bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Systematic Changes in Commodity Arrangement on the Satisfaction of Supermarket Customers
Authors: Tošenovský Josef , Tošenovský Filip , Dočkalová Ivana
Published: April 2021

Purpose: The paper investigates if relocation of goods at supermarkets, practised to boost sales, bothers customers and improves financial results of the stores. To explore this, a questionnaire-based poll was run, using questions, such as “Do you mind if commodity is not permanently in the same place?”, or “While searching, do you buy anything you did not indend to buy?”. Various relations are also observed. For instance, are opinions on product relocation related in any way to age of customers? The study suggests most customers are not satisfied with changes in product location, yet the practices lead to higher sales. It turns out the business principle – only satisfied customers spend more – may not be so true. In the study, some new questions also arose and were evaluated, such as the question “Which management activities have a positive effect on customers?”.       
Methodology/Approach: The paper relies on statistical testing, specifically on the chi-square test of independence and a test of differences in the relative frequency of occurrence of diverse phenomena. Real, empirical data are utilized.
Findings: The analysis showed that most customers dislike looking for goods, and many of them buy items that they did not intend to purchase. Thus, a paradox occurs when entrepreneurs dissatisfy customers, yet they register higher profits.
Research Limitation/Implication: The results concern a specific scientific field – microeconomic behavioural patterns at supermarkets.
Originality/Value of paper: The research presented in this paper is focused on the Czech Republic where it has not been undertaken to date. Work of this kind is not cited in the scientific literature, however.
Automatic Nourishing and Watering System Detector for Mint Cultivation
Authors: Kartika Kurnia Paranita , Yuana Haris
Published: April 2021

Mint plants provide many benefits in everyday life ranging from enhancing aroma and taste in food and beverages, medicine, perfume, cosmetics until as antibacterial, anti-virus and fungal drugs. Mint is an herbal plant that comes from subtropical areas. When it is planted in tropical areas, mint will grow to creep and will not flowering, so it is cultivated in tropical areas such as in Indonesia by using vegetative methods, namely stem cuttings. This raises problems including shoot growth that takes a long time, regular maintenance, and the need for additional nutrients to support the growth of stems and leaf buds. This study aimed to design and build an automatic integrated care control system for mint cultivation. The integrated system that was built includes the provision of nutrition for young coconut water at a dose of 10 milliliters which is flowed on the surface of the mint plant stem cuttings with the frequency of nutrition twice in a day at 8 AM and 4 PM. The second system that was built was automatic watering carried out on 350 milliliters of mint soil media every morning and evening at 7 AM and 5 PM. After testing, the results showed that the detector could work well in reading the activation time of the nutrient pump and sprinkler pump. There were time differences of 4 milliseconds in the delivery of nutrition testing, while in the delay test for watering the planting medium there was a time difference of 70 milliseconds from the time set on the RTC. Overall, the tools that have been made are adequate to assist farmers in cultivating the mint plant, starting from the process of watering the stem cuttings to providing nutrients to accelerate and increase the growth of leaf buds.
Improving Power Harvesting Ability of Variable Speed Wind Turbine using Intelligent Soft Computing Technique
Authors: Ayenew Endalew , Biru Getachew , Mulatu Asrat , Berhanu Milkias
Published: April 2021

This paper presents a study carried out on maximizing energy harvesting of wind turbines. One way of improving the output power of the wind turbines is by optimizing the power conversion coefficient. The power conversion coefficient factor is expressed as a function of the wind turbine blade tip speed ratio and the turbine blade pitch angle. Optimization of the wind turbine generator output power is done by considering the effects of variations of wind speed, blade tip speed ratio, and pitch angle. An intelligent soft computing technique known as an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) with a fuzzy logic controller for blade pitch actuator was applied to optimize the generator output power. The simulation result showed that the power conversion coefficient of 0.513 is achieved. The study was verified by using real-time wind speed data of Adama II wind farm in Ethiopia and specifications of the Gamesa G80 horizontal axis wind turbine generator unit by MATLAB software. Accordingly, a promising and satisfying improvement in power harvesting capacity is obtained. The output power of this generator is improved by 9.47% which is by far better result as compared to the existing literature.
Maternal factors associated with stillbirth among women in Marsabit County, Kenya
Authors: Wako Badane Amina , Epiu Isabella , Otor Samuel
Published: April 2021

Background/Aim

Stillbirth refers to fetal death occurring at or after 28 weeks of gestation. Worldwide, 130 million babies are born every year and approximately 4 million are stillborn; more than 98% of these deaths occur in developing countries. The government of the Republic of Kenya has put in place several measures, such as the National Health Insurance Fund and Free Child Delivery Programmes for pregnant women, in order to meet the Sustainable Development Goals on health. However, the problem of stillbirth continues to prevail in the country. This study sought to determine maternal factors associated with occurrence of stillbirth in selected hospitals in Marsabit County, Kenya.

