bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CXCR4 heterogeneity in primary cells: possible role of ubiquitination
Authors: Lapham Cheryl K , Romantseva Tatiana , Petricoin Emmanuel , King Lisa R , Manischewitz Jody , Zaitseva Marina B , Golding Hana
Published: September 2022

The chemokine receptor CXCR4 is a primary coreceptor for the HIV-1 virus. The predicted molecular weight (MW) of glycosylated CXCR4 is 45–47 kDa. However, immunoblots of whole cell lysates from human lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, and the Jurkat T-lymphocyte line revealed multiple MW isoforms of CXCR4. Three of the bands could be precipitated by anti-CXCR4 monoclonal antibodies (101 and 47 kDa) or coprecipitated with CD4 (62 kDa). Expression of these isoforms was enhanced by infection with a recombinant vaccinia virus encoding CXCR4. In immunoblots of two-dimensional gels, antiubiquitin antibodies reacted with the 62-kDa CXCR4 species from monocytes subsequent to coprecipitation with anti-CD4 antibodies. Culturing of monocytes and lymphocytes with lactacystin enhanced the amount of the 101-kDa CXCR4 isoform in immunoblots by three- to sevenfold. In lymphocytes, lactacystin also increased cell-surface expression of CXCR4, which correlated with enhanced fusion with HIV-1 envelope-expressing cells. Similar increases in the intensity of the 101-kDa isoform were seen after treatment with the lysosomal inhibitors monensin and ammonium chloride. Antiubiquitin antibodies reacted with multiple proteins above 62 kDa, which were precipitated with anti-CXCR4 antibodies. Our data indicate that ubiquitination may contribute to CXCR4 heterogeneity and suggest roles for proteasomes and lysosomes in the constitutive turnover of CXCR4 in primary human cells.
The effect of GPI-anchor deficiency on apoptosis in mice carrying aPigagene mutation in hematopoietic cells
Authors: Kulkarni Shashikant , Bessler Monica
Published: September 2022

Glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors are used by a variety of proteins to link to the cell surface. GPI-anchored proteins are deficient on a proportion of blood cells from patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. This is caused by the expansion of a cell clone that has acquired a mutation in a gene, PIGA, which is essential in the synthesis of GPI anchors. The nature of the growth/survival advantage permitting the expansion of PIGA− cells is unknown. A decreased susceptibility to apoptosis has been found in blood cells from patients, but the contribution of the PIGA gene mutation to this finding remained controversial. Therefore, we investigated apoptosis in mice that harbor a targeted Piga gene mutation in hematopoietic cells. When exposed to a variety of apoptotic stimuli, apoptosis in PIGA− thymocytes, granulocytes, and hematopoietic progenitor cells was similar to apoptosis induced in PIGA+ cells from the same mouse or from wild-type controls. Similarly, whole-body γ-irradiation did not produce an in vivo survival advantage of PIGA− hematopoietic stem cells. Our findings imply that a Piga gene mutation does not alter susceptibility to cell death, indicating that other factors in addition to the PIGA gene mutation are necessary to promote the clonal outgrowth of PIGA− cells.
Regulation of gene expression in mouse macrophages stimulated with bacterial CpG-DNA and lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Gao Jian Jun , Diesl Veronica , Wittmann Tatiana , Morrison David C , Ryan John L , Vogel Stefanie N , Follettie Maximillian T
Published: September 2022

CpG-DNA is known as a potent immunostimulating agent and may contribute in therapeutic treatment of many immune disorders. CpG-DNA triggers innate and acquired immune responses through activated expression of various genes in immune cells, including macrophages. To define the molecular mechanism(s) by which CpG-DNA activates immune cells, we studied macrophage gene expression following CpG-DNA exposure using high-density oligonucleotide microarrays. As CpG-DNA receptor Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) shares homology with the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-TLR4 receptor, we compared gene expression profiles in macrophages stimulated by LPS versus CpG-DNA. CpG-DNA and LPS modulate expression of many genes encoding cytokines, cell surface receptors, transcription factors, and proteins related to cell proliferation/differentiation. However, LPS modulated expression of significantly more genes than did CpG-DNA, and all genes induced or repressed by CpG-DNA were induced or repressed by LPS. We conclude that CpG-DNA signaling through TLR9 activates a subset of genes induced by LPS-TLR4 signaling.
Brown Now: Communion, Mystery, and Public Knowledge
Authors: Blacksin Isaac
Published: September 2022

This special issue introduction addresses the current stakes and possibilities of the work of Norman O. Brown. Beginning with a reflection on a recent Norman O. Brown conference, the introduction elaborates Brown's major theoretical interventions before providing brief synopses of the essays included in the special issue.
NOB's Poetics
Authors: Rasula Jed
Published: September 2022

