bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fluralaner (Bravecto®) treatment kills Aedes aegypti after feeding on Dirofilaria immitis-infected dogs
Authors: Duncan Kathryn , Barrett Anne W. , Little Susan E. , Sundstrom Kellee D. , Guerino Frank
Published: June 2023

Background

Transmission of canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) from infected to naïve dogs is dependent on successful mosquito feeding and survival.

Methods

To determine whether treating heartworm-infected dogs with fluralaner (Bravecto®) limits the survival of infected mosquitoes, and potentially the transmission of D. immitis, we allowed female mosquitoes to feed on microfilaremic dogs and evaluated mosquito survival and infection with D. immitis. Eight dogs were experimentally infected with D. immitis. On day 0 (~ 11 months post-infection), four microfilaremic dogs were treated with fluralaner according to label directions while the other four were non-treated controls. Mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti Liverpool) were allowed to feed on each dog on days −7, 2, 30, 56, and 84. Fed mosquitoes were collected, and the number of live mosquitoes determined at 6 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h post-feeding. Surviving mosquitoes held for 2 weeks were dissected to confirm third-stage D. immitis larvae; PCR (12S rRNA gene) was performed post-dissection to identify D. immitis in mosquitoes.

Results

Prior to treatment, 98.4%, 85.1%, 60.7%, and 40.3% of mosquitoes fed on microfilaremic dogs were alive at 6 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h post-feeding, respectively. Similarly, mosquitoes fed on microfilaremic, non-treated dogs were alive 6 h post-feeding (98.5–100%) throughout the study. In contrast, mosquitoes fed on fluralaner-treated dogs 2 days after treatment were dead or severely moribund by 6 h post-feeding. At 30 and 56 days post-treatment, > 99% of mosquitoes fed on treated dogs were dead by 24 h. At 84 days post-treatment, 98.4% of mosquitoes fed on treated dogs were dead by 24 h. Before treatment, third-stage larvae of D. immitis were recovered from 15.5% of Ae. aegypti 2 weeks after feeding, and 72.4% were positive for D. immitis by PCR. Similarly, 17.7% of mosquitoes fed on non-treated dogs had D. immitis third-stage larvae 2 weeks after feeding, and 88.2% were positive by PCR. Five mosquitoes fed on fluralaner-treated dogs survived 2 weeks post-feeding, and 4/5 were from day 84. None had third-stage larvae at dissection, and all were PCR-negative.

Conclusion

The data indicate that fluralaner treatment of dogs kills mosquitoes and thus would be expected to reduce transmission of heartworm in the surrounding community.

Graphical Abstract
Factors predicting mathematics achievement in PISA: a systematic review
Authors: Wang Xiaofang Sarah , Perry Laura B. , Malpique Anabela , Ide Tobias
Published: June 2023

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) has become the world’s largest comparative assessment of academic achievement. While hundreds of studies have examined the factors predicting student achievement in PISA, a comprehensive overview of the main predictors has yet to be completed. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic literature review of factors predicting mathematics performance in PISA. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model of human development, we synthesized the findings of 156 peer reviewed articles. The analysis identified 135 factors that fall into five broad categories: individual student, household context, school community, education systems and macro society. The analysis uncovered seven factors that are consistently associated with math achievement in PISA. Student grade level and overall family SES (socio-economic status) are consistently positively associated with math achievement while five factors are consistently negatively associated with math achievement: student absenteeism and lack of punctuality, school repeating and dropout rate, school prevalence of students’ misbehavior, shortage of teachers and general staff, and student-centered instruction. Fourteen factors tend to be positively or negatively associated with math achievement. The explanatory power of many other factors, however, remain mixed. Explanations for this result include methodological differences, complex interactions across variables, and underlying patterns related to national-cultural context or other meso or macro-level variables. Implications for policy and research are discussed.
Mechanochemical-assisted extraction and enzymatic hydrolysis of calcium phytate from defatted rice bran
Authors: Zheng Lei , Zhu XingYi , Wang Jialu , Su Weike
Published: June 2023

Background

Mechanochemical-assisted extraction (MCAE) and mechanochemical-assisted enzyme catalysis (MCAEC) methods were developed for extraction and enzymatic hydrolysis of calcium phytate from defatted rice bran, respectively.

Results

The MCAE conditions were optimized by response surface methodology: 10% sodium carbonate as the solid reagent, 33 min grinding time, 18:1 ball–material ratio, 330 rpm ball milling speed, and pH 5.5 extraction. Under these conditions, the yield of calcium phytate was 97.0 mg/g. The MCAEC conditions were optimized as follows: 2% enzyme addition, MM400 milling time 36 min, PM400 milling speed 262 rpm, MM400 milling frequency 27 Hz, and the addition of pH 5.5 sodium acetate buffer 3 mL. Under these conditions, the hydrolysis rate of calcium phytate was 39.7%.

Conclusion

Compared with traditional extraction and enzymatic hydrolysis methods, MCAE and MCAEC could obtain higher yields and hydrolysis rates, respectively.

Graphical Abstract
Child injuries in Lebanon: assessing mothers’ injury prevention knowledge attitude and practices
Authors: Al-Hajj Samar , El Haj Rawan , Chaaya Monique , Sharara-Chami Rana , Mehmood Amber
Published: June 2023

Background

Childhood injury is a neglected public health problem with a sizeable burden on children’s well-being and their families. This study aims to describe the pattern and types of childhood injuries and to determine the level of mothers’ Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) towards childhood injury prevention in Lebanon. The study further examines the association between childhood injury occurrence and mothers’ supervision.

