bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New guidance to seekers of autism biomarkers: an update from studies of identical twins
Authors: Constantino John N.
Published: April 2021

Background

The autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are common neuropsychiatric conditions of childhood for which the vast proportion of population risk is attributable to inheritance, and for which there exist few if any replicated biomarkers.

Main body

This commentary summarizes a set of recent studies involving identical (monozygotic, MZ) twins which, taken together, have significant implications for the search for biomarkers of inherited susceptibility to autism. A first is that variation-in-severity of the condition (above the threshold for clinical diagnosis) appears more strongly influenced by stochastic/non-shared environmental influences than by heredity. Second is that there exist disparate early behavioral predictors of the familial recurrence of autism, which are themselves strongly genetically influenced but largely independent from one another. The nature of these postnatal predictors is that they are trait-like, continuously distributed in the general population, and largely independent from variation in general cognition, thereby reflecting a developmental substructure for familial autism. A corollary of these findings is that autism may arise as a developmental consequence of an allostatic load of earlier-occurring liabilities, indexed by early behavioral endophenotypes, in varying permutations and combinations. The clinical threshold can be viewed as a “tipping point” at which stochastic influences and/or other non-shared environmental influences assert much stronger influence on variation-in-severity (a) than do the genetic factors which contributed to the condition in the first place, and (b) than is observed in typical development.

Conclusion

Biomarkers identified on the basis of association with clinical symptom severity in ASD may reflect effects rather than causes of autism. The search for biomarkers of pathogenesis may benefit from a greater focus on traits that predict autism recurrence, among both clinical and general populations. In case–control studies, salient developmental liabilities should be systematically measured in both cases and controls, to avoid the erosion in statistical power (i.e., to detect differences) that can occur if control subjects carry sub-clinical aggregations of the same unmeasured traits that exert causal influences on the development of autism.
Dietary isoleucine improved flesh quality, muscle antioxidant capacity, and muscle growth associated with AKT/TOR/S6K1 and AKT/FOXO3a signaling in hybrid bagrid catfish (Pelteobagrus vachelli♀ × Leiocassis longirostris♂)
Authors: Jiang Qin , Yan Mingyao , Zhao Ye , Zhou Xiaoqiu , Yin Long , Feng Lin , Liu Yang , Jiang Weidan , Wu Pei , Wang Yan , Chen Defang , Yang Shiyong , Huang Xiaoli , Jiang Jun
Published: April 2021

Background

Muscle is the complex and heterogeneous tissue, which comprises the primary edible part of the trunk of fish and mammals. Previous studies have shown that dietary isoleucine (Ile) exerts beneficial effects on growth in aquatic animals. However, there were limited studies regarding the benefits of Ile on fish muscle and their effects on flesh quality and muscle growth. Thus, this study was conducted to explore whether dietary Ile had affected flesh quality and muscle growth in hybrid bagrid catfish (Pelteobagrus vachelli♀ × Leiocassis longirostris♂).

Methods

A total of 630 hybrid fish, with an initial average body weight of 33.11 ± 0.09 g, were randomly allotted into seven experimental groups with three replicates each, and respectively fed seven diets with 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5, 15.0, 17.5, and 20.0 g Ile/kg diets for 8 weeks.

Results

In the present study, we demonstrated that Ile significantly: (1) increased muscle protein and lipid contents and the frequency distribution of myofibers with ≤ 20 μm and ≥ 50 μm of diameter; (2) improved pH value, shear force, cathepsin B and L activities, hydroxyproline content, resilience, cohesiveness, and decreased cooking loss, lactate content, hardness, springiness, gumminess, and chewiness; (3) decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and protein carbonyl (PC) contents, GCLC and Keap1 mRNA levels, and up-regulated CuZnSOD, CAT, GPX1a, GST, and Nrf2 mRNA levels; (4) up-regulated the insulin-like growth factor 1, 2 (IGF-1, IGF-2), insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Myf5, Myod, Myog, Mrf4, and MyHC mRNA levels, and decreased MSTN mRNA level; (5) increased muscle protein deposition by activating AKT-TOR-S6K1 and AKT-FOXO3a signaling pathways.

Conclusion

These results revealed that dietary Ile improved flesh quality, which might be due to increasing nutritional content, physicochemical, texture parameters, and antioxidant ability; promoting muscle growth by affecting myocytes hyperplasia and hypertrophy, and muscle protein deposition associated with protein synthesis and degradation signaling pathways. Finally, the quadratic regression analysis of chewiness, ROS, and protein contents against dietary Ile levels suggested that the optimal dietary Ile levels for hybrid bagrid catfish was estimated to be 14.19, 12.36, and 12.78 g/kg diet, corresponding to 36.59, 31.87, and 32.96 g/kg dietary protein, respectively.
Correction to: Design framework for a seamless smart glove using a digital knitting system
Authors: Song Yewon , Lee Seulah , Choi Yuna , Han Sora , Won Hyuna , Sung Tae-Hyun , Choi Youngjin , Bae Jihyun
Published: April 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Five-Year Outcomes With Pembrolizumab Versus Chemotherapy for Metastatic Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer With PD-L1 Tumor Proportion Score ≥ 50%
Authors: Reck Martin , Rodríguez-Abreu Delvys , Robinson Andrew G. , Hui Rina , Csőszi Tibor , Fülöp Andrea , Gottfried Maya , Peled Nir , Tafreshi Ali , Cuffe Sinead , O'Brien Mary , Rao Suman , Hotta Katsuyuki , Leal Ticiana A. , Riess Jonathan W. , Jensen Erin , Zhao Bin , Pietanza M. Catherine , Brahmer Julie R.
Published: April 2021