This article addresses the turn in Norman O. Brown's intellectual orientation during the 1960s, a reorientation reflecting his newfound alliance with poets, and an internalization of a spirit of poetry that he explicitly derived from the heady atmosphere of the 1960s counterculture. Consequently, he professed a Dionysian outlook on the body politic as a single and singular corporeality, and pledged allegiance to the rhetorical principle of paronomasia—a play on words that sound alike but have different meanings. In his final works Brown came to repeatedly affirm that “there is only poetry.”
Escape response kinematics in two species of tropical shark: short escape latencies and high turning performance
Authors: Trujillo José E. , Bouyoucos Ian , Rayment William J. , Domenici Paolo , Planes Serge , Rummer Jodie L. , Allan Bridie J. M.
Published: September 2022

Accelerative manoeuvres, such as fast-starts, are crucial for fish to avoid predation. Escape responses are fast-starts that include fundamental survival traits for prey that experience high predation pressure. However, no previous study has assessed escape performance in neonate tropical sharks. We quantitatively evaluated vulnerability traits of neonate tropical sharks by testing predictions on their fast-start escape performance. We predicted (1) high manoeuvrability, given their high flexibility, but (2) low propulsive locomotion owing to the drag costs associated with pectoral fin extension during escape responses. Further, based on previous work on dogfish, Squalus suckleyi, we predicted (3) long reaction times (as latencies longer than teleosts, >20 ms). We used two-dimensional, high-speed videography analysis of mechano-acoustically stimulated neonate blacktip reef shark, Carcharhinus melanopterus (n=12), and sicklefin lemon shark, Negaprion acutidens (n=8). Both species performed a characteristic C-start double-bend response (i.e. two body bends), but single-bend responses were only observed in N. acutidens. As predicted, neonate sharks showed high manoeuvrability with high turning rates and tight turning radii (3–11% of body length) but low propulsive performance (i.e. speed, acceleration and velocity) when compared with similar-sized teleosts and S. suckleyi. Contrary to expectations, escape latencies were <20 ms in both species, suggesting that the neurophysiological system of sharks when reacting to a predatory attack may not be limited to long response times. These results provide a quantitative assessment of survival traits in neonate tropical sharks that will be crucial for future studies that consider the vulnerability of these sharks to predation.
The Impact of Privatization of State-Owned Enterprises on Workers
Authors: Arnold David
Published: September 2022

While privatization of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) remains a popular policy tool in many countries, the impacts on workers are unclear. This paper studies the case of Brazil, which implemented a large privatization program in the 1990s. Following privatization, incumbent workers in privatized SOEs suffer a wage decline of roughly 25 percent relative to a matched control group. Additionally, private sector firms that are connected to privatized SOEs by labor mobility also reduce wages. A summary calculation suggests that privatization decreased the formal sector wage by 3 percent, with about two-thirds of this effect due to the indirect impact on private sector workers. (JEL J31, J62, L32, L33, O14, O15)
Digital twin-driven intelligent maintenance decision-making system and key-enabling technologies for nuclear power equipment
Authors: Xu Qingfeng , Zhou Guanghui , Zhang Chao , Chang Fengtian , Huang Qian , Zhang Min , Zhi Yifan
Published: September 2022

In the life cycle of nuclear power equipment (NPE), the long-term high-safety maintenance services play a vital role in ensuring their optimal operation. However, as the complex system equipment with high-safety requirements and high costs, there are lots of limitations of traditional time-based maintenance strategies for NPE. For example, the maintenance service process is invisible, the condition monitoring is mainly based on manual inspection, and the maintenance decision-making mainly depends on personal experience passively. Digital twins (DT) are an effective way to break the “information isolated island” in the whole life cycle, which can give full play to the value of data to realize the visualization of operation process of NPE. Nevertheless, nowadays, the application of DT in the field of nuclear industry is at the exploration stage, and there is lacking systematic and practical research. Thus, a novel DT-driven intelligent maintenance decision-making system involving three key-enabling technologies is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the DT-driven maintenance service mode is introduced, and its corresponding system framework is built. Then, the key enabling technologies such as DT modeling, condition monitoring and dynamic pre-alarm, and systematic intelligent maintenance decision-making and verification are expounded in detail. Finally, the cooling water pump is regarded as the case to verify the proposed method. The DT prototype system is developed and verified in the novel system, which demonstrates the novel system and the three key-enabling technologies are feasible and practical.
From Inconsistency to Incompatibility
Authors: Coniglio Marcelo E. , Toledo Guilherme V.
Published: September 2022

The aim of this article is to generalize logics of formal inconsistency (LFIs) to systems dealing with the concept of incompatibility, expressed by means of a binary connective. The basic idea is that having two incompatible formulas to hold trivializes a deduction, and as a special case, a formula becomes consistent (in the sense of LFIs) when it is incompatible with its own negation. We show how this notion extends that of consistency in a non-trivial way, presenting conservative translations for many simple LFIs into some of the most basic logics of incompatibility, thereby evidencing in a precise way how the notion of incompatibility generalizes that of consistency. We provide semantics for the new logics, as well as decision procedures, based on restricted non-deterministic matrices. The use of non-deterministic semantics with restrictions is justified by the fact that, as proved here, these systems are not algebraizable according to Blok-Pigozzi nor are they characterizable by finite Nmatrices. Finally, we briefly compare our logics to other systems focused on treating incompatibility, specially those pioneered by Brandom and further developed by Peregrin.
Pobranie narządów, tkanek i komórek od dawcy zmarłego w mechanizmie nieodwracalnego zatrzymania krążenia
Authors: Chełmowska Paulina
Published: September 2022