Methods

This cross-sectional study recruited mothers of children aged up to 10 years from multiple sites (i.e., a medical center, a private clinic, a healthcare facility, and a refugee camp clinic). Data were collected on mothers’ KAP toward childhood injuries using self-administrated questionnaires. A summation score for KAP correct answers was calculated and descriptive and statistical analyses were performed to measure the association between the outcomes.

Results

A total of 264 mothers were surveyed and injury data were collected on their 464 children. The prevalence of childhood injury was 20% in the past 12 months, mostly sustained by males (53.8%) and children aged 5–10 years (38.7%). The most common type of injury was fall (48.4%), followed by burns (%7.5), and sports injuries (7.5%). Hospitalized children were more likely to be males and older than 5 years (p < 0.001). More than one-third of the mothers demonstrated poor knowledge, while the majority showed poor practice (54.4%), and fair attitude (45.6%) towards child injury prevention. Children of working mothers have three times higher odds of sustaining injuries (OR: 2.95, 95% CI: 1.60;5.47) compared to those of non-working mothers, accounting for possible confounders (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Childhood injuries represent a major health problem in Lebanon. Findings from this study showed that mothers are less knowledgeable and unprepared to prevent their children from getting injured. Educational programs are much needed to address the gap in the mothers' KAP toward child injury prevention. Further studies are recommended to understand the cultural context and examine its key determinants to identify effective strategies and develop tailored interventions for preventing childhood injuries.
Using preoperative ultrasound vascularity characteristics to estimate medullary thyroid cancer
Authors: Gao Luying , Ma Liyuan , Li Xiaoyi , Liu Chunhao , Li Naishi , Lian Xiaolan , Xia Weibo , Liu Ruifeng , Shi Xinlong , Ji Jiang , Pan Aonan , Xia Yu , Jiang Yuxin
Published: June 2023

Background

The early diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is still a challenge in clinical practice. Based on ultrasound features, many MTC cases without suspicious characteristics are not categorized as high risk for malignancy. This study was designed to comprehensively investigate the ultrasonic features of MTC on ultrasound and help identify thyroid nodules with a high risk of MTC.

Methods

Between 2017 and 2023, we retrospectively reviewed 116 consecutive thyroid nodules with a histologic diagnosis of MTC who had undergone preoperative ultrasound examination. According to the ultrasonic criteria for risk classification, nodules were classified as “ultrasound-high suspicious” (h-MTC) and “ultrasound-low suspicious” (l-MTC). Using the same database, a tumour size- and risk evaluation-matched control group comprising 62 lesions was randomly selected to compare the vascularity features of l-MTC disease.

Results

We identified 85 h-MTC nodules (73.3%) and 31 l-MTC nodules (26.7%). For patients with l-MTC disease, 22/31 (71.0%) of the lesions were followed up for a period before fine needle aspiration (FNA) or surgery. We observed more penetrating branching vascularity in the l-MTC group than in the benign nodule group (23/31, 74.2% vs. 5/59, 4.8%, P < 0.001). We also showed that more CHAMMAS IV patterns (central blood flow greater than perinodular flow) (87.1% vs. 32.3%, P < 0.001)) and CHEN IV patterns (penetrating vascularity) (100% vs. 25.8%, P < 0.001) were found in l-MTC than benign nodules.

Conclusions

Vascularity features can help differentiate l-MTC from benign nodules; moreover, we report a novel sonographic vascularity pattern of l-MTC disease, penetrating branching vascularity. The utilization of vascularity features will help to identify MTC among nodules with low-intermediate suspicion by ultrasound risk classification to ensure appropriate clinical management.
Enhancement of bone regeneration by coadministration of angiogenic and osteogenic factors using messenger RNA
Authors: Zhang Maorui , Fukushima Yuta , Nozaki Kosuke , Nakanishi Hideyuki , Deng Jia , Wakabayashi Noriyuki , Itaka Keiji
Published: June 2023

Background

Bone defects remain a challenge today. In addition to osteogenic activation, the crucial role of angiogenesis has also gained attention. In particular, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is likely to play a significant role in bone regeneration, not only to restore blood supply but also to be directly involved in the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. In this study, to produce additive angiogenic-osteogenic effects in the process of bone regeneration, VEGF and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), an essential transcription factor for osteogenic differentiation, were coadministered with messenger RNAs (mRNAs) to bone defects in the rat mandible.

Methods

The mRNAs encoding VEGF or Runx2 were prepared via in vitro transcription (IVT). Osteogenic differentiation after mRNA transfection was evaluated using primary osteoblast-like cells, followed by an evaluation of the gene expression levels of osteogenic markers. The mRNAs were then administered to a bone defect prepared in the rat mandible using our original cationic polymer-based carrier, the polyplex nanomicelle. The bone regeneration was evaluated by micro-computerized tomography (μCT) imaging, and histologic analyses.

