bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feeding habits and malaria parasite infection of Anopheles mosquitoes in selected agroecological areas of Northwestern Ethiopia
Authors: Belay Aklilu K. , Asale Abebe , Sole Catherine L. , Yusuf Abdullahi A. , Torto Baldwyn , Mutero Clifford M. , Tchouassi David P.
Published: October 2024

Background

Surveillance of the host–anopheline mosquitoes’ interaction is important for assessing malaria transmission risk and guiding vector control. We assume that changes in malaria vector species’ feeding habits, as well as the surrounding environment, have a substantial impact on varied malaria transmission. In this study, we determined the vertebrate host feeding patterns of anopheline mosquitoes to characterize entomologic risk factors for malaria in Jabi Tehnan, Northwestern Ethiopia.

Methods

Blood-fed anophelines surveyed during malaria surveillance in Jabi Tehnan district of northwestern Ethiopia were utilized in this study. They were collected using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light traps deployed in selected households per village, placed indoors and outdoors, spanning three agroecological settings (dry mountain, plateau, and semiarid highlands) between June 2020 and May 2021. The engorged mosquitoes were analyzed for host blood meal sources and Plasmodium infection via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or sequencing. Infection rates and bovine and human blood indices were calculated and compared for abundant species; between indoors and outdoors and between agroecology using a chi-squared test for equality of proportion in R package at a significant level of p ≤ 0.05.

Results

A total of 246 mosquitoes were successfully typed (indoor, 121; outdoor, 125), with greater relative abundance indoors in mountain and plateau highlands, and outdoors in semiarid areas. Despite ecological differences in blood-fed capture rates, cattle served as the most utilized blood meal source by 11 anopheline species with an overall bovine blood index (BBI) of 74.4%. This trend was dictated by Anopheles gambiae s.l. (198/246; BBI = 73.7%), which exhibited the most plastic feeding habits that included humans (human blood index = 15.7%) and other livestock and rodents. A total of five anopheline species (An. gambiae s.l., An. funestus s.l., An. coustani s.l., An. pretoriensis, and An. pharoensis) fed on humans, of which the first three were found infected with Plasmodium parasites. Most of the infected specimens were An. arabiensis (5.6%, 11/198) and had recently fed mainly on cattle (72.7%, 8/11); one each of infected An. funestus s.l. and An. coustani s.l. had fed on humans and cattle, respectively.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate communal feeding on cattle by anophelines including primary and secondary malaria vectors. This study also indicates the importance of cattle-targeted interventions for sustainable control of malaria vectors in the study areas.

Graphical abstract
Harnessing the potency of scorpion venom-derived proteins: applications in cancer therapy
Authors: El-Qassas Jihad , Abd El-Atti Mahmoud , El-Badri Nagwa
Published: October 2024

Despite breakthroughs in the development of cancer diagnosis and therapy, most current therapeutic approaches lack precise specificity and sensitivity, resulting in damage to healthy cells. Selective delivery of anti-cancer agents is thus an important goal of cancer therapy. Scorpion venom (SV) and/or body parts have been used since early civilizations for medicinal purposes, and in cultures, SV is still applied to the treatment of several diseases including cancer. SV contains numerous active micro and macromolecules with diverse pharmacological effects. These include potent anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. This review focuses on the recent advances of SV-derived peptides as promising anti-cancer agents and their diagnostic and therapeutic potential applications in cancers such as glioma, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer. Well-characterized SV-derived peptides are thus needed to serve as potent and selective adjuvant therapy for cancer, to significantly enhance the patients’ survival and wellbeing.

Graphical abstract
Seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus among pregnant women in Singapore
Authors: Partana Pamela , Wan Wei Yee , Chow Xin Yu Venessa , Chan Jerry Kok Yen , Tan Lay Kok , Tan Wei Ching , Lee Piea Peng , Lim Gek Hsiang , Yang Liying
Published: October 2024

Background

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common congenital infection in pregnancy with potential long-term adverse effects on the fetus. There is limited data on CMV seroprevalence in pregnant women in Singapore, with last reported study dating back over two decades. We look at the latest CMV seroprevalence in antenatal population in Singapore.

Methods

Between January 2021 and August 2021, 385 pregnant women receiving antenatal care at Singapore General Hospital were randomly selected for CMV IgG test to be performed on their blood samples collected during the first trimester of their pregnancies. Positivity for CMV IgG represents past exposure prior to pregnancy.

Results

Overall CMV seroprevalence was 71.7% (276/385) (95% CI 067, 0.76, p value < 0.001). The trend of CMV IgG positivity increased with age, 68.3% (95% CI 0.60, 0.76, p value < 0.001) in those aged 20–29, 72.5% (95% CI 0.66, 0.78, p value < 0.001) in the 30–39 age group, and 79.0% (95% CI 0.67, 0.76, p value 0.012) in women over 40.

Conclusions

There is a declining trend in CMV seroprevalence among pregnant women in Singapore, which indicates that a substantial portion of this population faces the risk of primary maternal CMV infection during pregnancy. Emerging research suggests that prenatal treatment with valacyclovir effectively reduces the likelihood of vertical transmission. Considering this evidence, it is imperative to reevaluate the recommendations for universal maternal CMV screening during pregnancy.
Damage Control Interventional Radiology: The bridge between non-operative management and damage control surgery
Authors: Ascenti Velio , Ierardi Anna Maria , Alfa-Wali Maryam , Lanza Carolina , Kashef Elika
Published: October 2024

Traumatic injuries continue to be on the rise globally and with it, the role interventional radiology (IR) has also expanded in managing this patient cohort. The role of damage control surgery (DCS) has been well established in the trauma management pathway, however it is only recently that Damage Control IR (DCIR) has become increasingly utilized in managing the extremis trauma and emergency patient.