Transplantacja jest jedną z najmłodszych, lecz zarazem najbardziej skutecznych metod leczenia, umożliwiającą przedłużenie życia lub znaczną poprawę jego jakości u osób zmagających się ze skrajną niewydolnością narządów. Ilość dostępnych narządów, tkanek i komórek jest jednak ograniczona, a zapotrzebowanie na przeszczep, zwłaszcza w krajach wysokorozwiniętych, nieustannie przewyższa podaż. Niestety podejmowane do tej pory próby zwiększenia dostępności materiału transplantacyjnego nie doprowadziły do widocznego skrócenia list oczekujących. Z uwagi na to na całym świecie, na różnych szczeblach, podejmowane są działania, które mają za zadanie doprowadzić do wykorzystania w pełni potencjału tego typu terapii. Do działań takich zalicza się m.in. przyjmowanie rozwiązań, które umożliwią pobieranie narządów, tkanek i komórek od dawców zmarłych w mechanizmie nieodwracalnego zatrzymania krążenia.
The Critical Analysis of Article 55a of The Act on the Institute of National Remembrance – Commission for the Prosecution of Crimes against the Polish Nation (de lege derogata)
Authors: Palka-Stolorz Karolina
Published: September 2022

This article is presenting the Holocaust denial crime under Article 55a of the Act on the Institute of National Remembrance, which was widely criticized during the 73rd anniversary of the liberation of the former Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. The introduction to the text presents the circumstances surrounding the passing of this provision, its main assumptions, as well as the opinions of particular persons about it. The study is dominated by the dogmatic method of conceiving the legal text, with elements of functional analysis. The legal part of the study includes an analysis of particular terms contained in the provision. In the next one, examples of other countries where denial of Nazi crimes is punishable are indicated. In the last part of the study, a summary can be found, containing the most important conclusions from the study.
Helena Modrzejewska i Jan Królikowski
Authors: Waszkiel Halina
Published: September 2022

The article describes the relationship between two actors who performed together on the stages of the Warsaw Theaters in Warsaw: Helena Modjeska and Jan Królikowski, especially in 1868-69, that is, during Modjeska’s stay in Warsaw for her first guest performances. In total, they appeared together in twenty- five plays in Warsaw in 1868-82. Modjeska and Królikowski are the brightest theater stars of their time. How did their artistic encounters go? How did the audience perceive their joint performances? What could they offer each other? The article briefly discusses questions of this kind, paying particular attention to the type of roles they created and the reactions of critics. There are some common features of these two actors: thorough work on each character performed, refining roles to the smallest detail, and mastery of acting, appreciated by both the audience and critics. The question remains why two masters of acting occupy such different places in the memory of posterity.
Piękno Modrzejewskiej
Authors: Ratajczakowa Dobrochna
Published: September 2022

Despite the golden proportion repeatedly appearing in nature and human body (it is even evident in so minor a detail as the difference between the upper and lower lip, which is 1.68 in regular cases, as is well-known to esthetic medicine practitioners), the ‘golden regularity’ itself, which sculpts the external looks of humans, is not enough. Besides, whatever can be said of it, it is not a necessary condition of handsome looks in many people regarded as beautiful. It is best to have it complemented with the so called soul or simply personality. We are back, therefore, on the old path of tracing connections between the inner beauty and physical looks. It is this connection that is the secret of nature, its gift sub rosa.
Contractual Coordination of Agricultural Marketing Cooperatives With Quality Provisions
Authors: Qian Xiaoyan , Olsen Tava Lennon
Published: September 2022

Problem Definition: With increasing concerns about the quality and safety of agricultural products, many agricultural cooperatives (co-ops) have begun to specify quality provisions in contracts with farmers. Correspondingly, they are pooling products to quality-differentiated markets and offering quality-differentiated prices to farmers in multiple stages. Methodology/results: We propose a two-stage stochastic program to study the quality coordination problem in a setting where a co-op specifies a quality standard and offers a multistage payment scheme in its contract with multiple farmers who can exert quality-related effort and also show preference toward prompt payment timing. We first analyze a commonly adopted payment scheme, the pooling payment scheme, and then propose an improved payment scheme, the upfront incentive (UI) payment scheme. We find that the pooling payment scheme is able to coordinate the supply chain only when farmers’ time preference is higher than a threshold; otherwise, the scheme leads to the problem of over-motivation with respect to effort. However, the UI payment scheme can coordinate the supply chain unconditionally and is also robust to farmers heterogeneous in farm size. We further conduct two extensions, including farmers heterogeneous in farm size and dynamic market size. Managerial implications: The results provide guidance on a co-op’s contract design, including quality provision and payment mechanisms in multiple periods.

Funding: This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [71901054]. The research of T. L. Olsen was supported in part by Te Pūnaha Matatini Centre of Research Excellence.

