bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TM4SF1 promotes EMT and cancer stemness via the Wnt/β-catenin/SOX2 pathway in colorectal cancer
Authors: Tang Qiang , Chen Jinhuang , Di Ziyang , Yuan Wenzheng , Zhou Zili , Liu Zhengyi , Han Shengbo , Liu Yanwei , Ying Guoguang , Shu Xiaogang , Di Maojun
Published: November 2020

Background

Transmembrane 4 L six family member 1 (TM4SF1) is upregulated in several epithelial cancers and is closely associated with poor prognosis. However, the role of TM4SF1 and its potential mechanism in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain elusive.

Methods

We investigated the expression of TM4SF1 in the Oncomine, the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases and confirmed the results by immunohistochemistry (IHC), qPCR and Western blotting (WB) of CRC tissues. The effect of TM4SF1 on the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stemness of CRC cells was investigated by Transwell, wound healing and sphere formation assays. A series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to reveal the mechanisms by which TM4SF1 modulates EMT and cancer stemness in CRC.

Results

TM4SF1 expression was markedly higher in CRC tissues than in non-tumour tissues and was positively correlated with poor prognosis. Downregulation of TM4SF1 inhibited the migration, invasion and tumour sphere formation of SW480 and LoVo cells. Conversely, TM4SF1 overexpression significantly enhanced the migration, invasion and tumoursphere formation potential of CRC cells, Additionally, TM4SF1 silencing inhibited the EMT mediated by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Mechanistically, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) predicted that the Wnt signalling pathway was one of the most impaired pathways in TM4SF1-deficient CRC cells compared to controls. The results were further validated by WB, which revealed that TM4SF1 modulated SOX2 expression in a Wnt/β-catenin activation-dependent manner. Furthermore, we found that knockdown of TM4SF1 suppressed the expression of c-Myc, leading to decreased c-Myc binding to the SOX2 gene promoter. Finally, depletion of TM4SF1 inhibited metastasis and tumour growth in a xenograft mouse model.

Conclusion

Our study substantiates a novel mechanism by which TM4SF1 maintains cancer cell stemness and EMT via the Wnt/β-catenin/c-Myc/SOX2 axis during the recurrence and metastasis of CRC.
Long-term changes in renal function after treatment initiation and the importance of early diagnosis in maintaining renal function among IgG4-related tubulointerstitial nephritis patients in Japan
Authors: Arai Haruna , Ogata Soshiro , Ozeki Takaya , Takahashi Kazuo , Tsuboi Naotake , Maruyama Shoichi , Inaguma Daijo , Hasegawa Midori , Yuzawa Yukio , Hayashi Hiroki
Published: November 2020

Background

The present study aimed to investigate associations between long-term renal function, whether IgG4-related tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) was diagnosed by renal biopsy at initial examination, chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage, and histological stage in patients with IgG4-related TIN.

Methods

This study used a retrospective cohort design including almost all patients who underwent renal biopsy at Fujita Health University Hospital and Nagoya University or its affiliated hospitals in Aichi between April 2003 and March 2015 (n = 6977 renal biopsies). The primary outcome was longitudinal changes in eGFR. Main exposures were whether IgG4-related TIN was diagnosed by renal biopsy at the initial examination, CKD stage, and its histological stage. Linear mixed models were performed to examine associations.

Results

Of the 6977 samples, there were 24 patients (with 201 records due to repeated measures) with IgG4-related TIN (20 men, mean age, 68.7 ± 9.7 years). They were followed up 6.6 ± 2.8 years after the renal biopsy and underwent glucocorticoid treatment. We found significant increase in eGFR from the baseline to 2 and 6 months after treatment initiation, which was maintained until 60 months. Patients initially diagnosed with IgG4-related TIN had higher eGFR from the baseline (at the start of treatment) to 60 months than those who were not. Compared with patients with CKD stage 3, patients with CKD stages 4 and 5 had lower eGFR at the baseline and other time points. Patients with histological stage B had comparatively lower eGFR at each point than stage A patients. Those mean differences of eGFR were stable from the baseline to 60 months.

Conclusions

After the treatment initiation, renal function rapidly improved and maintained for a long period, even with advanced CKD stage. We showed importance of early diagnosis of IgG4-related TIN in maintaining eGFR.
Neonatal lamb mortality: major risk factors and the potential ameliorative role of melatonin
Authors: Flinn Tom , Kleemann David O. , Swinbourne Alyce M. , Kelly Jennifer M. , Weaver Alice C. , Walker Simon K. , Gatford Kathryn L. , Kind Karen L. , van Wettere William H. E. J.
Published: November 2020

