bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of remimazolam tosylate for sedation during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhu Huichen , Su Zhongxue , Huai Xiaorong , Chen Caiyang , Zhang Xiao , Zhou Jie , Su Diansan
Published: December 2022

Background

Gastrointestinal endoscopy has been associated with difficult experiences and can leave patients with an unpleasant impression. Propofol and midazolam are the most commonly used intravenous anesthetics for sedation during gastrointestinal endoscopy. However, cardiac and pulmonary adverse events are the primary concerns associated with the use of these sedatives. Remimazolam tosylate is an ultra-short-acting benzodiazepine drug with a mild inhibitory effect on the respiratory and circulatory systems. These properties qualify remimazolam tosylate to be used as a replacement for propofol or midazolam as a sedative during gastrointestinal endoscopy. This study aims to describe the efficacy and safety of remimazolam tosylate as a sedative for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Methods

A multicenter, randomized, single-blind, parallel-controlled, noninferiority clinical study will be conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of remimazolam tosylate as a sedative during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Participants (n = 1800) will be randomized to receive remimazolam tosylate at 0.15 mg/kg (experimental group 1), remimazolam tosylate at 0.2 mg/kg (experimental group 2), or propofol at 1.5 mg/kg (control group). Procedure success will be assessed and defined as the completion of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy without the administration of a rescue sedative agent or more than two top-up doses of the trial drug in any 5-min period after initial administration. Sedation quality will be evaluated using the Modified Observer’s Assessment of Alertness/Sedation score. Adverse events will be recorded to evaluate safety.

Discussion

This study will determine the optimal dosage of remimazolam tosylate during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and will describe its efficacy and safety. These findings may contribute to a more comfortable and safer experience for patients compared with that when the conventional sedative propofol is used.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04727034. Registered on February 18, 2021.
Pre-incisional infiltration with ropivacaine plus dexamethasone palmitate emulsion for postoperative pain in patients undergoing craniotomy: study protocol for a prospective, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhang Wei , Li Chunzhao , Zhao Chunmei , Ji Nan , Luo Fang
Published: December 2022

Background

Post-craniotomy pain is a common occurrence which is associated with poor outcomes. Pre-emptive scalp infiltration with dexamethasone and ropivacaine has been proven effective in previous studies but with limited clinical significance. Dexamethasone palmitate emulsion (D-PAL) is a pro-drug incorporating dexamethasone into lipid microspheres with greater anti-inflammatory activity and fewer side effects than free dexamethasone. However, its effects in post-craniotomy pain management remain unknown. This study hypothesizes that pre-emptive scalp infiltration with ropivacaine plus D-PAL emulsion can achieve superior analgesic effects to ropivacaine alone in adult patients undergoing craniotomy.

Methods/design

This is a single center, randomized controlled trial enrolling 130 patients scheduled for supratentorial craniotomy, which is expected to last longer than 4 h. We compare the efficacy and safety for postoperative pain relief of ropivacaine plus D-PAL group and ropivacaine alone group following pre-emptive scalp infiltration. Primary outcome will be pain Numerical Rating Scale at 24 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes will include further analgesia evaluations and drug-related complications within a follow-up period of 3 months.

Discussion

This is the first randomized controlled trial aiming to assess the possible benefits or disadvantages of D-PAL emulsion for incisional pain in craniotomy. It may provide an alternative to optimize pain outcome for neurosurgical patients.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04488315). Registered on 19 July 2020.
The effect of postoperative early lumbar drainage on delayed fever after cerebellopontine angle tumour surgery: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhang Yunze , Wu Yingxi , Wu Yang , Zhu Gang , Xue Yafei , Qu Yan , Zhao Tianzhi
Published: December 2022

Background

Postoperative fever is one of the common complications in neurosurgery, and intracranial aseptic inflammation and infection are important risk factors. Continuous drainage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) via lumbar drainage (LD) is often used in the treatment of postoperative intracranial infection or aseptic inflammation. Compared with the previously reported placement of LD after the onset of meningitis symptoms, we designed this randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of early drainage (1st day postoperation) of CSF using the preset lumbar cistern to prevent delayed fever (fever occurred after the third day postoperation) or reduce its treatment time after cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumour surgery.

Methods

Patients suffering from CPA tumours and who underwent resection of the tumour with an intraoperative dura opening time > 4 h are recruited for this study. The study is a 2-arm RCT to compare the early LD group and the no early LD group. Postoperative duration and rate of delayed fever and postoperative length of stay (LOS), as the main outcomes, will be compared in the two groups.

Discussion

Here, we present the study design of a prospective RCT to evaluate the safety and efficacy of using preoperative preset LD to treat or reduce postoperative delayed fever.

Trial registration

China Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100049057. Registered on July 20, 2021.
Identification of a conserved maxicircle and unique minicircles as part of the mitochondrial genome of Leishmania martiniquensis strain PCM3 in Thailand
Authors: Anuntasomboon Pornchai , Siripattanapipong Suradej , Unajak Sasimanas , Choowongkomon Kiattawee , Burchmore Richard , Leelayoova Saovanee , Mungthin Mathirut , E-kobon Teerasak
Published: December 2022

Background

The mitochondrial DNA of trypanosomatids, includingLeishmania, is known as kinetoplast DNAs (kDNAs). The kDNAs form networks of hundreds of DNA circles that are evidently interlocked and require complex RNA editing. Previous studies showed that kDNA played a role in drug resistance, adaptation, and survival ofLeishmania.Leishmania martiniquensisis one of the most frequently observed species in Thailand, and its kDNAs have not been illustrated.

