bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relação entre fontes de financiamento e a estrutura de capital de grandes empresas brasileiras de capital aberto
Authors: Eça João Paulo Augusto , Franzotti Tatiane Del Arco , Valle Maurício Ribeiro do
Published: March 2023

O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a estrutura de capital de grandes empresas brasileiras abertas durante o período 2001-2019 e a relação das fontes de financiamento com a alavancagem dessas empresas. As fontes de financiamento são classificadas em linhas de mercado e linhas diferenciadas e por moeda de captação. A relação entre as fontes de financiamento e estrutura de capital é analisada por meio de dados em painel, para um conjunto de 99 empresas brasileiras no período de 2001 a 2019. Os resultados apontam para existência de uma relação entre as fontes de financiamento e a estrutura de capital das empresas no período. Mais especificamente, empresas que recorrem às linhas diferenciadas, caracterizadas por taxas de juros subsidiadas, são menos alavancadas que as empresas que buscam recursos em linhas de mercado. Além disso, a moeda das dívidas não foi fator importante para explicar o financiamento das empresas.
Learning regular languages over large alphabets
Authors: Μένς Ειρήνη-Ελευθερία
Published: March 2023

Η εκμάθηση τυπικών (regular) γλωσσών είναι ένας κλάδος της μηχανικής μάθησης (machine learning) που έχει συμβάλλει σημαντικά σε πολλούς τομείς, όπως η τεχνητή νοημοσύνη (artificial intelligence), τα νευρωνικά δίκτυα (neural networks), η εξόρυξη δεδομένων (data mining), η επαλήθευση συστημάτων (system verification) κ.λπ. Τα τελευταία χρόνια παρουσιάζεται αυξητική τάση στον αριθμό των εφαρμογών που κάνουν χρήση γλωσσών που ορίζονται σε μεγάλα και άπειρα αλφάβητα και αυτό έχει ως συνέπεια να έχει αυξηθεί και η ανάγκη για την ανάπτυξη αλγορίθμων για την εκμάθηση τους. Καθώς οι υπάρχουσες μέθοδοι εκμάθησης τυπικών γλωσσών εξαρτώνται από το μέγεθος του αλφαβήτου αυτό το εγχείρημα δεν είναι εύκολο και μια απλή γενίκευση σε άπειρα αλφάβητα δεν είναι δυνατή. Στην παρούσα διατριβή, παρουσιάζουμε ένα γενικευμένο αλγοριθμικό σχήμα που μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί για την εκμάθηση γλωσσών που ορίζονται σε μεγάλα ή άπειρα αλφάβητα, όπως υποσύνολα των φυσικών (Ν) ή πραγματικών (R) ή Boolean διανύσματα μεγάλων διαστάσεων. Περιοριζόμαστε στην κατηγορία των τυπικών γλωσσών που γίνονται δεκτές από ντετερμινιστικά συμβολικά αυτόματα (deterministic symbolic automata), τα οποία χρησιμοποιούν λογικές εκφράσεις για να ορίσουν τις μεταβάσεις μεταξύ των καταστάσεων και σχηματίζουν μία πεπερασμένη διαμέριση του αλφαβήτου σε κάθε κατάσταση. Οι αλγόριθμοι που προτίνουμε, συνδυάζουν την εκμάθηση αυτομάτων μέσω χαρακτηρισμού καταστάσεων, όπως αυτή γίνεται στον αλγόριθμο L* της Angluin, με την εκμάθηση των λογικών εκφράσεων που ορίζουν τις μεταβάσεις μεταξύ των καταστάσεων. Το online σχήμα μάθησης που χρησιμοποιούμε κάνει χρήση δύο τύπων ερωτημάτων που παρέχουν τις απαραίτητες πληροφορίες σχετικά με τη γλώσσα-στόχο. Τα ερωτήματα αφορούν τις ιδιότητες του ανήκει και της ισοδυναμίας. Σε περίπτωση μη ισοδυναμίας επιστρέφεται ένα αντιπαράδειγμα το οποίο θα χρησιμοποιηθεί από τον αλγόριθμο ώστε να βελτιωθεί το αυτόματο μέχρις ότου επέλθει η σύνγκλιση και ο τερματισμός. Σε περίπτωση που δεν μπορεί να ελεγθεί η ιδιότητα της ισοδυναμίας, προτίνεται ένας προσαρμοσμένος αλγόριθμος που στον τερματισμό του θα επιστρέψει ένα αυτόματο που θα αναγνωρίζει τη γλώσσα-στοχο προσεγγιστικά κάνοντας χρήση της παραδοχής PAC (probably approximately correct). Όλες οι μέθοδοι και αλγόριθμοι που προτίνονται έχουν υλοποιηθεί προγραμματιστικά και έχουν χρησιμοποιηθεί για την πραγματοποίηση προσομοιώσεων και εμπειρικής αξιολόγησης των αλγορίθμων.
Świadomość historyczna Polaków pod względem elementarnej wiedzy oraz dumy i wstydu – wyniki badania sondażowego.
Authors: Piotrowski Mikołaj
Published: March 2023

