bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality of povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine-based oral care products in Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Omweri Lameck Gisairo , Okaru Alex Ogero , Abuga Kennedy Omondi , Ndwigah Stanley Njagih
Published: March 2022

Background: The oral cavity harbors many microbes that may cause diseases, including dental caries and periodontal diseases. Progressive inflammation from periodontal diseases may lead to gum detachment from the teeth. Povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine mouth rinses and gargles are broad-spectrum antimicrobial products that effectively manage dental caries and periodontal diseases and eliminate plaques. This study was conducted in Nairobi County, Kenya to establish the quality of povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine oral care products by determining the content of the active pharmaceutical ingredient and compliance with labeling requirements.

Methods: A total of 34 samples (from 15 brands) of povidone-iodine and 15 samples (from nine brands) of chlorhexidine were collected from retail pharmacies using convenience sampling. All samples were subjected to labeling analysis, identity, and assay tests.  Potentiometric titration was used to assay povidone-iodine in the samples, while chlorhexidine was assayed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) according to British Pharmacopeia 2017 specifications.

Results: All samples complied with identification tests. Moreover, 47.1% of povidone-iodine and 66.7% of chlorhexidine products complied with pharmacopoeial assay specifications. Five povidone-iodine (14.7%) and four chlorhexidine (26.7%) samples had missing label information on the storage conditions and the address of the manufacturer.

Conclusions: Strict adherence to current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) by manufacturers of povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine mouthwashes/gargles is necessary to guarantee quality assured products in the market. Regular post-market surveillance and regulatory enforcement of standards are instrumental in minimizing the circulation of poor-quality products.
Healing through faith: meeting a chaplain coupled with biblical readings could produce lymphocyte changes that correlate with brain activity (HEALING study)
Authors: Béres András , Emri Miklós , Aranyi Csaba , Fajtai Dániel , Nagy Ferenc , Szabó Péter , Bödecs Pál , Hörcsik Edit , Perpékné Papp Éva , Tomanek Ferenc , Kuti Márta , Petőfalviné Ágnes , Kisdeákné Hajnalka , Bíró Gergely , Kovács Dániel , Bakos Bettina , Vinczen Eszter , Gál Eszter , Sillinger Renáta , Szalai Zoltán , Szilágyi Antal , Kiss-Merki Marianna , Nagyéri György , Fodor Judit , Németh Tamás , Papp Erzsébet , Repa Imre
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Faith and systems of beliefs are known to impact not only the emotional, but also the immunological state of believers in ways that we are just starting to understand. Moreover, clinical implications of previous studies are limited. 

The aim of the “HEALING” (Hospital-based Ecumenical and Linguistic Immuno-NeuroloGic) Study was to examine immunological and neurological changes in hospitalized patients after meeting a chaplain coupled with biblical readings.

Methods: Hospitalized patients were pre-screened to find those who were the most in need of an intervention. A passage from the Bible was read to them during a meeting with the chaplain at the bedside (n= 20) or in the chapel (n= 18). No meeting occurred in the randomized control group (n=19). Blood samples were taken 30 minutes prior, and 60 minutes after the meeting to measure white blood cells (WBC), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgA, IgG, and complement 3 (C3). A subgroup of the visited patients was subjected to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), where they were played an audiotape of readings of the same passage from the Bible (n=21).

Results: Lymphocyte counts increased more often after the more successful visits, but the immunological changes were not significant. Conversely, a significant (pfwe=0.003) correlation was revealed between changes in lymphocytes and activation of the angular gyrus (left BA39) during fMRI, a brain area involved in word recognition.

Conclusions: Although limited by the sample size and cohort study design, the findings suggest the depth of psycho-immunological changes could depend on the degree to which the chaplains’ main message is understood.
INFLUENCE OF DISINFECTANT ON CRYSTALLOGENIC ACTIVITY OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA IN VITRO
Authors: Martusevich Andrew K. , Bocharin Ivan V. , Kochkurova Elena A. , Ronzhina Natalia A.
Published: March 2022

The purpose of this work was to clarify the crystallogenic properties of pseudomonads under the action of an antiseptic.

Material and methods. The material for the study was 8 strains of P. aeruginosa isolated from patients of the burn Department. In accordance with the purpose and objectives of the study, the work was performed in 3 stages: assessment of the biological properties of isolated pseudomonad strains; determination of sensitivity to disinfectants by the square method; assessment of the crystallogenic (initiating) activity of pseudomonads in individual and joint form with the disinfectant. The tested antiseptic was “Desam” in the form of a standard 1% solution used for disinfection of surfaces and medical instruments.

Results. It was found that all the studied Pseudomonas strains have the ability to activate the crystallogenesis of the basic substance (0.9% sodium chloride solution), which manifests itself both in qualitative and quantitative changes in the thesigraphic picture. It is shown that the addition of a common disinfectant (“Desam”) to the system “Pseudomonas aeruginosa – 0.9% sodium chloride solution” significantly transforms its dehydration structuring. At the same time, strains of the microorganism resistant to disinfectants moderately reduce the crystal’s gene activity (according to the main teziographic coefficient and belt coefficient). On the contrary, sensitive strains demonstrate a pronounced inhibition of the crystallogenesis of the basic substance. It allows to develop a new express method for determining the sensitivity of microorganisms to disinfectants.
PATIENT PERSPECTIVE ON HEALTHCARE FACILITIES WEBSITES COMMUNICATION ELEMENTS
Authors: Polukhin Nikita V. , Ekkert Natalia V. , Kozlov Vasiliy V.
Published: March 2022

Background. The evolving digital society stresses the importance of online health communication. The majority of studies observe digital communication from expert and legal but not patient perspectives.

