bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attenuated Total Reflection at THz Wavelengths: Peculiarities of Total Internal Reflection and Polariscopy
Authors: Ryu Meguya , Ng Soon Hock , Anand Vijayakumar , Lundgaard Stefan , Hu Jingwen , Katkus Tomas , Appadoo Dominique , Vilagosh Zoltan , Wood Andrew , Juodkazis Saulius , Morikawa Junko
Published: June 2021

Capabilities of the Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) at THz wavelengths for increased sub-surface depth characterisation of (bio-)materials is presented. The penetration depth of a THz evanescent wave in biological samples is dependent on the wavelength and temperature and can reach 0.1-0.5 mm depth due to strong refractive index change ∼0.4 of the ice-water transition; this is quite significant and important when studying biological samples. Technical challenges are discussed when using ATR for uneven, heterogeneous, high refractive index samples with possibility of frustrated total internal reflection (a breakdown of the ATR reflection-mode into transmission-mode). Local field enhancements at the interface are discussed with numerical/analytical examples. Maxwell’s scaling was used to model behaviour of absorber-scatterer inside materials at the interface with ATR prism for realistic complex refractive indices of bio-materials. Modality of ATR with polarisation analysis is proposed and its principle illustrated, opening an invitation for its experimental validation. The sensitivity of the polarised ATR mode to the refractive index between the sample and ATR prism is revealed. Design principles of polarisation active optical elements and spectral filters are outlined. The results and concepts are based on experiments carried out at the THz beamline of the Australian Synchrotron.
PENERAPAN MODEL PEMBELAJARAN COOPERATIVE LEARNING TYPE GROUP INVESTIGATION UNTUK MENINGKATKAN HASIL BELAJAR GULING BELAKANG
Authors: Ertanti Dian Noviana , Nugroho Djoko
Published: June 2021

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah meningkatkan hasil belajar guling belakang peserta didik kelas XI-IPS 2 SMA N 2 Surakarta tahun ajaran 2016/2017.

Penelitian inimerupakan Penelitian Tindakan Kelas (PTK). Penelitian dilaksanakan dua siklus. Setiap siklus terdiri dari dua pertemuan. Subjek penelitian ini adalah peserta didik kelas XI-IPS 2 SMA N 2 Surakarta tahun ajaran 2016/2017 yang berjumlas 25 peserta didik. Sumber data adalah peserta didik, guru, dan peneliti. teknik pengumpulan data adalah dengan   observasi dan tes. Validitas data dengan  menggunakan  teknik trianggulasi. Teknik analisis data menggunakan teknik kualitatif dengan menggunakan teknik persentase untuk melihat kecenderungan yang terjadi dalam proses pembelajaran.

Pelaksanaan tindakan pada   siklus I dan siklus II terjadi proses pembelajaran yang aktif, efektif, efisien, dan menyenangkan sehingga dapat  mendukung terjadinya pembelajaran yang berkualitas. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan  dari kondisi awal ke siklus I dan dari siklus I ke siklus II terjadi peningkatan persentase ketuntasan. Ketercapaian ketuntasan hasil belajar guling belakang siklus I sebesar 40% atau 10 dari 25 peserta didik dan pada siklus II ketercapaian ketuntasan hasil belajar mencapai 80% atau 20 dari 25 peserta didik, sedangkan 5 peserta didik tidak tuntas sehingga hasil belajar sudah melampaui target capaian yang ditetapkan dalam penelitian ini yaitu 80%.

 Simpulan  penelitian ini adalah melalui model pembelajarana cooperative learning tipe group investigation dapat meningkatkan hasil belajar guling belakang pada peserta didik kelas XI-IPS 2 SMA N 2 Surakarta tahun ajaran 2016/2107.
The Effect of Imagery Training on The Improvement of Basketball Game Free Throw Skills in Basketball Extracurricular Students of SMA Negeri 8 Surakarta
Authors: Profaviola Maestro Boy Perwira , Nugroho Djoko , Satyawan Budhi
Published: June 2021

The aim of the eyeball research was to see that there was no effect of image on improving skills in playing free ball games in basketball extracurricular students at SMA Negeri 8 Surakarta in 2019/2020. This research is a quasi-experimental study with a pretest and posttest control group design. By giving treatment (treatment) to the experimental group, by dividing into two groups with ordinal pairing, namely the experimental group with imagery training treatment and the control group using the free throw training treatment. The population in this study were all basketball extracurricular students at SMA Negeri 8 Surakarta for the 2019/2020 school year, totaling 24 students. Data collection techniques norms and documentation. The data analysis technique uses descriptive statistical techniques with the help of the IBM SPSS 22 program. The results showed that there was a significant effect of imagery training on the improvement of free throw basketball skills for basketball extracurricular students at SMA Negeri 8 Surakarta It shows that the pre-test average score is 6.75 with the highest score of 12, after being given the imagery training treatment the value increases by an average of 9.00 with the highest score of 14, the percentage of skill improvement is 33%. The results of this study can be concluded that imagery training can effectively improve the free throw skills of basketball games for extracurricular students at SMA Negeri 8 Surakarta for the 2019/2020 school year.
The level of teacher creativity to overcome limitations of infrastructure and facilities in the learning process of PJOK in SMP Sub-district Sukoharjo, Sukoharjo Regency, 2020
Authors: Cahayanti Pingky Meilina , Waluyo Waluyo , Adirahma Ahmad Septiandika
Published: June 2021

