bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compliance with the surgical safety checklist in Switzerland: an observational multicenter study based on self-reported data
Authors: Fridrich Annemarie , Imhof Anita , Schwappach David L. B.
Published: May 2022

Background

Since publication of the surgical safety checklist by the WHO in 2009, it has been introduced in many hospitals. However, frequency and quality of surgical safety checklist use is often low probably limiting the effectiveness of the checklist in preventing patient harm. The focus of this study was to examine the current state of compliance with the surgical safety checklist in Switzerland and to evaluate how the data relates to international comparative data.

Methods

Between November 2020 and March 2021 twelve hospitals with 15 sites collected for at least 200 surgical interventions each whether the three sections of the surgical safety checklist (Sign In, Team Time Out, Sign Out) have been applied. This data collection was part of a large quality improvement project focusing on measuring and improving compliance with the surgical safety checklist via peer observation and feedback. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data; chi-square tests were used to compare sub-samples.

Results

The hospitals collected valid compliance data for 8622 surgical interventions. Mean compliance rate was 91% when distinguishing between the two categories applied (including partially applied) and not applied. In line with previous research, Sign In (93%) and Team Time Out (94%) sections have been applied more frequently than Sign Out (86%). All three surgical safety checklist sections have been applied in 79% of the surgical interventions, no sections in 1%.

Conclusions

The results of this study indicate that the overall application of the surgical safety checklist in Switzerland can be considered high, although the completeness, especially of the Sign Out section, could be improved. At present, it seems difficult to compare compliance rates from different studies as measurement methods and definitions of compliance vary widely. A systematization and homogenization of the methodology within, but also beyond, national borders is desirable for the future.
Safety and efficacy of manual vacuum aspiration under local anesthesia compared to general anesthesia in the surgical management of miscarriage: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kakinuma Toshiyuki , Kakinuma Kaoru , Kaneko Ayaka , Kagimoto Masataka , Kawarai Yoshimasa , Ihara Motomasa , Saito Koyomi , Matsuda Yoshio , Ohwada Michitaka , Tanaka Hirokazu , Takeshima Nobuhiro , Yanagida Kaoru
Published: May 2022

Background

In Japan, dilatation & curettage (D&C) has been performed under general anesthesia as a surgery for an early pregnancy miscarriage for a long time. In 2016, manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) under general anesthesia was introduced at our hospital and has been used as a surgical treatment for first-trimester pregnancy miscarriage, with its utility to date being reported here. In July 2018, our hospital introduced the MVA procedure under local anesthesia. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of MVA under general and local anesthesia in first-trimester pregnancy miscarriage surgery in Japanese women.

Methods

In this retrospective observational cohort study, we enrolled 322 pregnant women at less than 12 weeks of gestation, who underwent MVA surgery under local anesthesia (n = 166) or conventional general anesthesia (n = 156). The duration of surgery, blood loss volume, quantity of anesthesia, presence or absence of retained products of conception, and clinical complications were evaluated. In addition, the intraoperative pain and treatment satisfaction were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS).

Results

The duration of surgery was significantly shorter in the local anesthesia group. No significant differences were observed between both groups in terms of the blood loss volume and incidence of retained products of conception. In addition, no serious complications were observed in either group. No significant differences were noted between the two groups in the VAS scores for pain and treatment satisfaction.

Conclusions

In this retrospective study, the use of MVA under local anesthesia for early pregnancy miscarriage surgery was found to be equally safe and effective when performed under conventional general anesthesia. This technique allowed the achievement of appropriate pain control with excellent patient satisfaction.
Modeling and equilibrium studies on the recovery of praseodymium (III), dysprosium (III) and yttrium (III) using acidic cation exchange resin
Authors: Masry B. A. , Abu Elgoud E. M. , Rizk S. E.
Published: May 2022

In this research, the possibility of using hydrogenated Dowex 50WX8 resin for the recovery and separation of Pr(III), Dy(III) and Y(III) from aqueous nitrate solutions were carried out. Dowex 50WX8 adsorbent was characterized before and after sorption of metal ions using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX) techniques. Sorption parameters were studied which included contact time, initial metal ion concentration, nitric acid concentration and adsorbent dose. The equilibrium time has been set at about 15.0 min. The experimental results showed that the sorption efficiency of metal ions under the investigated conditions decreased with increasing nitric acid concentration from 0.50 to 3.0 M. The maximum sorption capacity was found to be 30.0, 50.0 and 60.0 mg/g for Pr(III), DY(III) and Y(III), respectively. The desorption of Pr(III) from the loaded resin was achieved with 1.0 M citric acid at pH = 3 and found to be 58.0%. On the other hand, the maximum desorption of Dy(III) and Y(III) were achieved with 1.0 M nitric acid and 1.0 M ammonium carbonate, respectively. The sorption isotherm results indicated that Pr(III) and Y(II) fitted with nonlinear Langmuir isotherm model with regression factors 0.995 and 0.978, respectively; while, Dy(III) fitted with nonlinear Toth isotherm model with R2 = 0.966. A Flow sheet which summarizes the sorption and desorption processes of Pr(III), DY(III) and Y(III) using Dowex 50WX8 from nitric acid solution under the optimum conditions is also given.
The role of basket trials in drug development for neurodegenerative disorders
Authors: Cummings Jeffrey , Montes Arturo , Kamboj Sana , Cacho Jorge Fonseca
Published: May 2022

Background

Drug development for neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) is a long, complex, and expensive enterprise. Methods to optimize drug development for NDDs are needed. Basket trials have been widely used in oncology and have been promoted by the Food and Drug Administration as a means of enhancing the efficiency of drug development.