Methods

The study employed a cross-sectional descriptive study design, targeting 387 women who delivered in selected hospitals in Marsabit County, to collect qualitative and quantitative data. Quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 24.0 while qualitative data were analysed using N-Vivo software version 11. Inferential statistics were calculated using Chi Square and Fisher's Exact Tests at 95% confidence interval and P<0.05 was considered significant.

Results

The rate of stillbirth occurrence was 5.9%. Maternal factors significantly associated with the occurrence of stillbirth included antenatal attendance (P=0.031), use of illicit drugs (P=0.041), low maternal weight (P=0.043) and tough domestic work (P=0.004).

Conclusions

The respondents from Marsabit County experienced relative high rates of stillbirth compared to the national figure. The outcome of delivery was significantly influenced by maternal factors. These results may help address the high rate of stillbirth across the country and improve the delivery outcomes of pregnancies among mothers delivering in public hospitals.
Impacts of air pollution on respiratory symptoms and pulmonary functions among public drivers in Chiang Mai
Authors:   Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Panumasvivat J , Wangsan K ,   Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Rattananupong T ,   Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Sithisarankul P ,   Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University
Published: April 2021

Objectives To explore differences in pulmonary functions, respiratory symptoms and related factors among public commercial drivers between periods of high and low air pollution. Methods This cross-sectional analytical study comparing the same individuals during periods of high and low air pollution was conducted using spirometry and a self-administered questionnaire which included respiratory symptoms, personal factors, work-related factors and personal personal health data. Air pollution data were collected from reports of the Pollution Control Department. The statistic tests used were the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and McNemar’s test. Results Among the 49 subjects included in both periods (with one outlier removed), differences were found in forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) between periods of high and low air pollution (p = 0.030 and 0.042, respectively). Closing windows, wearing more respiratory protection, having no extra work and reducing exposure to second-hand smoke showed differences in FEV1 between the high and low air pollution periods (p = 0.013, 0.003, 0.049, and 0.034, respectively). Among the 22 subjects who had abnormal pulmonary function during the high air pollution period, the respiratory function of 10 individuals improved during the period of low air pollution. Respiratory symptoms which differed between the periods of high and low air pollution were night coughing and morning phlegm (p = 0.034 and 0.021, respectively). These results might have been affected by the COVID-19 situation which resulted in reduced working hours and hence less exposure time. Conclusions Air pollution is associated with lung function and respiratory symptoms. Abnormal pulmonary function which occurs during periods of high air pollution can improve as the level of air pollution declines. Policies and education campaigns, e.g., closing windows while driving, wearing respiratory protection and avoiding second-hand smoke, can help reduce the impact of air pollution. Chiang Mai Medical Journal 2021;60(1):27-40. doi 10.12982/CMUMEDJ.2021.03
The effects of rice grain and Thai herbal hot pack on pain and back extensibility in persons with low back pain
Authors:   Unit of Excellence for Physical fitness and Exercise, Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Phayao, Manoy P , Kumfu S ,   Unit of Excellence for Physical fitness and Exercise, Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Phayao, Srithawong A ,   Unit of Excellence for Physical fitness and Exercise, Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Phayao
Published: April 2021

Objectives Low back pain (LBP) is the most prevalent musculoskeletal condition. Superficial heat has been utilized for decades to alleviate the symptoms; however, there has been no study of the effect of rice grain and Thai herbal hot packs using a microwave method in persons with low back pain. The purpose of this study was to compare pain scale scores and back extensibility with rice grain and Thai herbal hot packs with standard hot packs in individuals with LBP. Methods Forty participants with LBP were stratified using a random sampling method into two groups: a rice grain and Thai herbal hot pack group (n=20) and a standard hot pack group (n=20). Twenty-minute duration treatments were given. Each patient was followed-up 6 times (3 times per week for 2 weeks). Pressure pain threshold (PPT) and back extensibility were measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Thai Oswestry low back pain disability index. Results VAS scores and the Thai Oswestry low back pain disability index in both groups were reduced significantly (p < 0.05). PPT and back extensibility were significantly increased after rice grain and Thai herbal hot pack and hot pack treatment (p < 0.05). After treatments, PPT with rice grain and Thai herbal hot pack was significantly higher than the standard hot pack group. (p < 0.05). Conclusions Rice grain and Thai herbal hot pack may be considered as an alternative method for relieving pain and improving pressure pain threshold and back extensibility in persons with LBP. Chiang Mai Medical Journal 2021;60(1):75-86. doi 10.12982/CMUMEDJ.2021.07
Does chronic kidney disease affect implant survival after primary hip and knee arthroplasty?
Authors: Jämsä Pyry , Reito Aleksi , Oksala Niku , Eskelinen Antti , Jämsen Esa
Published: April 2021

Aims

To investigate whether chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with the risk of all-cause revision or revision due to a periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after primary hip or knee arthroplasty.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study comprised 18,979 consecutive hip and knee arthroplasties from a single high-volume academic hospital. At a median of 5.6 years (interquartile range (IQR) 3.5 to 8.1), all deaths and revisions were counted. To overcome the competing risk of death, competing risk analysis using the cumulative incidence function (CIF) was applied to analyze the association between different stages of CKD and revisions. Confounding factors such as diabetes and BMI were considered using either a stratified CIF or the Fine and Gray model.