Methods

This study aimed to extract the kDNA sequences from Illumina short-read and PacBio long-read whole-genome sequence data ofL. martiniquensisstrain PCM3 priorly isolated from the southern province of Thailand. A circular maxicircle DNA was reconstructed by de novo assembly using the SPAdes program, while the minicircle sequences were retrieved and assembled by the rKOMIC tool. The kDNA contigs were confirmed by blasting to the NCBI database, followed by comparative genomic and phylogenetic analysis.

Results

We successfully constructed the complete circular sequence of the maxicircle (19,008 bp) and 214 classes of the minicircles fromL. martiniquensisstrain PCM3. The genome comparison and annotation showed that the maxicircle structure ofL. martiniquensisstrain PCM3 was similar to those ofL. enriettiistrain LEM3045 (84.29%),L. arabicastrain LEM1108 (82.79%), andL. tarentolae(79.2%). Phylogenetic analysis also showed unique evolution of the minicircles ofL. martiniquensisstrain PCM3 from other examinedLeishmaniaspecies.

Conclusions

This was the first report of the complete maxicircle and 214 minicircles ofL. martiniquensisstrain PCM3 using integrated whole-genome sequencing data. The information will be helpful for further improvement of diagnosis methods and monitoring genetic diversity changes of this parasite.

Graphical abstract
Effect of balance training on static and dynamic balance performance in male adolescents: role of training frequency
Authors: Muehlbauer Thomas , Grundmann Arne , Vortkamp Lukas , Schedler Simon
Published: December 2022

Objective

Previous studies reported significant improvements in static and dynamic balance performance following balance training during adolescence. However, it is unclear how equal training volume but different training frequencies per week affect training-induced adaptations. Thus, the present study investigated the effects of balance training frequency (i.e., 2 × 30 min per week or 3 × 20 min per week) on measures of static and dynamic balance in healthy male adolescents.

Results

Irrespective of balance training frequency, significant pretest to posttest improvements were detected for static (i.e., One-Legged Stance test, standing time duration) and dynamic (i.e., Lower Quarter Y Balance test, reach distance) balance performance. However, no group × test interactions were found. These results imply that balance training is effective to improve static and dynamic balance performance in healthy male adolescents, but the effectiveness seems unaffected by the applied balance training frequency.
High frequency of KRAS and EGFR mutation profiles in BRAF-negative thyroid carcinomas in Indonesia
Authors: Heriyanto Didik Setyo , Laiman Vincent , Limantara Nikko Vanda , Anantawikrama Widyan Putra , Yuliani Fara Silvia , Cempaka Rita , Anwar Sumadi Lukman
Published: December 2022

Objective

Thyroid cancer incidence has steadily increased in Indonesia. However, data on Kirsten rat sarcoma virus (KRAS) and EGFR mutations in thyroid cancer in Indonesia remain unavailable, except for BRAF-V600E, the most common BRAF gene mutation. This study aimed to analyze KRAS and EGFR mutation profiles in BRAF-V600E negative thyroid cancer samples.

Results

BRAF-V600E mutations were found in papillary thyroid carcinomas in 40.3% patients with mean age of 53 years old. In BRAF-V600E-negative samples, 41.3% had KRAS mutations with mean age of 55.5 years old. KRAS mutation was found in 52.6% of follicular carcinomas and 47.4% of papillary thyroid carcinomas. Additionally, 45.7% had EGFR mutations in patients with mean age of 50.5 years old. EGFR mutation was found in 71.4% of papillary thyroid carcinoma and 28.6% of follicular carcinoma. Nearly half of the BRAF-V600E negative thyroid carcinoma samples harbored either KRAS or EGFR mutations. This finding suggests that in BRAF-V600E negative thyroid carcinoma samples, testing for RAS and EGFR mutation may be warranted for further therapeutic consideration.
Impact of blood perilipin A levels on obesity and metabolic health
Authors: Ofori Emmanuel K. , Letsu Bright Selorm , Amponsah Seth K. , Ahenkorah John , Crabbe Sandra , Kwao-Zigah Genevieve , Oppong Sylvester Y. , Diaba-Nuhoho Patrick , Amanquah Seth D.
Published: December 2022

Objective

Perilipin A is a common protein that coats lipid surfaces preventing them from being exposed to oxidative damage. Researchers have found little consistency in the relationship between perilipin A levels in the blood and body fat. This study was a cross-sectional observational that looked at circulating perilipin A levels and how they relate to metabolic health.

