells via the activation of interleukin-6 (IL-6). Moreover, high levels of neutrophils during infection promote autoimmune disease by releasing cytokine and chemokine cascades that accompany inflammation, and neutrophil extracellular traps regulating immune responses through cell–cell interactions. Furthermore, autism spectrum disorder patients display an altered immune system that includes an augmented inflammatory cytokine milieu leading to an increased pro-inflammatory Th1/Th2 ratio. In addition, the pathophysiology of RP is majorly associated with a cell-mediated immune reaction; thus, the predisposing exaggerated immune system of such patients must also be considered as a predisposing factor to the development of post-infectious autoimmune diseases.
Book review: Nursing in Prison
Authors: Stewart Warren
Published: May 2024

A major new study on this often overlooked area is reviewed by Dr Warren Stewart
Colitis in donkeys
Authors: Sullivan Rebekah JE
Published: May 2024

The presentation of colitis in the donkey may differ from that in the horse. Donkeys typically mask signs of pain and illness, and diarrhoea is not common in colitis. Recognition, treatment and management of colitis requires an underlying understanding of donkey-specific behaviours and an awareness of differences in the pharmacokinetics of certain medications. Colitis may present comorbidly with other pathophysiology, and a careful stepwise diagnostic approach to the dull donkey is essential.
Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis
Authors: Nugent Zoe , Paice Emily , Jensen Anders , Peffers Mandy
Published: May 2024

Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis is a relatively recently described condition of the incisors. It is characterised by roughening of the sub-gingival crown and enlargement of the apical part of the tooth. Clinical signs include pain, mastication issues and bitting problems. Theories regarding the aetiology include mechanical strain to the periodontal ligament and bacterial infection. The underlying basis is likely multifactorial and there is research ongoing to establish a cause. By addressing gaps in knowledge, the ultimate goal is to develop regenerative treatments and early intervention protocols, alleviating the pain and distress associated with the condition. Radiography is a useful imaging technique to diagnose the condition, as is microcomputed tomography which is more sensitive. Currently, there is no disease-modifying treatment and the only option available is removal of affected teeth. In some cases, this can involve surgical extraction of all incisors and is something patients are able to manage well.
Family Perceptions About the Methodology of the “We All Are Campus” Training Program
Authors: García-Candel José Antonio , Bernárdez-Gómez Abraham , Belmonte-Almagro María Luisa
Published: May 2024

The transition to adulthood involves not only the acquisition of professional skills but also the development of social and emotional competencies that enable individuals to fully integrate into society. The educational program "We all are campus" of the University of Murcia focuses on preparing young people with intellectual disabilities for the ultimate goal of employment. In this study, 30 family members or guardians of people with intellectual disabilities (PcDI) participated and were consulted about their perceptions of this educational program. The research was conducted using a mixed qualitative methodology, adopting a case study approach. The main results indicate that the training received by the students improves aspects such as their interpersonal relationships and development. In addition, it is relevant to highlight that the family members emphasize an increase in maturity and the knowledge of the people with intellectual disabilities who attended the program "We all are campus". It is concluded that there are several aspects that are relevant to the families, among them, the optimism and support that their relatives need in the face of the uncertainty of their future.
Adherence to General Medical Council guidance regarding disclosure of alternative treatments during the consent process
Authors: Bethell GS , Wheeler RA , Hall NJ
Published: May 2024

Introduction

General Medical Council (GMC) guidelines dictate that reasonable alternatives to treatment should be disclosed during the consent process. We aimed to determine whether GMC guidelines on disclosure of alternatives during consent are being followed in a real-world example which is disclosure of non-operative management as an alternative to appendicectomy in uncomplicated paediatric appendicitis.

Methods

We undertook a retrospective single-centre observational study and national consultant specialist paediatric surgeon survey. Two groups of 50 consecutively treated children (<16 years) with acute uncomplicated appendicitis were included in the observational study during two periods. UK-based consultant surgeons who treat appendicitis were included in the national survey. The main outcomes were disclosure and use of non-operative management (NOM) as an alternative to appendicectomy.

