bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PRODUCTION AND POST HARVEST OF ‘KENT’ MANGO UNDER DIFFERENT IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
Authors: Simões Welson Lima , Andrade Victor Pimenta , Mouco Maria Aparecida , Silva Jucicléia Soares , Silva Weslley Oliveira
Published: December 2020

Facing the fruit market’s search for more efficient production systems, this research aimed to identify an arrangement of efficient irrigation systems for the productive and postharvest characteristics of ‘Kent’ mango fruits, under the conditions of the Brazilian semiarid. The research was performed in an agricultural property in the municipality of Petrolina-PE, with the soil classified in Quartzarenic Neosol. Four irrigation system arrangements were tested: a micro sprinkler below the canopy; a micro sprinkler between plants; two lateral dripper lines per row of plant; and a ring-shaped drip strip around the plant in a randomized block design with five repetitions. The productive characteristics were evaluated, such as number and average weight of fruits and productivity; and qualitative parameters (evaluated by plant quadrant): volume, density, firmness, soluble solids content and titratable acidity. A micro sprinkler between plants provided a greater number of fruits and productivity, as well as greater firmness and titratable acidity for mangoes of the South and West quadrants; these characteristics associated with the lowest soluble solids content of the pulp, at the time of harvest, was also obtained with a micro sprinkler between plants and induce a longer post harvest time to the fruits.
Iterative multiplane hologram generation with mixed constraint
Authors: Velez-Zea Alejandro
Published: December 2020

In this work, we introduce a mixed complex and phase only constraint to the Gerchberg–Saxton (G–S) algorithm, leading to improvements in the generation of holograms from multiplane light field distributions. To achieve this, we determine the optimal weight factor for the complex and phase only part of a light field in every plane to achieve the best accuracy. We also demonstrate how this approach can be used to generate encrypted holograms that can only be reconstructed by illumination with a determined phase profile. In this way, we enable the possibility for secure, high-quality multiplane projection and display. We show numerical results for the generation of standard and encrypted seven-plane holograms, as well as the comparison with the conventional G–S algorithm.
Imaging the magnetic field distribution of a micro-wire with the nitrogen-vacancycolor center ensemble in diamond
Authors: Wang Tianyu , Li Zhonghao , Zhao Rui , Guo Qi , Li Xin , Guo Hao , Wen Huanfei , Tang Jun , Liu Jun
Published: December 2020

Imaging the high-precision magnetic distribution generated by the surface current of chips and chip-like structures is an important way to measure thermal parameters of core components. Based on a high-concentration nitrogen-vacancy color center ensemble in diamond, the imaging magnetic field distribution is performed in a wide-field microscope. The magnetic vector detection and reduction model is verified first with continuous wave optical detection of magnetic resonance technology. By systematically measuring the distribution of the electromagnetic field generated on the surface of the micro-wire under different microwave power and different laser power conditions, the imaging quality of the wide-field imaging system can be optimized by adjusting the experimental parameters. Then, the electromagnetic field distribution imaging on the wire surface under different current intensities is obtained. In this way, accurate measurement and characterization of the magnetic distribution on the surface of the micro-wire is realized. Finally, at the field of view in the range of

480

µ

m

×
270

µ

m

, the magnetic intensity is an accurate characterization in 0.5–10 Gs, and the magnetic detection sensitivity can be increased from 100 to

20

µ

T

/

H
z

1

/

2

. The results show the accurate magnetic distribution imaging for chips and chip-like structures, which provide a new method for chip function detection and fault diagnosis based on precision quantum measurement technology.
Accurate reconstruction of polarization parameters for channeled spectroscopic Stokes polarimeters
Authors: Dai Hu , Li Detian , Yang Bin , Zhang Junqiang
Published: December 2020

In this work, we present an accurate polarization reconstruction method based on the coherence demodulation technique, which is different from the previous windowing method operating in the optical path difference domain. The proposed method uses a signal multiplier and a low-pass filter to reconstruct Stokes parameters without performing any Fourier transform. Because this method does not require a Fourier transform, the Stokes reconstruction could be finished in the spectral domain. For calibrating the waveplate phase error, coherence demodulation allows for establishing an analytical model to describe the influence of waveplate imperfections on the polarization measurement process. The phase error will result in a channel shift and Fourier broadening, both of which cause serious errors during Stokes reconstruction. With the model, a method based on a linear polarizer was proposed for calibrating the phase deviation of waveplate. After that, the accurate reconstruction of polarization parameters could be achieved. An experiment was performed to check the ability of the proposed method. The experimental result showed that it has the same excellent performance of reconstructing Stokes parameters using the traditional windowing method. Finally, a series of simulations was carried out to verify the robustness of this method, which showed that the reconstruction technique is robust to misalignment and additional noise.
Compact 200 line MATLAB code for inverse design in photonics by topology optimization: tutorial
Authors: Christiansen Rasmus E. , Sigmund Ole
Published: December 2020

