bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How far does logistic dampening influence the global solvability of a high-dimensional chemotaxis system?
Authors: Jiang Ke , Han Yongjie
Published: January 2021

This paper deals with the homogeneous Neumann boundary value problem for chemotaxis system$$\begin{aligned} \textstyle\begin{cases} u_{t} = \Delta u - \nabla \cdot (u\nabla v)+\kappa u-\mu u^{\alpha }, & x\in \Omega, t>0, \\ v_{t} = \Delta v - uv, & x\in \Omega, t>0, \end{cases}\displaystyle \end{aligned}$${ut=Δu−∇⋅(u∇v)+κu−μuα,x∈Ω,t>0,vt=Δv−uv,x∈Ω,t>0,in a smooth bounded domain$\Omega \subset \mathbb{R}^{N}(N\geq 2)$Ω⊂RN(N≥2), where$\alpha >1$α>1and$\kappa \in \mathbb{R},\mu >0$κ∈R,μ>0for suitably regular positive initial data.

When$\alpha \ge 2$α≥2, it has been proved in the existing literature that, for any$\mu >0$μ>0, there exists a weak solution to this system. We shall concentrate on the weaker degradation case:$\alpha <2$α<2. It will be shown that when$N<6$N<6, any sublinear degradation is enough to guarantee the global existence of weak solutions. In the case of$N\geq 6$N≥6, global solvability can be proved whenever$\alpha >\frac{4}{3}$α>43. It is interesting to see that once the space dimension$N\ge 6$N≥6, the qualified value ofαno longer changes with the increase ofN.
The bZIP transcription factor PsBZP32 is involved in cyst germination, oxidative stress response, and pathogenicity of Phytophthora sojae
Authors: Sheng Yuting , Lin Long , Chen Han , Pu Tianhuizi , Liu Xiaoyun , Dong Suomeng , Ye Wenwu , Wang Yuanchao
Published: January 2021

The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor family, one of the largest and most diverse transcription factor families in eukaryotes, is associated with the development and stress responses of many eukaryotic organisms. However, their biological functions in oomycete plant pathogens are unclear. A genome-wide analysis of bZIP transcription factors in Phytophthora sojae showed that PsBZP32, which has a unique bZIP-PAS domain structure, exhibited a high transcription level during the early stages of P. sojae infection. We silenced PsBZP32 in P. sojae and found that the transformants showed defective cyst germination and pathogenicity. The transformants could not eliminate host-derived reactive oxygen species during infection and were more sensitive to oxidative stress. Their response to oxidative stress was independent of the PsBZP32 transcription level; however, subcellular localization and phosphorylation of PsBZP32 were affected by H2O2 stress. These results indicate that PsBZP32 is involved in regulation of P. sojae cyst germination, oxidative stress response, and pathogenicity.
Circulating Levels of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Are Lower in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Ochoa-Callejero Laura , García-Sanmartín Josune , Villoslada-Blanco Pablo , Íñiguez María , Pérez-Matute Patricia , Pujadas Elisabet , Fowkes Mary E , Brody Rachel , Oteo José A , Martínez Alfredo
Published: January 2021

Background

To better understand the biology of COVID-19, we have explored the behavior of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), an angiogenic, vasodilating, and immune modulating peptide, in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 positive patients.

Methods

Levels of CGRP in the serum of 57 COVID-19 patients (24 asymptomatic, 23 hospitalized in the general ward, and 10 admitted to the intensive care unit) and healthy donors (n = 24) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, to better understand the physiological consequences of the observed variations, we investigated by immunofluorescence the distribution of receptor activity modifying protein 1 (RAMP1), one of the components of the CGRP receptor, in autopsy lung specimens.

Results

CGRP levels were greatly decreased in COVID-19 patients (P < 0.001) when compared to controls, and there were no significant differences due to disease severity, sex, age, or comorbidities. We found that COVID-19 patients treated with proton pump inhibitors had lower levels of CGRP than other patients not taking this treatment (P = 0.001). RAMP1 immunoreactivity was found in smooth muscle cells of large blood vessels and the bronchial tree and in the airways´ epithelium. In COVID-19 samples, RAMP1 was also found in proliferating type II pneumocytes, a common finding in these patients.

Conclusions

The lower levels of CGRP should negatively impact the respiratory physiology of COVID-19 patients due to vasoconstriction, improper angiogenesis, less epithelial repair, and faulty immune response. Therefore, restoring CGRP levels in these patients may represent a novel therapeutic approach for COVID-19.
Turning toward the Sun
Authors: Williams Rhys
Published: January 2021

This article will introduce New Food and the process of precision fer mentation. It will then do three things: First, it will analyze the narratives and images New Food mobilizes, how they are embodied in its technologies and infrastructures, and how they intersect with dominant discourses of the present in order to be persuasive. Secondly, it will situate the New Food as part of a longer tradition of infrastructural Singularity narratives and delineate the conceptual coupling of containment and liberation that structure them. Finally, it will complicate the ecological self-image of New Food, arguing that its promise of a return to a more sustainable world threatens a more thorough abjection and domination of it.
Leapfrogging to Solar
Authors: Günel Gökçe
Published: January 2021