We wrześniu 2021 roku ABR SESTA Sp. z o.o. na zlecenie Uniwersytetu Warmińsko-Mazurskiego w Olsztynie przeprowadziła sondażowe badanie świadomości historycznej Polaków na liczącej 1001 osób, reprezentatywnej próbie kwotowej. Jego wyniki pod względem elementarnej wiedzy – sprawdzonej dziewiętnastoma pytaniami – pozostawiają wiele do życzenia. Niepokojący jest także poziom dumy i wstydu zmierzony w szesnastu kategoriach, hipotetycznie uwikłanych w bieżącą debatę publiczną, politykę historyczną, czy też wojnę informacyjną.
Test–retest reliability and validity of cervical range of motion measurement using a smartphone clinometer and compass application among individuals with and without neck pain
Authors: Khan Abdur Raheem , Aafreen  , Khan Ashfaque , Ahmed Hashim , Shaphe Mohammad Abu , Qasheesh Mohammed
Published: March 2023

Background/Aims

Cervical disorders are major health problems in our society and an important source of disability. Assessing range of motion is a significant part of the physical therapist’s role when evaluating a patient presenting with cervical disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intrarater relibility as well as the criterion validity of two phone applications (clinometer and compass) when assessing the cervical range of motion among individuals with and without neck pain.

Methods

In total, 80 participants were included in this study and split into two groups. Group A comprised 40 participants (18 women and 22 men) without neck pain. Group B included 40 participants (26 women and 14 men) with neck pain (mean pain rating on visual analogue scale 3.76 ± 0.93). Cervical range of motion was measured with the clinometer application (flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion) and compass application (right and left rotation). The readings were compared with a universal goniometer. Estimates of reliability and validity were then established using the intraclass correlation coefficient, standard error of measurement and minimum detectable change.

Results

The smartphone applications had good intrarater reliability when compared to a universal goniometer, showing good to excellent validity (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.65) for all six cervical ranges of motion in participants with and without neck pain.

Conclusions

The smartphone clinometer application was found to be valid and reliable in measuring frontal and sagittal cervical ranges of motion in participants with and without neck pain. The compass application was found to be valid and reliable when assessing the horizontal cervical range of motion in a seated position. The applications will benefit physiotherapists when assessing cervical range of motion.
Scabies: an update for nurses
Authors: Nazarko Linda
Published: March 2023

Nurses may encounter scabies in homeless people, those living in prisons, people living at home or in people living in care homes. Scabies is more prevalent in older adults and there is evidence that this infection is becoming more prevalent and difficult to treat. This article aims to enable the nurse to be aware of the clinical features of scabies and how it is treated.

Practice nurses may come across increasing numbers of cases of scabies. Linda Nazarko provides an overview of the clinical features, treatment and complications
A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INTEROBSERVER RELIABILITY AND INTRAOBSERVER REPRODUCIBILITY OF OSWESTRY BRISTOL CLASSIFICATION AND THE DEJOUR CLASSIFICATION FOR TROCHLEAR DYSPLASIA OF THE KNEE
Authors: Roy K.D. , Joshi P. , Ali I. , Shenoy P. , Syed A. , Barlow D. , Malek I. , Joshi Y.
Published: March 2023

Classifying trochlear dysplasia (TD) is useful to determine the treatment options for patients suffering from patellofemoral instability (PFI). There is no consensus on which classification system is more reliable and reproducible for this purpose to guide clinicians in order to treat PFI. There are also concerns about validity of the Dejour classification (DJC), which is the most widely used classification for TD, having only a fair reliability score.

The Oswestry-Bristol classification (OBC) is a recently proposed system of classification of TD and the authors report a fair-to-good interobserver agreement and good-to-excellent intra-observer agreement in the assessment of TD. The aim of this study was to compare the reliability and reproducibility of these two classifications.

6 assessors (4 consultants and 2 registrars) independently evaluated 100 magnetic resonance axial images of the patella-femoral joint for TD and classified them according to OBC and DJC. These assessments were again repeated by all raters after 4 weeks. The inter and intra-observer reliability scores were calculated using Cohen's kappa and Cronbach's alpha.

Both classifications showed good to excellent interobserver reliability with high alpha scores. The OBC classification showed a substantial intra-observer agreement (mean kappa 0.628)[p<0.005] whereas the DJC showed a moderate agreement (mean kappa 0.572) [p<0.005]. There was no significant difference in the kappa values when comparing the assessments by consultants to those by registrars, in either classification systems.

This large study from a non-founding institute shows both classification systems to be reliable for classifying TD based on magnetic resonance axial images of the patella-femoral joint, with the simple to use OBC having a higher intra-observer reliability score compared to the DJC.
THE CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS OF GRAF TYPE IIA HIP DYSPLASIA
Authors: Poacher A. , Ramage G. , Froud J. , Carpenter C.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

There is little evidence surrounding the clinical implications of a diagnosis of IIa hip dysplasia with no consensus as to its efficacy as a predictor pathological dysplasia or treatment. Therefore, we evaluated the importance of categorising 2a hip dysplasia in to 2a- and 2a+ to better understand the clinical outcomes of each.

Methods

A 9-year retrospective cohort study of patients with a diagnosis of type IIa hip dysplasia between 2011 – 2020 (n=341) in our centre. Ultrasound scans were graded using Graf's classification, assessment of management and DDH progression was completed through prospective data collection by the authors.

