bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stem cell-derived exosomes: emerging therapeutic opportunities for wound healing
Authors: Zhou Chuchao , Zhang Boyu , Yang Yanqing , Jiang Qiong , Li Tianyu , Gong Jun , Tang Hongbo , Zhang Qi
Published: April 2023

Wound healing is a dynamic and highly sequential process involving a series of overlapping spatial and temporal phases, including hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and tissue remodeling. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells with self-renewal, multidirectional differentiation potential, and paracrine regulation. Exosomes are subcellular vesicular components 30–150 nm in size and are novel carriers of intercellular communication in regulating the biological behaviors of skin cells. Compared to MSCs, MSC-derived exosomes (MSC-exos) possess lower immunogenicity, easy storage, and highly effective biological activity. MSC-exos, mainly derived from adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs), human umbilical cord MSCs (hUC-MSCs), and other stem cell types, play a role in shaping the activity of fibroblasts, keratinocytes, immune cells, and endothelial cells in diabetic wounds, inflammatory wound repair, and even wound-related keloid formation. Therefore, this study focuses on the specific roles and mechanisms of different MSC-exos in wound healing, as well as the current limitations and various perspectives. Deciphering the biological properties of MSC-exos is crucial to providing a promising cell-free therapeutic tool for wound healing and cutaneous regeneration.

Graphical Abstract
Neurobehavioral sex-related differences in Nf1+/− mice: female show a “camouflaging”-type behavior
Authors: Santos Sofia , Martins Beatriz , Sereno José , Martins João , Castelo-Branco Miguel , Gonçalves Joana
Published: April 2023

Background

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an inherited neurocutaneous disorder associated with neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This condition has been associated with an increase of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission and, consequently, an excitation/inhibition imbalance associated with autistic-like behavior in both human and animal models. Here, we explored the influence of biological sex in the GABAergic system and behavioral alterations induced by the Nf1+/− mutation in a murine model.

Methods

Juvenile male and female Nf1+/− mice and their wild-type (WT) littermates were used. Hippocampus size was assessed by conventional toluidine blue staining and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Hippocampal GABA and glutamate levels were determined by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), which was complemented by western blot for the GABA(A) receptor. Behavioral evaluation of on anxiety, memory, social communication, and repetitive behavior was performed.

Results

We found that juvenile female Nf1+/− mice exhibited increased hippocampal GABA levels. Moreover, mutant female displays a more prominent anxious-like behavior together with better memory performance and social behavior. On the other hand, juvenile Nf1+/− male mice showed increased hippocampal volume and thickness, with a decrease in GABA(A) receptor levels. We observed that mutant males had higher tendency for repetitive behavior.

Conclusions

Our results suggested a sexually dimorphic impact of Nf1+/− mutation in hippocampal neurochemistry, and autistic-like behaviors. For the first time, we identified a “camouflaging”-type behavior in females of an animal model of ASD, which masked their autistic traits. Accordingly, like observed in human disorder, in this animal model of ASD, females show larger anxiety levels but better executive functions and production of normative social patterns, together with an imbalance of inhibition/excitation ratio. Contrary, males have more externalizing disorders, such as hyperactivity and repetitive behaviors, with memory deficits. The ability of females to camouflage their autistic traits creates a phenotypic evaluation challenge that mimics the diagnosis difficulty observed in humans. Thus, we propose the study of the Nf1+/− mouse model to better understand the sexual dimorphisms of ASD phenotypes and to create better diagnostic tools.
Global and regional quality of care index for prostate cancer: an analysis from the Global Burden of Disease study 1990–2019
Authors: Nowroozi Ali , Roshani Shahin , Ghamari Seyyed-Hadi , Shobeiri Parnian , Abbasi-Kangevari Mohsen , Ebrahimi Narges , Rezaei Negar , Yoosefi Moein , Malekpour Mohammad-Reza , Rashidi Mohammad-Mahdi , Moghimi Mana , Amini Erfan , Shabestari Alireza Namazi , Larijani Bagher , Farzadfar Farshad
Published: April 2023

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, with a significant burden on societies and healthcare providers. We aimed to develop a metric for PCa quality of care that could demonstrate the disease’s status in different countries and regions (e.g., socio-demographic index (SDI) quintiles) and assist in improving healthcare policies.

Methods

Basic burden of disease indicators for various regions and age-groups were retrieved from Global Burden of Disease Study 1990–2019, which then were used to calculate four secondary indices: mortality to incidence ratio, DALYs to prevalence ratio, prevalence to incidence ratio, and YLLs to YLDs ratio. These four indices were combined through a principal component analysis (PCA), producing the quality of care index (QCI).

Results

PCa’s age-standardized incidence rate increased from 34.1 in 1990 to 38.6 in 2019, while the age-standardized death rate decreased in the same period (18.1 to 15.3). From 1990 to 2019, global QCI increased from 74 to 84. Developed regions (high SDI) had the highest PCa QCIs in 2019 (95.99), while the lowest QCIs belonged to low SDI countries (28.67), mainly from Africa. QCI peaked in age groups 50 to 54, 55 to 59, or 65 to 69, depending on the socio-demographic index.

