bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Incremental Clinical Benefit of Adding Layers of Complexity to the Planning and Execution of Adult Spinal Deformity Corrective Surgery
Authors: Pierce Katherine E. , Mir Jamshaid M. , Dave Pooja , Lafage Renaud , Lafage Virginie , Park Paul , Nunley Pierce , Mundis Gregory , Gum Jeffrey , Tretiakov Peter , Uribe Juan , Hostin Richard , Eastlack Robert , Diebo Bassel , Kim Han Jo , Smith Justin S. , Ames Christopher P. , Shaffrey Christopher , Burton Douglas , Hart Robert , Bess Shay , Klineberg Eric , Schwab Frank , Gupta Munish , Hamilton D. Kojo , Passias Peter G. ,   on behalf of the International Spine Study Group
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

For patients with surgical adult spinal deformity (ASD), our understanding of alignment has evolved, especially in the last 20 years. Determination of optimal restoration of alignment and spinal shape has been increasingly studied, yet the assessment of how these alignment schematics have incrementally added benefit to outcomes remains to be evaluated.

METHODS:

Patients with ASD with baseline and 2-year were included, classified by 4 alignment measures: Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)–Schwab, Age-Adjusted, Roussouly, and Global Alignment and Proportion (GAP). The incremental benefits of alignment schemas were assessed in chronological order as our understanding of optimal alignment progressed. Alignment was considered improved from baseline based on SRS-Schwab 0 or decrease in severity, Age-Adjusted ideal match, Roussouly current (based on sacral slope) matching theoretical (pelvic incidence–based), and decrease in proportion. Patients separated into 4 first improving in SRS-Schwab at 2-year, second Schwab improvement and matching Age-Adjusted, third two prior with Roussouly, and fourth improvement in all four. Comparison was accomplished with means comparison tests and χ2 analyses.

RESULTS:

Sevenhundredthirty-two. patients met inclusion. SRS-Schwab BL: pelvic incidence–lumbar lordosis mismatch (++:32.9%), sagittal vertical axis (++: 23%), pelvic tilt (++:24.6%). 640 (87.4%) met criteria for first, 517 (70.6%) second, 176 (24%) third, and 55 (7.5%) fourth. The addition of Roussouly (third) resulted in lower rates of mechanical complications and proximal junctional kyphosis (48.3%) and higher rates of meeting minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for physical component summary and SRS-Mental (P < .05) compared with the second. Fourth compared with the third had higher rates of MCID for ODI (44.2% vs third: 28.3%, P = .011) and SRS-Appearance (70.6% vs 44.8%, P < .001). Mechanical complications and proximal junctional kyphosis were lower with the addition of Roussouly (P = .024), while the addition of GAP had higher rates of meeting MCID for SRS-22 Appearance (P = .002) and Oswestry Disability Index (P = .085).

CONCLUSION:

Our evaluation of the incremental benefit that alignment schemas have provided in ASD corrective surgery suggests that the addition of Roussouly provided the greatest reduction in mechanical complications, while the incorporation of GAP provided the most significant improvement in patient-reported outcomes.
Adaptations of membrane trafficking in cancer and tumorigenesis
Authors: Evergren Emma , Mills Ian G. , Kennedy Grace
Published: May 2024

Membrane trafficking, a fundamental cellular process encompassing the transport of molecules to specific organelles, endocytosis at the plasma membrane and protein secretion, is crucial for cellular homeostasis and signalling. Cancer cells adapt membrane trafficking to enhance their survival and metabolism, and understanding these adaptations is vital for improving patient responses to therapy and identifying therapeutic targets. In this Review, we provide a concise overview of major membrane trafficking pathways and detail adaptations in these pathways, including COPII-dependent endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-to-Golgi vesicle trafficking, COPI-dependent retrograde Golgi-to-ER trafficking and endocytosis, that have been found in cancer. We explore how these adaptations confer growth advantages or resistance to cell death and conclude by discussing the potential for utilising this knowledge in developing new treatment strategies and overcoming drug resistance for cancer patients.
Microtubule reorganization during mitotic cell division in the dinoflagellate Ostreospis cf. ovata
Authors: Velasquez-Carvajal David , Garampon Flavie , Besnardeau Lydia , Lemée Rodolphe , Schaub Sebastien , Castagnetti Stefania
Published: May 2024

Dinoflagellates are marine organisms that undergo seasonal proliferation events known as algal blooms. Vegetative cell proliferation is a main contributing factor in these events. However, mechanistical understanding of mitosis and cytokinesis in dinoflagellates remains rudimentary. Using an optimized immunofluorescence protocol, we analysed changes in microtubule organization occurring during the mitotic cycle of the toxic dinoflagellate Ostreopsis cf. ovata. We find that the flagella and the cortical microtubule array persist throughout the mitotic cycle. Two cytoplasmic microtubule bundles originate from the ventral area, where the basal bodies are located – a cortical bundle and a cytoplasmic bundle. The latter associates with the nucleus in the cell centre before mitosis and with the acentrosomal extranuclear spindle during mitosis. Analysis of tubulin post-translational modifications identifies two populations of spindle microtubules – polar acetylated microtubules, whose length is constant, and central tyrosinated microtubules, which elongate during chromosome segregation. During cell division a microtubule-rich structure forms along the dorsal–ventral axis, associated with the site of cytokinesis, consistent with a cytokinetic mechanism that is independent of the actomyosin ring typical of animal and yeast cells.
Two invalid genera in the family Bythinellidae Locard, 1893 (Caenogastropoda: Truncatelloidea)
Authors: Jaszczyńska Aleksandra , Hofman Sebastian , Falniowski Andrzej
Published: May 2024