Discussion

We reviewed clinical trials for NDDs registered on clinicaltrials.gov in the past 10 years. We identified 59 basket trials assessing the impact of treatment on more than one NDD in the trial. Forty-one of the trials were for 25 agents addressing symptoms of NDD such as motor impairment, hypotension, or psychosis. Eighteen of the trials assessed 14 disease-modifying therapies; the principal targets were mitochondrial function, tau biology, or alpha-synuclein aggregation. Basket trials are most common in phase 2 but have been conducted in phase 1, phase 3, and phase 4. The duration and size of the basket trials are highly variable depending on their developmental phase and the intent of the trial. Parkinson’s disease was the most common disorder included in basket trials of symptomatic agents, and Alzheimer’s disease was the most common disorder included in basket trials of disease-modifying therapies. Most of the basket trials of symptomatic agents were sponsored by pharmaceutical companies (29 of 41 trials); similarly, most of the basket trials investigating DMTs in basket trials were sponsored by the biopharmaceutical industry (11/17 trials).

Conclusions

Basket trials may increase drug development efficiency by reducing redundancy in trial implementation, enhancing recruitment, sharing placebo groups, and using biomarkers relevant to the mechanism of action of the treatment across NDDs. There have been relatively few basket trials including multiple NDDs in the same trial conducted over the past 10 years. The use of the basket trial strategy may represent an opportunity to increase the efficiency of development programs for agents to treat NDDs.
Stage performances as means for linking sociotechnical imaginaries and projective genres in the discourse around urban air mobility
Authors: Woznica Marcel
Published: May 2022

Sociotechnical imaginaries play a crucial role in the context of urban air mobility. At the beginning of this article, I present the Pop.Up, commonly described as ‘air taxi’, as one such vision. Taking the analysis of multiple visions as an orientation, I show secondly, how other temporal figures such as projective genres fulfil different functions to establish specific visions as dominant ones. By examining a press release about the Pop.Up, I show how distant futures are constructed trough explicating the problem of congestion in metropolitan cities. With the analysis of the stage performance by stakeholders from Airbus and Italdesign during the Geneva Motor Show 2017, where the Pop.Up was unveiled for the first time, I thirdly show that different futures fulfill different functions. Sociotechnical imaginaries visualized by concept videos demonstrate necessity, whereas projective genres communicated on a stage as collaborative action plans demonstrate feasibility. Stage performances, such as the one at the motor show, where the concept video was shown, offer a framework to establish specific sociotechnical visions. This linking between different future dimensions can be described as performative discourse strategy to make an artifact, in this case the Pop.Up, communicatively connectable to political discourses. The analysis of futures such as sociotechnical imaginaries regarding the question of politicization processes is thus supplemented by a perspective that examines projective genres such as collaborative action plans.
Comparison of effects of Empagliflozin and Linagliptin on renal function and glycaemic control: a double-blind, randomized clinical trial
Authors: Mohammad zadeh Gharabaghi Mohammad Amin , Rezvanfar Mohammad Reza , Saeedi Nasser , Aghajani Faezeh , Alirezaei Mohammad , Yarahmadi Pourya , Nakhostin-Ansari Amin
Published: May 2022

Background

This study aimed to compare the effects of Linagliptin and Empagliflozin on renal function and glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

Method

We conducted a randomized, double-blind, parallel trial on patients aged 30 to 80 years with type 2 DM and HbA1c ≤ 9%, regardless of background medical therapy, to compare the effects of Empagliflozin and Linagliptin on albuminuria, FBS, HbA1c, and eGFR. Participants were given the mentioned drugs for 12 weeks. Statistical analysis was performed using appropriate tests in IBM™SPSS® statistics software for windows version 24.

Results

In total, 60 patients participated in the study, thirty patients in each group. The mean age of participants was 56.8 (SD = 8.15) in the Empagliflozin group and 60.9 (SD = 7.22) in the Linagliptin group. Before the intervention, FBS, HbA1C, and albuminuria values were significantly higher in the Empagliflozin group than those in the Linagliptin group (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between groups regarding eGFR (P = 0.271). Changes in the FBS, HbA1C, and eGFR were not significantly different between groups (P > 0.05), but there was more decrease in albuminuria in the Empagliflozin group compared to the Linagliptin group (P = 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.98).