Results

Osteogenic markers such as osteocalcin (Ocn) and osteopontin (Opn) were significantly upregulated after mRNA transfection. VEGF mRNA was revealed to have a distinct osteoblastic function similar to that of Runx2 mRNA, and the combined use of the two mRNAs resulted in further upregulation of the markers. After in vivo administration into the bone defect, the two mRNAs induced significant enhancement of bone regeneration with increased bone mineralization. Histological analyses using antibodies against the Cluster of Differentiation 31 protein (CD31), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), or OCN revealed that the mRNAs induced the upregulation of osteogenic markers in the defect, together with increased vessel formation, leading to rapid bone formation.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate the feasibility of using mRNA medicines to introduce various therapeutic factors, including transcription factors, into target sites. This study provides valuable information for the development of mRNA therapeutics for tissue engineering.
Propylene glycol and Kolliphor as solvents for systemic delivery of cannabinoids via intraperitoneal and subcutaneous routes in preclinical studies: a comparative technical note
Authors: Momenzadeh Kaveh , Yeritsyan Diana , Kheir Nadim , Nazarian Rosalyn M. , Nazarian Ara
Published: June 2023

Background

Substance administration to laboratory animals necessitates careful consideration and planning in order to enhance agent distribution while reducing any harmful effects from the technique. There are numerous methods for administering cannabinoids; however, several parameters must be considered, including delivery frequency, volume of administration, vehicle, and the level of competence required for staff to use these routes properly. There is a scarcity of information about the appropriate delivery method for cannabinoids in animal research, particularly those that need the least amount of animal manipulation during the course of the investigation. This study aims to assess the feasibility and potential side effects of intraperitoneal and subcutaneous injection of CBD and THC using propylene glycol or Kolliphor in animal models. By evaluating the ease of use and histopathological side effects of these solvents, this study intends to help researchers better understand an accessible long-term delivery route of administration in animal experiments while minimizing the potential confounding effects of the delivery method on the animal.

Methods

Intraperitoneal and subcutaneous methods of systemic cannabis administration were tested in rat models. Subcutaneous delivery via needle injection and continuous osmotic pump release were evaluated using propylene glycol or Kolliphor solvents. In addition, the use of a needle injection and a propylene glycol solvent for intraperitoneal (IP) administration was investigated. Skin histopathological changes were evaluated following a trial of subcutaneous injections of cannabinoids utilizing propylene glycol solvent.

Discussion

Although IP delivery of cannabinoids with propylene glycol as solvent is a viable method and is preferable to oral treatment in order to reduce gastrointestinal tract degradation, it has substantial feasibility limitations. We conclude that subcutaneous delivery utilizing osmotic pumps with Kolliphor as a solvent provides viable and consistent route of administration for long-term systemic cannabinoid delivery in the preclinical context.
The contentious relationship between artificial sweeteners and cardiovascular health
Authors: Singh Sandeep , Kohli Aditya , Trivedi Stuti , Kanagala Sai Gautham , Anamika F. N. U. , Garg Nikita , Patel Meet A. , Munjal Ripudaman Singh , Jain Rohit
Published: June 2023

Sweet has always been a fundamental human taste, and while glucose and other kinds of sugar are our primary energy sources, they can also have detrimental effects on health, including weight gain, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and other metabolic diseases. Artificial sweeteners (AS), introduced as sugar substitutes, are a group of chemical compounds that attribute sweetness with almost zero calories and are considered safe for consumption by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although they may help restrict the daily caloric intake of sugar to less than 10% of the daily caloric intake, there are still questions about the long-term safety of AS. A higher risk of hypertension, insulin resistance, high blood sugar, abdominal obesity, and dyslipidemia has been linked to AS. The effect of AS on the cardiovascular system is still unclear, and further research is required. This review examines the potential mechanism of how artificial sweeteners cause cardiovascular diseases.
Analysis of the geothermal formation mechanisms in the Gonghe Basin based on thermal parameter inversion
Authors: Bai Lige , Li Jing , Zeng Zhaofa , Wang Kun
Published: June 2023

Gonghe Basin is the most critical distribution area of hot dry rock (HDR) geothermal resources in China. Geophysical results (resistivity, velocity, density, etc.) provide an indirect way to image the spatial distribution to understand its genesis, which has a multisolution problem. However, heat flow and thermal conductivity are the most direct and reliable evidence to reveal the distribution of geothermal resources. The conventional thermal conductivity and heat flow obtained based on geologic surveys and rock samples are highly accurate, but it is challenging to characterize the regional distribution characteristics. In this paper, we develop the heat transfer adaptive finite-element equation parameter inversion workflow to invert the thermal parameters and analyze the geothermal formation mechanisms in the Gonghe Basin. First, the synthetic model test verifies that our inversion process has reliable accuracy and strong antinoise ability. For the Gonghe Basin HDR geothermal example, we use high-precision aeromagnetic data to estimate the Curie depth using the improved Parker-Oldenburg method. Then, the regional conductivity thermal and temperature field can be established according to the empirical formula as the initial input model for the inversion procedure. In addition, we collect the temperature data of six HDR geothermal wells across the Gonghe-Guide Basin as a priori constraint information. Combined with the inverted thermal parameters (thermal conductivity, geothermal gradient, and heat flow), geologic structure, and geophysical result, we infer that the high thermal conductivity layer at a depth of 5–10 km provides the main deep heat source channel and the shallow low thermal conductivity fine sandstone layer of Neogene provides good caprock protection for forming a high-temperature geothermal reservoir.
Wavelet extraction using cepstrum
Authors: Kim Young C. , Jo Yeonghwa , Byun Joongmoo
Published: June 2023