Within the genus Bythinella Moquin-Tandon, 1856, with about 250 nominal species, the separation of several genera would be helpful in understanding the phylogenetic relationships between these snails, but neither morphology nor molecular loci studied so far can be used to distinguish any natural taxon over the range of species within this genus. Apart from Bythinella there are two other genera listed in the Bythinellidae by WoRMS: Terrestribythinella Sitnikova, Starobogatov et Anistratenko, 1992, and Strandzhia Georgiev et Glöer, 2013. Considering the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences, as well as poor morphological data, Terrestribythinella should be considered a junior subjective synonym of Bythinella. In the case of Strandzhia, both COI and 18S sequences studied by us, as well as morphology re-examined (misinterpretation of the penis morphology in the original description) clearly show the assignment of Strandzhia to the genus Grossuana Radoman, 1983, thus Strandzhia becomes a junior objective synonym of Grossuana.
Integrated re-analysis of transcriptomic and proteomic datasets reveals potential mechanisms for Zika viral-based oncolytic therapy in neuroblastoma
Authors: Sherwood Matt , Zhou Yilu , Sui Yi , Wang Yihua , Skipp Paul , Kaid Carolini , Gray Juliet , Okamoto Keith , Ewing Rob M.
Published: May 2024

Background Paediatric neuroblastoma and brain tumours account for a third of all childhood cancer-related mortality. High-risk neuroblastoma is highly aggressive and survival is poor despite intensive multi-modal therapies with significant toxicity. Novel therapies are desperately needed. The Zika virus (ZIKV) can access the nervous system and there is growing interest in employing ZIKV as a potential therapy against paediatric nervous system tumours, including neuroblastoma. Methods Here, we perform extensive data mining, integration and re-analysis of ZIKV infection datasets to highlight molecular mechanisms that may govern the oncolytic response in neuroblastoma cells. We collate infection data of multiple neuroblastoma cell lines by different ZIKV strains from a body of published literature to inform the susceptibility of neuroblastoma to the ZIKV oncolytic response. Integrating published transcriptomics, interaction proteomics, dependency factor and compound datasets we propose the involvement of multiple host systems during ZIKV infection. Results Through data mining of published literature, we observed most paediatric neuroblastoma cell lines to be highly susceptible to ZIKV infection and propose the PRVABC59 ZIKV strain to be the most promising candidate for neuroblastoma oncolytic virotherapy. ZIKV induces TNF signalling, lipid metabolism, the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), and downregulates cell cycle and DNA replication processes. ZIKV infection is dependent on sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-regulated lipid metabolism and three protein complexes; V-ATPase, ER Membrane Protein Complex (EMC) and mammalian translocon. We propose ZIKV non-structural protein 4B (NS4B) as a likely mediator of ZIKVs interaction with IRE1-mediated UPR, lipid metabolism and mammalian translocon. Conclusions Our work provides a significant understanding of ZIKV infection in neuroblastoma cells, which will facilitate the progression of ZIKV-based oncolytic virotherapy through pre-clinical research and clinical trials.
Methods of suicide used by people with cancer: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Ni Dhalaigh Doireann , Kabir Zubair , Ismail Fahmi , Corcoran Paul , Wiggin Daisy , Cassidy Eugene
Published: May 2024

Background People with cancer are at a higher risk of suicide than the general population. Access to means of suicide is an important volitional risk factor that if targeted at a population level as a modifiable risk factor can reduce incidence of suicide death. People with cancer are often prescribed multiple medications that have a high case fatality when taken in overdose and therefore have increased access to specific means of high lethality self-harm. The aim of this review is to examine the methods of suicide used by people with cancer, the study designs used to explore these and what, if any, comparisons have been made to the general population. Methods This scoping review will follow JBI scoping review methodology guidelines and be reported according to PRISMA ScR checklist. A systematic search will be conducted of Embase (Elsevier), CINAHL Plus (EBSCO), PsycInfo (EBSCO), Psycharticles (EBSCO), and Pubmed (NCBI) databases and grey literature sources. A data collection tool will be specifically designed and piloted independently by two reviewers. Findings will be presented descriptively, graphically, and narratively as appropriate. Results The results of this review will identify the breadth of evidence in relation to methods of suicide used by people with cancer, explore how different methods are defined and categorised, how the topic has been studies, and ascertain if a systematic review is possible.
The genome sequence of the Marbled Minor moth, Oligia strigilis (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Broad Gavin R. ,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: May 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Oligia strigilis (Marbled Minor; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Noctuidae). The genome sequence is 626.1 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.35 kilobases in length.
The genome sequence of the Muslin Footman moth, Nudaria mundana (Linnaeus, 1761)
Authors: Crowley Liam M. , Hutchinson Finley ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: May 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Nudaria mundana (the Muslin Footman moth; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Erebidae). The genome sequence is 643.9 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 17.14 kilobases in length.
Llamada a la acción: transformando la “excelencia” para el Sur Global y más allá
Authors: Kraemer-Mbula Erika , Tijssen Robert , Wallace Matthew L. , McLean Robert , Allen Liz , Barrere Rodolfo , Chataway Joanna , Chavarro Diego , Daniels Chux , Lebel Jean , Marincola Elizabeth , Mendizabal Enrique , Neylon Cameron , Ouattara Annette , Raza Falak , Sangaré Yaya , Singh Suneeta , Siregar Fajri , Ssembatya Vincent A. , Sutz Judith
Published: May 2024