Conclusions

Regardless of baseline albuminuria, eGFR, or HbA1c, Empagliflozin 10 mg daily significantly reduced albuminuria at 12 weeks compared to Linagliptin 5 mg daily in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Trial registration

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT20200722048176N1. Registered 3 August 2020.
Intraoperative Corticobulbar Motor Evoked Potential in Cerebellopontine Angle Surgery: A Clinically Meaningful Tool to Predict Early and Late Facial Nerve Recovery
Authors: Della Pepa Giuseppe Maria , Stifano Vito , D'Alessandris Quintino Giorgio , Menna Grazia , Burattini Benedetta , Di Domenico Michele , Izzo Alessandro , D'Ercole Manuela , Lauretti Liverana , Olivi Alessandro , Montano Nicola
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND:

Intraoperative neuromonitoring is crucial for facial nerve preservation in cerebellopontine angle (CPA) surgery. Among the available techniques, the role of intraoperative corticobulbar facial motor evoked potentials (FMEPs) is unclear.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the significance of intraoperative FMEPs as indicators for early and late postoperative facial nerve function (FNF) in CPA tumor resection and the feasibility of their integration with standard monitoring techniques.

METHODS:

An institutional series of 83 patients who underwent surgery under intraoperative monitoring for CPA extra-axial tumor resection was reported. A pair of needle electrodes was used to record FMEP from orbicularis oculi (OOc) and orbicularis oris (OOr) muscles at baseline, at the end of surgery and minimum values recorded. From FMEP amplitudes, minimum-to-baseline amplitude ratio (MBR), final-to-baseline amplitude ratio (FBR), and recovery value, intended as FBR minus MBR, were calculated. These indices were correlated with early and late postoperative FNF.

RESULTS:

Our analysis demonstrated that higher FBR (both from OOc and OOr) and MBR (from OOr only) were associated with a good early and late FNF; a higher MBR from OOc was significantly associated with a good late FNF. The most accurate index in predicting early FNF was FBR measured from OOr with a cutoff of 35.56%, whereas the most accurate index in predicting late FNF was FBR as measured from OOc with a cutoff of 14.29%.

CONCLUSION:

Our study confirmed that FMEPs are reliable predictors of early and late postoperative FNF in CPA surgery and could be easily integrated with standard intraoperative neuromonitoring techniques.
Difluorocarbene-based [4 + 1] Cycloaddition Strategy for Synthesizing Derivatives of 5-Fluorinated Thiazoles and Oxazoles
Authors: Fuchibe Kohei , Morota Yuki , Miura Takaya , Ichikawa Junji
Published: May 2022

When treated with difluorocarbene, which was generated from FSO2CF2CO2SiMe3 with a 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene catalyst, N-(thioacyl)amidines underwent [4 + 1] cycloaddition to afford the corresponding amino-substituted 5,5-difluorothiazolines. Both dehydrofluorination and a Hofmann elimination/SN2′-type reaction sequence enabled the aromatization of the obtained products, affording 5-fluorothiazoles. The [4 + 1] cycloaddition strategy was also applied to N-acylamidines, affording the corresponding 5-fluorooxazole derivatives.
Resistance Exercise Increases Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Markers of Gut Permeability, and Damage in Resistance-Trained Adults
Authors: HART TRICIA L. , TOWNSEND JEREMY R. , GRADY NATALIE J. , JOHNSON KENT D. , LITTLEFIELD LAUREL A. , VERGNE MATTHEW J. , FUNDARO GABRIELLE
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to determine the influence of acute resistance exercise (RE) and biological sex on subjective gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, GI epithelial damage, and GI permeability in resistance-trained males and females.

Methods

Thirty resistance-trained men (n = 15) and women (n = 15) completed an RE bout and a nonexercise control (CON) session in a randomized counterbalanced design. The RE protocol used a load of 70% one-repetition maximum for 4 sets of 10 repetitions with a 90-s rest period length between sets and a 120-s rest period between exercises (squat, seated shoulder press, deadlift, bent-over row, and leg press). Blood samples were collected before exercise (PRE), immediately postexercise (IP), and 15-, 30-, and 60-min postexercise. Participants completed GI symptom questionnaires to assess subjective GI symptoms PRE, IP, and 60-min postexercise. Blood samples were assayed to quantify small intestine damage (I-FABP) and GI permeability (lactulose–rhamnose [L/R] ratio). Data were analyzed via separate repeated-measures ANOVA, and area under the curve (AUC) analyses were completed via one-way ANOVA.

Results

Participants reported greater GI symptoms in RE at IP compared with CON (P < 0.001) with 70% of participants reporting at least one GI symptom with no differences between sexes. Nausea was the most reported GI symptom (63.3%), followed by vomiting (33.3%). I-FABP and L/R ratio did not exhibit differential responses between conditions. However, L/R ratio AUC was greater in males after RE than male CON (P = 0.002) and both conditions for females (P < 0.05). Furthermore, I-FABP AUC in the male RE condition was greater than both female conditions (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Resistance-trained individuals experience GI distress after RE, with males incurring the greatest increases in markers of GI damage and permeability.
The meniscal ossicle associated with medial meniscus posterior root tear
Authors: Qalib Yusuf Omar , Tang Yicun , Lu Huading
Published: May 2022

Ossicle of the meniscus is an uncommon discovery often misdiagnosed as a loose body, which may lead to intermittent knee discomfort. We present a rare case of meniscal ossicle accompanied by the medial meniscus posterior root tear. A 46-year-old female experienced intermittent left knee pain and after coming to the hospital was diagnosed with a meniscal ossicle. The patient underwent arthroscopic ossicle resection followed by meniscal root repair. The patient had not experienced any complications post-operatively and remains asymptomatic 8 months after the surgery. The purpose of this article is to expand the knowledge of meniscal ossicle and provide a broaden review of its diagnosis and repair.
Prevalence and associated factors of adolescent pregnancy among sexually active adolescent girls: Evidence from the Peruvian Demographic and Family Health Survey, 2015-2019
Authors: Caira-Chuquineyra Brenda , Fernandez-Guzman Daniel , Meza-Gómez Adria , Luque-Mamani Beatriz Milagros , Medina-Carpio Shawny Luz , Mamani-García Carlos S. , Romani-Peña Marilia , Díaz-Vélez Cristian
Published: May 2022

Background: To determine the prevalence and associated factors of adolescent pregnancy in Peru, 2015-2019.