Discussions of energy in sub-Saharan Africa tend to focus on leapfrogging, theorizing how some non-Western countries might be able to avoid carbon-intensive fuels, such as coal and oil, and directly start using renewable energy infrastructure, mainly solar. While theories of leapfrogging have been attractive, there has been limited research on how exactly renewable energy resources are adopted in sub-Saharan Africa, especially at times of unreliable access. Drawing on fieldwork with energy professionals in Accra and Tema, Ghana, this article analyzes the transformations in energy infrastructure in Ghana during the period following its 2012–16 electricity crisis, known as dumsor. It argues that an increasing volume of rooftop solar panels installed by affiuent individuals and institutions in the aftermath of the crisis has led to declining participation in the electricity grid, and thereby higher electricity rates for everyone else with no choice but to remain on the grid. In response to such growing inequality, decision-makers searched for innovative business models, appealing to green loans as ways of expanding this class of solar consumers. As a result, while a select few have managed to leapfrog to renewables, others continue to endure the grid, struggling with unsteady electricity provision and increasing tariffs.
The Abstract Grid of Distribution
Authors: Auerbach Joel
Published: January 2021

The necessity of immediate transition from fossil fuels has made painfully conspicuous the fact that energy sources such as solar and wind do not have the same material properties as coal and oil, and has attracted critical attention to the ways in which the social values and political-economic possibilities of the last century and a half have depended on a fossil regime. This essay takes up the notion of solar economy to ask what such a perspective may reveal that goes beyond a petro-analytic framework centered on the material properties of fuel. Drawing on Marx, Bataille, and Deleuze and Guattari, I emphasize the interrelated themes of the distribution of excess, the socius or virtual body of the social, and the reproduction of form. Taking as an example California’s recent struggles to make good on what some have viewed as the revolutionary potential of solar, this essay argues that capitalist dynamics can survive a material influx of the solar energy if more is not done to elaborate a transversal and molecular distribution of excess that solarity as a general condition invites. This discussion provides a starting point for a broad assessment of the nature and status of subjectivity in relation to questions of energy, infrastructure, and capitalism today.
Fantasias on National Themes: Fantasy, Space, and Imperialism in Rebecca West
Authors: Williams Annabel
Published: January 2021

This article argues that Rebecca West’s sustained scrutiny of imperialism tends to coincide with her theoretical and formalist approaches to fantasy, and from this arises literary innovation significant both to modernist and late modernist contexts. It demonstrates that West’s creative achievement in Harriet Hume (1929), which partially adapts the conventions of other middlebrow and modernist fantasy literature of her day, is usefully read in conjunction with her assessment of interwar geopolitics, and especially her interest in the collective, sociopolitical fantasies that gather around contested national spaces. Furthermore, in Harriet Hume West elaborates a rhetoric of fantasy—stylistically whimsical, and ideologically what might be called a fantasia on national themes—that was elevated to new importance a decade later in her archetypal attack on imperialism, the Balkans travelogue Black Lamb and Grey Falcon (1941).
Summit on Exercise Collapse Associated with Sickle Cell Trait: Finding the “Way Ahead”
Authors: O'Connor Francis G. , Franzos M. Alaric , Nye Nathaniel S. , Nelson D. Alan , Shell Donald , Voss Jameson D. , Anderson Scott A. , Coleman Nailah J. , Thompson Alexis A. , Harmon Kimberly G. , Deuster Patricia A.
Published: January 2021

Although largely benign, sickle cell trait (SCT) has been associated with exertion-related events, to include sudden death. In 2011, a summit on SCT introduced the term exercise collapse associated with SCT (ECAST). A series of ECAST deaths in military personnel in 2019 prompted reevaluation of current efforts and led to a second summit in October 2019 hosted by the Consortium for Health and Military Performance of the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, MD. The goals were to (1) review current service policies on SCT screening, (2) develop draft procedural instructions for executing current policy on SCT within the Department of Defense, (3) develop draft clinical practice guidelines for management of ECAST, (4) establish a framework for education on SCT and ECAST, and (5) prepare a research agenda to address identified gaps.
Clinical outcome of Montelukast Sodium in Children with Adenoid Hypertrophy
Authors: Naqi Syed Ali , Ashfaq Ahmed Hassan , Umar Mumtaz Ahmad , Karmani Jais Kumar , Arshad Naveed
Published: January 2021

Background & Objectives: Generally, the blockage of upper respiratory tract in children is seen with the hypertrophy of adenoids and tonsils. Normally for patients with adenoid hypertrophy (AH), Adenoidectomy with or without Tonsillectomy is carried out, however it has its own complications like haemorrhage and recurrence of adenoid tissue. Consequently, therapeutic approach has increased extraordinary consideration rather than surgical procedure. The inflammatory process proposed for AH has prompted the utilization of anti-inflammatory drugs to treat this issue. The objective of this study was to assess the impacts of Montelukast sodium in children with enlarged adenoids.

Methods: A randomized controlled trail was performed from April 2018 to March 2019 in the Otorhinolaryngology clinic of Dr. Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital, Islamabad. In this randomized, placebo treatment-controlled trial, 60 children aged 4-12 years meeting inclusion criteria were isolated into two groups. The study group was treated with Montelukast sodium 5mg consistently for three months while the control group got placebo treatment for a similar timeframe. A questionnaire was filled by parents/ guardians of every child before and after the intervention to evaluate the severity of sleep discomfort, snoring and mouth breathing.

Results: Following 3 months of treatment, significant reduction in size of the adenoids was seen in 76% of study group compared with just 3% of control group getting placebo treatment.

