bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional index for hand osteoarthritis (FIHOA) is associated with pain, muscle strength, and EQ-5D in hand osteoarthritis
Authors: Kim Seong-Kyu , Jung Ui Hong , Choe Jung-Yoon
Published: March 2021

Background

This study identified whether Functional Index for Hand Osteoarthritis (FIHOA) is associated with pain, hand muscle strength, health-related quality of life, and radiographic severity in hand osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

We consecutively recruited 95 patients with hand OA. The FIHOA was used to assess questionnaire-based physical function in hand OA. Health-related quality of life was evaluated using EuroQol-5 dimension (EQ-5D). Radiographic changes of hand joints were measured by Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grade, which was determined based on total radiographic severity score and number of affected joints. Other measures included patient’s visual analogue scale (VAS) score for pain and performance-based function indexes such as grip and pinch strength. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman’s correlation analysis, and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

FIHOA score was negatively associated with grip and pinch hand strength and EQ-5D and positively correlated to VAS pain (p < 0.05 for all). There were significant differences of grip and pinch strength, VAS pain, EQ-5D index, and EQ-VAS between two FIHOA groups (≤ 4 vs. > 4) (p < 0.05 for all). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher FIHOA score (FIHOA > 4) was related with increased VAS pain and with lower EQ-5D index (p = 0.008 and p = 0.013, respectively). There was no association between FIHOA score and measures of total radiographic severity score and number of affected joints.

Conclusion

This study observes that FIHOA score is associated with patient-reported VAS pain, hand muscle strength indexes, and EQ-5D but not radiographic severity in hand OA.
A new potyvirus isolated from Pennisetum alopecuroides with the potential to infect cereal crops
Authors: Liu Xuedong , Chen Xi , Liu Sijia , Du Kaitong , Wang Pei , Jiang Tong , Cao Mengji , Li Xiangdong , Fan Zaifeng , Zhou Tao
Published: March 2021

Pennisetum plants (Pennisetum alopecuroides L.), displaying a dwarfing phenotype along with delayed flowering and mosaic symptom on leaves, were found in Beijing, China. Flexuous filamentous particles with a size of approximate 15 × 850 nm were observed in symptomatic leaves via transmission electron microscopy. Deep sequencing of small RNAs (sRNA) from symptomatic leaves and analysis of sRNA populations were then conducted to determine the genome sequence of the viral agent in diseased plant tissues. It showed that the viral agent had one positive-sense and single-stranded RNA genome, which consisted of 9717 nucleotides (nts) excluding poly(A) tail. The complete viral genome contained a large open reading frame, encoding a polyprotein of 3131 amino acids (aa). Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the viral agent belonged to the genus Potyvirus in the family Potyviridae. In the cladogram it was most closely related to johnsongrass mosaic virus, sharing 72% nt and 65% aa sequence identity. This viral agent was provisionally named pennisetum alopecuroides mosaic virus (PalMV). Subsequently, it was confirmed that PalMV is the causal agent of this new disease in P. alopecuroides by Koch’s postulates and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Moreover, maize, millet, wheat, sorghum and rice plants were experimentally infected by PalMV via rub inoculation. Consequently, we proposed that PalMV could be a potentially dangerous virus threating a wide range of cereal crops.
Telomeric repeat-containing ribonucleic acid (TERRA) expression in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: El-Desoky Manal M. , Hewidy Asem A. , Fouda Ahmed M. , Hisham Fatma Azzahraa
Published: March 2021

Background

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) represents a chronic disease with a progressive course. It is characterized by excessive lung scarring that ultimately contributes to irreversible lung function reduction. Interestingly, a type of long non-coding RNA termed as telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA) is linked to fibrosis pathophysiology, including IPF. In this study, the expression profile of TERRA was investigated in IPF patients on radiological diagnosis [unusual interstitial pattern (UIP) in high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT)] to evaluate whether it could be employed as a reliable diagnostic biomarker.

Results

TERRA expression level was significantly higher in IPF patients over healthy controls. The expression level was significantly inversely correlated with the percentage of forced vital capacity predicted (FVC% predicted). By contrast, it was significantly directly correlated with HRCT reticular extent score.

Conclusion

TERRA expression is an essential biomarker in peripheral blood of IPF patients, providing a valuable non-invasive tool for IPF diagnosis. Moreover, TERRA expression is strongly correlated with UIP in HRCT reticular extent score.
Correction to: Cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential and high-frequency audiometry results in Behçet’s disease
Authors: Abdel Baki Noha M. , Zahran Abeer Mohamed Ahmed , Dabbous Abeir Osman , Koura Rabab Ahmed , Hamdy Mona Mohamed
Published: March 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
An evaluation of symptom domains in the 2 years before pregnancy as predictors of relapse in the perinatal period in women with severe mental illness
Authors: Khapre Sharvari , Stewart Robert , Taylor Clare
Published: March 2021

Background

Symptoms may be more useful prognostic markers for mental illness than diagnoses. We sought to investigate symptom domains in women with pre-existing severe mental illness (SMI; psychotic and bipolar disorder) as predictors of relapse risk during the perinatal period.