High incidences of pre-weaning mortality continue to limit global sheep production, constituting a major economic and welfare concern. Despite significant advances in genetics, nutrition, and management, the proportion of lamb deaths has remained stable at 15–20% over the past four decades. There is mounting evidence that melatonin can improve outcomes in compromised ovine pregnancies via enhanced uterine bloodflow and neonatal neuroprotection. This review provides an overview of the major risk factors and underlying mechanisms involved in perinatal lamb mortality and discusses the potential of melatonin treatment as a remedial strategy. Supplementing pregnant ewes with melatonin enhances uterine bloodflow and fetal oxygenation, and potentially birthweight and neonatal thermogenic capacity. Melatonin freely crosses the ovine placenta and blood-brain barrier and provides neuroprotection to the fetal lamb during periods of chronic and acute hypoxia throughout gestation, with improved behavioural outcomes in hypoxic neonates. The current literature provides strong evidence that maternal melatonin treatment improves outcomes for lambs which experience compromised in utero development or prolonged parturition, though to date this has not been investigated in livestock production systems. As such there is a clear basis for continued research into the effects of maternal melatonin supplementation during gestation on pre-weaning survival under extensive production conditions.
Targeting ferroptosis in breast cancer
Authors: Li Zhaoqing , Chen Lini , Chen Cong , Zhou Yulu , Hu Dengdi , Yang Jingjing , Chen Yongxia , Zhuo Wenying , Mao Misha , Zhang Xun , Xu Ling , Wang Linbo , Zhou Jichun
Published: November 2020

Ferroptosis is a recently discovered distinct type of regulated cell death caused by the accumulation of lipid-based ROS. Metabolism and expression of specific genes affect the occurrence of ferroptosis, making it a promising therapeutic target to manage cancer. Here, we describe the current status of ferroptosis studies in breast cancer and trace the key regulators of ferroptosis back to previous studies. We also compare ferroptosis to common regulated cell death patterns and discuss the sensitivity to ferroptosis in different subtypes of breast cancer. We propose that viewing ferroptosis-related studies from a historical angle will accelerate the development of ferroptosis-based biomarkers and therapeutic strategies in breast cancer.
Correction to: Rapid and ultra-sensitive quantitation of disease-associated α-synuclein seeds in brain and cerebrospinal fluid by αSyn RT-QuIC
Authors: Groveman Bradley R. , Orrù Christina D. , Hughson Andrew G. , Raymond Lynne D. , Zanusso Gianluigi , Ghetti Bernardino , Campbell Katrina J. , Safar Jiri , Galasko Douglas , Caughey Byron
Published: November 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Reference frames in spatial communication for navigation and sports: an empirical study in ultimate frisbee players
Authors: Weisberg Steven M. , Chatterjee Anjan
Published: November 2020

Background

Reference frames ground spatial communication by mapping ambiguous language (for example, navigation: “to the left”) to properties of the speaker (using a Relative reference frame: “to my left”) or the world (Absolute reference frame: “to the north”). People’s preferences for reference frame vary depending on factors like their culture, the specific task in which they are engaged, and differences among individuals. Although most people are proficient with both reference frames, it is unknown whether preference for reference frames is stable within people or varies based on the specific spatial domain. These alternatives are difficult to adjudicate because navigation is one of few spatial domains that can be naturally solved using multiple reference frames. That is, while spatial navigation directions can be specified using Absolute or Relative reference frames (“go north” vs “go left”), other spatial domains predominantly use Relative reference frames. Here, we used two domains to test the stability of reference frame preference: one based on navigating a four-way intersection; and the other based on the sport of ultimate frisbee. We recruited 58 ultimate frisbee players to complete an online experiment. We measured reaction time and accuracy while participants solved spatial problems in each domain using verbal prompts containing either Relative or Absolute reference frames. Details of the task in both domains were kept as similar as possible while remaining ecologically plausible so that reference frame preference could emerge.

Results

We pre-registered a prediction that participants would be faster using their preferred reference frame type and that this advantage would correlate across domains; we did not find such a correlation. Instead, the data reveal that people use distinct reference frames in each domain.

Conclusion

This experiment reveals that spatial reference frame types are not stable and may be differentially suited to specific domains. This finding has broad implications for communicating spatial information by offering an important consideration for how spatial reference frames are used in communication: task constraints may affect reference frame choice as much as individual factors or culture.
Corporate headquarters in the twenty-first century: an organization design perspective
Authors: Kunisch Sven , Menz Markus , Collis David
Published: November 2020

The corporate headquarters (CHQ) of the multi-business enterprise, which emerged as the dominant organizational form for the conduct of business in the twentieth century, has attracted considerable scholarly attention. As the business environment undergoes a fundamental transition in the twenty-first century, we believe that understanding the evolving role of the CHQ from an organization design perspective will offer unique insights into the nature of business activity in the future. The purpose of this article, in keeping with the theme of theJournal of Organization DesignSpecial Collection, is thus to invigorate research into the CHQ. We begin by explicating four canonical questions related to the design of the CHQ. We then survey fundamental changes in the business environment occurring in the twenty-first century, and discuss their potential implications for CHQ design. When suitable here we also refer to the contributions published in our Special Collection. Finally, we put forward recommendations for advancements and new directions for future research to foster a deeper and broader understanding of the topic. We believe that we are on the cusp of a change in the CHQ as radical as that which saw its initial emergence in the late nineteenth/early twentieth century. Exactly what form that change will take remains for practitioners and researchers to inform.
Molecular analysis for sex determination in forensic dentistry: a systematic review
Authors: Maulani Chaerita , Auerkari Elza Ibrahim
Published: November 2020

Background

Sex determination can be useful in forensic casework, such as in mass disasters, transportation accidents, and cases of a missing person or sexual assault. The remnants of the body can be traced by DNA of the victim, using samples from various sources such as teeth, oral epithelial tissue, and saliva.

