bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microbiomic profiles of bile in patients with benign and malignant pancreaticobiliary disease.
Authors: Poudel Shyam K. , Padmanabhan Roshan , Guinta Kathryn , Stevens Tyler , Sanaka Madhusudhan , Chahal Prabhleen , Sohal Davendra , Khorana Alok A. , Eng Charis
Published: January 2021

417

Background: In pancreaticobiliary (PB) cancers, there is a paucity of data on predictive and pathophysiologic role of the biliary microbiome. We analyzed bile collected from patients with benign and malignant PB diseases to identify microbiomic signatures associated with malignancy. Methods: We collected bile samples from consenting patients during routine endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography at the Cleveland Clinic, approved by the Institutional Review Board. DNA was extracted from bile specimens using PowerViral RNA/DNA Isolation kit. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplification and library construction were performed according to the 16S Metagenomic Sequencing Library Preparation guide from Illumina. Post-sequencing analysis was done using QIIME (Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology), Bioconductor phyloseq, microbiomeSeq and mixMC packages. Results: Of 46 enrolled patients, 32 had PB cancers including pancreatic (N = 25), cholangiocarcinoma (N = 6), and gallbladder (N = 1). The rest (N = 14) had benign PB diseases including acute and chronic pancreatitis, and gallstones. Using multivariate approach in mixMC to classify Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs), we found a predominance of genera Dicekeya (p = 0.0002), [ Eubacterium] hallii group (p = 0.0007) , Bacteroides (p = 0.00099) , Faecalibacterium (p = 0.007) , Facklamia (p = 0.013) , Peptococcus (p = 0.013) , Bergeyella (p = 0.0024) , Lachnospira (p = 0.026) , and Lactobacillus (p = 0.025) in bile samples from PB cancers as compared to benign PB diseases. Furthermore, bile samples from patients with pancreatic cancer showed an increased abundance of genera Enterobacter, Parabacteroides, Atopobium, Alloprevotella, Prevotella 7, Acinetobacter, Bergeyella, Clostridium sensu stricto, Lactobacillus, and Rothia; and a decreased abundance of genera Tannerella, Peptococcus, Colinsella, Capnocytophaga, Achromobacter, Ruminococcus 2, Bacteroides, Alistipes, Barnesiella,, Lachnoclostridium, Lautropia, Akkermansia, and Christensenellaceae R-7 group as compared to bile samples from patients with cholangiocarcinoma. Conclusions: Distinct microbiome signatures are associated with benign and malignant PB diseases. There is a difference in the relative abundance of OTUs in bile samples between patients with benign PB diseases vs PB cancers, and between pancreatic cancer vs cholangiocarcinoma. Our findings raise the possibility that either these OTUs have a role in carcinogenesis, or that changes in the microenvironment of benign PB diseases differ from PB cancers leading to distinct separation of the OTU clusters. Further studies to explore and validate our findings are needed.
A delayed path to diagnosis: Findings from young-onset colorectal cancer patients and survivors.
Authors: Newcomer Kim Lynn , Porter Laura Diane
Published: January 2021

5

Background:Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second-leading cause of cancer-related death among males and females in the US. Despite a decrease in overall incidence and mortality, there has been an alarming increase of CRC diagnosis among young adults (20-49 years old). In an article from 2014, authors predicted an increase in colon cancer diagnosis in people under the age of 50 with the largest increase in the 20-34-year age group of 37.8% and 90.0% by 2020 and 2030, respectively. The increase for rectal cancer is higher in the 20-34-year age group by 2020 and 2030 it is estimated to increase by 49.7% and 124.2% respectively. The Colorectal Cancer Alliance launched a comprehensive survey for Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer (YO-CRC) patients and survivors to capture self-reported experiences of this often overlooked population. Methods:The survey was completed by 1089 patients, survivors and caregivers. Questions were designed based on several established and validated instruments, including AYA-HOPE, EORTC-QOL-30, EORTC-CR-29, EORTC-SHC-22, PROMIS-29, FACT-C, and COH-47. The final survey instrument and study plan were reviewed and approved by the Aspire, Inc. Institutional Review Board. Results:Most respondents (62%) waited 3-12 months before visiting a doctor after they noticed symptoms. Furthermore, when patients visited their doctors, most indicated that they were initially misdiagnosed. Many patients reported they had to see multiple doctors and had multiple appointments before they were correctly diagnosed with YO-CRC. The majority of the respondents (75%) saw at least 2 physicians, and about 20% saw 4 physicians or more, prior to their diagnosis. Patients who saw 3 or more physicians prior to diagnosis were more likely to be diagnosed with advanced disease. Conclusions:The findings expose a critical issue of YO-CRC patients being diagnosed at late stages. This is often due to multiple challenges around misinformation and medical providers dismissing symptoms and not trusting the patients' self-knowledge. Medical professionals need to be aware of the possibility of colorectal cancer more readily and screen patients regardless of age. The Colorectal Cancer Alliance is dedicated to working with all stakeholders and is committed to supporting researchers who are leaders in the field to better understand YO-CRC, as well as research that looks at improved therapies for those in treatment to improve outcomes.
Initial experience of TAS-102 chemotherapy in Australian patients with chemorefractory metastatic colorectal cancer.
Authors: Jalali Azim , Wong Hui-Li , Wong Rachel , Lee Margaret , Gately Lucy , Loft Matthew , Shapiro Jeremy David , Kosmider Suzanne , Tie Jeanne , Ananda Sumitra , Yeung Justin , Jennens Ross , Lee Belinda , McKendrick Joseph James , Lim Lionel , Khattak Muhammad Adnan , Gibbs Peter
Published: January 2021