Conclusion: Montelukast sodium seems to be effective in the reduction of the size of adenoids and improvement in clinical manifestations. It can be viewed as a viable option in contrast to surgical treatment in children with hypertrophy of adenoids.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.2670

How to cite this:Naqi SA, Ashfaq AH, Umar MA, Karmani JK, Arshad N. Clinical outcome of Montelukast Sodium in Children with Adenoid Hypertrophy. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(2):362-366. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.2670

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Association of age and symptoms with frequency of Premature Ventricular Contractions on 24 hours Holter monitoring
Authors: Ambreen Shazadi , Khan Humaira Fayyaz , Hayyat Azmat , Shamsi Nasar Abbas
Published: January 2021

Objectives: This study was done with the objective to identify the determinants of mild, moderate and frequent burdens of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) which may guide the health care professionals to stratify the high risk patients on basis of their symptoms.

Methods: It was a cross sectional descriptive study conducted in Islamic International Medical College (IIMC) in collaboration with Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) from 18th April 2016 to 20th March 2018. It comprised 60 diagnosed patients of PVCs, divided into three groups on the basis of their PVCs burden determined by Holter monitoring report. Each group of mild (Group-A), moderate (Group-B) and frequent burden (Group-C) constituted 20 patients having PVC burden <10%, 10-20% and >20% respectively. All patients were evaluated for their symptoms by a cardiologist. Statistical analysis was done to determine the association of patient’s symptom and age with mild, moderate and frequent PVCs burden.

Results: PVCs were significantly associated with presence of symptoms as compared to asymptomatic patients. While no significant correlation of age or any specific symptom (palpitations, chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath) was found with mild, moderate and frequent PVCs burden with p-value of 0.466.

Conclusions: Mild, moderate or frequent PVCs burden are not associated with any specific symptom predominantly or old age. So, it is equally important for all the patients presenting with any symptom of palpitations, chest pain, dizziness or shortness of breath to undergo the work up of PVCs, irrespective of their age.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.2873

How to cite this:Ambreen S, Khan FH, Hayat A, Shamsi NA. Association of age and symptoms with frequency of Premature Ventricular Contractions on 24 hours Holter monitoring. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(2):331-334. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.2873

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Is COVID-19 pushing us to the Fifth Industrial Revolution (Society 5.0)?
Authors: Sarfraz Zouina , Sarfraz Azza , Iftikar Hamza Mohammad , Akhund Ramsha
Published: January 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may further promote the development of Industry 4.0 leading to the fifth industrial revolution (Society 5.0). Industry 4.0 technology such as Big Data (BD) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) may lead to a personalized system of healthcare in Pakistan. The final bridge between humans and machines is Society 5.0, also known as the super-smart society that employs AI in healthcare manufacturing and logistics. In this communication, we review various Industry 4.0 and Society 5.0 technologies including robotics and AI being inspected to control the rate of transmission of COVID-19 globally. We demonstrate the applicability of advanced information technologies including AI, BD, and Information of Technology (IoT) to healthcare. Lastly, we discuss the evolution of Industry 4.0 to Society 5.0 given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with the technological strategies being considered and employed.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.3387

How to cite this:Sarfraz Z, Sarfraz A, Iftikar HM, Akhund R. Is COVID-19 pushing us to the Fifth Industrial Revolution (Society 5.0)? Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(2):591-594. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.3387

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Macrocycliczinc(II) Complexes with Tetradentate N2O2 Donor Schiff Base Ligands Incorporating 1,3,4-Thiadiazole Ring
Authors: Vishwkarma Arti , Srivastava A. K. , Pandey Om P. , Sen Gupta Soumitra K.
Published: January 2021

A new series ofdiazadioxamacrocycliczinc(II) derivatives [{Zn(M)(H2O)2}(OAc)2] (M= macrocyclic ligands) prepared via template synthesis method, by the reaction of Schiff bases derived from bis-(2-hydrazino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-5-yl)arene/alkanes and 3,5-dichlorosalicyldehyde/2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde with 1,4-dibromobutane in the presence of Zn(II) ion. The structures of all these complexes were established on the basis of elemental analyses, spectral data (IR and 1H-NMR), PXRD, SEM techniques. Presence of coordinated water molecules in the Zn(II) complexes were confirmed by TGA analyses. The antimicrobial effects of all the synthesized complexes were evaluated against different species of pathogenic fungi (A. niger, A. alternata ) and bacteria (E. coli, B. subtilis).
Periprosthetic hip fractures: an update into their management and clinical outcomes
Authors: Patsiogiannis Nikolaos , Kanakaris Nikolaos K. , Giannoudis Peter V.
Published: January 2021

The Vancouver classification is still a useful tool of communication and stratification of periprosthetic fractures, but besides the three parameters it considers, clinicians should also assess additional factors. Combined advanced trauma and arthroplasty skills must be available in departments managing these complex injuries. Preoperative confirmation of the THA (total hip arthroplasty) stability is sometimes challenging. The most reliable method remains intraoperative assessment during surgical exploration of the hip joint. Certain B1 fractures will benefit from revision surgery, whilst some B2 fractures can be effectively managed with osteosynthesis, especially in frail patients. Less invasive osteosynthesis, balanced plate–bone constructs, composite implant solutions, together with an appropriate reduction of the limb axis, rotation and length are critical for a successful fixation and uneventful fracture healing.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:75-92. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200050
Quality of transmission estimator retraining for dynamic optimization in optical networks
Authors: Mahajan Ankush , Christodoulopoulos Konstantinos (Kostas) , Martínez Ricardo , Muñoz Raul , Spadaro Salvatore
Published: January 2021

