bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A dynamic directed transfer function for brain functional network-based feature extraction
Authors: Li Mingai , Zhang Na
Published: March 2022

Directed transfer function (DTF) is good at characterizing the pairwise interactions from whole brain network and has been applied in discrimination of motor imagery (MI) tasks. Considering the fact that MI electroencephalogram signals are more non-stationary in frequency domain than in time domain, and the activated intensities of α band (8–13 Hz) and β band [13–30 Hz, with $$\beta_{1}$$

β
1

(13–21 Hz) and $$\beta_{2}$$

β
2

(21–30 Hz) included] have considerable differences for different subjects, a dynamic DTF (DDTF) with variable model order and frequency band is proposed to construct the brain functional networks (BFNs), whose information flows and outflows are further calculated as network features and evaluated by support vector machine. Extensive experiments are conducted based on a public BCI competition dataset and a real-world dataset, the highest recognition rate achieve 100% and 86%, respectively. The experimental results suggest that DDTF can reflect the dynamic evolution of BFN, the best subject-based DDTF appears in one of four frequency sub-bands (α, β, $$\beta_{1} ,$$

β
1

,

$${ }\beta_{2}$$

β
2

) for discrimination of MI tasks and is much more related to the current and previous states. Besides, DDTF is superior compared to granger causality-based and traditional feature extraction methods, the t-test and Kappa values show its statistical significance and high consistency as well.
Microfluidics-based strategies for molecular diagnostics of infectious diseases
Authors: Wang Xin , Hong Xian-Zhe , Li Yi-Wei , Li Ying , Wang Jie , Chen Peng , Liu Bi-Feng
Published: March 2022

Traditional diagnostic strategies for infectious disease detection require benchtop instruments that are inappropriate for point-of-care testing (POCT). Emerging microfluidics, a highly miniaturized, automatic, and integrated technology, are a potential substitute for traditional methods in performing rapid, low-cost, accurate, and on-site diagnoses. Molecular diagnostics are widely used in microfluidic devices as the most effective approaches for pathogen detection. This review summarizes the latest advances in microfluidics-based molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases from academic perspectives and industrial outlooks. First, we introduce the typical on-chip nucleic acid processes, including sample preprocessing, amplification, and signal read-out. Then, four categories of microfluidic platforms are compared with respect to features, merits, and demerits. We further discuss application of the digital assay in absolute nucleic acid quantification. Both the classic and recent microfluidics-based commercial molecular diagnostic devices are summarized as proof of the current market status. Finally, we propose future directions for microfluidics-based infectious disease diagnosis.
Domain-general cognitive motivation: Evidence from economic decision-making – Final Registered Report
Authors: Crawford Jennifer L. , Eisenstein Sarah A. , Peelle Jonathan E. , Braver Todd S.
Published: March 2022

Stable individual differences in cognitive motivation (i.e., the tendency to engage in and enjoy effortful cognitive activities) have been documented with self-report measures, yet convergent support for a trait-level construct is still lacking. In the present study, we used an innovative decision-making paradigm (COG-ED) to quantify the costs of cognitive effort, a metric of cognitive motivation, across two distinct cognitive domains: working memory (an N-back task) and speech comprehension (understanding spoken sentences in background noise). We hypothesized that cognitive motivation operates similarly within individuals, regardless of domain. Specifically, in 104 adults aged 18–40 years, we tested whether individual differences in effort costs are stable across domains, even after controlling for other potential sources of shared individual variation. Conversely, we evaluated whether the costs of cognitive effort across domains may be better explained in terms of other relevant cognitive and personality-related constructs, such as working memory capacity or reward sensitivity. We confirmed a reliable association among effort costs in both domains, even when these other sources of individual variation, as well as task load, are statistically controlled. Taken together, these results add support for trait-level variation in cognitive motivation impacting effort-based decision making across multiple domains.
The effect of sedimentation by chemical coagulants and the rapid sand filters on algal removal at drinking water treatment plants in Egypt
Authors: Abouzied Adel Hussein , Hassan Hanan A. S.
Published: March 2022

Background

The Nile River included diverse phytoplankton compositions belonging to five main phytoplankton categories. Algae have been classified and identified through comparative morphology.

Results

The Pyrrophyta, Charophyta, Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta, and Bacillariophyta were presented through the full period of investigation with 1, 3, 14, 23, and 28 species, respectively. Therefore, it may be important to note that diatoms were recorded as an abundant group in all investigated samples. The numbers of diatoms ranged between 1.45 × 106 and 1.18 × 107 Organism/l, this was followed by green algae that ranged from 7.0 × 105 to 1.22 × 106 Organism/l. While the lowest count of blue-green algae was ranged between 1.6 × 105 and 7.03 × 105 Organism/l. The treatment of Nile water using two chemical coagulants "aluminum sulfate (Al2(SO4)3⋅16H2O) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3)" removed algae by about 85% and 90%, respectively. As for, the Cyanophyceae species, they were removed completely in treated water using the sedimentation, filtration, and chlorination process. The sedimentation basins removed from 20 to 100% of the total algal count while the rapid sand filters removed from 65 to 100% of the total algal count during the water treatment that depends on the species of algae.