Results

There were 2,111 deaths (11.1%) and 677 revisions (3.6%) during the follow-up period. PJI was the reason for revision in 162 cases (0.9%). For hip arthroplasty, 3.5% of patients with CKD stage 1 (i.e. normal kidney function, NKF), 3.8% with CKD stage 2, 4.2% with CKD stage 3, and 0% with CKD stage 4 to 5 had undergone revision within eight years. For knee arthroplasty, 4.7% with NKF, 2.7% with CKD stage 2, 2.4% with CKD stage 3, and 7% of CKD stage 4 to 5 had had undergone revision. With the exception of knee arthroplasty patients in whom normal kidney function was associated with a greater probability of all-cause revision, there were no major differences in the rates of all-cause revisions or revisions due to PJIs between different CKD stages. The results remained unchanged when diabetes and BMI were considered.

Conclusion

We found no strong evidence that CKD was associated with an increased risk of all-cause or PJI-related revision. Selection bias probably explains the increased amount of all-cause revision operations in knee arthroplasty patients with normal kidney function. The effect of stage 4 to 5 CKD was difficult to evaluate because of the small number of patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(4):689–695.
Total ankle arthroplasty
Authors: Clough Timothy M. , Ring Joseph
Published: April 2021

Aims

We report the medium-term outcomes of a consecutive series of 118 Zenith total ankle arthroplasties (TAAs) from a single, non-designer centre.

Methods

Between December 2010 and May 2016, 118 consecutive Zenith prostheses were implanted in 114 patients. Demographic, clinical, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) data were collected. The endpoint of the study was failure of the implant requiring revision of one or all of the components. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and the rate of failure calculated for each year.

Results

Eight patients (ten ankles) died during follow-up, but none required revision. Of the surviving 106 patients (108 ankles: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), n = 15; osteoarthritis (OA), n = 93), 38 were women and 68 were men, with a mean age of 68.2 years (48 to 86) at the time of surgery. Mean follow-up was 5.1 years (2.1 to 9.0). A total of ten implants failed (8.5%), thus requiring revision. The implant survival at seven years, using revision as an endpoint, was 88.2% (95% CI 100% to 72.9%). There was a mean improvement in Manchester-Oxford Foot and Ankle Questionnaire (MOXFQ) from 85.0 to 32.8 and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores from 7.0 to 3.2, and overall satisfaction was 89%. The three commonest complications were malleolar fracture (14.4%, n = 17), wound healing (13.6%, n = 16), and superficial infection (12.7%, n = 15). The commonest reason for revision was aseptic loosening. No patients in our study were revised for deep infection.

Conclusion

Our results show that Zenith survival rates are comparable with those in the literature for other implants and in the National Joint Registry (NJR). Overall patient satisfaction was high as were functional outcomes. However, the data highlight potential complications associated with this surgery. The authors believe that these figures support ankle arthroplasty as an option in the treatment of ankle arthritis. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(4):696–703.
Factors which predict adverse events following surgery in adults with cervical spinal deformity
Authors: Varshneya Kunal , Jokhai Rayyan , Medress Zachary Adam , Stienen Martin Nikolaus , Ho Allen , Fatemi Parastou , Ratliff John Kevin , Veeravagu Anand
Published: April 2021

Aims

The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for adverse events following the surgical correction of cervical spinal deformities in adults.

Methods

We identified adult patients who underwent corrective cervical spinal surgery between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2015 from the MarketScan database. The baseline comorbidities and characteristics of the operation were recorded. Adverse events were defined as the development of a complication, an unanticipated deleterious postoperative event, or further surgery. Patients aged < 18 years and those with a previous history of tumour or trauma were excluded from the study.

Results

A total of 13,549 adults in the database underwent primary corrective surgery for a cervical spinal deformity during the study period. A total of 3,785 (27.9%) had a complication within 90 days of the procedure, and 3,893 (28.7%) required further surgery within two years. In multivariate analysis, male sex (odds ratio (OR) 0.90 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.8 to 0.9); p = 0.019) and a posterior approach (compared with a combined surgical approach, OR 0.66 (95% CI 0.5 to 0.8); p < 0.001) significantly decreased the risk of complications. Osteoporosis (OR 1.41 (95% CI 1.3 to 1.6); p < 0.001), dyspnoea (OR 1.48 (95% CI 1.3 to 1.6); p < 0.001), cerebrovascular accident (OR 1.81 (95% CI 1.6 to 2.0); p < 0.001), a posterior approach (compared with an anterior approach, OR 1.23 (95% CI 1.1 to 1.4); p < 0.001), and the use of bone morphogenic protein (BMP) (OR 1.22 (95% CI 1.1 to 1.4); p = 0.003) significantly increased the risks of 90-day complications. In multivariate regression analysis, preoperative dyspnoea (OR 1.50 (95% CI 1.3 to 1.7); p < 0.001), a posterior approach (compared with an anterior approach, OR 2.80 (95% CI 2.4 to 3.2; p < 0.001), and postoperative dysphagia (OR 2.50 (95% CI 1.8 to 3.4); p < 0.001) were associated with a significantly increased risk of further surgery two years postoperatively. A posterior approach (compared with a combined approach, OR 0.32 (95% CI 0.3 to 0.4); p < 0.001), the use of BMP (OR 0.48 (95% CI 0.4 to 0.5); p < 0.001) were associated with a significantly decreased risk of further surgery at this time.