Main body

The review aimed to describe research in forensic dentistry with DNA source from the oral region and methods of the applied DNA analysis. A search in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus electronic databases from 2009 to 2019 was conducted to include studies according to PRISMA guidelines. Ten studies were eligible for the review. Genetic markers originated from dentin, dental pulp, saliva, or epithelial cells from buccal tissue and prosthesis. The applied DNA analysis methods were PCR, real-time PCR, and nested PCR.

Conclusions

The published articles mostly showed successful DNA extraction and sex determination, but the rate of success declined as the sample source underwent manipulation to mimic the forensic conditions. Amelogenin, SRY, and DYS14 were reliable indicators for sex determination. Molecular analysis has proved to be efficient and accurate, but the daily forensic practice must select the most appropriate method according to the available body remnants.
The “State of Implementation” Progress Report (SIPREP): a pilot demonstration of a navigation system for implementation
Authors: Miech Edward J. , Larkin Angela , Lowery Julie C. , Butler Andrew J. , Pettey Kristin M. , Rattray Nicholas A. , Penney Lauren S. , Myers Jennifer , Damush Teresa M.
Published: November 2020

Background

Implementation of new clinical programs across diverse facilities in national healthcare systems like the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) can be extraordinarily complex. Implementation is a dynamic process, influenced heavily by local organizational context and the individual staff at each medical center. It is not always clear in the midst of implementation what issues are most important to whom or how to address them. In recognition of these challenges, implementation researchers within VHA developed a new systemic approach to map the implementation work required at different stages and provide ongoing, detailed, and nuanced feedback about implementation progress.

Methods

This observational pilot demonstration project details how a novel approach to monitoring implementation progress was applied across two different national VHA initiatives. Stage-specific grids organized the implementation work into columns, rows, and cells, identifying specific implementation activities at the site level to be completed along with who was responsible for completing each implementation activity. As implementation advanced, item-level checkboxes were crossed off and cells changed colors, offering a visual representation of implementation progress within and across sites across the various stages of implementation.

Results

Applied across two different national initiatives, the SIPREP provided a novel navigation system to guide and inform ongoing implementation within and across facilities. The SIPREP addressed different needs of different audiences, both described and explained how to implement the program, made ample use of visualizations, and revealed both what was happening and not happening within and across sites. The final SIPREP product spanned distinct stages of implementation.

Conclusions

The SIPREP made the work of implementation explicit at the facility level (i.e., who does what, and when) and provided a new common way for all stakeholders to monitor implementation progress and to help keep implementation moving forward. This approach could be adapted to a wide range of settings and interventions and is planned to be integrated into the national deployment of two additional VHA initiatives within the next 12 months.
The diverse roles and dynamic rearrangement of vimentin during viral infection
Authors: Zhang Yue , Wen Zeyu , Shi Xuemeng , Liu Yan-Jun , Eriksson John E. , Jiu Yaming
Published: November 2020

Epidemics caused by viral infections pose a significant global threat. Cytoskeletal vimentin is a major intermediate filament (IF) protein, and is involved in numerous functions, including cell signaling, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, intracellular organization and cell migration. Vimentin has important roles for the life cycle of particular viruses; it can act as a co-receptor to enable effective virus invasion and guide efficient transport of the virus to the replication site. Furthermore, vimentin has been shown to rearrange into cage-like structures that facilitate virus replication, and to recruit viral components to the location of assembly and egress. Surprisingly, vimentin can also inhibit virus entry or egress, as well as participate in host-cell defense. Although vimentin can facilitate viral infection, how this function is regulated is still poorly understood. In particular, information is lacking on its interaction sites, regulation of expression, post-translational modifications and cooperation with other host factors. This Review recapitulates the different functions of vimentin in the virus life cycle and discusses how they influence host-cell tropism, virulence of the pathogens and the consequent pathological outcomes. These insights into vimentin–virus interactions emphasize the importance of cytoskeletal functions in viral cell biology and their potential for the identification of novel antiviral targets.
The reptilian perspective on vertebrate immunity: 10 years of progress
Authors: Zimmerman Laura M.
Published: November 2020

Ten years ago, ‘Understanding the vertebrate immune system: insights from the reptilian perspective’ was published. At the time, our understanding of the reptilian immune system lagged behind that of birds, mammals, fish and amphibians. Since then, great progress has been made in elucidating the mechanisms of reptilian immunity. Here, I review recent discoveries associated with the recognition of pathogens, effector mechanisms and memory responses in reptiles. Moreover, I put forward key questions to drive the next 10 years of research, including how reptiles are able to balance robust innate mechanisms with avoiding self-damage, how B cells and antibodies are used in immune defense and whether innate mechanisms can display the hallmarks of memory. Finally, I briefly discuss the links between our mechanistic understanding of the reptilian immune system and the field of eco-immunology. Overall, the field of reptile immunology is poised to contribute greatly to our understanding of vertebrate immunity in the next 10 years.
The Persistent Effects of Initial Labor Market Conditions for Young Adults and Their Sources
Authors: Wachter Till von
Published: November 2020