Cepstrum-based deconvolution can be a powerful tool to enhance the resolution of seismic data by removing multiples or sharpening the wavelets in the seismic data. In the past, it has been tested under the assumption that subsurface reflectivity sequences are minimum phase. However, the minimum phase requirement may be too restrictive to be used for seismic data acquired for oil and gas exploration. When the reflectivity sequence is not minimum phase, phase wrapping severely impacts the phase of the wavelet with the phase of the reflectivity sequence. We have examined the effect of phase wrapping by using two wavelets and a reflectivity sequence that was not minimum phase. Upon comparing the two cepstra, the cepstrum directly from the trace and the desired cepstrum, we find that the difference between the two cepstra indicated an odd symmetry near the zero quefrency and devise a way to make the cepstrum from the trace close to the desired cepstrum if the wavelet does not undergo its own phase wrapping. This scheme allows for extracting the correct wavelet, which was used for deconvolution to recover the reflectivity sequence. We apply the scheme to a shot gather from a shallow marine environment to extract the wavelets and deconvolve the data with the extracted wavelets. The deconvolved shot gather indicates much enhanced resolution and the wavelets appear closer to zero phase than the wavelets in the gather before deconvolution. Because air-gun arrays usually generate a source wavelet that does not have its own phase wrapping, cepstrum-based approaches can be a viable tool to extract a wavelet from marine seismic data for subsequent processing.
Pore pressure prediction using S-wave velocity based on rock-physics modeling
Authors: Cheng Shuailong , Zong Zhaoyun , Chen Yu , Yang Yaming
Published: June 2023

Pore pressure plays a critical role in improving drilling safety and exploring hydrocarbons. It is well known that the prediction of pore pressure is mainly based on P-wave velocity or acoustic transit time. However, due to the influence of various factors on P-wave velocity, it may not be sufficiently sensitive to the perturbations of effective stress, which results in inaccurate pore pressure prediction results. To solve this issue, we perform a specialized analysis of rock-physics data and find that S-wave velocity is more sensitive to the perturbations of effective stress than P-wave velocity. Therefore, in this study, we develop a new pore pressure prediction method based on S waves to predict pore pressure more accurately. To obtain the normal compaction trend (NCT) required by our method, an anisotropic rock-physics model of mudstone is first constructed, and normal compaction porosity is added to the rock-physics model. The difference between the obtained NCT and the measured S-wave velocity is then used for predicting pore pressure through our method. In practical data application, the pore pressure predicted by our method is highly consistent with the measured pore pressure points, which proves the advantages of S-wave velocity in predicting pore pressure.
End-of-Life Systemic Oncologic Treatment in the Immunotherapy Era: The Role of Race, Insurance, and Practice Setting
Authors: Canavan Maureen , Wang Xiaoliang , Ascha Mustafa , Miksad Rebecca , Showalter Timothy N. , Calip Gregory , Gross Cary P. , Adelson Kerin
Published: June 2023

PURPOSE

Receipt of antineoplastic systemic treatment near end of life (EOL) has been shown to harm patient and caregiver experience, increase hospitalizations, intensive care unit and emergency department use, and drive-up costs; yet, these rates have not declined. To understand factors contributing to use of antineoplastic EOL systemic treatment, we explored its association with practice- and patient-level factors.

METHODS

We included patients from a real-world electronic health record–derived deidentified database who received systemic therapy for advanced or metastatic cancer diagnosed starting in 2011 and died within 4 years between 2015 and 2019. We assessed use of EOL systemic treatment at 30 and 14 days before death. We divided treatments into three subcategories: chemotherapy alone, chemotherapy and immunotherapy in combination, and immunotherapy (with/without targeted therapy), and estimated conditional odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs for patient and practice factors using multivariable mixed-level logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among 57,791 patients from 150 practices, 19,837 received systemic treatment within 30 days of death. We observed 36.6% of White patients, 32.7% of Black patients, 43.3% of commercially insured patients, and 37.0% of Medicaid patients received EOL systemic treatment. White patients and those with commercial insurance were more likely to receive EOL systemic treatment than Black patients or those with Medicaid. Treatment at community practices was associated with higher odds of receiving 30-day systemic EOL treatment than treatment at academic centers (adjusted OR, 1.51). We observed large variations in EOL systemic treatment rates across practices.

CONCLUSION

In a large real-world population, EOL systemic treatment rates were related to patient race, insurance type, and practice setting. Future work should examine factors that contribute to this usage pattern and its impact on downstream care.

[Media: see text]
Overview of tax measures for personal income tax of the period 2009-2020
Authors: Koutroubi Efstathia
Published: June 2023

The key components of fiscal policy for a fair and effective tax framework are the implementation of tax reform through a mixture of immediate measures to increase revenue. The Greek income tax system underwent important structural reforms. There was an urgent need to immediately increase the state budget revenues and in the framework of the rescue program of the Greek economy there was a series of legislative interventions. Measures were taken in 2012 to curb the downward trend in revenues, such as expansion of the tax base, reduction of tax exemptions, reduction of taxable income resulting from the restraint of public expenditure due to the adjustment of special payroll. Low levels of growth tend to be one of the main reasons for preventing the collection of personal income taxes. There is a negative correlation between the percentage of tax revenues from personal income taxes and economic growth.