Conclusions

Global PCa QCI stands at a relatively high value (84 in 2019). Low SDI countries are affected the most by PCa, mainly due to the lack of effective preventive and treatment methods in those regions. In many developed countries, QCI decreased or stopped rising after recommendations against routine PCa screening in the 2010–2012 period, highlighting the role of screening in reducing PCa burden.
The California Quail (Callipepla californica) in Chile and Argentina: introduction history, current distribution, and biological features
Authors: Andrews Benjamín , Zurita Carlos , Jaksic Fabian M.
Published: April 2023

Background

Little is known about the California Quail (Callipepla californica) as an invader in Chile and Argentina. Our goal was to review the history of its introduction and to provide updated information on its spread and current geographic distribution in those two neighboring countries, together with information on its body measurements (weight, wing length, and tail length), diet (granivory, frugivory), parasitism (endo and ecto), and other interspecific interactions (competition and predation), including hunting by humans.

Methods and result

We conducted a selective review of the history of introduction, distributional records, and biological features ofC. californica, as recorded in mainstream journals, landmark monographs and books, and internet sources. We also measured specimens collected in central Chile and analyzed their stomach contents. We report that the California Quail was first introduced to Chile in 1864, and it now spans ca. 2,800 km in the country. From stocks in Chile, this bird was back-introduced to California (USA), and also introduced to Argentina in the 1920s, now spanning ca. 1,400 km in the country. It is currently abundant and legally hunted in both countries. In Chile, its non-breeding diet is strongly granivorous. In Argentina it feeds similarly. In Chile, endoparasites are three species of nematodes, one of cestodes, and two of coccidian protozoans; ectoparasites are three species of hard ticks, one of mites, and two of chewing lice. No such data are available from Argentina. In Chile, combining autumn and winter samples we obtained mean weights of 194.4 (± 9.0 SD) g for 21 adult males and of 183.9 (± 14.3 SD) g for 10 adult females, figures similar to those reported forC. c. brunnescensin California (USA), which we suspect is the subspecies now spread over in Chile and Argentina.

Discussion

We propose that interesting scientific opportunities are being missed regarding the population genetics of a species with introductions and back-introductions that may have left founding effects and genetic bottlenecks in Chile and Argentina, and perhaps some peculiar “Chilean” genetic markers among California (USA) populations. We also raise the question whether this introduced species may be deemed invasive, calling for research to determine its impact in its new environment.
The association between parenting styles, maternal self-efficacy, and social and emotional adjustment among Arab preschool children
Authors: Agbaria Qutaiba , Mahamid Fayez
Published: April 2023

Parenting styles and parental self-efficacy are major factors that affect the overall adjustment of children. The current study examined parenting styles and maternal self-efficacy and their association with social-emotional adjustment among Arab preschool children living in Israel. Parenting Styles Questionnaire, Maternal Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, and Adjustment Questionnaire were administered to 420 Arabic-speaking mothers of 3- to 4-year-old children. After employing multiple regression analyses, the results indicated that parenting styles and the overall adjustment of children were significantly correlated. More precisely, a significant association between authoritative parenting style and higher levels of social-emotional adjustment among preschool children was found. Furthermore, maternal self-efficacy was significantly correlated to the overall adjustment of children. In this regard, higher maternal self-efficacy is associated with increased social-emotional adjustment among preschool children. The findings of our study show the applicability of these constructs found relevant across numerous cultures in a unique sample of Arab children living in Israel. Lastly, this study supports intervention programs that promote authoritative parenting style and parental self-efficacy in Arab communities.
Individualized scan protocols for CT angiography: an animal study for contrast media or radiation dose optimization
Authors: Haubold Johannes , Zensen Sebastian , Hosch René , Schaarschmidt Benedikt Michael , Bos Denise , Schmidt Bernhardt , Flohr Thomas , Li Yan , Forsting Michael , Pietsch Hubertus , Nensa Felix , Jost Gregor
Published: April 2023

Background

We investigated about optimization of contrast media (CM) dose or radiation dose in thoracoabdominal computed tomography angiography (CTA) by automated tube voltage selection (ATVS) system configuration and CM protocol adaption.

Methods

In six minipigs, CTA-optimized protocols were evaluated regarding objective (contrast-to-noise ratio, CNR) and subjective (6 criteria assessed by Likert scale) image quality. Scan parameters were automatically adapted by the ATVS system operating at 90-kV semi-mode and configured for standard, CM saving, or radiation dose saving (image task, quality settings). Injection protocols (dose, flow rate) were adapted manually. This approach was tested for normal and simulated obese conditions.

Results

Radiation exposure (volume-weighted CT dose index) for normal (obese) conditions was 2.4 ± 0.7 (5.0 ± 0.7) mGy (standard), 4.3 ± 1.1 (9.0 ± 1.3) mGy (CM reduced), and 1.7 ± 0.5 (3.5 ± 0.5) mGy (radiation reduced). The respective CM doses for normal (obese) settings were 210 (240) mgI/kg, 155 (177) mgI/kg, and 252 (288) mgI/kg. No significant differences in CNR (normal; obese) were observed between standard (17.8 ± 3.0; 19.2 ± 4.0), CM-reduced (18.2 ± 3.3; 20.5 ± 4.9), and radiation-saving CTAs (16.0 ± 3.4; 18.4 ± 4.1). Subjective analysis showed similar values for optimized and standard CTAs. Only the parameter diagnostic acceptability was significantly lower for radiation-saving CTA compared to the standard CTA.