Conclusions

This study concluded that the removal of algae from the Nile water may be more or less easy depending on the nature of the prevailing algal group. Water treatment plants must modify alum and chlorine doses in their water treatment processes according to the count and species of the algal groups, to provide an aesthetically acceptable and biologically safe water supply.
Fungal communities in feces of the frugivorous bat Ectophylla alba and its highly specialized Ficus colubrinae diet
Authors: Chaverri Priscila , Chaverri Gloriana
Published: March 2022

Background

Bats are important long-distance dispersers of many tropical plants, yet, by consuming fruits, they may disperse not only the plant’s seeds, but also the mycobiota within those fruits. We characterized the culture-dependent and independent fungal communities in fruits ofFicus colubrinaeand feces ofEctophylla albato determine if passage through the digestive tract of bats affected the total mycobiota.

Results

Using presence/absence and normalized abundance data from fruits and feces, we demonstrate that the fungal communities were significantly different, even though there was an overlap of ca. 38% of Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs). We show that some of the fungi from fruits were also present and grew from fecal samples. Fecal fungal communities were dominated byAgaricomycetes, followed byDothideomycetes,Sordariomycetes, Eurotiomycetes, andMalasseziomycetes, while fruit samples were dominated byDothideomycetes, followed bySordariomycetes,Agaricomycetes, Eurotiomycetes, andLaboulbeniomycetes. Linear discriminant analyses (LDA) show that, for bat feces, the indicator taxa includeBasidiomycota(i.e.,Agaricomycetes: PolyporalesandAgaricales), and the ascomycetous classEurotiomycetes(i.e.,Eurotiales,Aspergillaceae). For fruits, indicator taxa are in theAscomycota(i.e.,Dothideomycetes:Botryosphaeriales;Laboulbeniomycetes:Pyxidiophorales; andSordariomycetes:Glomerellales). In our study, the differences in fungal species composition between the two communities (fruits vs. feces) reflected on the changes in the functional diversity. For example, the core community in bat feces is constituted by saprobes and animal commensals, while that of fruits is composed mostly of phytopathogens and arthropod-associated fungi.

Conclusions

Our study provides the groundwork to continue disentangling the direct and indirect symbiotic relationships in an ecological network that has not received enough attention: fungi-plants-bats. Findings also suggest that the role of frugivores in plant-animal mutualistic networks may extend beyond seed dispersal: they may also promote the dispersal of potentially beneficial microbial symbionts while, for example, hindering those that can cause plant disease.
The synergistic effect of eucalyptus oil and retinoic acid on human esophagus cancer cell line SK-GT-4
Authors: Falih Saba M. J. , Al-Saray Sarah T. , Alfaris Abdulbari A. , Al-Ali Ali A. A.
Published: March 2022

Background

In order to improve cancer patients' chances of survival, scientists have prioritized finding alternatives to chemotherapy, focusing their efforts on natural sources. The current study investigates the anti-cancer action of retinoic acid and Eucalyptus oil in esophageal cancer and studies their combined effect as well as the cellular pathways that each trigger as part of ongoing research in this field. As a model of esophageal cancer, the SK-GT-4 cancer cell line was treated with a series of concentrations of both materials.

Results

The concentrations of Eucalyptus oil (10, 100, 1000, and 1500 g/mL) and Retinoic acid (5, 100, 150, and 200 M/mL) were used for treatment of cells. The MTT test was used to assess the anti-cancer activity of Eucalyptus oil and Retinoic acid, and qPCR was used to determine cellular pathways. Our findings show that both Eucalyptus oil and Retinoic acid inhibit cancer cell growth significantly. Our findings revealed that the IC50 values for eucalyptus oil were 63 g/mL and 111.3 M l/mL for retinoic acid. Furthermore, the impact was at the level that causes apoptosis. The findings suggested that any herbal substance could act as an inducer of the caspase-9-dependent pathway. The caspase-8-dependent pathway, on the other hand, was restricted to retinoic acid.

Conclusion

Our research discovered that the two chemicals worked together to create a synergistic effect. This synergistic effect could be attributed to a close connection between external and internal apoptotic pathways, which inhibits SK-GT-4 cell growth.

Graphical Abstract
The clinical and functional characteristics of bronchiectasis among tuberculosis patients in Upper Egypt: a single-center study
Authors: Hashem Maiada K. , Nasim Youssef Suliman Marey , Mohamed-Hussein Aliae A.R. , Shaddad Ahmad M.
Published: March 2022

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) is considered one of the most common causes of bronchiectasis. Bronchiectasis increases clinical and financial burden of patients with TB. Here, we aim to assess the prevalence of bronchiectasis and its characteristics in patients with TB.

Results

Over 1 year duration, 85 patients with confirmed TB were enrolled in the study. Those patients were clinically, laboratory, and radiologically evaluated. Any patient with other chest diseases was excluded from the study. Out of those patients, 19/85 (22.4%) patients had bronchiectasis. It was found that patients with bronchiectasis had higher frequency of urban residence, current cigarette or goza smoking, and diabetes mellitus. Hemoptysis and expectoration were the most frequent symptoms. Pulmonary function tests were significantly impaired in patients with bronchiectasis. Disease burden was significantly higher among bronchiectasis group in form of frequent hospitalization, longer hospital stay, and need of oxygen therapy.