Results

The prevalence of IIa hip dysplasia within our population was 6.7/1000 live births. There was significantly higher incidence of treatment in the IIa- (31.4%, n=17/54) group when compared to the 2a+ group (10%, n=28/287), (p<0.01). In those that had an abnormality (torticollis and/or foot abnormality) treatment rates (24% n=7/29) were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those without anatomical abnormality (15%, n=48/312).

Conclusion

This study has demonstrated the significant clinical impact of a IIa- diagnosis on progression to pathological dysplasia and therefore higher rates of treatment in IIa- hips. Furthermore, we have demonstrated the importance of detection of IIa hips through a national screening program, to allow for timely intervention to prevent missing the acetabular maturation window. Therefore, it is our recommendation that all patients with additional anatomical abnormalities and those with a diagnosis of type IIa- hip dysplasia be considered for immediate treatment or urgent follow up following their diagnosis to prevent late conservative intervention.
A VIRTUAL FRACTURE CLINIC AUDIT: ARE WALES MATCHING THE OUTCOMES IN ENGLAND?
Authors: Ramage G. , Poacher A. , Ramsden M. , Lewis J. , Robertson A. , Wilson C.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Virtual fracture clinics (VFC's) aim to reduce the number of outpatient appointments while improving the clinical effectiveness and patients experience through standardisation of treatment pathways. With 4.6% of ED admissions due to trauma the VFC prevents unnecessary face to face appointments providing a cost savings benefit to the NHS.

Methods

This project demonstrates the importance of efficient VFC process in reducing the burden on the fracture clinics. We completed preformed a retrospective cross-sectional study, analysing two cycles in May (n=305) and September (n=332) 2021. We reviewed all VFC referrals during this time assessing the quality of the referral, if they went on to require a face to face follow up and who the referring health care professional was. Following the cycle in May we provided ongoing education to A&E staff before re-auditing in September.

Results

Between the two cycles there was an average 19% improvement in quality of the referrals, significant reduction in number of inappropriate referrals for soft tissue knee and shoulder injuries from 15.1% (n=50) to 4.5% (n=15) following our intervention. There was an 8% increase in number of fracture clinic appointments to 74.4% (n=247), primarily due to an increase number of referrals from nurse practitioners. Radial head fractures were targeted as one group that were able to be successfully managed in VFC, despite this 64% (n=27) of patients were still seen in the outpatient department following VFC referral.

Conclusion

Despite the decrease in the number of inappropriate referrals, and the increase in quality of referrals following our intervention. The percentage of VFC referrals in CAVUHB is still higher than other centres in with established VFCs in England. This possibly highlights the need for further education to emergency staff around describing what injuries are appropriate for referral, specifically soft tissue injuries and radial head fractures. In order to optimise the VFC process and provide further cost savings benefits while reducing the strain on fracture clinics.
THORACOLUMBAR SACRAL ORTHOSIS (TLSO) BRACE FOR SPINE FRACTURES: WHAT'S THE EVIDENCE AND DO PATIENTS USE THEM?
Authors: Mehta S. , Reddy R. , Nair D. , Mahajan U. , Madhusudhan T. , Vedamurthy A.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Mode of non-operative management of thoracolumbar spine fracture continues to remain controversial with the most common modality hinging on bracing. TLSO is the device with a relative extension locked position, and many authors suggest they may have a role in the healing process, diminishing the load transferred via the anterior column, limiting segmental motion, and helping in pain control. However, several studies have shown prolonged use of brace may lead to skin breakdown, diminished pulmonary capacity, weakness of paraspinal musculature with no difference in pain and functional outcomes between patients treated with or without brace.

Aims

To identify number of spinal braces used for spinal injury and cost implications (in a DGH), to identify the impact on length of stay, to ascertain patient compliance and quality of patient information provided for brace usage, reflect whether we need to change our practice on TLSO brace use.

Methods

Data collected over 18-month period (from Jan.2020 to July 2021). Patients were identified from the TLSO brace issue list of the orthotic department, imaging (X-rays, CT, MRI scans) reviewed to confirm fracture and records reviewed to confirm neurology and non-operative management. Patient feedback was obtained via post or telephone consultation. Inclusion criteria- patients with single or multi -level thoracolumbar osteoporotic or traumatic fractures with no neurological involvement treated in a TLSO brace. Exclusion criteria- neurological involvement, cervical spine injuries, decision to treat surgically, concomitant bony injuries.

Results

72 braces were issued in the time frame with 42 patients remaining in the study based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Patient feedback reflected that 62% patients did not receive adequate advice for brace usage, 73% came off the brace earlier than advised, and 60% would prefer to be treated without a brace if given a choice. The average increase in length of stay was 3 days awaiting brace fitting and delivery. The average total cost burden on the NHS was £127,500 (lower estimate) due to brace usage.

Conclusion

If there is equivalence between treatment with/without a brace, there is a need to rethink the practice of prescribing brace for all non-operatively treated fractures and a case-by-case approach may prove more beneficial.
DYNAMIC HIP SCREW: ARE WE DOING IT ACCURATELY?
Authors: Rohra S. , Sinha A. , Kemp M. , Rethnam U.
Published: March 2023

Background

Dynamic Hip Screw (DHS) is the most frequently used implant in management of intertrochanteric femoral fractures. There is a known statistical relationship between a tip-apex distance (TAD) >25mm and higher rate of implant failure. Our aim was to analyse all DHS procedures performed in our trust from seventeen months and compare their TAD values to the acceptable standard of ≤25mm.