Methods: A population-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted using pooled data from the Demographic and Family Health Surveys of Peru 2015-2019. A total weighted sample of 6892 adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years with a history of sexual intercourse were included. Finally, the adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were reported to determine the factors that were significantly associated with adolescent pregnancy.

Results: The prevalence of adolescent pregnancy in Peru was 30.1% (95%CI: 28.4–31.8%). In the multivariable analysis; being 17-19 years (aPR: 1.38; 95%CI :1.22–1.56), having a partner (aPR: 4.08; 95%CI: 3.46–4.81) and belonging to the Quechua ethnicity group (aPR: 1.20; 95%CI: 1.09–1.32), were associated with a higher prevalence. Whereas, having an occupation (aPR: 0.81; 95%CI: 0.75–0.88), currently studying (aPR: 0.42; 95%CI: 0.36–0.49), belonging to the second (aPR: 0.91; 95%CI: 0.84–0.98), third (aPR: 0.80; 95%CI: 0.72–0.89), fourth (aPR: 0.76; 95%CI: 0.64–0.89) and fifth (aPR: 0.55; 95%CI: 0.41–0.73) wealth quintile, initiating sexual relations between 17-19 years (aPR: 0.52; 95%CI: 0.46–0.59), perceiving a future pregnancy as a problem (aPR: 0.77; 95%CI: 0.70–0.83) and knowledge of the moment in the cycle when she could become pregnant (aPR: 0.84; 95%CI: 0.76–0.93), were associated with a lower prevalence of pregnancy.

Conclusions: About three in 10 adolescents who initiated their sexual life presented with at least one pregnancy. Age, marital status, employment, education, wealth, ethnicity, age at first intercourse, knowledge of when in the cycle she may become pregnant, and perception of future pregnancy were associated with adolescent pregnancy. It is necessary to increase national policies on family planning and sex education among adolescents to reduce the prevalence of adolescent pregnancy in Peru.
Phenomenological analysis of depressive and anxious manifestations in patients who underwent cardiosurgery
Authors: Mankovskyi D.
Published: May 2022

Among the undeniable advantages of surgical tactics in the treatment of patients with various forms of cardiovascular disease, there are problematic issues, including neurological complications, especially cerebrovascular disorders and postoperative encephalopathy, and often associated psychopathological disorders based on postoperative hypoxiс-ischemic lesions, which remain one of the most difficult and dangerous complications of operations under the conditions of artificial circulation (AC).

The aim was to carry out clinical and phenomenological analysis of psychopathological manifestations of depression and anxiety in patients who underwent cardiac surgery (CS) with AC in the postoperative period, both in general and in terms of individual types of vascular and neurological pathology, to determine further directions of their rehabilitation.

Material and research methods. Using the approach of a structured clinical-diagnostic interview with the help of a specially developed questionnaire, we clinically examined 700 patients who were treated at the Heart Institute of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and who underwent CS under the conditions of AC. Among the examined patients, there were 86 patients (12.3%) with cerebral infarction (CI), 217 patients (31.0%) with the signs of postoperative encephalopathy and 504 patients (72.0%) with manifestations of cognitive dysfunction.

Results. It has been established that patients who underwent cardiac surgery had the symptoms of depression and anxiety. The most severe depressive and anxiety manifestations are characteristic of patients with cerebral infarction in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery; they are less significant in patients with signs of postoperative encephalopathy. They are the least significant in patients with signs of cognitive dysfunction. At the same time, the severity of depressive and anxiety phenomena in patients with this pathology was significantly (p<0.01) higher than in patients who underwent cardiac surgery without the corresponding pathology.

Conclusion. The identified patterns should be considered when developing treatment, rehabilitation and preventive measures for patients who underwent cardiac surgery with postoperative neurological complications.
The dynamics of cytolytic syndrome parameters in the period of late manifestations of cranioskeletal trauma in case of concomitant chronic hepatitits and the effectiveness of armadine correction
Authors: Prokhorenko O.
Published: May 2022

Relevance. Cranioskeletal trauma has the most severe lesions and is accompanied by significant mortality. The impact of comorbidities caused by the cardiovascular system, in particular diffuse lesions of internal organs are not fully investigated under this condition. A common mechanism of pathogenesis of these pathological processes is the development of cytolytic syndrome.

Goal of study: is to determine the dynamics of markers of cytolysis in the period of late manifestations of cranioskeletal trauma in conditions of concomitant chronic hepatitis and to evaluate the effectiveness of armadine correction.