Results

Overall, in the observational study, NOM was disclosed in 30 (30%) children and 77% (23/30) opted for this treatment method when it was disclosed. There were 83 survey respondents representing all 25 eligible specialist paediatric surgery centres. Ten (12%) consultants reported routinely offering NOM, 39 (47%) offer it in select circumstances, and 34 (41%) never offer NOM. Only 25 (30%) respondents always disclose NOM as an alternative to appendicectomy, whereas 22 (27%) never do. Consultants who never disclose NOM are more likely to prefer appendicectomy over NOM compared with those who always disclose it (p<0.001).

Conclusion

In this illustrative clinical scenario, observed and reported practice regarding disclosure of alternative treatments during the consent process do not meet GMC guidance. This risks depriving children and caregivers of a choice that they are entitled to.
THE ROLE OF SEMAPHORINS IN CANCERS WITH SPECIAL FOCUS ON UROLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES
Authors:   Municipal Hospital in Olsztyn, Purpurowicz Piotr , Purpurowicz Zbigniew ,   Municipal Hospital in Olsztyn, Jabłonowski Zbigniew ,   Medical University of Łódź
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Semaphorins are multi-function extracellular proteins with signaling properties involved in many processes in the human body. Surprisingly, in carcinogenesis, they may function as promoting or suppressing agents or both at the same time. Semaphorins in the field of urological cancers have been insufficiently studied so far, mainly in prostate cancer. They seem promising markers in urological cancers diagnostics and possibly treatment. This matter is the more worthy of interest since urological cancers are a great medical and economic burden. The review briefly discusses the current state of knowledge about semaphorins in cancers, mainly in urology. Conclusions: The most investigated cancer was prostate, whereas there is not enough information about semaphorins in bladder cancer and renal cell carcinoma. Apparently, semaphorin 5B exerts a negative influence on renal cell carcinoma, and semaphorins 3A and 4D on bladder cancer. In case of prostate cancer, semaphorins 3B, 3C, 4F are considered to promote neoplasm development. On the other hand, semaphorins 3A and 3E are considered beneficial.
Theatre as Memory Site: Cultural Activities, Imaginaries, and Theatrical Things of a Regional Xiqu Theatre in Contemporary China
Authors: Chen Chen
Published: May 2024

Abstract: This paper explores how the theatre of a Chinese regional opera, as a memory site and an actor, enunciates stories, theatrical experiences, and imaginaries of xiqu (traditional Chinese theatre) communities. The material presences of theatres ensure the continuities of cultural activities of xiqu traditions in Chinese society today. The institutionalized opera activities that emerged in the 1950s national xiqu reform campaign have molded the Chinese xiqu theatres toward an “enduring site” for constantly revamping regional cultures into the rubrics of national culture coherently. However, to the regional xiqu communities, a particular theatrical form, such as lüju (Shandong opera), intertwines with stories and embodied meanings in their quotidian practices. Drawing on the ethnographic observations of the Lüju Baihua Theatre, this article illustrates that Chinese xiqu theatres traffic the shared past, multi-generational memories, and regional stories that are communicable to the community members who resonate with them. It problematizes the perception of Chinese opera theatres as “static or disembodied sites” by unfolding how theatre as cultural activity constantly facilitates embodied knowledge to carve the contours of the group identity and imaginaries of the xiqu communities in contemporary China .
Ran’s Diary : Sexually Suggestive Protest and Counterpublic Discourse Staged by Asian Others in South Korea
Authors: Choi Bomi
Published: May 2024

Abstract: This article examines how theatres of migration in the professional sphere intervene in contemporary social issues around Asian immigrants in multicultural South Korea. Of those from other Asian countries , Ranui ilgi (Ran’s Diary, 2011) concerns female marriage migrants, confronting its non-migrant South Korean spectators with an uncomfortable and neglected reality of the migrant women’s cross-border marriages with ethnic South Korean men. Along with a specific focus on the group of marginalized Asian others in the country, the sexually suggestive mise-en-scène particularly calls the attention of the audience. In this article, I first offer a brief overview of the societal backgrounds and effects of an unprecedented influx of Asian brides into South Korea, a country with a long-held fetish for ethnic homogeneity. Then, I analyze Ran’s Diary in terms of the play’s critical perspective on inter-Asian marriages, its strategic focus on and staging of a sexually victimized female Asian migrant character, and the authentic as well as culturally conscious representation of lived experiences of those immigrants in the host country. In my conclusion, I argue that this sexually-charged performance functions as a protest against the dominant public, generating a counterpublic discourse .
Ugly Past/Insensitive Present: Blackface in Persian Popular Entertainment
Authors: Sharifian Hesam
Published: May 2024