Conclusion

Bronchiectasis is not uncommon among TB patients. Co-existence of bronchiectasis with TB has distinctive clinical, and functional characteristics that increase the burden of the diseases in the form of prolonged hospital stay and higher utilization of antibiotics and oxygen therapy. Smoking in tuberculous patients may is significantly associated with bronchiectasis.
Developing country demand for crop germplasm conserved by the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System
Authors: Rubenstein Kelly Day , Heisey Paul W.
Published: March 2022

Background

Future food production depends on the availability of crop varieties with more resistance to pests and diseases, temperature extremes, irregular moisture, and saltier soils. Plant breeders will need diverse germplasm to create improved varieties, especially in developing countries. The U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) supplies germplasm to users worldwide.

Methods

To assess the demand for NPGS germplasm, we used: (1) distribution data from the Genetic Research Information Network; and (2) information collected directly from recipients of NPGS materials. Data collected included user characteristics, types of germplasm requested and received, the purpose of requests, the usefulness of materials received, and expectations for future use.

Results

For ten major crops, the NPGS distributed approximately 100,000 samples to users in developing countries during 2011–2015. NPGS germplasm ranged from final cultivars to crop wild relatives. These respondents requested proportionately more cultivars than are present in the NPGS. In developing countries, nearly all samples were received by scientists (98%). The most frequent purpose for requesting samples was basic research, followed by adding to collections, evaluating for specific traits, and breeding/prebreeding. These respondents found 38% of samples useful in breeding or in other ways. Another 38% of samples were still being evaluated. Previous research indicates the usefulness of samples is partially dependent on the data accompanying them. Compared with results from an earlier study, more samples had useful data. Finally, 64% of respondents in developing countries expected their use of the NPGS to increase, while only 8% expected their use to decrease.

Conclusions

The NPGS supplies significant amounts of crop germplasm to developing countries. The use of NPGS samples for basic research increased in developing countries. These respondents found more samples useful than those from an earlier study. NPGS samples were more likely to have useful data than in the past, which may enhance their usefulness. Finally, respondents in developing countries were more likely than other users to expect constant or increasing use of NPGS germplasm, underscoring the importance of NPGS materials for developing countries.
Risk of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis After Risk-Reducing Salpingo-Oophorectomy: A Systematic Review and Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis
Authors: Steenbeek Miranda P. , van Bommel Majke H.D. , Bulten Johan , Hulsmann Julia A. , Bogaerts Joep , Garcia Christine , Cun Han T. , Lu Karen H. , van Beekhuizen Heleen J. , Minig Lucas , Gaarenstroom Katja N. , Nobbenhuis Marielle , Krajc Mateja , Rudaitis Vilius , Norquist Barbara M. , Swisher Elizabeth M. , Mourits Marian J.E. , Massuger Leon F.A.G. , Hoogerbrugge Nicoline , Hermens Rosella P.M.G. , IntHout Joanna , de Hullu Joanne A.
Published: March 2022

PURPOSE

After risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO), BRCA1/ 2 pathogenic variant (PV) carriers have a residual risk to develop peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). The etiology of PC is not yet clarified, but may be related to serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC), the postulated origin for high-grade serous cancer. In this systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis, we investigate the risk of PC in women with and without STIC at RRSO.

METHODS

Unpublished data from three centers were supplemented by studies identified in a systematic review of EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane library describing women with a BRCA-PV with and without STIC at RRSO until September 2020. Primary outcome was the hazard ratio for the risk of PC between BRCA-PV carriers with and without STIC at RRSO, and the corresponding 5- and 10-year risks. Primary analysis was based on a one-stage Cox proportional-hazards regression with a frailty term for study.

RESULTS

From 17 studies, individual patient data were available for 3,121 women, of whom 115 had a STIC at RRSO. The estimated hazard ratio to develop PC during follow-up in women with STIC was 33.9 (95% CI, 15.6 to 73.9), P < .001) compared with women without STIC. For women with STIC, the five- and ten-year risks to develop PC were 10.5% (95% CI, 6.2 to 17.2) and 27.5% (95% CI, 15.6 to 43.9), respectively, whereas the corresponding risks were 0.3% (95% CI, 0.2 to 0.6) and 0.9% (95% CI, 0.6 to 1.4) for women without STIC at RRSO.

CONCLUSION

BRCA-PV carriers with STIC at RRSO have a strongly increased risk to develop PC which increases over time, although current data are limited by small numbers of events.
Multiple Cervical Cutdowns of Scar Tissue to Treat Bowstringing After Deep Brain Stimulation: Description of Technique and Case Series
Authors: Graham Dakota T. , Zhou James J. , Lambert Margaret , Ponce Francisco A.
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND:

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is widely used to treat movement disorders. One rare complication is bowstringing, the formation of scar tissue around the extension wires. This adverse effect can cause considerable pain or discomfort in the cervical region. Limited information is available about the best surgical technique to address this complication.

OBJECTIVE:

To present and describe a surgical technique (cervical cutdown [CCD]) to treat bowstringing.

METHODS:

We retrospectively reviewed records of DBS patients treated with CCD for bowstringing (August 1, 2011-February 28, 2020) to identify parameters that preceded the condition, evolution of the treatment technique, and patient outcomes.