Methods

Data were obtained from electronic health records of 399 pregnant women with SMI diagnoses from a large south London mental healthcare provider. Symptoms within six domains characteristically associated with SMI (positive, negative, disorganization, mania, depression, and catatonia) recorded in clinical notes 2 years before pregnancy were identified with natural language processing algorithms to extract data from text, and associations investigated with hospitalization during pregnancy and 3 months postpartum.

Results

Seventy-six women (19%) relapsed during pregnancy and 107 (27%) relapsed postpartum. After adjusting for covariates, disorganization symptoms showed a positive association at borderline significance with relapse during pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.99–1.87 per unit increase in number of symptoms) and depressive symptoms negatively with relapse postpartum (0.78; 0.62–0.98). Restricting the sample to women with at least one recorded symptom in any given domain, higher disorganization (1.84; 1.22–2.76), positive (1.50; 1.07–2.11), and manic (1.48; 1.03–2.11) symptoms were associated with relapse during pregnancy, and disorganization (1.54; 1.08–2.20) symptom domains were associated with relapse postpartum.

Conclusions

Positive, disorganization, and manic symptoms recorded in the 2 years before pregnancy were associated with increased risk of relapse during pregnancy and postpartum. The characterization of routine health records from text fields is relatively transferrable and could help inform predictive risk modelling.
Clinical Data Prediction Model to Identify Patients With Early-Stage Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Chen Qinyu , Cherry Daniel R. , Nalawade Vinit , Qiao Edmund M. , Kumar Abhishek , Lowy Andrew M. , Simpson Daniel R. , Murphy James D.
Published: March 2021

PURPOSE

Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive malignancy with patients often experiencing nonspecific symptoms before diagnosis. This study evaluates a machine learning approach to help identify patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer from clinical data within electronic health records (EHRs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From the Optum deidentified EHR data set, we identified early-stage (n = 3,322) and late-stage (n = 25,908) pancreatic cancer cases over 40 years of age diagnosed between 2009 and 2017. Patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer were matched to noncancer controls (1:16 match). We constructed a prediction model using eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) to identify early-stage patients on the basis of 18,220 features within the EHR including diagnoses, procedures, information within clinical notes, and medications. Model accuracy was assessed with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and the area under the curve.

RESULTS

The final predictive model included 582 predictive features from the EHR, including 248 (42.5%) physician note elements, 146 (25.0%) procedure codes, 91 (15.6%) diagnosis codes, 89 (15.3%) medications, and 9 (1.5%) demographic features. The final model area under the curve was 0.84. Choosing a model cut point with a sensitivity of 60% and specificity of 90% would enable early detection of 58% late-stage patients with a median of 24 months before their actual diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Prediction models using EHR data show promise in the early detection of pancreatic cancer. Although widespread use of this approach on an unselected population would produce high rates of false-positive tests, this technique may be rapidly impactful if deployed among high-risk patients or paired with other imaging or biomarker screening tools.
Care Delivery Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Breast Cancer Care
Authors: Satish Tejus , Raghunathan Rohit , Prigoff Jake G. , Wright Jason D. , Hillyer Grace A. , Trivedi Meghna S. , Kalinsky Kevin , Crew Katherine D. , Hershman Dawn L. , Accordino Melissa K.
Published: March 2021

PURPOSE:

COVID-19 has altered healthcare delivery. Previous work has focused on patients with cancer and COVID-19, but little has been reported on healthcare system changes among patients without COVID-19.

METHODS:

We performed a retrospective study of patients with breast cancer (BC) in New York City between February 1, 2020, and April 30, 2020. New patients were included as were patients scheduled to receive intravenous or injectable therapy. Patients with COVID-19 were excluded. Demographic and treatment information were obtained by chart review. Delays and/or changes in systemic therapy, surgery, radiation, and radiology related to the pandemic were tracked, along with the reasons for delay and/or change. Univariate and multivariable analysis were used to identify factors associated with delay and/or change.

RESULTS:

We identified 350 eligible patients, of whom 149 (42.6%) experienced a delay and/or change, and practice reduction (51.0%) was the most common reason. The patients who identified as Black or African American, Asian, or Other races were more likely to experience a delay and/or change compared with White patients (Black, 44.4%; Asian, 47.1%; Other, 55.6%; White, 31.4%; P = .001). In multivariable analysis, Medicaid compared with commercial insurance (odds ratio [OR], 3.04; 95% CI, 1.32 to 7.27) was associated with increased odds of a delay and/or change, whereas stage II or III BC compared with stage I (OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.95; and OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.092, respectively) was associated with decreased odds of a delay and/or change.