Abstract: This article is a scholarly expansion of my previous public writing in HowlRound entitled “Iranian Blackface Clowns are Racist, No Matter How You Sugarcoat Them in Obscure Archaic Mythology.” In the essay, I argue siāh-bāzi, an Iranian form of popular entertainment that features a main character in blackface, is indeed a racialized mockery of the African slaves who were brought to Iran from the sixteenth to early twentieth centuries. In the present article, I delve deeper into the history of slavery in Iran as a context for sāh-bāzi . I also analyze the embodiment techniques in siāh-bāzi to demonstrate its racial connotations .
Of Intelligence : A Previously Unknown Tract by Sir Thomas Roe
Authors: Cano-Echevarría Berta
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT: Of Intelligence is a hitherto unknown tract written by Sir Thomas Roe and preserved in manuscript form in the National Archives at Kew. It is located in a bundle containing a miscellany of original documents that are mainly concerned with the Holy Roman Empire and the various city states of Germany. A Small Tract of Sir Thomas Roe, intitled, Of Intelligence. Of great Use to all Ministers of State, Ambassadors, etc. is related to the rest of the items because of its references to King Gustavus Adolphus and Swedish participation in the Thirty Years’ War. Roe was one of the most accomplished diplomats and politicians of the early Stuart period, acting as ambassador to different European courts, as well as to the Moghul and Ottoman empires, and actively serving as a Member of Parliament before the Civil Wars. The tract addresses how to obtain power and influence at court through intelligence or, more specifically, through the control of information. It follows the formula of Francis Bacon’s Essays , balancing the arguments and enumerating different points with examples and classical quotations. By illuminating various aspects of Roe’s career and his times, we can interpret Of Intelligence as a direct presentation of his own credentials and a call for attention to his situation, following his return home from his diplomatic endeavors. I provide a transcription as well as an introduction and notes that contextualize the composition and relevance of this recent discovery.
Commodities and the Acting Profession: A Newly Discovered Inventory for William and Susanna Mountfort’s “India Shop” (1692)
Authors: Ferdinand Christine
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT: The discovery of the postmortem inventory of the estate of William Mountfort sheds new light on how Restoration actors managed their incomes during the off-season. Mountfort was killed in 1692 by a teenaged Captain Richard Hill, who believed the actor was his rival for the attentions of the actor Anne Bracegirdle. William wrote his will on his deathbed, leaving everything to his actor-wife Susanna and their two-year-old daughter. The inventory, compiled two months later, reveals details of the Mountforts’ day-to-day domestic life in their new house on Norfolk Street in the parish of St Clement Danes, London. The second part of the document is the surprise: it contains a list of the “Trading Goods” found in the shop and storage rooms on the first two floors of the house, which suggests that the Mountforts not only engaged successfully in the acting trade, but also ran a retail business, selling luxury fabrics, decorative objects, and tableware. The first play the United Company (to which the Mountforts belonged) performed after the murder was Thomas Southerne’s Maid’s Last Prayer , a dark comedy that incidentally features an India shop, and provides a useful contemporary context for the Mountforts’ business.
Integrated photonics cascaded attenuation circuit towards single-photon detector calibration
Authors: Zhang Jing , Panicker Karthik , Ang Thomas Y. L. , Goh Rui Jie , Leong Victor
Published: May 2024

Integrated photonics platforms are a key driver for advancing scalable photonics technologies. To rigorously characterize and calibrate on-chip integrated photodetectors for ultra-sensitive applications such as quantum sensing and photonic computing, a low-power calibration source down to single-photon levels is required. To date, such sources still largely rely on off-chip bulk or fiber optic setups to accurately attenuate a laser beam referenced to a sub-mW-level primary standard. Here, we demonstrate an on-chip integrated attenuation solution where a mW-level beam is coupled to a silicon nitride photonics circuit, and is attenuated by a series of cascaded directional couplers (DCs). With an integrated silicon photodetector, we measured an attenuation at 685 nm wavelength of up to 16.61 dB with an expanded uncertainty of 0.24 dB for one DC stage. With appropriate scattering mitigation, we infer from our results that a total attenuation of 149.5 dB (expanded uncertainty of 0.5 dB) can be obtained with 9 stages of cascaded DCs, thus allowing single-photon power levels to be obtained directly on-chip from a moderate-power laser source.
Highly stabilized fiber Bragg grating accelerometer based on cross-type diaphragm
Authors: Wei Heming , Zhuang Changquan , Che Jiawei , Zhang Dengwei , Zhu Mengshi , Pang Fufei , Caucheteur Christophe , Hu Xuehao , Nedoma Jan , Martinek Radek , Marques Carlos
Published: May 2024