Methods

All patients undergoing DHS between April 2020-August 2021 were identified from our theatre system. Additionally, those presenting to hospital with implant failures were included. Patient demographics, date of surgery, fracture classification (AO) and date/mode of failure were recorded. Intraoperative fluoroscopy images were reviewed to calculate TAD, screw location and neck shaft angles by two independent observers.

Results

215 patients were identified, five of which were excluded due to inadequate fluoroscopy. Failure was seen in 3.3% of the cohort (n=7), of which 71.4% had an unacceptable TAD. In total, 21 patients (10%) had TAD >25mm, of whom 12 had superiorly and 15 had posteriorly placed screws. There were no failures in patients with a TAD of <20mm whereas a TAD >30mm had 50% failure rate

Conclusion

This audit reinforces the importance of aiming for a low TAD (preferably <20mm) intraoperatively. It is also desirable to avoid superiorly and significantly posteriorly placed screws.

Implications

Complex hip revision surgery in the elderly bears substantial financial implications to the NHS and, more importantly, causes prolonged morbidity to the patient. Adhering to established standards will ensure reduced implant failure and best patient care.
Inverted pyramid frame forward and backward prediction for distorted video by water waves
Authors: Cao Yiqian , Cai Chengtao , Meng Haiyang
Published: March 2023

There has been much research on how to restore a single image from distorted video. Random water surface variation, an inability to model the surface, and multiple factors in the imaging processing leading to different geometric distortions in each frame are among the challenges. This paper proposes an inverted pyramid structure based on the cross optical flow registration approach and a multi-scale weight fusion method based on wavelet decomposition. The inverted pyramid based on the registration method is used to estimate the original pixel positions. A multi-scale image fusion method is applied to fuse the two inputs processed by optical flow and backward mapping, and two iterations are proposed to improve the accuracy and stability of the output video. The method is tested on several reference distorted videos and our videos, which were obtained through our experimental equipment. The obtained results exhibit significant improvements over other reference methods. The corrected videos obtained with our approach have a higher degree of sharpness, and the time required to restore the videos is significantly reduced.
Changes in the statistical properties of electromagnetic double multi-Gaussian Schell-model beams on propagation in free space
Authors: Sahin Serkan
Published: March 2023

A class of electromagnetic random sources with a multi-Gaussian functional form in the spectral density and in the correlations part of the cross-spectral density matrix is introduced based on the genuine cross-spectral density-matrix theory. The analytic propagation formulas of the cross-spectral density matrix of such beams propagating in free space are derived by use of Collins’ diffraction integral. With the help of analytic formulas, the evolution of statistical characteristics, i.e., the spectral density, the spectral degree of polarization, and the spectral degree of coherence for such beams in free space are analyzed numerically. Employing the multi-Gaussian functional form in the cross-spectral density matrix introduces one more freedom in the modeling of Gaussian Schell-model sources.
Image-free active autofocusing with dual modulation and its application to Fourier single-pixel imaging
Authors: Qi Shaoting , Deng Zilin , Qi Pan , Liao Jun , Zhang Zibang , Zheng Guoan , Zhong Jingang
Published: March 2023

Autofocusing is widely used in applications where sharp image acquisition or projection is needed. Here we report an active autofocusing method for sharp image projection. The method works with wide-field structured illumination and single-pixel detection. To find the focus position, the method illuminates the target object with a set of 3-step phase-shifting Fourier basis patterns repeatedly and collects the backscattered light by using a single-pixel detector through a grating. Dual modulation—dynamic modulation by the time-varying structured illumination and static modulation by the grating—embeds the depth information for the target object in the resulting single-pixel measurements. As such, the focus position can be determined by recovering the Fourier coefficients from the single-pixel measurements and searching for the coefficient with the maximum magnitude. High-speed spatial light modulation not only enables rapid autofocusing but also makes the method work even when the lens system is in continuous motion or the focal length of the lens is continuously adjusted. We experimentally validate the reported method in a self-built digital projector and demonstrate the application of the method in Fourier single-pixel imaging.
U-fiber-based biosensor for temperature-compensated acetylcholine-specific measurement
Authors: Zhang Hongxin , Li Xuegang , Zhou Xue , Gong Pengqi , Zhao Yong
Published: March 2023

This paper presents a U-fiber-based biosensor to achieve temperature-compensated acetylcholine-specific measurement. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and multimode interference (MMI) effects are simultaneously realized in a U-shaped fiber structure for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. The experimental results show refractive index (RI) sensitivities of 3042 and 2958 nm/RIU and temperature sensitivities of −0.47 and −0.40 nm/°C for the MMI and SPR, which are greatly improved compared with the traditional structure. Simultaneously, a sensitivity matrix for detecting two parameters is introduced to solve the problem of temperature interference of biosensors based on RI changes. Label-free detection of acetylcholine (ACh) was achieved by immobilizing acetylcholinesterase (AChE) on optical fibers. The experimental results show that the sensor can realize the specific detection of acetylcholine and has good stability and selectivity, and the detection limit of the sensor is 30 nM. The sensor has the advantages of simple structure, high sensitivity, convenient operation, direct insertion into small spaces, temperature compensation, etc., which provide an important supplement to traditional fiber-optic SPR biosensors.
65,536-ary orbital angular momentum–shift keying free-space optical communication based on few-shot learning
Authors: Chen Wenhui , Lin Qian , Chen Weicheng , Zhang Zhishen , Zhuang Zikuan , Su Zhikun , Zhang Li
Published: March 2023