Visceral artery embolizations (both temporary and permanent), temporary balloon occlusions including Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) in iliac arteries and aorta respectively are amongst the treatment options now available for the trauma (and non-traumatic bleeding) patient.

We review the literature for the role of DCS and utilization of IR in trauma, outcomes and the paradigm shift towards minimally invasive techniques. The focus of this paper is to highlight the importance of multi-disciplinary working and having established pathways to ensure timely treatment of trauma patients as well as careful patient selection.

We show that outcomes are best when both surgical and IR are involved in patient care from the outset and that DCIR should not be defined as Non-Operative Management (NOM) as it currently is categorized as.
Mood temperaments in adult patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Vaziri-Harami Roya , Khademi Mojgan , Laal Mohammad Reza , Tavakoli Mehrafarin , Vaziri-Harami Saharnaz
Published: October 2024

Background

The incidence of various mood disorders and temperaments in ADHD patients is well-documented, irrespective of age. These temperamental differences cause emotional and behavioral instability, impacting individual and social functioning, and overall quality of life. This study evaluates different temperaments in adults with ADHD compared to those without ADHD.

Methods

This case–control study was performed on 75 adult ADHD patients as the case group and 75 adults without ADHD as the control group. A demographic questionnaire and a shortened Persian version of the TEMPS-A questionnaire were given and completed to the people included in the study to assess different mood temperaments.

Results

Comparing different components of mood temperaments between the patients with and without ADHD showed significantly higher mean scores for irritable, anxious, depressed, and cyclothymic temperaments in those with ADHD as compared to a control group. In the group suffering from ADHD, women had significantly higher mean scores for dysthymic and anxious temperaments as compared to men, while the mean score for cyclothymic temperaments was significantly higher in men than in women. A high academic degree was associated with lower scores for mood temperaments, while mood temperaments were independent of patients’ age.

Conclusions

The higher score of various mood temperaments in patients with ADHD compared to people without this disorder is completely predictable, and this score can potentially affect the gender of the patients as well as their education level. Given the higher scores of temperamental traits in patients with adult ADHD, implementing screening programs aimed at identifying temperamental disorders in these patients is highly emphasized.
Intersectionality Between Country, Gender and Funding in Authorship for Phase III Trials Presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting 2022
Authors: Teuwen Laure-Anne , Young Joanna , Alessy Saleh , Özdemir Berna C. , Martina Diah , Folorunso Sharif , Bourlon Maria T. , Prenen Hans , Segelov Eva
Published: October 2024

PURPOSE

Multiple disparities have been recognized in the area of location, gender, and funding for leadership in oncology clinical trials. Understanding their intersectionality is crucial to be able to formulate policies and actions, to ensure research is representative of the global oncology community. Here, data from phase III trials presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting of 2022 (ASCO22) were analyzed.

METHODS

The location of institution, gender of lead and senior authors, and funding source for solid tumor phase III trial abstracts presented at the ASCO22 were analyzed. World Bank analytical grouping version 2021-2022 was used to describe regions and countries as high (HIC), upper-middle (UMIC), lower-middle (LoMIC), and low-income (LIC).

RESULTS

Across 239 phase III abstracts, lead and senior authors respectively represented HIC institutions in 83% and 85%, UMIC in 13% and 12%, and LoMIC in 4% and 3%. No authors worked in LICs or sub-Saharan Africa. Women accounted for 29% of lead and 23% of senior authors. This distribution persisted across regions, with women as lead authors ranging from 19% (UMIC) to 31% (HIC), and as senior authors from 7% (UMIC) to 25% (HIC). Industry funded 62% of trials, academia 17%, and others 15%; 6% lacked funding. Industry funding was highest in HIC trials (66% for lead and senior authors), followed by UMICs (55% lead, 53% senior) and LoMICs (11% lead, 0% senior). Industry-sponsored trials were proportionally equally represented among female and male senior authors (63% each).

CONCLUSION

There is marked intersectionality in leadership of oncology clinical trials presented at the world's largest oncology conference.
A new prognostic model in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer treated with chemotherapy: An analysis of ECOG-ACRIN E1305.
Authors: Argiris Athanassios , Flamand Yael , Savvides Panayiotis , Johnson Jennifer Maria , Li Shuli , Forastiere Arlene A. , Burtness Barbara
Published: October 2024