The problem that occurs in this study is that there are still many PJOK infrastructure and facilities that have not met as they should be, not comparable to the number of students, there are some teachers who are less creative in making tool modifications, and many teachers are still waiting for assistance from PJOK infrastructure and facilities from the school. This study aims to determine the level of teacher creativity to overcome the limitations of infrastructure in the learning process of PJOK in junior high schools in Sukoharjo District, Sukoharjo Regency. This research uses a quantitative descriptive research approach. The method used in this research is a survey method with data collection techniques using a questionnaire as primary data, as well as observation, and documentation as secondary data. The population of this study were all PJOK teachers in junior high schools in Sukoharjo District, Sukoharjo Regency, totaling 23 teachers. The data analysis used was a descriptive analysis of the percentage. The results showed that the creativity of sports and health physical education teachers in responding to the limitations of physical education facilities and infrastructure in junior high schools in Sukoharjo District, Sukoharjo Regency as a whole was categorized as 1 teacher (4%) in the very high category, 6 teachers (26.09%) in high category, 10 teachers (43.48%) in the medium category, 4 teachers (17.39%) in the low category, and 2 teachers (8.70%) in the very low category. It can be concluded that the creativity of sports and health physical education teachers in responding to the limitations of physical education facilities and infrastructure in junior high schools in Sukoharjo District, Sukoharjo Regency is in the medium category (43.48%).
A Novel Method for Identifying a Parsimonious and Accurate Predictive Model for Multiple Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Diaz-Ramirez Ledif Grisell , Lee Sei J. , Smith Alexander K. , Gan Siqi , Boscardin Walter John
Published: June 2021

Background and Objective: Most methods for developing clinical prognostic models focus on identifying parsimonious and accurate models to predict a single outcome; however, patients and providers often want to predict multiple outcomes simultaneously. As an example, for older adults one is often interested in predicting nursing home admission as well as mortality. We propose and evaluate a novel predictor-selection computing method for multiple outcomes and provide the code for its implementation.Methods: Our proposed algorithm selected the best subset of common predictors based on the minimum average normalized Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) across outcomes: the Best Average BIC (baBIC) method. We compared the predictive accuracy (Harrell’s C-statistic) and parsimony (number of predictors) of the model obtained using the baBIC method with: 1) a subset of common predictors obtained from the union of optimal models for each outcome (Union method), 2) a subset obtained from the intersection of optimal models for each outcome (Intersection method), and 3) a model with no variable selection (Full method). We used a case-study data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) to demonstrate our method and conducted a simulation study to investigate performance.Results: In the case-study data and simulations, the average Harrell’s C-statistics across outcomes of the models obtained with the baBIC and Union methods were comparable. Despite the similar discrimination, the baBIC method produced more parsimonious models than the Union method. In contrast, the models selected with the Intersection method were the most parsimonious, but with worst predictive accuracy, and the opposite was true in the Full method. In the simulations, the baBIC method performed well by identifying many of the predictors selected in the baBIC model of the case-study data most of the time and excluding those not selected in the majority of the simulations.Conclusions: Our method identified a common subset of variables to predict multiple clinical outcomes with superior balance between parsimony and predictive accuracy to current methods.
Comparison between Aliivibrio fischeri and activated sludge microorganisms in the evaluation of the toxic pollutants of leachates from Brazilian landfills
Authors: Costa Alyne Moraes , Valentim Marllon Robert dos Santos , Silva Livia Ferreira da , de Almeida Ronei , Daflon Sarah Dario Alves , Quintaes Bianca Ramalho , Campos Juacyara Carbonelli
Published: June 2021

Ecotoxicological assessment of landfill leachate has become a priority to determine its impacts on the ecosystem. Toxicity assays with microorganisms stand out due to their quick response, low cost and ease of testing. In this context, the present study evaluated the acute toxic effects of leachates from two landfills of different ages and modes of operation to bacterium A. fischeri and activated sludge microorganisms and the ammonia nitrogen and humic substances (HS) sensitivity to these organisms. Reductions greater than 30% in leachate toxicity were observed after ammonia removal for A. fischeri and activated sludge microorganisms. After 97% removal of HS, the greater reductions in toxicity (44.28 to 79.82%) were verified for microbial species studied, indicating that the organic compounds (measured as chemical oxygen demand, total organic carbon and humic substances) were the primary pollutants responsible for the toxicity of the leachates. Concerning the organisms studied, A. fischeri showed greater sensitivity to the leachates' pollutants compared to the activated sludge microorganisms. Nevertheless, a strong correlation was observed between A. fischeri and activated sludge microorganisms' toxicity responses, suggesting that respirometry assay can be used to determine leachate toxicity.
Tau Deposition and Structural Connectivity Demonstrate Differential Association Patterns with Neurocognitive Tests
Authors: Hall Zack , Chien Billy , Zhao Yi , Risacher Shannon L. , Saykin Andrew J. , Wu Yu-Chien , Wen Qiuting
Published: June 2021