From 2020 major tax changes have been implemented with relief for employees, retirees, families with children, property owners.

This study indicates that prerequisites for a successful tax reform include a holistic approach to the tax system, the evaluation and measurement of concrete reform proposals, as well as the possibility of achieving the objectives and choosing the appropriate timeframe for the adoption of the tax reform in connection with the economic crisis. Also, it provides the financial impact of measures for the taxation undertaken of personal income from 2009 to 2020.

 

Keywords:  Implementation of tax reform, personal income tax, expansion of the tax base, income redistribution

 

JEL Classifications:  H20, H21, H24, H29
Dollar-Cost Average plan in EMU countries: could it be beneficial? What the data say.
Authors: Vasileiou Evangelos , Apostolidis Dimitrios
Published: June 2023

This study examines a real case scenario using real data under the assumption of a long-term investment horizon. We examine the Dollar Cost Average, Cost Average Plan (CAP) in our case, and attempt to ascertain whether it could prove beneficial for an investor that does not have a significant amount of money to invest when the plan begins. We compare the outcome of the CAP with the alternative scenario of investing a monthly amount in a deposits account, which is in real terms the most comparable plan to the CAP. Using data from January, 2003 to November, 2021 from a wide range of ten (10) European Monetary Union countries, we compare the empirical evidence of these results and we reach the conclusions that CAP outperforms the seasonal bank deposits plan. Moreover, we compare these strategies with the Buy-and-Hold (BnH) strategy, as most studies do, and we conclude that CAP is more beneficial for highly volatile and less uptrend markets than a BnH strategy.

 

 

 

Jel Classifications: G1; G11; N2

Keywords: Dollar Cost Averaging; Investment Strategies; Investment Decisions; Investment Plans.
Rund um den Lohnhof
Authors: Matt Christoph Philipp
Published: June 2023

Die Publikation beschreibt die Archäologischen Informationsstellen auf dem Leonhardskirchsporn und am Leonhardsgraben. Einleitend werden die archäologischen und historischen Grundlagen in Bezug auf dieses markante Gelände geschildert und die beiden Stadtmauern des 11. und 13. Jahrhunderts (die sog. Burkhardsche und die Innere Mauer) vorgestellt. Anschliessend folgt ein Rundgang durch die einzelnen Informationsstellen. Auch die unmittelbare Umgebung des Lohnhofs mit Barfüsserplatz und Kohlenberg ist berücksichtigt. Die Broschüre will nicht nur die archäologisch überlieferten Reste erläutern, sondern auch ins historisch gewachsene Umfeld «rund um den Lohnhof» einführen (mit umfangreicher Literaturliste).
In der St. Alban-Vorstadt
Authors: Helmig Guido , Matt Christoph Philipp
Published: June 2023

Das vorliegende Heft ist der Geschichte und Entwicklung der ältesten Basler Vorstadt gewidmet. Prähistorische und römerzeitliche Spuren bilden den Auftakt für die geraffte Darstellung der Baugeschichte von Kirche und Kloster. Der Bau des St. Alban-Teichs, eines in der Mitte des 12. Jh. künstlich angelegten Kanals, führte zum wirtschaftlichen Aufschwung der Müller- und Handwerkersiedlung im Umfeld des Klosters. Hier entstand in der Folge Basels ältestes Industriequartier. Erste Konturen einer oberen Vorstadt werden mit dem Bau einer Vorstadtbefestigung am Ende des 13. Jh. fassbar. Der Einbezug in den Äusseren Mauerring und die Bauabfolge der städtischen Befestigungsanlagen widerspiegeln den veränderten Status des Klosters und des Viertels im Spätmittelalter und in der frühen Neuzeit. Das Heft führt zu - tatsächlich oder in der Erinnerung - heute fast völlig verschwundenen kulturgeschichtlichen Denkmälern.
Measuring behaviour in hens using an ethogram to assess analgesia during further refinement of a high welfare, on-hen, poultry red mite feeding device
Authors: Nunn F. G. , Ewing D. A. , Bartley K. , Palarea-Albaladejo Javier , Chen W. , Price D. R. G. , Nisbet A. J.
Published: June 2023

Background: To refine an on-hen mite feeding device, an ethogram was employed to measure the reactions of hens during a routine experimental procedure (feather plucking) and to assess effects of analgesic cream on those reactions.

Methods: Three experimental groups were used; one treated with EMLA 5% before plucking (“EMLA group”); one with aqueous cream (“placebo group”) and a “no treatment” group. Behaviours were measured and compared on three days: ‘dummy handling day’ i.e. no plucking; ‘plucking day’, plucking the left thigh; and ‘treatment day’ i.e with right thighs plucked post-treatment. Poultry red mite feeding assays were performed to examine effect of creams on mite feeding rates, mortality and fecundity. All data were analysed using generalised linear (mixed) modelling approaches.

Results: Use of the ethogram demonstrated no significant difference in hen behaviours in the EMLA group between dummy handling day and treatment day (p = 0.949) alongside a significant reduction in measured behaviours between plucking day and treatment day in the same group (p = 0.028). There was a statistically significant increase in measured behaviours from the dummy handling day to the plucking day in both placebo (p = 0.011) and no treatment group (p < 0.001). Effect sizes and directions were similar between dummy handling and treatment days in the ‘placebo’ and ‘no treatment’ groups, though not statistically significant (placebo, p = 0.064; no treatment p = 0.069). Mite feeding in the EMLA group was significantly lower than in the no treatment group in feeding assay 1 (p = 0.029) only. Mite mortality and fertility were unaffected.