6026

Background:
We examined a large patient dataset based on E1305, a completed phase III randomized trial of platinum-based chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab (Argiris et al. JCO 2019), to evaluate prognostic factors in the first-line treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (RM SCCHN) and expand on our previous observations in cooperative group trials (Argiris et al. Cancer 2004).
Methods:
All 403 patients enrolled in E1305 were analyzed. Overall survival (OS) was the outcome of interest. Clinical and tumor characteristics were examined using Cox proportional hazards models. Variables which were significant in the univariate setting at a level of ≤ 0.10 were included in a multivariable model, and backwards selection was performed (threshold of p ≤ 0.05). The final multivariable model was then applied to the two treatment arms, separately. Variables for which the hazards ratio (HR) within an arm was more than 10% different than that for the whole cohort, were removed from the final cohort model.
Results:
The median OS in the whole study cohort was 11.8 months. A prognostic score model for OS was built, using the 4 independent prognostic factors identified in the multivariable model: ECOG performance status (1 vs 0), prior radiation, primary region (non-oropharynx vs oropharynx), and metastatic disease bone or liver (vs other sites/no metastases). Prognostic score was dichotomized (0-2 and > 2). Patients with 0-2 risk factors (n = 249) had a median OS of 15.2 months (90% CI: 13.8, 18.1), while patients with > 2 risk factors (n = 154) had a median OS of 7.6 months (90% CI: 6.5, 9.3); HR of 2.14 (95% CI: 1.73, 2.66), p < 0.0001. Compared to our previous 5-factor model from analysis of older trials in a similar setting, the variable “bone/liver metastasis” is new, but “tumor cell differentiation” and “weight loss” were not significant and not included in the new model for OS.
Conclusions:
The new proposed model includes 4 prognostic factors for OS (performance status, primary site, prior radiation, presence of bone/liver metastasis) in the first-line treatment of RM SCCHN.
Racial disparity in receipt of immunotherapy treatment among elderly patients with head and neck cancer.
Authors: Osazuwa-Peters Nosayaba , Abouelella Dina K , Bhardwaj Arun , Patel Amila Meera , Hussaini Adnan S , Seetharaman Krishnamoorthy , Barnes Justin Michael , Panth Neelima , Adjei Boakye Eric , Watts Tammara L
Published: October 2024

6049

Background:
The United States Food and Drug Administration in 2016 approved immune checkpoint inhibitors (immunotherapy) as a treatment option for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. However, it is unclear if there are clinical or sociodemographic differences among patients receiving immunotherapy as part of their care. We aimed at characterizing the clinical and non-clinical factors associated with receipt of immunotherapy among elderly patients with head and neck cancer.
Methods:
We utilized data from
Navigating Cancer
, which included information on systemic therapy for elderly patients (≥ 65 years), diagnosed with head and neck cancer in a community oncology setting between 2017 and 2021. We estimated clinical (tumor stage [grouped as early, or stage I and II vs. advanced stage, or stage III and IV] and anatomic subsite [oropharyngeal vs. non-oropharyngeal]) and non-clinical (age, smoking history, race, sex, and marital status) factors associated with immunotherapy use based on multivariable logistic regression analysis.
Results:
There were 4,619 patients in our study cohort, 74.3% male and 87.1% white. Among these patients, 11.1% had received immunotherapy. We found an association between race and receipt of immunotherapy. After adjusting for covariates, white patients with head and neck cancer had 74% increased odds of receiving immunotherapy as part of their treatment (aOR: 1.74; 95% CI 1.25, 2.42), compared to non-whites. There were no statistically significant differences in the odds of immunotherapy use based on age, sex, or smoking history. Patients with non-oropharyngeal disease were significantly more likely to receive immunotherapy than those with oropharyngeal cancer (aOR: 1.26; 95% CI 1.01, 1.56), as were those with advanced stage disease (aOR: 2.72; 95% CI 1.90, 3.91) compared with those early-stage.
Conclusions:
We identified clinical and non-clinical factors associated with receipt of immunotherapy in this cohort of elderly patients with head and neck cancer, and white patients were significantly more likely to receive immunotherapy as part of their care. Equitable access to immunotherapy and other treatment options will reduce cancer-related health disparities and improve survival of patients with head and neck cancer.
Efficacy and toxicity of trastuzumab emtansine among patients with HER-2-positive metastatic breast cancer in Saudi Arabia.
Authors: Badran Ahmed Ali , Fallatah Waleed , Hinkston Abdullaah Khaleel , Arabi Tarek , Algwaiz Ghada , Elshenawy Mahmoud Abdelsatar , Elshentenawy Ayman , Haque Emaan Ul , Twegieri Taher , Akhtar Saad , Alsayed Adher , Ajarim Dahish Saed , Alzahrani Meshari , Alaklabi Sabah , Elhassan Tusneem , Suleman Kausar
Published: October 2024

e13001

Background:
Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) significantly prolongs progression-free survival (PFS) with a safe drug profile in advanced HER-2-positive (HER+) breast cancer (BC) patients. However, there are currently no reports regarding its efficacy and safety in the Middle East.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed the data of 55 metastatic HER+ BC patients who received T-DM1 at our center.
Results:
The median age at diagnosis was 44 years (25-69). 65.45% patients presented as a de novo metastatic presentation and 56.46% were hormone receptor-positive (Table). 80%, 65.45%, 43.63% suffered visceral, CNS, and skeletal metastasis, respectively. The median duration of follow up was 31.5 months (3-61). 54.45% of patients were alive with disease at the date of last follow up, and 35.45% passed away. The median number of cycles given was 12 cycles (1-60). The best response, according to RECIST criteria v1.1, was complete remission in 5.45%, partial response in 40%, and stable disease in 23.64%. The mean overall survival (OS) was 117.3 months (95% CI: 97.35-137.24), and the median OS was not reached. The median PFS was 10.91 months (95% CI: 5.61-16.21) and the 3-year PFS was 17.6%. Four patients are still receiving T-DM1 treatment at the time of analysis. 85.45% stopped their treatment due to disease progression, and two (3.63%) patients stopped due to severe drug toxicity. Drop in ejection fraction and allergic reactions were the most common side effects, which were both seen in 18.18% of patients.
Conclusions:
The efficacy and safety profile of T-DM1 in our patient is comparable to that of other international populations. Larger, multicenter studies are needed to confirm our findings.