Este libro pone de manifiesto las lagunas y las deficiencias en la forma como se aplica actualmente la noción de “excelencia” en los ecosistemas de investigación. Sostiene que debemos mejorar nuestros resultados si queremos que la investigación científica cumpla su promesa de ser una fuerza productiva para crear una sociedad más sana, feliz y próspera; especialmente, en el Sur, donde los riesgos asociados a la búsqueda de la “excelencia” pueden tener efectos preocupantes. Es hora de cambiar, y este libro presenta ideas sobre cómo lograrlo.
Uninformed Choices in Perishables
Authors: Hansen Karsten , Misra Kanishka , Sanders Robert Evan
Published: May 2024

We study consumer choices of perishable items and their effects on retail waste using a data set that tracks expiration date–level consumer choices and on-shelf inventory.
Risk Management with Variable Capital Utilization and Time-Varying Collateral Capacity
Authors: Chen Guojun , Lu Zhongjin , Vij Siddharth
Published: May 2024

We build a risk management model that incorporates variable capital utilization and time-varying collateral capacity. The former lets firms optimally choose capital utilization, and hence production, which affects capital depreciation and risk exposure. The latter means firms’ ability to borrow and hedge increases with expected earnings and thus utilization. Calibrated solutions show both ingredients matter for firm value. We test the novel model predictions using a new data set of oil and gas producers. Consistent with model predictions, we find utilization is negatively correlated with firm liquidity, while hedging is positively correlated with liquidity and expected profitability.

This paper was accepted by Lukas Schmid, finance.

Funding: Lu and Vij acknowledge financial support from the Terry-Sanford Research Award, University of Georgia.

Supplemental Material: The online appendices and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.00415 .
Intangible Capital in Factor Models
Authors: Gulen Huseyin , Li Dongmei , Peters Ryan H. , Zekhnini Morad
Published: May 2024

The transition from a traditional manufacturing-based economy to a knowledge- and service-based economy over recent decades resulted in a considerable rise in intangible capital, most of which is not reported on companies’ balance sheets. As a result, balance sheet-based valuation ratios, investment measures, and other firm characteristics that do not incorporate off-balance sheet (OBS) intangible capital suffer from significant measurement error problems. We incorporate a new measure of OBS intangible capital into firm characteristics, such as book to market, investment, and profitability, to address these measurement errors. These OBS intangible adjustments improve the performance of the Fama–French three- and five-factor models and the q-factor model, especially during recent decades. We further find that the value factor is no longer redundant in these empirical factor models.

This paper was accepted by Lukas Schmid, finance.

Funding: The authors are grateful for financial support from the 2019 EDHEC Scientific Beta “Advanced ESG & Factor Investing” Research Chair.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.01261 .
Ubuntu e Neocomunitarismo como correntes da Ética Africana
Authors: Mussagy Cassamo Ussene
Published: May 2024

Este artigo objetiva compreender o Ubuntu e o Neocomunitarismo, como correntes da Ética Africana. Baseando-se na análise bibliográfica permitiu-nos apurar que, enquanto corrente da ética africana, o Ubuntu compreende o mundo, como ligação do homem com a comunidade, natureza e o divino. Para o Ubuntu, o sujeito torna-se humano a partir do momento em que reconhece a humanidade dos outros (eu sou porque nós somos) e cultiva virtudes assentes no perdão e reconciliação, cooperação, respeito mútuo e inclusão de todos. Assim como o Ubuntu, o Neocomunitarista visa à convivência harmoniosa entre os homens, atribuindo à comunidade papel central na edificação do comportamento do indivíduo, por forma a ver o mundo, como um conjunto de relações em que a comunidade é anterior ao sujeito, portanto o “nós” é anterior ao “eu”. E cada sujeito é responsabilizado, singularmente pela existência do Outro.
Conhecimentos não Conhecidos: os limites do conhecimento científico e o seu (Des)Privilégio no conhecimento local africano
Authors: Celestino Cleiton Fernando Pinto
Published: May 2024

Examino neste trabalho, a atitude científica, por meio do seu campo, conhecido como Conhecimento. Debruço-me em torno dos processos por intermédio dos quais a ciência considera válidos para legitimar o conhecimento. Dos argumentos de René Descartes, sobre o método científico, e das observações de Valéria Giannella sobre a construção da epistemologia a partir de uma outra abordagem; percebo que, a exploração da ciência não ocidental pela ciência ocidental, fez conflituar os interesses de produção científica, fazendo-lhe perder prestígio na África. Partindo, de “experiências e sentidos” (LARROSA, 2002) africanos, como Ujamaa (NHERERE, 1968), sugiro, uma reflexão em torno das metodologias caracterizantes da ciência, e a adaptação de meios que se desfaçam de modelos padronizados e localizados em ideologias ocidentais. Só assim, será possível o socialismo científico à luz das interconexões socioculturais.
INTERESSES QUE NORTEIAM O DISCURSO DO PROTAGONISMO JUVENIL NO ENSINO MÉDIO E SUAS RELAÇÕES
Authors: Correia Teles Marlene , Campos de Oliveira Dias Luciana
Published: May 2024