Conclusions

The CM dose (-26%) or radiation dose (-30%) for thoracoabdominal CTA can be reduced while maintaining objective and subjective image quality, demonstrating the feasibility of the personalization of CTA scan protocols.

Key points

• Computed tomography angiography protocols could be adapted to individual patient requirements using an automated tube voltage selection system combined with adjusted contrast media injection.

• Using an adapted automated tube voltage selection system, a contrast media dose reduction (-26%) or radiation dose reduction (-30%) could be possible
Molecular and phenotypic characterization of Hemicriconemoides rosae (Rathour et al., 2003) from mustard rhizosphere in India
Authors: Sharma Himani , Chaubey Ashok Kumar
Published: April 2023

Background

Nematodes belonging to Genus Hemicriconemoides, commonly known as sheathoid nematodes, damaged many fruits, vegetables and cash crops, worldwide. A survey has been conducted in the agricultural fields of Bulandshahr district to find out the plant-parasitic nematodes load.

Results

A total of 85 soil samples were collected from mustard fields of Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh and processed for the presence of plant-parasitic nematodes and they were isolated by ‘Cobb sieving method’. Among all the collected soil samples, one soil sample found to be positive for the genus Hemicriconemoides and docketed as HCN. The earliest identification based on morphology revealed the species to be Hemicriconemoides rosae which was recovered from the mustard field for the first time. The morphology was found to be more consistent with rose population as compared to sugarcane population of the Hemicriconemoides rosae. Further, the Hemicriconemoides rosae was identified on the basis of molecular and phylogenetic analysis based on the concatenated matrix. In addition, correlation analysis of the Hemicriconemoides rosae based on morphometric parameters was done. The results revealed the importance of body length and its relation with other morphometric parameters, and they were found significant. Besides this, de Manian index a showed highest correlation with the body length in adult females. In all the studied ratios, a is very important for the evaluation of the females of a specific species of genus Hemicriconemoides. The data from the principal component analysis (PCA) revealed the high intraspecific and interspecific variations between the species of genus Hemicriconemoides. However, less intraspecific variations were present between the rose population and mustard population of H. rosae.

Conclusions

The study revealed the new host, i.e. mustard crops, for H. rosae showing dissimilarity in morphology with the sugarcane population.
Relation of the left ventricular geometric patten to coronary artery disease in hypertensive patients using a 320-detector-row CT scanner
Authors: Ismail Ahmed Shehata Mohamed , Aouf Mohamed Ahmed , Diab Reda Hussein , Baghdady Yasser Kamel
Published: April 2023

Background

It was estimated that about 1.3 billion people were diagnosed to be hypertensive in 2015. All countries consistently show this high prevalence. Ischemic heart disease stands as the most common cause of systolic blood pressure-related deaths per year. Left ventricular hypertrophy determined by echocardiography can predict cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The question of whether the LV geometric pattern has an additional prognostic value is still not clearly answered. Currently, coronary computed tomography is widely used in clinical practice with a great capability of simultaneous evaluation of the LV mass and the coronary arterial tree. Our study aims to examine the relationship between LV mass and geometry and coronary artery disease using an ECG-gated 320-detector- row CT scanner.

Results

Two hundred ninety-eight hypertensive Egyptian individuals were enrolled in our study, the mean age was 57.5 ± 10.5, and males comprised 76.5% of the study population. The mean LV mass and LV mass index were 193 ± 60 gm and 95.2 ± 27.5 g/m2 respectively. One-fifth of the patient had CAD luminal stenosis ≥ 50%. Normal LV geometric pattern was observed in about 37% of the study population. About one-third of the patients showed concentric remodeling. Patients with increased LV mass index represented one-third of the study population with a greater percentage of the concentric hypertrophy pattern than the eccentric hypertrophy pattern. Patients with high CAD-RADS showed statistically significant higher LV mass, LV mass index, and septal wall thickness. Patients with high CAD-RADS showed a greater percentage of concentric and eccentric hypertrophy. The LV geometric pattern was the only independent predictor of the high CAD-RADS. The LV geometric patterns associated with high RADS ordered from the highest to the lowest, were concentric LVH, Eccentric LV, and concentric remodeling.

Conclusions

LV geometric pattern is the only independent predictor of high CAD-RADS after adjustment for LV mass index and septal wall thickness. Among abnormal LV geometric patterns, concentric hypertrophy stands as the most important predictor of high CAD-RADS.
Rapid ethnography and participatory techniques increase onchocerciasis mass drug administration treatment coverage in Benin: a difference-in-differences analysis
Authors: Means Arianna Rubin , Sambiéni N’koué Emmanuel , Avokpaho Euripide , Monra Abdoulaye Benon , Kpatinvoh Fifamè Aubierge Eudoxie , Bardosh Kevin , Ibikounlé Moudachirou
Published: April 2023

Background

Onchocerciasis, a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that causes blindness, is controlled via mass drug administration (MDA) where entire endemic communities are targeted with preventative chemotherapeutic treatment. However, in many settings, MDA coverage remains low. The purpose of this project was to determine if engaging communities in the development of implementation strategies improves MDA coverage.