Conclusion

The surgical approach and intraoperative use of BMP strongly influence the risk of further surgery, whereas the comorbidity burden and the characteristics of the operation influence the rates of early complications in adult patients undergoing corrective cervical spinal surgery. These data may aid surgeons in patient selection and surgical planning. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(4):734–738.
Incidence and clinical outcome of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury after periacetabular osteotomy
Authors: Doi Nobunao , Kinoshita Koichi , Sakamoto Tetsuya , Minokawa Ayumi , Setoguchi Daisuke , Yamamoto Takuaki
Published: April 2021

Aims

Injury to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) is one of the known complications after periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) performed using the anterior approach, reported to occur in between 1.5% and 65% of cases. In this study, we performed a prospective study on the incidence of LFCN injury as well as its clinical outcomes based on the Harris Hip Score (HHS), Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Hip Disease Evaluation Questionnaire (JHEQ).

Methods

The study included 42 consecutive hips in 42 patients (three male and 39 female) who underwent PAO from May 2016 to July 2018. We prospectively evaluated the incidence of LFCN injury at ten days, three months, six months, and one year postoperatively. We also evaluated the clinical scores, including the HHS, SF-36, and JHEQ scores, at one year postoperatively.

Results

LFCN injury was observed in 31 of 42 (74%) patients at ten days, of which 11 resolved completely by one year. Incidence decreased gradually, to 25 of 42 (60%) patients at three months, 24 of 42 patients (57%) at six months, and 20 of 42 (48%) patients at one year postoperatively. There was no significant difference in the HHS between patients with and without LFCN injury at one year postoperatively. Regarding the SF-36 and JHEQ, a significant difference in the mental score was recognized between patients with and without LFCN injury, but there were no significant differences in the other clinical scores.

Conclusion

The incidence of LFCN injury was 74% at ten days after PAO, and subsequently decreased to 48% at one year. LFCN injury did not influence the hip function as assessed by the HHS, but had a negative impact on mental health at one year. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(4):659–664.
Evidence for the validity of a patient-based instrument for assessment of outcome after revision knee arthroplasty
Authors: Sabah Shiraz A. , Alvand Abtin , Beard David J. , Price Andrew J.
Published: April 2021

Aims

To estimate the measurement properties for the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) in patients undergoing revision knee arthroplasty (responsiveness, minimal detectable change (MDC-90), minimal important change (MIC), minimal important difference (MID), internal consistency, construct validity, and interpretability).

Methods

Secondary data analysis was performed for 10,727 patients undergoing revision knee arthroplasty between 2013 to 2019 using a UK national patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) dataset. Outcome data were collected before revision and at six months postoperatively, using the OKS and EuroQol five-dimension score (EQ-5D). Measurement properties were assessed according to COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) guidelines.

Results

A total of 9,219 patients had complete outcome data. Mean preoperative OKS was 16.7 points (SD 8.1), mean postoperative OKS 29.1 (SD 11.4), and mean change in OKS + 12.5 (SD 10.7). Median preoperative EQ-5D index was 0.260 (interquartile range (IQR) 0.055 to 0.691), median postoperative EQ-5D index 0.691 (IQR 0.516 to 0.796), and median change in EQ-5D index + 0.240 (IQR 0.000 to 0.567). Internal consistency was good with Cronbach’s α 0.88 (baseline) and 0.94 (post-revision). Construct validity found a high correlation of OKS total score with EQ-5D index ( r = 0.76 (baseline), r = 0.83 (post-revision), p < 0.001). The OKS was responsive with standardized effect size (SES) 1.54 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.51 to 1.57), compared to SES 0.83 (0.81 to 0.86) for the EQ-5D index. The MIC for the OKS was 7.5 points (95% CI 5.5 to 8.5) based on the optimal cut-off with specificity 0.72, sensitivity 0.60, and area under the curve 0.66. The MID for the OKS was 5.2 points. The MDC-90 was 3.9 points. The OKS did not demonstrate significant floor or ceiling effects.