Neste artigo, discute-se a propagação do protagonismo juvenil como elemento fundante da proposta educacional para o Ensino Médio, bem como objetiva desvelar a intencionalidade do discurso sobre protagonismo Juvenil presente no documento orientador da Secretaria de Estado da Educação de Goiás e a relação dessa habilidade com a construção do projeto de vida do jovem. Parte-se da análise de argumentos apresentados no referido documento para, em seguida, estabelecer um diálogo, por meio de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, com autores do campo da sociologia e da educação que pesquisam o tema. A problemática que se estabelece é: os mecanismos adotados pelo documento orientador para o protagonismo juvenil da Secretaria de Estado de Educação de Goiás corroboram para potencializar os jovens estudantes do ensino médio a serem protagonistas a ponto traçarem e executarem seu projeto de vida? A partir desse entendimento, buscou-se elementos da formação protagonista na perspectiva de uma formação integral, em detrimento a uma formação utilitarista empreendedora, pensada para atender os intentos do mercado capitalista. Portanto, reflete-se o interesse sobre a ação educativa que associa o protagonismo juvenil, projeto de vida e a essência humana como o próprio trabalho de uma formação educacional que concorra para o aprimoramento das políticas públicas para a juventude no que tange às relações de educação e trabalho.
The role of the stoma nurse in a tertiary centre
Authors: Marinova Rali , Marinova Petya
Published: May 2024

Stoma formation is a life-changing procedure and a patients' journey adjusting back to life may be very overwhelming, both physically and psychosocially. This is why it is of paramount importance that a dedicated stoma nursing team can provide life-long support for these patients. Stoma nurses are fundamental to the provision of care for these patients. They ensure that with their clinical expertise and skills, patients are well-supported to ensure their quality of life is maintained to the highest standards and hospital admissions and unnecessary appointments with other healthcare professionals are avoided. However, the role of the stoma nurse as a clinical nurse specialist is not well-defined and the lack of understanding often leads to unrealistic expectations from the multidisciplinary teams. This is why it is fundamental to define the role of the stoma nurse, to ensure that both patients and healthcare professionals have realistic expectations and understand what a unique role this is.
Self-orthogonal and quantum codes over chain rings
Authors: Bajelan Maryam , Moeini Mina , Yildiz Bahattin
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we investigate the Gray images of codes over chain rings, leading to the derivation of infinite families of self-orthogonal linear codes over the residue field $\mathbb{F}_q$. We determine the parameters of optimal self-orthogonal and divisible linear codes. Additionally, we study the Gray images of quasi-twisted codes, resulting in some self-orthogonal Griesmer quasi-cyclic codes. Finally, we employ the CSS construction to derive some quantum codes based on self-orthogonal linear codes.
Serial Intersections in the New York Herald and The Mysteries of Paris
Authors: Livengood Nicole C.
Published: May 2024

abstract: On March 27, 1844, the New York Herald published the "Memoir of Zulma Marache," a first-person account of seduction and abortion. The Herald compared it to Eugene Sue's popular serial novel, the Mysteries of Paris . Although the "Memoir" was unique, its story of gender and socioeconomic injustices enabled by systemic inequity played out repeatedly in the Herald's columns as well as in Sue's novel. The Herald's framing of the "Memoir of Zulma Marache" via allusions to Mysteries of Paris asked readers to refresh and reframe their understandings of figures represented in the press. In collapsing fact and fiction, the Herald showed that what was called "sensational" was actually, tragically, perversely mundane—serial problems that had not then, and have not yet, been solved.
"La variedad de los exemplos" and "la verdad de la estampa": Race and Exemplarity in Virtudes vencen señales
Authors: Hicks-Bartlett Alani
Published: May 2024

Abstract: Drawing from critical race theorists and focusing on premodern ideas of race, inheritance, and hereditary imprinting, this essay explores the alternative possibilities for governance suggested by Luis Vélez de Guevara in Virtudes vencen señales through his conceptualization of race, inherited traits, gender, and exemplarity. As the play's semiotic argument is anticipated by its title, an examination of exemplarity and precisely coded "señales"—that is, "signs," or "marks"—helps inform the disparity between who is initially assumed to be "virtuous" and who is ultimately proven to be so. The "señales" represented in the play confront ideas of political and hereditary continuity and rigid theories of legal and genetic succession that account for, mitigate, and hierarchize difference. In its engagement with exemplarity via key intertextual borrowings, Virtudes situates race and gender as the problematic backdrop for gauging an exemplar's replicability against its singularity and difference, thus offering a pointed critique of governmental continuity and hierarchal understandings of inheritance.
Innovative methodology for noninvasive spatial mapping of gold nanoparticle distribution in tissues: potential applications in biomedical imaging and therapy
Authors: Mendes A. C. M. , Monte A. F. G. , Saager R. B.
Published: May 2024