PURPOSE

We report the first 5-year follow-up of any first-line phase III immunotherapy trial for non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). KEYNOTE-024 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02142738 ) is an open-label, randomized controlled trial of pembrolizumab compared with platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with previously untreated NSCLC with a programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) tumor proportion score of at least 50% and no sensitizing EGFR or ALK alterations. Previous analyses showed pembrolizumab significantly improved progression-free survival and overall survival (OS).

METHODS

Eligible patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to pembrolizumab (200 mg once every 3 weeks for up to 35 cycles) or platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients in the chemotherapy group with progressive disease could cross over to pembrolizumab. The primary end point was progression-free survival; OS was a secondary end point.

RESULTS

Three hundred five patients were randomly assigned: 154 to pembrolizumab and 151 to chemotherapy. Median (range) time from randomization to data cutoff (June 1, 2020) was 59.9 (55.1-68.4) months. Among patients initially assigned to chemotherapy, 99 received subsequent anti–PD-1 or PD-L1 therapy, representing a 66.0% effective crossover rate. Median OS was 26.3 months (95% CI, 18.3 to 40.4) for pembrolizumab and 13.4 months (9.4-18.3) for chemotherapy (hazard ratio, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.48 to 0.81). Kaplan-Meier estimates of the 5-year OS rate were 31.9% for the pembrolizumab group and 16.3% for the chemotherapy group. Thirty-nine patients received 35 cycles (ie, approximately 2 years) of pembrolizumab, 82.1% of whom were still alive at data cutoff (approximately 5 years). Toxicity did not increase with longer treatment exposure.

CONCLUSION

Pembrolizumab provides a durable, clinically meaningful long-term OS benefit versus chemotherapy as first-line therapy for metastatic NSCLC with PD-L1 tumor proportion score of at least 50%.
Effects of Overweight and Obesity on Running Mechanics in Children
Authors: BOWSER BRADLEY J , ROLES KRISTEN
Published: April 2021

Although obesity has been linked to several differences in walking mechanics, few studies have examined movement mechanics of overweight and obese (OW/OB) children performing higher impact activities, such as running.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine differences in running mechanics between healthy weight (HW) children and children classified as OW/OB.

Methods

Forty-two children (17 OW/OB, 25 HW) ran overground while kinematic and kinetic data were recorded using a motion capture system and force plate. Kinematic variables of interest included stance time, step length, and frontal and sagittal plane joint angles and excursions at the hip, knee, and ankle. Kinetic variables of interest included ground reaction forces and hip, knee, and ankle moments in the sagittal and frontal planes.

Results

The OW/OB group spent more time in stance, took shorter steps, displayed less hip flexion during the first half of stance, had greater ankle inversion at foot strike, had greater knee abduction throughout stance, and had smaller knee flexion, knee adduction, and hip adduction excursions. In comparing unscaled ground reaction forces, the OW/OB group displayed greater peak vertical force, vertical impact peaks, and vertical loading rates. The OW/OB group also displayed greater unscaled plantar and dorsiflexion moments, knee flexion and extension moments, ankle inversion moments, and knee and hip abduction moments.

Conclusion

These data suggest that increased body weight in children is associated with changes in running mechanics. Higher joint moments and ground reaction forces may indicate increased injury risk or the development of joint degeneration among overweight/obese children.
Do fluorocarbons substantially increase transdermal oxygen delivery? A proof-of-principle study in mice
Authors: Kaestner Lars , Laschke Matthias W. , John Thomas , Wagner Christian , Bogdanova Anna
Published: April 2021

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who need intensive medical care often require oxygen ventilation, but the number of ventilation machines is limited, and in some parts of the world, they are not available at all. In addition to patients for whom there is no access to ventilation machines there is also a considerable population of patients for whom ventilation is not sufficient for them to survive a critical state.

Methods: Here, we propose and test an alternative oxygen supply through accelerated transdermal oxygen delivery. Covering the entire body with liquid fluorocarbons, which can dissolve 20 times more oxygen than water, we hypothesized to increase the contribution of transcutaneous respiration by a sustained amount.

Results: Experiments applying pure medical grade perfluorodecalin on nude mice did not change their oxygenation in the blood under induced hypoxic conditions compared to control mice. However, increases in blood oxygenation below 2% could not be detected with the applied method.