71

Background: For patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treatment with Trifluridine/Tipiracil, also known as TAS-102, improves overall survival. In Australia, TAS-102 was initially made available locally through patients self-funding, later via an industry sponsored Medicine Access Program (MAP) and then via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of TAS-102 in real world Australian population. Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the Treatment of Recurrent and Advanced Colorectal Cancer (TRACC) registry was undertaken. The characteristics and outcomes of patients receiving TAS-102 were assessed and compared to all TRACC patients and those enrolled in the registration study (RECOURSE). Results: Across 13 sites, 107 patients were treated with TAS-102 (non-PBS n = 27, PBS n = 80), The median number of patients per site was 7 (range: 1-17). The median age was 60 years (range: 31-83), compared to 67 for all TRACC patients and 63 for RECOURSE. Comparing registry TAS-102 and RECOURSE patients, 75% vs 100% were ECOG performance status 0-1, 74% vs 79% had initiated treatment more than 18 months from diagnosis of metastatic disease and 39% vs 49% were RAS wild type. Median time on treatment was 10.4 weeks (range: 1.7-32). Median clinician assessed progression-free survival was 3.3 compared to RECIST defined PFS of 2 months in RECOURSE study, while median overall survival was the same at 7.1 months. Two patients (2.3%) had febrile neutropenia and there were no treatment-related deaths in the real-world series, where TAS102 dose at treatment initiation was at clinician discretion. In the RECOURSE study there was a 4% febrile neutropenia rate and one treatment-related death. Conclusions: TRACC registry patients treated with TAS102 were younger than both TRACC patients overall and those from the RECOURSE trial. Less strict application of RECIST criteria and less frequent imaging may have contributed to an apparently longer PFS. However overall survival outcomes achieved with TAS102 in real world patients were comparable to findings from this pivotal trial with an acceptable rate of major adverse events.
Platform trial of BI 754091, an anti-PD-1 antibody, in patients with previously treated advanced solid tumors: Combination with BI 836880, a VEGF/Ang2-blocking nanobody.
Authors: Hussein Maen A. , Bendell Johanna C. , Arkenau Hendrik-Tobias , Chu Quincy S. , Hansen Aaron Richard , Erzen Damijan , Sun Zhichao , Lucarelli Anthony , Percent Ivor John
Published: January 2021

TPS152

Background: Combining anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) antibodies with other immuno-modulatory or targeted therapies may improve outcomes. NCT03697304 is an open-label, Phase II, platform trial assessing BI 754091, an anti-PD-1 antibody, combined with other agents. Here, we describe Module C in which BI 754091 will be combined with BI 836880, a humanized bispecific nanobody, that targets vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin2 (Ang2). VEGF and Ang2 play key roles in tumor angiogenesis and have an immunosuppressive effect in the tumor microenvironment. Combining anti-VEGF/Ang2 with an anti-PD-1 therapy promotes an immunopermissive state supportive of T-cell-mediated tumor cell death. Methods: Patients are being enrolled in 5 cohorts: 1) locally advanced/metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma with ≥1 prior treatment (anti-PD-[L]1 naïve); 2) any advanced/metastatic solid tumor (excluding NSCLC and melanoma) with prior anti-PD-(L)1 treatment, which progressed after achieving at least stable disease (SD) for 4 months; 3) advanced/metastatic solid tumors with no benefit from prior anti-PD-(L)1 treatment (SD <4 months); 4) locally advanced/metastatic microsatellite stable (MSS) colorectal cancer with ≥1 prior treatment (anti-PD-[L]1 naïve); 5) advanced MSS and mismatch-repair proficient endometrial carcinoma which progressed following 1 line of chemotherapy (anti-PD-[L]1 naïve). Patients will receive BI 836880 (720 mg every 3 weeks [Q3W] intravenously [IV]) and BI 754091 (240 mg Q3W IV). Treatment will continue until progressive disease, unacceptable toxicity, consent withdrawal, or for a maximum of 1 year (treatment may be extended in case of clinical benefit). The primary endpoint is objective response (OR; complete or partial response per RECIST v1.1 as assessed by the investigator). Secondary endpoints are duration of OR, disease control and progression-free survival. Safety will also be assessed. Approximately 30 patients will be enrolled per cohort at sites in North America and the United Kingdom. Clinical trial information: NCT03697304.
A phase Ib/II study of the polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) inhibitor, onvansertib, in combination with FOLFIRI and bevacizumab for second-line treatment of patients with KRAS-mutated metastatic colorectal Cancer (mCRC).
Authors: Ahn Daniel H. , Ridinger Maya , Erlander Mark , Bekaii-Saab Tanios S. , Lenz Heinz-Josef
Published: January 2021