Supplemental Material: The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2022.1151 .
The Implementation of the Alternative Fusion Reactor Project
Authors: S. I Fisenko
Published: September 2022

As it is known, the main efforts of the international community to solve the problem of controlled thermonuclear fusion are concentrated mainly on the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project. The achievement of positive results in this project is still very problematic. Experimental data show the absence of plasma retention in a stable state. The effectiveness of the magnetic field is limited only by heating the plasma, but not by its retention in a stable state, and at the moment it is an indisputable experimental fact.
Management Dilemma of a Neuropathic Knee in a Known Case of Larsen Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Rai Abhishek Kumar , Rathod Tushar Narayan , Mohanty Shubhranshu Shekhar
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Larsen syndrome (LS) is a rare genetic disorder affecting mainly the connective tissues. It is characterized by characteristic facial anomalies, cervical kyphosis, cardiorespiratory disorders, and multiple joint dislocations. We present a case of a 15-year-old male with unstable neuropathic knee joint instability in a known case of LS. The paucity of literature on the management of this rare condition puts an orthopedician in dilemma regarding the optimal treatment. Case Report: A 15-year-old male, known case of LS, presented to our outpatient department with pain and instability in the right knee for 2 years. Clinically, the patient was having syndromic facies. The diagnosis of LS was confirmed on gene mapping. The right knee was swollen with medial joint line tenderness and restricted flexion. The patient had coronal plane valgus instability. The hypertrophied synovium eroded the articular surface. The radiograph of knee was suggestive of neuropathic arthropathy in fragmentation stage. Conclusion: Orthopedician should be aware of such rare entity with its bony and soft-tissue manifestations. Neuropathic knee is not an absolute contraindication to total knee replacement, especially with advanced prosthesis. Primary arthrodesis to be considered in young adults with instability.
Solitary Osteochondroma of the Scapula in a Young Male: A Case Report
Authors: Jindal Vasu , Khandekar Anil , Gupta Parag , Binyala Shrey
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Osteochondroma is a type of cartilaginous tumor. It is the most common benign tumor of axial skeleton usually arising around the knee, proximal humerus, and pelvis. Solitary osteochondroma of the scapula is relatively rare and usually incidental finding accompanied by pain and dysfunction. These lesions can easily be followed radiographically with plain radiograph. Computed tomography (CT) is used to determine the precise location and its relationship with the surrounding soft tissues and enable accurate surgical removal. Case Report: In this report, we present a rare case of a symptomatic scapular osteochondroma in a 18-year-old male who presented with the complaints of swelling over the left scapula. X-ray showed a bony outgrowth along the posteromedial border of the left scapula. CT scan was done to know extent of the growth. MRI was performed to rule out soft-tissue involvement. Despite the young age of the patient, surgical excision was performed. The outcome was good, the patient noticed disappearance of swelling and a normal profile of the scapula was gained. Conclusion: We have described a rare case of scapular osteochondroma associated with different signs, symptoms, and positive radiological findings. This lesion was removed surgically, and a follow-up indicated complete symptom relief with no history of recurrence. By reporting this case, we aim to increase the awareness of unusual manifestations of osteochondroma, particularly in terms of site, age of onset, and atypical presenting signs and symptoms.
Elasticity in evaluations of criminal evidence: Exploring the role of cognitive dissonance
Authors: Ask Karl , Reinhard Marc‐André , Marksteiner Tamara , Granhag Pär Anders
Published: September 2022

Purpose. Previous experiments have demonstrated asymmetrical scepticism in investigators' judgments of criminal evidence – evidence inconsistent (vs. consistent) with the dominant hypothesis about a case is judged as less reliable. In addition, some types of evidence (e.g., witness testimony) are more susceptible to asymmetrical scepticism than others (e.g., DNA evidence), indicating varying degrees of elasticity. This article proposes that inconsistent evidence arouses cognitive dissonance, and that the dissonance can be reduced through either asymmetrical scepticism (for high‐elasticity evidence) or belief change (for low‐elasticity evidence). The hypotheses are tested in two experiments.

Methods. In both experiments, law students made a preliminary judgment about the guilt of a suspect in a homicide case, and subsequently received a piece of DNA or witness evidence which was either consistent or inconsistent with the preliminary judgment. The extent to which participants changed their guilt judgments, judged the additional evidence as reliable, and felt dissonance served as the main dependent variables.

Results. Inconsistent (vs. consistent) evidence did arouse stronger dissonance, but only for witness (and not DNA) evidence. Experienced dissonance (Experiment 1) and dissonance reduction (Experiment 2) accounted for the effect of the evidence on changes in guilt judgments, but not for the effect on reliability judgments. The greatest dissonance reduction was observed among participants who received inconsistent witness evidence but did not change their guilt judgments accordingly.