We provide a compact 200 line MATLAB code demonstrating how topology optimization (TopOpt) as an inverse design tool may be used in photonics, targeting the design of two-dimensional dielectric metalenses and a metallic reflector as examples. The physics model is solved using the finite element method, and the code utilizes MATLAB’s fmincon algorithm to solve the optimization problem. In addition to presenting the code itself, we briefly discuss a number of extensions and provide the code required to implement some of these. Finally, we demonstrate the superiority of using a gradient-based method compared to a genetic-algorithm-based method (using MATLAB’s ga algorithm) for solving inverse design problems in photonics. The MATLAB software is freely available in the paper and may be downloaded from https://www.topopt.mek.dtu.dk.
Inverse design in photonics by topology optimization: tutorial
Authors: Christiansen Rasmus E. , Sigmund Ole
Published: December 2020

Topology optimization (TopOpt) methods for inverse design of nano-photonic systems have recently become extremely popular and are presented in various forms and under various names. Approaches comprise gradient- and non-gradient-based algorithms combined with more or less systematic ways to improve convergence, discreteness of solutions, and satisfaction of manufacturing constraints. We here provide a tutorial for the systematic and efficient design of nano-photonic structures by TopOpt. The implementation is based on the advanced and systematic approaches developed in TopOpt for structural optimization during the last three decades. The tutorial presents a step-by-step guide for deriving the continuous constrained optimization problem forming the foundation of the TopOpt method, using a cylindrical metalens design problem as an example. It demonstrates the effect and necessity of applying a number of auxiliary tools in the design process to ensure good numerical modeling practice and to achieve physically realizable designs. Application examples also include an optical demultiplexer.
Optoretinography of individual human cone photoreceptors
Authors: Cooper Robert F , Brainard David H , Morgan Jessica I. W.
Published: December 2020

Photoreceptors mediate the first step of vision, transducing light and passing signals to retinal neurons that ultimately send signals along the optic nerve to the brain. A functional deficiency in the photoreceptors, due to either congenital or acquired disease, can significantly affect an individual’s sight and quality of life. Methods for quantifying the health and function of photoreceptors are essential for understanding both the progression of disease and the efficacy of treatment. Given that emerging treatments such as gene, stem cell, and small molecule therapy are designed to operate at the cellular scale, it is desirable to monitor function at the commensurate resolution of individual photoreceptors. Previously, non-invasive imaging methods for visualizing photoreceptor mosaic structure have been used to infer photoreceptor health, but these methods do not assess function directly. Conversely, most functional techniques, such as ERG and conventional microperimetry, measure function by aggregating the effects of signals from many photoreceptors. We have previously shown that stimulus-evoked intrinsic changes in intensity can be measured reliably in populations of cone photoreceptors in the intact human eye, a measurement we refer to more generally as the cone optoretinogram. Here we report that we can resolve the intensity optoretinogram at the level of individual cones. Moreover, we show that the individual cone optoretinogram exhibits two key signatures expected of a functional measure. First, responses in individual cones increase systematically as a function of stimulus irradiance. Second, we can use the amplitude of the functional response to middle wavelength (545 nm) light to separate the population of short-wavelength-sensitive (S) cones from the population of middle- and long-wavelength-sensitive (L and M) cones. Our results demonstrate the promise of optoretinography as a direct diagnostic measure of individual cone function in the living human eye.
Power optimization for phase quantization with SOAs using the gain extinction ratio
Authors: Sobhanan Aneesh , Iyer Arjun , Anthur Aravind , Agrawal Govind P. , Barry Liam P. , Venkitesh Deepa
Published: December 2020

Phase-sensitive amplifiers (PSAs) can work as M − level phase quantizers when waves generated with specific phase values are allowed to mix coherently in a nonlinear medium. The quality of an M − level phase quantizer depends on the relative powers of the mixing waves and requires their optimization. If the mixing waves also experience gain in the nonlinear medium, such as in semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs), this optimization becomes non-trivial. In this paper, we present a general method to optimize phase quantization using a PSA made using an SOA, based on gain extinction ratio (GER), which is an experimentally measurable quantity. We present a simple theory to derive the optimal GER required to achieve an M −level quantization. We further experimentally demonstrate two- and four-level phase quantization schemes with an SOA, operated at the optimized GER, with pump power levels as low as 1 mW.
Monte-Carlo simulations of multimode speckle noise in photonic summation devices
Authors: Nickel Daniel V.
Published: December 2020