Methods

This study took place in an intervention and a control commune in Benin, West Africa. We conducted rapid ethnography in each commune to learn about community member perceptions of onchocerciasis, MDA, and opportunities to increase MDA coverage. Findings were shared with key stakeholders and a structured nominal group technique was used to derive implementation strategies most likely to increase treatment coverage. The implementation strategies were delivered prior to and during onchocerciasis MDA. We conducted a coverage survey within 2 weeks of MDA to determine treatment coverage in each commune. A difference-in-differences design was used to determine if the implementation package effectively increased coverage. A dissemination meeting was held with the NTD program and partners to share findings and determine the perceived acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of implementing rapid ethnography as part of routine program improvement.

Results

During rapid ethnography, key barriers to MDA participation included trust in community drug distributors, poor penetration of MDA programs in rural or geographically isolated areas, and low demand for MDA among specific sub-populations driven by religious or socio-cultural beliefs. Stakeholders developed a five-component implementation strategy package, including making drug distributor trainings dynamic, redesigning distributor job aids, tailoring community sensitization messages, formalizing supervision, and preparing local champions. After implementing the strategy package, MDA coverage increased by 13% (95% CI: 11.0–15.9%) in the intervention commune relative to the control commune. Ministry of Health and implementing partners found the approach to be largely acceptable and appropriate; however, there was mixed feedback regarding the feasibility of future implementation of rapid ethnography.

Conclusions

Implementation research conducted in Benin, and indeed throughout sub-Saharan Africa, is often implemented in a top-down manner, with both implementation determinants and strategies derived in the global North. This project demonstrates the importance of participatory action research involving community members and implementers to optimize program delivery.
The phase diagram of the next-neighbour Ising model of the face-centred cubic lattice
Authors: Ackland Graeme J.
Published: April 2023

We use Monte Carlo simulation to determine the stable structures in the second-neighbour Ising model on the face-centred cubic lattice. Those structures are

for strongly antiferromagnetic second-neighbour interactions and

for ferromagnetic and weakly antiferromagnetic second neighbours. We find a third stable “intermediate” antiferromagnetic phase with

symmetry, and calculate the paramagnetic transition temperature for each. The transition temperature depends strongly on second-neighbour interactions which are not frustrated. We determine a sublattice structure suitable for solving this problem with mean-field theory.
Establishment of a novel protocol for formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded organoids and spheroids
Authors: Yoshimoto Shohei , Taguchi Masahide , Sumi Satoko , Oka Kyoko , Okamura Kazuhiko
Published: April 2023

Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models such as spheroids and organoids are widely used in the field of experimental biology. To analyze these 3D experimental models, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sections are superior to whole-mount imaging for some experimental purposes, such as exploring samples with a depth limitation of primary antibody penetration immunohistochemically. However, tiny 3D cell culture samples are difficult to embed in paraffin and acquire appropriate sections. In this report, we optimized a protocol of paraffin embedding for spheroids and organoids. In addition, we compared FFPE sections with frozen sections in ratio of sample collection and section condition after staining, and could reproduce improved results reliably. The protocol we established could be widely used in many laboratories and become a useful technique for analyzing spheroids and organoids.
Craniofacial dysmorphology in Down syndrome is caused by increased dosage of Dyrk1a and at least three other genes
Authors: Redhead Yushi , Gibbins Dorota , Lana-Elola Eva , Watson-Scales Sheona , Dobson Lisa , Krause Matthias , Liu Karen J. , Fisher Elizabeth M. C. , Green Jeremy B. A. , Tybulewicz Victor L. J.
Published: April 2023

Down syndrome (DS), trisomy of human chromosome 21 (Hsa21), occurs in 1 in 800 live births and is the most common human aneuploidy. DS results in multiple phenotypes, including craniofacial dysmorphology, which is characterised by midfacial hypoplasia, brachycephaly and micrognathia. The genetic and developmental causes of this are poorly understood. Using morphometric analysis of the Dp1Tyb mouse model of DS and an associated mouse genetic mapping panel, we demonstrate that four Hsa21-orthologous regions of mouse chromosome 16 contain dosage-sensitive genes that cause the DS craniofacial phenotype, and identify one of these causative genes as Dyrk1a. We show that the earliest and most severe defects in Dp1Tyb skulls are in bones of neural crest (NC) origin, and that mineralisation of the Dp1Tyb skull base synchondroses is aberrant. Furthermore, we show that increased dosage of Dyrk1a results in decreased NC cell proliferation and a decrease in size and cellularity of the NC-derived frontal bone primordia. Thus, DS craniofacial dysmorphology is caused by an increased dosage of Dyrk1a and at least three other genes.
Targeted Product Design
Authors: Bar-Isaac Heski , Caruana Guillermo , Cuñat Vicente
Published: April 2023