Materials and methods. Cranioskeletal trauma, chronic hepatitis, and its combinations were modelled in separate groups of nonlinear white male rats. Armadine at a dose of 20 mg/kg intraperitoneally was used to correct the group with combined lesions. The activity of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases was determined in the serum of experimental animals on 14, 21, 28 and 35 days after injury.

Results and its discussion. The application of cranioskeletal trauma in the late manifestations of traumatic disease is accompanied by increased cytolysis. The activity of alanine and ampartate aminotransferase in the serum of injured animals is increased after 14 days of the post-traumatic period and continues to increase up to 21 days with a subsequent decrease. Moreover, up to 35 days only the activity of aspartate aminotransferase reaches the level of control, while the activity of alanine aminotransferase continues to remain significantly higher. The use of armadin under these conditions from the 21st day of the experiment causes a decrease in the changes of the studied parameters compared with the group of animals without correction.

Conclusions. The application of cranioskeletal trauma on the background of chronic hepatitis in the late manifestations of traumatic disease is accompanied by a greater change of cytolysis than in the group of injured animals without concomitant liver damage. The use of armadine causes a statistically significant decrease in the intensity of the detected disorders, starting from 21 days of the experiment.
Current methods to realize the reproductive function in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome and chronic endometritis
Authors: Malanchuk L. , Khmil Doswald A.
Published: May 2022

Literature review indicates that both polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and chronic endometritis (CE) have a significant role in implantation disorders, one of the main causes of infertility and unsuccessful outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies.

Study aim was to analyze the literature on current methods to recover reproductive function in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and chronic endometritis.

Materials and methods. The review analyzed scientific literature published in the past decade, as well as relevant research publications available in the online databases, which were searched using the key words "polycystic ovary syndrome", "endometritis", "comorbidity", and "infertility".

Results. While the evidence of positive effects of lifestyle changes on fertility is inconclusive, weight loss is a first-line treatment option recommended for women with PCOS. International guidelines for women with anovulatory PCOS consistently recommendas a second-line option  gonadotropin therapy to induce ovulation if oral first-line induction ovulatory therapy, including aromatase inhibitors and selective estrogen receptor modulators, fails. In regards to the treatment of CE, research supports the use of antibiotic therapy which increases the incidence of pregnancy in women with CE and repeated unsuccessful implantation, infertility of unknown ethoilogy or recurrent miscarriage.

Conclusions. Current methods of restoring reproductive function in patients with PCOS and chronic endometritis include a wide range of non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments of PCOS in combination with antibiotic therapy of chronic endometritis, but their effectiveness remains low, which requires the use of assisted reproductive technologies.
Analysis of formation methods of graphic competence of future engineering teachers
Authors: Koliasa P.
Published: May 2022

The article substantiates the need to improve the formation methods of graphic competence of future engineering teachers by means of digital technologies. To achieve the goal of the article the analysis of normative documents of training of future engineering teachers in the field of digital technologies, methods of teaching graphic disciplines in Higher Education Institutionі, prospects of improving graphic training of future engineering teachers by means of digital technologies are determined. Based on the analysis of work programs of the cycle of disciplines of graphic training, we conclude that today the method of formation of graphic competence in future engineering teachers in the field of digital technologies needs to be improved.

It is established that the most effective way to reform the system of training future engineering teachers in the field of digital technologies is the use of modern learning technologies, which include design, research, integrative technologies that provide personality-oriented learning and graphic competence of future engineering teachers in the field digital technologies. It is determined that it is necessary to improve the teaching methods of the discipline "Engineering Computer Graphics", which will include the study of two-dimensional graphics, three-dimensional spatial modeling, 3D printing technologies and the creation of 4D objects in KOMPAS-3D.
Media as a determinant of the sexuality of young Poles
Authors: Szymańska Kamila , Widłak Karolina , Pawłowski Piotr , Kościołek Aneta , Jakubowska Klaudia
Published: May 2022

Objective of the work: The aim of this study is to learn about the influence of the media on the sexuality of young Poles.

Material and methods: The diagnostic survey method and the survey technique were used, based on the research tool which was the original questionnaire. 310 respondents, different in terms of sex, faith, place of residence and education, current family situation, aged from 16 to 21, participated in the study. Statistical analysis was carried out with the use of Exel 2019 and the SPSS Statisctics package, version 25, using the ANOVA analysis of variance and the Mann-Whitney and H Kruskal-Wallis t-tests. The data collection stage was carried out in the period from October to December 2019, via the Internet.

Results and conclusions: Both men and women participating in the study view sexual, erotic and pornographic content in the mass media available to them, but women viewed pornographic content significantly less often than men. The main source of knowledge about sexuality for young Poles is the Internet. Television is relatively rare. Most of the respondents find it difficult to assess whether the media is a credible source of information on human sexuality. Most of the survey participants believe that the media content does not accelerate sexual initiation and does not affect their attitude towards sex. Believers were much less likely to support the credibility of mass media in the context of sexuality than non-believers.