Purpose. To explore information and consumer preferences of the Russian Federation population on healthcare facilities websites.

Materials and methods. The study involved 1319 respondents of the internet-based survey. Using a 5-point Likert-like scale, participants were asked to measure the importance of healthcare facilities website elements from 1 (“not important”) to 5 (“very important”).

The analysis included the estimation of proportions of those who rated elements as important or somewhat important and following principal component analysis with varimax rotations. All analyses were carried out using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 26.

Results. The greatest proportions of participants who reported the importance were observed in contact information (77.8%; 95% CI: 75.5–80.0%), testimonials (65.8%; 95% CI: 63.2–68.3%), information about staff (65.0%; 95% CI: 62.4–67.6%), website loading speed (64.6%; 95% CI: 62.0–67.1%), and its responsiveness (63.0%; 95% CI: 60.4–65.6%). Six factors were extracted, accounting for 43.3% of the total variance: (1) “general interest in information about a healthcare facility,” (2) “online services-seeking,” (3) “health publications-seeking,” (4) “visual appeal perception,” (5) “social vulnerability or health limitations,” and (6) “interest in healthcare facility public (non-medical) activity”.

Conclusion. Healthcare facilities websites should provide information and functions not only based on existing legal acts requirements but based on patients’ preferences and needs.
ON THE BIOLOGICAL ROLE OF CHOLINE IN HUMAN AND HIGHER ANIMAL ORGANISMS (A LITERATURE REVIEW)
Authors: Bekker Roman A. , Bykov Yuriy V. , Bykova Anastasia Yu.
Published: March 2022

Purpose. To provide the reader a detailed literature review regarding the history of the discovery of choline, then the history of further research on its biological role in human and higher animal organisms. Describe in detail the mechanisms of choline biosynthesis, absorption, transport and metabolism in human and higher animals, the variety of physiological functions performed by the choline itself and by its derivatives. Describe the various symptoms of dietary choline deficiency. Provide to the reader the data regarding the US and EU minimum recommended dietary intake of choline.

Methodology. We began our work by studying the literature on the history of medicine, as well as encyclopedic literature on vitamins and vitamin-like compounds, and books on biochemistry. Then we used the search engines PubMed and ScienceDirect to find relevant articles discussing the biological role of choline, its biosynthesis, absorption, transport, and symptoms of its deficiency. We then used materials from the US National Academy of Medicine and the European Food Safety Agency’s RDA for choline from food.

Results. The data we found and presented in this literature review on the biological role of choline in humans and higher animals convincingly indicate the important role of sufficient consumption of choline in the daily diet for maintaining overall health. Sufficient dietary choline is needed to maintain the normal state of the skin and its appendages, articular cartilage, skeletal muscles, to support the normal functioning of the liver and the endocrine system (especially the cortex and the medulla of the adrenal glands, and the gonads), to prevent stone formation in bile, to improve memory and cognitive functioning, to reduce blood plasma atherogenicity and improve its lipid profile, to delay the development of atherosclerosis.

Practical implications. The results we presented there deserve the widest application in various fields of both human medicine and veterinary medicine.
Interview: Equispheres
Authors: Nickels Liz
Published: March 2022

Despite a challenging two years, a Canadian powder producer is all set to scale up production for additive manufacturing (AM). Liz Nickels spoke to its COO and CEO about the next steps.
Relationship between distal radius fracture severity and 25-hydroxyvitamin-D level among perimenopausal and postmenopausal women
Authors: Abe Shingo , Kashii Masafumi , Shimada Toshiki , Suzuki Koji , Nishimoto Shunsuke , Nakagawa Reiko , Horiki Mitsuru , Yasui Yukihiko , Namba Jiro , Kuriyama Kohji
Published: March 2022

Aims

Low-energy distal radius fractures (DRFs) are the most common upper arm fractures correlated with bone fragility. Vitamin D deficiency is an important risk factor associated with DRFs. However, the relationship between DRF severity and vitamin D deficiency is not elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the correlation between DRF severity and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D level, which is an indicator of vitamin D deficiency.

Methods

This multicentre retrospective observational study enrolled 122 female patients aged over 45 years with DRFs with extension deformity. DRF severity was assessed by three independent examiners using 3D CT. Moreover, it was categorized based on the AO classification, and the degree of articular and volar cortex comminution was evaluated. Articular comminution was defined as an articular fragment involving three or more fragments, and volar cortex comminution as a fracture in the volar cortex of the distal fragment. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D level, bone metabolic markers, and bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine, hip, and wrist were evaluated six months after injury. According to DRF severity, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D level, parameters correlated with bone metabolism, and BMD was compared.

Results

The articular comminuted group (n = 28) had a significantly lower median serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D level than the non-comminuted group (n = 94; 13.4 ng/ml (interquartile range (IQR) 9.8 to 17.3) vs 16.2 ng/ml (IQR 12.5 to 20.4); p = 0.005). The AO classification and volar cortex comminution were not correlated with the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D level. Bone metabolic markers and BMD did not significantly differ in terms of DRF severities.