ECOG performance status at presentation
0
6 (10.7%)

1
45 (80.4%)

2
4 (7.1%)

Metastectomy
Brain
10 (18.18%)

Bone
1 (1.81%)

Lungs
1 (1.81%)

Total number of drug lines
2-4
31 (56.36%)

5-7
23 (41.81%)

8
1 (1.81%)
Does sidedness predict risk of perforation with chemotherapy in colon cancer? Results from the National Inpatient Samples Database (NISD).
Authors: Kaur Jasmeet , Qureshi Waqas , Vijayvergia Namrata
Published: October 2024

e15591

Background:
Perforation is a life-threatening complication of colon cancer (CC) and can be seen even after the initiation of therapy in a metastatic setting. There is a lack of understanding of the factors affecting colon perforation (CP) risk in relation to left versus right anatomical locations. Herein, we evaluated the predictors and outcomes for colon cancer perforation, drawing comparisons between right (R) and left (L)-sided CC.
Methods:
A national representative cohort of 33,010 colon cancer patients admitted with CP was included for the years 2016–2020 from the national inpatient sample database. We used the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, diagnostic codes to identify patients with CC and CP. The patients were stratified as colon cancer perforation patients with R versus L sided. Descriptive statistics were performed for demographics and comorbidities. Survey statistics were used to calculate weighted analysis and compared using Pearson’s chi-square test for categorical variables and the t-test for continuous variables. Calculated the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval in multivariate logistic regression for the association of CP.
Results:
Among 33,010 hospitalized CC patients with perforation, 11,920 had R colon cancer, and 21,090 had L-CC. Notably, right-sided cases exhibited a significantly higher median age (69 vs. 63; p < 0.001), a greater proportion of females (50.2% vs. 44%; p < 0.001), and a higher rate of metastases at diagnosis (54% vs. 49%, p < 0.001) compared to left-sided cases. A history of (hx) chemotherapy was more common in L-CC (11.5% vs. 4.87%; p < 0.001). In-hospital mortality did not differ between the two groups (10.3% for R vs. 11% for L; p = 0.37). Surgical bypass was more frequent in L cases (38.3% vs. 5.75%; p < 0.001), while colectomy was more common in R cases (59% vs. 26.8%; p < 0.001). Interestingly, in adjusted analysis, intestinal obstruction decreased the odds of perforation in R-CC (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.70 to 0.96, p = 0.02) while increasing it in L-sided tumors (OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.44, p = 0.01). In L-CC, hx chemotherapy was significantly associated with higher odds of perforation (OR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.80 to 2.81; p < 0.001), whereas in R-CC cancer, hx chemotherapy was associated with lower odds of perforation (OR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.36 to 0.56; p < 0.001). Metastasis was not significantly associated with CP in either R or L-CC.
Conclusions:
The study reveals distinct clinical profiles regarding perforated R-CC, including age and gender differences, comorbidities, and surgical approaches. An association between chemotherapy use and perforation risk by sidedness is an important finding, especially when considering therapies that are known to cause colon perforation. Further validation of these early findings in similar datasets is warranted to help develop a more personalized treatment approach for patients.
Κριτική προσέγγιση του τρόπου χρήσης της βιβλιομετρίας ως μεθόδου αξιολόγησης της επιστημονικής έρευνας με μελέτη περίπτωσης το πεδίο των κοινωνικών επιστημών στην Ελλάδα
Authors: Ξανθούλης Ορφέας-Αλέξιος
Published: October 2024

Η παρούσα διατριβή επικεντρώνεται στη διερεύνηση της βιβλιομετρικής ανάλυσης και των συναφών βιβλιομετρικών δεικτών καθώς και της επίδρασης που αυτοί έχουν στην σύγχρονη επιστημονική έρευνα. Ως μελέτη περίπτωσης, επιλέγονται οι Σχολές Κοινωνικών Επιστημών των Ανώτερων Εκπαιδευτικών Ιδρυμάτων (ΑΕΙ) στην Ελλάδα. Ερευνώνται σε πρώτο στάδιο τα ιστορικά, κοινωνικά και πολιτικά πλαίσια υιοθέτησης και εφαρμογής της βιβλιομετρίας ως μεθόδου αξιολόγησης του ερευνητικού έργου τόσο σε διεθνές όσο και σε εθνικό επίπεδο. Σε δεύτερο στάδιο, καταγράφονται και αναλύονται τα βασικά σημεία προβληματισμού που προκύπτουν από την εφαρμογή της βιβλιομετρίας ως μέσου αξιολόγησης στις Κοινωνικές Επιστήμες. Σε τρίτο στάδιο τίθενται υπό εξέταση η δομή, η παραγωγή, η απήχηση και η αξιολόγηση της επιστημονικής έρευνας για τα πεδία των Κοινωνικών Επιστημών στην Ελλάδα, με στόχο να επισημανθούν κοινοί τόποι και ιδιαιτερότητες καθώς επίσης και ευρύτερες εστίες προβληματισμού.
Η ορθόδοξη θεολογική επικοινωνία ως στρατηγική ενδυνάμωσης των στελεχών των ενόπλων δυνάμεων στην μεταμοντέρνα εποχή των ΜΜΕ
Authors: Νιβέρογλου Γεώργιος
Published: October 2024