Key words: sexuality, sexual behavior, youth, media
NHS Staff Survey 2021: Learning from the findings
Authors: Boddy Bethany
Published: May 2022

The latest NHS Staff survey identified concerning results in relation to staff wellbeing. What can individuals, leaders and organisations do to mitigate the significant risk of staff burnout?
Tunable ultra-fast infrared generation in a gas-filled hollow core capillary by a four-wave mixing process: erratum
Authors: Zurita-Miranda Olivia , Fourcade-Dutin Coralie , Fauquet Frederic , Darracq Frederic , Guillet Jean-Paul , Mounaix Patrick , Maillotte Herve , Bigourd Damien
Published: May 2022

This erratum reports corrections to the temporal axes in Figs. 12 and
13 of J. Opt. Soc.
Am. B 39, 662
(2022)JOBPDE0740-322410.1364/JOSAB.444574.
Cooling of an integrated Brillouin laser below the thermal limit
Authors: Loh William , Kharas Dave , Maxson Ryan , West Gavin N. , Medeiros Alexander , Braje Danielle , Juodawlkis Paul W. , McConnell Robert
Published: May 2022

Photonically integrated resonators are promising as a platform for enabling ultranarrow linewidth lasers in a compact form factor. Owing to their small size, these integrated resonators suffer from thermal noise that limits the frequency stability of the optical mode to ∼100 kHz. Here, we demonstrate an integrated stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) laser based on a large mode-volume annulus resonator that realizes an ultranarrow thermal-noise-limited linewidth of 270 Hz. In practice, yet narrower linewidths are required before integrated lasers can be truly useful for applications such as optical atomic clocks, quantum computing, gravitational wave detection, and precision spectroscopy. To this end, we employ a thermorefractive noise suppression technique utilizing an auxiliary laser to reduce our SBS laser linewidth to 70 Hz. This demonstration showcases the possibility of stabilizing the thermal motion of even the narrowest linewidth chip lasers to below 100 Hz, thereby opening the door to making integrated microresonators practical for the most demanding future scientific endeavors.
Efficient mode coupling between a few-mode fiber and multi-mode photonic chip with low crosstalk
Authors: Cao Xiaoping , Li Kang , Wan Yuanjian , Wang Jian
Published: May 2022

The mode-division multiplexing technology has been developing slowly in the field of fiber-chip-fiber optical interconnects, mainly limited by the inefficient mode coupling between few-mode fiber and multi-mode photonic chip. Here we propose and design a multi-mode coupler composed of tapered few-mode fiber and silicon integrated multistage waveguide tapers, which allows the direct coupling between high-order fiber modes and high-order waveguide modes with high coupling efficiency and low crosstalk. Based on the edge coupling scheme, the six linear polarization modes (

LP

01

x

/

y

,

LP

11
a

x

/

y

,

LP

11

b

x

/

y

) in few-mode fiber are firstly coupled into the integrated waveguide with low insertion loss, then the input modes are converted to the desired waveguide modes (TE0, TE1, TE2, TM0, TM1, TM2) with low mode crosstalk relying on the mode evolution principle. The obtained results show that the coupling efficiency is higher than 87%, while for the mode conversion process, the efficiency is higher than 99% and the mode crosstalk is lower than −25 dB. The favorable performance achieved may open new perspectives for diverse mode-division multiplexing applications, enabling efficient capacity scaling in fiber-chip-fiber optical interconnects and optical communication systems.
Single pixel imaging at high pixel resolutions
Authors: Stojek Rafał , Pastuszczak Anna , Wróbel Piotr , Kotyński Rafał
Published: May 2022

The usually reported pixel resolution of single pixel imaging (SPI) varies between 32 × 32 and 256 × 256 pixels falling far below imaging standards with classical methods. Low resolution results from the trade-off between the acceptable compression ratio, the limited DMD modulation frequency, and reasonable reconstruction time, and has not improved significantly during the decade of intensive research on SPI. In this paper we show that image measurement at the full resolution of the DMD, which lasts only a fraction of a second, is possible for sparse images or in a situation when the field of view is limited but is a priori unknown. We propose the sampling and reconstruction strategies that enable us to reconstruct sparse images at the resolution of 1024 × 768 within the time of 0.3s. Non-sparse images are reconstructed with less details. The compression ratio is on the order of 0.4% which corresponds to an acquisition frequency of 7Hz. Sampling is differential, binary, and non-adaptive, and includes information on multiple partitioning of the image which later allows us to determine the actual field of view. Reconstruction is based on the differential Fourier domain regularized inversion (D-FDRI). The proposed SPI framework is an alternative to both adaptive SPI, which is challenging to implement in real time, and to classical compressive sensing image recovery methods, which are very slow at high resolutions.
All-optical vector magnetic field sensor based on a side-polished two-core fiber Michelson interferometer
Authors: Xiong Ziyang , Guan Chunying , Duan Zhenyu , Cheng Tailei , Ye Peng , Yang Jing , Shi Jinhui , Yang Jun , Yuan Libo , Grattan K. T. V.
Published: May 2022