We propose an intuitive representation of product design in which firms locate inside a circle and consumers in its outer circumference. Designs trade off horizontal and vertical transport costs. Our setting encompasses all linear demand rotations. Firms with lower quality or higher marginal costs choose niche designs that cater to specific consumers at the expense of alienating the rest. Firms choose intermediate designs or more polarized ones, instead, depending on the convexity of the vertical transport cost. We examine such design choices in monopoly, duopoly, and monopolistic competition settings. (JEL D21, D24, D42, D43)
Dynamic Privacy Choices
Authors: Ichihashi Shota
Published: April 2023

I study a dynamic model of consumer privacy and platform data collection. In each period consumers choose their level of platform activity. Greater activity generates more information about the consumer, thereby increasing platform profits. When the platform can commit to the future privacy policy, it collects information by committing to gradually decreasing the level of privacy protection. In the long run consumers lose privacy and receive low payoffs but choose high activity levels. In contrast, the platform with weaker commitment power may attain the commitment outcome or fail to collect any data depending on consumer expectations regarding future privacy protection. (JEL C93, D11, D82, D83, D84, L86)
Decision aids as tools to facilitate shared decision making in neonatal care: A standardization analysis
Authors: Dephoure Stephanie , Cummings Brian
Published: April 2023

Background: Neonatal practice involves complex decision-making that prioritizes different ethical principles than adult care, with a particular focus on beneficence and the best interests standard, while respecting parental autonomy. Prioritizing autonomy and best interests are facilitated through shared decision-making (SDM). Decision aids (DA)s are educational, evidence-based tools designed to facilitate SDM between patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. The development and evaluation of existing neonatal DAs have been variable, with as yet unestablished effectiveness and generalizability. The purpose of this review is to examine existing published neonatal DAs with the SUNDAE and SDP frameworks to describe where standards are met and identify opportunities to improve future neonatal SDM using DAs.

Methods: Standardized frameworks allow neonatal DAs to be evaluated for completeness and elucidate areas of opportunity to better promote the ethical goals of SDM. DAs were included in analysis based on a comprehensive search strategy focusing on neonatal topics, and then evaluated for compliance with both the Standards for UNiversal reporting of patient Decision Aid Evaluations checklist (SUNDAE) and the Systematic Development Process (SDP).

Results: Compliance with SUNDAE and SDP were inconsistent in currently published neonatal DAs. SUNDAE evaluation revealed gaps in visual and numerical probability factors, values clarification exercises, and provision of tailored information to meet parental needs, overall limiting the potential of informed and adaptable SDM. SDP evaluation showed gaps in longitudinal engagement of steering committees, a lack of preliminary alpha testing with clinicians and beta testing with both clinicians and parents.

Conclusions: In order to maximize SDM and support ethical decision-making honoring parental autonomy and best interests standard in neonates, a holistic framework for DA development and reporting is needed to maximize their clinical impact.
Participants’ evaluations of the meaningful implementation of Inclusive Education in preschool for team training
Authors: Tammemäe Tiiu , Lilleoja Lii , Nelis Pille
Published: April 2023

Kaasava hariduskorralduse kohaselt leitakse õppijatele haridusvõimalused kohalikus kogukonnas koos eakaaslastega, kuid lasteaiaõpetajad tunnevad end kõigi laste kaasamisel ebakindlalt. Uute teadmiste omandamiseks ja õppimise tõhustamiseks loodi ja viidi ellu aasta kestev täienduskoolitus lasteaedade meeskondadele. Uuringus selgitati küsitluse põhjal välja hinnangud koolitusele ning meeskonnana toimimisele ja isiklikule rollile kaasava hariduse tähenduslikul rakendamisel lasteaias. Uuringus osales neli meeskonda, kokku 23 pedagoogi. Andmeid koguti küsitlusega ja analüüsiti kombineeritud meetodiga. Tulemused näitasid, et koolitusel osalejad väärtustasid koolituse sisu ning see toetas kaasava hariduse rakendamist lasteaedades. Meeskonnana koolitusel osalemine toetas sügavamat õppimist ja osalejad panustasid teadlikumalt lasteaia arendustegevustesse kaasava hariduse rakendamiseks. Selliste kõigi laste mõtestatud kaasamist toetavate koolitustega on otstarbekas jätkata.

 Summary
Cytotoxicity of dental self-curing resin for a temporary crown: an in vitro study
Authors: Ko Jae-wan , Sakong Joon , Kang Sohee
Published: April 2023

Background: Residual monomer tests using high-performance liquid chromatography and cytotoxicity tests were performed to analyze the effect on the oral mucosa of a self-curing resin for provisional crown production.Methods: A cytotoxicity test was performed to confirm whether leaked residual monomers directly affected oral mucosal cells. The cytotoxicity of the liquid and solid resin polymers was measured using a water-soluble tetrazolium (WST) test and microplate reader.Results: In the WST assay using a microplate reader, 73.4% of the cells survived at a concentration of 0.2% liquid resin polymer. The cytotoxicity of the liquid resin polymer was low at ≤0.2%. For the solid resins, when 100% of the eluate was used from each specimen, the average cell viability was 91.3% for the solid resin polymer and 100% for the hand-mixed self-curing resin, which is higher than the cell viability standard of 70%. The cytotoxicity of the solid resin polymer was low.Conclusion: Because the polymerization process of the self-curing resin may have harmful effects on the oral mucosa during the second and third stages, the solid resin should be manufactured indirectly using a dental model.
Changing the Forms of Educational Mathematical Information in the Digital Educational Environment
Authors: Konnova Larisa , Stepanyan I.
Published: April 2023