Η παρούσα διατριβή διαπραγματεύεται την αλλοτρίωση των ΜΜΕ και τις μαζοποιημένες μορφές τους στον χώρο τού στρατεύματος. Η μετάπλαση της Επικοινωνίας σε Κοινωνία πού επιτελεί ή Ορθοδοξία μεταφέρεται στο στράτευμα με μορφή ηθικής, αξιών και ανώτερου μεγαλείου, κάτι πού προσφέρει ανύψωση τού ηθικού και μετατρέπει τον στρατιώτη σε άξιο πολεμιστή. Η υπεράσπιση αυτή καταδεικνύει την ουσία της θεολογίας ως έκφραση μετατροπής τού ανθρώπου σέ πολεμιστή τού καλού και των αξιών σε έναν βάρβαρο κόσμο
Mechanisms of muscle tissue adaptation in response to the influence of low-dose ionizing radiation
Authors: Stepanov H. , Dubna Ye. , Vastyanov R. , Mokriienko E. , Buriachkivskyi E.
Published: October 2024

Mechanisms of interaction of ionizing radiation with biological objects are a chain of successive physical and physico-chemical changes, which manifest themselves in the form of excitation, primary and secondary ionization of molecules. Biosynthesis of ATP, which is carried out by a system of oxidation-reduction enzymes localized in the inner membrane of mitochondria - the respiratory chain, belongs to the vital processes that are directly disturbed under the action of ionizing radiation. The high degree of damage to this system is due to the significant radiosensitivity of metal-containing enzymes. The purpose of the work is to study the formation of the adaptive response of muscle tissue of sexually mature rats to the influence of ionizing radiation at a dose of 0.5 Gy. It was concluded that a day after irradiation with the dose of 0.5 Gy, the content of contractile proteins in skeletal muscle decreases slightly. On the 15th day, the content of contractile proteins began to decrease. By the 30th day, the content of contractile proteins decreased by 22.9% for myosin, by more than 11% for actin, and by 7 and 8% for troponin and tropomyosin, respectively, compared to the values of the intact group. A similar picture is observed in the cardiac muscle. Mg2+,Ca2+-ATP-ase activity of actomyosin, starting from the 1st day was shown to be increased in both the skeletal and cardiac muscles, reaching its peak in the cardiac muscle on the 15th day, in contrast to the skeletal muscle, where this indicator reached its peak on the 7th day. The authors conclude that irradiation of sexually mature animals with the dose of 0.5 Gy forms an adaptive response that is accompanied by an increase in Mg2+,Ca2+-ATP-ase activity due to the formation of a strong form of binding between F-actin and myosin, actin monomers go into the typical for actomyosin “turned on stage”, and the myosin heads acquire an ordered orientation in the muscle fiber. According to author’s idea, the data obtained indicated the benefit and reasonability of using in post-radiation dysfunctions complex pharmacological treatment drugs that are able to normalize intracellular homeostasis, eliminate probable acidic changes initiated by radiation exposure, activate the processes of intramuscle energy generation and which have protective properties in relation to the muscular system.
Characteristics of Physiological Parameters Determining Endurance in Prolonged Physical Efforts, Definition and Principles of Health Training and Exercise Intensity Zones
Authors: Ruta Damian
Published: October 2024

Physical effort lasting more than 30 minutes, classified as prolonged, depends on the body's endurance, training level, and metabolic and neuromuscular factors. A key indicator of aerobic capacity is maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), which measures the maximum amount of oxygen the body can take in and utilize during exercise. VO2max is influenced by factors such as minute ventilation, cardiac output, cardiorespiratory coordination, and the muscles' ability to oxidize energy substrates. Endurance improves through an increase in the number of mitochondria and enzyme activity in muscles, enhancing the efficiency of energy transformation processes.
A high VO2max is a marker of significant aerobic capacity and training level, but working at maximal oxygen uptake can only be sustained for 5-8 minutes. In longer efforts, it is necessary to reduce intensity below the lactate threshold, which better reflects the endurance of marathon runners. Endurance training leads to muscle adaptations, increasing mitochondrial numbers, energy reserves, and the efficiency of oxidative processes. Health training is a long-term process aimed at improving and maintaining health through moderate-intensity physical activity. Its goal is to prevent and support the treatment of lifestyle diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, or osteoporosis. Regular physical activity supports the immune system, improves mental well-being, reduces stress, and increases the body's endurance. Training should be tailored to individual capabilities, and its intensity must be monitored, particularly in individuals with cardiovascular diseases. Consistency, warming up before exercise, and stretching after training are important.
Long-term successfull treatment of patient with history of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus complicated with Acute Myocarditis and Dilated Cardiomyopathy – case report
Authors: Ziomek Mateusz , Bożym Aleksandra , Lis Paulina , Kaźmierski Wojciech , Jurek Jakub , Ziobro Anna , Kamińska Alicja , Kozłowski Jakub , Żaczek Bartłomiej
Published: October 2024