Conclusion

This study found that the OKS was a useful and valid instrument for assessment of outcome following revision knee arthroplasty. The OKS was responsive to change and demonstrated good measurement properties. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(4):627–634.
Platelet-rich plasma: a narrative review
Authors: Collins Thomas , Alexander Dinesh , Barkatali Bilal
Published: April 2021

The aim of this article was to synopsize platelet-rich plasma (PRP) use in musculoskeletal pathologies through evidence-based assessment of the preparation, classification, mechanism of action and applications of PRP, thereby answering which PRP type is best for each clinical indication. The literature search was performed using Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane Reviews databases for papers containing the key terms “platelet-rich plasma” AND “orthopaedics” AND (“classification” OR “mechanism of action” OR “preparation” OR “clinical application”). Generated papers were evaluated for pertinence in following areas: preparation, classification, mechanism of action, clinical application within orthopaedics. Non-English papers were excluded. Included studies were evaluated for quality. Sixty studies were included in our review. There are many commercial PRP preparation kits with differing component concentrations. There is no consensus on optimal component concentrations. Multiple PRP classifications exist but none have been validated. Platelet-rich plasma acts via growth factors (GFs) released from α-granules within platelets. Growth factors have been shown to be beneficial in healing. Grossly elevated concentrations of GFs may have inhibitory effects on healing. Multiple systematic reviews show efficacy of PRP in tendinopathies, early osteoarthritis, acute muscle injuries and in combination with rotator cuff repair and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The literature suggests leukocyte-rich PRP (L-PRP) is more beneficial in tendinopathies and pure PRP (P-PRP) is more beneficial in cartilage pathology. However, different PRP preparations have not been directly compared in any pathology. Classification of PRP type is frequently not stated in research. Standardization of PRP research parameters is needed to streamline findings and generate clear indications for PRP types to yield maximum clinical benefit.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:225-235. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200017
Dental care for children with selective mutism
Authors: Agel Mona , Hipolito Gino
Published: April 2021

Selective mutism (SM) is an anxiety disorder that is characterised by a consistent failure to speak in certain social settings where the individual is expected to speak while in other situations, speech is normal. It often starts in childhood and is thought to affect around 1 in 140 children in the UK. If recognised and treated early, SM can be overcome but left untreated, it can lead to long-term problems. It is thought to be caused by a complex interaction between various vulnerabilities such as genetics, temperament, environment and neurodevelopmental factors. Treatment methods are variable and can include non-medication-based therapies (eg behavioural therapy) or pharmacotherapy.

This paper specifically addresses the child with SM. Few professionals are trained in dealing with SM and many have little knowledge of the condition. SM awareness for parents and professionals along with appropriate information and intervention techniques are vital. For children with SM, dental visits can prove challenging. Each child is unique in how they present with their difficulties. A child attending the dentist for a dental problem or a routine examination may not yet be diagnosed with SM, and so knowledge of the condition and what appropriate services are available is important. The dental team should understand the possible modes of therapy that the child is receiving and work with these principles during dental appointments. Simple strategies such as asking the parent how best to communicate with the child, understanding what makes the child feel at ease and whether the child has any other phobias or anxieties can help.
Lessons learnt from COVID ward redeployment
Authors: Khan Zahid
Published: April 2021

From preparation to patient support: what you need to know about working on a COVID ward.
The Contribution of the “School of New Marxist Economics” to China's Socialist Market Economy
Authors: Zhang Yang
Published: April 2021

Since China's reform and opening up four decades ago, the establishment and healthy development of the socialist market economy has been closely linked to the forward-looking theoretical analysis and policy suggestions given by representatives from the School of New Marxist Economics. By comparative analysis of a variety of cited literature, the author argues that the School of New Marxist Economics scholars Guoguang Liu, Enfu Cheng, and Zuyao Yu, have made an outstanding contribution not only to the construction of the socialist market economy theory and socialist political economy with Chinese characteristics academically, but also to the comprehensive deepening of reform and the strengthening of technology power building in practice.
In-vivo imaging of melanoma with simultaneous dual-wavelength acoustic-resolution-based photoacoustic/ultrasound microscopy
Authors: Wang Congcong , Guo Lili , Wang Guan , Ye Tong , Wang Bo , Xiao Jiaying , Liu Xinli
Published: April 2021

Melanoma is a common, highly fatal skin cancer. Photoacoustic imaging
can achieve highly sensitive and high-contrast detection of melanin
molecules in tissues, also inheriting the high penetration depth and
high spatial resolution characteristics of ultrasound imaging, thus it
is a very promising non-invasive diagnostic tool for early melanoma.
In this work, we built an acoustic-resolution-based photoacoustic
microscopy system, using 1064 nm/532 nm pulsed light to observe
melanoma in the back of a mouse with simultaneous
photoacoustic/ultrasound imaging. Through the fusion of multi-modal
images, accurate positioning of melanoma and its surrounding normal
tissues were realized. This work will further promote the application
of photoacoustic imaging in the clinical diagnosis of early
melanoma.
Extended depth-of-field projection method using a high-speed projector
with a synchronized oscillating variable-focus lens
Authors: Xu Hongjin , Wang Lihui , Tabata Satoshi , Watanabe Yoshihiro , Ishikawa Masatoshi
Published: April 2021