The creation of a digital educational environment at universities, the transition to blended learning have revealed a problem associated with the discrepancy between traditional textbooks, automatically translated into electronic format, the needs of modern students, the peculiarities of their perception. The article proposes forms of educational content that use the possibilities of the digital environment available to students and activate their cognitive activity. Among the distinguishing features of modern students are focus on success, the desire to use knowledge “here and now”, multitasking, but at the same time, superficial attention, unwillingness to study long texts. As new interactive digital resources, the authors consider structural logic diagrams, interactive electronic textbooks, and training tests. The article describes the experience of creating such resources in the process of teaching mathematics to first-year bachelor students of the Financial University.
Improving the Quality of In-Kind Donations: A Field Experiment
Authors: De La Torre Pacheco Sindy , Eftekhar Mahyar , Wu Chao
Published: April 2023

Problem definition: Although in-kind donations contribute to charity’s triple bottom line (i.e., generating additional revenue for the charity, contributing to social welfare, and reducing environmental waste through rechanneling used items), inappropriate material donations impose additional costs to sort, process, or discard them. Minimizing the amount of undesired in-kind donations, however, is a challenge given charities’ sensitive relationship with their donors. This paper examines the effectiveness of behavioral interventions on improving the quality of in-kind donations gifted by individuals. Methodology/results: We conducted a field experiment to implement interventions motivated by two well-established behavioral mechanisms: information disclosure and social norm. We studied the reaction of 763 donors who were scheduled to make an in-kind donation at a local charity between October 31 and November 11, 2020. Our results show that using the social norm intervention effectively improved the quality of in-kind donations, whereas information disclosure, which is commonly used in practice as the industry standard intervention, was ineffective. We also conducted two postexperiment analyses. First, we collected additional data on 1,301 in-kind donations whose donors had received the social norm intervention during February 2021. Results show that the impact of the social norm intervention is stable over different time periods. Second, we studied the spillover effect of these interventions for a period of 12 months and did not find a negative long-term impact on in-kind donations. Managerial implications: A conservative estimation shows that implementing the social norm intervention reduced the junk donations received by 50% without having a negative spillover effect on donors’ in-kind donations or imposing any direct operating cost. Consequently, this field evidence provides an effective, cost-efficient, and scalable solution for charities to address the quality problem of in-kind donations. In addition, our results challenge the industry conventional practice of incorporating information disclosure in their communications with donors.

Funding: This work was supported by Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust [Grant 2020 Initiative].
In-Field Pine Seedling Counting Using End-to-End Deep Learning for Inventory Management
Authors: Bidese-Puhl Rafael , Bao Yin , Payne Nina D. , Stokes Thomas A. , Nadel Ryan L. , Enebak Scott A.
Published: April 2023

Highlights

A deep learning-based machine vision system was developed for pine seedling counting.

Automated seedling counting achieved less error than the manual sampling-based practice.

Regression-based counting from optical flow inputs achieved the best performance.

Machine counting produces seedling density maps for management practice improvement.

Abstract. The southern U.S. produces over 1 billion pine seedlings for market sales per year, with prices varying from 50 to 435 dollars per thousand seedlings. An accurate inventory of seedlings provides nursery management with insights into how many seedlings can be sold and/or if there is any loss due to washout, mechanical damage, or pest/diseases that can still be mitigated. In this study, we developed a system to count pine seedlings at production sites and map the seedling density in the field. A system with three cameras was developed to collect video from different drills in the seedling bed. The videos were preprocessed to restrict the region of interest to the center portion of the image in each camera and separated each drill into individual videos. Two different modalities, i.e., video and optical flow, were evaluated as inputs to a convolutional neural network followed by a long short-term recurrent network to model the sequence of frames and regress to the seedling count for each plot. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of our best performing model was 7.5%, which is an improvement over the baseline manual sampling-based approach with a MAPE of 11%. The results showed that the proposed approach was able to count seedlings in a crowded scene under complex field conditions with higher accuracy than the standard manual practice. Therefore, the proposed system and results demonstrated the potential to replace manual counting and even provide further information such as a seedling density map over the field for precision forest nursery management and seedling harvesting. Keywords: CNN, LSTM, Nursery Inventory, Optical Flow, Pine Seedling, Regression.
Non-Destructive Detection of Pipe Line Cracks Using Ultra Wide Band Antenna with Machine Learning Algorithm
Authors: Venkatesan B. Ananda , Kalimuthu K.
Published: April 2023