In an orbital angular momentum–shift keying free-space optical (OAM-SK FSO) communication system, precisely recognizing OAM superposed modes at the receiver site is crucial to improve the communication capacity. While deep learning (DL) provides an effective method for OAM demodulation, with the increase of OAM modes, the dimension explosion of OAM superstates results in unacceptable costs on training the DL model. Here, we demonstrate a few-shot-learning-based demodulator to achieve a 65,536-ary OAM-SK FSO communication system. By learning from only 256 classes of samples, the remaining 65,280 unseen classes can be predicted with an accuracy of more than 94%, which saves a large number of resources on data preparation and model training. Based on this demodulator, we first realize the single transmission of a color pixel and the single transmission of two gray scale pixels on the application of colorful-image-transmission in free space with an average error rate less than 0.023%. This work may provide a new, to the best of our knowledge, approach for big data capacity in optical communication systems.
Reducing the refractive index by replacing an [AlPO4]° unit with [BPO4]° in fused silica
Authors: Xiang Guangbiao , Zhang Jiangbin , Xing Zhongyang , Huang Liangjin , Pan Zhiyong , Zhang Hanwei , Wang Xiaolin , Hua Weihong
Published: March 2023

The radiation resistance of rare-earth doped optical fibers is critical to applications in space-based environments such as laser radars, optical communications, and laser altimeters. Usually, doping various elements, such as aluminum (Al), phosphorus (P), and boron (B), is necessary to fine-tune the structural, electronic, and optical properties, but often results in degraded radiation resistance. Thus, achieving both excellent optical and radiation properties remain a challenge. Here, we theoretically investigate and compare the electronic, structural, and optical properties of [BPO4]° and [AlPO4]° units in silica glass. We prove that both [BPO4]° and [AlPO4]° units are stable in the SiO2 matrix. As the radiation resistance of [SiO4/2]° is excellent, inferring from the material's structure, the SiO2-BPO4 and SiO2-AlPO4 should have good radiation resistance. From the calculation, the SiO2-BPO4 is structurally and electronically similar to the SiO2-AlPO4. Importantly, the refractive index of SiO2-BPO4 is lower than SiO2-AlPO4, achieving refractive index tuning while maintaining its radiation resistance. Our results provide some guidance for the design of BPO4-based radiation-resistant active fibers.
High-performance, intelligent, on-chip speckle spectrometer using 2D silicon photonic disordered microring lattice
Authors: Lin Zhongjin , Yu Shangxuan , Chen Yuxuan , Cai Wangning , Lin Becky , Song Jingxiang , Mitchell Matthew , Hammood Mustafa , Jhoja Jaspreet , Jaeger Nicolas A. F. , Shi Wei , Chrostowski Lukas
Published: March 2023

High-performance integrated spectrometers are highly desirable for applications ranging from mobile phones to space probes. Based on silicon photonic integrated circuit technology, we propose and demonstrate an on-chip speckle spectrometer consisting of a 15×15, 2D disordered microring lattice. The proposed 2D, disordered microring lattice was simulated by the transfer-matrix method. The fabricated device featured a spectral resolution better than 15 pm and an operating bandwidth larger than 40 nm. We also demonstrated that, based on the speckle patterns, our device can perform a spectrum classification using machine learning algorithms, which will have a huge potential in fast, intelligent material and chemical analysis.
A dual-frequency fundamental-mode NPRO laser for low-noise microwave generation
Authors: guo changlei , Fan Weitong , Ma Chunzhao , Liu Danqing , Zhu Rong , Zhou Guobin , Gong Xuezhen , Zhou Shungao , Xu Jie , Yuan Wenhao , Yeh Hsien-Chi
Published: March 2023

Monolithic nonplanar ring oscillators (NPROs) have achieved great success in industry, scientific applications and space missions due to their excellent narrow-linewidth, low-noise, high beam-quality, lightweight and compact performances. Here, we show that stable dual-frequency or multi-frequency fundamental-mode (DFFM or MFFM) can be stimulated directly by tunning pump beam area and divergence angle injected to NPRO. The DFFM has a frequency deviation of one free spectral range of the resonator and thus can be utilized for pure microwave generation by common-mode-rejection. To demonstrate the purity of the microwave signal, a theoretical phase noise model is established, and the phase noise and the frequency tunability of the microwave signal are experimentally studied. Single sideband phase noise for a 5.7 GHz carrier is measured as low as -112 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset, and -150 dBc/Hz at 10 MHz offset in the free running condition of the laser, which outperforms its counterparts from dual-frequency Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) modes. The frequency of the microwave signal can be efficiently tunned through two channels, with frequency tunning coefficients of 15 Hz/V by piezo, and -60.5 kHz/K by temperature, respectively. We expect that such compact, tunable, low-cost and low-noise microwave sources can facilitate multiple applications including miniaturized atomic clocks, communication and radar, etc.
Spatial and temporal correlations in human cortex are inherently linked and predicted by functional hierarchy, vigilance state as well as antiepileptic drug load
Authors: Müller Paul Manuel , Meisel Christian
Published: March 2023