Conclusions: The ethogram successfully measured changes in observed behaviours between the dummy handling session and procedures. No adverse effects of EMLA cream on hens were demonstrated at 3mg/kg in hens. Use of analgesia for this routine procedure improves hens’ experiences during experimental trials.
A feasibility study for a unified, multimodal analysis of online information foraging in health-related topics
Authors: Zörgő Szilvia , Peters Gjalt-Jorn , Jeney Anna , Shaffer David Williamson , Ruis Andrew R. , Crutzen Rik
Published: June 2023

Background: Digital health literacy (DHL) is the ability to find, understand, and appraise online health-related information, as well as apply it to health behavior. It has become a core competence for navigating online information and health service environments. DHL involves solving ill-structured problems, where the problem and its solution are not clearcut and may have no single answer, such as in the process of sensemaking. We employ and expand on information foraging theory to address how experts and novices in information retrieval perform a search task. Our overarching aim is to pinpoint best practices and pitfalls in understanding and appraising health-related information online to develop a digital intervention to increase DHL and critical thinking.

Methods: In this feasibility study, we recruited a total of twenty participants for our expert and novice subsamples. We collected sociodemographic data with a self-developed survey, video data through an observation protocol of a 10-minute search task, as well as audio-video data via a retrospective think-aloud. The three, multimodal data streams were transcribed and aligned. Codes were developed inductively in several iterations, then applied deductively to the entire dataset. Tabularized, coded and segmented qualitative data were used to create various quantitative models, which demonstrate viability for the qualitative and statistical comparison of our two subsamples.

Results: Data were visualized with Epistemic Network Analysis to analyze code co-occurrences in the three aligned data streams, and with Qualitative/Unified Exploration of State Transitions to examine the order in which participants in our two subsamples encountered online content.

Conclusions:  This paper describes our methods and planned analyses elaborated with mock figures. Quantifying qualitative data, aligning data streams, and representing all information in a tabularized dataset allows us to group data according to various participant attributes and employ data visualization techniques to pinpoint patterns therein.
In memoriam Profesor Stanisław Salmonowicz (1931–2022) i jego badania nad historią Torunia
Authors: Dygdała Jerzy
Published: June 2023

Dnia 24 maja 2022 r. zmarł prof. dr hab. Stanisław Salmonowicz, wybitny historyk prawa i ustroju, badacz europejskiego Oświecenia, historii Polski nowożytnej, a także dziejów Polskiego Państwa Podziemnego lat 1939-1945, specjalizujący się również w historii Pomorza i państwa pruskiego, autor około 1350 prac naukowych, popularnonaukowych i publicystycznych. Wychowanek Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego w Krakowie, gdzie zaczynał swoją karierę naukową, od 1966 r. aż do końca życia, związany był z Toruniem i spora część jego dorobku naukowego poświęcona była historii, nauce i kulturze tego miasta. Należałoby tu zaliczyć blisko 190 pozycji, w tym 11 książek, 78 artykułów naukowych, 47 biogramów, 20 drobniejszych artykułów popularnonaukowych w miejscowej prasie, 8 notatek z kroniki naukowej oraz 13 nekrologów i wspomnień o zmarłych toruńskich kolegach i  przyjaciołach. Szczególne znaczenie mają jego rozprawy poświęcone toruńskiej oświacie i kulturze XVI-XVIII w., a także roli środowisk intelektualnych Torunia w szerzeniu myśli wczesnooświeceniowej w osiemnastowiecznej Rzeczypospolitej.
Informal Payments and Doctor Engagement in an Online Health Community: An Empirical Investigation Using Generalized Synthetic Control
Authors: Wang Qili , Qiu Liangfei , Xu Wei
Published: June 2023

Recognizing the importance of doctor engagement in online health communities (OHCs), managers and platform owners seek to foster doctor-patient interactions and encourage doctors’ knowledge sharing by introducing informal payments. This study investigates how informal payments in the form of monetary gifts affect doctor engagement, using the launch of a gifting feature by a leading OHC as a natural experiment that exogenously provides doctors with extra monetary incentives. We find that informal payments can have a crowding-out effect on doctors’ intrinsic motivation to engage in medical consultations. We also find that monetary and nonmonetary gifts play distinct roles in motivating doctor responses, with nonmonetary gifts having a more significant carryover effect on follow-up interactions and better promoting the doctor-patient relationship. Our findings additionally suggest that social status moderates the impact of digital gifting on doctor engagement. These findings provide useful implications for online health communities that have implemented or are planning to implement digital gifting to stimulate user engagement.
Minimization Fractional Prophet Inequalities for Sequential Procurement
Authors: Qin Junjie , Vardi Shai , Wierman Adam
Published: June 2023

We consider a minimization variant on the classical prophet inequality with monomial cost functions. A firm would like to procure some fixed amount of a divisible commodity from sellers that arrive sequentially. Whenever a seller arrives, the seller’s cost function is revealed, and the firm chooses how much of the commodity to buy. We first show that if one restricts the set of distributions for the coefficients to a family of natural distributions that include, for example, the uniform and truncated normal distributions, then there is a thresholding policy that is asymptotically optimal in the number of sellers. We then compare two scenarios based on whether the firm has in-house production capabilities or not. We precisely compute the optimal algorithm’s competitive ratio when in-house production capabilities exist and for a special case when they do not. We show that the main advantage of the ability to produce the commodity in house is that it shields the firm from price spikes in worst-case scenarios.