Conclusion

Articular comminuted DRF, referred to as AO C3 fracture, is significantly associated with low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D levels. Therefore, vitamin D3 supplementation for vitamin D deficiency might prevent articular comminuted DRFs. Nevertheless, further studies must be conducted to validate the results of the current study. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(3):261–267.
Clinical Study for Objectification of Abdominal Examination with Functional Dyspepsia - Epigastric Diagnosis using Algometer
Authors: Rho Gi-Hwan , Choi Gyu-Ho , Choi Seo-Hyung
Published: March 2022

Objectives: Using algometer, measure the pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the epigastric pain(心下痞硬) and calculate the cut-off value, and this can serve as the basis for prognostic diagnosis of functional dyspepsia so we would like to evaluate its diagnostic value.Methods: We investigated 353 patients with functional dyspepsia symptoms who admitted Gangnam Weedahm Oriental Hospital from February 1, 2021 to February 27, 2021. At the time of the patient's visit, an oriental medical doctor measured the pressure at the first pain point on the Algometer of (CV14), twice each, at 1minute intervals. The ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve and the optimal cut-off value derived through the diagnosis of the (CV14) PPT value for epigastric pain(心下痞硬) and the gold standard of oriental medical doctor, it was evaluated through.Results: In 353 patients, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.909 (p=0). In addition, the optimal cutting value was 10.05 (kg/cm2), which was statistically significant. Additionally, the sensitivity of the Algometer's PPT measurement was 0.704 and the specificity was 0.884. As a result, if the PPT value of the Algometer exceeds 10.05 (kg/㎠) in terms of the optimal cutting value, it can be seen that epigastric pain(心下痞硬) is lost.Conclusion: Algometer's PPT value measurement can be a reliable test method for quantification of epigastric pain(心下痞硬) diagnosis and can be useful as an objective indicator.
Training future Korean medicine doctors to perform bee venom acupuncture and obtain informed consent using an objective structured clinical examination
Authors: Cho Eunbyul , Jeon Hyesoo , Kwon O Sang , Hong Jiseong , Lee Jaehoon , Jung Eunho , Park Jiwon , Seo Wookcheol , Lim Kyu Sang , Cho Nam geun
Published: March 2022

Objectives: This study describes the implementation of a training course that aimed to increase the competency of undergraduate students of Korean medicine at a single college to obtain informed consent and perform bee venom acupuncture using an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE).Methods: We developed and implemented a short training course for 111 fourth-year students of Korean medicine during their clinical rotation at the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine. Lectures were conducted on the effects of and hypersensitivity reactions to bee venom acupuncture, obtaining informed consent, performing skin test and bee venom acupuncture. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some students were offered online lectures, and some could not experience the performance of OSCE in person. A survey with 16 closed and three open questions was used to investigate self-efficacy, opinions about the online lectures, and the OSCE.Results: Out of 111 questionnaires, 104 were completed (94%). Students were generally satisfied with the online lectures and OSCE. For the subjective questionnaire about what was helpful in the training of bee venom acupuncture techniques and OSCE, the authenticity of the teaching method was recorded the highest.Conclusions: This study showed that online lectures were effective in teaching clinical skills of Korean Medicine. It is necessary to produce standard educational materials for clinical skills of Korean Medicine, and studies to analyze the reliability and validity of OSCE are needed.
Cardiotoxicity assessment of 31 herbal formulae by activity of hERG potassium channel in HEK 293 cells
Authors: Ha Hyekyung , Jin Seong Eun , Lee Sion , Kim Dong-Hyun , Seo Chang-Seob , Shin Hyeun-kyoo
Published: March 2022

Objectives: Drug-induced blockade of the human ether-à-go-go related gene (hERG) potassium ion channel causes acquired long QT syndrome, which is known to cause cardiac arrhythmias and be fatal. To establish safety evidence of herbal formulae, we evaluated the effects of 31 herbal formulae on hERG channel activity.Methods: The current through hERG channel was measured by changing the membrane voltage before and after treatment with 31 herbal formulae in HEK 293 cell overexpressing hERG channel using a whole-cell patch clamp system. The current-voltage curves and the activity curves were fitted, and the hERG activity and 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) according to each herbal formula were calculated.Results: Chokyungjongok-tang, Oncheong-eum, and Cheongsangbangpung-tang strongly inhibited the hERG activity, with IC50 values of 67.67, 141.2, and 296.3 μg/mL, respectively. Yeonkyopaedok-san, Eunkyo-san, Ukgan-san gajinphibanha, Daegunjoong-tang (except Oryzae gluten), Insamyangyoung-tang, Banhahubak-tang, SokyungHwalhyul-tang, Jodeung-san, Hyeonggaeyeongyo-tang, and Bangkeehwangkee-tang weakly inhibited hERG activity, with IC50 values ranging from 400 to 1000 μg/mL. The other 18 herbal formulae showed very weak hERG activity inhibition of less than 50% at the highest concentration (1000 μg/mL).Conclusion: This study provided safety information on cardiotoxicity by cardiac arrhythmia risk assessment of herbal formulae, and is expected to be a reference data for predicting the safety and risk of herbal formulae.
Reviews Analysis of Korean Clinics Using LDA Topic Modeling
Authors: Kim Cho-Myong , Jo A-Ram , Kim Yang-Kyun
Published: March 2022