Results

The participants in this study were 86 individuals with a mean age of 45.5 ± 1.2 years. Multiple clinical and metabolic indicators (age, weight, BMI, total body fat mass, triglyceride, and HOMA-IR) were shown to be inversely associated with perilipin A levels (rho = − 0.32, − 0.37, − 0.40, − 0.45, − 0.33 and − 0.29; p < 0.05 respectively). Obese persons were almost six times more likely than non-obese individuals to have lower perilipin A levels (odds ratio = 6.22, CI = 2.35–11.50, p < 0.001). Our findings underscore the important role of perilipin A proteins in metabolic health.
Focusing on the hypoxia-inducible factor pathway: role, regulation, and therapy for osteoarthritis
Authors: Guo Hanhan , Huang Jianghong , Liang Yujie , Wang Daping , Zhang Huawei
Published: December 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic disabling disease that affects hundreds of millions of people around the world. The most important pathological feature is the rupture and loss of articular cartilage, and the characteristics of avascular joint tissues lead to limited repair ability. Currently, there is no effective treatment to prevent cartilage degeneration. Studies on the mechanism of cartilage metabolism revealed that hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are key regulatory genes that maintain the balance of cartilage catabolism−matrix anabolism and are considered to be the major OA regulator and promising OA treatment target. Although the exact mechanism of HIFs in OA needs to be further clarified, many drugs that directly or indirectly act on HIF signaling pathways have been confirmed by animal experiments and regarded as promising treatments for OA. Targeting HIFs will provide a promising strategy for the development of new OA drugs. This article reviews the regulation of HIFs on intra-articular cartilage homeostasis and its influence on the progression of osteoarthritis and summarizes the recent advances in OA therapies targeting the HIF system.
Transcription regulation strategies in methylotrophs: progress and challenges
Authors: Huang Xiaohan , Song Qiaoqiao , Guo Shuqi , Fei Qiang
Published: December 2022

As a promising industrial microorganism, methylotroph is capable of using methane or methanol as the sole carbon source natively, which has been utilized in the biosynthesis of various bioproducts. However, the relatively low efficiency of carbon conversion has become a limiting factor throughout the development of methanotrophic cell factories due to the unclear genetic background. To better highlight their advantages in methane or methanol-based biomanufacturing, some metabolic engineering strategies, including upstream transcription regulation projects, are being popularized in methylotrophs. In this review, several strategies of transcription regulations applied in methylotrophs are summarized and their applications are discussed and prospected.
Testing the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effect of a novel deliberate practice intervention to reduce diagnostic error in trauma triage: a study protocol for a randomized pilot trial
Authors: Mohan Deepika , Elmer Jonathan , Arnold Robert M. , Forsythe Raquel M. , Fischhoff Baruch , Rak Kimberly , Barnes Jacqueline L. , White Douglas B.
Published: December 2022

Background

Non-compliance with clinical practice guidelines in trauma remains common, in part because physicians make diagnostic errors when triaging injured patients. Deliberate practice, purposeful participation in a training task under the oversight of a coach, effectively changes behavior in procedural domains of medicine but has rarely been used to improve diagnostic skill. We plan a pilot parallel randomized trial to test the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effect of a novel deliberate practice intervention to reduce physician diagnostic errors in trauma triage.

Methods

We will randomize a national convenience sample of physicians who work at non-trauma centers (n= 60) in a 1:1 ratio to a deliberate practice intervention or to a passive control. We will use a customized, theory-based serious video game as the basis of our training task, selected based on its behavior change techniques and game mechanics, along with a coaching manual to standardize the fidelity of the intervention delivery. The intervention consists of three 30-min sessions with content experts (coaches), conducted remotely, during which physicians (trainees) play the game and receive feedback on their diagnostic processes. We will assess (a) the fidelity with which the intervention is delivered by reviewing video recordings of the coaching sessions; (b) the acceptability of the intervention through surveys and semi-structured interviews, and (c) the effect of the intervention by comparing the performance of trainees and a control group of physicians on a validated virtual simulation. We hypothesize that trainees will make ≥ 25% fewer diagnostic errors on the simulation than control physicians, a large effect size. We additionally hypothesize that ≥ 90% of trainees will receive their intervention as planned.

Conclusions

The results of the trial will inform the decision to proceed with a future hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial of the intervention. It will also provide a deeper understanding of the challenges of using deliberate practice to modify the diagnostic skill of physicians.

Trial registration

Clinical trials.gov (NCT05168579); 23 December 2021.
Impact of the PEARLS Healthcare Debriefing cognitive aid on facilitator cognitive load, workload, and debriefing quality: a pilot study
Authors: Meguerdichian Michael , Bajaj Komal , Ivanhoe Rachel , Lin Yiqun , Sloma Audrey , de Roche Ariel , Altonen Brian , Bentley Suzanne , Cheng Adam , Walker Katie
Published: December 2022

Background

The Promoting Excellence and Reflective Learning in Simulation (PEARLS) Healthcare Debriefing Tool is a cognitive aid designed to deploy debriefing in a structured way. The tool has the potential to increase the facilitator’s ability to acquire debriefing skills, by breaking down the complexity of debriefing and thereby improving the quality of a novice facilitator’s debrief. In this pilot study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of the tool on facilitators’ cognitive load, workload, and debriefing quality.

Methods

Fourteen fellows from the New York City Health + Hospitals Simulation Fellowship, novice to the PEARLS Healthcare Debriefing Tool, were randomized to two groups of 7. The intervention group was equipped with the cognitive aid while the control group did not use the tool. Both groups had undergone an 8-h debriefing course. The two groups performed debriefings of 3 videoed simulated events and rated the cognitive load and workload of their experience using the Paas-Merriënboer scale and the raw National Aeronautics and Space Administration task load index (NASA-TLX), respectively. The debriefing performances were then rated using the Debriefing Assessment for Simulation in Healthcare (DASH) for debriefing quality. Measures of cognitive load were measured as Paas-Merriënboer scale and compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Measures of workload and debriefing quality were analyzed using mixed-effect linear regression models.

Results

Those who used the tool had significantly lower median scores in cognitive load in 2 out of the 3 debriefings (median score with tool vs no tool: scenario A 6 vs 6, p=0.1331; scenario B: 5 vs 6, p=0.043; and scenario C: 5 vs 7, p=0.031). No difference was detected in the tool effectiveness in decreasing composite score of workload demands (mean difference in average NASA-TLX −4.5, 95%CI −16.5 to 7.0, p=0.456) or improving composite scores of debriefing qualities (mean difference in DASH 2.4, 95%CI −3.4 to 8.1, p=0.436).