For a projector-based virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR)
display, a large depth of field and a high-speed image refresh rate
are important keys to improve the projector’s performance. Here, we
propose a solution that extends the depth of field of the projection
using a variable-focus lens and a high-speed projector as well as a
control method that synchronizes oscillation of the variable-focus
lens with the high-speed projector. The experiment confirms that the
proposed system can project the well-focused and dynamically
changeable contents on six different planes. Its projection range
varies from 0.3 m to 1.5 m, and the refresh rate is 166.7 Hz.
Simultaneous measurement of temperature and relative humidity based on a twisted microfiber coated with nanomaterials
Authors: Sun Dandan , Xu Shaomin , Liu Shan , Fu Yongming , Ma Jie
Published: April 2021

We propose a twisted microfiber interferometer sensor coated with boron nitride (BN) nanosheets for simultaneous measurement of relative humidity (RH) and temperature (

T

). Sensitive material characteristics (BN nanosheets) enhance refractive index (RI) sensing sensitivity of proposed devices. A twisting process on the microfiber surely improves the evanescent field interaction with the deposited layer. The experimental results show that the RH sensitivities are

−

121.6

p
m

/

%

R
H

and 0.26 dBm/%RH for humidity range from 46% to 72% and

T

sensitivities of 23.5 pm/°C and

−

0.045

d
B
m

/

∘

C

from 50°C to 90°C. The twisted microfiber interferometer has the advantages of compact structure, high sensitivity, and multiparameter measurement, which has certain potential for more applications.
Manipulation of dispersive waves emission via quadratic spectral phase
Authors: Li Haozhe , Cai Wangyang , Zhang Jin , Gao Yanxia , Zhang Lifu , Fan Dianyuan
Published: April 2021

We investigate the process of dispersive waves (DWs) emitted from Gaussian pulse (GP) with an initial quadratic spectral phase (QSP). We show that the radiation of DWs is strongly affected by the QSP parameter. The conversion efficiency and resonant frequency of DWs are effectively enhanced and controlled by tuning the sign and magnitude of the initial QSP. At variance with the case of pure GP, the DWs emission is first advanced and then delayed for negatively QSP modulated GPs; while it is always delayed for positively QSP modulated GPs. We present a modified phase-matching formula that allows us to predict DWs spectral peaks. The resonant frequencies predicted by the phase-matching condition are in very good agreement with the results obtained from the numerical simulation based on the generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equation. The results presented here can be utilized as a effective tool to manipulate DWs emission for applications such as frequency conversion.
Deep intelligent spectral labelling and receiver signal distribution for optical links
Authors: Xu Tongyang , Xu Tianhua , Darwazeh Izzat
Published: April 2021

A unique automatic receiver signal distribution strategy is proposed for private optical networks based on the concept of non-orthogonality. A non-orthogonal signal waveform can compress the spectral bandwidth, which not only fits a signal in a bandwidth limited scenario, but also enables the compression ratio information for labelling. Depending on a unique value of spectral compression, an end user destination can be correlated. A network edge node will rely on deep learning to intelligently identify each raw signal and forward it to corresponding end users with no sophisticated digital signal pre-processing. In this case, signal identification and distribution are faster while computationally intensive signal compensation and detection will be shifted to each end user since the receiver is highly dynamic and user-defined in private optical networks. An intelligent signal classifier will be trained considering various fiber transmission factors such as transmission distance, training dataset size and launch power. At the end, a universal classifier is obtained, which can be used to identify signals in a system for any fiber transmission distance and launch power.
Iterative normalized cross-correlation method for absolute optical path difference demodulation of dual interferometers
Authors: Zuo Guomeng , Hu Haoliang , Li Shiyu , Yang Zhao , Chen Jing , Huang Yuhao , Qu Yingying , Xia Li
Published: April 2021

It is still a challenge to realize the absolute optical path difference (OPD) demodulation of multi-interference systems with a narrow spectral interval and small OPD interval. In this paper, an iterative normalized cross-correlation algorithm is firstly proposed for demodulating the multiple absolute OPDs of a dual-interference system and applied to optical fiber sensing system. By constructing a template function in combined form, the optimal solutions of its components and OPDs are solved iteratively based on the reconstruction matrix method and cross-correlation algorithm, respectively. The simulation and experiment show that the demodulation accuracies near the OPDs of 560 µm and 660 µm are both up to 5 nm in different spectral intervals from 45 to 80 nm. The simulation results show that all demodulation precisions at the spectral interval of 55 nm do not exceed 4 nm when the OPD changes in the range of 650-670 µm. Besides, the experimental verification shows the temperature accuracy (0.125 °C) with 95% confidence of T-distribution is very close to the control accuracy (0.1 °C). The proposed algorithm can improve the multiplexing capability of optical fiber sensor system and reduce its cost.
Anesthetics fragment hippocampal network activity, alter spine dynamics, and affect memory consolidation
Authors: Yang Wei , Chini Mattia , Pöpplau Jastyn A. , Formozov Andrey , Dieter Alexander , Piechocinski Patrick , Rais Cynthia , Morellini Fabio , Sporns Olaf , Hanganu-Opatz Ileana L. , Wiegert J. Simon
Published: April 2021