A fiber Bragg grating (FBG) accelerometer based on cross-type diaphragm was proposed and designed, in which the cross-beam acts as a spring element. To balance the sensitivity and stability, the accelerometer structure was optimized. The experimental results show that the designed device has a resonant frequency of 556 Hz with a considerable wide frequency bandwidth of up to 200 Hz, which is consistent with the simulation. The sensitivity of the device is 12.35 pm/g@100 Hz with a linear correlation coefficient of 0.99936. The proposed FBG accelerometer has simple structure and strong anti-interference capability with a maximal cross-error less than 3.26%, which can be used for mechanical structural health monitoring.
Design of a metasurface deflector for guided absorption enhancement in a Si PIN photodiode
Authors: Tsubokawa Makoto , Saif Islam M.
Published: May 2024

We numerically demonstrated a surface-illuminated Si PIN photodiode (PD) structure with a metasurface composed of etched isosceles triangle pillars that can enhance sensitivity in the near-infrared wavelength range (NIR) by enabling directional scattering (DS) of photons. The metasurface is designed to act as a deflector to increase the absorption efficiency by extending the photon dwell time. This is particularly effective in thin intrinsic layers (i-layers) of silicon, surpassing the capabilities of conventional omnidirectional scattering gratings. Our results show a 3.5-fold increase in internal quantum efficiency over wavelengths above 0.9 µm compared to the structure without metasurface. The absorption enhancement brought about by directional scattering is not limited to thin i-layers; it can potentially improve a wide range of photodiode geometries and structures. Furthermore, the proposed structure, consisting of an all-Si layer and a simple geometric etching process, makes it compatible with foundry fabrication methods and opens up new possibilities for expanding applications of Si PDs.
Interface states and optical coupling functionalities in the super-SSH lattices
Authors: Zhao Tingjun , Kang Xinyue , Wang Huamei , Tian Xin , Chen Qixuan , Zhang Qian , Qin Hanqiang , He Haolong , Yao Guangting , Zhan Kaiyun
Published: May 2024

We theoretically address the coupling between trimer lattices and reveal the existence of stable multiple edge and interface states. It is shown the superlattice can provides a tunable number of topologically protected edge and interface states depending on the coupling strength and topological phase of the connecting lattices. Dynamics and transport properties of interface states are also investigated, Due to the interference of linear modes with different propagation constants, stable oscillations resulted from the coupling of interface states in finite trimerized waveguide arrays are observed and can give rise to optical coupling functionalities, including directional coupling, beam splitting and beam oscillator.
Simulation method for multi-source information fusion space target
Authors: Yang Songzhou , Zhang Yu , Zhao Bin , Meng Yao , Ren Dianwu , Zhang Jian , Sun Gaofei , Du Zongyu , Zhang GuoYu
Published: May 2024

Current space target simulation systems suffer from limitations, such as a single simulated spectral band, inability to allocate spectral ratios between bands, and poor imaging quality of multi-spectral simulated images. We propose a multi-source information fusion spatial target simulation method system that features a “series-parallel” hybrid connection. We optimize the design of a multi-spectral common aperture optical system and experimentally verify the proposed method. The experimental results show that the proposed system can simulate a wide range of spectral bands ranging from ultraviolet to long-wave infrared. Furthermore, it achieves precise control over the ratio of simulated radiant energy among spectral bands, with a spectral simulation error of less than 4.8%. Notably, it effectively images stars against the cosmic background and spacecraft across different spectral bands. This system serves as a theoretical cornerstone and provides crucial technological support for performance testing and rapid iterative development of multi-source information fusion space exploration systems.
Attosecond ionic photoionization spectroscopy
Authors: Xu Yidan , Han Lulu , Jiang Wenyu , Zuo Zitan , Pan Shengzhe , Fleischer Avner , Ueda Kiyoshi , Wu Jian
Published: May 2024