Unlucky young workers entering the labor market in recessions suffer a range of medium-to long-term consequences. This paper summarizes the findings of the growing empirical literature on this subject and uses it to assess economic models of career development. The literature finds large initial effects on earnings, labor supply, and wages that tend to fade after ten to fifteen years in the labor market, and that are accompanied by changes in occupation, job mobility, and employer characteristics. Adverse initial labor market entry also has persistent effects on a range of social outcomes, including timing and completed fertility, marriage and divorce, criminal activities, attitudes, and risky alcohol consumption. There is also evidence that early exposure to depressed labor market lowers health and raises mortality in middle age, patterns accompanied by a reopening of earnings gaps.
The ameliorative effect of atorvastatin on serum testosterone and testicular oxidant/antioxidant system of HFD-fed male albino rats
Authors: Esmail Mohammed , Kandeil Mohammed , El-Zanaty Ali Mahmoud , Abdel-Gabbar Mohammed
Published: November 2020

Background: There is a mutual effect between central obesity and low total serum testosterone. Moreover, oxidative stress acts as a bridge between obesity and its complications. Taken together, we aimed to evaluate whether atorvastatin (AS), a cholesterol-lowering drug, has protective potential against high fat diet (HFD)-induced low fertility, which was exemplified in serum testosterone determination. Moreover, we aimed to deduce a putative mechanism of action through evaluation of the testicular oxidant/antioxidant system.

Methods: Adult male albino Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus) were divided into three groups: 1) normal control group, rats were fed a normal diet for four weeks; 2) HFD group, rats were fed an HFD for four weeks; and 3) AS group, rats were fed an HFD and 5 mg/kg/day atorvastatin for the last two weeks of the experiment. Serum atherogenic index, testosterone, and thyroid stimulating hormone were estimated. Moreover, testicular reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde contents, as well as glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione reductase activities were also determined. The statistical differences were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results: AS ameliorated the increased level of serum atherogenic index induced by an HFD, as well as testicular malonaldehyde and reduced glutathione levels. On the other hand, AS increased the depleted level and activity of serum testosterone and testicular glutathione reductase, respectively, induced by HFD.

Conclusion:The ameliorative effect of AS on the deteriorated level of total serum testosterone induced by HFD might partially be due to oxidant/antioxidant disturbance. Further studies should be carried out to evaluate mTOR pathway contribution, which could enable researchers to deduce drugs targeting members of the oxidant/antioxidant system and/or mTOR pathway to ameliorate putative HFD-induced low fertility.
Common genetic signatures of Alzheimer’s disease in Down Syndrome
Authors: Sharma Ayati , Chunduri Alisha , Gopu Asha , Shatrowsky Christine , Crusio Wim E. , Delprato Anna
Published: November 2020

Background:People with Down Syndrome (DS) are born with an extra copy of Chromosome (Chr) 21 and many of these individuals develop Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) when they age. This is due at least in part to the extra copy of theAPPgene located on Chr 21. By 40 years, most people with DS have amyloid plaques which disrupt brain cell function and increase their risk for AD. About half of the people with DS develop AD and the associated dementia around 50 to 60 years of age, which is about the age at which the hereditary form of AD, early onset AD, manifests. In the absence of Chr 21 trisomy, duplication of APP alone is a cause of early onset Alzheimer’s disease, making it likely that having three copies ofAPPis important in the development of AD and in DS. In individuals with both DS and AD, early behavior and cognition-related symptoms may include a reduction in social behavior, decreased enthusiasm, diminished ability to pay attention, sadness, fearfulness or anxiety, irritability, uncooperativeness or aggression, seizures that begin in adulthood, and changes in coordination and walking.

Methods:We investigate the relationship between AD and DS through integrative analysis of genesets derived from a MeSH query of AD and DS associated beta amyloid peptides, Chr 21, GWAS identified AD risk factor genes, and differentially expressed genes in DS individuals.

Results:Unique and shared aspects of each geneset were evaluated based on functional enrichment analysis, transcription factor profile and network analyses. Genes that may be important to both disorders:ACSM1,APBA2,APLP1,BACE2,BCL2L,COL18A1,DYRK1A,IK,KLK6,METTL2B,MTOR,NFE2L2,NFKB1,PRSS1,QTRT1,RCAN1,RUNX1,SAP18 SOD1,SYNJ1,S100B.

Conclusions:Our findings indicate that oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation/immune system processes likely underlie the pathogenesis of AD and DS.
Multiple insecticide resistance and Plasmodium infection in the principal malaria vectors Anopheles funestus and Anopheles gambiae in a forested locality close to the Yaoundé airport, Cameroon
Authors: Nkemngo Francis N. , Mugenzi Leon M. J. , Terence Ebai , Niang Abdoulaye , Wondji Murielle J. , Tchoupo Micareme , Nguete Nguiffo D. , Tchapga Williams , Irving Helen , Ntabi Jacques D. M. , Agonhossou Romuald , Boussougou-Sambe Terence S. , Akoton Romaric B. , Koukouikila-Koussounda Felix , Pinilla Yudi T. , Ntoumi Francine , Djogbenou Luc S. , Ghogomu Stephen M. , Ndo Cyrille , Adegnika Ayola A. , Borrmann Steffen , Wondji Charles S.
Published: November 2020

Background:Reducing the burden of malaria requires better understanding of vector populations, particularly in forested regions where the incidence remains elevated. Here, we characterized malaria vectors in a locality near the Yaoundé international airport, Cameroon, including species composition, abundance,Plasmodiuminfection rate, insecticide resistance profiles and underlying resistance mechanisms.