Conclusions. It appears that dissonance plays a significant, although complex, role in investigative judgments of guilt and reliability. Alternative dissonance‐reducing mechanisms that can account for the findings and practical implications are discussed.
Effects of iron impurities on the photoelectric response characteristics of silicon
Authors: Lv Tong , Qi Lei , Zhang Rongzhu
Published: September 2022

Since Fe contamination is easily mixed into Si-based photoelectric materials during the fabrication process, the relative changes of energy levels and photoelectric properties of the Si material mixed with Fe impurities in different occupancy sites are studied. Based on the first-principles and photoelectric response theory, an analysis model of the response characteristics of the Si material mixed with Fe impurities is established. The changes of the material’s electronic structure are calculated, and the effects of different occupancy sites of Fe impurities on the photoelectric response characteristics of materials are comparatively analyzed. The results show that when the Fe atom occupies the tetrahedral interstitial site in Si, the energy band structure and response characteristics of the material are relatively obviously affected. In this case, the impurity energy band introduced by the Fe impurity passes through the Fermi level, leading to the disappearance of the bandgap. The absorption of the Si material outside the response band is significantly enhanced, and a new absorption peak is generated at about 1530 nm, with an absorption coefficient of about

25513

c
m

−
1

. Thus, the Si material can produce a relatively strong response to the light beam outside the response band. In the meantime, the saturation threshold of the Si-based photoreceptor is significantly lower than that of the other two position types. For the irradiation light at the wavelength of 1319 nm, the saturation power is only

0.0035

W

⋅

c
m

−
2

. The analysis results provide a reference for the application and development of photoelectric devices.
Visible near-infrared hyperspectral imaging and supervised classification for the detection of small intestinal necrosis tissue in vivo
Authors: Zhang LeChao , Huang DanFei , Chen XiaoJing , Zhu LiBin , Chen XiaoQing , Xie ZhongHao , Huang GuangZao , Gao JunZhao , Shi Wen , Cui GuiHua
Published: September 2022

Complete recognition of necrotic areas during small bowel tissue resection remains challenging due to the lack of optimal intraoperative aid identification techniques. This research utilizes hyperspectral imaging techniques to automatically distinguish normal and necrotic areas of small intestinal tissue. Sample data were obtained from the animal model of small intestinal tissue of eight Japanese large-eared white rabbits developed by experienced physicians. A spectral library of normal and necrotic regions of small intestinal tissue was created and processed using six different supervised classification algorithms. The results show that hyperspectral imaging combined with supervised classification algorithms can be a suitable technique to automatically distinguish between normal and necrotic areas of small intestinal tissue. This new technique could aid physicians in objectively identify normal and necrotic areas of small intestinal tissue.
Rendering spectral images
Authors: Gesley Mark , Puri Romin
Published: September 2022

Objects of interest are rendered from spectral images. Seven types of blood and cancer cells are imaged in a microscope with changes in source illumination and sensor gain over one year calibrated. Chromatic distortion is measured and corrections analyzed. Background is discriminated with binary decisions generated from a training sample pair. A filter is derived from two sample-dependent binary decision parameters: a linear discriminant and a minimum error bias. Excluded middle decisions eliminate order-dependent errors. A global bias maximizes the number and size of spectral objects. Sample size and dimensional limits on accuracy are described using a covariance stability relation.
Giant enhancement of acoustic and fluorescence emission from an off-axis reflective femtosecond laser filamentation system
Authors: Tao Shishi , Xie Bofu , Xue Jiayun , Zhang Zhi , Zhang Nan , Guo Lanjun , Lin Lie , Qi Pengfei , Zhao Xing , Liu Weiwei
Published: September 2022

Femtosecond laser filamentation propagating tens of meters to several kilometers with high intensity in the atmosphere has been demonstrated as a powerful tool for remote sensing. In contrast to the refractive systems, the reflective optical systems possess a variety of advantages including broad bandwidth, large aperture, light weight and low energy loss. However, astigmatic aberration is inevitably introduced by off-axis reflective mirrors. It can greatly affect the filament quality, which is critical for exciting and detecting the fluorescence of target molecules. Here we elaborately design a free-form phase plate to correct the astigmatism in off-axis reflective optical systems. It is demonstrated that the free-form surface exhibits excellent performance, significantly reducing the astigmatic difference from 44 cm to 4 cm and increasing the maximum acoustic intensity by a factor of 53. In addition, extremely strong nitrogen fluorescence spectra have been detected. These results indicate that the free-form phase plate can effectively compensate for astigmatic aberration in off-axis reflective system, providing a guiding significance for the optimal control of filamentation and remote sensing.
Watt-level diode-pumped Tm:YVO4 laser at 2.3 µm
Authors: Yu Xiaoxu , Chu Hongwei , Zha Fangyuan , Pan Han , Zhao Shengzhi , Pan Zhongben , Li Dechun
Published: September 2022