Conclusions: We could not establish a proof-of-principle for a substantial increase in oxygen supply by transdermal oxygen delivery in mammals.
Adrenal insufficiency development during chemotherapy plus anti-programmed death receptor-1 monoclonal antibody (tislelizumab) therapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer: two case reports
Authors: Baek Jin Ho
Published: April 2021

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-associated adrenal insufficiency is rare but may become a serious adverse event in patients treated with ICIs. The present case report documents two cases of adrenal insufficiency developed during chemotherapy plus tislelizumab (百泽安, Baize’an; BeiGene Ltd.) therapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Adrenal insufficiency developed after 6 and 13 cycles of treatment and was well controlled with hydrocortisone. The patients also developed hypothyroidism, which was managed with levothyroxine. Two patients showed a partial response, and one patient out of two achieved a near-complete response, sustaining over 11 months. Increased awareness of ICI-related adrenal insufficiency is crucial for early detection and prompt management of patients treated with ICIs.
Digital Business Solutions and the Network Environment of the Smart City Infrastructure
Authors: Levchaev Petr
Published: April 2021

The purpose of the study is to develop theoretical positions, methodological approaches and practical aspects of the formation of a system of digital business solutions and the network environment of the smart city infrastructure. In accordance with the intended purpose it is supposed to solve a series of staged objectives, namely: to systematize the evolution of information and communication technologies; to identify the peculiarities of the network character of modern business and social institutions, as well as the peculiarities of the information economy and market information products and services; to substantiate the basic principles and laws of the functioning of economic entities in the information and digital economy. The practical significance of the research lies in the development of a system of digital business solutions and the network environment of the smart city infrastructure in the context of the possibilities of their synergy and singular development.
Wolfram-Technologies in the Implementation of the Principle of Visibility in Teaching Mathematical Disciplines at the Higher School of Economics
Authors: Tatarnikov O. , Vlasov Dmitriy , Sinchukov Aleksandr
Published: April 2021

The article focuses on the substantive and methodological features of the implementation of the principle of clarity by means of Wolfram technologies. The need and methodological feasibility of applying Wolfram technologies in the practice of teaching mathematical disciplines at an economic university is justified. Special attention is paid to the management of educational and cognitive activities of students when working with the created base of visualizations of mathematical concepts and objects, as well as the results of economic and mathematical modeling. Recommendations are presented for teachers of mathematical disciplines, compliance with which contributes to a deeper penetration of undergraduate students into the essence of mathematical methods and a meaningful interpretation of the results obtained on their basis. Disassembled and methodically characterized visualizations affect educational situations that arise when studying various mathematical disciplines: Linear Algebra, Higher Mathematics, Probability Theory and Mathematical Statistics, Theory of Optimal Control, Game Theory, etc. Among them is the visualization of the probability of a random variable falling into the interval under the condition of a normal distribution of a random variable, as well as under the condition that a random variable has a Weibul distribution; visualization of probability density of hypergeometric distribution; visualization of a fragment of a function graph on a period length segment; visualization of parallelogram rule for addition of two vectors in three-dimensional space; visualization of the direction field and integral curves when solving the ordinary differential equation of the first order; visualization of the direction field when solving a system of linear differential equations of the first order. The main results of the study of the new instrumental implementation of the classical didactic principle of clarity described in this article can be useful for improving the professional training system of the future bachelor of economics, as well as for designing the content of new professionally significant disciplines in the educational field «Mathematics and mathematical modeling».
Arte, Salud y Cuidados: una apuesta por la educación artística desde Madrid Salud.
Authors: Ávila Valdés Noemí
Published: April 2021

Este artículo describe la estrategia de incorporar el arte y los y las artistas en los equipos de Madrid Salud. Madrid Salud es el organismo autónomo del Ayuntamiento de Madrid que se encarga de la prevención y la promoción de la salud. En 2011, se pone en marcha el proyecto Arte, Salud y Cuidados, que ha incorporado el arte como herramienta para este propósito. Método y desarrollo: Teniendo en cuenta el informe de la OMS sobre las investigaciones y evidencias que relacionan el arte y salud, publicado en 2019; y el enfoque de la UNESCO sobre la educación artística, fomentando asociaciones creativas, activas y sostenibles, este estudio tiene como objetivo describir el desarrollo y el alcance de la colaboración entre el arte y la salud en Madrid Salud. Resultados y discusión: La descripción de este proceso de incorporación del arte en Madrid Salud evidencia que el arte y la educación artística son herramientas válidas, que posibilitan nuevas formas de participación ciudadana en la prevención y la promoción de la salud.
Relación familia-escuela como impulsora de la Educación para la Salud. Análisis de la legislación educativa.
Authors: Rosado-Castellano Fátima , Martín-Bermúdez Nieves
Published: April 2021