TPS155

Background: Chemotherapy in combination with targeted agents are standard-of-care options for patients for mCRC with response rates > 50% in first line. In the second line setting, efficacy of chemotherapy and targeted agents are much lower with response rates of 5% for FOLFIRI (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan) + bevacizumab (anti-VEGF). New treatment options are urgently needed in particular for the 50 % of patients harboring a KRAS mutation. PLK1 is a serine/threonine kinase, master regulator of the mitotic checkpoint and cell division. PLK1 is overexpressed in CRC and its overexpression is associated with poor prognostic. A genome wide RNAi screen identified PLK1 as a synthetic lethal target in KRAS mutant CRC cells, inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis upon inhibition. Onvansertib is an oral, highly selective PLK1 inhibitor that demonstrates single agent and synergistic activity with irinotecan and 5-FU in preclinical CRC models. Additionally, KRAS mutated versus wild-type cells showed higher sensitivity to onvansertib. PLK1 inhibition is a potential target in KRAS-mutated mCRC, and the combination of onvansertib + FOLFIRI + bevacizumab may provide a new second-line treatment option. Methods: The primary objective of this single-arm Phase 1b/2 study is to assess the safety and preliminary efficacy of onvansertib in combination with FOLFIRI and bevacizumab in the second line setting for KRAS-mutated mCRC patients. For the Phase 1b segment, a standard 3 + 3 dose-escalation design is used to determine the maximum tolerated dose or recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of onvansertib. As of September 15th 2020, the first two dose levels have been cleared for safety and the third is enrolling. Efficacy will be determined by objective response rate (ORR) according to RECIST v1.1 (primary endpoint), progression-free survival and reduction in KRAS allelic burden in liquid biopsies (secondary endpoints). Biomarker analyses include genomic profiling of circulating tumor DNA genomic to evaluate altered pathways that correlate with patient clinical response. Based on a one-sided one sample log-rank test with 10% Type I error, there will be at least 90% power to detect an improvement in ORR from 5% to 20% with 32 patients. Clinical trial information: NCT03829410.
Νίκος Ξυπολυτάς, Πρόσφυγες στη Μόρια: Οι συνέπειες μιας αποτρεπτικής μεταναστευτικής πολιτικής Αθήνα: Διόνικος, 2019
Authors: Κουραχάνης Νίκος
Published: January 2021

no abstract
Με αφορµή τον απολογισµό δράσεων του ΟΑΕ∆ (Μάρτιος 2015-Ιούνιος 2019)
Authors: Ιωαννίδης Γιώργος
Published: January 2021

no abstract
Το Πολυετές Δημοσιονομικό πλαίσιο 2021-2027 της Ε.Ε.
Authors: Παπαδάκη Όλγα
Published: January 2021

no abstract
Το Ευρωπαϊκό ερευνητικό πρόγραμμα ECDP Η ποιότητα ζωής παιδιών και νέων στην Ευρώπη: Η αναγκαιότητα διεξαγωγής μιας μακροχρόνιας έρευνας
Authors: Κορωναίου Αλεξάνδρα , Αλεξιάς Γιώργος , Σακελλαρίου Αλέξανδρος
Published: January 2021

no abstract
A General Analysis of Sequential Social Learning
Authors: Arieli Itai , Mueller-Frank Manuel
Published: January 2021

This paper analyzes a sequential social learning game with a general utility function, state, and action space. We show that asymptotic learning holds for every utility function if and only if signals are totally unbounded, that is, the support of the private posterior probability of every event contains both zero and one. For the case of finitely many actions, we provide a sufficient condition for asymptotic learning depending on the given utility function. Finally, we establish that for the important class of simple utility functions with finitely many actions and states, pairwise unbounded signals, which generally are a strictly weaker notion than unbounded signals, are necessary and sufficient for asymptotic learning.
Quando o Bom Conhecedor de Almas se Torna Psicólogo Experimentante
Authors: Sousa Elisabete Marques Jesus de
Published: January 2021

O principal objetivo deste capítulo é analisar e comentar o que o ecléctico pensador dinamarquês Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) entende por conhecedor de almas (sjelekyndig), um termo que este filósofo e poeta peculiar faz equivaler a psicólogo na obra Para auto-exame, recomendado à época contemporânea. Em concordância com este objectivo, é analisado e comentado o modus operandi do psicólogo experimentante (experimenterende) tal como é assumido por vários dos seus autores narradores, designadamente, Johannes Climacus (em Pós-Escrito), Johannes de silentio (em Temor e Tremor) e Frater Taciturnus (em Estádios no Caminho da Vida). Experimenterende, ou seja, aquele que é definível pela prática da sua capacidade de experimentar, é efetivamente o adjectivo que com maior frequência surge a qualificar o termo "psicólogo". Nesta minha análise, é realçado o papel da imaginação no autor e no leitor e o modo como se associa à faculdade do juízo na interação leitor-texto-autor. É também sublinhado o papel fundamental do poético e do literário em todo este processo.
Pensando o Círculo Hermenêutico como um Caminho para a Pesquisa em Psicologia
Authors: Maux Ana Andréa Barbosa , Dutra Elza Maria do Socorro
Published: January 2021

Inspirado nas ideias apresentadas pelo filósofo Martin Heidegger, especificamente no círculo hermenêutico, este trabalho tem por objetivo pensar uma proposta de método para a pesquisa qualitativa em Psicologia. Parte da compreensão de método como sendo o caminho que desenha a rota percorrida pelo pesquisador e que vai acontecendo à medida que a pesquisa se desenvolve. O círculo hermenêutico heideggeriano descreve um processo que envolve um movimento circular compreensivo e serve de inspiração para a proposta de método apontada neste trabalho. A circularidade permite pensar o processo de pesquisar como sendo provisório, ao mesmo tempo que indica uma compreensão e uma interpretação contínuas, ininterruptas, portanto, inesgotáveis e características do existir humano. Numa tentativa de facilitar a compreensão, a proposta de método é apresentada de maneira didática, a partir dos conceitos de posição prévia, visão prévia e concepção prévia, cujo fim não é chegar a uma explicação ou verdade absoluta, mas ao desvelamento de sentidos, o que permite a compreensão do fenômeno estudado. Finaliza com o intuito de oferecer aos pesquisadores da área de ciências humanas uma possibilidade de se pensar um método que não dispense o rigor científico, mas que torne possível desvelar fenômenos relativos à existência.
O Estético-Político em Merleau-Ponty e a Fenomenologia Crítica: Notas Preliminares sobre Relações Raciais
Authors: Alvim Monica Botelho
Published: January 2021