Tau neurofibrillary tangles have a central role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Mounting evidence indicates that the propagation of tau is assisted by brain connectivity with weakened white-matter integrity along the propagation pathways. Recent advances in tau positron emission tomography tracers and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging allow the visualization of tau pathology and white-matter connectivity of the brain in vivo. The current study aims to investigate how tau deposition and structural connectivity are associated with memory function in prodromal AD. In this study, tau accumulation and structural connectivity data from 83 individuals (57 cognitively normal participants and 26 participants with mild cognitive impairment) were associated with neurocognitive test scores. Statistical analyses were performed in 70 cortical/subcortical brain regions to determine: 1. the level of association between tau and network metrics extracted from structural connectivity and 2. the association patterns of brain memory function with tau accumulation and network metrics. The results showed that tau accumulation and network metrics were correlated in early tau deposition regions. Furthermore, tau accumulation was associated with worse performance in almost all neurocognitive tests performance evaluated in the study. In comparison, decreased network connectivity was associated with declines in the delayed memory recall in Craft Stories and Benson Figure Copy. Interaction analysis indicates that tau deposition and dysconnectivity have a synergistic effect on the delayed Benson Figure Recall. Overall, our findings indicate that both tau deposition and structural dysconnectivity are associated with neurocognitive dysfunction. They also suggest that tau-PET may have better sensitivity to neurocognitive performance than diffusion MRI-derived measures of white-matter connectivity
Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm with Directed Scout
Authors: Saleh Radhwan A.A. , Akay Rüştü
Published: June 2021

As a relatively new model, the Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm (ABC) has shown impressive success in solving optimization problems. Nevertheless, its efficiency is still not satisfactory for some complex optimization problems. This paper has modified ABC and its other recent variants to improve its performance by modify the scout phase. This modification enhances its exploitation ability by intensifying the regions in the search space, which probably includes reasonable solutions. The experiments were performed on the CEC2014 benchmark suite, CEC2015 benchmark functions, and three real-life problems: pressure vessel design problem, tension and compression spring design problem, and Frequency-Modulated (FM) problem. And the proposed modification was applied to basic ABC, Gbest-Guided ABC, Depth First Search ABC, and Teaching Learning Based ABC, and they were compared with their modified counterparts. The results have shown that our modification can successfully increase the performance of the original versions. Moreover, the proposed modified algorithm was compared with the state-of-the-art optimization algorithms, and it produced competitive results.
Pancreatic MR Imaging and Endocrine Complications in Patients with Beta Thalassemia: A Single Center Experience
Authors: Sevimli Cihangir , Yilmaz Yasin , Bayramoglu Zuhal , Comert Rana Gunoz , Gul Nurdan , Dursun Memduh , Karakas Zeynep
Published: June 2021

Iron deposition in various organs can cause endocrine complications in patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia. The aim was to investigate the relationship between endocrine complications and pancreatic iron overload using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Forty patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) were enrolled in the study. The magnetic resonance imagings of the patients were performed using a 1.5 Tesla Philips MRI scanner. Two out of three patients had at least one clinical endocrine complication. The rate of iron deposition was 62.5% in liver, and 45% in pancreas tissue, and was 12.5% in heart tissue. Pancreatic T2* and hepatic T2* values were significantly positively correlated (p = 0.006). Pancreatic T2* and ferritin were significantly negatively correlated (p = 0.03). Cardiac T2* values were negatively correlated with fasting blood glucose (p = 0.03). Patients with short stature had significantly higher cardiac iron burden (22.3 vs. 36.6 T2*ms; p00.01) and patients with hypothyroidism had higher liver iron concentrations (9.9 vs. 6.4 LIC mg/g; p = 0.05). The ferritin level of 841 ng/mL, and liver iron concentration (LIC) value of 8.7 mg/g were detected as the threshold level for severe pancreatic iron burden (AUC 70%, p:0.04, AUC 80%, p = 0.002, respectively). Moreover, males were found to have decreased pancreas T2* values compared with the values in females (T2* 19.3 vs. 29.9, p = 0.05). Patients with higher ferritin levels over than 840 ng/mL should be closely monitored for pancreatic iron deposition, and patients with endocrine complications should be assessed in terms of cardiac iron burden.
Oral health-related quality of life in patients with X-linked hypophosphatemia: a qualitative exploration
Authors: Nguyen Caroline , Celestin Elisabeth , Chambolle Delphine , Linglart Agnès , Duplan Martin Biosse , Chaussain Catherine , Friedlander Lisa
Published: June 2021

Background. X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a rare, hereditary, and lifelong phosphate wasting disorder characterized by rickets in childhood and impaired teeth mineralization. In the oral cavity, spontaneous abscesses can often occur without any clinical signs of alteration of the causal tooth. The objective of our study was to evaluate the oral care pathway and the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of patients followed in an expert oral medicine department located within a Parisian hospital and working in close collaboration with an endocrinology department expert in this pathology. Methods. This study employed a qualitative descriptive design including semi-structured interviews using guiding themes. Results. Twenty-one patients were included in the study. The topics brought up exceeded the initial objectives as the patients mostly addressed the alteration of their oral and general quality of life; a very chaotic oral health care pathway with oral health professionals not aware of their pathology; consequences on their social, professional, and school integration; access to care complicated by financial factors. Patients declared the importance of having a multidisciplinary team around them, including medical and dental professionals.Conclusions. The variety of manifestations in patients with XLH necessitates a high coordination of multidisciplinary patient care to optimize quality of life and reduce disease burden. Oral health care pathways are very chaotic for patients who have difficulty finding professionals with sufficient knowledge of the disease. OHRQoL is therefore diminished. This situation improves when patients enter a coordinated care network.
Cardiac remodeling induced by exercise in male master athletes
Authors: Dores Helder , Gonçalves Pedro de Araújo , Monge José , Cardim Nuno
Published: June 2021