CONCLUSION:

Almost half of the patients with BC without COVID-19 had a delay and/or change. We found racial and socioeconomic disparities in the likelihood of a delay and/or change. Further studies are needed to determine the impact these care alterations have on BC outcomes.
General(ized) Hartman effect
Authors: Hasan Mohammad , Prasad Mandal Bhabani
Published: March 2021

In this letter we prove explicitly that if the Hartman effect exists for an arbitrary “unit cell” potential, then it also exists for a periodic system constructed using the same “unit cell” potential repeatedly. We further show that if the Hartman effect exists, the tunneling time in the limiting case of a sufficiently thick “unit cell” potential is the same as that of its periodic system. This is true for any arbitrary value of the intervening gap between the consecutive “unit cell” of the periodic system. Thus, the generalized Hartman effect always occurs for a general potential constructed using multiple copies of single potential which shows Hartman effect.
A new species of Amphidromus Albers, 1850 (Gastropoda: Stylommatophora: Camaenidae) from China, with notes on Amphidromus species
Authors: Wang Yung-Ching , Chen Zhe-Yu
Published: March 2021

Amphidromus zelosus n. sp. from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, is described and illustrated. A. wani He et Zhou, 2017 is synonymised with A. qiongensis He et Zhou, 2017. Additional data on A. sinensis sinensis (Benson, 1851) are given.
Community engagement and feedback of results in the H3Africa AWI-Gen project: Experiences from the Navrongo Demographic and Health Surveillance site in Northern Ghana
Authors: Agongo Godfred , Debpuur Cornelius , Amenga-Etego Lucas , Nonterah Engelbert A. , Kaburise Michael B. , Oduro Abraham , Ramsay Michele , Tindana Paulina
Published: March 2021

Community and Public engagement (CE) have gained traction as an ethical best practice for the conduct of genomics research, particularly in the context of Africa. In the past 10 years, there has been growing scholarship on the value and practice of engaging key stakeholders including communities involved in genomics research. However, not much has been documented on how research teams, particularly in international collaborative research projects, are navigating the complex process of engagement including the return of key research findings. This paper is part of a series of papers describing the CE processes used in the AWI-Gen study sites. We describe the key processes of engagement, challenges encountered and the major lessons learned. We pay particular attention to the experiences in returning research results to participants and communities within the Demographic and Health Surveillance site in northern Ghana.
Nitride oxide synthase 3 and klotho gene polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease and age-related cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gunawan Atma , Fajar Jonny Karunia , Tamara Fredo , Mahendra Aditya Indra , Ilmawan Muhammad , Purnamasari Yeni , Kartini Dessy Aprilia , Winoto Eden Suryoiman , Saifillah Efriko Septananda , Wulandari Dewi Sri , Krisna Pratista Adi , Mayasari Ema Dianita , Dantara Tri Wahyudi Iman , Wicaksono Ramadi Satryo , Soeatmadji Djoko Wahono
Published: March 2021

Background: While it has been known that the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and age-related cognitive impairment involves several mediators, the evidence in clinical practice only reveals nitride oxide synthase (NOS) and klotho. However, the evidence for this topic is conflicted. The aim of this study was to assess the role of NOS and klotho single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the pathogenesis of CKD and age-related cognitive impairment.

Methods: We performed a meta-analysis during October to December 2019. Paper collection was performed in major scientific websites, and we extracted information of interest from each paper. Data were analyzed using a Z-test with either random or fixed effect model.

Results: Our initial assessment identified NOS3 G894T, NOS3 T786C, NOS3 4b/4a, klotho (KL) G395A, and KL C1818T as the gene candidate for our meta-analysis. Our pooled calculation revealed that NOS3 G894T was associated with the risk of both age-related cognitive impairment and CKD. Increased susceptibility to age-related cognitive impairment was observed in the GG genotype, and increased risk of CKD was found in patients with a single T allele and TT genotype for NOS3 nucleotide 894. For NOS3 4b/4a, increased risk of CKD was only found in 4a4a genotype. For NOS3 T786C, we failed to show the association with both CKD and age-related cognitive impairment. Subsequently, for KL G395A, A allele and GA genotype were found to correlate with increased susceptibility to CKD, while its correlation to age-related cognitive impairment was failed to clarify. For KL C1818T, our analysis failed to find the correlation with the risk of CKD.

Conclusions: Our results reveal that the NOS3 G894T gene polymorphism has a crucial role in the pathogenesis of both CKD and age-related cognitive impairment.
Pesticide exposure and lung cancer risk: A case-control study in Nakhon Sawan, Thailand
Authors: Kangkhetkron Teera , Juntarawijit Chudchawal
Published: March 2021

Background: Pesticide exposure might increase risk of lung cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the historical use of pesticides commonly found in Thailand, and lung cancer.

Methods: This case-control study compared a lifetime pesticide exposure of 233 lung cancer cases, and 447 healthy neighbours matched for gender, and age (±5 years). Data on demographic, pesticide exposure and other related factors were collected using a face-to-face interview questionnaire. Associations between lung cancer and types of pesticides as well as individual pesticides were analyzed using logistic regression adjusted for gender (male, female), age (≤54, 55-64, 65-74, ≥75), cigarette smoking ( never smoked, smoked < 109,500, smoked ≥ 109,500), occupation (farmer, non-farmer), cooking fumes exposure (yes, no), and exposure to air pollution (yes, no).