Monte-Carlo simulations of optical speckle noise are performed to predict the range of gain fluctuations for photonic devices which multiplex many single-moded inputs into single multimode waveguides. Here, two waveguides are simulated which bound the cases of interest: a few mode fiber and a standard multimode fiber. When fully-excited and after spatial-filtering by a 10µm photodiode, the former’s gain variations can range up to the mean value of the gain itself, ΔG ≈ 〈G〉, whereas for the latter, ΔG ≈ 3.4〈G〉. In certain cases, ΔG can be reduced by offsetting the photodiode relative to the waveguide, results which cannot be predicted using standard analytical speckle noise theories.
Green-pumped continuous-wave parametric oscillator based on
fanout–grating MgO:PPLN: publisher’s note
Authors: Sukeert  , Chaitanya Kumar S. , Ebrahim-Zadeh M.
Published: December 2020

This publisher’s note contains corrections to Opt. Lett. 45, 6486 (2020)OPLEDP0146-959210.1364/OL.404979.
High resolution ZrF4-fiber-delivered multi-species infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Johnson Kerr , Castro-Marin Pablo , Kara Oguzhan , Farrell Carl , Reid Derryck T.
Published: December 2020

Using coherent broadband mid-infrared light from a picosecond optical parametric oscillator we introduce a flexible, easy to use, high-resolution technique which can be utilized to conduct remote stand-off, or fiber delivered, multi-species spectroscopy in a spectroscopically cluttered environment. In particular, both narrow line-like and broad continuum-like species can be handled simultaneously. If only species with narrow line-like absorptions are present, this can be done without the need for an explicit reference spectrum. We demonstrate the approach by performing absorption spectroscopy of H2O, CH4, CH3OH and C2H7NO (MEA) at high optical resolution (≈0.033 cm−1) and via fiber delivery, opening the possibility of conducting multi-species spectroscopy in remote and hazardous environments. Spectral co-fitting of all absorption features and of the spectrum of the light-source provides a robust means of determining species concentrations, with detection limits of 290 ppb and 890 ppb obtained for CH4 and MEA respectively using a 10.5-m Herriott cell and 32 seconds measurement time.
Gene regulatory effects of a large chromosomal inversion in highland maize
Authors: Crow Taylor , Ta James , Nojoomi Saghi , Aguilar-Rangel M. Rocío , Torres Rodríguez Jorge Vladimir , Gates Daniel , Rellán-Álvarez Rubén , Sawers Ruairidh , Runcie Daniel
Published: December 2020

Chromosomal inversions play an important role in local adaptation. Inversions can capture multiple locally adaptive functional variants in a linked block by repressing recombination. However, this recombination suppression makes it difficult to identify the genetic mechanisms underlying an inversion’s role in adaptation. In this study, we used large-scale transcriptomic data to dissect the functional importance of a 13 Mb inversion locus (Inv4m) found almost exclusively in highland populations of maize (Zea mays ssp. mays). Inv4m was introgressed into highland maize from the wild relative Zea mays ssp. mexicana, also present in the highlands of Mexico, and is thought to be important for the adaptation of these populations to cultivation in highland environments. However, the specific genetic variants and traits that underlie this adaptation are not known. We created two families segregating for the standard and inverted haplotypes of Inv4m in a common genetic background and measured gene expression effects associated with the inversion across 9 tissues in two experimental conditions. With these data, we quantified both the global transcriptomic effects of the highland Inv4m haplotype, and the local cis-regulatory variation present within the locus. We found diverse physiological effects of Inv4m across the 9 tissues, including a strong effect on the expression of genes involved in photosynthesis and chloroplast physiology. Although we could not confidently identify the causal alleles within Inv4m, this research accelerates progress towards understanding this inversion and will guide future research on these important genomic features.
Vector competence of Aedes aegypti from Havana, Cuba, for dengue virus type 1, chikungunya, and Zika viruses
Authors: Gutiérrez-Bugallo Gladys , Boullis Antoine , Martinez Yanet , Hery Lyza , Rodríguez Magdalena , Bisset Juan A. , Vega-Rúa Anubis
Published: December 2020

Background

Like many countries from the Americas, Cuba is threatened by Aedes aegypti-associated arboviruses such as dengue (DENV), Zika (ZIKV), and chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses. Curiously, when CHIKV was actively circulating in the region in 2013–2014, no autochthonous transmission of this virus was detected in Havana, Cuba, despite the importation of chikungunya cases into this city. To investigate if the transmission ability of local mosquito populations could explain this epidemiological scenario, we evaluated for the first time the vector competence of two Ae. aegypti populations (Pasteur and Párraga) collected from Havana for dengue virus type 1 (DENV-1), CHIKV, and ZIKV.

Methodology/Principal findings

Mosquito populations were fed separately using blood containing ZIKV, DENV-1, or CHIKV. Infection, dissemination, and transmission rates, were estimated at 3 (exclusively for CHIKV), 7, and 14 days post exposure (dpe) for each Ae. aegypti population-virus combination. Both mosquito populations were susceptible to DENV-1 and ZIKV, with viral infection and dissemination rates ranging from 24–97% and 6–67% respectively. In addition, CHIKV disseminated in both populations and was subsequently transmitted. Transmission rates were low (<30%) regardless of the mosquito population/virus combination and no ZIKV was detected in saliva of females from the Pasteur population at any dpe.