Aims: To describe cardiac remodeling in a population of male master athletes evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography and to analyse its relationship with several exercise-related characteristics.Methods and results: A total of 105 male master athletes aged ≥40 years old, mostly involved in endurance sports (81.0%) with a median training-volume of 66 [44; 103] METs/h/week, were studied. Left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes were above the references in 84.8% and 75.8% athletes, decreasing in frequency when adjusted for BSA (26.3% and 23.2%). LV geometry was changed in more than half of the athletes (eccentric hypertrophy 28.3%, concentric remodelling 15.2% and concentric hypertrophy 8.1%) and several right ventricular (RV) dimensions were increased. Left atrium was dilated in 53.5% and right atrium in 37.4% athletes; only one athlete had a dilated aorta. Mean LV ejection fraction was 61±7% and global longitudinal strain -18.3±2.0%. Changes in LV geometry were more common in high intensity sports; LV dilation in athletes exercising >10 hours/week and in high intensity sports; RV dilation in athletes exercising >66 MET-hour/week and in endurance sports. In multivariate analysis high intensity sports remained an independent predictor of changes in LV geometry. There was a significant correlation between volume of exercise and cardiac structural adaptations.Conclusions: Cardiac structural adaptations were frequent in male master athletes, more pronounced in those involved in endurance sports, with high intensity and high volume of exercise. This data reinforces the concept that the characteristics of exercise are major determinants of cardiac remodeling and should be considered during athletes’ evaluation.
Modeling and Simulation for Wear Prediction in Planar Mechanical Systems with Multiple Clearance Joints
Authors: Li Bo , Wang Min San , Gantes Charis J , Tan Xuan U
Published: June 2021

The main goal of this work is to develop a comprehensive methodology for predicting wear in planar mechanical systems with multiple clearance joints and investigating the interaction between the joint clearance, driving condition and wear. In the process, an effective contact surface discretization method together with Lagrangian method are used to establish the dynamic equation of the multibody system. Considering the change of the contact surface, an improved nonlinear contact-force model suitable for the complicated contact conditions is utilized to evaluate the intrajoint forces, and the friction effects between the inter-connecting bodies are discussed using LuGre model. Next, the contact forces developed are integrated into the Archard model to compute the wear depth caused by the relative sliding and the geometry of the bearing is updated. Then, a crank slider mechanism with multiple clearance joints is employed to perform numerical simulations in order to demonstrate the efficiency of the dynamic procedures adopted throughout this work. The correctness of the proposed method is verified by comparing with other literature and simulation results. This study is helpful for predicting joint wear of mechanical systems with clearance and optimize the mechanism’s design.
Mild Renal Insufficiency and Attributable Risk of Adverse In-hospital Outcomes in Patients with ACS from the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China (CCC) Project
Authors: Xu Fengbo , Wang Guoqin , Ye Nan , Bian Weijing , Yang Lijiao , Ma Changsheng , Zhao Dong , Liu Jing , Hao Yongchen , Liu Jun , Yang Na , Cheng Hong
Published: June 2021

Background: Renal insufficiency (RI) is a frequent comorbidity among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We aimed to evaluate the attributable risk associated with mild RI for the in-hospital outcomes in patients with ACS. Methods: The Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-ACS (CCC-ACS) Project was a collaborative study of the American Heart Association and the Chinese Society of Cardiology. A total of 92509 inpatients with a discharge diagnosis of ACS were included. The attributable risk was calculated to investigate the effect of mild RI (eGFR 60-89 ml / min · 1.73 m2) on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during hospitalization. Results: The average age of these ACS patients was 63 years, and 73.9% were men. The proportion of patients with mild RI was 36.17%. After adjusting for other possible risk factors, mild RI was still an independent risk factor for MACE in ACS patients. In the ACS patients, the attributable risk of eGFR 60-89ml/min·1.73m2 to MACE was 8.96%, 5.59% of eGFR 45-59 ml/min·1.73m2 ,5.31% of eGFR 30-44 ml/min·1.73m2, and 4.03% of eGFR＜30 ml/min·1.73m2. Conclusion: Compared with moderate to severe RI, mild RI has higher attributable risk to MACE during hospitalization in Chinese ACS population.
Interactive analysis and exploration of cell-cell communication in single-cell transcriptomics with InterCellar
Authors: Interlandi Marta , Kerl Kornelius , Dugas Martin
Published: June 2021

Deciphering cell-cell communication is a key step in understanding the physiology and pathology of multicellular systems. Recent advances in single-cell transcriptomics have contributed to unraveling the cellular composition of tissues and enabled the development of computational algorithms to predict cellular communication mediated by ligand-receptor interactions. Despite the existence of various tools capable of inferring cell-cell interactions from single-cell RNA sequencing data, the analysis and interpretation of the biological signals often require deep computational expertise. Here we present InterCellar, an interactive platform empowering lab-scientists to analyze and explore predicted cell-cell communication without requiring programming skills. InterCellar guides the biological interpretation through customized analysis steps, several visualization options and the possibility to link biological pathways to ligand-receptor interactions. By analyzing COVID-19 and melanoma cell-cell interactions, we show that InterCellar resolves data-driven patterns of communication and highlights molecular signals through the integration of biological functions and pathways.
Cyanide as a Primordial Reductant enables a Protometabolic Reductive Glyoxylate Pathway
Authors: Krishnamurthy Ramanarayanan , Yadav Mahipal , Pulletikurti Sunil , Yerabolu Jayasudhan Reddy
Published: June 2021