Methods:Blood-fed adult mosquitoes resting indoors were aspirated from houses in April 2019 at Elende, a locality situated 2 km from the Yaoundé-Nsimalen airport. Female mosquitoes were forced to lay eggs to generate F1adults. Bioassays were performed to assess resistance profile to the four insecticides classes. The threshold of insecticide susceptibility was defined above 98% mortality rate and mortality rates below 90% were indicative of confirmed insecticide resistance. Furthermore, the molecular basis of resistance andPlasmodiuminfection rates were investigated.

Results:Anopheles funestuss.s. was the most abundant species in Elende (85%) followed byAnopheles gambiaes.s. (15%) with both having similar sporozoite rate. Both species exhibited high levels of resistance to the pyrethroids, permethrin and deltamethrin (<40% mortality).An. gambiaes.s. was resistant to DDT (9.9% mortality) and bendiocarb (54% mortality) while susceptible to organophosphate.An. funestuss.s. was resistant to dieldrin (1% mortality), DDT (86% mortality) but susceptible to carbamates and organophosphates. The L119F-GSTe2 resistance allele (8%) and G119Sace-1 resistance allele (15%) were detected inAn. funestuss.s. andAn. gambiaes.s., respectively.Furthermore, the high pyrethroid/DDT resistances inAn. gambiaecorresponded with an increase frequency of 1014Fkdrallele (95%). Transcriptional profiling of candidate cytochrome P450 genes reveals the over-expression ofCYP6P5,CYP6P9aandCYP6P9b.

Conclusion:The resistance to multiple insecticide classes observed in these vector populations alongside the significantPlasmodiumsporozoite rate highlights the challenges that vector control programs encounter in sustaining the regular benefits of contemporary insecticide-based control interventions in forested areas.
The quality of an English summative test of a public junior high school, Kupang-NTT
Authors: Semiun Thresia Trivict , Luruk Fransiska Densiana
Published: November 2020

This study aimed at examining the quality of an English summative test of grade VII in a public school located in Kupang. Particularly, this study examined content validity, reliability, and conducted item analysis including item validity, item difficulty, item discrimination, and distracter effectiveness. This study was descriptive evaluative research with documentation to collect data. The data was analyzed quantitatively except for content validity, which was done qualitatively. Content validity was analyzed by matching the test items with materials stated in the curriculum. The findings revealed that the English summative test had a high content validity. The reliability was estimated by applying the Kuder-Richardson’s formula (K-R20). The result showed that the test was reliable and very good for a classroom test. The item analysis was conducted by using ITEMAN 3.0. and it revealed that the the test was mostly constructed by easy items, most of the items could discriminate the students, most distracters were able to perform well, and the most of items were valid.
What role for the ‘long arm of childhood’ in social gradients in health? An international comparison of high-income contexts
Authors: Haas Steven A. , Zhou Zhangjun , Oi Katsuya
Published: November 2020

Social gradients in health have been a focus of research for decades. Two important lines of social gradient research have examined (1) international variation in their magnitude and (2) their life course / developmental antecedents. The present study brings these two strands together to explore the developmental origins of educational gradients in health. We leverage data spanning 14 high-income contexts from the Health and Retirement Study and its sisters in Europe. We find that early-life health and socio-economic status consistently attenuate educational gradients in multimorbidity and functional limitation. However, the relative contribution of early-life factors to gradients varies substantially across contexts. The results suggest that research on social gradients, and population health broadly, would benefit from the unique insights available from a conceptual and empirical approach that integrates comparative and life course perspectives.
Broadband tunable single-longitudinal-mode erbium-doped fiber ring laser based on a microfiber knot resonator
Authors: Wan Hongdan , Cai Chaoqun , Wang Jingli , Wang Jiaxuan , Chen Yufang , Zhang Zuxing
Published: November 2020

We propose and demonstrate a broadband tunable single-longitudinal-mode (SLM) erbium-doped fiber laser based on a microfiber knot resonator (MKR). The MKR is made from a double-ended fiber taper and employed for SLM filtering based on the Vernier effect. An unpumped erbium-doped fiber is used in the fiber laser cavity to suppress mode-hopping for a stabilized SLM laser operation. When combined with an optical fiber filter, widely tunable SLM laser generation is achieved. The proposed SLM laser can be tuned from 1545 to 1565 nm with a high side-mode suppression ratio of about 55 dB and a high stability.
Orthogonally polarized tunable dual-wavelength femtosecond optical parametric oscillator
Authors: Bi Genyu , Fan Jintao , Chu Yuxi , Hu Minglie , Liu Bowen
Published: November 2020