RESULTS:

Nine patients (mean age, 61 years) underwent 10 CCD procedures for bowstringing. One patient required repeat CCD for retethering 10 months after the initial CCD. The mean time from DBS to presentation for initial bowstringing was 25 months. Six patients had undergone DBS surgery at our institution (0.6% incidence in 1068 cases). All 9 patients had 2 extension wires tunneled unilaterally. During each CCD, 2 to 4 cervical incisions were made. In 7 of the 10 cases, the internal pulse generator pocket was reopened; the extension wires were detethered in 4, and the internal pulse generator was replaced in 3. Six patients with follow-up (mean, 15 months) reported that their symptoms had improved ≥50%; 3 patients were lost to follow-up.

CONCLUSION:

A primary risk factor of bowstringing after DBS is likely the unilateral routing of 2 extension wires. CCD surgery is effective for symptomatic patients nonresponsive to conservative management.
Development of a novel human intestinal model to elucidate the effect of anaerobic commensals on Escherichia coli infection
Authors: McGrath Conor J. , Laveckis Edgaras , Bell Andrew , Crost Emmanuelle , Juge Nathalie , Schüller Stephanie
Published: March 2022

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in protecting against enteric infection. However, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown owing to a lack of suitable experimental models. Although most gut commensals are anaerobic, intestinal epithelial cells require oxygen for survival. In addition, most intestinal cell lines do not produce mucus, which provides a habitat for the microbiota. Here, we have developed a microaerobic, mucus-producing vertical diffusion chamber (VDC) model and determined the influence of Limosilactobacillus reuteri and Ruminococcus gnavus on enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) infection. Optimization of the culture medium enabled bacterial growth in the presence of mucus-producing T84/LS174T cells. Whereas L. reuteri diminished EPEC growth and adhesion to T84/LS174T and mucus-deficient T84 epithelia, R. gnavus only demonstrated a protective effect in the presence of LS174T cells. Reduced EPEC adherence was not associated with altered type III secretion pore formation. In addition, co-culture with L. reuteri and R. gnavus dampened EPEC-induced interleukin 8 secretion. The microaerobic mucin-producing VDC system will facilitate investigations into the mechanisms underpinning colonization resistance and aid the development of microbiota-based anti-infection strategies.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Lord of the fruit flies: an interview with Hugo Bellen
Authors: Bellen Hugo J.
Published: March 2022

During his remarkable career, Professor Hugo Bellen has innovated Drosophila genetics and forged a community driven toward diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases. He has advanced our understanding of nervous system development and neurodegeneration by exploring mechanisms and genetics through the latticed eyes of the common fruit fly. His lab, along with the labs of Shinya Yamamoto and Michael Wangler at Baylor College of Medicine and the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, also function as the Drosophila Core of the Model Organisms Screening Center (MOSC) of the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) and the Center for Precision Medicine Models. In this capacity, they facilitate the diagnosis of (ultra)rare human diseases and contribute to the development of treatments for these patients. Hugo is also the head of the Drosophila Gene Disruption Project supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Research Infrastructure Programs, and his lab channels substantial resources to the development of novel and sophisticated tools and technology that are then shared openly with the community via the Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center and the Drosophila Genomics Resource Center to propel research across the globe. Hugo has received an array of awards for his contributions to science and medicine, and he continues to be one of the most prominent figures in translational model organism research. In this interview, he discusses how his career progressed towards Drosophila genetics and highlights the accomplishments and challenges faced by the model organism community.
p53 Mutation as Plausible Predictor for Endocrine Resistance Therapy in Luminal Breast Cancer
Authors: Halim Freda , Azhar Yohana , Suwarman Suwarman , Hernowo Bethy
Published: March 2022

Endocrine therapy resistance in Luminal Breast Cancer is a significant issue to be tackled, but currently no specific biomarker could be used to anticipate this event. p53 mutation is widely known as one of Breast Cancer’s most prominent genetic alterations. Its mutation could generate various effects in Estrogen Receptor and Progesteron Receptor molecular works, tangled in events leading to the aggravation of endocrine therapy resistance. Hence the possibility of p53 mutation utilization as an endocrine therapy resistance predictive biomarker is plausible. The purpose of this review is to explore the latest knowledge of p53 role in Estrogen Receptor and Progesteron Receptor molecular actions thus aggravating the Endocrine Therapy resistance in Luminal Breast Cancer, from which we could define possibilities and limitations to utilize p53 as the predictive biomarker of endocrine therapy resistance in Luminal Breast Cancer.
Practices, awareness, and perception towards home-based COVID-19 management among the general population in Mangalore city in south India
Authors: Joseph Nitin , Singh Vijay Pratap , Murthy Impana Venkatesha , Raman Vishaan , Banihatti Nagaraj Meera , Shetty Rahul Vishwanath , Sai Vemuri Krishna , Shreedhara Shruthi , Manja Maranakatte Shridhar Sumukha
Published: March 2022

Background: Most patients with COVID-19 experience mild illness, which can be managed in a home environment. This study was done to assess the perception, awareness, and practices regarding home-based management of COVID-19 among the general population in India.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in May and June 2021. Data were collected using a Google Form.