In this article, an Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) antenna for the pipeline crack detection process is proposed. A UWB antenna has been designed with the dimension of 32 x 32 mm2 and it resonates from 3 GHz to 10.8 GHz. The designed antenna produces a peak gain of 4.36 dB. A pair of UWB antennas are employed in various pipeline scenarios and the received pulse from antenna 1 to antenna 2 is used for further processing and detection of pipeline cracks. Through the suitable machine learning data classifier algorithm the dimension of the crack has been detected. The various features such as mean, standard deviation (σ), mean average deviation (mad), skewness, and kurtosis have been extracted from the received pulse. Then the three different machine learning algorithms namely Support Vector Machine (SVM), k-Nearest Neighbor (kNN), and Naïve Bayse (NB) were trained and tested using extracted features, and the dimension of the void has been identified. Out of these three machine learning algorithms, kNN provides better accuracy and precision. It predicts the small cracks with 100% accuracy having a dimension as small as 1 mm width.
Voluntarios anarquistas argentinos en la Guerra Civil española
Authors: Boragina Jerónimo Exequiel
Published: April 2023

Este trabajo no pretende explicar los conflictos partidarios de la CNT-FAI, sino abordar la participación argentina de los voluntarios en dichos movimientos políticos. La misma se dio en todos los frentes con gran cantidad de dirigentes en puestos de responsabilidad que intentaron amalgamar sus propias diferencias en su país de origen, para adaptarlas a la ansiada Revolución Española que combatiría y derrotaría al fascismo. Para ello nos valemos de sus propios testimonios escritos, pero principalmente de su valiosa correspondencia que enviaban cotidianamente a las organizaciones locales de la Argentina, informando y describiendo los avances libertarios. El tema no ha sido tratado por la bibliografía en general lo que lo hace prioritario a la hora de entender las relaciones de las diferentes organizaciones ácratas de un lado al otro del Atlántico.
¡Si los muros hablasen! Una aportación desde la arqueología al estudio de la retaguardia franquista instalada en Luarca (Asturias)
Authors: Álvarez Martínez Valentín
Published: April 2023

En el trabajo que aquí se presenta, tomando como ejemplo la villa de Luarca y su territorio colindante, aporta otra visión sobre la importancia que tuvo el conflicto armado en espacios alejados de la línea de frente.La localidad de Luarca a lo largo de los quince meses que duraron los combates en la región (julio 1936 octubre de 1937) se convirtió en un centro neurálgico de la retaguardia del autodenominado bando nacional. A partir del análisis de los restos materiales asociados a la guerra que aún hoy se pueden localizar en el municipio se genera un discurso histórico que incorpora estas evidencias materiales para generar un relato más amplio y preciso del turbulento pasado reciente.
Prisioneros internacionales en los campos de concentración de Franco
Authors: Hoffmann Gerhard
Published: April 2023

A partir de Carl Geiser reconstruimos la suerte de los brigadistas internacionales capturados por las fuerzas fascistas, esta al principio era de muerte segura para suavizarse a mediados de guerra, cuando si no eras oficial todavía podías sobrevivir. Passada la ofensiva del Ebro, estos supervivientes podrán salir en la medida de lo possible, a pesar que no todos encontrarán la manera o la possibilidad de salir, acabando incluso en campos nazis.
La injusticia redistributiva y sus “otros”.
Authors: Aramburu Otazu Mikel
Published: April 2023

En un momento de crecimiento de las desigualdades económicas, en muchos casos las demandas de justicia redistributiva de los sectores populares, más que a reclamar un mayor reparto de la riqueza (siguiendo una tradicional política de clase), se dirigen a cuestionar el acceso de otros colectivos a dicho reparto. Mediante un trabajo etnográfico realizado en un barrio obrero de Barcelona, se muestra que si bien los inmigrantes extranjeros son uno de los colectivos señalados por esta lógica excluyente (siguiendo una política nativista), también emergen otros colectivos, como por ejemplo los okupas o los desempleados rurales del sur peninsular, a quienes se cuestiona su acceso a los sistemas de redistribución. Se identifican una serie de rasgos compartidos por estas nociones restrictivas de la justicia redistributiva y se interpretan a la luz de diversas líneas teóricas proporcionadas por la literatura reciente.
Participación para la convivencia social en contextos multiculturales: construyendo juntas el marco estratégico intercultural de Tenerife (2009-2022)
Authors: Zapata Hernández Vicente Manuel
Published: April 2023

La reflexión compartida acerca de la trascendencia de construir adecuados marcos convivenciales, considerando un contexto general y también local que muestra creciente grado de complejidad por efecto de la movilidad poblacional, es cada vez más necesaria y se orienta hacia la esfera de lo que se ha venido a denominar gestión de la diversidad. Distintos modelos de sociabilidad han ido apareciendo a lo largo del tiempo, hasta culminar con enfoques como el interculturalismo, que hace hincapié, particularmente, en la interacción positiva entre las personas que conforman una comunidad. En esa línea se enmarca este artículo organizado desde los aprendizajes obtenidos en el proceso de definición del marco estratégico de convivencia intercultural de la isla de Tenerife, con el objetivo de aportar elementos de valor a la reflexión antes citada y exponer sus fundamentos conceptuales y metodológicos que entroncan con la participación y el desarrollo comunitarios.
Compact silicon nitride interferometers
Authors: Armin Fahimeh , Coia Cedrik , Nabki Frederic , Ménard Michaël
Published: April 2023