Objectives: In the health care industry, the influence of online reviews is growing. As medical services are provided mainly by providers, those services have been managed by hospitals and clinics. However, direct promotions of medical services by providers are legally forbidden. Due to this reason, consumers, like patients and clients, search a lot of reviews on the Internet to get any information about hospitals, treatments, prices, etc. It can be determined that online reviews indicate the quality of hospitals, and that analysis should be done for sustainable hospital marketing.Method: Using a Python-based crawler, we collected reviews, written by real patients, who had experienced Korean medicine, about more than 14,000 reviews. To extract the most representative words, reviews were divided by positive and negative; after that reviews were pre-processed to get only nouns and adjectives to get TF(Term Frequency), DF(Document Frequency), and TF-IDF(Term Frequency – Inverse Document Frequency). Finally, to get some topics about reviews, aggregations of extracted words were analyzed by using LDA(Latent Dirichlet Allocation) methods. To avoid overlap, the number of topics is set by Davis visualization.Results and Conclusions: 6 and 3 topics extracted in each positive/negative review, analyzed by LDA Topic Model. The main factors, consisting of topics were 1) Response to patients and customers. 2) Customized treatment (consultation) and management. 3) Hospital/Clinic’s environments.
Korean Medicine with Self-monitoring for Weight Control and Factors Associated with Weight Loss: a Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Jang In-Yeong , Yim Ju-Hyuk , Park Ji-Seon , Kim Ji-Seong , Kim Tae-Hun
Published: March 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of weight loss in Korean Medicine (KM) obesity treatment combined with self-monitoring and to identify the relevant factors which are related to successful weight loss. In addition to this, adverse events reported by the patients were analyzed to assess the safety of KM treatments for obesityMethods: This was a retrospective observational study that analyzed the medical records of the patients that participated in the 10-week of KM treatment. All patients took herbal medicine for weight loss and were instructed to reduce calorie intake and adhere to self-monitoring. Clinical data including body weight were collected for evaluating the effect of the treatments. Behavior factors affecting weight loss were collected. The correlation between each factor and weight loss was analyzed. Adverse events (AEs) were collected at each time to evaluate the safety of the intervention.Results: One hundred eighteen patients’ records were included in this study. The average weight loss was 7.64kg(74.59kg to 66.95kg). 94.9% of patients lost 5% or more of their initial weight. The degree of weight loss was identified to be related to self-assessment of diet control and self-assessment of appetite control. The average self-weighing frequency significantly increased(2.45 times/week before treatment and 4.70 times/weeks during treatment). Constipation, insomnia, and dizziness were found to be the most frequent AEs, and except for one case, most AEs were mild cases.Conclusion: From this study, we found that KM obesity treatment combined with self-monitoring showed significant weight loss without serious AE.
East Asian Herbal Medicine (EAHM) Alone for the Treatment of Women with Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR): A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Lee Ju Hyun , Choi Su-Ji , Noh Eun-Ji , Min Sang-Yeon , Kim Dong-Il
Published: March 2022

Objectives: The aim of this study was to find out whether east asian herbal medicine (EAHM) treatment alone is effective in improving pregnancy-related indicators compared to conventional medicine in women with Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR).Methods: We searched eligible studies from PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, CiNii, Korean Medical Database, Korean Studies Information Service System, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, ScienceOn. GRADE pro was used to evaluate the current evidence of the study.Result: A total of 5 studies, 325 women with DOR were included. EAHM showed a significant effect on improvement of pregnancy rate (n=270, RR 2.13 [95% CI 1.44 to 3.15], Z=3.78, p=0.0002, I2=0%) and Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) level (n=211, SMD 0.82 [95% CI 0.40 to 1.25], Z=3.80, p=0.0001) compared to conventional medicine. In ovulation rate (n=156, RR 0.86 [95% CI 0.70 to 1.06], Z=1.43, p=0.15, I2=0%), Antral Follicle Count (n=245, SMD 0.27 [95% CI -0.25 to 0.79], Z=1.01, p=0.31), and follicle stimulating hormone (n=245, SMD 0.29 [95% CI -0.13 to 0.70], Z=1.36, p=0.17) level, EAHM showed similar effects to conventional medicine. In this study, the most frequently used herbal medicines were Cuscutae Semen, Dipsaci Radix, and Angelicae Gigantis Radix.Conclusion: This meta-analysis showed that EAHM could improve pregnancy rates and AMH levels in women with DOR. However, more well-designed RCTs will have to be performed further in the future.
A Case Report on a Patient with Late Complications of COVID-19 Complaining of Dyspnea Treated with Korean Medicine Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Authors: Lee Su Won , Kim Tae Hyun , Lee Eun Jung , Jung In Chul , Park Yang Chun
Published: March 2022

Objectives: The purpose of study was to report the clinical improvement of late complications of COVID-19 patient complaining of dyspnea treated with Korean medicine pulmonary rehabilitation.Methods: To assess the treatment outcomes, we used the modified medical research council scale (mMRC), 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), St. George respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ).Results: After treatments, the patient’s clinical symptoms were improved with mMRC, 6MWD, PEFR, and SGRQ.Conclusions: The Korean medicine pulmonary rehabilitation was effective in the treatment of late complications of COVID-19 patient. This study suggested the possibility of Korean Medicine pulmonary rehabilitation program in the clinic for late complications of COVID-19.
A New Generalization of the Exponentiated Fréchet Distribution with Applications
Authors: Baharith Lamya A.
Published: March 2022