In this Letter, a watt-level laser diode (LD)-pumped ∼2.3-µm (on the 3H4→3H5 quasi-four-level transition) laser is reported based on a 1.5 at.% a-cut Tm:YVO4 crystal. The maximum continuous wave (CW) output power obtained is 1.89 W and 1.11 W with the maximum slope efficiency of 13.6% and 7.3% (versus the absorbed pump power) for the 1% and 0.5% transmittance of the output coupler, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, the CW output power of 1.89 W we obtained is the highest CW output power amongst the LD-pumped ∼2.3-µm Tm3+-doped lasers.
Prehypertension and its predictors among older adolescents: A cross-sectional study from eastern Nepal
Authors: Thapa Jeevan , Sundar Budhathoki Shyam , Niraula Surya Raj , Pandey Sagar , Thakur Nishant , Pokharel Paras K.
Published: September 2022

Prehypertension is a state of transition between normal blood pressure and hypertension. Adolescent prehypertension is a strong predictor of hypertension in adults and is now considered for cardiovascular intervention or risk reduction. This study was conducted among adolescents to assess the burden of pre-hypertension and its predictors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among grade 11 and 12 students in three districts in eastern Nepal namely Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari. Sampling was done using a multistage stratified proportionate random method. A semi-structured questionnaire adapted from the WHO STEPwise approach to the non-communicable disease risk factor surveillance (STEPS) instrument was used as a study tool after modification and pre-testing in addition to the anthropometric and blood pressure measurements by the investigators. The prevalence of prehypertension was assessed along with the identification of its predictors through multivariable binary logistic regression modelling. A total of 806 participants aged 15 to 19 years, with 57.1% female, participated in the study. Prehypertension was found in 20.8% (24.6% in males and 18.0% in females) of the participants, while 7.1% of them were hypertensive (9.2% males and 5.4% females). Obesity and central obesity were seen among 6.3% and 17.7% of the respondents respectively. Age, sex, ethnicity and obesity were found to be significantly associated with prehypertension. A significant proportion of prehypertension was seen among the adolescent population along with a notable presence of risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and eating out. This warrants careful consideration and identification of relevant strategies to reduce the burden of prehypertension via school-based interventions to reduce the modifiable risk factors.
A causal inference approach for estimating effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions during Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Barros Vesna , Manes Itay , Akinwande Victor , Cintas Celia , Bar-Shira Osnat , Ozery-Flato Michal , Shimoni Yishai , Rosen-Zvi Michal
Published: September 2022

In response to the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), governments worldwide have introduced multiple restriction policies, known as non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). However, the relative impact of control measures and the long-term causal contribution of each NPI are still a topic of debate. We present a method to rigorously study the effectiveness of interventions on the rate of the time-varying reproduction number Rt and on human mobility, considered here as a proxy measure of policy adherence and social distancing. We frame our model using a causal inference approach to quantify the impact of five governmental interventions introduced until June 2020 to control the outbreak in 113 countries: confinement, school closure, mask wearing, cultural closure, and work restrictions. Our results indicate that mobility changes are more accurately predicted when compared to reproduction number. All NPIs, except for mask wearing, significantly affected human mobility trends. From these, schools and cultural closure mandates showed the largest effect on social distancing. We also found that closing schools, issuing face mask usage, and work-from-home mandates also caused a persistent reduction on Rt after their initiation, which was not observed with the other social distancing measures. Our results are robust and consistent across different model specifications and can shed more light on the impact of individual NPIs.
Approaches used to prevent and reduce the use of restrictive practices on adults with learning disabilities: Protocol for a realist review
Authors: Haines-Delmont Alina , Tsang Anthony , Szifris Kirstine , Craig Elaine , Chapman Melanie , Baker John , Baker Peter , Ridley James , Thomson Michaela , Bourlet Gary , Morrison Beth , Duxbury Joy
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The use of restrictive practices has significant adverse effects on the individual, care providers and organisations. This review will describe how, why, for whom, and in what circumstances approaches used by healthcare organisations work to prevent and reduce the use of restrictive practices on adults with learning disabilities.

Methods and analysis

Evidence from the literature will be synthesised using a realist review approach - an interpretative, theory-driven approach to understand how complex healthcare approaches work in reducing the use of restrictive practices in these settings. In step 1, existing theories will be located to explore what approaches work by consulting with key topic experts, holding consultation workshops with healthcare professionals, academics, and experts by experience, and performing an informal search to help develop an initial programme theory. A systematic search will be performed in the second step in electronic databases. Further searches will be performed iteratively to test particular subcomponents of the initial programme theory, which will also include the use of the CLUSTER approach. Evidence judged as relevant and rigorous will be used to test the initial programme theory. In step three, data will be extracted and coded inductively and deductively. The final step will involve using a realist logic of analysis to refine the initial programme theory in light of evidence. This will then provide a basis to describe and explain what key approaches work, why, how and in what circumstances in preventing and reducing the use of restrictive practices in adults with learning disabilities in healthcare settings.

Results

Findings will be used to provide recommendations for practice and policymaking.