Introduction and aim. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, autoimmune disorder that may affect every organ. The use of immunosuppression has changed a natural course of the disease. Thereupon mortality in SLE is not only associated with implications of disease activity and its impact on cardiovascular system but also with treatment-related complications like cytopenia or increased risk of infection, which can lead to a life-threatening sepsis.
Description of the case. We present a case of a 60-year-old Caucasian female patient with a long-time history of active SLE, who has first developed nephrotic syndrome and then acute lupus myocarditis (LM) complicated by dilated cardiomyopathy.
Conclusion: The appearance of LM and its complications seem to be a landmark event in the further course of disease.
ADyC. Arte, Diseño y Comunicación (2023)
Authors: Mancera Martínez Manuel Fernando
Published: October 2024

Desarrollo gráfico en torno a la investigación del concepto "test de Rorschach". Durante el curso 21-22, en la asignatura de Arte, Diseño y Comunicación, coincidiendo con la publicación del test de Hermann Rorschach en 1921 y su muerte en 1922 hemos querido honrarlo en su centenario haciendo una adaptación de sus conocidas manchas. Cada investigador se ha sumergido en sus particulares mundos personales y ha extraído del concepto su esencia para generar una gráfica única. Al igual que el conocido test, estos diseños seguro que les llevarán a ustedes a traducir a su vez, desde su modelo cognitivo, a una interpretación subjetiva que le hará adentrarse en una realidad paralela.
Análisis constitucional del tipo penal de invasión de tierras en Colombia: una propuesta para su condicionamiento frente a las necesidades reales de los sujetos de especial protección constitucional
Authors: Páez Jaimes Juan Camilo , Rangel Angulo Daniela Valentina
Published: October 2024

A través del presente artículo se realiza un análisis constitucional del tipo penal de invasión de tierras contenido en el artículo 263 del Código Penal colombiano; demostrando que, en principio, de tal enunciado normativo puede concluirse la prohibición de invadir un terreno estatal o privado para obtener un provecho ilícito; sin embargo, de manera paralela, la Corte Constitucional colombiana ha venido desarrollando una serie de elementos que se constituyen en una verdadera protección para aquellas personas que se encuentran en asentamientos humanos ilegales, lo que materialmente son invasiones. La investigación termina haciendo un análisis de proporcionalidad, que junto al estudio de otras categorías dogmáticas permiten concluir la necesidad de un condicionamiento constitucional.
Domain-Independent Dynamic Programming and Constraint Programming Approaches for Assembly Line Balancing Problems with Setups
Authors: Zhang Jiachen , Beck J. Christopher
Published: October 2024

We propose domain-independent dynamic programming (DIDP) and constraint programming (CP) models to exactly solve type 1 and type 2 assembly line balancing problem with sequence-dependent setup times (SUALBPs). The goal is to assign tasks to assembly stations and to sequence these tasks within each station while satisfying precedence relations specified between a subset of task pairs. Each task has a given processing time and a setup time dependent on the previous task on the station to which the task is assigned. The sum of the processing and setup times of tasks assigned to each station constitute the station time and the maximum station time is called the cycle time. For the type 1 SUALBP (SUALBP-1), the objective is to minimize the number of stations, given a maximum cycle time. For the type 2 SUALBP (SUALBP-2), the objective is to minimize the cycle time, given the number of stations. On a set of diverse SUALBP instances, experimental results show that our approaches significantly outperform the state-of-the-art mixed integer programming models for SUALBP-1. For SUALBP-2, the DIDP model outperforms the state-of-the-art exact approach based on logic-based Benders decomposition. By closing 76 open instances for SUALBP-2, our results demonstrate the promise of DIDP for solving complex planning and scheduling problems.

History: Accepted by Pascal Van Hentenryck, Area Editor for Computational Modeling: Methods and Analysis.

Funding: This work was supported by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada [Grant RGPIN-2020-04039].

Supplemental Material: The software that supports the findings of this study is available within the paper and its Supplemental Information ( https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/suppl/10.1287/ijoc.2024.0603 ) as well as from the IJOC GitHub software repository ( https://github.com/INFORMSJoC/2024.0603 ). The complete IJOC Software and Data Repository is available at https://informsjoc.github.io/ .
A Multi-Airspace Model to Investigate Airflow Patterns and Carbon Dioxide Emission Sources in Deep-pit Beef Cattle Finishing Facilities
Authors: Soriano Noelle Cielito , Janni Kevin A. , Chen Baitong , Wilson Melissa , Cortus Erin L.
Published: October 2024

Highlights

A multi-control volume mass balance approach tested with data from cattle finishing barns.

Airflow estimates were highest in the barn airspace, compared to the animal-occupied zone and manure pit headspace.

Slurry CO2 emission calculations were sensitive to gas concentration differences between zones and animal numbers.