Investigation of prebiotic chemical pathways leading to protometabolic forerunners of metabolism has been largely based on bio-inspired (iron-mediated) reductive conversion of carbon dioxide and of carboxylic acid substrates.1,2 While attractive from a parsimony point of view, this approach has been challenging with debatable outcomes.3,4 Herein, we show that cyanide reacts with citric acid cycle (TCA) intermediates and derivatives and acts as a primordial reducing agent mediating abiotic reductive transformations. The hydrolysis of the cyanide adducts followed by decarboxylation enables the efficient reductive-decarboxylative transformation of oxaloacetate to malate and fumarate to succinate while pyruvate and α-ketoglutarate are not reduced. In the presence of glyoxylate,5,6 malonate7 and malononitrile,8 alternative pathways emerge, which after decarboxylation produce metabolic intermediates and related compounds also found in meteorites.9 These results, along with the previous demonstration of the metal-free alpha-keto analog of the reverse-TCA cycle,4,6 suggest that (a) alternative paradigms of cyanide-based protometabolic reactions bypassing the abiotic reductive-carboxylation steps can be prebiotically viable, (b) a novel reductive glyoxylate pathway can be a precursor to the r-TCA cycle and (c) the type of sophisticated carboxylation and reduction chemistries which are part of extant metabolic cycles10,11 are an evolutionary invention mediated by complex metalloproteins11.
Successful Breast-Feeding Following a Level II NICU Stay In Qatar – A Prospective Study
Authors: Viswanathan Brijroy , Al-Bedaywi Rajai , Tomerak Ahmed , Abedin Sarfrazul
Published: June 2021

Background: Exclusive breast-feeding is recommended by WHO for maternal and infant benefits. Cultural practices and demands of employment influence feeding practices significantly. There remains conflicting evidence regarding the association between NICU admission and breastfeeding outcomes and there is limited published data from Qatar. Aim of the study: This study aims to estimate the rate of breast milk feeding at the time of a level II NICU discharge and estimate the rate of successful breast-feeding (exclusive or partial) after a level II NICU discharge in Qatar during a well-baby follow up and formulate appropriate strategy to promote exclusive breast feeding and build a culture to attain BFHI status. Methods: It’s a qualitative longitudinal prospective study conducted over 18 months starting from 1st of January 2019 of neonates born in Al Wakra hospital and admitted to its NICU. Data: Demography details, diagnosis, duration of NICU stay, feeding during NICU stay and at the time of discharge were obtained through a lactation chart. Breast feeding education received, feeding and cultural practices were obtained through a questionnaire administered at or before 4- and 8-weeks post discharge in the well-baby clinic. Results: Rate of exclusive breast feeding was 20%, 54% and 42% respectively at discharge, at 4 weeks and 8 weeks respectively. Rate of partial breast feeding was 64%, 40% and 43% at discharge, at 4 weeks and at 8 weeks respectively. Neonates who had longer than 1-week NICU stay had higher rate of exclusive breast feeding at the time of discharge but were found to have reduced rate of breast feeding and higher rate of formula feeding during the 4 weeks and 8 weeks follow up.Conclusion: The overall breast-feeding rates from this single center level II NICU from Qatar are better compared to previously available data. Follow up encouragement and breast-feeding support methods need to be established and studies with extended follow up and assessment of intervention methods should be planned to improve and sustain the practice of exclusive breast feeding.
Hyperbolic Shear Polaritons in Low-Symmetry Crystals
Authors: Passler Nikolai , Ni Xiang , Hu Guangwei , Matson Joseph , Wolf Martin , Schubert Mathias , Alu Andrea , Caldwell Joshua , Folland Thomas , Paarmann Alexander
Published: June 2021

The lattice symmetry of a crystal is one of the most important factors in determining its physical properties. Particularly, low-symmetry crystals offer powerful opportunities to control light propagation, polarization and phase. Materials featuring extreme optical anisotropy can support a hyperbolic response, enabling coupled light-matter interactions, also known as polaritons, with highly directional propagation and compression of light to deeply sub-wavelength scales. Here we show that monoclinic crystals can support hyperbolic shear polaritons, a new polariton class arising in the mid- to far-infrared due to shear dissipation in the dielectric response. This feature emerges in materials where the dielectric tensor cannot be diagonalized, that is, in low-symmetry monoclinic and triclinic crystals where multiple oscillators with non-orthogonal relative orientations contribute to the optical response. Hyperbolic shear polaritons complement previous observations of hyperbolic phonon polaritons in orthorhombic and hexagonal crystal systems, unveiling new features, such as the continuous evolution of their propagation direction with frequency, tilted wavefronts and asymmetric responses. The interplay between diagonal loss and off-diagonal shear dissipation in the dielectric response of these materials has implications for new forms of non-Hermitian and topological photonic states. We anticipate that our results will motivate new directions for polariton physics in low-symmetry materials, which include geological minerals, many common oxides and organic crystals, significantly expanding the material base and extending design opportunities for compact photonic devices.
Interplay Between Spirituality and Religiosity on the Physical and Mental Well-Being of Cancer Survivors
Authors: Cannon Anthony , Dokucu Mehmet , Loberiza Fausto
Published: June 2021