Results: Mean age of the 294 participants was 36.6 ± 12.1 years. Of these participants, 45 (15.3%) were diagnosed with COVID-19 anytime in the past. Among them, 37 (82.2%) underwent home-based management for COVID-19. Monitoring body temperature and oxygen saturation were performed just once a day by 15.2% and 5.9% of COVID-19 patients respectively. Self-medication was practiced by 11 (29.7%) patients.

Disposable face masks were worn by 23 (62.2%) patients beyond eight hours of continuous usage. The disposable type of face mask was not discarded despite becoming wet, and cloth masks were worn by eight (21.6%) patients. Disposable gloves were only worn by 14 (37.8%) caregivers of COVID-19 patients. As many as 10 (27%) patients were tested for COVID-19 after completion of home isolation.

Awareness of all mild symptoms and signs of the disease was known to only 19 (6.5%) participants. Normal oxygen saturation in the blood was known to 40 (13.6%) participants. Just six (2%) participants were aware of the correct duration of home isolation in a symptomatic patient with COVID-19. The recommended duration of handwashing with soap and water was known to 102 (34.7%) participants.

As many as 17.4% and 32.7% of participants were not confident in using thermometer and pulse oximeter respectively.

Conclusion: Practices, awareness, and perception regarding certain essential measures in COVID-19 home management were found lacking among several participants. These need to be addressed by suitable training programs among the general population.
The problem of coexistence of the overlap syndrome and the neoplastic process on the example from clinical practice
Authors: Blashkevich O.
Published: March 2022

The publication considers a case of ovarian malignancy in a patient suffering from 11 years of overlap syndrome: a combination of progressive systemic sclerosis with dermatomyositis (antisynthetic syndrome). Timely recognition and treatment of cancer prevented an unfavorable outcome for this patient. At the same time, the termination of the basic anti-inflammatory therapy of systemic diseases (in this case, the cancellation of mycophenolate mofetil due to the lack of the drug in the pharmacy network of the city) led to a deterioration of the course of the disease, an aggravation of the clinical picture, which can create a so-called "vicious circle" of these pathologies.
Profesor Stanisław Komornicki (1949-2016)
Authors: Pachowicz Anna
Published: March 2022

PROFESSOR STANISŁAW KOMORNICKI (1949-2016): A MEMOIR

The aim of this article is to present the figure of Prof. Dr. hab. Stanisław Komornicki (1949-2016), who worked at the University of Science and Technology in Kraków and the University of Applied Sciences in Tarnów. The professor was born, raised, and educated in Krakow (in the years 1967-1968 and 1971-1972, he graduated from full-time master’s studies in physical chemistry at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry of the Jagiellonian University). He started his scientific work and career in Kraków (first at the Environmental Laboratory of Physicochemical and Structural Research of the Jagiellonian University, then at the University of Science and Technology in Kraków). He attended many symposia and conferences as part of his studies, but also participated in competitive sports, and later served as a judge of rowing. He was associated with the city of Tarnów as an academic teacher, vice-rector, and then rector at the University of Applied Sciences in Tarnów, which was established in the late-1990s. S. Komornicki also participated in the works of the oldest sports federation in the world, Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d’Aviron – FISA (International Federation of Rowing Societies), as a member of the Arbitration Commission. He was on the jury of the World Rowing Championships in 1989, 1994, 1995, 1999, the 2000 World Rowing World Championships, the Olympic Games in Athens (2004), Beijing (2008) and in London (2012).
Fast and Simple Solutions of Blotto Games
Authors: Behnezhad Soheil , Dehghani Sina , Derakhshan Mahsa , Hajiaghayi Mohammedtaghi , Seddighin Saeed
Published: March 2022

The Colonel Blotto game (initially introduced by Borel in 1921) is commonly used for analyzing a wide range of applications from the U.S.Ppresidential election to innovative technology competitions to advertising, sports, and politics. After around a century Ahmadinejad et al. provided the first polynomial-time algorithm for computing the Nash equilibria in Colonel Blotto games. However, their algorithm consists of an exponential-size LP solved by the ellipsoid method, which is highly impractical. In “Fast and Simple Solutions of Blotto Games,” Behnezhad, Dehghani, Derakhshan, Hajighayi, and Seddighin provide the first polynomial-size LP formulation of the optimal strategies for the Colonel Blotto game using linear extension techniques. They use this polynomial-size LP to provide a simpler and significantly faster algorithm for finding optimal strategies of the Colonel Blotto game. They further show this representation is asymptotically tight, which means there exists no other linear representation of the strategy space with fewer constraints.
Service Design to Balance Waiting Time and Infection Risk: An Application for Elections During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Mondschein Susana , Olivares Marcelo , Ordóñez Fernando , Schwartz Daniel , Weintraub Andres , Torres-Ulloa Ignacio , Aguayo Cristian , Canessa Gianpiero
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused great disruption to the service sector, and it has, in turn, adapted by implementing measures that reduce physical contact among employees and users; examples include home-office work and the setting of occupancy restrictions at indoor locations. The design of services in the context of a pandemic requires balancing between two objectives: (i) special measures must be implemented to maintain physical separation among people to reduce the risk of infection, and (ii) these sanitary measures also reduce process capacity, thereby increasing the waiting times of users. We study this problem in the context of election processes, in which balancing waiting time with public safety is of first order relevance to ensuring voter turnout, using as a real-world application the Chilean 2020 national referendum. Analyzing this problem requires a multidisciplinary approach that consists of integrating randomized experiments to measure how voters weigh infection risk relative to waiting time and stochastic modeling/discrete event simulation to prescribe recommendations for the service design—specifically setting capacity limits to trade off between overcrowding and process efficiency. Overall, our results shows that infection risk is an important factor affecting voter turnout during a pandemic and that capacity limits can be a useful design tool to balance these risks with other service quality measures. Some of these findings were considered in the guidelines that Servel provided to manage capacity and voter arrival patterns at voting centers.
Efficient Method Based on SMW Formula for Analyzing PEC Targets with Partial and Thin Coatings
Authors: Chen Xinlei , Dong Zhiwen , Yu Guiyue , Li Ziwei , Lu Lichang , Gu Changqing
Published: March 2022