El presente trabajo se muestra como un estudio teórico nacido de la necesidad de estudiar la relación existente entre dos ámbitos importantes para la vida de la persona, escuela y familia, y estos como impulsores de la Educación para la Salud. Para conocer las posibilidades participativas de la familia en la escuela y la inclusión de la Educación para la Salud se aborda un análisis de contenido legislativo en materia educativa que se encuentra vigente en la actualidad tanto a nivel nacional como autonómico, en su caso en Extremadura. Los resultados arrojan que la relación familia-escuela se configura como un entramado favorecedor para la obtención de logros educativos tanto en la infancia como en la adolescencia considerándose la Educación para la Salud una disciplina trasversal que abordar curricularmente, contando con la participación de todos los agentes implicados. Como conclusión se destaca que el binomio familia-escuela es un pilar básico para la educación integral
Identity of Political Players in Game Theory
Authors: Łukomski Piotr
Published: April 2021

The process of modelling political phenomena, subject to the methodological principles of science, creates problems at various levels of reconstructing reality. The problems result from the application of these principles in isolation from the basic goal, which is the adequacy of the model in relation to real phenomena. This adequacy is considered primarily from the point of view of the possibility of explaining the observed phenomena. The presented analysis concerns the problem of assumptions made in relation to players in game theory and their relation to the social world, but first of all, from the point of view of the relationship between subjectivity, identity and the ability to make decisions by political players based on the semantic interpretation of the world of politics.
The Populist Identity of the Promoters of Alternative Medicine
Authors: GÓRKA Jakub K.
Published: April 2021

In this paper, the author compares phenomena of political populism and alternative medicine on the ground of – similar in structure and content – narrations (and identities created on their basis) of propagators and followers of these ideas/ social praxis. The main thesis of the paper is the assumption that the narrative and identity mechanisms of alternative medicine are analogous to those of political populism. The author tries to prove it in the context of their relation to their counterparts in the mainstream of power/knowledge, with the assumption that these are dialectical relations understood in a specific manner. The oppositions of populism–liberal democracy and alternative medicine–conventional medicine are real, but in the broader sense, they complement and need each other to preserve the cores of the system, which implicates ineffectiveness of those alternative discourses. This article presents examples of anti-elitism and conspiratorial thinking both in political populism and in alternative medicine. It turns out that populism and unconventional medicine are so closely connected that alternative medicine, in its attitudes, refers not only to medical statements, but also to political ones.
Anti-Politics and Civic Identity: How to Revitalize the Public Sphere in a Democracy?
Authors: Tobiasz Marcin
Published: April 2021

Contemporary democracy requires rethinking on the normative level and certain changes in the institutional and cultural dimensions. To this end, we should start by revising our perception of the public sphere and the role that citizens have to play in it. First of all, it should be emphasized that the public sphere is composed of various citizens’ forums, which should be effectively included in the political decision-making process. New institutional solutions must ensure the free flow of information between citizens and take into account different, even minority points of view, because democracy, if it is not to be exclusive, cannot be limited only to formal representation and closed, top-defined forms of discourse. In fact, people are unequal in terms of their civic competences, both in terms of their individual characteristics, as well as their social position, and democracy should neutralize these inequalities. These problems cannot be solved on purely theoretical grounds. Indeed, the clash of different views and arguments in the political debate is a constitutive element of politics, and therefore they have to be negotiated in practice by actual citizens. The lack of such solutions and, consequently, the experiences enabling the development of civic competences, not only result in a crisis of democracy, but also lead to the negation of the very essence of politics.
Comparing Objective and Subjective Measures of Sleep Loss with Balance Performance in Farmers
Authors: Sedlacek Devan , Beacom Matthew , Bista Sabin R. , Rautiainen Risto , Siu Ka-Chun
Published: April 2021

Highlights

The farming population is at risk of injury due to sleep deprivation.

Loss of sleep during previous night affects balance performance in farmers.

Objective measures of sleep are more reliable than subjective measures for predicting balance performance.

Abstract. This study aimed to investigate the ability of both subjective and objective sleep measures to predict balance difficulty in agricultural workers. Seven male farmers from rural Nebraska were analyzed for static balance performance following a bout of sleep. Actiwatches were used to measure objective sleep hours and subjective questionnaires, including the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, were used to measure subjective hours of sleep and sleep quality. The participants were observed for 12 sessions, with six in planting season and six in harvest season. Static balance testing consisted of measuring the area, total displacement, and maximum range in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions of the individual’s center of pressure with Tekscan pressure mats. Overall, it was found that objective measures had a higher correlation with the magnitude of balance deviations than subjective measures. Keywords: Actiwatch, Agricultural worker, Injury, Sleep deprivation.
Agricultural Safety and Health Learning Methods for Agricultural Workforces
Authors: Gorucu Serap , Fetzer Linda
Published: April 2021

Highlights

Demonstrations and one-on-one training were the most preferred learning methods.

The most-used learning methods were electronic methods.

Printed materials were preferred and perceived as effective by Baby Boomers.