Registration

In accordance with the guidelines, this realist review protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) on 4th December 2019 (CRD42019158432).
Streptococcus pyogenes can support or inhibit growth of Haemophilus influenzae by supplying or restricting extracellular NAD+
Authors: Lee Hyunju , Edgar Rebecca J. , Lichtenstein Ian J. , Velarde Jorge J. , Korotkova Natalia , Wessels Michael R.
Published: September 2022

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is an essential co-factor for cellular metabolism and serves as a substrate in enzymatic processes. NAD+ is produced by de novo synthesis or salvage pathways in nearly all bacterial species. Haemophilus influenzae lacks the capacity for de novo synthesis, so it is dependent on import of NAD+ from the external environment or salvage biosynthetic pathways for recycling of NAD+ precursors and breakdown products. However, the actual sources of NAD+ utilized by H. influenzae in the respiratory tract are not well defined. In this study, we found that a variety of bacteria, including species found in the upper airway of humans, released NAD+ that was readily detectable in extracellular culture fluid, and which supported growth of H. influenzae in vitro. By contrast, certain strains of Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus or GAS) inhibited growth of H. influenzae in vitro by secreting NAD+-glycohydrolase (NADase), which degraded extracellular NAD+. Conversely, GAS strains that lacked enzymatically active NADase released extracellular NAD+, which could support H. influenzae growth. Our results suggest that many bacterial species, including normal flora of the upper airway, release NAD+ into the environment. GAS is distinctive in its ability to both release and degrade NAD+. Thus, colonization of the airway with H. influenzae may be promoted or restricted by co-colonization with GAS in a strain-specific manner that depends, respectively, on release of NAD+ or secretion of active NADase. We suggest that, in addition to its role as a cytotoxin for host cells, NADase may serve a separate function by restricting growth of H. influenzae in the human respiratory tract.
How much does it cost to implement the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative training step in the United States and Mexico?
Authors: Arslanian Kendall J. , Vilar-Compte Mireya , Teruel Graciela , Lozano-Marrufo Annel , Rhodes Elizabeth C. , Hromi-Fiedler Amber , García Erika , Pérez-Escamilla Rafael
Published: September 2022

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) has been shown to increase breastfeeding rates, improving maternal and child health and driving down healthcare costs via the benefits of breastfeeding. Despite its clear public health and economic benefits, one key challenge of implementing the BFHI is procuring funding to sustain the program. To address this need and help healthcare stakeholders advocate for funds, we developed a structured method to estimate the first-year cost of implementing BFHI staff training, using the United States (US) and Mexico as case studies. The method used a hospital system-wide costing approach, rather than costing an individual hospital, to estimate the average per birth BFHI staff training costs in US and Mexican hospitals with greater than 500 annual births. It was designed to utilize publicly available data. Therefore, we used the 2014 American Hospital Association dataset (n = 1401 hospitals) and the 2018 Mexican Social Security Institute dataset (n = 154 hospitals). Based on our review of the literature, we identified three key training costs and modelled scenarios via an econometric approach to assess the sensitivity of the estimates based on hospital size, level of obstetric care, and training duration and intensity. Our results indicated that BFHI staff training costs ranged from USD 7.27–125.39 per birth in the US and from PPP 2.68–6.14 per birth in Mexico, depending on hospital size and technological capacity. Estimates differed between countries because the US had more hospital staff per birth and higher staff salaries than Mexico. Future studies should examine whether similar, publicly available data exists in other countries to test if our method can be replicated or adapted for use in additional settings. Healthcare stakeholders can better advocate for the funding to implement the entire BFHI program if they are able to generate informed cost estimates for training as we did here.
COVID-19 and public support for autonomous technologies—Did the pandemic catalyze a world of robots?
Authors: Horowitz Michael C. , Kahn Lauren , Macdonald Julia , Schneider Jacquelyn
Published: September 2022

By introducing a novel risk to human interaction, COVID-19 may have galvanized interest in uses of artificial intelligence (AI). But was the pandemic a large enough catalyst to change public attitudes about the costs and benefits of autonomous systems whose operations increasingly rely on AI? To answer this question, we use a preregistered research design that exploits variation across the 2018 and 2020 waves of the CCES/CES, a nationally representative survey of adults in the United States. We compare support for autonomous cars, autonomous surgeries, weapons, and cyber defense pre- and post-the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. We find that, despite the incentives created by COVID-19, the pandemic did not increase support for most of these technologies, except in the case of autonomous surgery among those who know someone who died of COVID-19. The results hold even when controlling for a variety of relevant political and demographic factors. The pandemic did little to push potential autonomous vehicle users to support adoption. Further, American concerns about autonomous weapons, including cyber defense, remain sticky and perhaps exacerbated over the last two years. These findings suggest that the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and the adoption of many of these systems is far more nuanced and complex than headlines may suggest.
A pilot study investigating human behaviour towards DAVE (Dog Assisted Virtual Environment) and interpretation of non-reactive and aggressive behaviours during a virtual reality exploration task
Authors: Oxley James A. , Meyer Georg , Cant Iain , Bellantuono Giuseppe M. , Butcher Matthew , Levers Andrew , Westgarth Carri
Published: September 2022