Abstract. An increasing number of cattle finishing barns in the Midwest are naturally ventilated (NV) with slatted floors over deep-pit manure storages. However, there is limited gas emission data currently available for this type of cattle housing and manure storage. Emission rate measurements are particularly challenging in NV barns where there are low gas concentrations and large variations in air velocity and direction. This research explores gas emission estimation using carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations measured at the north and south wall openings, floor, nose level, and above the manure surface in the storage pit. With these measurements, three control volume mass balances for the barn airspace, animal-occupied zone (AOZ), and manure pit headspace were used to estimate airflows between control volumes and CO2 emissions rates. In this study, the estimated airflow and CO2 emission values for two NV barns were calculated for the summer, fall, and spring seasons. Nominal airflow rates calculated between the three control volumes for each barn were variable using three different solution approaches applied in this study. There was a general pattern where airflow through the barn airspace was larger than airflow between the barn airspace and animal-occupied zone, followed by airflow through the slatted floors. The range of estimated CO2 emissions considering both barns and three solution approaches was -1.16 g/s to 29.3 g/s. Overall, while calculated airflow and CO2 emission results were variable across three solution approaches, this study provides insight on a range of CO2 emissions and airflow rates through deep-pit NV cattle finishing facilities. Further model validation would be needed prior to the use of this model for gas mitigation purposes. Keywords: Airflow, Beef cattle, Carbon dioxide emission, Deep-pit barns, Modeling.
Grace Lee Boggs on Chinese Political Thought and the Next American Revolution
Authors: Lee Fred , Luo Lily
Published: October 2024

Abstract: This essay tracks how Grace Lee Boggs's lifelong engagements with Chinese political thought and US revolutionary praxis co-developed. We first show that Lee Boggs's concepts of roles and revolution drew on Confucian and Maoist philosophy; we next show that Lee Boggs later traced alternative, US-based genealogies of both concepts, just as she engaged more deeply with Asian American activism. Lee Boggs as a reader of Chinese thought tended towards cultural hybridity, transcontinental intimacies, and general intellectualism. We propose that these tendencies could be usefully developed in both Asian American political thought and political theory as a whole.
Enhancing the efficiency of wavelength-shift fiber-based detectors for optical wireless communications
Authors: Ali Amjad , Mane Mithilesh K. , Mahmood Arfan , Tehseen Riffat , Xu Jing
Published: October 2024

A wavelength-shift fiber-based optical detector promises to revolutionize the deployment of optical wireless communication (OWC) due to its inherent advantages over traditional receivers. These advantages include a flexible structure, a wide field of view (FOV), and a large active area. Despite progress in previous studies, there remains a gap in optimizing the re-utilization of unabsorbed light within wavelength-shift fiber (WSF) and maximizing the efficiency of light focusing onto photodetectors. To address these challenges, this study explores three novel, to the best of our knowledge, approaches to enhance the light conversion and detection efficiency of WSF-based optical detectors. First, a reflective mirror is employed behind the WSF array to increase the light absorption and re-emission probability. Second, a reflective mirror is placed at one end of the WSF array to direct the light toward the opposite end. Third, a tightly bundled WSF array configuration focuses the emitted light onto the photodetector’s active area. Experimental results demonstrate that each approach significantly improves the peak-to-peak voltage. This work presents an optical detector design featuring a large active area of 0.4cm×20cm, based on a blue-to-green color-converting WSF and achieving a high 3-dB bandwidth of up to 48 MHz. This design enables real-time data transmission at rates of 275 Mbps using non-return-to-zero on-off keying (NRZ-OOK) modulation over a distance of 1 m. Additionally, the transmission link operates at over 250 Mbps, with bit error rates (BERs) below the forward error correction (FEC) limit, under a wide FOV of 60°. This work opens exciting possibilities for revolutionizing photodetection schemes in non-line-of-sight free-space optical communications.
Simple unidirectional few-cycle electromagnetic pulses
Authors: Plachenov Alexandr B. , So Irina A. , Kiselev Aleksei P.
Published: October 2024

The paper is aimed at constructing exact solutions of Maxwell’s equations for homogeneous media, convenient for modeling ultrashort pulses of various shapes. An analytical description of a family of simple closed-form few-cycle electromagnetic pulses that are free of backward propagating components and have finite energy is presented. The mathematical framework rests on using, as a component of Hertz’s potential, a certain axisymmetric exact solution of the linear wave equation, which is studied here in detail. Depending on the choice of free parameters in this solution and on polarization of the potential, the resulting electromagnetic pulses can be pancake-like, ball-like, needle-like, and doughnut-like. Expressions for spectra of the electric field components of the pulses are obtained. Based on the derived formulas, typical examples of pulses with different types of localization and their spectra are calculated and plotted.
Correction of systematic low-frequency time delay errors in THz systems by absorption line shape optimization
Authors: Mølvig Bjørn Hübschmann , Lange Simon Jappe , Jepsen Peter Uhd
Published: October 2024

Time-domain terahertz systems can face challenges due to systematic delay errors introduced by the employed delay mechanism, potentially leading to poor data quality. This article introduces a procedure to address these challenges by correcting low-frequency systematic errors that distort the acquired spectra and incorrectly diminish narrow absorption features. Our procedure solves an optimization problem aiming to find the corrected time-signal pairs that maximize the depth of narrow absorption features, and we highlight how the flexibility of the procedure, in principle, allows for correcting error profiles of arbitrary shape. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach through experiments using both simulated and experimentally recorded THz data, and the results show significant improvements in spectral accuracy. We believe this can pave the way for more reliable and precise terahertz spectroscopy measurements, enhancing its applications in various scientific and industrial fields.
Two-in-one functionality in a 28 × 28 β-Ga2O3 array: bias-voltage switching between photodetection and neuromorphic vision
Authors: Wang Xiang , Li Lingfei , Peng Haoxuan , Wang Yingxu , Zhang Lingyun , Gu Yan , She Xiaobo , Zhang Maolin , Guo Yufeng , Liu Yu
Published: October 2024