Abstract. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences among generational cohorts in the agricultural workforce in learning methods, including frequency of use, perceived effectiveness, and preference. A total of 211 participants representing the agricultural workforce completed either a paper-based or online questionnaire. Generational cohorts were determined using participants’ birth years. The results show that regardless of the generational cohort, demonstrations and one-on-one training were the most preferred learning methods and were also perceived as the most effective methods. Participants indicated that they mostly use electronic methods to learn about agricultural safety and health. Generational differences were found for some learning methods. Printed materials were found to be preferred and perceived as effective by Baby Boomers more so than the other cohorts. Electronic methods were mostly used by Gen X and Millennial participants. For learning about agricultural safety, demonstrations are the most preferred and most effective methods but are not used as frequently as the other learning methods. Agricultural safety education should continue delivering safety demonstrations. Keywords: Learning methods, Multigenerational, Safety and health, Training.
Avaliação do Contexto de Trabalho em uma Instituição Federal de Ensino: Estudo com Servidores da Area de Gestão de Pessoas
Authors: Tessarini Junior Geraldo , Saltorato Patrícia , Sigahi Tiago Fonseca Albuquerque Cavalcanti , Fontes Andréa Regina Martins , Vieira Marina Helena Pereira
Published: April 2021

Pautado nos constructos teóricos da psicodinâmica do trabalho, este artigo tem como objetivo avaliar o contexto de trabalho de servidores públicos técnico-administrativos que atuam na área de gestão de pessoas em uma instituição federal de ensino brasileira. As dimensões organização do trabalho, condições de trabalho e relações socioprofissionais foram consideradas como indicadores de contexto. Realizou-se um estudo de caso por meio de pesquisa documental, observação participante e aplicação da Escala de Avaliação do Contexto de Trabalho. Os resultados indicaram um contexto de trabalho crítico, com constrangimentos associados ao ritmo de trabalho, pressão por prazos, falta de pessoal, condições de infraestrutura e relações de trabalho. O conjunto desses fatores acarreta vivências de sofrimento, expressadas principalmente na desmotivação para o trabalho e na necessidade de adoção de estratégias de defesa para minimizar os possíveis reflexos desse contexto na saúde dos trabalhadores.
Vínculos entre Professores de Universidades Publicas e Privadas: uma Pesquisa Comparativa
Authors: Grillo Rodrigues Ana Paula
Published: April 2021

Esta pesquisa analisou os padrões de vínculos existentes entre professores de universidades públicas e privadas. A qualidade do vínculo estabelecido é capaz de auxiliar na adequação de comportamentos quanto aos objetivos da organização. Para tanto, foi realizado um survey com uma amostra de 115 professores de três universidades brasileiras. Foram abordados três vínculos encontrados mais comumente na realidade do contexto organizacional: comprometimento, entrincheiramento e consentimento. Os resultados apresentaram relação entre padrão de vínculo, número de filhos, exercício de outras atividades remuneradas além da universidade, diferença de vínculo entre professores pesquisadores e não pesquisadores e diferenças entre professores da esfera pública e privada.
“Uma hora o trabalho começou a atrapalhar”: Os diferentes sentidos do trabalho de um dependente químico em recuperação
Authors: Vianna Fernando Ressetti P. Marques , Tonon Juliana Previatto Baldini , Tonon Leonardo , Ferreira Aline
Published: April 2021

O objetivo deste estudo é analisar o papel do sentido do trabalho e suas alterações na trajetória de Don, um dependente químico de 35 anos. Adotamos o método de história de vida, para analisarmos o imbricamento entre os sentidos atribuídos por Don aos trabalhos que desenvolveu ao longo da sua trajetória e seu envolvimento com substâncias psicoativas, do início do uso até a recuperação. Por meio desse método observamos que os sentidos atribuídos ao trabalho pelo sujeito são alterados de acordo com cada etapa da sua vida, desde o momento em que só a droga faz sentido até seu tratamento, quando a vida precisa de novos sentidos. Esta pesquisa traz uma contribuição inovadora dentro dos campos do tratamento da dependência química e do mundo do trabalho, por integrarmos a teoria do sentido do trabalho ao modelo transteórico de mudança em um estudo empírico.
Simplified digital content generation based on an inverse-directed propagation algorithm for holographic stereogram printing
Authors: Khuderchuluun Anar , Piao Yan-Ling , Erdenebat Munkh-Uchral , Dashdavaa Erkhembaatar , Lee Moung Hee , Jeon Seok-Hee , Kim Nam
Published: April 2021

Holographic stereogram (HS) printing requires extensive memory capacity and long computation time during perspective acquisition and implementation of the pixel re-arrangement algorithm. Hogels contain very weak depth information of the object. We propose a HS printing system that uses simplified digital content generation based on the inverse-directed propagation (IDP) algorithm for hogel generation. Specifically, the IDP algorithm generates an array of hogels using a simple process that acquires the full three-dimensional (3D) information of the object, including parallax, depth, color, and shading, via a computer-generated integral imaging technique. This technique requires a short computation time and is capable of accounting for occlusion and accommodation effects of the object points via the IDP algorithm. Parallel computing is utilized to produce a high-resolution hologram based on the properties of independent hogels. To demonstrate the proposed approach, optical experiments are conducted in which the natural 3D visualizations of real and virtual objects are printed on holographic material. Experimental results demonstrate the simplified computation involved in content generation using the proposed IDP-based HS printing system and the improved image quality of the holograms.
Smartphone-based optical palpation: towards elastography of skin for telehealth applications
Authors: Sanderson Rowan W. , Fang Qi , Curatolo Andrea , Taba Aiden , DeJong Helen M. , Wood Fiona M. , Kennedy Brendan F.
Published: April 2021