The analysis of the electromagnetic scattering from the perfect electric conductor (PEC) partially coated with thin material is a significant task in stealth design. Previous research has shown the scattering can be calculated by only discretizing the current on PEC in the case of thin coating layers. However, it has a downside that it will recalculate a complete solution when the geometry or electromagnetic properties of the coating changes. In this paper, a Sherman-Morrison-Woodbury (SMW) formula-based method is proposed to address this problem. According to the SMW formulation, it can reuse the inverse impedance matrix of the PEC part to efficiently obtain the solutions when local coating changes, so it can avoid the subsequent complete inverse of the new impedance matrix. Furthermore, it employs the fast direct solution method based on the SMW formulation to accelerate the calculation of inverse matrix of the PEC part. Numerical results demonstrate the performance of the proposed method.
Investigation of Electromagnetic Exposure of WPT Coil to Human Body Based on Biological Electromagnetic Safety Assessment
Authors: Sun Hongyan , Hou Shiliang , Zhao Yang , Yan Wei , Wu Yongji
Published: March 2022

When the wireless power transmission (WPT) system of electric vehicle(EV) is working,  the leakage of high frequency electromagnetic field (EMF) to the non-working area will be threaten to human safety. According to SAE J2954 standard, the coupling coils modeling of WPT and car shell modeling are established. WPT's bit-directional guidance technology and deviation correction control strategy are given. According to the harm degree of SAR, power density P, current density J and magnetic induction intensity B to human body when the human model is in different positions of standing, lying and sitting, the comprehensive harm index of electromagnetic radiation Σhurt is creatively proposed to assess the electromagnetic radiation hazard of EV. Field circuit co-simulation helps us to study the bio-electromagnetic safety of WPT in vehicle environment. A human exposure EMF joint test system is designed and made to measure vehicle’s surrounding EMF. Through simulation and experimental verification, WPT coil’s electromagnetic exposure level to the human body inside the EV meets the requirements of ICNIRP, the EMF at the ankle outside the EV exceeds the standard and needs to be protected.
The 3D Modeling of GATEM in Fractured Random Media Based on FDTD
Authors: Wu Qiong , Zhang Yuehan , Guan Shanshan , Li Dongsheng , Ji Yanju
Published: March 2022

Grounded-source airborne time-domain electromagnetic (GATEM) method is an effective detection method of geological survey. The real geological media are rough, self-similar characteristics, and the diffusion process is anomalous diffusion. This paper primarily considers the GATEM responses of a grounded wire source in random media. Von Kármán function is used to establish three-dimensional (3D) random media model and the GATEM responses are realized based on 3D finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. The method is verified by homogeneous half-space model. The electromagnetic responses of random abnormal body model are analyzed, and the results show that the abnormal body can be clearly identified. The electromagnetic responses of a fractured model are analyzed, and the results show that the tilt angle of the fault can be reflected.
Quad-Band MIMO Antenna System for 5G Mobile Handsets
Authors: El-Hassan M. Abo , Farahat A. E. , Hussein K. F. A.
Published: March 2022

An efficient Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) antenna system with a spatial diversity configuration for the Fifth Generation (5G) mobile handsets is constructed from a compact-size quad-band (28/45/51/56GHz28/45/51/56⁢GHz) microstrip patch antennas. The antenna is constructed as primary and secondary patches which are capacitively coupled and designed to realize impedance matching and to produce appropriate radiation patterns in the four frequency bands. The novel quad-band patch antenna includes complicated radiation mechanisms required for multiple-band operation. Two-port and four-port MIMO antenna systems that employ the quad-band patch antenna are proposed in the present work for the 5G mobile handsets. Numerical and experimental investigations are achieved to assess the performance of both the single-element antenna and the proposed MIMO antenna systems including the return loss at each antenna port and the coupling coefficients between the different ports. It is shown that the simulation results agree with the experimental measurements and both show good performance. The bandwidths achieved around 2828, 4545, 5151, and 5656 GHzGHz are about 0.60.6, 2.02.0, 1.81.8, and 1.31.3 GHzGHz, respectively. The radiation patterns produced when each port is excited alone are shown to be suitable for spatial diversity scheme with high radiation efficiency. It is shown that the envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) and the diversity gain (DG) are perfect over the four frequency bands.
Slit-Loaded Hexagonal Patch for Body Area Network Applications at 5.8 GHz
Authors: Mahapatra Shaktijeet , Mohanty Mihir Narayan
Published: March 2022