A magnetic field sensor based on a side-polished two-core fiber (SPTCF)-based Michelson interferometer (MI) has been developed and demonstrated. The magnetic field sensor is composed of a standard single mode fiber (SMF) and a section of tapered TCF. By side-polishing a segment of the TCF, the effective index of the exposed core can be made sensitive to the environmental refractive index (RI). To evaluate its performance, a magnetic fluid is used to cover the polished region with a magnetic field sensitive material, where the sensor then measures the magnetic field intensity by sensing the RI change of the magnetic fluid through the evanescent field in the polished core. The SPTCF MI device developed allows for vector magnetic field sensing because of its asymmetric structure, with its highest directional sensitivity being 55.2 pm/degree. Experimental results obtained show that when the magnetic field is parallel to the side-polished plane, a sensitivity of 1.262 nm/mT can be achieved, operating over the magnetic flux density region of 0-5 mT and over a temperature range of 20∼85 °C, where the device is minimally affected by temperature changes. The sensor is well suited to a variety of potential applications given its low cost, strong anti-interference ability, simple structure and high stability.
Flexible assembly of the PEDOT: PSS/ exfoliated β-Ga2O3 microwire hybrid heterojunction for high-performance self-powered solar-blind photodetector
Authors: Zheng Zhihua , Wang Wen , Wu Feng , Wang Zhiyuan , Shan Maocheng , Zhao Yongming , Liu Weijie , Jian Pengcheng , Dai Jiangnan , Lu Hai , Chen Changqing
Published: May 2022

Motivated by the goals of fabricating highly reliable, high performance, and cost-efficient self-powered photodetector (PD) for numerous scientific research and civil fields, an organic-inorganic hybrid solar-blind ultraviolet (UV) PD based on PEDOT: PSS/exfoliated β-Ga2O3 microwire heterojunction was fabricated by a flexible and cost-effective assembly method. Benefiting from the heterojunction constructed by the highly crystalline β-Ga2O3 and the excellent hole transport layer PEDOT: PSS, the device presents a high responsivity of 39.8 mA/W at 250 nm and a sharp cut-off edge at 280 nm without any power supply. Additionally, the ultra-high normalized photo-to-dark current ratio (> 104 mW-1cm2) under reverse bias and the superior detectivity of 2.4×1012 Jones at zero bias demonstrate the excellent detection capabilities. Furthermore, the hybrid PD exhibits a rapid rise time (several milliseconds) and high rejection ratio (R250/R365: 5.8 × 103), which further highlights its good spectral selectivity for solar-blind UV. The prominent performance is mainly ascribed to the efficient separation of the photogenerated carriers by the large built-in electric field of the advanced heterojunction. This flexible assembly strategy for solar-blind UV PD combines the advantages of high efficiency, low cost and high performance, providing more potential for PD investigation and application in the future.
Heavy Metal Enhancement Technique for Diaminobenzidine in Immunohistochemistry Enables Ultrastructural Observation by Low-vacuum Scanning Electron Microscopy
Authors: Arai Yutaka , Takeuchi Kazuhiro , Hatanaka Saeko , Ishikawa Arimi , Inoue Taichi , Takakuma Shoichiro , Kajimoto Yusuke , Toda Etsuko , kunugi Shinobu , Terasaki Mika , Shimizu Akira
Published: May 2022

Low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (LV-SEM) is a powerful tool that allows to observe light microscopic specimens with periodic acid-silver methenamine (PAM) staining at a higher magnification, simply by removing the coverslip. However, it is not suitable for observation of immunohistochemistry (IHC) using 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB) due to insufficient backscattered electron image. Traditional heavy metal enhancement techniques for DAB in IHC, (1) osmium tetroxide and iron, (2) cobalt, (3) methenamine silver (Ag), (4) gold chloride (Gold), and (5) both Ag and Gold (Ag + Gold), were examined by LV-SEM. Tissue specimens from Thy1.1 glomerulonephritis rat kidney stained with α-smooth muscle actin and visualized with DAB were enhanced by each of these enhancement methods. We found, in light microscopic and LV-SEM, that the enhancement with Ag, Gold, or Ag + Gold had better intensity and contrast than others. At a higher magnification, Ag + Gold enhancement showed high intensity and low background, although only Ag or Gold enhancement had nonspecific background. Even after observation by LV-SEM, the quality of specimens was maintained after remounting the coverslip. It was also confirmed that Ag + Gold enhancement could be useful for IHC using clinical human renal biopsy. These findings indicate that Ag + Gold provided an adequate enhancement in IHC for both LM and LV SEM observation.
The catalytic mechanism of the mitochondrial methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase/cyclohydrolase (MTHFD2)
Authors: Zhao Li Na , Kaldis Philipp
Published: May 2022

Methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase/cyclohydrolase (MTHFD2) is a new drug target that is expressed in cancer cells but not in normal adult cells, which provides an Achilles heel to selectively kill cancer cells. Despite the availability of crystal structures of MTHFD2 in the inhibitor- and cofactor-bound forms, key information is missing due to technical limitations, including (a) the location of absolutely required Mg2+ion, and (b) the substrate-bound form of MTHFD2. Using computational modeling and simulations, we propose that two magnesium ions are present at the active site whereby (i) Arg233, Asp225, and two water molecules coordinateMgA2+, whileMgA2+together with Arg233 stabilize the inorganic phosphate (Pi); (ii) Asp168 and three water molecules coordinateMgB2+, andMgB2+further stabilizes Piby forming a hydrogen bond with two oxygens of Pi; (iii) Arg201 directly coordinates the Pi; and (iv) through three water-mediated interactions, Asp168 contributes to the positioning and stabilization ofMgA2+,MgB2+and Pi. Our computational study at the empirical valence bond level allowed us also to elucidate the detailed reaction mechanisms. We found that the dehydrogenase activity features a proton-coupled electron transfer with charge redistribution connected to the reorganization of the surrounding water molecules which further facilitates the subsequent cyclohydrolase activity. The cyclohydrolase activity then drives the hydration of the imidazoline ring and the ring opening in a concerted way. Furthermore, we have uncovered that two key residues, Ser197/Arg233, are important factors in determining the cofactor (NADP+/NAD+) preference of the dehydrogenase activity. Our work sheds new light on the structural and kinetic framework of MTHFD2, which will be helpful to design small molecule inhibitors that can be used for cancer treatment.
Placing people at the heart of climate action
Authors: Devine-Wright Patrick , Whitmarsh Lorraine , Gatersleben Birgitta , O’Neill Saffron , Hartley Sarah , Burningham Kate , Sovacool Benjamin , Barr Stewart , Anable Jillian
Published: May 2022