The addition of an extra parameter to standard distributions is a common technique in statistical theory. This study introduces a new generalization of the Exponentiated Fréchet distribution named alpha power exponentiated Fréchet distribution (APEF). The APEF allows for a significant amount of versatility in modeling various data forms as it accommodates upside-down bathtubs, decreasing, and reversed-J shapes for hazard rate function. Some of the APEF’s mathematical properties are derived in close forms. The maximum likelihood technique is used to estimate the new distribution parameters. Numerical results are calculated to demonstrate the estimators’ performance. Five well-known real-life applications show the flexibility and potentiality of the APEF empirically. The APEF outperforms other competing distributions based on model selection criteria.
El llenguado (2020), de TV3. I això com es menja?
Authors: Massanell i Messalles Mar
Published: March 2022

El llenguado és un programa sobre llengua sorgit del Departament de Nous Formats de TV3 i emès per aquesta cadena entre el 15 de gener i el 25 de març de 2020. Malgrat que es va enregistrar just després que l’Institut d’Estudis Catalans enllestís l’actualització de la normativa ortogràfica i gramatical de la llengua catalana. El llenguado no està concebut com un espai de divulgació de la normativa. Amb un format propi d’un programa d’entreteniment, persegueix afavorir l’extensió social del català, en un context de preocupació pels resultats de les enquestes d’usos lingüístics de la població desenvolupades per l’IdesCat i la Direcció General de Política Lingüística. Per a assolir l’objectiu de fer perdre la por de parlar català independentment del nivell de coneixement que se’n tingui, el programa adopta una «actitud dessolemnitzadora» en el tractament de la llengua.
Català a Twitter, l’àgora de la llengua
Authors: Guevara Claramunt Marc
Published: March 2022

En aquest article ens fixarem en la divulgació de la llengua catalana en una xarxa social molt usada entre els catalanoparlants, Twitter, que avui dia es considera una eina difusora equiparable als mitjans de comunicació, atès que molts dels usuaris manifesten que també la fan servir per informar-se. Ens centrarem en els comptes més seguits que difonen continguts lingüístics per mirar de calibrar quin impacte tenen entre la part de la comunitat lingüística que fa servir les xarxes socials. D’una banda, farem una classificació dels diferents comptes més seguits segons si són institucions, comptes impersonals de divulgació o persones independents, i seleccionarem els més seguits de cada classe. Tindrem en compte els que tracten sobre la normativa, l’adequació, la genuïnitat, els barbarismes, la paremiologia, els dialectalismes, etc. Es tracta de comptes com ara el de l’Optimot, l’IEC, però també de Josep Maria Virgili, El català com cal, etc. D’una altra banda, de cada compte determinarem quants seguidors tenen, quants continguts han estat publicats fins al moment, si hi ha interaccions amb la resta d’usuaris i des de quan tenen activitat. També establirem quina mena d’activitat tenen, amb quina periodicitat publiquen i de quina manera presenten la informació.
El diccionario de la Real Academia Española en la prensa: Entre la información y la opinión
Authors: Jiménez Ríos Enrique
Published: March 2022

La idea que los hablantes tienen del Diccionario de la lengua española de la Real Academia Española es resultado de los medios de comunicación. La consideración de la institución académica como órgano regulador y codificador de la lengua española, y del diccionario como única obra de referencia válida, no es casual, ni resultado de la instrucción o la enseñanza. Responde a una acción de difusión y divulgación ejercida particularmente en la prensa. Asimismo, este medio ha sido el canal que ha servido para hacer observaciones al diccionario, a las palabras que recoge y al modo como lo hace. Este artículo trata de la recepción del diccionario en la prensa, de la construcción de la idea del diccionario que se deriva de ella, y de la difusión y divulgación que la corporación hace de sus trabajos, y que encuentra en los medios de comunicación el canal adecuado para posicionarse como órgano rector de la lengua española en el universo hispanohablante.
¿Alquiler o sustitución del embarazo? Sobre la importancia de los significantes en la construcción de sentido
Authors: Cristina Mariana
Published: March 2022

En este artículo presentaré la importancia de revisar críticamente los términos usuales utilizados para denominar al vínculo que se establece entre quien gesta para otras personas y quienes requieren esa gestación para tener un bebé, con la intención de proponer un significante, a mi entender, más adecuado: relación de alquiler/sustitución del embarazo. Para ello, en primer lugar, aludiré sucintamente a cómo el uso del lenguaje en reproducción asistida no es neutral. En segundo lugar, examinaré las nomenclaturas más utilizadas en lengua castellana como por ejemplo “alquiler de vientre” y “gestación por sustitución”, entre otras, y las analizaré a través de dos criterios:  el rol de la persona gestante y el tipo de relación entre quien gesta y quien/es quieren ser madre/s y/o padre/s Por último, utilizaré ambos criterios para proponer el nuevo significante.
Los expertos y su laberinto. Una reflexión sobre ética en tiempos de pandemia.
Authors: Vallès Xavier
Published: March 2022