Increasing population and expanding remote healthcare monitoring needs have provided an impetus to the research and development of wireless devices. The quest for smaller antennas for wireless devices has led to the design of the proposed antenna. In this work, we present a slit-loaded hexagonal patch antenna for body area network applications. The antenna has been designed on a 0.193λλ ×0.193λ×0.03λ×0.193⁢λ×0.03⁢λ FR4-epoxy substrate. The radiator patch has two parallel slits. The antenna resonates at 5.8 GHz (ISM band) with a wide bandwidth of 1.15 GHz. A maximum gain of 5.81 dB and a front-to-back ratio of 11.93 dB is observed at 5.8 GHz. Radiation efficiency is observed to be 72.3%. The measured return loss values show a close agreement with the simulated results. Specific absorption rate (SAR) analysis on a simplified 2/3rdrd muscle model shows an average SAR of 0.5633 W kg−1-1, due to the use of a full-ground plane. The simulations were done in ANSYS HFSS. The antenna is suitable for on-body communications.
Switched Beam Antenna System for V2V Communication in 5G Applications
Authors: Ameen Allam M. , Ahmed Mohamed I. , Elsadek Hala , Anis Wagdy R.
Published: March 2022

In this paper, a switched beam antenna system consists of four Vivaldi antennas for vehicle-to-vehicle communication is presented. The proposed design is realized on a substrate material of “Rogers 5880” with εr=2.2,tanδ=0.002,andεr=2.2,tan⁢δ=0.002,and0.508-mm substrate thickness. The antenna is designed to operate at a center frequency of 28 GHz with operating bandwidth of 1.463 GHz. An overall realized gain of 9.78 dBi is achieved at the intended center frequency. The proposed antenna is designed and simulated using CSTMWS. It is also fabricated using photolithography techniques and measured using R&S vector network analyzer. Good agreement is obtained between both CSTMWS and measured results.
Convergence Determination of EMC Uncertainty Simulation Based on the Improved Mean Equivalent Area Method
Authors: Bai Jinjun , Sun Jingchao , Wang Ning
Published: March 2022

Uncertainty analysis plays a significant role in electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) simulation, but suffers from convergence determination thereby reducing simulation accuracy and computational efficiency. In this paper, an improved mean equivalent area method is proposed to enhance calculation accuracy. It shows that, using a benchmark example, the proposed method successfully achieves the convergence determination of the stochastic reduced order models (SROMs), and realizes further promotion of uncertainty analysis method.
Dual-Band Folded Monopole MIMO Antennas with Enhanced Isolation
Authors: Yahya Likaa S. , Yahya Loay S. , Sayidmarie Khalil H.
Published: March 2022

In this paper, a compact dual-band multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) diversity antenna is proposed. Each of the two MIMO antennas consists of two folded strips working as radiating elements that are fed by a microstrip line. The antennas operate in three WLAN bands: ISM 2.45 GHz, 5.25 GHz, and ISM 5.775 GHz. To improve the isolation at WLAN (2.4–2.48 GHz), two L-shaped slots are etched in the ground plane while a U-shaped slot is cut in the ground plane to enhance isolation at WLAN (5.15–5.35 GHz and 5.725–5.825 GHz). Three slots on the substrate between radiating patches are also employed for an extra reduction in the mutual coupling at 2.45 GHz. The antenna performance was examined by simulation employing CST Microwave Studio Software. The proposed antenna offers minimum isolation of more than 19.5 dB, a low envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) of less than 0.0016, and good radiation efficiency (∼∼80%) through the operating frequency bands. The antenna is compact, thin, and suitable for portable devices.
Cross-talk reduction in a graphene-based ultra-compact plasmonic encoder using an Au nano-ridge on a silicon substrate
Authors: Haddadan Fatemeh , Soroosh Mohammad , Alaei-Sheini Navid
Published: March 2022

Plasmonic waveguides have been widely studied in the rapid development of optically integrated circuits. The cross talk between plasmonic waveguides is a critical issue that should be considered. Nano-plasmonic waveguides with tunable graphene-free patterns on silicon ridge have very attractive features. Despite these attractive features, the low confinement in plasmonic waveguides reduces the coupling length. This issue results in high cross talk in optical integrated circuits. We present a solution to the mentioned problem. A metal ridge under the plasmonic channel helps to reduce the cross-talk value. A new graphene-based plasmonic waveguide has been proposed for achieving the switching operation at terahertz frequencies. Based on the designed waveguide, a 4-to-2 plasmonic encoder with the cross talk of

−

17.33

d
B

has been presented. Using six waveguides, the encoder is designed with a contrast ratio of 14.44 dB and an area of

0.36

µ

m

2

. Concerning the obtained results, the presented structure can be used in optical integrated circuits.
Advanced optical design of Czerny–Turner spectrometer with high flux and low aberration in broadband
Authors: Wu Su , Wang Tao , Huang Chan , Gu Jiapeng , Yu Lei , Xue Hui , Shen Yuan
Published: March 2022