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have emerged as versatile agents in biomedical applications, particularly for enhancing contrast in tagged biological tissues for tumor imaging and diagnostics due to their strong absorption cross-section. In this study, we present a methodology for quantifying the spatial distribution of AuNPs within superficial tissue volumes. Utilizing silicone tissue phantoms as a background medium and spatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI) to measure the tissues’ optical properties, we constructed a lookup table (LUT) to infer the optical properties of embedded AuNPs with varying spatial concentrations and depths across multiple spatial frequencies. An analytical solution derived from the LUT facilitated the determination of embedded NP concentration in-depth as a function of measured spatial frequency-dependent optical absorption. Notably, SFDI enabled the spatial localization of NPs in three dimensions. These findings lay the foundation for future in vivo studies on mapping NPs and hold significant promise for advancing biomedical imaging techniques.
High throughput compressive fluorescence lifetime imaging with a silicon photomultiplier detector
Authors: Ghezzi Alberto , Avanzi Elisabetta , García Fleitas Ariel , Sieno Laura Di , Mora Alberto Dalla , Santabarbara Stefano , Bassi Andrea , Valentini Gianluca , Farina Andrea , D’Andrea Cosimo
Published: May 2024

Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is a powerful technique for studying biological processes. There exists a growing interest in developing strategies to enhance throughput and reduce acquisition time of FLIM systems, which commonly employ laser scanning excitation and time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) detection. In this work, we propose a wide-field FLIM microscope based on compressive sensing and high photon rate detection (beyond pile-up limit) based on a high-efficiency silicon photomultiplier detector as a single-pixel camera. We experimentally validate the capabilities of this design achieving 20 frames per second FLIM images on free-moving green algae sample.
Efficient and reliable digital sub-band multiplexed nonlinear frequency division multiplexing system
Authors: Ge Peiyun , Xi Lixia , Deng Jiayun , Duan Jiale , Du Shucheng , Zhang Wenbo , Zhang Xiaoguang
Published: May 2024

Nonlinear frequency division multiplexing (NFDM) is a promising optical transmission system that avoids fiber nonlinear effects, but suffering from unsatisfied spectral efficiency due to the guard interval (GI) devoting to combat the cumulative chromatic dispersion (CD), whose contribution to efficiency declination is quadratic to the bandwidth. In this paper, we propose what we believe to be a novel digital sub-band multiplexed (DSBM) NFDM system that can diminish the minimal required guard interval and therefore realize considerable information rate without reliability degradation. Through numerical simulation, we show that root raised cosine (RRC) shaped subcarriers are more suitable than the commonly used orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) shaped ones in our DSBM-NFDM system. By multiplexing 15 sub-bands, we achieve a 129.7% improvement in effective information rate (EIR) compared to the single channel (SC) NFDM system with the same effective bandwidth. Meanwhile, we achieve a net information rate of 531.0 Gbps NFDM transmission over 960 km with SE of 3.86 bit/s/Hz, which is below the hard decision forward error correction (HD-FEC) threshold. This work is the first to introduce the DSBM technique into NFDM system, and it can be considered as a novel subcarrier shaping scheme for NFDM that has potential to advance its practical implementation.
Self-homodyne coherent Lidar system for range and velocity detection
Authors: Al-Shaikhli Fatima , Lamsal Anjana , Moreira Gustavo , O’Sullivan Maurice , Hui Rongqing
Published: May 2024

A high resolution FMCW Lidar system based on a phase-diverse self-homodyne coherent receiver is demonstrated. Using the same linearly chirped waveform for both the transmitted lidar signal and the local oscillator, the self-homodyne coherent receiver performs frequency de-chirping in the photodiodes which significantly simplifies the task of signal processing, and the required receiver bandwidth can be much lower than the signal chirping bandwidth. While only amplitude modulation is required in the lidar transmitter, phase-diverse coherent receiver allows simultaneous detection of target range and velocity through the spectrum of the de-chirped complex waveform. Multi-target detection is also demonstrated experimentally.
Synthetic photonic lantern characterization and power regulation with intensity superposition mode decomposition
Authors: Xu Lin , Pei Li , Wang Jianshuai , Bai Bing , Li Jing , Hu Kaihua , Gao Han
Published: May 2024

Photonic lanterns (PLs) enable to convert the spatial modes, making it possible to simply add/drop modes in multimode division multiplexing (MDM) systems. The parameters of PLs have a significant impact on the modal purity, signal quality, transmission distance, and efficiency. This paper proposes a method for the synthetic characterization and power regulation of PLs with multi-channel intensity superposition mode decomposition (MD). The observation reveals that the single channel on the charge-coupled device (CCD) comprises a combination of the fundamental and higher mode fields. However, when the multi-channel is input together, the intensity of each few-mode spot is superimposed on the CCD, and the parameters that cannot be acquired by a single channel can be obtained through the detection of multi-channel input. This offers a novel avenue for optimizing the PLs. Thus, the insertion loss (IL), modal dependent loss (MDL), mode conversion efficiency (MCE), crosstalk, and mode multiplexing power ratio difference (MMPRD) can be obtained. Furthermore, the power regulation is implemented based on the multi-channel intensity superposition MD. The difference between the two modes before power control at the output of the PL is 0.28 dB. However, after implementing power control measurements, this difference was reduced to 0.05 dB, facilitating power equalization throughout the entire communication system.
Suppressing the radiation loss by hybrid Tamm-surface plasmon BIC modes
Authors: Qiao Tong , Hu Mengying , Wang Qiang , Xiao Meng , Zhu Shining , Liu Hui
Published: May 2024