General anesthesia is characterized by reversible loss of consciousness accompanied by transient amnesia. Yet, long-term memory impairment is an undesirable side effect. How different types of general anesthetics (GAs) affect the hippocampus, a brain region central to memory formation and consolidation, is poorly understood. Using extracellular recordings, chronic 2-photon imaging, and behavioral analysis, we monitor the effects of isoflurane (Iso), medetomidine/midazolam/fentanyl (MMF), and ketamine/xylazine (Keta/Xyl) on network activity and structural spine dynamics in the hippocampal CA1 area of adult mice. GAs robustly reduced spiking activity, decorrelated cellular ensembles, albeit with distinct activity signatures, and altered spine dynamics. CA1 network activity under all 3 anesthetics was different to natural sleep. Iso anesthesia most closely resembled unperturbed activity during wakefulness and sleep, and network alterations recovered more readily than with Keta/Xyl and MMF. Correspondingly, memory consolidation was impaired after exposure to Keta/Xyl and MMF, but not Iso. Thus, different anesthetics distinctly alter hippocampal network dynamics, synaptic connectivity, and memory consolidation, with implications for GA strategy appraisal in animal research and clinical settings.
Computational modelling of muscle fibre operating ranges in the hindlimb of a small ground bird (Eudromia elegans), with implications for modelling locomotion in extinct species
Authors: Bishop Peter J. , Michel Krijn B. , Falisse Antoine , Cuff Andrew R. , Allen Vivian R. , De Groote Friedl , Hutchinson John R.
Published: April 2021

The arrangement and physiology of muscle fibres can strongly influence musculoskeletal function and whole-organismal performance. However, experimental investigation of muscle function duringin vivoactivity is typically limited to relatively few muscles in a given system. Computational models and simulations of the musculoskeletal system can partly overcome these limitations, by exploring the dynamics of muscles, tendons and other tissues in a robust and quantitative fashion. Here, a high-fidelity, 26-degree-of-freedom musculoskeletal model was developed of the hindlimb of a small ground bird, the elegant-crested tinamou (Eudromia elegans, ~550 g), including all the major muscles of the limb (36 actuators per leg). The model was integrated with biplanar fluoroscopy (XROMM) and forceplate data for walking and running, where dynamic optimization was used to estimate muscle excitations and fibre length changes throughout both gaits. Following this, a series of static simulations over the total range of physiological limb postures were performed, to circumscribe the bounds of possible variation in fibre length. During gait, fibre lengths for all muscles remained between 0.5 to 1.21 times optimal fibre length, but operated mostly on the ascending limb and plateau of the active force-length curve, a result that parallels previous experimental findings for birds, humans and other species. However, the ranges of fibre length varied considerably among individual muscles, especially when considered across the total possible range of joint excursion. Net length change of muscle–tendon units was mostly less than optimal fibre length, sometimes markedly so, suggesting that approaches that use muscle–tendon length change to estimate optimal fibre length in extinct species are likely underestimating this important parameter for many muscles. The results of this study clarify and broaden understanding of muscle function in extant animals, and can help refine approaches used to study extinct species.
Hemodynamic and electromechanical effects of paraquat in rat heart
Authors: Lin Chih-Chuan , Hsu Kuang-Hung , Shih Chia-Pang , Chang Gwo-Jyh
Published: April 2021