The ability of neural circuits to integrate information over time and across different cortical areas is believed an essential ingredient for information processing in the brain. Temporal and spatial correlations in cortex dynamics have independently been shown to capture these integration properties in task-dependent ways. A fundamental question remains if temporal and spatial integration properties are linked and what internal and external factors shape these correlations. Previous research on spatio-temporal correlations has been limited in duration and coverage, thus providing only an incomplete picture of their interdependence and variability. Here, we use long-term invasive EEG data to comprehensively map temporal and spatial correlations according to cortical topography, vigilance state and drug dependence over extended periods of time. We show that temporal and spatial correlations in cortical networks are intimately linked, decline under antiepileptic drug action, and break down during slow-wave sleep. Further, we report temporal correlations in human electrophysiology signals to increase with the functional hierarchy in cortex. Systematic investigation of a neural network model suggests that these dynamical features may arise when dynamics are poised near a critical point. Our results provide mechanistic and functional links between specific measurable changes in the network dynamics relevant for characterizing the brain’s changing information processing capabilities.
Coding of object location by heterogeneous neural populations with spatially dependent correlations in weakly electric fish
Authors: Haggard Myriah , Chacron Maurice J.
Published: March 2023

Understanding how neural populations encode sensory stimuli remains a central problem in neuroscience. Here we performed multi-unit recordings from sensory neural populations in the electrosensory system of the weakly electric fish Apteronotus leptorhynchus in response to stimuli located at different positions along the rostro-caudal axis. Our results reveal that the spatial dependence of correlated activity along receptive fields can help mitigate the deleterious effects that these correlations would otherwise have if they were spatially independent. Moreover, using mathematical modeling, we show that experimentally observed heterogeneities in the receptive fields of neurons help optimize information transmission as to object location. Taken together, our results have important implications for understanding how sensory neurons whose receptive fields display antagonistic center-surround organization encode location. Important similarities between the electrosensory system and other sensory systems suggest that our results will be applicable elsewhere.
NeuroML-DB: Sharing and characterizing data-driven neuroscience models described in NeuroML
Authors: Birgiolas Justas , Haynes Vergil , Gleeson Padraig , Gerkin Richard C. , Dietrich Suzanne W. , Crook Sharon
Published: March 2023

As researchers develop computational models of neural systems with increasing sophistication and scale, it is often the case that fully de novo model development is impractical and inefficient. Thus arises a critical need to quickly find, evaluate, re-use, and build upon models and model components developed by other researchers. We introduce the NeuroML Database (NeuroML-DB.org), which has been developed to address this need and to complement other model sharing resources. NeuroML-DB stores over 1,500 previously published models of ion channels, cells, and networks that have been translated to the modular NeuroML model description language. The database also provides reciprocal links to other neuroscience model databases (ModelDB, Open Source Brain) as well as access to the original model publications (PubMed). These links along with Neuroscience Information Framework (NIF) search functionality provide deep integration with other neuroscience community modeling resources and greatly facilitate the task of finding suitable models for reuse. Serving as an intermediate language, NeuroML and its tooling ecosystem enable efficient translation of models to other popular simulator formats. The modular nature also enables efficient analysis of a large number of models and inspection of their properties. Search capabilities of the database, together with web-based, programmable online interfaces, allow the community of researchers to rapidly assess stored model electrophysiology, morphology, and computational complexity properties. We use these capabilities to perform a database-scale analysis of neuron and ion channel models and describe a novel tetrahedral structure formed by cell model clusters in the space of model properties and features. This analysis provides further information about model similarity to enrich database search.
Development and external validation of multivariate prediction models for erectile dysfunction in men with localized prostate cancer
Authors: Hasannejadasl Hajar , Roumen Cheryl , van der Poel Henk , Vanneste Ben , van Roermund Joep , Aben Katja , Kalendralis Petros , Osong Biche , Kiemeney Lambertus , Van Oort Inge , Verwey Renee , Hochstenbach Laura , J. Bloemen- van Gurp Esther , Dekker Andre , Fijten Rianne R. R.
Published: March 2023

While the 10-year survival rate for localized prostate cancer patients is very good (>98%), side effects of treatment may limit quality of life significantly. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common burden associated with increasing age as well as prostate cancer treatment. Although many studies have investigated the factors affecting erectile dysfunction (ED) after prostate cancer treatment, only limited studies have investigated whether ED can be predicted before the start of treatment. The advent of machine learning (ML) based prediction tools in oncology offers a promising approach to improve the accuracy of prediction and quality of care. Predicting ED may help aid shared decision-making by making the advantages and disadvantages of certain treatments clear, so that a tailored treatment for an individual patient can be chosen. This study aimed to predict ED at 1-year and 2-year post-diagnosis based on patient demographics, clinical data and patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) measured at diagnosis. We used a subset of the ProZIB dataset collected by the Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organization (Integraal Kankercentrum Nederland; IKNL) that contained information on 964 localized prostate cancer cases from 69 Dutch hospitals for model training and external validation. Two models were generated using a logistic regression algorithm coupled with Recursive Feature Elimination (RFE). The first predicted ED 1 year post-diagnosis and required 10 pre-treatment variables; the second predicted ED 2 years post-diagnosis with 9 pre-treatment variables. The validation AUCs were 0.84 and 0.81 for 1 year and 2 years post-diagnosis respectively. To immediately allow patients and clinicians to use these models in the clinical decision-making process, nomograms were generated. In conclusion, we successfully developed and validated two models that predicted ED in patients with localized prostate cancer. These models will allow physicians and patients alike to make informed evidence-based decisions about the most suitable treatment with quality of life in mind.
Evaluation of soil heavy metals pollution and the phytoremediation potential of copper-nickel mine tailings ponds
Authors: Shi Jianfei , Qian Wenting , Jin Zhengzhong , Zhou Zhibin , Wang Xin , Yang Xiaoliang
Published: March 2023