O trabalho discute o entrelaçamento das dimensões estética e política na filosofia de Merleau-Ponty, tomando como elementos centrais as noções de silêncio e expressão. A perspectiva estético-política implica considerar a carne do social como dimensão invisível, uma rede de estruturas de sentido que ganham visibilidade a partir da expressão, fenômeno da ordem do corpo e do sensível. A partir de reflexões sobre instituição como alternativa à noção de constituição, Merleau-Ponty aborda o problema da gênese do sentido não mais assumindo o sujeito como polo intencional de atos, mas como ação de retomada na coexistência com outros. Acontecimentos que duram e assumem uma dimensionalidade poderão ser retomados pelo sujeito ou por outros e formarão um conjunto histórico, sendo a história um processo de criação e dissolução de formas estáveis, dado na dimensão intersubjetiva e intercorporal. A ação política tem os mesmos atributos da expressão em geral, ela tem um caráter expressivo, é um lugar de nascimento e criação que está para além de cada consciência, implicando o outro, o sujeito no plural em sua coexistência. A partir dessa exploração, discutimos aspectos do problema das relações raciais em diálogo com autores da fenomenologia crítica contemporânea.
Corpo, Tempo, Espaço e Outro como Condições de Possibilidade do Vivido (Psico)patológico
Authors: Souza Camila Pereira de , Bloc Lucas Guimarães , Moreira Virginia
Published: January 2021

Corpo, tempo, espaço e Outro são as bases que constituem nossa experiência intersubjetiva. Nomeadas aqui como categorias fenomenológicas, elas são uma ferramenta para a compreensão do mundo vivido (psico)patológico, pois em suas alterações se desvelam a estrutura da experiência de adoecer. Este artigo tem como objetivo desenvolver um estudo teórico a respeito das condições que possibilitam o aparecimento dos mundos vividos (psico)patológicos na perspectiva de uma fenomenologia clínica da ambiguidade. A perda de comunicação vital com o mundo característica das alterações corporais, a dessincronização da experiência temporal, o espaço vazio e sem significações atrelado a um prejuízo na relação dialética Eu-Outrem forma o eixo nuclear de sustentação dos mundos vividos (psico)patológicos, ilustrados aqui por meio dos modos de funcionamento na depressão melancólica e na esquizofrenia. Concluímos que estas categorias se atravessam mutuamente e sua divisão é apenas de ordem didática. Elas precisam ser compreendidas globalmente para alcançarmos as experiências de adoecer.
Self e Autenticidade: Dilemas Conceituais sob a Perspectiva de Merleau-Ponty
Authors: Marcon Gilberto Hoffmann , Furlan Reinaldo
Published: January 2021

Propomos mapear as implicações do pensamento fenomenológico para as temáticas correlatas do self e da autenticidade, com ênfase na perspectiva merleau-pontyana. Perpassando as acepções distintas dos fatores identitário, unitário e relacional da experiência humana, encontramos três eixos tensionais em torno dos quais o conceito de self pode ser articulado: constância ou mudança, particularidade ou universal e pessoa ou mundo. Sob os diferentes enfoques descritivos deste campo de problemas, tais dilemas epistemológicos encontram-se redobrados em tensões éticas quando nos reportamos à questão da autenticidade. Enquanto as filosofias de Heidegger e Sartre, sob aproximações diferentes, concedem relativa centralidade à problemática da autenticidade, a fenomenologia de Merleau-Ponty, mesmo situada no diálogo direto com tais aportes de raiz comum husserliana, não concede ao tema a mesma importância de forma explícita. Ao tematizar o caráter eminentemente ambíguo da corporeidade, Merleau-Ponty oferece uma compreensão original da experiência do self e do ser autêntico: em contraponto à possibilidade radical de recuo, a inerência radical de contato. Concluímos que tal perspectiva apresenta como ganho a habilitação da apreensão descritiva, sem cair em contradição, do que há de concretude no indeterminado, de universal na singularização e de passividade na liberdade - e vice-versa, para todos os casos.
Um Caminho com Sartre: Apropriações de seus Métodos para uma Clínica Fenomenológica-Existencial
Authors: Souza Rodolfo Rodrigues de
Published: January 2021

O pensamento do filósofo francês Jean-Paul Sartre é atravessado pela constituição de diferentes propostas metodológicas. No fim da década de 1930, fala em um método regressivo ao estudar as relações entre imaginação e consciência. Em O Ser e o Nada, de 1943, apresenta a Psicanálise Existencial, ora tomada como um método em si, ora como uma proposta que se vale de um método, chamado de comparativo. Já em 1957, com Questões do Método, apresenta o método progressivo-regressivo, em maior contato com o pensamento marxista e com a História. Este artigo busca apresentar tal caminhada metodológica, ensaiando diálogos com o campo da psicoterapia fenomenológica-existencial. Defende-se que todas essas diferentes propostas formam uma totalidade de olhares que torna mais complexa as possibilidades de compreensão do analisando no horizonte clínico. O estudo do método progressivo-regressivo, em adição à Psicanálise Existencial, cujas relações com o campo da clínica parecem mais evidentes, permite a constituição de um fazer que não recaia em uma prática interpretativa ou explicativa.
Using narrative messages to improve parents' experience of learning that a child has overweight
Authors: Gillison Fiona B. , Grey Elisabeth B. , McConnell Hannah E. , Sebire Simon J.
Published: January 2021

Background:

Providing feedback to parents that their child has overweight often elicits negative reactance.