Dog aggression is a public health concern because dog bites often lead to physical and psychological trauma in humans. It is also a welfare concern for dogs. To prevent aggressive behaviours, it is important to understand human behaviour towards dogs and our ability to interpret signs of dog aggression. This poses ethical challenges for humans and dogs. The aim of this study was to introduce, describe and pilot test a virtual reality dog model (DAVE (Dog Assisted Virtual Environment)). The Labrador model has two different modes displaying aggressive and non-reactive non-aggressive behaviours. The aggressive behaviours displayed are based on the current understanding of canine ethology and expert feedback. The objective of the study was to test the recognition of dog behaviour and associated human approach and avoidance behaviour. Sixteen university students were recruited via an online survey to participate in a practical study, and randomly allocated to two experimental conditions, an aggressive followed by a non-reactive virtual reality model (group AN) or vice versa (group NA). Participants were instructed to ‘explore the area’ in each condition, followed by a survey. A Wilcoxon and Mann Whitney U test was used to compare the closest distance to the dog within and between groups respectively. Participants moved overall significantly closer to the non-reactive dog compared to the aggressive dog (p≤0.001; r = 0.8). Descriptions of the aggressive dog given by participants often used motivational or emotional terms. There was little evidence of simulator sickness and presence scores were high indicating sufficient immersion in the virtual environment. Participants appeared to perceive the dog as realistic and behaved and interacted with the dog model in a manner that might be expected during an interaction with a live dog. This study also highlights the promising results for the potential future use of virtual reality in behavioural research (i.e., human-dog interactions), education (i.e. safety around dogs) and psychological treatment (e.g. dog phobia treatment).
Exploring behaviours perceived as important for human—Dog bonding and their translation to a robotic platform
Authors: Riddoch Katie A. , Hawkins Roxanne D. , Cross Emily S.
Published: September 2022

To facilitate long-term engagement with social robots, emerging evidence suggests that modelling robots on social animals with whom many people form enduring social bonds–specifically, pet dogs–may be useful. However, scientific understanding of the features of pet dogs that are important for establishing and maintaining social bonds remains limited to broad qualities that are liked, as opposed to specific behaviours. To better understand dog behaviours that are perceived as important for facilitating social bonds between owner and pet, we surveyed current dog owners (n = 153) with open-ended questions about their dogs’ behaviours. Thematic analysis identified 7 categories of behaviours perceived as important to human—dog bonding, including: 1) attunement, 2) communication, 3) consistency and predictability, 4) physical affection, 5) positivity and enthusiasm, 6) proximity, and 7) shared activities. We consider the feasibility of translating these behaviours into a social robotic platform, and signpost potential barriers moving forward. In addition to providing insight into important behaviours for human—dog bonding, this work provides a springboard for those hoping to implement dog behaviours into animal-like artificial agents designed for social roles.
Quality of life and prosocial or antisocial coping with resource deprivation: A cross-sectional study of people at risk of social exclusion
Authors: Chwaszcz Joanna , Bartczuk Rafał P. , Niewiadomska Iwona , Sławska-Jaroszewska Patrycja
Published: September 2022

(1) Background

This paper presents a study based on Stevan Hobfoll’s conservation of resources theory and deals specifically with resources and coping as predictors of the quality of life of persons threatened by social exclusion. They have no access to public psychosocial resources, the acquisition and accumulation of which are closely linked to the perceived quality of life.

(2) Method

A cross-sectional self-reported questionnaire study. A sample of 1,074 individuals from various groups at risk of exclusion was surveyed using the Conservation of Resources-Evaluation Questionnaire, the Strategic Approach to Coping Scale, and the WHO Quality of Life Questionnaire. The research was done among people supported by Polish non-governmental organizations operating nationwide. Structural equation modeling was used to test mediational hypotheses in the analysis.

(3) Results

The significant variables that determined the relationship between resource gains and losses and the quality of life included active–passive and prosocial–antisocial coping strategies. The results were generally robust, but the level of education moderated the relationship between active antisocial coping and quality of life.

(4) Conclusions

The obtained dependencies are consistent with Hobfoll’s approach, confirming its usefulness. Prosocial coping mediates the effect of resource gain on the increase in quality of life and the effect of resource loss on the decline in quality of life, strengthening the former and weakening the latter.
Episodes of extreme international capital inflows in emerging and developing economies: The role of global economic policy uncertainty
Authors: An Xiaoqing , Wu Bingyan , Dedahanov Alisher Tohirovich , Sun Wei
Published: September 2022

Based on annual data for 31 emerging and developing economies in the period 2000–2020, this paper explores the impact of global economic policy uncertainty on episodes of extreme international capital inflows. Following previous researches, we identify episodes of surges and stops. The results show that the global economic policy uncertainty can significantly increase the probability of surges and decrease the probability of stops in emerging and developing economies. The heterogeneity tests show that these effects vary with economic growth, financial development, the degree of economic globalization and global liquidity. Above effects are significant in the groups with higher economic growth, higher financial development, higher economic globalization and higher global liquidity. Further analyses show that as global economic policy uncertainty rises, its impact on surges and stops gradually declines. In addition, global economic policy uncertainty has a significant negative effect on the surge in advanced economies, which could confirm the above conclusion to a certain extent.