Smartphones are now integral to many telehealth services that provide remote patients with an improved diagnostic standard of care. The ongoing management of burn wounds and scars is one area in which telehealth has been adopted, using video and photography to assess the repair process over time. However, a current limitation is the inability to evaluate scar stiffness objectively and repeatedly: an essential measurement for classifying the degree of inflammation and fibrosis. Optical elastography detects mechanical contrast on a micrometer- to millimeter-scale, however, typically requires expensive optics and bulky imaging systems, making it prohibitive for wide-spread adoption in telehealth. More recently, a new variant of optical elastography, camera-based optical palpation, has demonstrated the capability to perform elastography at low cost using a standard digital camera. In this paper, we propose smartphone-based optical palpation, adapting camera-based optical palpation by utilizing a commercially available smartphone camera to provide sub-millimeter resolution imaging of mechanical contrast in scar tissue in a form factor that is amenable to telehealth. We first validate this technique on a silicone phantom containing a 5 × 5 × 1 mm3 embedded inclusion, demonstrating comparative image quality between mounted and handheld implementations. We then demonstrate preliminary in vivo smartphone-based optical palpation by imaging a region of healthy skin and two scars on a burns patient, showing clear mechanical contrast between regions of scar tissue and healthy tissue. This study represents the first implementation of elastography on a smartphone device, extending the potential application of elastography to telehealth.
Numerical study of large cross-phase modulation with stationary light pulses
Authors: Chen Yi-Hsuan , Chen Yi-Hsin
Published: April 2021

We report a systematic investigation of cross-phase modulation using techniques of light storage (LS) and stationary light pulse (SLP) based on the effect of electromagnetically induced transparency. Two light fields are stopped in the medium to prolong the interaction time, which enhances the efficiency of optical nonlinearity. We numerically study the properties of the signal SLP field such as lifetime, light pulse storage efficiency, and stored peak intensity as functions of optical density (OD) and coupling field intensity. The strong nonlinearity between LS and SLP photons leads to a phase shift of up to

π

at the single-photon level. Meanwhile, both the LS and SLP photons maintain energy transmission higher than 20%, as the OD of the SLP subsystem is larger than 700. The energy transmission and phase shift can be further improved by increasing the OD of the medium. The performance of the quantum phase gate between two single photons is expected by applying such strong photon interaction.
Continuous-variable quantum key distribution coexisting with classical signals on few-mode fiber
Authors: Zhong Hai , Zou Shanhua , Huang Duan , Guo Ying
Published: April 2021

Continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) holds an advantage of well compatibility with classical coherent optical communications. However, there exists a performance trade-off between CVQKD and classical communication on single-mode fiber (SMF) because of the spontaneous Raman scattering. Space-division multiplexing (SDM) technique may provide a feasible way to mitigate this performance trade-off in short-distance communication while CVQKD coexisting with classical signals on few-mode fiber (FMF). Here, we examine the feasibility of CVQKD coexisting with classical signals on FMF and analyze the noise impact in weak coupling regime. We find that the inter-mode crosstalk generated from the mode coupling and re-coupling between modes and the group delay spread originated from the differential group delay (DGD) contribute the main noise sources. DGD may become one of the main limits for FMF-based CVQKD towards high-speed system. In addition, a well channel wavelength management is needed to suppress the inter-mode four-wave-mixing for achieving the positive secret key rates. The numerical simulations identify the key parameters for CVQKD system, enabling a helpful insight for realizing security analysis of the Gaussian modulated coherent state protocol. It shows that CVQKD coexisting with high power classical signals on FMF is feasible to implement with standard telecommunication components and able to operate at higher secret key rates. The results may provide a potential guideline for the practical high-rate CVQKD integrating with the FMF-based configuration.
Enhanced microLED efficiency via strategic pGaN contact geometries
Authors: Behrman Keith , Kymissis Ioannis
Published: April 2021

Micro light-emitting diode (microLED) structures were modeled and validated with fabricated devices to investigate p-type GaN (pGaN) contact size dependence on power output efficiency. Two schemes were investigated: a constant 10 μm diameter pGaN contact and varying microLED sizes and a constant 10 μm diameter microLED with varying contact sizes. Modeled devices show a 17% improvement in output power by increasing the microLED die size. Fabricated devices followed the same trend with a 70% improvement in power output. Modeled microLED devices of a constant size and varying inner contact sizes show optimized power output at different current densities for various contact sizes. In particular, lower current densities show optimized output for smaller pGaN contacts and trend towards larger contacts for higher current densities in a balance between undesirable efficiency losses at high-current injection and preventing surface recombination losses. We show that for all device geometries, it is preferential to shrink the pGaN contact to maximize efficiency by suppressing surface recombination losses and further improvements should be carefully considered to optimize efficiency for a desired operational brightness.
Full-mode characterization of correlated photon pairs generated in
spontaneous downconversion
Authors: D’Errico Alessio , Hufnagel Felix , Miatto Filippo , Rezaee Mohammadreza , Karimi Ebrahim
Published: April 2021