Conclusions

The PEARLS Healthcare Debriefing Tool may serve as an educational adjunct for debriefing skill acquisition. The use of a debriefing cognitive aid may decrease the cognitive load of debriefing but did not suggest an impact on the workload or quality of debriefing in novice debriefers. Further research is recommended to study the efficacy of the cognitive aid beyond this pilot; however, the design of this research may serve as a model for future exploration of the quality of debriefing.
A unique presentation of NLRP3-associated autoinflammatory disease: case report
Authors: Ducharme-Bénard Stéphanie , Roberge Guillaume , Chapdelaine Hugo
Published: December 2022

Background

NLRP3-associated autoinflammatory diseases (NLRP3-AID) are rare genetic autoinflammatory diseases characterized by chronic inflammation and an urticaria-like rash. We report an unusual presentation of severe NLRP3-AID resulting in a significant diagnostic delay of more than three decades.

Case presentation

The patient presented with early-onset serositis as well as prominent peripheral eosinophilia with organ infiltration, in the absence of the classic urticaria-like rash. DNA analysis by next generation sequencing revealed a sporadic class 4 mutation c.1991T > C (p.Met662Thr) in the NLRP3 gene, confirming a diagnosis of NLRP3-AID at 36 years old. Although treatment with anti-interleukin 1 agent led to clinical remission, irreversible sequelae, namely intellectual disability and deafness, remained.

Conclusion

This case highlights unique manifestations of NLRP3-AID, namely the absence of urticaria-like rash, eosinophilic organ infiltration, and pseudoseptic serositis. In order to avoid diagnostic delay and its dire consequences, NLRP3-AID should be suspected in patients displaying autoinflammatory features combined with serum and tissue eosinophilia and/or marked serositis, regardless of skin involvement.
Slimmer’s palsy following an intermittent fasting diet
Authors: Baharin Janudin , Yusof Khan Abdul Hanif Khan , Abdul Rashid Anna Misyail , Loh Wei Chao , Ibrahim Azliza , Inche Mat Liyana Najwa , Wan Sulaiman Wan Aliaa , Hoo Fan Kee , Basri Hamidon
Published: December 2022

Background

Isolated common peroneal neuropathy (CPN) is the most common lower extremity mononeuropathy and the third most common mononeuropathy overall in adults. It often associated with multiple aetiologies, such as trauma, hereditary neuropathies and iatrogenic causes. We report a rare case of acute bilateral foot drop in a late adolescent female following a rapid weight loss attributable to intermittent fasting diet.

Case presentation

A 19-year-old female presented with worsening bilateral foot drop following a rapid intentional weight loss by intermittent fasting diet. She lost 20% of her baseline bodyweight within a period of 4 months. Systemic disease and metabolic screenings for neuropathy differentials were unremarkable. Electrophysiological studies revealed severe entrapment neuropathy involving bilateral common peroneal nerves (CPN). Her confounding risk factors for CPN injury include contact sport activities and habitual leg crossing during sitting. Following a dietary modification and physical therapy she achieved complete recovery of weakness and function on follow-up.

Conclusions

In a patient with bilateral PN rapid weight loss, prognosis is good and complete neurologic recovery can be attained through combination of cessation of extreme diet and physical therapy.
Catheter-related atrial thrombosis: prevalence and risk factors in the pediatric age group—a retrospective study
Authors: Nassereldine Hasan , Hajj-Ali Adel , Hassanieh Joelle , Hamideh Dima , Jaafar Rola F. , Akel Samir , Zaghal Ahmad
Published: December 2022

Background

Catheter-related right atrial thrombosis (CRAT) is an under-studied complication of a long-term implantable venous access devices (IVAD), particularly in children with incidence rates extrapolated from the adult literature ranging between 2 and 29%. This is a single-center retrospective review of electronic medical records of children who underwent insertion of IVADs and had at least one echocardiogram performed prior to catheter removal between 2008 and 2018. Data collection included demographic information, development of CRAT, systemic infection, and administration of thrombogenic chemotherapeutic agents. We identified six patients who developed CRAT and compared them to 120 control patients. We also performed a detailed chart review for the patients who developed CRAT. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS.

Results

A total of 764 patients underwent IVAD placement between 2008 and 2018. Six (0.79%) patients developed CRAT, and 120 patients were identified as controls that match the CRAT patients based on definitive criteria that include age, gender, chemotherapy type, steroid therapy, reason of line insertion, site of catheter insertion, tip-location at insertion, and history of systemic infections. In the CRAT group, 3 (50%) patients had their catheter tips placed in the superior vena cava-right atrial junction and 3 (50%) in the right atrium, whereas in the control group, all patients had their catheter tips placed in the superior vena cava-right atrial junction (p=0.000). Five (83.3%) patients in the CRAT group received L-asparaginase as compared to 75 (62.5%) patients in the control group (p=0.301). In the CRAT group, all patients had a history of systemic infection compared to 47 (39.2%) in the control group (p=0.180).