Conclusions/Significance

Our study demonstrated the ability of Ae. aegypti from Cuba to transmit DENV, ZIKV, and CHIKV. These results, along with the widespread distribution and high abundance of this species in the urban settings throughout the island, highlight the importance of Ae. aegypti control and arbovirus surveillance to prevent future outbreaks.
The effect of a ketogenic diet and synergy with rapamycin in a mouse model of breast cancer
Authors: Zou Yiyu , Fineberg Susan , Pearlman Alexander , Feinman Richard D. , Fine Eugene J.
Published: December 2020

Background

The effects of diet in cancer, in general, and breast cancer in particular, are not well understood. Insulin inhibition in ketogenic, high fat diets, modulate downstream signaling molecules and are postulated to have therapeutic benefits. Obesity and diabetes have been associated with higher incidence of breast cancer. Addition of anti-cancer drugs together with diet is also not well studied.

Methods

Two diets, one ketogenic, the other standard mouse chow, were tested in a spontaneous breast cancer model in 34 mice. Subgroups of 3–9 mice were assigned, in which the diet were implemented either with or without added rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor and potential anti-cancer drug.

Results

Blood glucose and insulin concentrations in mice ingesting the ketogenic diet (KD) were significantly lower, whereas beta hydroxybutyrate (BHB) levels were significantly higher, respectively, than in mice on the standard diet (SD). Growth of primary breast tumors and lung metastases were inhibited, and lifespans were longer in the KD mice compared to mice on the SD (p<0.005). Rapamycin improved survival in both mouse diet groups, but when combined with the KD was more effective than when combined with the SD.

Conclusions

The study provides proof of principle that a ketogenic diet a) results in serum insulin reduction and ketosis in a spontaneous breast cancer mouse model; b) can serve as a therapeutic anti-cancer agent; and c) can enhance the effects of rapamycin, an anti-cancer drug, permitting dose reduction for comparable effect. Further, the ketogenic diet in this model produces superior cancer control than standard mouse chow whether with or without added rapamycin.
Experimental and computational evaluation of kolliphor RH 40 as a new fluorescence enhancer in development of a micellar-based spectrofluorimetric method for determination of lapatinib in tablets and urine
Authors: Darwish Hany W. , Bakheit Ahmed H. , Al-shakliah Nasser S. , Rahman A. F. M. Motiur , Darwish Ibrahim A.
Published: December 2020

This study describes, for the first time, the experimental and computational investigations for evaluation of kolliphor RH 40 as a fluorescence enhancer surfactant in development of a spectrofluorimetric method for determination of lapatinib (LAP), a tyrosine kinase-inhibitor drug approved for targeted therapy of breast cancer. The investigations involved the ability of kolliphor RH 40 to form micelles with LAP and its enhancing effect on the weak native fluorescence of LAP at 420 nm after its excitation at 292 nm. Different variables were experimentally investigated: types of organized media, diluting solvent, buffer type and its pH value. The optimum values of the most influencing variables on the interaction of kolliphor RH 40 with LAP were refined by the computational response surface methodology (RSM). Under the optimized conditions, it was found that kolliphor RH 40 forms micelles with LAP, and its fluorescence enhancing ability was higher than other surfactants tested by ~ 10-folds. This micellar-enhanced effect of kolliphor RH 40 was employed in the development of a new sensitive spectrofluorimetric method for the accurate determination of LAP. The method was validated according to the guidelines of the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) for validation of analytical procedures. The relative fluorescence intensity (RFI) was in excellent linear relationship (correlation coefficient was 0.998) with the LAP concentrations in the range of 50–1000 ng/mL. The method limit of detection (LOD) was 27.31 ng/mL and its accuracy was ≥ 99.82%. The method was successfully applied to the determination of LAP in its pharmaceutical tablets, tablets dissolution testing and content uniformity. The method application was extended to the determination of LAP in urine samples with an accuracy of 99.82 ± 3.45%. The method is considered as an eco-friendly green approach and more efficient alternative method to the existing analytical methodologies for determination of LAP.
A study to assess current approaches of allergists in European countries diagnosing and managing children and adolescents with peanut allergy
Authors: Sharma Vibha , Jobrack Jennifer , Cerenzia Wendy , Tilles Stephen , Ryan Robert , Sih-Meynier Regina , Zeitler Stefan , Manning Michael
Published: December 2020

Rationale

Food allergy is documented to result in considerable morbidity, negative impact on quality of life, and substantial medical care costs. Although anecdotal data suggest widely varying practices in the diagnosis and management of food allergies, the diversity and relative frequency of these practices have not been documented.