Funding: This work was supported by NSF Grants [CNS-2146814, CPS-2136197, CNS-2106403, NGSDI-2105648].
Hyperglycaemia-related visual seizure
Authors: Thu Win Myat , Zaw Hein Htet
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Visual seizure is one of the rare complications of poorly controlled chronic hyperglycaemia. This condition can be debilitating for patients. Early recognition and careful control of hyperglycaemia is vital. Case description: A middle-aged female was found collapsed at her home after missing insulin for several days. She was found to have diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA) and she was started on treatment for DKA. She reported visual hallucinations in the right side of her visual field for a week. Further assessment with EEG and brain MRI suggested an occipital seizure consistent with metabolic disturbances. She was initially started on antiepileptic medication. After strict diabetes control, her symptoms resolved, and she no longer needed antiepileptic treatment. Conclusion: Experiencing diabetes-related seizures can be terrifying both for patients and their family. Early recognition and quick control of hyperglycaemia is important in treating these patients.
Cuidado de Enfermagem e sexualidade em oncologia para o indivíduo penectomizado [Nursing care and sexuality in Oncology for penectomized individuals] [Cuidado de Enfermería y sexualidad en oncología para el individuo que sufrió penectomía]
Authors: Santos Danielle De Jesus leite Cruz dos , Carneiro Sueli , Corrêa Rita da Graça Carvalhal Frazão
Published: June 2023

Objetivo: proporcionar reflexões sobre o cuidado de enfermagem com abordagem à sexualidade para a saúde do homem penectomizado por câncer de pênis. Conteúdo: corresponde a estudo reflexivo construído a partir de leituras em produções científicas sobre o cuidado de Enfermagem e a sexualidade para o paciente oncológico penectomizado, à luz dos pensamentos e pressupostos ontológicos e teóricos de Martin Heidegger. Considerações finais: as novas condições impostas pelo adoecimento por câncer de pênis e o tratamento mutilador, a penectomia, exigem uma Enfermagem que aborde a sexualidade, considerando o indivíduo em sua totalidade e com ênfase no cuidado com perspectiva na profundidade e subjetividade existenciais humanas.ABSTRACTObjective: to provide reflections on nursing care with an approach to sexuality for the health of men undergoing penectomy for penile cancer. Content: reflective study developed from readings in scientific productions on Nursing care and sexuality for the penectomized cancer patient, in the light of Martin Heidegger's ontological and theoretical thoughts and assumptions. Final considerations: the new conditions imposed by illness from penile cancer and the mutilating treatment, penectomy, require Nursing that addresses sexuality, considering the individual in its entirety and with an emphasis on care with a perspective on human existential depth and subjectivity.RESUMENObjetivo: proporcionar reflexiones sobre el cuidado de Enfermería con abordaje a la sexualidad para la salud del hombre que sufrió penectomía por cáncer de pene. Contenido: corresponde a estudio reflexivo construido a partir de lecturas en producciones científicas sobre el cuidado de Enfermería y la sexualidad para el paciente oncológico que sufrió penectomía, a la luz de los pensamientos y presupuestos ontológicos y teóricos de Martin Heidegger. Consideraciones finales: las nuevas condiciones impuestas por la enfermedad por cáncer de pene y el tratamiento mutilador, la penectomía, exigen una Enfermería que aborde la sexualidad, considerando al individuo en su totalidad y con énfasis en el cuidado con perspectiva en la profundidad y subjetividad existenciales humanas.
Hand Hygiene Compliance and Healthcare Associated Infections Trends in a Tertiary Care Children Hospital, in Years 2016-2022
Authors: Ricotta Lara , D’Amore Carmen , Ravà Lucilla , Raponi Massimiliano , Degli Atti Marta Ciofi
Published: June 2023

Healthcare workers hands are the most common vehicle for the transmission of healthcare-associated infections. Hand hygiene is considered the most effective measure for preventing microbial pathogen cross-transmission, and reducing healthcare-associated infections; thus, it’s key to maintain high healthcare workers compliance with this practice.

We calculated trends of compliance to hand hygiene and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) point prevalence in a tertiary care children hospital, in years 2016–2022. We observed a significantly increased hand hygiene compliance from 89.5% (95% CI: 89.1-89.9) in 2016 to 92.1% (95% CI: 91.7-92.4; p<0.001) in 2022. Hand hygiene compliance significantly increased for four out of five moments for hand hygiene, and for most of the professional categories observed. We observed a stable trend of HAIs point prevalence which was 1.8% (95% CI: 0.7-3.6) in 2016, and 2.0% (95% CI:1.0-3.7; p=0.6) in 2022. No significant trends were observed over time stratifying by type of HAIs.