Profound societal change along with continued technical improvements will be required to meet our climate goals, as well as to improve people’s quality of life and ensure thriving economies and ecosystems. Achieving the urgent and necessary transformations laid out in the recently published IPCC report will require placing people at the heart of climate action. Tackling climate change cannot be achieved solely through technological breakthroughs or new climate models. We must build on the strong social science knowledge base and develop a more visible, responsive and interdisciplinary-oriented social science that engages with people and is valued in its diversity by decision-makers from government, industry, civil society and law. Further, we need to design interventions that are both effective at reducing emissions and achieve wider societal goals such as wellbeing, equity, and fairness. Given that all climate solutions will involve people in one way or another, the social sciences have a vital role to play.
For better or worse: Relationship change in Thailand during COVID-19
Authors: Wiwattanapantuwong Juthatip , Tuicomepee Arunya , Suttiwan Panrapee , Watakakosol Rewadee , Ben-Ezra Menachem , Goodwin Robin
Published: May 2022

Objective

Novel infectious diseases have the potential to both strengthen or weaken interpersonal relationships within a society. In a collectivist setting such as Thailand amplification of relationships may be particularly marked, but may be associated with individual factors, including personal values and perceived control over the virus.

Methods

A national on-street survey in Thailand (April 2020, N = 1,000), collected data from five regions across the country (response rate 82.6%). Participants reported demographics, anxiety, perceived control, and personal values of security and universalism, and indicated changes, from negative to positive, across four relationship types (relationship partners, family, friendships and neighbourhood).

Results

While relationship changes were small overall, there was an improvement in close relations (partners, family members) but not amongst friends and neighbours. Respondents who were married without children recorded less enhancement of partnerships, friendships and neighbourhood relations. Those with less perceived control over the infection reported relationship decline, while single people reported fewer positive changes in their partnership or family relations. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated the prioritisation of security was associated with a decline in each of the relationships, while universalism was positively associated with change in the family, in friendships and neighbourly relations.

Conclusions

Personal values and marital status may impact on relationship functioning during a national health crisis. These issues should be considered by clinicians and health practitioners when trying to assist those struggling with interpersonal relations during a pandemic.
A phase II open label clinical study of the safety, tolerability and efficacy of ILB® for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Logan Ann , Nagy Zsuzsanna , Barnes Nicholas M. , Belli Antonio , Di Pietro Valentina , Tavazzi Barbara , Lazzarino Giuseppe , Lazzarino Giacomo , Bruce Lars , Persson Lennart I.
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an invariably lethal progressive disease, causing degeneration of neurons and muscle. No current treatment halts or reverses disease advance. This single arm, open label, clinical trial in patients with ALS investigated the safety and tolerability of a novel modified low molecular weight dextran sulphate (LMW-DS, named ILB®) previously proven safe for use in healthy volunteers and shown to exert potent neurotrophic effects in pre-clinical studies. Secondary endpoints relate to efficacy and exploratory biomarkers.

Methods

Thirteen patients with ALS were treated with 5 weekly subcutaneous injections of ILB®. Safety and efficacy outcome measures were recorded weekly during treatment and at regular intervals for a further 70 days. Functional and laboratory biomarkers were assessed before, during and after treatment.

Results

No deaths, serious adverse events or participant withdrawals occurred during or after ILB® treatment and no significant drug-related changes in blood safety markers were evident, demonstrating safety and tolerability of the drug in this cohort of patients with ALS. The PK of ILB® in patients with ALS was similar to that seen in healthy controls. The ILB® injection elicited a transient elevation of plasma Hepatocyte Growth Factor, a neurotrophic and myogenic growth factor. Following the ILB® injections patients reported increased vitality, decreased spasticity and increased mobility. The ALSFRS-R rating improved from 36.31 ± 6.66 to 38.77 ± 6.44 and the Norris rating also improved from 70.61 ± 13.91 to 77.85 ± 14.24 by Day 36. The improvement of functions was associated with a decrease in muscle atrophy biomarkers. These therapeutic benefits decreased 3–4 weeks after the last dosage.

Conclusions

This pilot clinical study demonstrates safety and tolerability of ILB® in patients with ALS. The exploratory biomarker and functional measures must be cautiously interpreted but suggest clinical benefit and have a bearing on the mechanism of action of ILB®. The results support the drug’s potential as the first disease modifying treatment for patients with ALS.

Trial registration

EudraCT 2017-005065-47.