Optical network optimization involves an algorithm and a physical layer model (PLM) to estimate the quality of transmission of connections while examining candidate optimization operations. In particular, the algorithm typically calculates intermediate solutions until it reaches the optimum, which is then configured to the network. If it uses a PLM that was aligned once to reflect the starting network configuration, then the algorithm within its intermediate calculations can project the network into states where the PLM suffers from low accuracy, resulting in a suboptimal optimization. In this paper, we propose to solve dynamic multivariable optimization problems with an iterative closed control loop process, where after certain algorithm steps we configure the intermediate solution so that we monitor and realign/retrain the PLM to follow the projected network states. The PLM is used as a digital twin, a digital representation of the real system, which is realigned during the dynamic optimization process. Specifically, we study the dynamic launch power optimization problem, where we have a set of established connections, and we optimize their launch powers while the network operates. We observed substantial improvements in the sum and the lowest margin when optimizing the launch powers with the proposed approach over optimization using a one-time trained PLM. The proposed approach achieved near-to-optimum solutions as found by optimizing and continuously probing and monitoring the network, but with a substantial lower optimization time.
Retrieval of vertical profiles and tropospheric CO2 columns based on high-resolution FTIR over Hefei, China
Authors: Shan Changgong , Wang Wei , Liu Cheng , Guo Yu , Xie Yu , Sun Youwen , Hu Qihou , Zhang Huifang , Yin Hao , Jones Nicholas
Published: January 2021

High-resolution solar absorption spectra, observed by ground-based Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), are used to retrieve vertical profiles and partial or total column concentrations of many trace gases. In this study, we present the tropospheric CO2 columns retrieved by mid-infrared solar spectra over Hefei, China. To reduce the influence of stratospheric CO2 cross-dependencies on tropospheric CO2, an a posteriori optimization method based on a simple matrix multiplication is used to correct the tropospheric CO2 profiles and columns. The corrected tropospheric CO2 time series show an obvious annual increase and seasonal variation. The tropospheric CO2 annual increase rate is 2.71 ± 0.36 ppm yr-1, with the annual peak value in January, and CO2 decreases to a minimum in August. Further, the corrected tropospheric CO2 from GEOS-Chem simulations are in good agreement with the coincident FTIR data, with a correlation coefficient between GEOS-chem model and FTS of 0.89. The annual increase rate of XCO2 observed from near-infrared solar absorption spectra is in good agreement with the tropospheric CO2 but the annual seasonal amplitude of XCO2 is only about 1/3 of dry-air averaged mole fractions (DMF) of tropospheric CO2. This is mostly attributed to the seasonal variation of CO2 being mainly dominated by sources near the surface.
Polarization-controllable perfect vortex beam by a dielectric metasurface
Authors: Xie Jianfeng , Guo Hanming , Zhuang Songlin , Hu Jinbing
Published: January 2021

A perfect vortex beam has been attracting tremendous attention due to the fact that its ring radius is independent of the topological charge. Taking advantage of the superposition principle of phase in Fourier space, we proposed to generate perfect vortex beam using propagation-phase-based dielectric metasurface, which exhibits production efficiency larger than 83.5%. Due to the sensitivity of propagation phase to the polarization of incident beam, two sets of phase profiles can be imposed on a single dielectric metasurface, enabling the simultaneous generation of dual perfect vortex beams. Based on this property, convenient control to the radius and/or topological charge of perfect vortex beam is achieved by switching the incident polarization between two orthogonal polarizations, without redesigning metasurface or changing optical path. What’s more important, the crosstalk of these two channels is low, less than 4%. Thus, the propagation-phase method of producing perfect vortex beam will find significant applications in optical communication, particle trapping, particle manipulation and holographic display.
Convergence analysis of various factorization rules in the Fourier-Bessel basis for solving Maxwell equations using modal methods
Authors: Dems Maciej
Published: January 2021

The choice of factorization rule can strongly affect the convergence of solutions to Maxwell equations based on the orthogonal expansion of electromagnetic fields. While this issue has already been investigated thoughtfully for the Fourier basis (plane-wave expansion), for other bases it has not yet received much attention. Although there are works showing that, in the case of the Fourier-Bessel basis (cylindrical-wave expansion), the use of an inverse factorization rule can provide faster convergence than Laurent’s rule, these works neglect the fact that other rules are also possible. Here, I mathematically demonstrate four different factorization rules for solving Maxwell equations in cylindrical coordinates using the Fourier-Bessel expansion in both infinite and finite domains. I compare their convergence for a step-index fiber (which has a known exact solution and thus enables the absolute numerical error to be determined), as well as for several VCSEL structures. I show that the cylindrical-wave expansion differs from the plane-wave expansion and that the application of an inverse factorization rule for the electric field component perpendicular to the discontinuities can result in deterioration of numerical convergence. Finally, I identify the factorization rule that gives the fastest convergence of the modal method using the Fourier-Bessel basis.
Angular invariance of the contribution of an anisotropic thin surface layer to reflectance and reflectance-absorbance
Authors: Michailov Alexander , Povolotskiy Alexey , Kuzmin Vladimir
Published: January 2021