Aims:

To investigate the acceptability and feasibility of providing theoretically-informed narrative messages to reduce negative reactance, alongside the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) feedback informing parents when their child has overweight.

Methods:

A mixed-methods design: interviews with parents of primary school-aged children explored responses to the narratives; a pilot randomised trial examined the feasibility, acceptability and promise of enclosing narratives with NCMP feedback.

Findings:

Interview participants found the narratives acceptable and indicated they could help lessen negative reactance. Pilot study data suggested 65% of parents could identify with the characters, with evidence of elaboration (applying the story to one's own situation) evident in 47% of those reading the accounts.
School nurses keep on shining during the pandemic
Authors: White Sharon
Published: January 2021

There have been great examples of school nursing practice so far during the pandemic, which in turn have led to increase in workforce commissions. However, to truly effect change we need to grow the body of school nursing research and evidence, Sharon White explains
Gyroscopic performance and some seismic measurements made with a 10 meter perimeter ring laser gyro housed in the Ernest Rutherford building
Authors: Zou Dian , Thirkettle Robert J. , Gebauer André , MacDonald Graeme K. , Schreiber K. Ulrich , Wells Jon-Paul R.
Published: January 2021

We describe the construction and operation of a large ring laser whose
beam paths enclose an area of

6.25

m

2

. The gyroscopic performance of this
large laser interferometer was determined using laser operation at a
wavelength of 632.8 nm. The laser cavity Q was inferred to be

1.1
×

10

12

via a measured ring-down time of
375 µs, and the measured Sagnac frequency is 198.40 Hz due to Earth’s
rotation. The measured experimental sensitivity to rotation achieved
is

7.9
×

10

−
12

r
a
d

/

s

/

H
z

at an averaging interval of 512 s
(being limited primarily by ambient building noise). The observation
of microseismic activity in the 200 mHz region as well as local
earthquakes is discussed.
Multimodal sound field imaging using digital holography
[Invited]
Authors: Rajput Sudheesh K. , Matoba Osamu , Takase Yuki , Inoue Tomoyoshi , Itaya Kohei , Kumar Manoj , Quan Xiangyu , Xia Peng , Awatsuji Yasuhiro
Published: January 2021

Sound is an important invisible physical phenomenon that needs to be explained in several physical and biological processes, along with visual phenomena. For this purpose, multiparameter digital holography (DH) has been proposed to visualize both features simultaneously due to the phase and amplitude reconstruction properties of DH. In this paper, we present a brief review on sound field imaging techniques with special focus on the multiparameter imaging capability of DH for visualizing sound and visual features. The basic theory and several experimental results with very high-speed recordings are also presented to demonstrate sound field imaging for the audible range as well as in the ultrasound range.
Patterned liquid crystal polymer C-plate retarder and color polarizer
Authors: Miller Sawyer , Jiang Linan , Tu Xingzhou , Pau Stanley
Published: January 2021

The patternability and guest–host interaction with dichroic dye and
C-plate liquid crystal polymer (LCP) materials are investigated, and
the optical properties of a thin film C-plate retarder and polarizer
are studied and compared with theory. The C-plate retarder is a
waveplate made of a uniaxial LCP where the optical axis of the LCP is
parallel to the surface normal of the optic. No retardance is observed
at a normal angle of incidence and retardance grows as the angle of
incidence increases. The C-plate polarizer is a C-plate retarder with
LCP as the host and a dichroic dye as the guest. The linear
diattenuation (LD) of the linear polarizer is zero at a normal angle
of incidence and grows with an increasing angle of incidence. Both the
C-plate retarder and polarizer can be patterned with minimum feature
size down to 2 µm by using ultraviolet photolithography and plasma
etching. A planarization process is also developed to deposit a cover
layer on top of the pattern to reduce optical loss and to serve as a
barrier for subsequent layers.
Simultaneous measurement of refractive index and temperature or temperature and axial strain based on an inline Mach–Zehnder interferometer with TCF–TF–TCF structure
Authors: Zhang Wujun , Wu Xuqiang , Zhang Gang , Shi Jinhui , Zuo Cheng , Fang Shasha , Gui Lei , Yu Benli
Published: January 2021

A refractive index (RI) and temperature or a temperature and axial
strain sensor based on an inline Mach–Zehnder interferometer with thin
core fiber (TCF)–thin fiber (TF)–TCF structure is proposed and
experimentally demonstrated, requiring only the cleaving and fusion
splicing methods. The operation principle depends on the effect that
the TF cladding modes interfere with the core mode as an optical
coupler. The RI, temperature, or axial strain variations can lead to
resonance dip variations in the interferometer spectra, and the RI,
temperature, or axial strain sensitivity can be measured by monitoring
the wavelength shifts of resonance dips. Then we can measure both RI
and temperature, or temperature and axial strain through the
demodulation matrix. Four sensors with different TF lengths are
fabricated based on numerical simulation. A 15 mm long TF sensor
displays an RI sensitivity as high as

−

174.357

n
m

/

R
I
U

, temperature sensitivities in the
glycerin solution and the air of 12.47 and 26.19 pm/°C, and axial
strain sensitivity of

−

3.43

×

10

−
4

n
m

/

µ
ε

. Moreover, due to its simple
manufacture, high cost-effectiveness and compactness, the proposed
sensor has a broad application prospect in physical, chemical, and
biological sensing.
Human serum albumin gradient in serous ovarian cancer cryosections measured by fluorescence lifetime
Authors: Lin Fangrui , Zhang Chenshuang , Li Yanping , Yan Junshuai , Xu Yunjian , Pan Ying , Hu Rui , Liu Liwei , Qu Junle
Published: January 2021