Tamm plasmon polaritons (TPPs), localized near the boundary of a dielectric Bragg reflector (DBR) and a thin metal film, have attracted much attention for the lower ohm loss and flexible excitation. However, the radiation loss resulting from the direct coupling to the surroundings hinders their applications. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a new type of hybrid plasmonic quasi-bound state in the continuum (BIC) in a Tamm-surface plasmon polariton system to suppress the radiation loss. Leveraging the scattering of the periodic metal array, the TPP interacts with the surface plasmon polariton (SPP) mode and form a Friedrich-Wintgen type quasi-BIC state that originated from the interference of two surface waves with different natures. Through angle resolved reflectance spectrum measurement, the hybrid plasmonic quasi-BIC was observed in the experiment. Our work proposes a new method to design a high Q mode in plasmonic systems, and thus holds promise for applications in the field of light matter interactions.
BLSTM convolution and self-attention network enabled recursive and direct prediction for optical chaos
Authors: Wang Yangyundou , Ma Chen , Hu Chuanfei , Gao Dawei , Fan Yuanlong , Shao Xiaopeng
Published: May 2024

Chaotic time series prediction has attracted much attention in recent years because of its important applications, such as security analysis for random number generators and chaos synchronization in private communications. Herein, we propose a BLSTM convolution and self-attention network model to predict the optical chaos. We validate the model’s capability for direct and recursive prediction, and the model dramatically reduces the accumulation of errors. Moreover, the time duration prediction of optical chaos is increased with comparative accuracy where the predicted sequence length reaches 4 ns with normalized mean squared error (NMSE) of less than 0.01.
Polygon search algorithm for ultra-compact multifunctional integrated photonics design
Authors: Du Te , Peng Zheng , Huang Peixin , Zhang Zhaojian , Ma Hansi , Jiang Xinpeng , Huang Jie , Luo Mingyu , Zou Hongxin , Yang Junbo
Published: May 2024

Ultra-compact multifunctional integrated photonic modules have great practical significance to photonic integrated circuits (PICs). However, the design effect and efficiency of the existing mainstream inverse design algorithms are incompetent when designing these modules. We analyze their shortcomings in this task, and propose a new, to our knowledge, inverse design algorithm named polygon search (PS) algorithm to address these problems. We utilize the PS algorithm to design an integrated dual-channel mode-conversion-crossing waveguide module. This module integrates three functions: interconversion between TE0 and TE1, interconversion between TE0 and TE2, and channel crossing within only a 4  μm×4  μm footprint, and its performance is verified by experimental testing. It not only greatly reduces the total footprint of many PICs but also greatly improves their fabricating robustness. Furthermore, we propose a PS-designed mode mixer and a PS-designed bending waveguide, and connect them with the integrated modules to form a four-channel crossing-mode-division-multiplexing system. This system can provide multiple modes on the basis of channel crossing and transmit the output signal in the same direction in parallel within a single output waveguide, which significantly increases the communication bandwidth and decreases the footprint of PICs. At last, we demonstrate the effect and efficiency advantages of the PS algorithm over several mainstream inverse design algorithms by a comprehensive contrast experiment and explain these advantages in theory from several perspectives.
Twenty-nine million intrinsic Q-factor monolithic microresonators on thin-film lithium niobate
Authors: Zhu Xinrui , Hu Yaowen , Lu Shengyuan , Warner Hana K. , Li Xudong , Song Yunxiang , Magalhães Letícia , Shams-Ansari Amirhassan , Cordaro Andrea , Sinclair Neil , Lončar Marko
Published: May 2024

The recent emergence of thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) has extended the landscape of integrated photonics. This has been enabled by the commercialization of TFLN wafers and advanced nanofabrication of TFLN such as high-quality dry etching. However, fabrication imperfections still limit the propagation loss to a few dB/m, restricting the impact of this platform. Here, we demonstrate TFLN microresonators with a record-high intrinsic quality (Q) factor of twenty-nine million, corresponding to an ultra-low propagation loss of 1.3 dB/m. We present spectral analysis and the statistical distribution of Q factors across different resonator geometries. Our work pushes the fabrication limits of TFLN photonics to achieve a Q factor within 1 order of magnitude of the material limit.
Characterization of bacteria expectorated during forced salivation of the Phlebotomus papatasi: A neglected component of sand fly infectious inoculums
Authors: Maleki-Ravasan Naseh , Ghafari Seyedeh Maryam , Najafzadeh Narmin , Karimian Fateh , Darzi Fatemeh , Davoudian Roshanak , Farshbaf Pourabad Reza , Parvizi Parviz
Published: May 2024