The absorbance studies of the optical radiation reflection from the boundary of two soft-matter media with a thin monolayer between are performed for a number of angles of incidence. The reflectance and absorbance spectra are described in terms of a unique spectrum invariant with respect to the incidence angles. The angular dependence of the absorbance for s-polarized radiation is shown to not provide any extra information as compared with a single-angle study in line with the previously developed theoretical considerations. We verify it experimentally performing the multi-angle infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy measurements at the air-water interface with a thin lipid film.
Beam stability of buried-heterostructure quantum cascade lasers employing HVPE regrowth
Authors: Ryu Jae Ha , Kirch Jeremy D. , Knipfer Benjamin , Liu Zerui , Turville-Heitz Morgan , Earles Tom , Marsland Robert A. , Strömberg Axel , Omanakuttan Giriprasanth , Sun Yan-Ting , Lourdudoss Sebastian , Botez Dan , Mawst Luke J.
Published: January 2021

Measurements of beam stability for mid-infrared (IR)-emitting quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) are important for applications that require the beam to travel through air to remote targets, such as free-space communication links. We report beam-quality measurement results of narrow-ridge, 4.6 µm-emitting buried-heterostructure (BH) QCLs fabricated using ICP etching and HVPE regrowth. Beam-quality measurements under QCW operation exhibit M2 < 1.2 up to 1 W for ∼5 µm-wide ridges. 5 µm-wide devices display some small degree of centroid motion with increasing output power (< 0.125 mrad), which corresponds to a targeting error of ∼1.25 cm over a distance of 100 m.
Rectangular multilayer dielectric gratings with broadband high diffraction efficiency and enhanced laser damage resistance
Authors: Xie Lingyun , Zhang Jinlong , Zhang Zhanyi , Ma Bin , Li Tongbao , Wang Zhanshan , Cheng Xinbin
Published: January 2021

Broadband multilayer dielectric gratings (MDGs) with rectangular HfO2 grating profile were realized for the first time using a novel fabrication process that combines laser interference lithography, nanoimprint, atomic layer deposition and reactive ion-beam etching. The laser-induced damage initiating at the grating ridge was mitigated for two reasons. First, the rectangular grating profile exhibits the minimum electric-field intensity (EFI) enhancement inside the grating pillar compared to other trapezoidal profiles. Second, our etching process did not create nano-absorbing defects at the edge of the HfO2 grating where the peak EFI locates, which is unavoidable in traditional fabrication process. The fabricated MDGs showed a high laser induced damage threshold of 0.59J/cm2 for a Ti-sapphire laser with pulse width of 40 fs and an excellent broadband diffraction spectrum with 95% efficiency over 150 nm in TE polarization.
Realization of compact Watt-level single-frequency continuous-wave self-tuning titanium: sapphire laser
Authors: Wei Jiao , Cao Xuechen , Jin Pixian , Shi Zhu , Su Jing , Lu Huadong
Published: January 2021

Here, we present a compact Watt-level single-frequency continuous-wave (CW) self-tuning titanium:sapphire (Ti:S) laser, which is implemented using a three-plate Ti:S crystal as both a gain medium and frequency-tuning element. The thickness ratio of the three-plate Ti:S crystal is 1:2:4, of which the thinnest plate measured 1 mm. The optical axes lie on their own surfaces and parallel to each other. Based on the presented self-tuning crystal, a ring resonator is designed and built. The maximum wavelength tuning range of the single-frequency self-tuning Ti:S laser is 108.84 nm, as demonstrated experimentally by rotating the three-plate Ti:S crystal, indicating good agreement with theoretical prediction. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report a single-frequency CW self-tuning Ti:S laser, which can provide a feasible approach for achieving a compact all-solid-state single-frequency CW-tunable Ti:S laser.
Optomagnets in nonmagnetic plasmonic nanostructures
Authors: Karakhanyan Vage , Lefier Yannick , Eustache Clément , Grosjean Thierry
Published: January 2021

Using a simplified hydrodynamic model of the free electron gas of a metal, we theoretically investigate optically induced DC current loops in a plasmonic nanostructure. Such current loops originate from an optical rectification process relying on three electromotive forces, one of which arises from an optical spin–orbit interaction. The resulting static magnetic field is found to be maximum and dramatically confined at the corners of the plasmonic nanostructure, which reveals the ability of metallic discontinuities to concentrate and tailor static magnetic fields on the nanoscale. Plasmonics can thus generate and tune static magnetic fields and strong magnetic forces on the nanoscale, potentially impacting small scale magnetic tweezing and sensing as well as the generation of magneto-optical effects and spin waves.
Speckle illumination SFDI for projector-free optical property mapping
Authors: Chen Mason T. , Papadakis Melina , Durr Nicholas J.
Published: January 2021

Spatial frequency domain imaging can map tissue scattering and absorption properties over a wide field of view, making it useful for clinical applications such as wound assessment and surgical guidance. This technique has previously required the projection of fully characterized illumination patterns. Here, we show that random and unknown speckle illumination can be used to sample the modulation transfer function of tissues at known spatial frequencies, allowing the quantitative mapping of optical properties with simple laser diode illumination. We compute low- and high-spatial frequency response parameters from the local power spectral density for each pixel and use a lookup table to accurately estimate absorption and scattering coefficients in tissue phantoms, in vivo human hand, and ex vivo swine esophagus. Because speckle patterns can be generated over a large depth of field and field of view with simple coherent illumination, this approach may enable optical property mapping in new form-factors and applications, including endoscopy.
Two-step phase-shifting interferometry for self-interference digital holography
Authors: Tahara Tatsuki , Kozawa Yuichi , Ishii Ayumi , Wakunami Koki , Ichihashi Yasuyuki , Oi Ryutaro
Published: January 2021