Due to the differences in photoresponse characteristics between photodetectors and neuromorphic vision sensors (NVS), simultaneously achieving these two powerful functionalities on a single device poses significant challenges. Here, we demonstrate a two-in-one platform based on a 28 × 28 β-Ga2O3 array that seamlessly switches between photodetector and NVS modes via bias voltage control. By exploiting the differential carrier capture dynamics of deep-level oxygen vacancies in Ga2O3, our device exhibits conventional photoconductivity at low voltages and persistent photoconductivity at high voltages. This enables high-quality optoelectronic imaging as well as excellent image sensing, memory, and neuromorphic visual preprocessing capabilities within a single integrated platform. This work paves the way for multifunctional Ga2O3 optoelectronic devices with applications in integrated sensing and computing.
Plasmonic devices – tiny plasmonic hybrid receivers
Authors: Baumann Michael , Fedoryshyn Yuriy , Koepfli Stefan M. , Smajic Jasmin , Leuthold Juerg
Published: October 2024

Plasmonic hybrids are introduced to replace photonic optical hybrids for coherent reception. These plasmonic circuits offer a compact footprint and a fabrication compatible with many electronic platforms as one only relies on metallic layer stacks. To mitigate the plasmonic losses, we propose new designs with shortest propagation paths. Simulations predict plasmonic hybrids with compact footprints of less than 1 µm2 and excess losses below 1 dB. In the experiment we fabricated plasmonic hybrids with 1 µm2, excess losses of 3.3 dB, and excellent broadband performance for signals over more than 100 nm. These results need to be compared against reference optical hybrids with typical excess losses of 0.5 dB in the C-band. Our demonstrations show a path towards a fabrication platform with increasingly complex and compact plasmonic devices that can be cointegrated with electronics.
High-efficiency second-harmonic generation in reverse-polarization dual-layer lithium niobate waveguides
Authors: Wu Xiao , Hao Zhenzhong , Ma Rui , Zhang Li , Gao Feng , Bo Fang , Zhang Guoquan , Xu Jingjun
Published: October 2024

Second-harmonic (SH) generation is an important way to generate short-wavelength light sources. Thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) resonators and waveguides featuring tight light confinement are flexible to realize mode- or quasi-phase-matching (MPM or QPM) and thus efficient SH generation. Here, we report an efficient SH with an absolute conversion efficiency of 45% in a reverse-polarized double-layer TFLN waveguide. Such a high conversion efficiency without periodic poling was realized with the pump of 67 mW in the 1550 nm band, benefiting from the employment of the largest nonlinear coefficient d33 and the significant nonlinear interaction of the fundamental transverse electric (TE) mode and the first-order TE mode in the vertical direction. This work paves the way toward on-chip integrated nonlinear optics in terms of harmonic generation and quantum light sources across the telecom and visible bands.
Weightless photonic spike processing of time-of-flight signals with synaptic-delay learning
Authors: Zou Weiwen , Duan Lian , Ma Bowen
Published: October 2024

Time-of-flight (ToF) signal processing has become increasingly crucial in depth perception applications. We propose a photonic spike processing method for ToF signals based on synaptic delay plasticity, which adjusts the spike timing of encoded signals to achieve low-latency processing without the need for weight loading and control. This method employs photonic neurons that directly encode optical pulses of ToF signals into temporal spike sequences, eliminating the necessity for a time-to-digital converter (TDC). We use optical delay lines to emulate the photonic synaptic regulation of spike timing. In addition, we demonstrate the efficacy of a photonic spiking neural network that trains the synaptic delay parameters using the ModelNet dataset, achieving an accuracy of 96.36 %. In experiments, the processing delay for ToF signals is 0.18 μs, representing a reduction of four orders of magnitude compared with traditional TDC-based methods. This approach facilitates applying synaptic diversity in photonic neuromorphic information processing.
UOWC spatial diversity techniques over hostile maritime environments: a new approach under imperfect CSI and per-source power constraints
Authors: Serrano Pedro Salcedo , Boluda-Ruiz Ruben , Garrido-Balsells Jose Maria , Garcia-Zambrana Antonio , Castillo-Vazquez Beatriz , Puerta-Notario Antonio , Hranilovic Steve
Published: October 2024

Optical communication in submarine environments has emerged as a novel technology to enable high bandwidth and high data rate links. However, the unique characteristics of the underwater channel impose new challenges, such as mitigating the remarkable absorption and scattering of hostile maritime environments. For the first time, we consider a per-source optical power constraint based on eye-safety regulations, which has never before been taken into account in Multiple-Input/Single-Output (MISO) systems within UOWC scenarios. Hence, we introduce an innovative spatial repetition coding (SRC) system model, which enables the analysis of an SRC scheme operating under either a per-source as well as under a per-transmitter power constraint. In addition, a tractable generalized transmit laser selection (GTLS) model is presented in order to consider the impact of erroneous selections of the best laser source due to an imperfect channel state information (CSI) at the transmitter, prevalent in underwater scenarios with dynamic fluctuations from water currents. Novel bit error rate closed-form expressions and asymptotic results are derived. The presented results demonstrate that an SRC system, when appropriately designed under a per-source power constraint, outperforms the TLS system by effectively mitigating the adverse effects of underwater links. Conversely, in situations where compact transmitters necessitate constraints which significantly modifies eye-safety constraints, TLS schemes are superior.