Heavy metal pollution in soils caused by mining has led to major environmental problems around the globe and seriously threatens the ecological environment. The assessment of heavy metal pollution and the local phytoremediation potential of contaminated sites is an important prerequisite for phytoremediation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand the characteristics of heavy metal pollution around a copper-nickel mine tailings pond and screen local plant species that could be potentially suitable for phytoremediation. The results showed that Cd, Cu, Ni, and Cr in the soil around the tailings pond were at the heavy pollution level, Mn and Pb pollution was moderate, and Zn and As pollution was light; The positive matrix factorization (PMF) model results showed that the contributions made by industrial pollution to Cu and Ni were 62.5% and 66.5%, respectively, atmospheric sedimentation and agricultural pollution contributions to Cr and Cd were 44.6% and 42.8%, respectively, the traffic pollution contribution to Pb was 41.2%, and the contributions made by natural pollution sources to Mn, Zn, and As were 54.5%, 47.9%, and 40.0% respectively. The maximum accumulation values for Cu, Ni, Cr, Cd, and As in 10 plants were 53.77, 102.67, 91.10, 1.16 and 7.23 mg/kg, respectively, which exceeded the normal content of heavy metals in plants.Ammophila breviligulataFernald had the highest comprehensive extraction coefficient (CEI) and comprehensive stability coefficient (CSI) at 0.81 and 0.83, respectively. These results indicate that the heavy metal pollution in the soil around the copper nickel mine tailings pond investigated in this study is serious and may affect the normal growth of plants.Ammophila breviligulataFernald has a strong comprehensive remediation capacity and can be used as a remediation plant species for multiple metal compound pollution sites.
An oral pH-responsive Streptococcus agalactiae vaccine formulation provides protective immunity to pathogen challenge in tilapia: A proof-of-concept study
Authors: Bashir Shazia , Phuoc Nguyen Ngoc , Herath Tharangani , Basit Abdul , Zadoks Ruth N. , Murdan Sudaxshina
Published: March 2023

Intensive tilapia farming has contributed significantly to food security as well as to the emergence of novel pathogens. This includes Streptococcus agalactiae or Group B Streptococcus (GBS) sequence type (ST) 283, which caused the first known outbreak of foodborne GBS illness in humans. An oral, easy-to-administer fish vaccine is needed to reduce losses in fish production and the risk of zoonotic transmission associated with GBS. We conducted a proof-of-concept study to develop an oral vaccine formulation that would only release its vaccine cargo at the site of action, i.e., in the fish gastrointestinal tract, and to evaluate whether it provided protection from experimental challenge with GBS. Formalin-inactivated S. agalactiae ST283, was entrapped within microparticles of Eudragit® E100 polymer using a double-emulsification solvent evaporation method. Exposure to an acidic medium simulating the environment in tilapia stomach showed that the size of the vaccine-loaded microparticles decreased rapidly, reflecting microparticle erosion and release of the vaccine cargo. In vivo studies in tilapia showed that oral administration of vaccine-loaded microparticles to fish provided significant protection from subsequent homologous pathogen challenge with GBS ST283 by immersion compared to the control groups which received blank microparticles or buffer, reducing mortality from 70% to 20%. The high efficacy shows the promise of the vaccine platform developed herein, which might be adapted for other bacterial pathogens and other fish species.
Exploration of the intelligent-auxiliary design of architectural space using artificial intelligence model
Authors: Li Hongyu , Wu Qilong , Xing Bowen , Wang Wenjie
Published: March 2023

In order to carry out a comprehensive design description of the specific architectural model of AI, the auxiliary model of AI and architectural spatial intelligence is deeply integrated, and flexible design is carried out according to the actual situation. AI assists in the generation of architectural intention and architectural form, mainly supporting academic and working theoretical models, promoting technological innovation, and thus improving the design efficiency of the architectural design industry. AI-aided architectural design enables every designer to achieve design freedom. At the same time, with the help of AI, architectural design can complete the corresponding work faster and more efficiently. With the help of AI technology, through the adjustment and optimization of keywords, AI automatically generates a batch of architectural space design schemes. Against this background, the auxiliary model of architectural space design is established through the literature research of the AI model, the architectural space intelligent auxiliary model, and the semantic network and the internal structure analysis of architectural space. Secondly, to ensure compliance with the three-dimensional characteristics of the architectural space from the data source, based on the analysis of the overall function and structure of space design, the intelligent design of the architectural space auxiliary by Deep Learning is carried out. Finally, it takes the 3D model selected in the UrbanScene3D data set as the research object, and the auxiliary performance of AI’s architectural space intelligent model is tested. The research results show that with the increasing number of network nodes, the model fitting degree on the test data set and training data set is decreasing. The fitting curve of the comprehensive model shows that the intelligent design scheme of architectural space based on AI is superior to the traditional architectural design scheme. As the number of nodes in the network connection layer increases, the intelligent score of space temperature and humidity will continue to rise. The model can achieve the optimal intelligent auxiliary effect of architectural space. The research has practical application value for promoting the intelligent and digital transformation of architectural space design.
Promoting GSDME expression through DNA demethylation to increase chemosensitivity of breast cancer MCF-7 / Taxol cells
Authors: Gong Weihua , Fang Panpan , Leng Maodong , Shi Ying
Published: March 2023