We demonstrate a compact silicon nitride interferometer which uses waveguides with the same length and different effective indices instead of similar effective indices and different lengths. In such structures there is no need to have waveguide bends. This not only reduces losses but also results in an order of magnitude smaller footprint and thus enables much higher integration densities. We also study the tunability of this interferometer using thermo-optical effects induced by a simple aluminum heater and show that thermal tuning can compensate for the effects of fabrication variations on the spectral response. The application of the proposed design in a tunable mirror is also briefly discussed.
MicroLED light source for optical sectioning structured illumination microscopy
Authors: Kumar Vikrant , Behrman Keith , Speed Forest , Saladrigas Catherine A. , Supekar Omkar , Huang Zicong , Bright Victor M. , Welle Cristin G. , Restrepo Diego , Gopinath Juliet T. , Gibson Emily A. , Kymissis Ioannis
Published: April 2023

Optical sectioning structured illumination microscopy (OS-SIM) provides optical sectioning capability in wide-field microscopy. The required illumination patterns have traditionally been generated using spatial light modulators (SLM), laser interference patterns, or digital micromirror devices (DMDs) which are too complex to implement in miniscope systems. MicroLEDs have emerged as an alternative light source for patterned illumination due to their extreme brightness capability and small emitter sizes. This paper presents a directly addressable striped microLED microdisplay with 100 rows on a flexible cable (70 cm long) for use as an OS-SIM light source in a benchtop setup. The overall design of the microdisplay is described in detail with luminance-current-voltage characterization. OS-SIM implementation with a benchtop setup shows the optical sectioning capability of the system by imaging within a 500 µm thick fixed brain slice from a transgenic mouse where oligodendrocytes are labeled with a green fluorescent protein (GFP). Results show improved contrast in reconstructed optically sectioned images of 86.92% (OS-SIM) compared with 44.31% (pseudo-widefield). MicroLED based OS-SIM therefore offers a new capability for deep tissue widefield imaging.
Probing quantum phase transition point by tuning an external anti trap
Authors: Liang Libo , Wang Yuqing , Huang Qi , Zheng Qinpei , Chen Xuzong , Hu Jiazhong
Published: April 2023

Manipulation of ultracold atoms in optical lattices is one of the optimal ways to observe phase transitions of the Hubbard model which is useful in a variety of condensed-matter systems. Bosonic atoms in this model experience a phase transition from superfluids to Mott insulators by tuning systematic parameters. However, in conventional setups, phase transitions take place over a large range of parameters instead of one critical point due to the background inhomogeneity caused by the Gaussian shape of optical-lattice lasers. To probe the phase transition point more precisely in our lattice system, we apply a blue-detuned laser to compensate for this local Gaussian geometry. By inspecting the change of visibility, we find a sudden jump point at one particular trap depth of optical lattices, corresponding to the first appearance of Mott insulators in inhomogeneous systems. This provides a simple method to detect the phase transition point in such inhomogeneous systems. We believe it will be a useful tool for most cold atom experiments.
Spectroscopic ellipsometry of very rough surfaces
Authors: Bian Subiao , Arteaga Oriol
Published: April 2023

This work expands the use of spectroscopic ellipsometry to surfaces with roughness that is similar to or larger than the wavelength of the incident light. By using a custom-built spectroscopic ellipsometer and varying the angle of incidence, we were able to differentiate between the diffusely scattered and specularly reflected components. Our findings demonstrate that measuring the diffuse component at specular angles is highly beneficial for ellipsometry analysis, as its response is equivalent to that of a smooth material. This allows for accurate determination of the optical constants in materials with extremely rough surfaces. Our results have the potential to broaden the scope and utility of the spectroscopic ellipsometry technique.
Red, orange, and dual wavelength vortex emission from Pr:WPFGF fiber laser using a microscope slide output coupler
Authors: Kerridge-Johns William R. , Srinivasa Rao A. , Fujimoto Yasushi , Omatsu Takashige
Published: April 2023

Visible vortex beams have a large array of applications; however, the sources are often large or complex. Here, we present a compact vortex source with red, orange, and dual wavelength emission. This Pr:Waterproof Fluoro-Aluminate Glass fiber laser uses a standard microscope slide as an interferometric output coupler, yielding high quality first order vortex modes in a compact setup. We further demonstrate the broad (∼5 nm) emission bands in the orange (610 nm), red (637 nm) and near-infrared regions (698 nm), with the potential for green (530 nm) and cyan (485 nm) emission. This is a low-cost, compact and accessible device giving high quality modes for visible vortex applications.
Feature issue introduction: temporal and spatiotemporal metamaterials
Authors: Huidobro Paloma A. , Alam M. Zahirul , Engheta Nader , Pacheco-Peña Victor
Published: April 2023

Temporal modulation of material parameters provides a new degree of freedom for metamaterials, metasurfaces and wave-matter interactions as a whole. In time-varying media the electromagnetic energy may not be conserved, and the time reversal symmetry may be broken, which may lead to novel physical effects with potential applications. Currently, theoretical and experimental aspects of this field are rapidly advancing, expanding our understanding of wave propagation in such complex spatiotemporal platforms. This field promises novel possibilities and directions in research, innovation and exploration.