Purpose: This study explored the relationship of spirituality and religiosity as it affects the physical and mental quality of life (pQOL, mQOL) of cancer survivors. Methods: This is a prospective observational study that included adults ≥19 years who received treatment for various types of cancer. Patients’ QOL was obtained at baseline, 6, and 12 months. Cohorts were categorized according to spirituality/religiosity levels: low spirituality – low religiosity (LSLR), low spirituality – high religiosity (LSHR), high spirituality – low religiosity (HSLR), and high spirituality – high religiosity (HSHR). Results: Of the 551 eligible: 248 (45%) had HSHR, 196 (36%) had LSHR, 75 (14%) had LSLR, and 32 (6%) had HSLR. The pQOL of LSLR were significantly lower than those with HSHR (p = 0.02). The difference in pQOL between LS and HS were observed among those who have HR (p <0.0001). Among patients with LR, pQOL did not differ. The mQOL of patients with LSLR was significantly lower than those with HSHR (p < 0.0001). The mQOL of those with HS was significantly higher than those with LS in both cohorts having LR (p <0.0001) or HR (p <0.0001). pQOL decreased while mQOL increased over time regardless of spirituality or religiosity levels.Conclusion: Spirituality is important in the improvement of both pQOL and mQOL of cancer survivors, while religiosity may have some impact on pQOL. Clinicians’ incorporation of spirituality into cancer treatment facilitates well-rounded care, that offers measurable improvements for patients with an illness, of which the treatment is often arduous, and uncertain.
GeneTargeter: Automated in silico design for genome editing in the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Cárdenas Pablo , Esherick Lisl Y. , Chambonnier Gaël , Dey Sumanta , Turlo Christopher V. , Nasamu Armiyaw Sebastian , Niles Jacquin C
Published: June 2021

Functional characterization of the multitude of poorly-described proteins in the human malarial pathogen, Plasmodium falciparum, requires tools to enable genome-scale perturbation studies. Here we present GeneTargeter (genetargeter.mit.edu), a software tool for automating the design of homology-directed repair donor vectors to achieve gene knockouts, conditional knockdowns, and epitope tagging of P. falciparum genes. We demonstrate GeneTargeter facilitated genome-scale design of six different types of knockout and conditional knockdown constructs for the P. falciparum genome, and validate the computational design process experimentally with successful donor vector assembly. The software's modular, customizable nature makes it extendable to additional plasmids and genomes.
Abrupt change in North African hydroclimate and landscape evolution 3.2 million years ago
Authors: Grant Katharine , Amarathunga Udara , Amies Jessica , Hu Pengxiang , Qian Yao , Penny Tiah , Rodríguez-Sanz Laura , Zhao Xiang , Heslop David , Liebrand Diederik , Hennekam Rick , Westerhold Thomas , Gilmore Stewart , Lourens Lucas , Roberts Andrew , Rohling Eelco J
Published: June 2021

Dark organic-rich layers (sapropels) have accumulated in Mediterranean sediments since the Miocene due to deep-sea dysoxia and enhanced carbon burial at times of intensified North African run-off during ‘Green’ Sahara Periods (GSPs). The existence of orbital precession-dominated Saharan aridity/humidity cycles is well known, but lack of long-term, high-resolution records hinders understanding of their precise relationships with environmental and hominin evolution. Here we present continuous, high-resolution geochemical and environmental magnetic records for the Eastern Mediterranean that span the past 5.2 million years, which reveal that organic burial in sapropels intensified 3.2 Myr ago. We deduce that fluvial terrigenous sediment inputs during GSPs doubled abruptly at this time, whereas monsoon run-off intensity remained relatively constant. We attribute the increase in sediment mobilisation to an abrupt non-linear North African landscape response associated with a major increase in arid:humid contrasts between GSPs and intervening dry periods. This likely limited hominin (and other animal) inhabitation of, and migration through, the Sahara region to GSPs only.
Conservation tillage regulates soil bacterial community assemblies, network structures and ecological functions in black soils
Authors: Liu Zhuxiu , Gu Haidong , Liang Aizhen , Li Lujun , Yao Qin , Xu Yanxia , Liu Junjie , Jin Jian , Liu Xiaobing , Wang Guanghua
Published: June 2021

Aims
Conventional tillage is a serious threat to the stability of soil ecosystems. Understanding the response mechanisms of soil microbial community assemblies to anthropogenic activities is a major topic of ecological research.
Methods
Here, we investigated the bacterial community structures and assemblies in bulk and rhizosphere soils of soybeans grown with conventional tillage (moldboard plow, MP) and with conservation tillage that involved no-tillage (NT) or ridge tillage (RT) using high-throughput sequencing methods.
Results
We found that soil bacterial community compositions, structures and assembly processes were primarily altered by tillage practices. Briefly, in comparison to MP, NT and RT increased the relative abundances of the nitrogen-fixing bacteria Mesorhizobium sp., Bradyrhizobium sp. and Burkholderia sp., but decreased the abundance of soil carbon-degrading bacteria, especially Blastococcus sp., Streptomyces sp. and Sphingomonas sp. In addition, in comparison to MP, NT and RT resulted in more stable bacterial networks and more lower the relative contribution of homogenizing dispersal. Soil pH was the primary soil factor regulating both the bacterial community structures and assembly processes under the three tillage practices.
Conclusions
The altered functional bacteria under conservation tillage was mostly affiliated with biomarkers and keystone taxa, inferring that conservation tillage might contribute to biological nitrogen fixation and soil carbon sequestration.
Severe COVID-19 pneumonia in an intensive care setting and comparisons with historic severe viral pneumonia due to other viruses
Authors: Dadhwal Kiran , Stonham Rosalind , Poole Stephen , Saeed Kordo , Dushianthan Ahilanandan
Published: June 2021