Our results document the increased adherence to hand hygiene in the context of pandemic emergency response, associated to maintenance of low prevalence of HAIs.
Deep learning assisted non-contact defect identification method using diffraction phase microscopy
Authors: Narayan Subrahmanya Keremane , Vithin Allaparthi Venkata Satya , Gannavarpu Rajshekhar
Published: June 2023

Reliable detection of defects from optical fringe patterns is a crucial
problem in non-destructive optical interferometric metrology. In this
work, we propose a deep-learning-based method for fringe pattern
defect identification. By attributing the defect information to the
fringe pattern’s phase gradient, we compute the spatial phase
derivatives using the deep learning model and apply the gradient map
to localize the defect. The robustness of the proposed method is
illustrated on multiple numerically synthesized fringe pattern defects
at various noise levels. Further, the practical utility of the
proposed method is substantiated for experimental defect
identification in diffraction phase microscopy.
Composite scanning mechanism based on an aperiodic optical phased array
Authors: Du Kunyang , Wang Rui , Guo Jin , Li Yuanyang
Published: June 2023

A composite scanning mechanism is proposed based on an aperiodic optical phased array (OPA). The OPA of this scheme has a two-stage scanning mode of sub-aperture multi-beam and single-beam high-resolution scanning. The scanning mode can be adaptively switched according to different environmental conditions. While retaining the advantages of high-speed and multi-target detection of sub-aperture multi-beam steering, a high-resolution scanning of the region of interest is realized. Simultaneously, the array distribution of the phased array is optimized using the adaptive-reference-point-based multi-objective evolutionary algorithm to reduce the grating lobe. The research conducted provides ideas for OPAs in practical applications.
Evaluation of the spatial variation of the refractive index for biospecimens and dielectric samples using reflection and transmission of polarized light
Authors: Das Tania , Bhattacharya Kallol
Published: June 2023

As predicted by the Fresnel equations, the amplitude of light transmitted or reflected by a specimen is a function of the angle of incidence on the sample surface and the refractive indices of the incident medium and the sample. Of these three parameters, if the first two are known, the emerging light potentially contains information about the refractive index variations in the sample. Using this technique, the refractive index distribution in the human red blood cell is demonstrated, where the ratio of transmittivities for s- and p-polarized light is related to the refractive index of the sample through a calibration curve from which the refractive index is quantitatively evaluated for every pixel of the image. The same technique is followed for reflected samples such as a laser-etched glass plate in which the refractive indices of the plate and the etched regions are measured. In each case, the substrate is a glass prism surface so as to avoid having unwanted backreflections reach the detector. Experimental results are presented.
Inference of process variations in silicon photonics from characterization measurements
Authors: Zhang Zhengxing , El-Henawy Sally I. , Ríos Ocampo Carlos A. , Boning Duane S.
Published: June 2023

Understanding process variations and their impact in silicon photonics remains challenging. To achieve high-yield manufacturing, a key step is to extract the magnitude and spatial distribution of process variations in the actual fabrication, which is usually based on measurements of replicated test structures. In this paper, we develop a Bayesian-based method to infer the distribution of systematic geometric variations in silicon photonics, without requiring replication of identical test structures. We apply this method to characterization data from multiple silicon nitride ring resonators with different design parameters. We extract distributions with standard deviation of 28 nm, 0.8 nm, and 3.8 nm for the width, thickness, and partial etch depth, respectively, as well as the spatial maps of these variations. Our results show that this characterization and extraction approach can serve as an efficient method to study process variation in silicon photonics, facilitating the design of high-yield silicon photonic circuits in the future.
Terahertz asymmetric metallic hole arrays with polarization-independent quasi-bound states in the continuum for membrane sensing
Authors: Liu Dejun , Yu Xi , Wu Feng , Du Weijie , Chen Lin , Liu Feng , Kuwahara Makoto , Ono Shingo
Published: June 2023

Resonances with both high-quality factor and polarization-independent characteristics are highly desirable for terahertz (THz) sensing. Here, THz sensors based on asymmetric metallic hole arrays (AMHAs) are experimentally demonstrated. Such sensors consisting of four-hole arrays support polarization-independent quasi-bound states in the continuum (BICs). The induced quasi-BIC presents a quality factor exceeding 2000, which enables enhanced sensing for thin membranes. Results show that the frequency shift is 97.5 GHz for the 25-µm thick polyimide (PI), corresponding to a sensitivity of 147.7 GHz/RIU. The sensing performance strongly relates to the enhanced field originating from sharp quasi-BICs. A maximum field enhancement of 15.88 in contrast to the incident field is achieved. When the PI thickness is large than the decay length of enhanced fields, the interaction strength of field-PI becomes weak, resulting in a saturation effect for the shift of quasi-BICs. The proposed sensor possessing polarization-independent quasi-BICs has great potential for practical sensing applications in real-time chemical and biomolecular.
Mode-independent thermo-optic switch based on the total-internal-reflection effect
Authors: Sun Shijie , Che Yuanhua , Yu Qidong , Xie Yuhang , Lian Tianhang , Sun Xueqing , Wang Xibin , Zhang Daming
Published: June 2023

A broadband mode-independent thermo-optic (TO) switch using the total-internal-reflection (TIR) effect is proposed and experimentally demonstrated on a polymer waveguide platform. By optimizing geometric parameters of the TIR switch, a mode-independent TO switching function with a large bandwidth and extinction ratio can be realized for E11, E12, and E21 modes. The measurement results show an extinction ratio larger than 18.1 dB with a driving power of 160 mW for each mode over the wavelength range of 1500–1620 nm. The designed structure can also be cascaded to form a 1 × N switch network for mode-division multiplexing (MDM) systems, which greatly improves the network flexibility.