Human serum albumin (HSA) is a depot and carrier for many endogenous and exogenous molecules in blood. Many studies have demonstrated that the transport of HSA in tumor microenvironments contributes to tumor development and progression. In this report, we set up a multimodal nonlinear optical microscope system, combining two-photon excitation fluorescence, second harmonic generation, and two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy. The fluorescence lifetime of a small squaraine dye (SD) is used to evaluate HSA concentrations in tumor tissue based on specific binding between SD and HSA. We used SD to stain the cryosections from serous ovarian cancer patients in high-grade (HGSOC) and low-grade (LGSOC), respectively, and found a gradient descent of HSA concentration from normal connective tissue to extracellular matrix to tumor masses from 13 to 2 µM for LGSOC patients and from 36 to 12 µM for HGSOC patients. We demonstrated that multimodal nonlinear optical microscopy can obtain similar results as those from traditional histologic staining, thus it is expected to move to clinical applications.
Highly enhanced nonlinear optical absorption with ultrafast charge transfer of reduced graphene oxide hybridized by an azobenzene derivative
Authors: Ran Xia , Li Yanqiu , Wei Zhongran , Huo Xiangyu , He Yulu , Wang Xiaojuan , Kuang Yanmin , Guo Lijun
Published: January 2021

Graphene-based materials have been attracted many attentions due to their excellent properties and potential applications in many fields. Graphene also provides a flexible substrate to develop novel functional materials by hybridizing with other organic or inorganic components. Herein, we report the functionalization of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) with an azobenzene derivative (BNB-t8) containing the π-conjugated moiety and hydrogen bonding groups, to improve the optical and nonlinear optical properties of RGO. With the introducing of BNB-t8, a new absorption band is formed and dominates the absorption spectrum, clearly demonstrates that the BNB-t8 has been hybridized with RGO, by combining the analysis of Raman and XRD data. Femtosecond Z-scan results present a highly enhanced saturable optical absorption of BNB-t8/RGO hybrid compared with that of RGO. By optimizing the hybridization ratio of BNB-t8 to RGO, the saturable absorption coefficient of BNB-t8/RGO hybrid reaches to −237 m/W, 38 times larger than that of RGO (−6.2 m/W). In the meantime, the third-order susceptibility χ(3) of BNB-t8/RGO hybrid is aslo enhanced by 8 times to be 5.18×10−13 esu. These enhancements of nonlinear optical properties of BNB-t8/RGO hybrid mainly arise from the charge transfer from RGO to BNB-t8. Femtosecond transient absorption measurements reveal that the charge separation takes place in 0.28 ps and the charge recombination in 2.0 ps, indicating a strong electron coupling and thus an enhanced electron delocalization in BNB-t8/RGO hybrid compared with those in RGO. We suggest that the noncovalent π-π interaction plays the dominant role for enhancing the electron delocalization of RGO after hybridizing with BNB-t8, while the hydrogen bonding interaction reinforce the coupling interaction between BNB-t8 and RGO moieties in the hybrid. The as-prepared BNB-t8/RGO hybrid with high saturable absorption coefficient with an ultrafast response presents a potential candidate as saturable absorber of mode-locked laser.
Stimulated Brillouin scattering in high-birefringence elliptical-core As2Se3-PMMA microfibers
Authors: Wang Haiyang , Baker Chams , Chen Liang , Bao Xiaoyi
Published: January 2021

In this Letter, we design and fabricate elliptical-core (ECORE) chalcogenide-polymethyl methacrylate (

A
s

2

S
e

3

-PMMA) microfibers to explore the birefringence impact on stimulated Brillouin scattering. Numerical simulations based on the finite-element method and elastodynamic equation are utilized to calculate the phase and group birefringence and Brillouin gain spectra of the fundamental mode in three ECORE

A
s

2

S
e

3

-PMMA microfibers at different core diameters. Experimentally measured and numerically calculated results show that as the core diameter of the minor axis of an ECORE microfiber with a ratio of 1.108 is reduced from 1.50 µm to 0.87 µm, a high group birefringence of

∼

10

−
3

to

∼

10

−
2

and a large Brillouin frequency shift difference of

∼

6

M
H
z

to

∼

30

M
H
z

are achieved, while the Brillouin gain spectra are broadened significantly from

∼

70

M
H
z

to

∼

140

M
H
z

. The high-birefringence ECORE

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s

2

S
e

3

-PMMA microfiber is important for Brillouin sensing due to the tailorable high birefringence and ultrahigh nonlinearity.
Glyoxal fixation facilitates transcriptome analysis after antigen staining and cell sorting by flow cytometry
Authors: Channathodiyil Prasanna , Houseley Jonathan
Published: January 2021