We propose a phase-shifting interferometry technique using only two in-line phase-shifted self-interference holograms. There is no requirement for additional recording or estimation in the measurement. The proposed technique adopts a mathematical model for self-interference digital holography. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is demonstrated by experiments on incoherent digital holographic microscopy and color-multiplexed fluorescence digital holography with computational coherent superposition. Two-color-multiplexed four-step phase-shifting incoherent digital holography is realized for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, using the proposed technique.
Octave-spanning Kerr frequency comb generation with stimulated Raman scattering in an AlN microresonator
Authors: Weng Haizhong , Liu Jia , Afridi Adnan Ali , Li Jing , Dai Jiangnan , Ma Xiang , Zhang Yi , Lu Qiaoyin , Donegan John F. , Guo Weihua
Published: January 2021

Octave-spanning optical frequency combs (OFCs) are essential for various applications, such as precision metrology and astrophysical spectrometer calibration. In this Letter, we demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, the generation of octave-spanning Kerr frequency combs ranging from 1150 to 2400 nm in aluminum nitride (AlN) microring resonators, by pumping the

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modes at 250 mW on-chip power. By simply adjusting the pump detuning, we observe the transition and coexistence of Kerr OFC and stimulated Raman scattering. For the

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mode in the same device, a broadband Raman-assisted frequency comb is demonstrated by adjusting the pump power and tuning. These results indicate a crucial development for the fundamentals of nonlinear dynamics and comb applications in AlN.
Accurate genetic and environmental covariance estimation with composite likelihood in genome-wide association studies
Authors: Gao Boran , Yang Can , Liu Jin , Zhou Xiang
Published: January 2021

Genetic and environmental covariances between pairs of complex traits are important quantitative measurements that characterize their shared genetic and environmental architectures. Accurate estimation of genetic and environmental covariances in genome-wide association studies (GWASs) can help us identify common genetic and environmental factors associated with both traits and facilitate the investigation of their causal relationship. Genetic and environmental covariances are often modeled through multivariate linear mixed models. Existing algorithms for covariance estimation include the traditional restricted maximum likelihood (REML) method and the recent method of moments (MoM). Compared to REML, MoM approaches are computationally efficient and require only GWAS summary statistics. However, MoM approaches can be statistically inefficient, often yielding inaccurate covariance estimates. In addition, existing MoM approaches have so far focused on estimating genetic covariance and have largely ignored environmental covariance estimation. Here we introduce a new computational method, GECKO, for estimating both genetic and environmental covariances, that improves the estimation accuracy of MoM while keeping computation in check. GECKO is based on composite likelihood, relies on only summary statistics for scalable computation, provides accurate genetic and environmental covariance estimates across a range of scenarios, and can accommodate SNP annotation stratified covariance estimation. We illustrate the benefits of GECKO through simulations and applications on analyzing 22 traits from five large-scale GWASs. In the real data applications, GECKO identified 50 significant genetic covariances among analyzed trait pairs, resulting in a twofold power gain compared to the previous MoM method LDSC. In addition, GECKO identified 20 significant environmental covariances. The ability of GECKO to estimate environmental covariance in addition to genetic covariance helps us reveal strong positive correlation between the genetic and environmental covariance estimates across trait pairs, suggesting that common pathways may underlie the shared genetic and environmental architectures between traits.
Immune fingerprinting through repertoire similarity
Authors: Dupic Thomas , Bensouda Koraichi Meriem , Minervina Anastasia A. , Pogorelyy Mikhail V. , Mora Thierry , Walczak Aleksandra M.
Published: January 2021

Immune repertoires provide a unique fingerprint reflecting the immune history of individuals, with potential applications in precision medicine. However, the question of how personal that information is and how it can be used to identify individuals has not been explored. Here, we show that individuals can be uniquely identified from repertoires of just a few thousands lymphocytes. We present “Immprint,” a classifier using an information-theoretic measure of repertoire similarity to distinguish pairs of repertoire samples coming from the same versus different individuals. Using published T-cell receptor repertoires and statistical modeling, we tested its ability to identify individuals with great accuracy, including identical twins, by computing false positive and false negative rates < 10−6 from samples composed of 10,000 T-cells. We verified through longitudinal datasets that the method is robust to acute infections and that the immune fingerprint is stable for at least three years. These results emphasize the private and personal nature of repertoire data.
Evidence of vascular endothelial dysfunction in Wooden Breast disorder in chickens: Insights through gene expression analysis, ultra-structural evaluation and supervised machine learning methods
Authors: Abasht Behnam , Papah Michael B. , Qiu Jing
Published: January 2021