Los expertos o líderes de opinión en el ámbito biomédico han cobrado una enorme relevancia en tiempos de la epidemia de Covid-19. Su influencia en las circunstancias particulares de la pandemia, plantea de forma acuciante los posibles conflictos de interés que puedan tener.  Un conflicto de interés se define por aquella situación en que la integridad y el juicio de una persona puede verse influenciado por un interés secundario, y que puede apartarlo de los objetivos primarios que dictan su acción o actividad. La problemática de los conflictos de intereses se plantea casi siempre desde una óptica utilitarista, es decir, como detectarlos y evitar sus efectos perniciosos.  No obstante, en este artículo argumentamos la insuficiencia de esta aproximación, y defendemos la necesidad de recuperar un sustrato moral aceptable para todos, en este caso la moral Kantiana y su concepto de autonomía, que permita vacunarnos de las derivas que pueden conllevar los conflictos de intereses en una sociedad extremadamente mediatizada, al mismo tiempo que se recupere el concepto de autoridad frente al de simple experto.
Prescrição de medicamentos sem eficácia comprovada no combate ao COVID-19 no Brasil: Podemos falar em conflito de interesse?
Authors: De Souza Modesto Thiago
Published: March 2022

A busca por medicações e vacinas que auxiliem no combate ao COVID-19 se tornaram uma realidade após a Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS) declarar a pandemia do Coronavírus em 11/03/2020. Este fato impactante em nossas vidas acentuou a importância da ciência para a manutenção da vida e saúde de todos. Recomendações de saúde tornaram-se uma constante nos telejornais, até porque lidamos com uma situação nova e assustadora. Ostentando caráter transnacional, a pandemia reforça que o investimento em pesquisas na área médica se faz vital para a manutenção e concretude de direitos fundamentais à própria condição humana: vida e saúde. Neste contexto, o presente artigo tem objetivo, sem pretensão de esgotar o vasto assunto, de identificar a possibilidade de se enquadrar a prescrição de medicamentos sem comprovação científica de sua eficácia no tratamento do COVID-19 como um conflito de interesse que gera impactos nocivos na sociedade.
Circular dichroic metasurface based on a “double L” structure
Authors: Sun Xiaojie , Xu Mingzhu , Wang Guangxue , Song Qiuyang , Li Yang , Gao Xiumin
Published: March 2022

Based on the theory of circular polarization dichroism in electromagnetic fields, this paper studies the circular dichroism (CD) characteristics of metasurfaces. Using a stable silicon material, an innovative “double L-shaped” composite structure formed by two L crosses is proposed to improve CD. Under a wide spectrum with wavelengths of 1000–1500 nm, the left circularly polarized (LCP) and right circularly polarized (RCP) lights pass through the structure, and we study the influence of different structural parameters on the CD, in order to obtain the best structural parameters. These realize the cross polarization of left-right circularly polarized light. In addition, at the wavelength of 1302.63 nm, the LCP light illuminates the structure, which realizes the cross polarization of LCP light; that is, the structure realizes the function of a half-wave plate. The RCP light incident structure realizes the function of a filter. It has great application prospects in biological detection, half-wave plates, filters, and other fields.
Automated segmentation of the ciliary muscle in OCT images using fully convolutional networks
Authors: Cabeza-Gil Iulen , Ruggeri Marco , Chang Yu-Cherng , Calvo Begoña , Manns Fabrice
Published: March 2022

Quantifying shape changes in the ciliary muscle during accommodation is essential in understanding the potential role of the ciliary muscle in presbyopia. The ciliary muscle can be imaged in-vivo using OCT but quantifying the ciliary muscle shape from these images has been challenging both due to the low contrast of the images at the apex of the ciliary muscle and the tedious work of segmenting the ciliary muscle shape. We present an automatic-segmentation tool for OCT images of the ciliary muscle using fully convolutional networks. A study using a dataset of 1,039 images shows that the trained fully convolutional network can successfully segment ciliary muscle images and quantify ciliary muscle thickness changes during accommodation. The study also shows that EfficientNet outperforms other current backbones of the literature.
Enhancing the precision of detecting weak magnetic fields based on weak-value amplification
Authors: Huang Jing-Hui , Duan Xue-Ying , Wang Guang-Jun , Hu Xiang-Yun
Published: March 2022

We study the amplification of a weak magnetic field with the weak-value amplification (WVA) technique based on the Faraday magneto-optic effect. By using a different scheme to perform the Mach–Zehnder interferometer with the probe in momentum space, we have demonstrated a new, to the best of our knowledge, weak measure protocol to detect the small weak magnetic field by amplifying the phase shift of the Faraday magneto-optic effect. Our numerical results show that our scheme with the WVA technique has a higher signal-to-noise ratio than the traditional optical fiber scheme with the open-loop modulation technique. Besides, considering the instrument limitations of our scheme, we have demonstrated the magnetic field resolution at the

10

−
13

T

level.
Generation of Schrödinger cat states with Wigner negativity using a continuous-wave low-loss waveguide optical parametric amplifier
Authors: Takase Kan , Kawasaki Akito , Jeong Byung Kyu , Endo Mamoru , Kashiwazaki Takahiro , Kazama Takushi , Enbutsu Koji , Watanabe Kei , Umeki Takeshi , Miki Shigehito , Terai Hirotaka , Yabuno Masahiro , China Fumihiro , Asavanant Warit , Yoshikawa Jun-ichi , Furusawa Akira
Published: March 2022