Objective

Breast cancer is the most common and high-incidence cancer in women. It is mainly treated by surgery combined with chemoradiation. The main challenge in treating breast cancer patients is developing resistance to chemotherapeutics, so it is urgent to find potential strategies that can improve the chemotherapy effect of patients. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of GSDME methylation in the sensitivity of chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Methods

Here, we identified breast cancer MCF-7 / Taxol cells models using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blotting (WB), and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) analyses. Epigenetic changes in it were detected by Methylated DNA immunoprecipitation-sequencing and methylation-specific PCR. The expression level of GSDME in breast cancer cells was observed by qPCR and WB analyses. CCK-8 and colony formation assay were used to detect cell proliferation. Finally, pyroptosis was detected by LDH assay, flow cytometry, and WB analyses.

Results

Our results indicate that ABCB1 mRNA and p-GP expression are significantly increased in breast cancer MCF-7 / Taxol cells. GSDME enhancer methylation was found in drug-resistant cells and was associated with the down-regulation of GSDME expression. After treatment with decitabine (5-Aza-2’-deoxycytidine), the demethylation of GSDME induced the occurrence of pyroptosis and thereby inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 / Taxol cells. We found that the upregulation of GSDME enhances the chemosensitivity of MCF-7 / Taxol cells to paclitaxel by inducing pyroptosis.

Conclusion

Taken together, we identified decitabine increases GSDME expression through DNA demethylation and induces pyroptosis, thus increasing the chemosensitivity of MCF-7 / Taxol cells to Taxol. Use of decitabine / GSDME / pyroptosis-based treatment strategies may be a new way to overcome the resistance of breast cancer to paclitaxel chemotherapy.
Green composites made of polyhydroxybutyrate and long-chain fatty acid esterified microcrystalline cellulose from pineapple leaf
Authors: Sinsukudomchai Pitchanun , Aht-Ong Duangdao , Honda Kohsuke , Napathorn Suchada Chanprateep
Published: March 2023

Pineapple leaf fibres are an abundant agricultural waste product that contains 26.9% cellulose. The objective of this study was to prepare fully degradable green biocomposites made of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and microcrystalline cellulose from pineapple leaf fibres (PALF-MCC). To improve compatibility with PHB, the PALF-MCC was surface modified using lauroyl chloride as an esterifying agent. The influence of the esterified PALF-MCC laurate content and changes in the film surface morphology on biocomposite properties was studied. The thermal properties obtained by differential scanning calorimetry revealed a decrease in crystallinity for all biocomposites, with 100 wt% PHB displaying the highest values, whereas 100 wt% esterified PALF-MCC laurate showed no crystallinity. The addition of esterified PALF-MCC laurate increased the degradation temperature. The maximum tensile strength and elongation at break were exhibited when adding 5% of PALF-MCC. The results demonstrated that adding esterified PALF-MCC laurate as a filler in the biocomposite film could retain a pleasant value of tensile strength and elastic modulus whereas a slight increase in elongation can help to enhance flexibility. For soil burial testing, PHB/ esterified PALF-MCC laurate films with 5–20% (w/w) PALF-MCC laurate ester had higher degradation than films consisting of 100% PHB or 100% esterified PALF-MCC laurate. PHB and esterified PALF-MCC laurate derived from pineapple agricultural wastes are particularly suitable for the production of relatively low-cost biocomposite films that are 100% compostable in soil.
INSPIRE: Intensity and spatial information-based deformable image registration
Authors: Öfverstedt Johan , Lindblad Joakim , Sladoje Nataša
Published: March 2023

We present INSPIRE, a top-performing general-purpose method for deformable image registration. INSPIRE brings distance measures which combine intensity and spatial information into an elastic B-splines-based transformation model and incorporates an inverse inconsistency penalization supporting symmetric registration performance. We introduce several theoretical and algorithmic solutions which provide high computational efficiency and thereby applicability of the proposed framework in a wide range of real scenarios. We show that INSPIRE delivers highly accurate, as well as stable and robust registration results. We evaluate the method on a 2D dataset created from retinal images, characterized by presence of networks of thin structures. Here INSPIRE exhibits excellent performance, substantially outperforming the widely used reference methods. We also evaluate INSPIRE on the Fundus Image Registration Dataset (FIRE), which consists of 134 pairs of separately acquired retinal images. INSPIRE exhibits excellent performance on the FIRE dataset, substantially outperforming several domain-specific methods. We also evaluate the method on four benchmark datasets of 3D magnetic resonance images of brains, for a total of 2088 pairwise registrations. A comparison with 17 other state-of-the-art methods reveals that INSPIRE provides the best overall performance. Code is available at github.com/MIDA-group/inspire.