Methods

A questionnaire was developed evaluating allergists’ management approaches of individuals with peanut allergy (PA) in Germany (DE), France (FR), and the United Kingdom (UK).

Results

Here, we report the survey results from a total of 109 allergists from DE, FR and the UK. They reported to confirm PA at initial diagnosis using skin prick test (≥60%), while allergists from DE and FR reported using allergen-specific IgE testing more (>86%) compared to the UK (<50%). At initial diagnosis, oral food challenge was used less in DE (13%) and FR (14%) and very rarely in the UK (3%) to confirm diagnosis. Recognition of acute reactions, use of adrenaline auto-injectors and allergen avoidance were reported to be discussed with the patient/caregiver at the initial office visit by most allergists (>75%). Half of the responders reported assessing the patient’s quality of life. 63% allergists reported retesting for PA resolution at a later date, with 45% allergists indicated to recommend ingestion of a normal serving of peanut regularly upon resolution. Lack of effective PA treatment was reported to be a ‘very significant’ barrier for optimal PA treatment, with allergists being less than ‘moderately familiar’ with data from clinical trials testing new treatments options for PA. Lastly, allergists stated that the severity of patient’s PA ranked as the most important factor in their decision to recommend oral immunotherapy for PA treatment.

Conclusions

This survey provides essential insights into the practice of allergists and highlights some areas that would inform strategies for education and improving PA healthcare.
Patent citation network analysis: A perspective from descriptive statistics and ERGMs
Authors: Chakraborty Manajit , Byshkin Maksym , Crestani Fabio
Published: December 2020

Patent Citation Analysis has been gaining considerable traction over the past few decades. In this paper, we collect extensive information on patents and citations and provide a perspective of citation network analysis of patents from a statistical viewpoint. We identify and analyze the most cited patents, the most innovative and the highly cited companies along with the structural properties of the network by providing in-depth descriptive analysis. Furthermore, we employ Exponential Random Graph Models (ERGMs) to analyze the citation networks. ERGMs enables understanding the social perspectives of a patent citation network which has not been studied earlier. We demonstrate that social properties such as homophily (the inclination to cite patents from the same country or in the same language) and transitivity (the inclination to cite references’ references) together with the technicalities of the patents (e.g., language, categories), has a significant effect on citations. We also provide an in-depth analysis of citations for sectors in patents and how it is affected by the size of the same. Overall, our paper delves into European patents with the aim of providing new insights and serves as an account for fitting ERGMs on large networks and analyzing them. ERGMs help us model network mechanisms directly, instead of acting as a proxy for unspecified dependence and relationships among the observations.
TST conversions and systemic interferon-gamma increase after methotrexate introduction in psoriasis patients
Authors: de Medeiros Vanessa Lucília Silveira , Santos Fabiana Cristina Fulco , Montenegro Lílian Maria Lapa , Silva Maria da Conceição , Souza Valdênia Maria Oliveira de , Lima Neto Reginaldo Gonçalvez de , Moura Líbia Cristina Rocha Vilela , Magalhães Vera
Published: December 2020

Background

Tuberculosis screening in psoriasis patients is complex due to the immunological alterations associated with psoriasis, the presence of comorbidities, and the effect of immunosuppressive treatment. However, it is not established whether the results of screening tests are affected by these factors in psoriasis patients.

Objectives

To determine whether there is a change in the results of the tuberculin skin test (TST) or the interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) in psoriasis patients living in tuberculosis (TB)-endemic area after 12 weeks of methotrexate (MTX) treatment and to investigate the association of the test results with clinical and inflammatory markers.

Methods

Forty-five patients were selected for a prospective single-arm self-controlled study and followed for at least 18 months. The TST, IGRA, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), and inflammatory factors (erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels), were determined before and after 12 weeks of oral 15 mg per week MTX administration and compared. The associations between the IGRA and TST results were verified before and after treatment according to inflammatory factors and clinical characteristics (age, blood glucose, weight, body mass index, disease duration, and PASI).

Results

We collected data on 25 patients who completed the full course of therapy and the follow-up. None of the patients developed TB. TST positivity was significantly elevated at week 12 (25% baseline vs 44% at week 12, P < 0.037). Three IGRAs followed the TST conversions. There was no difference between TST and IGRA pre- or posttreatment. Serum IFN-γ increased significantly in week 12 (15.95 pg/ml baseline vs 18.82 pg/ml at week 12, P < 0.005) and tended to be higher among TST-positive patients (P = 0.072). The baseline IGRA was associated with a higher ESR (P = 0.038). None of the test results were associated with clinical characteristics.