Conclusion

We identified 6 (0.79%) children with CRAT. Catheter-tip location within the right atrium is a potential risk factor for CRAT development in children.
A case of AORPA in an adult presenting as secondary polycythemia
Authors: Krishnamurthy Premapassan , Blah Garyll Ryan Tariang , Negi Madhu Bala , Lalwani Gunjan , Shah Harshil C.
Published: December 2022

Background

Polycythemia refers to a condition of an abnormal increase in the red blood cell (RBC) mass. In men with a hematocrit > 60% or women with a hematocrit > 55%, there is 99% likelihood that the RBC mass is elevated. WHO uses a hemoglobin concentration > 16.5 g/dl in men or 16.0 g/dl in women to define an elevated RBC mass, in its criteria for the diagnosis of polycythemia vera. Congenital cardiac anomalies presenting as polycythemia are very rare in adults.

Case presentation

In this case report, the patient presented with non-specific complaint and had an incidental finding of secondary polycythemia, ultimately diagnosed as secondary to AORPA. Our patient, a 43-year-old male, presented to our emergency with focal onset seizures without impairment of consciousness involving left upper and lower limbs. On routine investigations, the patient was found to have grade III clubbing and hemoglobin of 19.8 g/dl with elevated Erythropoietin levels. Further workup of secondary polycythemia revealed anomalous origin of the right pulmonary artery (AORPA) from the ascending aorta with tortuous patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and pulmonary hypertension. Secondary polycythemia, in our patient, was due to right to left shunt causing Eisenmenger phenomenon, following pulmonary hypertension, making it one of the rarest presentation in adults.

Conclusion

In the evaluation of secondary polycythemia, possibility of underlying asymptomatic cardiopulmonary shunt must be considered, though rare.
Machine learning model for the optimization and kinetics of petroleum industry effluent treatment using aluminum sulfate
Authors: Ugonabo Victor Ifeanyi , Ovuoraye Prosper Eguono , Chowdhury Ahmad , Fetahi Endrit
Published: December 2022

Small-scale preliminary studies are necessary to determine the feasibility of the machine learning (ML) algorithm and time-evolution kinetics to meet the design specification of the treatment unit. The train and test datasets were obtained from jar test experimentation on the petroleum industry effluent (PIE) sample using aluminum sulfate (AS) as the coagulant. The ML algorithm from scikit-learn was employed to determine the optimum operating condition for the removal of colloidal particles, causing turbidity in the PIE. The predictive capacity of four ML models was compared based on their statistical metrics for clean discharge. The predicted optimum condition corresponds to pH (10), dosage (0.1 g/L), and settling time (30 min) which transcends to residual turbidity ≤ 10 NTU and translates to 95% removal efficiency. The second-order AS-sweep flocculation kinetic showed that at the predicted optimum conditions, modeled rate constant of 1.33 × 10−3 L/g.min and flocculation period of 1.2 min reduced the combination of the monomer, dimmer, and trimmer class colloids from an initial 570 mg/L concentration to the residual counts of 24 mg/L corresponding to residual turbidity ≤ 10 NTU under the mixing regime 14 s−1 ≤ G ≤ 164 s−1 satisfied the EPA standard for clean effluent discharge. It incorporated the selected ML output with time-evolution and aggregation kinetics to define sedimentation tank geometry for cleaner discharge. The findings from the design-driven optimization recommended a flow rate (1000 m3s−1), coefficient of kinematic viscosity (0.841 mm/s), and the required detention time (30–60 min) to define the sedimentation tank geometry.
Evaluation of cement stabilised residual soil on macro- and micro-scale for road construction
Authors: Roshan Mohammad Jawed , Rashid Ahmad Safuan Bin A. , Hezmi Muhammad Azril Bin , Nejabi Mohammad Nazir , Bt.Jusoh Siti Norafida , Tamassoki Sakina , Razali Roslizayati
Published: December 2022

Lateritic soil is a kind of residual soil widespread in tropical countries. This soil usually possesses acceptable engineering properties to be laid under the construction projects. However, it needs treatment for transportation infrastructure such as railway and road subgrade and embankment, particularly when it is in fine-grained form. Thus, cement, one of the very common stabiliser agents in soil stabilisation, was selected to study its influence on lateritic soil at macro- and micro-levels. In order to achieve this goal, UCS, durability, FESEM and EDX tests were conducted. The results obtained indicate that the UCS increase occurs with an increase in cement content and curing time. It was also found that the shear modulus increases with cement content and curing time. The durability test results disclosed that 3% cement is not enough for soil stabilisation when used for projects in the areas subjected to cyclic wetting-drying cycles. The durability test results revealed that the UCS decreased for specimens treated with 6% cement, while on the other hand, the UCS increased for samples treated with 9% and 12% cement. The FESEM results revealed that the soil micro-structure changed with the addition of cement and curing time. The EDX results presented the chemical elements change upon adding cement and increasing curing time. Overall, it was found that cement-stabilised residual soil can be used for road construction. However, the cement percentage needed to stabilise residual soil differs depending on the standards.
The nonlinear effects and applications of gain doped whispering-gallery mode cavities
Authors: Wu Xing-Yu , Wang Kai , Wang Heng , Lu Bo , Gao Yong-Pan , Wang Chuan
Published: December 2022