Several gene expression studies have been previously conducted to characterize molecular basis of Wooden Breast myopathy in commercial broiler chickens. These studies have generally used a limited sample size and relied on a binary disease outcome (unaffected or affected by Wooden Breast), which are appropriate for an initial investigation. However, to identify biomarkers of disease severity and development, it is necessary to use a large number of samples with a varying degree of disease severity. Therefore, in this study, we assayed a relatively large number of samples (n = 96) harvested from the pectoralis major muscle of unaffected (U), partially affected (P) and markedly affected (A) chickens. Gene expression analysis was conducted using the nCounter MAX Analysis System and data were analyzed using four different supervised machine-learning methods, including support vector machines (SVM), random forests (RF), elastic net logistic regression (ENET) and Lasso logistic regression (LASSO). The SVM method achieved the highest prediction accuracy for both three-class (U, P and A) and two-class (U and P+A) classifications with 94% prediction accuracy for two-class classification and 85% for three-class classification. The results also identified biomarkers of Wooden Breast severity and development. Additionally, gene expression analysis and ultrastructural evaluations provided evidence of vascular endothelial cell dysfunction in the early pathogenesis of Wooden Breast.
Three dimensional cultivation increases chemo- and radioresistance of colorectal cancer cell lines
Authors: Koch Jana , Mönch Dina , Maaß Annika , Gromoll Christian , Hehr Thomas , Leibold Tobias , Schlitt Hans J. , Dahlke Marc-H. , Renner Philipp
Published: January 2021

Although 2D cell cultures are commonly used to predict therapy response, it has become clear that 3D cultures may better mimic the in vivo situation and offer the possibility of tailoring translational clinical approaches. Here, we compared the response of 2D and 3D colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines to irradiation and chemotherapy. Classic 2D cultures and 3D spheroids of CRC cell lines (CaCo2, Colo205, HCT116, SW480) were thoroughly established, then irradiated with doses of 1, 4, or 10 Gy, using a clinical-grade linear accelerator. The response was assessed by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and TUNEL assays. Upon irradiation, CRC 3D spheroids were morphologically altered. After irradiation with 10 Gy, annexin V/PI staining revealed a 1.8- to 4-fold increase in the apoptosis rate in the 2D cell cultures (95% CI 3.24±0.96), and a 1.5- to 2.4-fold increase in the 3D spheroids (95% CI 1.56±0.41). Irradiation with 1 Gy caused 3- and 4-fold increases in TUNEL positive cells in the CaCo2 and HCT116 (p = 0.01) 2D cultures, respectively, compared with a 2-fold increase in the 3D spheroids. Furthermore, the 2D and 3D cultures responded differently to chemotherapy; the 3D cultures were more resistant to 5-FU and cisplatin, but not to doxorubicin and mitomycin C, than the 2D cultures. Taken together, CRC cells cultured as 3D spheroids displayed markedly higher resistance to irradiation therapy and selected chemotherapeutic drugs than 2D cultures. This in vitro difference must be considered in future approaches for determining the ideal in vitro systems that mimic human disease.
Prevalensi Anemia pada Bayi Baru Lahir Berdasarkan Berat Lahir dan Usia Kehamilan di RSUP Dr. Hasan Sadikin Bandung Tahun 2018
Authors: Asfarina Ikhlashil , Wijaya Merry , Kadi Fiva Aprilia
Published: January 2021

Latar belakang. Pada bayi baru lahir, anemia dapat mengganggu tumbuh kembang bayi dan memengaruhi sistem kardiorespiratori sehingga dapat menyebabkan kematian. Di Indonesia, penelitian prevalensi anemia bayi baru lahir berdasarkan berat lahir dan usia kehamilan masih sangat jarang.Tujuan. Mengetahui prevalensi anemia pada bayi baru lahir berdasarkan berat lahir dan usia kehamilan.Metode. Penelitian deskriptif dengan metode potong lintang menggunakan data sekunder dari Sistem Registrasi Divisi Neonatalogi Departemen Ilmu Kesehatan Anak RSUP DR. Hasan Sadikin Bandung. Kriteria inklusi adalah bayi yang lahir hidup di periode 1 Januari 2018 hingga 31 Desember 2018. Kriteria eksklusi adalah data rekam medis yang tidak lengkap, hilang atau tidak dapat diakses. Usia kehamilan, berat lahir bayi, dan status anemia dinilai dengan melihat kadar hemoglobin yang tercantum dalam rekam medis.Hasil. Sebanyak 1494 bayi baru lahir sesuai dengan kriteria inklusi dan eksklusi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa 14,5% bayi baru lahir mengalami anemia. Hasil analisis status anemia berdasarkan berat lahir dan usia kehamilan menunjukkan bahwa 79,2% pasien lahir dengan berat lahir rendah dan 75,9% pasien lahir kurang bulan.Kesimpulan. Prevalensi anemia pada bayi berat lahir rendah dan kurang bulan lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan bayi berat lahir normal dan cukup bulan.
Peran Kadar Feritin Serum dan Vitamin D Terhadap Keterlambatan Usia Tulang pada Anak Penyandang Talasemia Beta Mayor
Authors: Napitu Karla Shinta , Idjradinata Ponpon , Yuniati Tetty
Published: January 2021