Paraquat (PQ) is a highly lethal herbicide. Ingestion of large quantities of PQ usually results in cardiovascular collapse and eventual mortality. Recent pieces of evidence indicate possible involvement of oxidative stress- and inflammation-related factors in PQ-induced cardiac toxicity. However, little information exists on the relationship between hemodynamic and cardiac electromechanical effects involved in acute PQ poisoning. The present study investigated the effects of acute PQ exposure on hemodynamics and electrocardiogram (ECG) in vivo, left ventricular (LV) pressure in isolated hearts, as well as contractile and intracellular Ca2+ properties and ionic currents in ventricular myocytes in a rat model. In anesthetized rats, intravenous PQ administration (100 or 180 mg/kg) induced dose-dependent decreases in heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac contractility (LV +dP/dtmax). Furthermore, PQ administration prolonged the PR, QRS, QT, and rate-corrected QT (QTc) intervals. In Langendorff-perfused isolated hearts, PQ (33 or 60 μM) decreased LV pressure and contractility (LV +dP/dtmax). PQ (10–60 μM) reduced the amplitudes of Ca2+ transients and fractional cell shortening in a concentration-dependent manner in isolated ventricular myocytes. Moreover, whole-cell patch-clamp experiments demonstrated that PQ decreased the current amplitude and availability of the transient outward K+ channel (Ito) and altered its gating kinetics. These results suggest that PQ-induced cardiotoxicity results mainly from diminished Ca2+ transients and inhibited K+ channels in cardiomyocytes, which lead to LV contractile force suppression and QTc interval prolongation. These findings should provide novel cues to understand PQ-induced cardiac suppression and electrical disturbances and may aid in the development of new treatment modalities.
A mental health paradox: Mental health was both a motivator and barrier to physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Marashi Maryam Yvonne , Nicholson Emma , Ogrodnik Michelle , Fenesi Barbara , Heisz Jennifer J.
Published: April 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health, physical activity, and sedentary behavior of people worldwide. According to the Health Belief Model (HBM), health-related behavior is determined by perceived barriers and motivators. Using an online survey with 1669 respondents, we sought to understand why and how physical activity and sedentary behavior has changed by querying about perceived barriers and motivators to physical activity that changed because of the pandemic, and how those changes impacted mental health. The following results were statistically significant at p < .05. Consistent with prior reports, our respondents were less physically active (aerobic activity, -11%; strength-based activity, -30%) and more sedentary (+11%) during the pandemic as compared to 6-months before. The pandemic also increased psychological stress (+22%) and brought on moderate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Respondents’ whose mental health deteriorated the most were also the ones who were least active (depression r = -.21, anxiety r = -.12). The majority of respondents were unmotivated to exercise because they were too anxious (+8%,), lacked social support (+6%), or had limited access to equipment (+23%) or space (+41%). The respondents who were able to stay active reported feeling less motivated by physical health outcomes such as weight loss (-7%) or strength (-14%) and instead more motivated by mental health outcomes such as anxiety relief (+14%). Coupled with previous work demonstrating a direct relationship between mental health and physical activity, these results highlight the potential protective effect of physical activity on mental health and point to the need for psychological support to overcome perceived barriers so that people can continue to be physically active during stressful times like the pandemic.
Characterization of the Cannabis sativa glandular trichome proteome
Authors: Conneely Lee James , Mauleon Ramil , Mieog Jos , Barkla Bronwyn J. , Kretzschmar Tobias
Published: April 2021

Cannabis sativa has been cultivated since antiquity as a source of fibre, food and medicine. The recent resurgence of C. sativa as a cash crop is mainly driven by the medicinal and therapeutic properties of its resin, which contains compounds that interact with the human endocannabinoid system. Compared to other medicinal crops of similar value, however, little is known about the biology of C. sativa. Glandular trichomes are small hair-like projections made up of stalk and head tissue and are responsible for the production of the resin in C. sativa. Trichome productivity, as determined by C. sativa resin yield and composition, is only beginning to be understood at the molecular level. In this study the proteomes of glandular trichome stalks and heads, were investigated and compared to the proteome of the whole flower tissue, to help further elucidate C. sativa glandular trichome biochemistry. The data suggested that the floral tissue acts as a major source of carbon and energy to the glandular trichome head sink tissue, supplying sugars which drive secondary metabolite biosynthesis. The trichome stalk seems to play only a limited role in secondary metabolism and acts as both source and sink.
Predicting the cumulative medical load of COVID-19 outbreaks after the peak in daily fatalities
Authors: Gros Claudius , Valenti Roser , Schneider Lukas , Gutsche Benedikt , Marković Dimitrije
Published: April 2021

The distinct ways the COVID-19 pandemic has been unfolding in different countries and regions suggest that local societal and governmental structures play an important role not only for the baseline infection rate, but also for short and long-term reactions to the outbreak. We propose to investigate the question of how societies as a whole, and governments in particular, modulate the dynamics of a novel epidemic using a generalization of the SIR model, the reactive SIR (short-term and long-term reaction) model. We posit that containment measures are equivalent to a feedback between the status of the outbreak and the reproduction factor. Short-term reaction to an outbreak corresponds in this framework to the reaction of governments and individuals to daily cases and fatalities. The reaction to the cumulative number of cases or deaths, and not to daily numbers, is captured in contrast by long-term reaction. We present the exact phase space solution of the controlled SIR model and use it to quantify containment policies for a large number of countries in terms of short and long-term control parameters. We find increased contributions of long-term control for countries and regions in which the outbreak was suppressed substantially together with a strong correlation between the strength of societal and governmental policies and the time needed to contain COVID-19 outbreaks. Furthermore, for numerous countries and regions we identified a predictive relation between the number of fatalities within a fixed period before and after the peak of daily fatality counts, which allows to gauge the cumulative medical load of COVID-19 outbreaks that should be expected after the peak. These results suggest that the proposed model is applicable not only for understanding the outbreak dynamics, but also for predicting future cases and fatalities once the effectiveness of outbreak suppression policies is established with sufficient certainty. Finally, we provide a web app (https://itp.uni-frankfurt.de/covid-19/) with tools for visualising the phase space representation of real-world COVID-19 data and for exporting the preprocessed data for further analysis.