We demonstrate a femtosecond optical parametric oscillator that can generate orthogonally polarized dual-wavelength femtosecond pulses. Two periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystals with mutually orthogonal crystal axes are pumped by a single femtosecond fiber laser. The central wavelength of the two orthogonally polarized signal pulses can be continuously tuned from 1387 to 1588 nm with a maximum frequency separation of 27 THz. Because of the orthogonal dual-crystal scheme, the system is immune to the coherent coupling effect, thus overcoming the limitation of minimum frequency separation.
Cross-layer static resource provisioning for dynamic traffic in flexible grid optical networks
Authors: Xu Yuxin , Agrell Erik , Brandt-Pearce Maite
Published: November 2020

Flexible grid networks need rigorous resource planning to avoid network
over-dimensioning and resource over-provisioning. The network must
provision the hardware and spectrum resources statically, even for
dynamic random bandwidth demands, due to the infrastructure of
flexible grid networks, hardware limitations, and reconfiguration
speed of the control plane. We propose a flexible online–offline
probabilistic (FOOP) algorithm for the static spectrum assignment of
random bandwidth demands. The FOOP algorithm considers the
probabilistic nature of random bandwidth demands and balances hardware
and control plane pressures with spectrum assignment efficiency. The
FOOP algorithm uses the probabilistic spectrum Gaussian noise (PSGN)
model to estimate the physical-layer impairment (PLI) for random
bandwidth traffic. Compared to a benchmark spectrum assignment
algorithm and a widely applied PLI estimation model, the proposed FOOP
algorithm using the PSGN model saves up to 49% of network
resources.
Anisotropic nonlinear optical response in a graphene oxide-gold nanohybrid
Authors: Yadav Rajesh Kumar , Aneesh J. , Sharma Rituraj , Maji Tuhin Kumar , Karmakar Debjani , Adarsh K. V.
Published: November 2020

In this Letter, we report for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, the anisotropic optical response in a graphene oxide (GO)-gold (Au) nanohybrid. Polarization-sensitive nonlinear optical absorption measurements revealed that nanohybrids are highly anisotropic,

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, which is more than one order of magnitude higher than that of control GO (2 cm/GW). The first-principle analysis of absorbance at nanohybrid interfaces with varying functional ligand concentrations corroborates with the experimentally observed intrinsic linear anisotropy. Thus, this Letter enables new routes to realize smart and high-performing nonlinear optical systems selectively and directionally such as tunable optical limiters and optical data processing devices.
Al:ZnO as a platform for near-zero-index photonics: enhancing the doping efficiency of atomic layer deposition
Authors: Fomra D. , Ding K. , Avrutin V. , Özgür Ü. , Kinsey N.
Published: November 2020

Major technological breakthroughs are often driven by advancements in materials research, and optics is no different. Over the last few years, near-zero-index (NZI) materials have triggered significant interest owing to their exceptional tunability of optical properties and enhanced light-matter interaction, leading to several demonstrations of compact, energy-efficient, and dynamic nanophotonic devices. Many of these devices have relied on transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) as a dynamic layer, as these materials exhibit a near-zero-index at telecommunication wavelengths. Among a wide range of techniques employed for the deposition of TCOs, atomic layer deposition (ALD) offers advantages such as conformality, scalability, and low substrate temperature. However, the ALD process often results in films with poor optical quality, due to low doping efficiencies at high (>1020cm−3) doping levels. In this work, we demonstrate a modified ALD process to deposit TCOs, taking Al:ZnO as an example, which results in an increase in doping efficiency from 13% to 54%. Moving away from surface saturation for the dopant (aluminum) precursor, the modified ALD process results in a more uniform distribution of dopants (Al) throughout the film, yielding highly conductive (2.8×10−4 Ω-cm) AZO films with crossover wavelengths as low as 1320nm and 1370nm on sapphire and silicon substrates, respectively.
Experimental demonstration of the near-quantum optimal receiver
Authors: Jabir M. V. , Burenkov I. A. , Annafianto N. Fajar R. , Battou A. , Polyakov S. V.
Published: November 2020

We implement the cyclic quantum receiver based on the theoretical proposal of Roy Bondurant and demonstrate experimentally below the shot-noise limit (SNL) discrimination of quadrature phase-shift keying signals (PSK). We also experimentally test the receiver generalized for longer communication alphabet lengths and coherent frequency shift keying (CFSK) encoding. Using off-the-shelf components, we obtain state discrimination error rates that are 3 dB and 4.6 dB below the SNLs of ideal classical receivers for quadrature PSK and CFSK encodings, respectively. The receiver unconditionally surpasses the SNL for M=8 PSK and CFSK. This receiver can be used for the simple and robust practical implementation of quantum-enhanced optical communication.
Mathematical modeling of hepatitis C RNA replication, exosome secretion and virus release
Authors: Zitzmann Carolin , Kaderali Lars , Perelson Alan S.
Published: November 2020