An advanced optical design for a low

f

-number, high resolution, astigmatism-free, and broadband Czerny–Turner spectrometer is proposed. A hemispherical lens is added between the entrance slit and collimating mirror, which can correct astigmatism and increase numerical aperture at the same time. The theory and method for the aberration correction are analyzed in detail. An example of a design with the

f

-number as 3 working in 350–750 nm has been presented by the optimized theory. The comparison of the improved Czerny–Turner spectrometer with the conventional Czerny–Turner spectrometer is also thoroughly described in the paper. The ray-tracing results show that the RMS spot radius of the improved Czerny–Turner spectrometer decreases from over 200 µm to less than 18 µm compared with the traditional Czerny–Turner spectrometer.
Hybrid algorithm based on the grey wolf optimizer and direct binary search for the efficient design of a mosaic-based device
Authors: Nakamura Kodai , Fujisawa Takeshi , Saitoh Kunimasa
Published: March 2022

We propose a novel hybrid algorithm based on the grey wolf optimizer (GWO) and direct binary search (DBS) for the design of mosaic-based devices. The DBS algorithm leads to the local optimum structure, and the design results are changed for each trial. Thus, we need to implement the DBS design hundreds of times to find a high-performance mosaic-based device, resulting in huge computer resources and calculation time. To resolve the problem and search for a better solution, the GWO is combined with the DBS. The average and best performances of the designed devices are better by 0.5 and 1.6 points when compared with those designed by the DBS.
Generalized robust training scheme using genetic algorithm for optical neural networks with imprecise components
Authors: Shao Rui , Zhang Gong , Gong Xiao
Published: March 2022

One of the pressing issues for optical neural networks (ONNs) is the performance degradation introduced by parameter uncertainties in practical optical components. Hereby, we propose a novel two-step ex situ training scheme to configure phase shifts in a Mach–Zehnder-interferometer-based feedforward ONN, where a stochastic gradient descent algorithm followed by a genetic algorithm considering four types of practical imprecisions is employed. By doing so, the learning process features fast convergence and high computational efficiency, and the trained ONN is robust to varying degrees and types of imprecisions. We investigate the effectiveness of our scheme by using practical machine learning tasks including Iris and MNIST classifications, showing more than 23% accuracy improvement after training and accuracy (90.8% in an imprecise ONN with three hidden layers and 224 tunable thermal-optic phase shifters) comparable to the ideal one (92.0%).
Advocacy, activism, and lobbying: How variations in interpretation affects ability for academia to engage with public policy
Authors: Jessani Nasreen S. , Ling Brenton , Babcock Carly , Valmeekanathan Akshara , Holtgrave David R.
Published: March 2022

Research and teaching are considered core-responsibilities for academic researchers. “Practice” activities however are viewed as ancillary, despite university emphasis on their importance. As funders, governments, and academia address the role of research in social impact, the deliberations on researcheractivism,advocacyandlobbyinghave seen a resurgence. This study explores the perceptions of 52 faculty and 24 government decisionmakers on the roles, responsibilities, and restrictions of an academic to proactively engage in efforts that can be interpreted under these three terms. Data was coded through inductive thematic analysis using Atlas.Ti and a framework approach. We found that discordant perceptions about how much activism, advocacy and lobbying faculty should be engaging in, results from how each term is defined, interpreted, supported and reported by the individuals, the School of Public Health (SPH), and government agencies. Influential faculty factors included: seniority, previous experiences, position within the institution, and being embedded in a research center with an advocacy focus. Faculty views on support for advocacy were often divergent. We surmise therefore, that for effective and mutually beneficial collaboration to occur, academic institutions need to align rhetoric with reality with respect to encouraging modes and support for government engagement. Similarly, government agencies need to provide more flexible modes of engagement. This will contribute to alleviating confusion as well as tension leading to more effective engagement and consequently opportunity for evidence-informed decision making in public health globally.
Epidemiological and clinical features of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: A case-control study
Authors: Qu Ming Da , Kausar Humera , Smith Stephen , Lazar Peter G. , Kroll-Desrosiers Aimee R. , Hollins Carl , Barton Bruce A. , Ward Doyle V. , Ellison Richard T.
Published: March 2022

Background

Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) toxin in Staphylococcus aureus has been associated with both severe pneumonia and skin and soft tissue infections. However, there are only limited data on how this virulence factor may influence the clinical course or complications of bacteremic S. aureus infections.

Methods

Between September 2016 and March 2018, S. aureus isolates from clinical cultures from hospitals in an academic medical center underwent comprehensive genomic sequencing. Four hundred sixty-nine (29%) of 1681 S. aureus sequenced isolates were identified as containing the genes that encode for PVL. Case patients with one or more positive blood cultures for PVL were randomly matched with control patients having positive blood cultures with lukF/lukS-PV negative (PVL strains from a retrospective chart review).

Results

51 case and 56 control patients were analyzed. Case patients were more likely to have a history of injection drug use, while controls more likely to undergo hemodialysis. Isolates from 78.4% of case patients were methicillin resistant as compared to 28.6% from control patients. Case patients had a higher incidence of pneumonia and skin and soft tissue infection and longer duration of fever without differences in length of bacteremia. Clinical cure or expiration was comparable.

Conclusions

These results are consistent with prior observations associating the PVL toxin with both community-acquired MRSA strains as well as severe staphylococcal pneumonia. The presence of the PVL toxin does not appear to otherwise influence the natural history of bacteremic S. aureus disease other than in prolonging the duration of fever.