The infectious inoculum of a sand fly, apart from its metacyclic promastigotes, is composed of factors derived from both the parasite and the vector. Vector-derived factors, including salivary proteins and the gut microbiota, are essential for the establishment and enhancement of infection. However, the type and the number of bacteria egested during salivation is unclear. In the present study, sand flies ofPhlebotomus papatasiwere gathered from three locations in hyperendemic focus of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) in Isfahan Province, Iran. By using the forced salivation assay and targeting the16S rRNAbarcode gene, egested bacteria were characterized in 99 (44%) out of 224 sand flies. Culture-dependent and culture-independent methods identified the members ofEnterobacter cloacaeandSpiroplasmaspecies as dominant taxa, respectively. Ten top genera ofSpiroplasma,Ralstonia,Acinetobacter,Reyranella,Undibacterium,Bryobacter,Corynebacterium,Cutibacterium,Psychrobacter, andWolbachiaconstituted >80% of the saliva microbiome. Phylogenetic analysis displayed the presence of only one bacterial species for theSpiroplasma,Ralstonia,Reyranella,BryobacterandWolbachia, two distinct species forCutibacterium, three forUndibacteriumandPsychrobacter, 16 forAcinetobacter, and 27 forCorynebacterium, in the saliva. The abundance of microbes inP.papatasisaliva was determined by incorporating the data on the read counts and the copy number of16S rRNAgene, about 9,000 bacterial cells, per sand fly. Both microbiological and metagenomic data indicate that bacteria are constant companions ofLeishmania, from the intestine of the vector to the vertebrate host. This is the first forced salivation experiment in a sand fly, addressing key questions on infectious bite and competent vectors.
Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in alcoholics
Authors: Kessel Klaus , Forsblom Erik , Ruotsalainen Eeva , Järvinen Asko
Published: May 2024

Background

Alcoholism associates with increased Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia incidence and mortality. The objective was to compare disease progression, treatment and prognosis of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in alcoholics versus non-alcoholics.

Methods

The study design was a multicenter retrospective analysis of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia with 90-day follow-up. Patients were stratified as alcoholics or non-alcoholics based on electronic health record data. Altogether 617 Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia patients were included of which 83 (13%) were alcoholics.

Results

Alcoholics, versus non-alcoholics, were younger, typically male and more commonly had community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. No differences in McCabe´s classification of underlying conditions was observed. Higher illness severity at blood culture sampling, including severe sepsis (25% vs. 7%) and intensive care unit admission (39% vs. 17%), was seen in alcoholics versus non-alcoholics. Clinical management, including infectious disease specialist (IDS) consultations and radiology, were provided equally. Alcoholics, versus non-alcoholics, had more pneumonia (49% vs. 35%) and fewer cases of endocarditis (7% vs. 16%). Mortality in alcoholics versus non-alcoholics was significantly higher at 14, 28 and 90 days (14% vs. 7%, 24% vs. 11% and 31% vs. 17%), respectively. Considering all prognostic parameters, male sex (OR 0.19, p = 0.021) and formal IDS consultation (OR 0.19, p = 0.029) were independent predictors of reduced mortality, whereas ultimately or rapidly fatal comorbidity in McCabe´s classification (OR 12.34, p < 0.001) was an independent predictor of mortality in alcoholics.

Conclusions

Alcoholism deteriorates Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia prognosis, and our results suggests that this is predominantly through illness severity at bacteremia onset. Three quarters of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia patients we studied had identified deep infection foci, and of them alcoholics had significantly less endocarditis but nearly half of them had pneumonia.
Survey of pain and stigma experiences in people diagnosed with mpox in Baltimore, Maryland during 2022 global outbreak
Authors: Schmalzle Sarah Ann , Grant Matthew , Lovelace Susan , Jung Jiwon , Choate Clara , Guerin Julie , Weinstein Walker , Taylor Gregory
Published: May 2024

A high prevalence of mpox in men who have sex with men and in people with HIV, plus visually striking and contagious lesions, have raised concerns for mpox stigma. 24 PCR-confirmed mpox patients were surveyed over the course of three months, utilizing an mpox stigma scale adapted from the HIV Stigma Scale plus assessment of pain, analgesic efficacy, and healthcare experiences. Participants were cis-male (100%), with male sexual partners (96%), mostly African-American (88%), and living with HIV (79%). Patients answered 4–16 of 24 (mean 10) stigma questions affirmatively, particularly related to negative effects of mpox on the LGBTQ community. 79% reported pain, most commonly of limbs and perianal area, with perianal pain being rated most severe. The most effective pain relief occurred with opioids (100% major relief, n = 2) and tecovirimat (63% major relief, 25% moderate, n = 16). Patients were satisfied with care provided at the studied clinics, but had negative experiences at all other mentioned sites.
Advancing statistical treatment of photolocomotor behavioral response study data
Authors: Mastin Natalie , Durell Luke , Brooks Bryan W. , Hering Amanda S.
Published: May 2024

Fish photolocomotor behavioral response (PBR) studies have become increasingly prevalent in pharmacological and toxicological research to assess the environmental impact of various chemicals. There is a need for a standard, reliable statistical method to analyze PBR data. The most common method currently used, univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA), does not account for temporal dependence in observations and leads to incomplete or unreliable conclusions. Repeated measures ANOVA, another commonly used method, has drawbacks in its interpretability for PBR study data. Because each observation is collected continuously over time, we instead consider each observation to be a function and apply functional ANOVA (FANOVA) to PBR data. Using the functional approach not only accounts for temporal dependency but also retains the full structure of the data and allows for straightforward interpretation in any subregion of the domain. Unlike the traditional univariate and repeated measures ANOVA, the FANOVA that we propose is nonparametric, requiring minimal assumptions. We demonstrate the disadvantages of univariate and repeated measures ANOVA using simulated data and show how they are overcome by applying FANOVA. We then apply one-way FANOVA to zebrafish data from a PBR study and discuss how those results can be reproduced for future PBR studies.
An interactive, online decision aid assessing patient goals and preferences for treatment of aortic stenosis to support physician-led shared decision-making: Early feasibility pilot study
Authors: Coylewright Megan , Otero Diana , Lindman Brian R. , Levack Melissa M. , Horne Aaron , Ngo Long H. , Beaudry Melissa , Col Hannah V. , Col Nananda F.
Published: May 2024