Spontaneous parametric downconversion is the primary source to generate entangled photon pairs in quantum photonics laboratories. Depending on the experimental design, the generated photon pairs can be correlated in the frequency spectrum, polarization, position-momentum, and spatial modes. Exploring the spatial modes’ correlation has hitherto been limited to the polar coordinates’ azimuthal angle, and a few attempts to study Walsh mode’s radial states. Here, we study the full-mode correlation, on a Laguerre–Gauss basis, between photon pairs generated in a type-I crystal. Furthermore, we explore the effect of a structured pump beam possessing different spatial modes onto bi-photon spatial correlation. Finally, we use the capability to project over arbitrary spatial mode superpositions to perform the bi-photon state’s full quantum tomography in a 16-dimensional subspace.
Quantitative proteome comparison of human hearts with those of model organisms
Authors: Linscheid Nora , Santos Alberto , Poulsen Pi Camilla , Mills Robert W. , Calloe Kirstine , Leurs Ulrike , Ye Johan Z. , Stolte Christian , Thomsen Morten B. , Bentzen Bo H. , Lundegaard Pia R. , Olesen Morten S. , Jensen Lars J. , Olsen Jesper V. , Lundby Alicia
Published: April 2021

Delineating human cardiac pathologies and their basic molecular mechanisms relies on research conducted in model organisms. Yet translating findings from preclinical models to humans present a significant challenge, in part due to differences in cardiac protein expression between humans and model organisms. Proteins immediately determine cellular function, yet their large-scale investigation in hearts has lagged behind those of genes and transcripts. Here, we set out to bridge this knowledge gap: By analyzing protein profiles in humans and commonly used model organisms across cardiac chambers, we determine their commonalities and regional differences. We analyzed cardiac tissue from each chamber of human, pig, horse, rat, mouse, and zebrafish in biological replicates. Using mass spectrometry–based proteomics workflows, we measured and evaluated the abundance of approximately 7,000 proteins in each species. The resulting knowledgebase of cardiac protein signatures is accessible through an online database: atlas.cardiacproteomics.com. Our combined analysis allows for quantitative evaluation of protein abundances across cardiac chambers, as well as comparisons of cardiac protein profiles across model organisms. Up to a quarter of proteins with differential abundances between atria and ventricles showed opposite chamber-specific enrichment between species; these included numerous proteins implicated in cardiac disease. The generated proteomics resource facilitates translational prospects of cardiac studies from model organisms to humans by comparisons of disease-linked protein networks across species.
Hierarchical motor adaptations negotiate failures during force field learning
Authors: Ikegami Tsuyoshi , Ganesh Gowrishankar , Gibo Tricia L. , Yoshioka Toshinori , Osu Rieko , Kawato Mitsuo
Published: April 2021

Humans have the amazing ability to learn the dynamics of the body and environment to develop motor skills. Traditional motor studies using arm reaching paradigms have viewed this ability as the process of ‘internal model adaptation’. However, the behaviors have not been fully explored in the case when reaches fail to attain the intended target. Here we examined human reaching under two force fields types; one that induces failures (i.e., target errors), and the other that does not. Our results show the presence of a distinct failure-driven adaptation process that enables quick task success after failures, and before completion of internal model adaptation, but that can result in persistent changes to the undisturbed trajectory. These behaviors can be explained by considering a hierarchical interaction between internal model adaptation and the failure-driven adaptation of reach direction. Our findings suggest that movement failure is negotiated using hierarchical motor adaptations by humans.
Convolutional neural networks improve species distribution modelling by capturing the spatial structure of the environment
Authors: Deneu Benjamin , Servajean Maximilien , Bonnet Pierre , Botella Christophe , Munoz François , Joly Alexis
Published: April 2021

Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) are statistical models suited for learning complex visual patterns. In the context of Species Distribution Models (SDM) and in line with predictions of landscape ecology and island biogeography, CNN could grasp how local landscape structure affects prediction of species occurrence in SDMs. The prediction can thus reflect the signatures of entangled ecological processes. Although previous machine-learning based SDMs can learn complex influences of environmental predictors, they cannot acknowledge the influence of environmental structure in local landscapes (hence denoted “punctual models”). In this study, we applied CNNs to a large dataset of plant occurrences in France (GBIF), on a large taxonomical scale, to predict ranked relative probability of species (by joint learning) to any geographical position. We examined the way local environmental landscapes improve prediction by performing alternative CNN models deprived of information on landscape heterogeneity and structure (“ablation experiments”). We found that the landscape structure around location crucially contributed to improve predictive performance of CNN-SDMs. CNN models can classify the predicted distributions of many species, as other joint modelling approaches, but they further prove efficient in identifying the influence of local environmental landscapes. CNN can then represent signatures of spatially structured environmental drivers. The prediction gain is noticeable for rare species, which open promising perspectives for biodiversity monitoring and conservation strategies. Therefore, the approach is of both theoretical and practical interest. We discuss the way to test hypotheses on the patterns learnt by CNN, which should be essential for further interpretation of the ecological processes at play.
Housing environment and early childhood development in sub-Saharan Africa: A cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Gao Yaqing , Zhang Long , Kc Ashish , Wang Yinping , Zou Siyu , Chen Chunyi , Huang Yue , Mi Xiaoyi , Zhou Hong
Published: April 2021