A simple method for extraction of high quality RNA from cells that have been fixed, stained and sorted by flow cytometry would allow routine transcriptome analysis of highly purified cell populations and single cells. However, formaldehyde fixation impairs RNA extraction and inhibits RNA amplification. Here we show that good quality RNA can be readily extracted from stained and sorted mammalian cells if formaldehyde is replaced by glyoxal—a well-characterised fixative that is widely compatible with immunofluorescent staining methods. Although both formaldehyde and glyoxal efficiently form protein-protein crosslinks, glyoxal does not crosslink RNA to proteins nor form stable RNA adducts, ensuring that RNA remains accessible and amenable to enzymatic manipulation after glyoxal fixation. We find that RNA integrity is maintained through glyoxal fixation, permeabilisation with methanol or saponin, indirect immunofluorescent staining and flow sorting. RNA can then be extracted by standard methods and processed into RNA-seq libraries using commercial kits; mRNA abundances measured by poly(A)+ RNA-seq correlate well between freshly harvested cells and fixed, stained and sorted cells. We validate the applicability of this approach to flow cytometry by staining MCF-7 cells for the intracellular G2/M-specific antigen cyclin B1 (CCNB1), and show strong enrichment for G2/M-phase cells based on transcriptomic data. Switching to glyoxal fixation with RNA-compatible staining methods requires only minor adjustments of most existing staining and sorting protocols, and should facilitate routine transcriptomic analysis of sorted cells.
Seeing our 3D world while only viewing contour-drawings
Authors: Farshchi Maddex , Kiba Alexandra , Sawada Tadamasa
Published: January 2021

Artists can represent a 3D object by using only contours in a 2D drawing. Prior studies have shown that people can use such drawings to perceive 3D shapes reliably, but it is not clear how useful this kind of contour information actually is in a real dynamical scene in which people interact with objects. To address this issue, we developed an Augmented Reality (AR) device that can show a participant a contour-drawing or a grayscale-image of a real dynamical scene in an immersive manner. We compared the performance of people in a variety of run-of-the-mill tasks with both contour-drawings and grayscale-images under natural viewing conditions in three behavioral experiments. The results of these experiments showed that the people could perform almost equally well with both types of images. This contour information may be sufficient to provide the basis for our visual system to obtain much of the 3D information needed for successful visuomotor interactions in our everyday life.
Spatio-temporal persistence of zooplankton communities in the Gulf of Alaska
Authors: Hoover Brian A. , García-Reyes Marisol , Batten Sonia D. , Gentemann Chelle L. , Sydeman William J.
Published: January 2021

Spatial structuring of mid-trophic level forage communities in the Gulf of Alaska (GoA) is poorly understood, even though it has clear implications for the health of fisheries and marine wildlife populations. Here, we test the hypothesis that summertime (May-August) mesozooplankton communities are spatially-persistent across years of varying ocean conditions, including during the marine heatwave of 2014–2016. We use spatial ordinations and hierarchical clustering of Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) sampling over 17 years (2000–2016) to (1) characterize typical zooplankton communities in different regions of the GoA, and (2) investigate spatial structuring relative to variation in ocean temperatures and circulation. Five regional communities were identified, each representing distinct variation in the abundance of 18 primary zooplankton taxa: a distinct cluster of coastal taxa on the continental shelf north of Vancouver Island; a second cluster in the western GoA associated with strong currents and cold water east of Unimak Pass; a shelf break cluster rich in euphausiids found at both the eastern and western margins of the GoA; a broad offshore cluster of abundant pelagic zooplankton in the southern GoA gyre associated with stable temperature and current conditions; and a final offshore cluster exhibiting low zooplankton abundance concentrated along the northeastern arm of the subarctic gyre where ocean conditions are dominated by eddy activity. When comparing years of anomalous warm and cold sea surface temperatures, we observed change in the spatial structure in coastal communities, but little change (i.e., spatial persistence) in the northwestern GoA basin. Whereas previous studies have shown within-region variability in zooplankton communities in response to ocean climate, we highlight both consistency and change in regional communities, with interannual variability in shelf communities and persistence in community structure offshore. These results suggest greater variability in coastal food webs than in the central portion of the GoA, which may be important to energy exchange from lower to upper trophic levels in the mesoscale biomes of this ecosystem.
Differential expression of αVβ3 and αVβ6 integrins in prostate cancer progression
Authors: Quaglia Fabio , Krishn Shiv Ram , Wang Yanqing , Goodrich David W. , McCue Peter , Kossenkov Andrew V. , Mandigo Amy C. , Knudsen Karen E. , Weinreb Paul H. , Corey Eva , Kelly William K. , Languino Lucia R.
Published: January 2021

Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPrCa) arisesde novoor after accumulation of genomic alterations in pre-existing adenocarcinoma tumors in response to androgen deprivation therapies. We have provided evidence that small extracellular vesicles released by PrCa cells and containing the αVβ3 integrin promote neuroendocrine differentiation of PrCain vivoandin vitro. Here, we examined αVβ3 integrin expression in three murine models carrying a deletion ofPTEN(SKO),PTENandRB1(DKO), orPTEN,RB1andTRP53(TKO) genes in the prostatic epithelium; of these three models, the DKO and TKO tumors develop NEPrCa with a gene signature comparable to those of human NEPrCa. Immunostaining analysis of SKO, DKO and TKO tumors shows that αVβ3 integrin expression is increased in DKO and TKO primary tumors and metastatic lesions, but absent in SKO primary tumors. On the other hand, SKO tumors show higher levels of a different αV integrin, αVβ6, as compared to DKO and TKO tumors. These results are confirmed by RNA-sequencing analysis. Moreover, TRAMP mice, which carry NEPrCa and adenocarcinoma of the prostate, also have increased levels of αVβ3 in their NEPrCa primary tumors. In contrast, the αVβ6 integrin is only detectable in the adenocarcinoma areas. Finally, analysis of 42 LuCaP patient-derived xenografts and primary adenocarcinoma samples shows a positive correlation between αVβ3, but not αVβ6, and the neuronal marker synaptophysin; it also demonstrates that αVβ3 is absent in prostatic adenocarcinomas. In summary, we demonstrate that αVβ3 integrin is upregulated in NEPrCa primary and metastatic lesions; in contrast, the αVβ6 integrin is confined to adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Our findings suggest that the αVβ3 integrin, but not αVβ6, may promote a shift in lineage plasticity towards a NE phenotype and might serve as an informative biomarker for the early detection of NE differentiation in prostate cancer.
Individual differences in intrinsic ankle stiffness and their relationship to body sway and ankle torque
Authors: Sakanaka Tania E. , Lakie Martin , Reynolds Raymond F.
Published: January 2021