Whispering-gallery mode (WGM) cavities formed by dielectric structures have attracted intensive interest in various fields. The high-quality factor and smaller mode volume associated with the optical modes have inspired experiments in nonlinear optics, nanophotonics, and quantum information science. Moreover, they are also used in optical biosensors and other significant applications. To further reduce the material loss of the resonator, optical gain materials, such as erbium and ytterbium, are doped into the dielectric structure to increase the nonlinear effect and enhance the interaction between light and matter. Here in this review, we outline the most recent advancements in gain-doped optical WGM microcavities. Moreover, we introduce the dynamics of the gain in WGM resonators, the integration of gain media into WGM microcavities with various shapes, and the fabrication and applications of the gain microcavities. Also, the applications of the gain cavity based on the whispering-gallery mode have been introduced, e.g., ultra-sensitive sensors, low-threshold lasers, and high-performance optical systems.
Αξιοποίηση του διδακτικού μοντ΄έλου της ανεστραμμένης τάξης στη διδασκαλία των βιοεπιστημών στην τριτοβάθμια εκπαίδευση
Authors: Μπουμπόναρη Θεοδώρα , Κεδράκα Κατερίνα , Γρηγορίου Mαρία , Λαμπροπούλου Μαρία , Σκάβδης Γεώργιος , Κωνσταντόπουλος Χρήστος
Published: December 2022

Η ανεστραμμένη τάξη αναδεικνύεται σε ένα πολύ ενδιαφέρον πεδίο επιστημονικής έρευνας, ωστόσο, στην Τριτοβάθμια Εκπαίδευση, η μετωπική διδασκαλία στις πανεπιστημιακές αίθουσες, είναι ακόμη η κυρίαρχη μέθοδος διδασκαλίας. Στόχος της παρούσας έρευνας είναι να αναδείξει τα πλεονεκτήματα και μειονεκτήματα της εφαρμογής του μοντέλου της ανεστραμμένης τάξης στην Τριτοβάθμια Εκπαίδευση. Για την αξιολόγηση της εφαρμογής της ανεστραμμένης τάξης από τους φοιτητές αξιοποιήθηκε ερωτηματολόγιο, το οποίο διανεμήθηκε ηλεκτρονικά στους φοιτητές μετά το τέλος των δια ζώσης μαθημάτων, στο εαρινό εξάμηνο 2021-22. Από τα αποτελέσματα προέκυψε ότι οι φοιτητές της παρούσας έρευνας έκριναν θετική την εφαρμογή του μοντέλου, αξιολογώντας υψηλά τόσο τις δραστηριότητες πριν την τάξη, δηλώνοντας ότι τους επέτρεψαν να μάθουν καλύτερα το νέο αντικείμενο στο δικό τους ρυθμό, όσο και τις δραστηριότητες στην τάξη, καθώς αυτές συνέβαλαν στην έμπρακτη εφαρμογή της νέας γνώσης και στην αλληλεπίδραση με τους συμφοιτητές τους αλλά και τον εκπαιδευτικό, γεγονός που συνέβαλε σημαντικά στη βαθύτερη κατανόηση του αντικειμένου. Παρόλα αυτά δεν είναι έτοιμοι να μπουν σε ένα σύστημα πλήρους εφαρμογής του μοντέλου αυτού, καθώς προτιμούν τις δια ζώσης διαλέξεις, υποδηλώνοντας ότι δεν είναι έτοιμοι να αναλάβουν σε ικανοποιητικό βαθμό την ευθύνη της προσωπικής τους μελέτης μόνοι στο σπίτι και έχουν ανάγκη την αλληλεπίδραση με τον διδάσκοντα.  Συμπερασματικά, το μοντέλο της ανεστραμμένης τάξης θα μπορούσε να αξιοποιηθεί για να μειώσει σημαντικά τη χρήση της παραδοσιακής διάλεξης, να υπερβεί πολλούς από τους περιορισμούς των παραδοσιακών προσεγγίσεων της πανεπιστημιακής διδασκαλίας και μάθησης και εν τέλει να υπηρετήσει την προσέγγιση της μαθητοκεντρικής μάθησης.
Towards an appropriate African framework for public engagement with human genome editing: a call to synergistic action
Authors: Ssebunnya Gerald Michael
Published: December 2022

The CRISPR-Cas9 system has revolutionised the biotechnology of human genome editing. Human germline gene editing promises exponential benefits to many in Africa and elsewhere, especially those affected by the highly prevalent monogenic disorders - for which, thanks to CRISPR, a relatively safe heritable radical therapy is now possible. Africa evidently presents a unique opportunity for empirical research in human germline gene editing because of its high prevalence of monogenic disorders. Critically, however, germline gene editing has raised serious ethical concerns especially because of the significant risks of inadvertent and intentional misuse of its transgenerational heritability. Calls for due prudence have become even more pronounced in the wake of the 2018 case of He Jiankui’s ‘CRISPR’d babies’. Meanwhile, Africa is seriously lagging in articulating its position on human genome editing. Conspicuously, there has been little to no attempt at comprehensively engaging the African public in discussions on the promises and concerns about human genome editing. Thus, the echoing key question remains as to how Africa should prudently embrace and govern this revolutionary biotechnology. In this article, therefore, I lay the groundwork for the possible development of an appropriate African framework for public engagement with human genome editing and call upon all stakeholders to urgent synergistic action. I particularly highlight the World Health Organisation’s possible leadership role in promptly establishing the requisite expert working group for this urgent need.
On the Initial Stage of the Formation of Cognitive Universal Educational Activities in First-Graders in Mathematics Lessons
Authors: Fedorova A.
Published: December 2022

The article is devoted to the propaedeutics of the formation of cognitive universal educational activities among first-graders. The features of logical operations and information actions that are mastered by children in the process of working with a variety of mathematical material are characterized. It is considered as the most relevant for achieving the goal. Examples of tasks that a teacher can use in mathematics lessons in the first grade are given, adapting the degree of their complexity in accordance with the level of readiness of students.
Bullying in the Modern School: Approaches to Prevention in Our Country and Abroad
Authors: Shaposhnikova T.
Published: December 2022