Results: It was found that lung cancer was positively associated with lifetime use of herbicides and insecticides. Compared to people in the nonexposed groups, those in Q3-Q4 days of using herbicides and insecticides had an elevated risk of lung cancer, with odds ratio (OR) between 2.20 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24-3.89), and 3.99 (95% CI 1.62-7.11) (p < 0.001). For individual pesticides, those presenting a significant association with lung cancer were dieldrin (OR = 2.56; 95% CI 1.36-4.81), chlorpyrifos (OR = 3.29; 95 % CI 1.93-5.61), and carbofuran (OR = 2.10; 95% CI 1.28-3.42). It was also found, for the first time, carbofuran, glyphosate, and paraquat to be strongly associated with lung cancer.

Conclusions: The results showed that lung cancer among Thai people in Nakhon Sawan province is associated with previous pesticide use. In addition to dieldrin and chlorpyrifos, we also found carbofuran, glyphosate, and paraquat to be strongly associated with lung cancer. These issues should receive more attention since these chemicals are used widely.
Why it’s time to stop saying “mental illness”: A commentary on the revision of the Irish Mental Health Act
Authors: MacLachlan Malcolm , Murphy Rebecca , Daly Michael , Hyland Philip
Published: March 2021

The Irish Mental Health Act (2001) is undergoing revision.  In 2014 an Expert Review Group recommended that the term currently used in the act “mental disorder”, should be replaced with the term “mental illness”.  We argue that the proposed change, while well intentioned, contradicts the internationally adopted terminology of “mental disorder” used by the United Nations, World Health Organisation and European Commission. The term “mental illness” is atavistic, it implies an unsupported cause, it contravenes the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), and it is associated with concerns regarding stigma and reduced self-efficacy.  Furthermore, the term “mental illness” is not used in any internationally accepted diagnostic or classification system in the mental health field. While any term used to describe mental health problems, may be contested, Ireland should not revert to using archaic terminology.  In accordance with international best practice, and perhaps in lieu of a willingness to accept more progressive alternatives, Ireland should continue to use cause-neutral terminology, such as “mental disorder”, in the revised Mental Health Act.
Recommendations for the development of Egyptian human biobanking ethical guidelines
Authors: Samir Abdelhafiz Ahmed , W. L. Ho Calvin , Chuan Voo Teck
Published: March 2021

Background: The development of biobanks is associated with the emergence of new ethical challenges. In Egypt, several biobanks have been established, but there are no specific local ethical guidelines to guide their work. The aim of this study is to develop recommendations for the Egyptian human biobanking ethical guidelines, which take into consideration the specific cultural and legal framework in Egypt.

Methods: We searched the literature for available biobanking ethical guidelines. Six themes were the concern of search, namely; informed consent, data protection, return of results, sharing of samples and data, community engagement, and stakeholder engagement. If a document refers to another guideline, the new source is identified and the previous step is repeated.

Results: Ten documents were identified, which were analyzed for the themes mentioned above. Guidelines and best practices were identified, and then compared with the published documents about ethical, legal and social issues (ELSI) related to biomedical research in Egypt to reach best recommendations.

Conclusions: We have proposed, by way of recommendations, key characteristics that a national ethics framework in Egypt could have. On informed consent, the practice of broad consent may be harmonized among biobanks in Egypt. Clear policies on return of research results, training requirements and availability of genetic counseling could also be instituted through the national framework. Additionally, such a framework should facilitate community and stakeholders engagement, which is important to secure trust and build consensus on contentious issues arising from sample and data sharing across borders and commercialization, among other concerns.
Measurement of health care services in long-term residential mental health care institutions
Authors: Lisiecka-Biełanowicz Mira
Published: March 2021

Opracowanie dotyczy pomiaru jakości świadczeń zdrowotnych w długoterminowej psychiatrycznej opiece stacjonarnej. Problematykę pomiaru jakości usług zdrowotnych zawężono do świadczeń w stacjonarnych zakładach opiekuńczo-leczniczych (ZOL).
Celem opracowania jest zaproponowanie miar w zakresie świadczeniu usług w psychiatrycznej długoterminowej opieki stacjonarnej. Obecnie brakuje narzędzi pomiaru świadczonych usług psychiatrycznych. Powoduje to, że niesprawnie działa mechanizm monitorująco-nadzorczo-kontrolny mający zapewnić wymagany poziom jakości świadczonych usług w tym zakresie opieki psychiatrycznej. Rozważania prowadzone w opracowaniu mają więc na celu ukazanie odpowiedniego zestawu miar pozwalających ocenić dokonania podmiotu lecznictwa stacjonarnego z uwzględnieniem specyfiki z zakresu psychiatrycznej opieki długoterminowej (ZOL-e). Zastosowanie Zespołowej Skali Funkcjonowania Pacjenta (ZSFP) umożliwia konkretyzację zmian zachodzących w funkcjonowaniu pacjenta oraz porównywanie ich w odstępach czasu oraz w sposób pośredni powoduje, że Skala może być używana do wnioskowania o pogłębianiu się, stabilizacji bądź cofaniu się choroby, a także świadczyć o skuteczności pracy zespołu terapeutycznego.
Przedstawione wyniki zastosowania zaproponowanych miar stanowić mogą bazę odniesienia – jako benchmark - dla poprawy oraz doskonalenia jakości usług zdrowotnych dla pacjentów w stacjonarnych zakładach opiekuńczo-leczniczych w Polsce.
Sexual obsessions in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Definitions, models and cognitive-behavioural therapy
Authors: Kuty-Pachecka Marta
Published: March 2021