Purpose
Severe viral pneumonia is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Recent COVID-19 pandemic continues to impose significant health burden worldwide and individual pandemic waves often leads to a large surge in the ICU admissions for respiratory support. Comparisons of severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia with other seasonal and non-seasonal severe viral infections are rarely studied in an intensive care setting.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study comparing patients admitted to ICU with COVID-19 between March-June 2020 and those with viral pneumonias between January-December 2019. We compared patient specific demographic variables, duration of illness, ICU organ supportive measures and outcomes between both groups.
Results
Analysis of 93 COVID-19 (group 1) and 52 other viral pneumonia patients (group 2) showed an increased proportion of obesity (42% vs 23%, p = 0.02), non-white ethnicities (41% vs 6%, p < 0.001) and diabetes mellitus (30% vs 13%, p = 0.03) in group 1, with lower prevalence of COPD/asthma (16% vs 34%, p = 0.02). In group 1, the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio was much lower (6.7 vs 10, p = 0.006) and invasive mechanical ventilation (58% vs 26%, p < 0.001) was more common. Length of ICU (8 vs 4, p < 0.001) and hospital stay (22 vs 11, p < 0.001) was prolonged in group 1, with no significant difference in mortality. Influenza A and rhinovirus were the most common pathogens in group 2 (26% each).
Conclusions
Key differences were identified within demographics (obesity, ethnicity, age, ICU scores, co-morbidities) and organ support. Despite these variations, there was no significant differences in mortality between both groups. Further studies with larger sample sizes would allow for further assessment of clinical parameters in these patients.
Kernel-Based Fuzzy Local Information Clustering Algorithm Self-integrating Non-Local Information
Authors: Song Qiuyu , Wu Chengmao , Tian Xiaoping , Song Yue , Guo Xiaokang
Published: June 2021

The application of fuzzy clustering algorithms in image segmentation is a hot research topic nowadays. Existing fuzzy clustering algorithms have the following three problems: (1)The parameters of spatial information constraints can$'$t be selected adaptively; (2)The image corrupted by high noise can$'$t be segmented effectively; (3)It is difficult to achieve a balance between noise removal and detail preservation. In the fuzzy clustering based on the optimization model, the choice of distance metric is very important. Since the use of Euclidean distance will lead to sensitivity to outliers and noise, it is difficult to obtain satisfactory segmentation results, which will affect the clustering performance. This paper proposes an optimization algorithm based on the kernel-based fuzzy local information clustering integrating non-local information (KFLNLI). The algorithm adopts a self-integration method to introduce local and non-local information of images, which solves the common problems of current clustering algorithm. Firstly, the self-integration method solves the problem of selecting spatial constraint parameters. The algorithm uses continuous self-learning iteration to calculate the weight coefficients; Secondly, the distance metric uses Gaussian kernel function to induce the distance to further enhance the robustness against noise and the adaptivity of processing different images; Finally, both local and non-local information are introduced to achieve a segmentation effect that can eliminate most of the noise and retain the original details of the image. Experimental results show that the algorithm is superior to existing state-of-the-art fuzzy clustering-related algorithm in the presence of high noise.
Studying the Chemical Reactivity Properties of Cytosine and its Antiviral Analogues: Zebularine, 5-Aza-Cytosine And 5-Aza-5,6-Dihydro-Cytosine through Density Functional Theory
Authors: wang guixiu , Wu Yifang
Published: June 2021

Zebularine, 5-aza-cytosine and 5-aza-5,6-dihydro-cytosine are structurally similar to cytosine, but their biological functions are rather different. Cytosine can be methylated which is a gene lesion that can cause human disease. On the contrary, zebularine and 5-aza-cytosine are inhibitors of DNA methylation. 5-aza-5,6-dihydro-cytosine is specifically designed to induce lethal mutagenesis in HIV for its structurally variability. Here, theoretical research into their chemical properties through density functional theory is reported. Molecular hardness and molecular electronic surface potential were analysed. Compared to cytosine, the main reason for the inability of methyl addition of zebularine is the reduced nucleophilicity of C5 atom. The lack of a hydrogen atom at N5 atom in 5-aza-cytosine is responsible for the incomplete reaction of methyl transfer. Variability of 5-aza-5,6-dihydro-cytosine is responsible for the mutagenesis treatment by paring with guanine or adenine with its different tautomers. Aspect of these chemical reactivities can be accounted for the distinctive biological functions of these molecules.
Phase I Study of Weekly Nab-Paclitaxel Plus Carboplatin And Concurrent Thoracic Radiotherapy in Elderly Patients with Unresectable Locally Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Omori Shota , Harada Hideyuki , Mori Keita , Hisamatsu Yasushi , Tsuboguchi Yuko , Yoshioka Hiroshige , Morinaga Ryotaro , Daga Haruko , Kurata Takayasu , Takahashi Toshiaki
Published: June 2021