Continuous-wave (CW) squeezed light is used in the generation of various optical quantum states, and thus is a fundamental resource of fault-tolerant universal quantum computation using optical continuous variables. To realize a practical quantum computer, a waveguide optical parametric amplifier (OPA) is an attractive CW squeezed light source in terms of its THz-order bandwidth and suitability for modularization. The usages of a waveguide OPA in quantum applications thus far, however, are limited due to the difficulty of the generation of the squeezed light with a high purity. In this paper, we report the first observation of Wigner negativity of the states generated by a heralding method using a waveguide OPA. We generate Schrödinger cat states at the wavelength of 1545 nm with Wigner negativity using a quasi-single-mode ZnO-doped periodically poled LiNbO3 waveguide module we developed. Wigner negativity is regarded as an important indicator of the usefulness of the quantum states as it is essential in the fault-tolerant universal quantum computation. Our result shows that our waveguide OPA can be used in wide range of quantum applications leading to a THz-clock optical quantum computer.
Varifocal diffractive lenses for multi-depth microscope imaging
Authors: Reda Francesco , Salvatore Marcella , Borbone Fabio , Maddalena Pasqualino , Ambrosio Antonio , Oscurato Stefano Luigi
Published: March 2022

Flat optical elements enable the realization of ultra-thin devices able to either reproduce or overcome the functionalities of standard bulky components. The fabrication of these elements involves the structuration of material surfaces on the light wavelength scale, whose geometry has to be carefully designed to achieve the desired optical functionality. In addition to the limits imposed by lithographic design-performance compromises, their optical behavior cannot be accurately tuned afterward, making them difficult to integrate in dynamic optical systems. Here we show the realization of fully reconfigurable flat varifocal diffractive lens, which can be in-place realized, erased and reshaped directly on the surface of an azopolymer film by an all-optical holographic process. Integrating the lens in the same optical system used as standard refractive microscope, results in a hybrid microscope capable of multi-depth object imaging. Our approach demonstrates that reshapable flat optics can be a valid choice to integrate, or even substitute, modern optical systems for advanced functionalities.
Improvement of average magnetic field measurement based on magnetic-field-sensitive Ramsey fringes
Authors: Zhao Weijing , Qian Wang , Lv Desheng , Wei Rong
Published: March 2022

Accurate magnetic field measurement is the key to evaluating the second-order Zeeman effect. The conventional method is to deduce the magnetic field by determining the center frequency of the magnetic-field-sensitive Ramsey fringes. In this Letter, we present a more rigorous theory for this method and demonstrate that the current peak-searching method has a non-negligible sub-Hz or even larger deviation. We introduce an improved method that considers more parameters and a strict formula that can correct the deviation and suppress it to below 0.1 Hz. Corresponding experiments on the 85Rb atomic fountain demonstrate that this improved method is expected to enhance the precision of magnetic field measurement and improve the atomic fountain clock.
Few-layer Ta2CTx nanosheets-based mode-locked fiber lasers
Authors: Li Guoru , Xu Qing , Nie Hongkun , Wang Chong , Wang Ruihua , Yang Kejian , He Jingliang , Zhang Baitao
Published: March 2022

In this paper, two-dimensional (2D) few-layer Ta2CTx nanosheets are fabricated by liquid phase exfoliation (LPE) method. The nonlinear optical absorption properties are studied by Z-scan and I-scan techniques, revealing excellent saturable absorption response with an effective nonlinear absorption coefficient of -92.2 cm/MW@1064 nm. The saturation intensity and modulation depth for 1064 nm and 1550 nm are determined to be 79 and 51 MW/cm2, 9.9% and 4.5%, respectively. Furthermore, by decorating few-layer Ta2CTx nanosheets onto microfiber, few-layer Ta2CTx saturable absorber (SA) is fabricated and applied in Yb-doped and Er-doped fiber lasers (YDFLs and EDFLs). Not only a normal mode-locked operation but also square-wave pulse (SWP) are realized by increasing the length of the laser cavity at 1.5 µm, highlighting the great potential of few-layer Ta2CTx nanosheets as an optical modulator. The maximum pulse duration of 5.56 ns is also the widest SWP width that can be realized with 2D materials without filtering device in the cavity. Our work provides a platform for exploring novel SAs materials and nonlinear phenomena in mode-locked fiber lasers.
Dynamic brain spectrum acquired by a real-time ultraspectral imaging chip with reconfigurable metasurfaces
Authors: Xiong Jian , Cai Xusheng , Cui Kaiyu , Huang Yidong , Yang Jiawei , Zhu Hongbo , Li Wenzheng , Hong Bo , Rao Shijie , Zheng Zekun , Xu Sheng , He Yuhan , Liu Fang , Feng Xue , Zhang Wei
Published: March 2022

Spectral imaging paves the way for various fields, particularly in biomedical research. However, spectral imaging, mainly depending on spatial or temporal scanning, cannot achieve high temporal, spatial, and spectral resolution simultaneously. In this study, we demonstrated a silicon real-time ultraspectral imaging chip based on reconfigurable metasurfaces, comprising 155,216 (