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes acute hepatitis C and can lead to life-threatening complications if it becomes chronic. The HCV genome is a single plus strand of RNA. Its intracellular replication is a spatiotemporally coordinated process of RNA translation upon cell infection, RNA synthesis within a replication compartment, and virus particle production. While HCV is mainly transmitted via mature infectious virus particles, it has also been suggested that HCV-infected cells can secrete HCV RNA carrying exosomes that can infect cells in a receptor independent manner. In order to gain insight into these two routes of transmission, we developed a series of intracellular HCV replication models that include HCV RNA secretion and/or virus assembly and release. Fitting our models to in vitro data, in which cells were infected with HCV, suggests that initially most secreted HCV RNA derives from intracellular cytosolic plus-strand RNA, but subsequently secreted HCV RNA derives equally from the cytoplasm and the replication compartments. Furthermore, our model fits to the data suggest that the rate of virus assembly and release is limited by host cell resources. Including the effects of direct acting antivirals in our models, we found that in spite of decreasing intracellular HCV RNA and extracellular virus concentration, low level HCV RNA secretion may continue as long as intracellular RNA is available. This may possibly explain the presence of detectable levels of plasma HCV RNA at the end of treatment even in patients that ultimately attain a sustained virologic response.
Determining behavioral intention and its predictors towards cervical cancer screening among women in Gomma district, Jimma, Ethiopia: Application of the theory of planned behavior
Authors: Wollancho Wadu , Amdissa Demuma , Bamboro Shemsedin , Wasihun Yitbarek , Tareke Kasahun Girma , Gizaw Abraham Tamirat
Published: November 2020

Background

Cervical Cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Ethiopian women. Despite many interventions were conducted, there is low uptake of cervical cancer screening services. Also, limited evidence was available on the women’s intention and its predictors towards cervical cancer screening. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining the intention and predicators of behavioral intention toward cervical cancer screening.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Gomma district, Jimma, Ethiopia from August 1–30, 2019. The total sample sizes were 422 and a systematic random sampling technique was employed to select the samples. Data were collected through interviews using a structured questionnaire guide. Data were entered in epidata, and exported and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 software. Descriptive, correlation, and multicollinearity analysis were done. Also, simple and multiple linear regression analysis were performed to identify the predictors for behavioral intention. The p-value<0.05 was used to declare a significant association.

Result

The response rate was 382 (90.5%). The mean age of the participants was of 26.45 (SD = 4.76). Direct attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control had a mean score of 16.78 (SD = 2.87), 15.61(SD = 1.92), and 12.86 (SD = 4.85), respectively. The intention has a mean score of 14.52 (SD = 4.01). From regression analysis, direct attitude (B = 0.346, p<0.001), direct subjective norm (B = 0.288, p = 0.008), direct perceived behavioral control (B = 0.132, p = 0.002) indirect attitude (B = 0.015, p = 0.019) and the indirect perceived behavioral control (B = 0.132, p = 0.002) were statistically significant with intention.

Conclusion

From this study, it was understood that women’s intention towards cervical cancer screening was low. The predictors were the direct and indirect attitude, direct and indirect subjective norm, direct and indirect perceived behavioral control. This calls a need to develop strategies and take action to improve the attitude of women and their influential peoples and increase sense of control to improve their intention to screen for cervical cancer. Moreover, health care providers should have to conduct social and behavioral change communication to improve women’s health seeking behavior towards cervical cancer screening applying the concept of theory of planned behavior.
Genetic and physiological traits for internal phosphorus utilization efficiency in rice
Authors: Adem Getnet Dino , Ueda Yoshiaki , Hayes Patrick Enrico , Wissuwa Matthias
Published: November 2020

Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and development. Phosphorus is usually applied as fertilizer obtained from rock phosphate which is a non-renewable resource. Therefore, developing rice varieties that can use P more efficiently is crucial. Here, we investigated genotypic differences in traits related to internal Phosphorus Utilization Efficiency (PUE) in five rice genotypes grown under P-deficient conditions. P-efficient rice genotypes showed higher total biomass. This was partly due to higher root biomass, which in turn relied on preferential allocation of P to roots in these genotypes. Changes in P content and tissue P concentrations were analyzed in individual leaves at different time points. Genotypes belonging to the high-PUE group responded more quickly to P starvation in terms of reducing leaf P concentrations and they were able to reduce these concentrations to a lower level compared to the low-PUE group. Changes in P concentrations were reflected in gene expression levels for genes involved in lipid remodeling. Sulfolipid (OsSQD2) and galactolipid (OsMGDandOsDGD) synthesis-related genes were generally induced due to P starvation with most pronounced up-regulation inOsDGD1andOsMGD3, but patterns differed between genotypes. A significantly higher expression ofOsDGD5andOsMGD1 & 2was detected in the youngest fully expanded leaf of the high-PUE genotype group, whereas expression levels were reversed in older leaves. This pattern would confirm that P efficient genotypes react faster to P starvation in terms of freeing P for redistribution to growing tissues and replacing phospholipids with galactolipids in younger leaves may contribute to this aspect.
O Voluntário e o Involuntário na Atenção segundo a Fenomenologia da Vontade de Ricoeur
Authors: Pinto Ana Raquel Rodrigues Loio
Published: November 2020