Few clinical studies have been designed for elderly patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We conducted a phase I study to evaluate the tolerability of carboplatin/nab-paclitaxel and concurrent thoracic radiotherapy in elderly patients with locally advanced NSCLC. The eligibility criteria were: unresectable stage III NSCLC, performance status 0 or 1, and age ≥75 years. Eligible patients received 6 weeks of weekly carboplatin/nab-paclitaxel and concurrent thoracic radiotherapy with a total dose of 64 Gy in 32 fractions. Carboplatin was fixed to an area under the plasma concentration time curve (AUC) of 2 mg/mL/min, and the recommended dose of nab-paclitaxel was evaluated using a dose-escalation study (30 or 40 mg/m2). Tolerability at the recommended dose was evaluated in an expansion study. Nineteen patients were enrolled at four institutions, all of whom were eligible and assessable. The recommended nab-paclitaxel dose was set at 30 mg/m2 because two patients experienced dose-limiting toxicity at 40 mg/m2. The treatment completion rate of the 17 patients analyzed at the recommended dose was 100% (80% confidence interval (CI), 83.8–100%). The overall response rate was 76.5%, and the median progression free survival was 13.4 months (95% CI, 4.2–21.4 months). Common grade 3 and 4 toxicities included leukopenia (23.5%), neutropenia (17.6%), anemia (5.9%), and infection (5.9%). One treatment-related death due to pneumonitis was observed six months after the end of the study. In conclusion, carboplatin/nab-paclitaxel and concurrent thoracic radiotherapy show good tolerability and exhibit promising efficacy in elderly patients with locally advanced NSCLC. This trial was registered with the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials on March 11, 2019 (trial no. jRCTs042180077).
SARS-CoV-2 virus masking of RBD epitopes; unmasking and cross-reactivity induced by mRNA vaccines
Authors: de Assis Rafael Ramiro , Jain Aarti , Nakajima Rie , Jasinskas Algis , Kahn Saahir , Palma Anton , Parker Daniel , Chau Anthony , Leung Amanda , Grabar Christina , Muqolli Fjolla , Khalil Ghali , Escobar Jessica , Ventura Jenny , Davies David , Albala Bruce , Boden-Albala Bernadette , Schubl Sebastian , Felgner Philip
Published: June 2021

We analyzed data from two ongoing COVID-19 longitudinal serological surveys in Orange County, CA., between April 2020 and March 2021. A total of 8,476 finger stick blood specimens were collected before and after an aggressive mRNA vaccination campaign. IgG levels were determined using a multiplex antigen microarray containing 10 SARS-CoV-2 antigens, 4 SARS, 3 MERS, 12 Common CoV, and 8 Influenza antigens. Twenty-six percent of 3,347 specimens from unvaccinated Orange County residents in December 2020 were SARS-CoV-2 seropositive. The Ab response was predominantly against nucleocapsid (NP), full length spike and the spike S2 domain. Anti-receptor binding domain (RBD) reactivity was low and there was no cross-reactivity against SARS S1 or SARS RBD. An aggressive mRNA vaccination campaign at the UCI Medical Center started on December 16, 2020 and 6,724 healthcare workers were vaccinated within 3 weeks. Seroprevalence increased from 13% in December to 79% in January, 93% in February and 99% in March. mRNA vaccination induced much higher Ab levels especially against the RBD domain and significant cross-reactivity against SARS RBD and S1 was also observed. Nucleocapsid protein Abs can be used to distinguish individuals in a population of vaccinees to classify those who have been previously infected and those who have not, because nucleocapsid is not in the vaccine. Previously infected individuals developed higher Ab titers to the vaccine than those who have not been previously exposed. These results indicate that mRNA vaccination rapidly induces a much stronger and broader Ab response than SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Altered Differentiation of Endometrial Mesenchymal Stromal Fibroblasts Is Associated With Endometriosis Susceptibility
Authors: McKinnon Brett , Lukowski Samuel , Mortlock Sally , Crawford Joanna , Johnston Rebecca , Nirgianankis Kostantinos , Mueller Michael , Montgomery Grant
Published: June 2021

Cellular development is tightly regulated as mature cells with aberrant functions may initiate pathogenic processes. The endometrium is a highly regenerative tissue, shedding and regenerating each month. Endometrial stromal fibroblasts are regenerated each cycle from mesenchymal stem cells and play a pivotal role in endometriosis, a disease characterised by endometrial cells that grow outside the uterus. Why the cells of some women are more capable of developing into endometriosis lesions is not clear. Using isolated, purified and cultured endometrial cells of mesenchymal origin from 19 women with (n = 10) and without (n = 9) endometriosis we analysed the transcriptome of 33,758 individual cells and compared these to clinical characteristics and in vitro growth profiles. We show purified mesenchymal cell cultures include a mix of mesenchymal stem cells and two endometrial stromal fibroblast subtypes with distinct transcriptomic signatures indicative of varied progression through the differentiation processes. The fibroblast subgroup characterised by incomplete differentiation was predominantly (81%) derived from women with endometriosis and exhibited an altered in vitro growth profile. These results uncover an inherent difference in endometrial cells of women with endometriosis and highlight the relevance of cellular differentiation and its potential to contribute to disease susceptibility.