Background

The influence of the safety and security of environments on early childhood development (ECD) has been under-explored. Although housing might be linked to ECD by affecting a child’s health and a parent’s ability to provide adequate care, only a few studies have examined this factor. We hypothesized that housing environment is associated with ECD in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Methods and findings

From 92,433 children aged 36 to 59 months who participated in Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) in 20 SSA countries, 88,271 were tested for cognitive and social–emotional development using the Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI) questionnaire and were thus included in this cross-sectional analysis. Children’s mean age was 47.2 months, and 49.8% were girls. Children were considered developmentally on track in a certain domain if they failed no more than 1 ECDI item in that domain. In each country, we used conditional logistic regression models to estimate the association between improved housing (housing with finished building materials, improved drinking water, improved sanitation facilities, and sufficient living area) and children’s cognitive and social–emotional development, accounting for contextual effects and socioeconomic factors. Estimates from each country were pooled using random-effects meta-analyses. Subgroup analyses were conducted by the child’s gender, maternal education, and household wealth quintiles. On-track cognitive development was associated with improved housing (odds ratio [OR] = 1.15, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.24,p< 0.001), improved drinking water (OR = 1.07, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.14,p= 0.046), improved sanitation facilities (OR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.28,p= 0.014), and sufficient living area (OR = 1.06, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.10,p= 0.018). On-track social–emotional development was associated with improved housing only in girls (OR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.25,p= 0.006). The main limitations of this study included the cross-sectional nature of the datasets and the use of the ECDI, which lacks sensitivity to measure ECD outcomes.

Conclusions

In this study, we observed that improved housing was associated with on-track cognitive development and with on-track social–emotional development in girls. These findings suggest that housing improvement in SSA may be associated not only with benefits for children’s physical health but also with broader aspects of healthy child development.
The copy number variation and stroke (CaNVAS) risk and outcome study
Authors: Cole John W. , Adigun Taiwo , Akinyemi Rufus , Akpa Onoja Matthew , Bell Steven , Chen Bowang , Jimenez Conde Jordi , Lazcano Dobao Uxue , Fernandez Israel , Fornage Myriam , Gallego-Fabrega Cristina , Jern Christina , Krawczak Michael , Lindgren Arne , Markus Hugh S. , Melander Olle , Owolabi Mayowa , Schlicht Kristina , Söderholm Martin , Srinivasasainagendra Vinodh , Soriano Tárraga Carolina , Stenman Martin , Tiwari Hemant , Corasaniti Margaret , Fecteau Natalie , Guizzardi Beth , Lopez Haley , Nguyen Kevin , Gaynor Brady , O’Connor Timothy , Stine O. Colin , Kittner Steven J. , McArdle Patrick , Mitchell Braxton D. , Xu Huichun , Grond-Ginsbach Caspar
Published: April 2021

Background and purpose

The role of copy number variation (CNV) variation in stroke susceptibility and outcome has yet to be explored. The Copy Number Variation and Stroke (CaNVAS) Risk and Outcome study addresses this knowledge gap.

Methods

Over 24,500 well-phenotyped IS cases, including IS subtypes, and over 43,500 controls have been identified, all with readily available genotyping on GWAS and exome arrays, with case measures of stroke outcome. To evaluate CNV-associated stroke risk and stroke outcome it is planned to: 1) perform Risk Discovery using several analytic approaches to identify CNVs that are associated with the risk of IS and its subtypes, across the age-, sex- and ethnicity-spectrums; 2) perform Risk Replication and Extension to determine whether the identified stroke-associated CNVs replicate in other ethnically diverse datasets and use biomarker data (e.g. methylation, proteomic, RNA, miRNA, etc.) to evaluate how the identified CNVs exert their effects on stroke risk, and lastly; 3) perform outcome-based Replication and Extension analyses of recent findings demonstrating an inverse relationship between CNV burden and stroke outcome at 3 months (mRS), and then determine the key CNV drivers responsible for these associations using existing biomarker data.

Results

The results of an initial CNV evaluation of 50 samples from each participating dataset are presented demonstrating that the existing GWAS and exome chip data are excellent for the planned CNV analyses. Further, some samples will require additional considerations for analysis, however such samples can readily be identified, as demonstrated by a sample demonstrating clonal mosaicism.

Conclusion

The CaNVAS study will cost-effectively leverage the numerous advantages of using existing case-control data sets, exploring the relationships between CNV and IS and its subtypes, and outcome at 3 months, in both men and women, in those of African and European-Caucasian descent, this, across the entire adult-age spectrum.