Zaburzenia obsesyjno - kompulsyjne o charakterze seksualnym charakteryzują się niechcianymi intruzywnymi myślami, obrazami o treściach seksualnych. Występowanie obsesji seksualnych szacuje się na około 16,8% wśród pacjentów z zaburzeniami obsesyjno - kompulsyjnymi ( OCD ). Głównym celem artykułu jest przedstawienie podstawowych problemów związanych ze zjawiskiem zaburzenia obsesyjno - kompulsyjnego o charakterze seksualnym i wskazanie na modele poznawcze i behawioralne zaburzenia obsesyjno - kompulsywnego o charakterze seksualnym. Artykuł zawiera ponadto przegląd literatury dotyczącej skuteczności terapii poznawczo-behawioralnej zaburzeń obsesyjno - kompulsyjnych, w tym o charakterze seksualnym. Badania wskazują, że jedną z bardziej efektywnych metod leczenia zaburzenia obsesyjno - kompulsyjnego, zwłaszcza kompulsywnych zachowań, jest terapia poznawczo-behawioralna i ekspozycja z powstrzymaniem reakcji. Jeśli chodzi o interwencje psychoterapeutyczne dotyczące zaburzenia obsesyjno - kompulsywnego, badania sugerują, że w porównaniu z większością innych form OCD ( tj. skażeniem lub sprawdzaniem ) obsesje seksualne wymagają dłuższego leczenia, a odpowiedź na terapię może być mniej skuteczna.
Historia de la lexicografía hispanoamericana
Authors: Stala Ewa
Published: March 2021

El presente texto es una aproximación a la historia de la lexicografía hispanoamericana –área de la lexicografía española relativamente poco mencionada en los estudios lexicográficos generales. Siendo este tema bastante amplio, empezamos con la lexicografía hispano-amerindia en la etapa colonial: desde las primeras obras hasta la etapa de independencia. A continuación presentamos los principales logros de la lexicografía hispanoamericana contemporánea para luego dedicar un párrafo a los retos de la metalexicografía en la América Hispanohablante. Para una mejor comprensión, precedemos el texto principal con un breve esbozo histórico-cultural.
Sobre la importancia de la documentación notarial para la historia de la lengua española
Authors: Zieliński Andrzej
Published: March 2021

Con motivo de la celebración del centenario de la publicación de Documentos lingüísticos de España de Ramón Menéndez Pidal, nos proponemos dos objetivos: reivindicar la importancia de la documentación notarial para la historia de la lengua española y contribuir a demostrar que, a pesar del carácter formulario de algunas partes de estos textos, constituyen una fuente absolutamente necesaria para registrar buen número de innovaciones lingüísticas en todos los ámbitos (fónico, morfológico, sintáctico y pragmático). Para ilustrarlo nos ocuparemos de las tres perífrasis con deber que, a partir del análisis de la dispositio de los Documentos lingüísticos y de otras colecciones, que apuntan a diferentes zonas geográficas.
The Pledging Puzzle: How Can Revocable Promises Increase Charitable Giving?
Authors: Andreoni James , Serra-Garcia Marta
Published: March 2021

What is the value of pledges if they are often reneged upon? In this paper, we show—both theoretically and experimentally—that pledges can be used to screen donors and to better understand their motives for giving. In return, nonprofit managers can use the information they glean from pledges to better target future charitable giving appeals and interventions to donors, such as expressions of gratitude. In an experiment, we find that offering the option to pledge gifts induces self-selection. If expressions of gratitude are then targeted to individuals who select into pledges, reneging can be significantly reduced. Our findings provide an explanation for the potential usefulness of pledges.

This paper was accepted by Yan Chen, decision analysis.
Time Consistency of the Mean-Risk Problem
Authors: Kováčová Gabriela , Rudloff Birgit
Published: March 2021

When dealing with dynamic optimization problems, time consistency is a desirable property as it allows one to solve the problem efficiently through a backward recursion. The mean-risk problem is known to be time inconsistent when considered in its scalarized form. However, when left in its original bi-objective form, it turns out to satisfy a more general time consistency property that seems better suited to a vector optimization problem. In “Time Consistency of the Mean-Risk Problem,” Kováĉova and Rudloff introduce a set-valued version of the famous Bellman principle and show that the bi-objective mean-risk problem does satisfy it. Then, the upper image, a set that contains the efficient frontier on its boundary, recurses backward in time. Kováĉova and Rudloff present conditions under which this recursion can be exploited directly to compute a solution in the spirit of dynamic programming. This opens the door for a new branch in mathematics: dynamic multivariate programming.
Using validated assessment tools in stoma care: a case study of an ileostomate with an inward body profile
Authors: Russell-Roberts Paul , Kay Diane
Published: March 2021