The article discusses the problem of school bullying as a type of deviant behavior of children. Materials are analyzed that allow one to judge the current state of this problem and its relevance for mass school practice, family education and the schoolchildren themselves. The issues of bullying prevention, development of anti-bullying programs are raised. The examples given by the author of the creation and experience of implementing anti-bullying programs abroad will be useful to domestic practicing teachers, psychologists, and education specialists.
Źródłoznawczy kontekst zapisu daty dziennej zwycięstwa Leszka Czarnego nad buntownikami (1285 r.) w kodeksie Zamoyskich
Authors: Żmudzki Paweł
Published: December 2022

Celem artykułu jest zwrócenie uwagi na pomyłkę kopisty kodeksu Zamoyskich (rkpsu BN BOZ 28) popełnioną przy okazji zapisywania w Roczniku Traski daty dziennej decydującej bitwy stoczonej przez Leszka Czarnego z buntownikami w 1285 r. Dzień św. Stefana papieża i męczennika najprawdopodobniej był elementem jakiejś zapiski obituarnej i mylnie został powiązany z batalią.
Problem cenzury w sejmowych diariuszach drukowanych epoki stanisławowskiej na przykładzie diariusza sejmu 1776 r.
Authors: Zielińska Ewa
Published: December 2022

W artykule przedstawiłam analizę treści drukowanego diariusza sejmu 1776 r. w zestawieniu z czterema zachowanymi diariuszami rękopiśmiennymi oraz z drukowanymi współcześnie mowami sejmowymi. Na tej podstawie wskazałam elementy podważające wiarygodność przygotowanego na polecenie Stanisława Augusta diariusza sejmu 1776 r., którego autorem był Adam Cieciszowski, sekretarz tegoż sejmu i pracownik królewskiego Gabinetu. Przedstawiłam także powody, dla których – za wiedzą króla – dokonywał on modyfikacji zmieniających wydźwięk wydarzeń sejmowych. We wnioskach podkreśliłam konieczność podjęcia prac nad edycjami wszystkich drukowanych diariuszy stanisławowskich.
Erratum to “Budgeted Prize-Collecting Traveling Salesman and Minimum Spanning Tree Problems”
Authors: Paul Alice , Freund Daniel , Ferber Aaron , Shmoys David B. , Williamson David P.
Published: December 2022

There is an error in our paper [Paul A, Freund D, Ferber A, Shmoys DB, Williamson DP (2020) Budgeted prize-collecting traveling salesman and minimum spanning tree problems. Math. Oper. Res. 45(2):576–590]. In that paper, we consider constrained versions of the prize-collecting traveling salesman and the prize-collecting minimum spanning tree problems. The goal is to maximize the number of vertices in the returned tour/tree subject to a bound on the tour/tree cost. Rooted variants of the problems have the additional constraint that a given vertex, the root, must be contained in the tour/tree. In our previous paper, we present a 2-approximation algorithm for the rooted and unrooted versions of both the tree and tour variants using a parameterized primal–dual approach. Here, we illustrate an error in the proof of a lemma for the rooted version of the algorithm and show that the algorithm has no finite approximation guarantee for the rooted version of the problem. We also show that the lemma and the approximation guarantee of 2 continue to hold true for the unrooted version. This leaves the best-known approximations for the rooted tour an established [Formula: see text]-approximation algorithm and for the tree variant a previously published poly-log approximation algorithm.
Marital rape: hidden female narratives
Authors: Fernandes Távora Mariana , Amaral Machado Bruno
Published: December 2022

This article presents an introductory study, whose main question is: how does gender affect or produce the marital rape narratives of women in Federal District who access the legal system to report domestic violence? To answer this question, the authors used gender as a decolonized category, making a historical exam of the control of female sexuality. To approach the question, the authors consider gender as a decolonial category, and conduct a study of the historical control of female sexuality. Using a qualitative approach, they then proceed to field research. The analysis of individual reports of women facing domestic violence, carried out by psychosocial teams of the Public Prosecutor's Office of Federal District and its territories (MPDFT), is combined with the results of questionnaires completed by those who carried out these reports. The findings suggest that marital rape is a kind of violence that stays invisible, under robust social control preventing its exposure to women.
Keywords: Marital rape; invisibility; domestic violence.
Controllable waveform terahertz generation using rippled plasma driven by an inhomogeneous electrostatic field
Authors: Jiao Zhi-Hong , Song Jia-Hui , Zhang Sheng , Li Xiao-Yong , Wang Guo-Li , Zhao Song-Feng
Published: December 2022

We theoretically present the waveform controls of terahertz (THz) radiations generated from homogeneous and rippled plasma within inhomogeneous external electrostatic field. The Particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations is implemented to demonstrate generation and controllability of three types of THz pulses: single frequency THz pulse in homogeneous plasma, broadband THz pulse and dual frequency THz pulse in rippled plasma. The single frequency THz pulse can be tuned via shifting the knob of electron density of homogeneous plasma. Waveform of broadband THz pulse can be regulated into an envelope-like shape by varying amplitude of electron density of rippled plasma. The two center frequencies’ interval of dual frequency THz pulse can be controlled by wave numbers of density distribution of rippled plasma. This work provides a potential means to generate the dual frequency THz pulses with two harmonic frequencies (ω+Ωω, Ω=2) or incommensurate frequencies (ω+Ωω, Ω=1.7,1.8, 2.2…).
Fabrication-robust silicon photonic devices in standard sub-micron silicon-on-insulator processes
Authors: Rizzo Anthony , Dave Utsav , Novick Asher , Freitas Alexandre , Roberts Samantha P. , James Aneek , Lipson Michal , Bergman Keren
Published: December 2022