Conclusions

In addition to the classic booster effect, TST conversions in patients using MTX can occur due to an increase in IFN-γ. However, it is not possible to exclude true TST conversions. Therefore, other diagnostic methods, like IGRA or chest tomography, should be used when the TST has intermediate results.
Automated technique for high-pressure water-based window cleaning and accompanying parametric study
Authors: Lee Youngjoo , Kwon Daesung , Park Changmin , Seo Myoungjae , Seo TaeWon
Published: December 2020

The maintenance of buildings has become an important issue with the construction of many high-rise buildings in recent years. However, the cleaning of the outer walls of buildings is performed in highly hazardous environments over long periods, and many accidents occur each year. Various robots are being studied and developed to reduce these incidents and to relieve workers from hazardous tasks. Herein, we propose a method of spraying high-pressure water using a pump and nozzle, which differs from conventional methods. The cleaning performance parameters, such as water pressure, spray angle, and spray distance, were optimized using the Taguchi method. Cleaning experiments were performed on window specimens that were contaminated artificially. The cleaning performance of the proposed method was evaluated using the image-evaluation method. The optimum condition was determined based on the results of a sensitive analysis performed on the image data. In addition, the reaction force due to high pressure and impact force on the specimens were investigated. These forces were not sufficient to affect the propeller thrust or cause damage to the building’s surface. We expect to perform field tests in the near future based on the output of this research.
Factors influencing pregnancy planning of multi-ethnic Asian women with diabetes: A qualitative study
Authors: Z. I. Irmi , C. J. Ng , P. Y. Lee , N. Hussein
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Pregnancy planning varies among women with diabetes. Observing that the literature examining the factors affecting diabetic women’s pregnancy intentions in multi-ethnic Asian populations is limited, we sought to explore these factors to give a better perspective on these women’s pregnancy planning.

Methods

This qualitative study used individual in-depth interviews to capture the views and experiences of non-pregnant diabetic women of reproductive age in four public health clinics in a southwestern state of peninsular Malaysia from May 2016 to February 2017. The participants were purposively sampled according to ethnicity and were interviewed using a semi-structured topic guide. Interviews were audio-recorded, and transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

From the 33 interviews that were analysed, four important factors influencing participants’ decisions regarding pregnancy planning were identified. Participants’ perception of poor pregnancy outcomes due to advanced age and medical condition was found to have an impact. However, despite these fears and negative relationships with doctors, personal, family and cultural influences supported by religious ‘up to God’ beliefs took centre stage in the pregnancy intention of some participants. Participants demonstrated a variety of understandings of pregnancy planning. They outlined some activities for pregnancy preparation, although many also reported limited engagement with pre-pregnancy care.

Conclusions

This study emphasised the known dilemma experienced by diabetic women considering their desire for an ideal family structure against their perceived pregnancy risks, heterogeneous religious beliefs and the impact of cultural demands on pregnancy intention. This study urges healthcare providers to increase their engagement with the women in pregnancy planning in a more personalised approach.
Seasonal evaluation of spermatogenesis of the hematophagous bat Desmodus rotundus in the Caatinga biome
Authors: Silva Soraia F. M. , Oliveira Laryssa C. A. , Dias Fernanda C. R. , Cordero-Schmidt Eugenia , Vargas-Mena Juan C. , Silva Ingrid G. M. , Báo Sônia N. , Luna João L. S. , Lima Ruthnaldo R. M. , Júnior Raimundo F. A. , Farias Naisandra B. S. , Moura Carlos E. B. , Matta Sérgio L. P. , Morais Danielle B.
Published: December 2020

This study was aimed to characterize the spermatogenic process and its seasonal variation inDesmodus rotundus, in the Caatinga biome, a water-limited ecosystem, with marked water restriction during most of the year. Collections of adult animals were performed during the dry and rainy seasons, and after euthanasia, their testes were processed histologically to perform morphological, morphometric, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical analyzes. The percentage of seminiferous epithelium, number of Leydig cells per gram of testis, and population of Sertoli cells and A-type spermatogonia presented byD.rotunduswere significantly higher in the rainy season, while the percentage of lumen, mitotic index, support capacity performed by Sertoli cells, and overall yield of spermatogenesis were higher in the dry season. The ultrastructure of spermatogenesis was similar to that described in other mammals, and the immunohistochemical analysis revealed activity of the aromatase enzyme in Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, spermatocytes and spermatids, as well as the presence of androgen receptors in Sertoli cells and Leydig cells. FGF2 activity was detected in primary spermatocytes in zygotene and pachytene, as well as secondary spermatocytes and rounded and elongated spermatids, while the BCL-2 protein was expressed in primary spermatocytes in zygotene and pachytene, secondary spermatocytes, and rounded spermatids. The activity of these molecules was similar in both seasons, and associated with the morphometric findings, indicates maintenance in the integrity of the seminiferous epithelium throughout the year. The seasonal study ofD.rotundusspermatogenesis indicates a continuous spermatogenesis pattern and suggests a greater production of spermatozoa in the rainy season in the Caatinga biome.
Lockdown, relaxation, and acme period in COVID-19: A study of disease dynamics in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
Authors: Tocto-Erazo Mayra R. , Espíndola-Zepeda Jorge A. , Montoya-Laos José A. , Acuña-Zegarra Manuel A. , Olmos-Liceaga Daniel , Reyes-Castro Pablo A. , Figueroa-Preciado Gudelia
Published: December 2020