The impact of having a stoma on an individual's quality of life (QoL) can be significantly worsened by leakage and consequent peristomal skin complications. Therefore, ostomates require individualised, person-centred and evidence-based care. Stoma care nurses can facilitate this using stoma-specific validated assessment tools, including the Body Profile Assessment Tool, Stoma Quality of Life Tool, Ostomy Skin Tool and Ostomy Leakage Impact Tool. These provide precise, repeatable quantitative data, which avoids reliance on vague language and allows for baseline comparisons to measure progression. This case study describes a female ileostomate who faced a number of stoma-related complications, including body image and confidence. Initial trial-and-error attempts to find an effective combination of products were fragmentary and failed to provide an effective long-term solution. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the patient underwent a remote telephone consultation, aided by digital photography. The stoma care nurse used validated assessment tools to determine the patient's needs. Based on this, she was recommended a new pouching routine suited to her inward body profile, and her progress was measured using the assessment tools. These showed sustained and considerable improvements in peristomal skin health, mental wellbeing and overall QoL. The patient's prescription costs were also dramatically reduced.
Intra-articular injection of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells ameliorates monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis in rats by inhibiting cartilage degradation and inflammation
Authors: Zhang Quan , Xiang E. , Rao Wei , Zhang Ya Qi , Xiao Cui Hong , Li Chang Yong , Han Bing , Wu Dongcheng
Published: March 2021

Aims

This study aimed to investigate whether human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) can prevent articular cartilage degradation and explore the underlying mechanisms in a rat osteoarthritis (OA) model induced by monosodium iodoacetate (MIA).

Methods

Human UC-MSCs were characterized by their phenotype and multilineage differentiation potential. Two weeks after MIA induction in rats, human UC-MSCs were intra-articularly injected once a week for three weeks. The therapeutic effect of human UC-MSCs was evaluated by haematoxylin and eosin, toluidine blue, Safranin-O/Fast green staining, and Mankin scores. Markers of joint cartilage injury and pro- and anti-inflammatory markers were detected by immunohistochemistry.

Results

Histopathological analysis showed that intra-articular injection of human UC-MSCs significantly inhibited the progression of OA, as demonstrated by reduced cartilage degradation, increased Safranin-O staining, and lower Mankin scores. Immunohistochemistry showed that human UC-MSC treatment down-regulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP13) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS-5), and enhanced the expression of type II collagen and ki67 in the articular cartilage. Furthermore, human UC-MSCs significantly decreased the expression of interleukin (IL)-1β and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), while increasing TNF-α-induced protein 6 and IL-1 receptor antagonist.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that human UC-MSCs ameliorate MIA-induced OA by preventing cartilage degradation, restoring the proliferation of chondrocytes, and inhibiting the inflammatory response, which implies that human UC-MSCs may be a promising strategy for the treatment of OA. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(3):226–236.
Radiological outcomes following manual and robotic-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty
Authors: Kazarian Gregory S. , Barrack Robert L. , Barrack Toby N. , Lawrie Charles M. , Nunley Ryan M.
Published: March 2021

Aims

The purpose of this study was to compare the radiological outcomes of manual versus robotic-assisted medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA).

Methods

Postoperative radiological outcomes from 86 consecutive robotic-assisted UKAs (RAUKA group) from a single academic centre were retrospectively reviewed and compared to 253 manual UKAs (MUKA group) drawn from a prior study at our institution. Femoral coronal and sagittal angles (FCA, FSA), tibial coronal and sagittal angles (TCA, TSA), and implant overhang were radiologically measured to identify outliers.

Results

When assessing the accuracy of RAUKAs, 91.6% of all alignment measurements and 99.2% of all overhang measurements were within the target range. All alignment and overhang targets were simultaneously met in 68.6% of RAUKAs. When comparing radiological outcomes between the RAUKA and MUKA groups, statistically significant differences were identified for combined outliers in FCA (2.3% vs 12.6%; p = 0.006), FSA (17.4% vs 50.2%; p < 0.001), TCA (5.8% vs 41.5%; p < 0.001), and TSA (8.1% vs 18.6%; p = 0.023), as well as anterior (0.0% vs 4.7%; p = 0.042), posterior (1.2% vs 13.4%; p = 0.001), and medial (1.2% vs 14.2%; p < 0.001) overhang outliers.

Conclusion

Robotic system navigation decreases alignment and overhang outliers compared to manual UKA. Given the association between component placement errors and revision in UKA, this strong significant improvement in accuracy may improve implant survival. Level of Evidence: III Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2-3:191–197.
Method for measuring the relative phases among the three beams in the
case of homodyne three-beam interference
Authors: Xia Yizhou , Zhang Ming , Zhu Yu , Wang Leijie , Ye Weinan
Published: March 2021

A method for measuring the relative phases (RPs) among the three beams in the case of
homodyne three-beam interference (TBI) is proposed and verified by the
ZEMAX simulation in this paper. The method requires that the
interference beams are not on the same plane, that is, any two of the
three beams interfere at an angle in different planes. Based on the
phase delay of the beam in space, the inclined beams have different
phases at different positions within the beams’ range. By arranging
the photodetector array within the interference area, the RPs can be
calculated using the intensity of the interference light received by
specific photodetector units. The application of the algorithm for the
displacement measurement of the homodyne three-beam interferometer
(TBIR) has been verified by simulation. The beam number of three-beam
interference is one less than that of two two-beam interference when
measuring two relative phases. Compared with the two-beam
interferometer, the TBIR applied to two-degree-of-freedom displacement
measurement is more compact in structure due to the more compact phase
measurement components.
Distributed strain and temperature sensing over 100  km using tunable-wavelength OTDR based on MEMS filters
Authors: Taranov M. A. , Gorshkov B. G. , Alekseev A. E. , Potapov V. T.
Published: March 2021