Latar belakang. Anak penyandang talasemia beta mayor sering mengalami komplikasi kelainan tulang berupa gangguan maturasi tulang. Iron overload akibat transfusi darah berulang diketahui berkontribusi atas gangguan ini. Kadar vitamin D yang rendah juga sering ditemukan pada pasien talasemia beta mayor.Tujuan. Untuk mengetahui peranan kadar feritin serum dan vitamin D terhadap keterlambatan usia tulang.Metode. Observasi analitik korelasional rancangan potong lintang, pada anak usia 3-18 tahun dengan talasemia beta mayor. Dilakukan pemeriksaan kadar feritin serum, vitamin D, dan usia tulang. Analisis multi variabel menggunakan regresi linier ganda. Hasil uji bermakna bila nilai p<0,05.Hasil. Subjek sebanyak 50 anak. Rerata kadar feritin serum dan vitamin D yaitu 3092 ng/mL dan 26 ng/mL. Usia tulang defisit pada 39 (78%) subjek. Persamaan regresi ganda defisit usia tulang (bulan) yaitu 32,872-25,675*log (kadar vitamin D) + 0,007*kadar feritin serum sedangkan regresi multipel linier yaitu 51%. Kadar feritin serum diatas 2610 ng/mL dapat memprediksi defisit usia tulang > 12 bulan.Kesimpulan. Korelasi positif kuat antara kadar feritin serum terhadap keterlambatan usia tulang (p<0,001 ; r=0,7)  dan korelasi negatif lemah antara vitamin D terhadap keterlambatan usia tulang (p=0,02 ; r=-0,3). Peranan feritin dan vitamin D terhadap keterlambatan usia tulang, yaitu sebesar 51%.
Pengaruh Pendapatan Orangtua terhadap Kualitas Hidup Pasien Epilepsi Anak
Authors: Gratia Monika Putri , Nur Fadhilah Tia , Riza Muhammad
Published: January 2021

Latar belakang. Kualitas hidup seseorang berkaitan dengan kondisi kesehatannya. Anak penderita epilepsi cenderung memiliki kualitas hidup yang buruk. Kualitas hidup rendah pasien epilepsi anak dipengaruhi oleh beragam faktor, salah satunya dari segi demografis keluarga, yaitu besar pendapatan orangtua.Tujuan. Mengetahui pengaruh pendapatan orangtua terhadap kualitas hidup pasien epilepsi anak di RSUD Dr. Moewardi Surakarta, menggunakan instrumen PedsQL.Metode. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian observasional analitik dengan pendekatan potong lintang. Pengambilan sampel dilakukan di poli saraf anak Wijaya Kusuma RSUD Dr. Moewardi, melibatkan wawancara pada 50 pasien epilepsi anak beserta orangtuanya.Hasil. Pasien epilepsi anak sebagian besar (66.0%) memiliki kualitas hidup yang rendah. Pendapatan orangtua dinyatakan tidak signifikan memengaruhi kualitas hidup pasien epilepsi anak (p=0,281). Kualitas hidup pasien dipengaruhi oleh jenis pemberian OAE dan kepesertaan BPJS (p=0,001; p=0,040).Kesimpulan. Tidak terdapat pengaruh dari pendapatan orangtua terhadap kualitas hidup pasien epilepsi anak.
Referral Patterns and Treatment Delays in Medulloblastoma: A Large Academic Proton Center Experience
Authors: Liu Sean M. , Brooks Eric D. , Rubin M. Laura ,   MD Anderson Cancer Center Radiation Oncology Fellows Consortium, Grosshans David R. , Frank Steven J. , McAleer Mary Frances , McGovern Susan L. , Paulino Arnold C. , Woodhouse Kristina D.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Patient travel time can cause treatment delays when providers and families decide to seek proton therapy. We examined whether travel distance or referral pattern (domestic versus international) affects time to radiation therapy and subsequent disease outcomes in patients with medulloblastoma at a large academic proton center.

Patients and Methods

Children with medulloblastoma treated at MD Anderson (MDA) with a protocol of proton beam therapy (PBT) between January 4, 2007, and June 25, 2014, were included in the analysis. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to study the association between time to start of radiation and distance. Classification- and regression-tree analyses were used to explore binary thresholds for continuous covariates (ie, distance). Failure-free survival was defined as the time interval between end of radiation and failure or death.

Results

96 patients were included in the analysis: 17 were international (18%); 19 (20%) were from Houston, Texas; 21 were from other cities inside Texas (21%); and 39 (41%) were from other US states. The median time from surgery to start of radiation was not significantly different for international patients (median = 1.45 months) compared with US patients (median = 1.15 months; P = .13). However, time from surgery to start of radiation was significantly longer for patients residing > 1716 km (> 1066 miles) from MDA (median = 1.31 months) than for patients residing ≤ 1716 km (≤ 1066 miles) from MDA (median = 1.05 months; P = .01). This 1- to 2-week delay (median = 7.8 days) did not affect failure-free survival (hazard ratio = 1.34; P = .43).

Conclusion

We found that short delays in proton access can exist for patients traveling long distances to proton centers. However, in this study, treatment delays did not affect outcomes. This highlights the appropriateness of PBT in the face of travel coordination. Investment by proton centers in a rigorous intake process is justified to offer timely access to curative PBT.
The Continuing Korean War in the Murderous History of Bombing
Authors: Beal Tim
Published: January 2021

The Korean War, which broke out on June 25, 1950, can be considered the epicenter of bombing as an instrument of war. For one, it was the first—and, so far, the last—time since 1945 that the United States seriously considered using atomic weapons during the course of an imperial war. It was the first war that the United States did not win. It ended in a stalemate—an armistice—that continues until today. Kinetic fighting was suspended, but the war continues (though only by one side) by what is conveniently but simplistically called sanctions.