Perturbations to the effective refractive index from nanometer-scale fabrication variations in waveguide geometry plague high index-contrast photonic platforms; this includes the ubiquitous sub-micron silicon-on-insulator (SOI) process. Such variations are particularly troublesome for phase-sensitive devices, such as interferometers and resonators, which exhibit drastic changes in performance as a result of these fabrication-induced phase errors. In this Letter, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a design methodology for dramatically reducing device sensitivity to silicon width variations. We apply this methodology to a highly phase-sensitive device, the ring-assisted Mach–Zehnder interferometer (RAMZI), and show comparable performance and footprint to state-of-the-art devices, while substantially reducing stochastic phase errors from etch variations. This decrease in sensitivity is directly realized as energy savings by significantly reducing the required corrective thermal tuning power, providing a promising path toward ultra-energy-efficient large-scale silicon photonic circuits.
Cost-effective fiber-to-lithium niobate chip coupling using a double-side irradiation self-written waveguide
Authors: He Liangjun , Feng Hanke , Wang Cheng , Chan Hau Ping
Published: December 2022

In recent years, integrated lithium niobate (LN) chips have been widely used for developing a variety of photonic devices, such as high-speed electro-optical (EO) modulators and frequency comb generators. A major challenge for their practical applications is the high coupling loss between micrometer-scale LN waveguides and optical fibers. Lensed fibers and special taper structures are commonly used to tackle the coupling issue. However, in some situations, these approaches may increase the overall complexity and cost of design, fabrication, and alignment. Here, we propose using the self-written waveguide (SWW), an optical waveguide induced by light irradiation, to cope with this coupling issue. The approach can apply in connecting a single-mode fiber (SMF) to any waveguide surface in principle, even with a large mode-field mismatch, significantly alleviating the tight alignment requirements typically needed for end-fire coupling into integrated waveguides. Our study demonstrates that the coupling loss between a SMF with a mode-field diameter (MFD) of 4.4 µm and a sub-micrometer LN rib waveguide could be dramatically reduced from an initial value of –14.27 dB to –5.61 dB, after double-side irradiated SWW formation. Our proposed approach offers a potential solution for achieving a cost-effective and flexible fiber-to-LN chip optical interconnect.
Hardware-algorithm collaborative computing with photonic spiking neuron chip based on an integrated Fabry–Perot laser with a saturable absorber
Authors: Xiang Shuiying , Shi Yuechun , Guo Xingxing , Zhang Yahui , Wang Hongji , Zheng Dianzhuang , Song Ziwei , Han Yanan , Gao Shuang , Zhao Shihao , Gu Biling , Wang Hailing , Zhu Xiaojun , Hou Lianping , Chen Xiangfei , Zheng Wanhua , Ma Xiaohua , Hao Yue
Published: December 2022

Photonic neuromorphic computing has emerged as a promising approach to
building a low-latency and
energy-efficient non-von Neuman computing system. A photonic spiking
neural network (PSNN) exploits brain-like spatiotemporal processing to
realize high-performance
neuromorphic computing. However, the nonlinear computation of a PSNN
remains a significant challenge. Here, we propose and fabricate a
photonic spiking neuron chip based on an integrated Fabry–Perot laser
with a saturable absorber (FP-SA). The nonlinear neuron-like dynamics
including temporal integration, threshold and spike generation, a
refractory period, inhibitory behavior and cascadability are
experimentally demonstrated, which offers an indispensable fundamental
building block to construct the PSNN hardware. Furthermore, we propose
time-multiplexed temporal spike encoding to realize a functional PSNN
far beyond the hardware integration scale limit. PSNNs with
single/cascaded photonic spiking neurons are experimentally
demonstrated to realize hardware-algorithm collaborative computing,
showing the capability to perform classification tasks with a
supervised learning algorithm, which paves the way for a multilayer
PSNN that can handle complex tasks.
Ultra-long quantum walks via spin–orbit photonics
Authors: Di Colandrea Francesco , Babazadeh Amin , Dauphin Alexandre , Massignan Pietro , Marrucci Lorenzo , Cardano Filippo
Published: December 2022

The possibility of fine-tuning the couplings between optical modes is a key requirement in photonic circuits for quantum simulations. In these architectures, emulating the long-time evolution of particles across large lattices requires sophisticated setups that are often intrinsically lossy. Here we report ultra-long photonic quantum walks across several hundred optical modes, obtained by propagating a light beam through very few closely stacked liquid-crystal metasurfaces. By exploiting spin–orbit effects, these implement space-dependent polarization transformations that mix circularly polarized optical modes carrying quantized transverse momentum. As each metasurface implements long-range couplings between distant modes, by using only a few of them we simulate quantum walks up to 320 discrete steps without any optical amplification, far beyond state-of-the-art experiments. To showcase the potential of this method, we experimentally demonstrate that in the long time limit a quantum walk affected by dynamical disorder generates maximal entanglement between two system partitions. Our platform grants experimental access to large-scale unitary evolutions while keeping optical losses at a minimum, thereby paving the way to massive multi-photon multi-mode quantum simulations.