The possibility of distributed wide-range strain and temperature measurements in a 100 km long optical fiber using tunable-wavelength low-coherence optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) is demonstrated. The specified distance range is provided by employing two narrowband microelectromechanical system (MEMS) spectral filters tuned synchronously as well as by taking advantage of Raman amplification and amplification by remotely pumped erbium-doped fiber segments built into the fiber under test. With the time of a single measurement of 10 min and the spatial resolution of about 1 m, the measurement range reached 1000 µɛ in strain units, which is equivalent to the temperature range of 110°C.
Transverse mode analysis for free-space laser beams using Bayesian analysis
Authors: Liu Peifan , Yan Jun , Li Wei , Wu Ying K.
Published: March 2021

Reliable and rapid assessment of the transverse mode quality of a free-space laser beam has a wide range of applications in laser development, research, and utilization. It has become even more important with recent advances in developing orbital angular momentum photon beams across a broad spectral region. In this work, a general modal analysis method for a free-space multimode laser beam has been developed based on Bayesian analysis. After transforming mode decomposition into a linear system problem, a Gaussian probabilistic model is used to find a closed-form solution. The method is found to be robust with the presence of Gaussian noise. Prior knowledge about the mode content can be incorporated into the method to improve the solution for situations when coherent disturbances or contamination are present in the laser beam. This method can be used to analyze the mode content for laser beams in different bases, such as Hermite–Gaussian (HG) modes and Laguerre–Gaussian (LG) modes. Three applications of this method are presented: a detailed modal analysis of the beam image from the incoherent intensity addition of HG modes and two examples of mode decomposition using the complex wavefront from the coherent superposition of HG and LG modes. The feasibility of this method is demonstrated using various simulation results. Based on digital images of a laser beam recorded without complex wavelength-limiting optics, in principle, this method can be used in a wide wavelength range from infrared to ultraviolet, and possibly x ray.
Step-by-step guide to 3D print motorized rotation mounts for optical
applications
Authors: Nilsson Daniel P. G. , Dahlberg Tobias , Andersson Magnus
Published: March 2021

Motorized rotation mounts and stages are versatile instruments that
introduce computer control to optical systems, enabling automation and
scanning actions. They can be used for intensity control, position
adjustments, etc. However, these rotation mounts come with a hefty
price tag, and this limits their use. This work shows how to build two
different types of motorized rotation mounts for

1

′
′

optics, using a 3D printer and
off-the-shelf components. The first is intended for reflective
elements, such as mirrors and gratings, and the second for
transmissive elements, such as polarizers and retarders. We evaluate
and compare their performance to commercial systems based on velocity,
resolution, precision, backlash, and axis wobble. Also, we investigate
the angular stability using Allan variance analysis. The results show
that our mounts perform similarly to systems costing as much as

$
2500

U
S
D

, while also being quick to build and
costing less than

$
220

U
S
D

. As a proof of concept, we show how
to control lasers used in an optical tweezers and Raman spectroscopy
setup. When used for this, the 3D printed motorized rotational mounts
provide intensity control with a resolution of 0.03 percentage points
or better.
Autostereoscopic display for multiviewers positioned at different distances using time-multiplexed layered directional backlight
Authors: Borjigin Garimagai , Kakeya Hideki
Published: March 2021

In this paper, an autostereoscopic display system based on a time-multiplexed directional backlight using a large aperture Fresnel lens is proposed. High-resolution stereoscopy for multiple viewers positioned at different distances from the screen is achieved in the proposed system by layering polymer dispersed liquid crystal screens behind the Fresnel lens. The screens with segmented electrodes are electrically controlled to change the position of light diffusion, while the time-multiplexed backlight is projected by a digital mirror device projector at a high refresh rate. The light is diffused at the conjugate focal points of the observers’ eyes to deliver directional light to each eye. The right-eye image and the left-eye image are alternated on the LCD panel in front of the lens to synchronize with the backlight.
Z-scan investigation to evaluate the third-order nonlinear optical properties of cauliflower-like VS2 structures
Authors: Parishani Marziyeh , Nadafan Marzieh , Malekfar Rasoul
Published: March 2021

V
S

2

was prepared via the hydrothermal method and changing the reaction time and employing surfactant. The microstructural characterizations show the control of sheet dimensions and growth of crystal planes. The Z-scan study demonstrates the positive nonlinear

n
2

due to the self-focusing effect and the two-photon absorption for nonlinear absorption. These results imply the effect of lateral dimensions of sheets in cauliflower-like structures on nonlinear optical responses. Also, the nonlinear optical susceptibility