Lockdown and social distancing measures have been implemented for many countries to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent overwhelming of health services. However, success on this strategy depends not only on the timing of its implementation, but also on the relaxation measures adopted within each community. We developed a mathematical model to evaluate the impacts of the lockdown implemented in Hermosillo, Mexico. We compared this intervention with some hypothetical ones, varying the starting date and also the population proportion that is released, breaking the confinement. A Monte Carlo study was performed by considering three scenarios to define our baseline dynamics. Results showed that a hypothetical delay of two weeks, on the lockdown measures, would result in an early acme around May 9 for hospitalization prevalence and an increase on cumulative deaths, 42 times higher by May 31, when compared to baseline. On the other hand, results concerning relaxation dynamics showed that the acme levels depend on the proportion of people who gets back to daily activities as well as the individual behavior with respect to prevention measures. Analysis regarding different relaxing mitigation measures were provided to the Sonoran Health Ministry, as requested. It is important to stress that, according to information provided by health authorities, the acme occurring time was closed to the one given by our model. Hence, we considered that our model resulted useful for the decision-making assessment, and that an extension of it can be used for the study of a potential second wave.
Retention of Pantoea agglomerans Sc1R across stadia of the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)
Authors: Esquivel Jesus F. , Medrano Enrique G.
Published: December 2020

Southern green stink bug [Nezara viridula (L.)] adults and other pentatomid pests can transmit pathogens (e.g., the bacterium Pantoea agglomerans) that cause disease in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and other high-value cash crops worldwide. First instars of N. viridula were recently shown to ingest P. agglomerans strain Sc1R with rifampicin-resistance, and to retain the pathogen to the 2nd instar. The objective of this study was to determine the acquisition of P. agglomerans Sc1R by early instars of N. viridula and determine persistence of P. agglomerans Sc1R across subsequent stadia. In three trials, early instars (1st and 2nd) were exposed to P. agglomerans Sc1R and subsequently maintained to adulthood; cohorts were sampled at 3rd and 5th instars, as well as adults. In every trial, P. agglomerans Sc1R was detected in all stadia, including adults, but significantly higher frequencies of infection than expected were observed at the initial stage of infection (either 1st or 2nd instar). Higher densities of P. agglomerans Sc1R were detected in 1st and 2nd instars, and lower densities were observed in subsequent stadia. Densities of innate microbiota were generally lower when the initial stage of exposure was at 1st instar than when the initial stage of exposure was at the 2nd instar. Overall, half of the adults possessed P. agglomerans Sc1R. These findings demonstrated that N. viridula nymphs can acquire P. agglomerans Sc1R and retain the pathogen to adulthood. Potential avenues of research to further elucidate the implications of nymphs harboring pathogens to adulthood are discussed.
River state classification combining patch-based processing and CNN
Authors: Oga Takahiro , Harakawa Ryosuke , Minewaki Sayaka , Umeki Yo , Matsuda Yoko , Iwahashi Masahiro
Published: December 2020

This paper proposes a method for classifying the river state (a flood risk exists or not) from river surveillance camera images by combining patch-based processing and a convolutional neural network (CNN). Although CNN needs much training data, the number of river surveillance camera images is limited because flood does not frequently occur. Also, river surveillance camera images include objects that are irrelevant to the flood risk. Therefore, the direct use of CNN may not work well for the river state classification. To overcome this limitation, this paper develops patch-based processing for adjusting CNN to the river state classification. By increasing training data via the patch segmentation of an image and selecting patches that are relevant to the river state, the adjustment of general CNNs to the river state classification becomes feasible. The proposed patch-based processing and CNN are developed independently. This yields the practical merits that any CNN can be used according to each user’s purposes, and the maintenance and improvement of each component of the whole system can be easily performed. In the experiment, river state classification is defined as the following problems using two datasets, to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. First, river images from the public dataset calledPlacesare classified to images withMuddylabels and images withClearlabels. Second, images from the river surveillance camera in Nagaoka City, Japan are classified to images captured when the government announced heavy rain or flood warning and the other images.
Prevalence of prelacteal feeding and associated risk factors in Indonesia: Evidence from the 2017 Indonesia Demographic Health Survey
Authors: Rahmartani Lhuri D. , Carson Claire , Quigley Maria A.
Published: December 2020

Background

Prelacteal feeding (PLF) is a recognised challenge to optimal breastfeeding but remains common in Indonesia. Meanwhile, PLF-related epidemiological research is limited, particularly in this setting. This study examines the prevalence and determinants of overall PLF as well as common PLF types (formula, other milk, and honey) in Indonesia.