Photoionization is one of the most fundamental processes in light–matter interaction. Advanced attosecond photoelectron spectroscopy provides the possibility to characterize the ultrafast photoemission process in an extremely short attosecond time scale. Following scattering symmetry rules, residual ions encode ultrafast photoionization prints at the instant of electron removal forming an alternative electron emission chronoscope. Here, we experimentally illustrate the attosecond ion reconstruction of attosecond beating by interference of two-photon transition (RABBIT)-like interferometry through the development of high-resolution ion momentum detection in atomic photoionization processes. Our ion interferometry presents identical momentum- and time-dependent scattering phase shift, as we observed in photoelectron spectroscopy, and thus demonstrates that ion interferometry can be a possible alternative attosecond approach to resolve the photoionization process, without the electron homogeneity limitation.
All-dielectric super-lattice metasurfaces with fivefold spatial resolution enhancement for structured illumination microscopy
Authors: Ding Jiayu , Peng Siying
Published: May 2024

Structured illumination microscopy (SIM) is a promising imaging technique for high-resolution imaging with a wide field of view. Although a periodic nanostructure is a versatile platform for engineering the spatial frequency of structured illumination patterns in SIM, challenges remain, including artifacts from Fourier space gaps. We designed an all-dielectric super-lattice metasurface (ADSLM) to generate structured illumination patterns with enhanced spatial frequency and broadened spatial frequency coverage with no intermediate frequency gaps. Our numerical simulations reveal that ADSLM-based image reconstruction is capable of producing high-contrast, artifact-free images, resulting in enhanced spatial resolution up to 5.7-fold for coherent SIM at 450 nm. Our results show that the ADSLM-SIM technique may facilitate high-resolution imaging using CMOS-compatible substrates, offering potential for compact miniaturized imaging applications.
Ultrasmooth Ti/Al multilayer with a Ti seed layer for EUV applications
Authors: Wang Hanlin , Zhang Wei , Zhou Aiming , Tao Chen , Peng Jiahao , Gong Bowen , Liu Qian , Niu Xiaoqian , Wang Xiaodong , Chen Bo
Published: May 2024

Al-base multilayers have attracted much interest in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) optics field, but high roughness of this multilayer due to the Al film is still a big concern. Here, a strategy of the seed layer was proposed to reduce the surface roughness and intermixing layer thickness of the Al-base multilayer. Ti film is not only a seed layer, but also an absorption layer in this novel multilayer. An optimized Ti/Al multilayer film structure was designed to work at 21.1 nm, while investigating the use of Ti as a seed layer to reduce the roughness and enhance the peak reflectivity. The experimental results showed that the Ti seed layer effectively reduced the surface roughness and intermixing layer thickness and improved the reflectance. At 21.1 nm, the peak reflectance reached 39.6%, with a bandwidth of only 1.0 nm and an RMS roughness of 0.17 nm. Ti/Al multilayer also exhibits good stability. This multilayer has potential application in high-precision optics, such as corona detection, which requires extreme low light scattering of multilayer mirror.
Multiple hybrid Spp-Tamm modes in Ag grating/DBR microcavity
Authors: Yin Tuyu , Liu Fangyuan , Liu Yu , Cui Libin , Zhai Tianrui
Published: May 2024

High confinement of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) have important applications in many aspects. However, access to high-Q resonant modes in metal cavity have many difficulties because of high Ohmic losses, large radiative losses and limited cavity designs. The Tamm mode is another surface plasmonic mode which has a high Q value but poor confinement. Here, we present a grating Tamm structure in which both nonradiative and radiative damping are suppressed, enabling excitation of high-Q and high confinement of hybrid SPP-Tamm mode. Theoretical analysis and simulations show that the proposed structure supports six resonance modes. By manipulating the geometric parameters of the metal grating, the multiple hybrid SPP-Tamm resonances could be well-defined and tuned with wavelength tuning sensitivity up to 1 nm. These results are promising for potential applications such as multiplexing, multi-frequency sensing and imaging.