356

×

436

) image-adaptive microspectrometers with ultra-high center-wavelength accuracy of 0.04 nm and spectral resolution of 0.8 nm. It is employed for imaging brain hemodynamics, and the dynamic spectral absorption properties of deoxyhemoglobin and oxyhemoglobin in a rat barrel cortex were obtained, which enlighten spectroscopy in vivo studies and other real-time applications.
Flat magic window
Authors: Hufnagel Felix , D’Errico Alessio , Larocque Hugo , Alsaiari Fatimah , Upham Jeremy , Karimi Ebrahim
Published: March 2022

Magic windows (or mirrors) consist of optical devices with a surface
deformation or thickness distribution devised in such a way to form a
desired image. The associated image intensity distribution has been
shown in previous works to be related to the Laplacian of the height
of the surface relief. Exploiting the Laplacian theory to calculate
the needed phase pattern, we experimentally realize such devices with
flat optics employing optical polarization-wavefront coupling, which
represent a new paradigm for light manipulation. The desired pattern
and experimental specifications for designing the flat optics was
implemented with a reconfigurable spatial light modulator, which acted
as the magic mirror. The flat plate, an optical polarization-wavefront
coupler, is then fabricated by spatially structuring nematic liquid
crystals. The plate is used to demonstrate the concept of a
polarization-switchable magic window, where, depending on the input
circular polarization handedness, one can display either the desired
image or the image resulting from the negative of the window’s
phase.
Probing neuronal functions with precise and targeted laser ablation in the living cortex: comment
Authors: Liang Xiao-Xuan , Vogel Alfred
Published: March 2022

The paper [Optica 8, 1559
(2021)OPTIC82334-253610.1364/OPTICA.433562] is devoted to
probing neuronal functions by targeted cell ablation in living cortex.
It demonstrates the advantage of cell ablation by single high-energy
pulses from an amplified femtosecond (fs) laser system, which leaves
adjacent structures intact. The single-pulse effects rely on
mechanical disruption by laser-induced microcavitation, which goes
along with a lack of diffusive collateral damage. In comparison, cell
damage by low-energy pulses from fs laser oscillators is shown to be
associated with a damage zone with tens of micrometer radius around
the targeted cell. The collateral damage is attributed to heat
accumulation and diffusion. We demonstrate through numerical
simulations of plasma formation and temperature evolution for the
experimentally employed irradiation conditions that a large number of
free electrons is produced but the temperature rise at focus is only
0.3 K. Therefore, the damage is caused by nonlinear photochemistry and
plasma-mediated chemical effects rather than by thermal effects.
FtsZ filament structures in different nucleotide states reveal the mechanism of assembly dynamics
Authors: Ruiz Federico M. , Huecas Sonia , Santos-Aledo Alicia , Prim Elena A. , Andreu José M. , Fernández-Tornero Carlos
Published: March 2022

Treadmilling protein filaments perform essential cellular functions by growing from one end while shrinking from the other, driven by nucleotide hydrolysis. Bacterial cell division relies on the primitive tubulin homolog FtsZ, a target for antibiotic discovery that assembles into single treadmilling filaments that hydrolyse GTP at an active site formed upon subunit association. We determined high-resolution filament structures of FtsZ from the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus in complex with different nucleotide analogs and cations, including mimetics of the ground and transition states of catalysis. Together with mutational and biochemical analyses, our structures reveal interactions made by the GTP γ-phosphate and Mg2+ at the subunit interface, a K+ ion stabilizing loop T7 for co-catalysis, new roles of key residues at the active site and a nearby crosstalk area, and rearrangements of a dynamic water shell bridging adjacent subunits upon GTP hydrolysis. We propose a mechanistic model that integrates nucleotide hydrolysis signaling with assembly-associated conformational changes and filament treadmilling. Equivalent assembly mechanisms may apply to more complex tubulin and actin cytomotive filaments that share analogous features with FtsZ.
Diversity and distribution of sediment bacteria across an ecological and trophic gradient
Authors: Sauer Hailey M. , Hamilton Trinity L. , Anderson Rika E. , Umbanhowar Charles E. , Heathcote Adam J.
Published: March 2022

The microbial communities of lake sediments have the potential to serve as valuable bioindicators and integrators of watershed land-use and water quality; however, the relative sensitivity of these communities to physio-chemical and geographical parameters must be demonstrated at taxonomic resolutions that are feasible by current sequencing and bioinformatic approaches. The geologically diverse and lake-rich state of Minnesota (USA) is uniquely situated to address this potential because of its variability in ecological region, lake type, and watershed land-use. In this study, we selected twenty lakes with varying physio-chemical properties across four ecological regions of Minnesota. Our objectives were to (i) evaluate the diversity and composition of the bacterial community at the sediment-water interface and (ii) determine how lake location and watershed land-use impact aqueous chemistry and influence bacterial community structure. Our 16S rRNA amplicon data from lake sediment cores, at two depth intervals, data indicate that sediment communities are more likely to cluster by ecological region rather than any individual lake properties (e.g., trophic status, total phosphorous concentration, lake depth). However, composition is tied to a given lake, wherein samples from the same core were more alike than samples collected at similar depths across lakes. Our results illustrate the diversity within lake sediment microbial communities and provide insight into relationships between taxonomy, physicochemical, and geographic properties of north temperate lakes.