Background

Guidelines recommend shared decision making when choosing treatment for severe aortic stenosis but implementation has lagged. We assessed the feasibility and impact of a novel decision aid for severe aortic stenosis at point-of-care.

Methods

This prospective multi-site pilot cohort study included adults with severe aortic stenosis and their clinicians. Patients were referred by their heart team when scheduled to discuss treatment options.

Outcomes included shared decision-making processes, communication quality, decision-making confidence, decisional conflict, knowledge, stage of decision making, decision quality, and perceptions of the tool. Patients were assessed at baseline (T0), after using the intervention (T1), and after the clinical encounter (T2); clinicians were assessed at T2.

Before the encounter, patients reviewed the intervention, Aortic Valve Improved Treatment Approaches (AVITA), an interactive, online decision aid. AVITA presents options, frames decisions, clarifies patient goals and values, and generates a summary to use with clinicians during the encounter.

Results

30 patients (9 women [30.0%]; mean [SD] age 70.4 years [11.0]) and 14 clinicians (4 women [28.6%], 7 cardiothoracic surgeons [50%]) comprised 28 clinical encounters Most patients [85.7%] and clinicians [84.6%] endorsed AVITA. Patients reported AVITA easy to use [89.3%] and helped them choose treatment [95.5%]. Clinicians reported the AVITA summary helped them understand their patients’ values [80.8%] and make values-aligned recommendations [61.5%]. Patient knowledge significantly improved at T1 and T2 (p = 0.004). Decisional conflict, decision-making stage, and decision quality improved at T2 (p = 0.0001, 0.0005, and 0.083, respectively). Most patients [60%] changed treatment preference between T0 and T2. Initial treatment preferences were associated with low knowledge, high decisional conflict, and poor decision quality; final preferences were associated with high knowledge, low conflict, and high quality.

Conclusions

AVITA was endorsed by patients and clinicians, easy to use, improved shared decision-making quality and helped patients and clinicians arrive at a treatment that reflected patients’ values.

Trial registration

Trial ID: NCT04755426, Clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04755426.
Guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits with high-water mark fee structure
Authors: Han Yichen , Wu Lianxia , Li Dongchen , Han Jiaqi
Published: May 2024

The Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit (GMWB), an adjunct incorporated within variable annuities, commits to reimbursing the entire initial investment regardless of the performance of the underlying funds. While extensive research exists in financial and actuarial literature regarding the modeling and valuation techniques of GMWBs, much of it is founded on a static fee structure. Our study introduces an innovative fee structure based on the high-water mark (HWM) principle and a regime-switch jump-diffusion model for the pricing of GMWBs, employing numerical solutions through the Monte Carlo method for solving the stochastic differential equation (SDE). Furthermore, a companion piece of research addresses the risk management of GMWBs within the same analytical framework as the pricing component, an aspect that has received limited attention in the existing literature. In assessing the necessary capital reserves for unforeseen losses, our methodology involves the computation of two risk metrics associated with the tail distribution of net liability from the insurer’s perspective, Value-at-Risk (VaR) and Conditional-Tail-Expectation (CTE). Comprehensive numerical results and sensitivity analyses are also provided.
Copy number variant scan in more than four thousand Holstein cows bred in Lombardy, Italy
Authors: Delledonne Andrea , Punturiero Chiara , Ferrari Carlotta , Bernini Francesca , Milanesi Raffaella , Bagnato Alessandro , Strillacci Maria G.
Published: May 2024

Copy Number Variants (CNV) are modifications affecting the genome sequence of DNA, for instance, they can be duplications or deletions of a considerable number of base pairs (i.e., greater than 1000 bp and up to millions of bp). Their impact on the variation of the phenotypic traits has been widely demonstrated. In addition, CNVs are a class of markers useful to identify the genetic biodiversity among populations related to adaptation to the environment. The aim of this study was to detect CNVs in more than four thousand Holstein cows, using information derived by a genotyping done with the GGP (GeneSeek Genomic Profiler) bovine 100K SNP chip. To detect CNV the SVS 8.9 software was used, then CNV regions (CNVRs) were detected. A total of 123,814 CNVs (4,150 non redundant) were called and aggregated into 1,397 CNVRs. The PCA results obtained using the CNVs information, showed that there is some variability among animals. For many genes annotated within the CNVRs, the role in immune response is well known, as well as their association with important and economic traits object of selection in Holstein, such as milk production and quality, udder conformation and body morphology. Comparison with reference revealed unique CNVRs of the Holstein breed, and others in common with Jersey and Brown. The information regarding CNVs represents a valuable resource to understand how this class of markers may improve the accuracy in prediction of genomic value, nowadays solely based on SNPs markers.