When standing, intrinsic ankle stiffness is smaller when measured using large perturbations, when sway size is large, and when background torque is low. However, there is a large variation in individual intrinsic ankle stiffness. Here we determine if individual variation has consequences for postural control. We examined the relationship between ankle stiffness, ankle torque and body sway across different individuals. Ankle stiffness was estimated in 19 standing participants by measuring torque responses to small, brief perturbations. Perturbation sizes of 0.2 & 0.9 degrees (both lasting 140 ms) measured short- and long-range stiffness respectively, while participants either stood quietly on a fixed platform or were imperceptibly tilted to reduce stability (0.1 Hz sinusoid; 0.2 & 0.4 deg). The spontaneous body sway component (natural random relatively rapid postural adjustments) and background ankle torque were averaged from sections immediately before perturbations. The results show that, first, intrinsic ankle stiffness is positively associated with ankle torque, and that this relationship is stronger for long-range stiffness. Second, intrinsic ankle stiffness is negatively associated with body sway, but, in contrast to the relationship with torque, this relationship is stronger for short-range stiffness. We conclude that high short-range intrinsic ankle stiffness is associated with reduced spontaneous sway, although the causal relationship between these two parameters is unknown. These results suggest that, in normal quiet standing where sway is very small, the most important determinant of intrinsic ankle stiffness may be stillness. In less stable conditions, intrinsic ankle stiffness may be more dependent on ankle torque.
Family planning utilization and associated factors among postpartum women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2018
Authors: Tafa Lema , Worku Yoseph
Published: January 2021

Background

Pregnancies that occur in the first year after birth can result in adverse outcomes for the mothers and their babies. Postpartum family planning (PPFP) can save lives of many mothers and children. Only few data are available about the magnitude of PPFP use and its determinants in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Objective

To assess PPFP utilization and associated factors in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Method

A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2018. A total of 625 women were enrolled in the study. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to analyze the data. Binary logistic regression model with adjusted odd ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to identify the factors associated with PPFP use. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered as significant.

Result

The magnitude of PPFP utilization in Addis Ababa was 71.8%. Previous family planning (FP) information (AOR = 13.2; 95% CI: (1.96, 88.07)), FP information from health facility visit (AOR = 2.23; 95% CI: (1.45, 3.43)), antenatal care (AOR = 4.96; 95% CI: (1.58, 15.64)), counseling on FP at postnatal care (AOR = 1.97; 95% CI: (1.27, 3.05)), menses resumption after birth (AOR = 1.75; 95% CI: (1.11, 2.76)), and commencing sexual activity after birth (AOR = 9.34; 95% CI: (5.39, 16.17)) were the factors associated with PPFP use.

Conclusion and recommendation

Though the magnitude of PPFP use is encouraging, still three out of the ten postpartum women did not use PPFP. The determinants of PPFP use were having FP information, having FP information from health facility visit, antenatal care, counseling about FP during postnatal care, menses resumption after birth, and commencing sexual activity after birth. The health system in the City and the healthcare providers should strive to reach every woman who is not accessing the PPFP services and antenatal care services, and improve counseling services on PPFP during delivery and postnatal care services.
Association between tobacco substance usage and a missense mutation in the tumor suppressor gene P53 in the Saudi Arabian population
Authors: Almutairi Mikhlid H. , Almutairi Bader O. , Alrubie Turki M. , Alharbi Sultan N. , Parine Narasimha R. , Alrefaei Abdulwahed F. , Aldeailej Ibrahim , Alamri Abdullah , Semlali Abdelhabib
Published: January 2021

The tumor suppressor gene TP53 and its downstream genes P21 and MDM2 play crucial roles in combating DNA damage at the G1/S cell cycle checkpoint. Polymorphisms in these genes can lead to the development of various diseases. This study was conducted to examine a potential association between tobacco substance usage (TSU) and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at the exon regions of the P53, P21, and MDM2 genes by comparing populations of smokers and non-smokers from Saudi Arabia. P53 rs1042522 (C/G), P21 rs1801270 (A/C), and MDM2 rs769412 (A/G) were investigated by genotyping 568 blood specimens: 283 from male/female smokers and 285 from male/female non-smokers. The results obtained from the smokers and their control non-smokers were compared according to age, sex, duration of smoking, and type of TSU. Heterozygous CG, homozygous GG, and CG+GG genotypes, as well as the G allele of rs1042522 were significantly associated with TSU in Saudi smokers compared with non-smokers. The C allele frequency of rs1801270 was also associated with TSU in smokers (OR = 1.33, p = 0.049) in comparison with non-smokers, in younger smokers (≤29 years) (OR = 1.556, p = 0.03280) in comparison with non-smokers of the same age, in smokers who had smoked cigarettes for seven years or less (OR = 1.596, p = 0.00882), and in smokers who had consumed shisha (OR = 1.608, p = 0.04104) in comparison with the controls. However, the genotypic and allelic frequencies for rs769412 did not show significant associations with TSU in Saudis. The selected SNP of P53 was strongly associated with TSU and may be linked to TSU-induced diseases in the Saudi Arabian population.