Methods

Data from 6127 mothers whose last child was ≤23-month-old were drawn from the 2017 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey. Multivariable modified Poisson regression was used to measure the prevalence ratio (PR) for selected PLF risk factors. PLF was defined as anything to drink other than breast milk within three days after birth, before breastmilk flows. Additional analyses were performed on mothers who gave formula, other milk, and honey.

Results

About 45% babies in Indonesia received PLF with formula being the most frequent (25%), followed by other milk (14%), plain water (5%), and honey (3%). Factors associated with higher prevalence of any PLF were higher wealth quintiles in rural area (PR 1.07; 95% CI 1.03–1.11 per increase in quintile), baby perceived to be small at birth (PR 1.23; 95% CI 1.12–1.35), caesarean deliveries at either public (PR 1.27; 95% CI 1.13–1.44) or private facilities (PR 1.15; 95% CI 1.01–1.31), and not having immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth (PR 1.32; 95% CI 1.23–1.42). PLF was less prevalent among mothers who gave birth to second/subsequent child (PR 0.82; 95% CI 0.76–0.88) and who had an antenatal card (PR 0.89; 95% CI 0.80–0.99). These patterns did not apply uniformly across all PLF types. For example, honey was more common among home births than deliveries at health facilities, but formula and other milk were more common among caesarean deliveries.

Conclusions

Mapping risk factors for PLF, especially by types, could help to design more targeted interventions to reduce PLF and improve breastfeeding practices in Indonesia.
A biomathematical model of immune response and barrier function in mice with pneumococcal lung infection
Authors: Schirm Sibylle , Ahnert Peter , Berger Sarah , Nouailles Geraldine , Wienhold Sandra-Maria , Müller-Redetzky Holger , Suttorp Norbert , Loeffler Markus , Witzenrath Martin , Scholz Markus
Published: December 2020

Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The course of the disease is often highly dynamic with unforeseen critical deterioration within hours in a relevant proportion of patients. Besides antibiotic treatment, novel adjunctive therapies are under development. Their additive value needs to be explored in preclinical and clinical studies and corresponding therapy schedules require optimization prior to introduction into clinical practice. Biomathematical modeling of the underlying disease and therapy processes might be a useful aid to support these processes. We here propose a biomathematical model of murine immune response during infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae aiming at predicting the outcome of different treatment schedules. The model consists of a number of non-linear ordinary differential equations describing the dynamics and interactions of the pulmonal pneumococcal population and relevant cells of the innate immune response, namely alveolar- and inflammatory macrophages and neutrophils. The cytokines IL-6 and IL-10 and the chemokines CCL2, CXCL1 and CXCL5 are considered as major mediators of the immune response. We also model the invasion of peripheral blood monocytes, their differentiation into macrophages and bacterial penetration through the epithelial barrier causing blood stream infections. We impose therapy effects on this system by modelling antibiotic therapy and treatment with the novel C5a-inactivator NOX-D19. All equations are derived by translating known biological mechanisms into equations and assuming appropriate response kinetics. Unknown model parameters were determined by fitting the predictions of the model to time series data derived from mice experiments with close-meshed time series of state parameters. Parameter fittings resulted in a good agreement of model and data for the experimental scenarios. The model can be used to predict the performance of alternative schedules of combined antibiotic and NOX-D19 treatment. We conclude that we established a comprehensive biomathematical model of pneumococcal lung infection, immune response and barrier function in mice allowing simulations of new treatment schedules. We aim to validate the model on the basis of further experimental data. We also plan the inclusion of further novel therapy principles and the translation of the model to the human situation in the near future.
Identification of superior parental lines for biparental crossing via genomic prediction
Authors: Chung Ping-Yuan , Liao Chen-Tuo
Published: December 2020

A parental selection approach based on genomic prediction has been developed to help plant breeders identify a set of superior parental lines from a candidate population before conducting field trials. A classical parental selection approach based on genomic prediction usually involves truncation selection, i.e., selecting the top fraction of accessions on the basis of their genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs). However, truncation selection inevitably results in the loss of genomic diversity during the breeding process. To preserve genomic diversity, the selection of closely related accessions should be avoided during parental selection. We thus propose a new index to quantify the genomic diversity for a set of candidate accessions, and analyze two real rice (Oryza sativaL.) genome datasets to compare several selection strategies. Our results showed that the pure truncation selection strategy produced the best starting breeding value but the least genomic diversity in the base population, leading to less genetic gain. On the other hand, strategies that considered only genomic diversity resulted in greater genomic diversity but less favorable starting breeding values, leading to more genetic gain but unsatisfactorily performing recombination inbred lines (RILs) in progeny populations. Among all strategies investigated in this study, compromised strategies, which considered both GEBVs and genomic diversity, produced the best or second-best performing RILs mainly because these strategies balance the starting breeding value with the maintenance of genomic diversity.