χ

(
3
)

is as high as

1

0

−
10

(esu). This study shows that the

V
S

2

flower-like structure and its similar nanostructures are promising materials for nonlinear optical applications and further considerations.
Thermally tunable terahertz vortex beam generator based on an InSb metasurface
Authors: He Bin , Fan Junpeng , Cheng Yonghzi , Chen Fu , Luo Hui , Gong Rongzhou
Published: March 2021

In this work, a thermally tunable dielectric metasurface (DMS) composed of InSb cylindrical micropillars is proposed to generate vortex beam in the terahertz region. The full

2

π

phase shift could be realized at resonance frequency for the incident linearly polarized wave by changing the diameter of InSb cylindrical micropillars. In addition, the resonance frequencies vary with the temperatures of the InSb cylindrical micropillars. More specifically, the resonance frequency will be moved from 0.69 to 1.65 THz when the temperature increases from 240 K to 340 K, and the corresponding transmission coefficients are higher than 0.5. Vortex beams carrying orbital angular momentums with different topological charges at 1.27 THz (

T
=

300

K

) and thermally tunable vortex beams with topological charge

m
=
−

2

can be achieved. The results showed that the generated vortex beams have high mode purity under different external environment temperatures. The vortex beam generator can reconstruct the operating frequency without changing the physical size, which has great potential in terahertz imaging, detecting, and communication.
Steering paradox for Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen argument and its extended inequality
Authors: Feng Tianfeng , Ren Changliang , Feng Qin , Luo Maolin , Qiang Xiaogang , Chen Jing-Ling , Zhou Xiaoqi
Published: March 2021

The Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen (EPR) paradox is one of the milestones in quantum foundations, arising from the lack of a local realistic description of quantum mechanics. The EPR paradox has stimulated an important concept of “quantum nonlocality,” which manifests itself in three types: quantum entanglement, quantum steering, and Bell’s nonlocality. Although Bell’s nonlocality is more often used to show “quantum nonlocality,” the original EPR paradox is essentially a steering paradox. In this work, we formulate the original EPR steering paradox into a contradiction equality, thus making it amenable to experimental verification. We perform an experimental test of the steering paradox in a two-qubit scenario. Furthermore, by starting from the steering paradox, we generate a generalized linear steering inequality and transform this inequality into a mathematically equivalent form, which is friendlier for experimental implementation, i.e., one may measure the observables only in the

x

,

y

, or

z

axis of the Bloch sphere, rather than other arbitrary directions. We also perform experiments to demonstrate this scheme. Within the experimental errors, the experimental results coincide with theoretical predictions. Our results deepen the understanding of quantum foundations and provide an efficient way to detect the steerability of quantum states.
Free-space realization of tunable pin-like optical vortex beams
Authors: Bongiovanni Domenico , Li Denghui , Goutsoulas Mihalis , Wu Hao , Hu Yi , Song Daohong , Morandotti Roberto , Efremidis Nikolaos K. , Chen Zhigang
Published: March 2021

We demonstrate, both analytically and experimentally, free-space pin-like optical vortex beams (POVBs). Such angular-momentum-carrying beams feature tunable peak intensity and undergo robust antidiffracting propagation, realized by judiciously modulating both the amplitude and the phase profile of a standard laser beam. Specifically, they are generated by superimposing a radially symmetric power-law phase on a helical phase structure, which allows the inclusion of an orbital angular momentum term to the POVBs. During propagation in free space, these POVBs initially exhibit autofocusing dynamics, and subsequently their amplitude patterns morph into a high-order Bessel-like profile characterized by a hollow core and an annular main lobe with a constant or tunable width during propagation. In contrast with numerous previous endeavors on Bessel beams, our work represents the first demonstration of long-distance free-space generation of optical vortex “pins” with their peak intensity evolution controlled by the impressed amplitude structure. Both the Poynting vectors and the optical radiation forces associated with these beams are also numerically analyzed, revealing novel properties that may be useful for a wide range of applications.
The explanatory power of social cognitive theory in determining knowledge sharing among Saudi faculty
Authors: Almuqrin Abdullah , Mutambik Ibrahim
Published: March 2021

Knowledge sharing positively and significantly improves academics’ research, instruction and community service. The study of knowledge sharing in Saudi higher education is limited and offers little guidance to administrators, as well as faculty on how to capitalize on knowledge sharing and utilize it to their own and organizations’ benefits. This research presents findings from an original quantitative study testing a structural equation model linking social cognitive theory to knowledge sharing collection and donation measured by validated scales from the extant literature. Community characteristics including altruism and reputation carry significant positive effects on knowledge sharing collection and donation. Similarly, personal outcomes expectations possess a moderate positive effect on knowledge sharing collection and donation. Self-efficacy in knowledge sharing emerged as an important predictor of knowledge sharing activities among Saudi academics. The findings suggest the need for developing professional training seminars on using social media for knowledge sharing in formal departmental and college settings. Further, the results confirm the relevance of social cognitive theory for the study of knowledge sharing. This creates the need for Saudi universities to invest in mentorship programs using digital platforms where personal and community outcomes’ expectations are likely to improve among academics thereby increasing knowledge sharing activity.