Paul Ricoeur considera o caráter voluntário e involuntário da essência da atenção: a duração. Alongando a fenomenologia da vontade à seletividade da atenção, é percetível um atender involuntário, pela factualidade de um corpo e pela existência de motivos subjacentes que motivam o querer, e um voluntário na decisão de atender. Ricoeur identifica um não-ser específico da vontade, aproximando-se da ontologia a partir deste não-ser. Sem extrair a essência do conceito de atenção, também a atenção apresenta um estatuto ontológico, sendo compreendida por Ricoeur como uma grande recetividade, o que vai ao encontro do conceito de atenção plena de Allan Wallace.
El problema de la formación en la enseñanza universitaria en su dimensión docente, tutorial y organizativa
Authors: Martínez Martín Miguel , Gros Begoña , Romañá Teresa
Published: November 2020

RESUMEN: El objetivo de este artículo es efectuar una revisión sobre el problema de la formación en la enseñanza universitaria considerando las dimensiones docentes, tutoriales y organizativas que forman parte de la enseñanza universitaria.Se comienza el artículo con una reflexión sobre la cultura educativa que nos permite llegar a pensar sobre qué significa ser profesor en la universidad actual. Posteriormente pasamos a analizar cómo se realiza la formación del profesorado y proponer algunos aspectos relativos a las tutorías y la organización que debe realizar el profesorado y para las cuales también se requiere de una formación.ABSTRACT: The main goal of this article is to make a revision about the problem of the training in higher education, taking into account the dimensions of teaching, tutorial and organisation that are part of the higher education.We start the article with a reflection about the educational culture as a base to think about what is the meaning of being professor at the current university.Later, we will analyse how the training is organise in this educational level and we propose some consideration about the tutorial function and the organisation that has to be make by the teachers, considering that these functions needs a process of training.
La investigación en la formación de actitudes: problemas metodológicos y conceptuales
Authors: Ortega Ruiz Pedro
Published: November 2020

Desde que H. Spencer usara por primera vez, en 1862, el término «actitud» en su obra «Principios» al postular que en la mente del individuo existían patrones disposicionales que influían en su percepción de las situaciones, ese término ha sido ampliamente utilizado, analizado y debatido, tanto en la Sociología como, sobre todo, en la Psicología Social, hasta el punto que ésta se ha considerado como la disciplina que tiene por objeto de estudio las actitudes. Ningún otro concepto en la Psicología Social ha llenado tantas páginas en los libros y revistas especializados hasta la década de los setenta.
Reflexiones sobre la escuela en un medio hipertecológico e hipercomunitario
Authors: Martínez Martín Miguel
Published: November 2020

El historiador norteamericano Peter Stansky inicia su estudio afirmando que mientras el mundo siga siendo un lugar imperfecto, será posible siempre la construcción de utopías en las que se diseñen mundos futuros limpios de imperfección y de igual forma será posible siempre la construcción de antiutopías en als que se diseñen mundos futuros pregnados de imperfecciones más graves y preocupantes que las presentes en el mundo de hoy.
Tecnología educativa de los «modelos»
Authors: Aznar Minguet Pilar , Vega Mancera Felipe
Published: November 2020

La intervención educativa subraya como exigencia la necesidad de controlar las variables que inciden en la configuración humana para potenciar aquellas que son pertinentes y neutralizar aquellas que pueden obstaculizar la consecución de la meta-patrón; es decir, se trata de regular la influencia que los distintos eventos ejercen sobre el comportamiento variando las cantidades u otros aspectos de una variable o de las variables que inciden en él.
Espacios educativos abiertos: hacia una animación comunitaria integradora y transformadora
Authors: Froufe Quintas Sindo
Published: November 2020

RESUMEN: El desarrollo de las comunidades locales y la animación comunitaria se están convirtiendo en la actualidad en una de las metodologías para la mejora del tejido social próximo a los problemas concretos de la gente. Esbozamos cómo la animación comunitaria realizada en/con/para la comunidad es el ámbito para la producción de cambios sociales que redunden en beneficio de los colectivos marginados. Realizamos un estudio previo acerca de la concepción de la comunidad actual y de sus nuevas realidades y ofrecemos una serie de conclusiones como propuestas abiertas para el debate.ABSTRACT: The development of the local communities and the communitary animation are converting nowadays as one of the methodologies for the improvement of the social weave near to the concrete problems of the people. We sketch how the communitary animation made in/with/for the community is the propitious field for the production of social changes that benefit to the outcast groups. We realice a previous study about the conception of the current community and about its new realities and we offer a set of conclusions as open proposals for the debate.
Efectos de un programa de intervención pedagógica sobre las funciones percepíivo-manipulativas en preescolar
Authors: Garfella Esteban Pedro R.
Published: November 2020

La educación se ha mostrado como la variable modeladora más relevante del proceso antropogenético de modo que, la evolución biológica, que ha producido el incremento del volumen y complejidad cerebral unido a la evolución cultural, identificada con el mundo 3 de Popper (1982), han culminado, en un proceso de interacciones cibernéticas con una entidad psicobiológica que posee un dispositivo especial de aprendizaje (Hardware) que ha suplantado el comportamiento biológico por el aprendizaje biográfico, con lo cual, y por el hecho de que la selección ha dejado subsistir lo que ha dado mejor resultado, el hombre debe programarse con la experiencia para conformar los programas funcionales (Software) necesarios para la vivencia humana.