bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced performance of GaN-based visible flip-chip mini-LEDs with highly reflective full-angle distributed Bragg reflectors
Authors: Shi Lang , Zhao Xiaoyu , Du Peng , Liu Yingce , Lv Qimeng , Zhou Shengjun
Published: November 2021

High-efficiency GaN-based visible flip-chip miniaturized-light emitting diodes (FC mini-LEDs) are desirable for developing white LED-backlit liquid crystal displays. Here, we propose a full-angle Ti3O5/SiO2 distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) for blue and green FC mini-LEDs to enhance the device performance. The proposed full-angle Ti3O5/SiO2 DBR is composed of different single-DBR stacks optimized for central wavelength in blue, green, and red light wavelength regions, resulting in wider reflective bandwidth and less angular dependence. Furthermore, we demonstrate two types of GaN-based FC mini-LEDs with indium-tin oxide (ITO)/DBR and Ag/TiW p-type ohmic contacts. Experimental results exhibit that the reflectivity of full-angle DBR is higher than that of Ag/TiW in the light wavelength range of 420 to 580 nm as the incident angle of light increases from 0° to 60°. As a result, the light output powers (LOPs) of blue and green FC mini-LEDs with ITO/DBR are enhanced by 7.7% and 7.3% in comparison to blue and green FC mini-LEDs with Ag/TiW under an injection current of 10 mA. In addition, compared with FC mini-LED with Ag/TiW, light intensity of FC mini-LED with ITO/DBR is improved in side direction, which is beneficial to mix light in backlight system of liquid crystal displays (LCDs).
Lenslet array-free efficient coherent combining of broadband pulses at the output of a multicore fiber with a square core grid
Authors: Kalinin Nikolay A. , Anashkina Elena A. , Leuchs Gerd , Andrianov Alexey V.
Published: November 2021

An efficient optical scheme for coherent combining of radiation from the output of a multicore fiber (MCF) with a square array of cores in the out-of-phase supermode is proposed. The scheme uses only simple optical elements and is suitable for an arbitrary number of MCF cores. In a proof-of-concept experiment broadband pulses transmitted through a 25-core fiber were combined with 81% efficiency and good beam quality. In numerical modeling a close to unity efficiency is obtained for a large number of cores. The proposed scheme can be used in a reverse direction for efficient beam splitting and launching the out-of-phase supermode into the MCF.
Integrable high-efficiency generation of three-photon entangled states by a single incident photon
Authors: Lu Yunning , Liao Zeyang , Li Fu-Li , Wang Xue-Hua
Published: November 2021

Generation of multi-photon entangled states with high efficiency in integrated photonic quantum systems is still a big challenge. The usual three-photon generation efficiency based on the third-order nonlinear effect is extremely low. Here, we propose a scheme to generate three-photon correlated states, which are entangled states in frequency space and bound states in real space, with high efficiency. This method relies on two crucial processes. On one hand, by employing a Sagnac interferometer, an incident photon can be transformed into a symmetric superposition of the clockwise and counterclockwise modes of the Sagnac loop, which can then be perfectly absorbed by the emitter. On the other hand, the coupling strengths of the two transition paths of the emitter to the Sagnac loop are set to be equal, under which the absorbed photon can be emitted completely from the cascaded transition path due to quantum interference. By adjusting the coupling strengths among the three transition paths of the emitter and the waveguide modes, we can control the spectral entanglement and spatial separation among the three photons. Our proposal can be used to generate three-photon entangled states on demand, and the efficiency can be higher than 90% with some practical parameters, which can find important applications in integrated quantum information processing.
Topologically protecting squeezed light on a photonic chip
Authors: Ren Ruo-Jing , Lu Yong-Heng , Jiang Ze-Kun , Gao Jun , Zhou Wen-Hao , Wang Yao , Jiao Zhi-Qiang , Wang Xiao-Wei , Solntsev Alexander S. , Jin Xian-Min
Published: November 2021

Squeezed light is a critical resource in quantum sensing and information processing. Due to the inherently weak optical nonlinearity and limited interaction volume, considerable pump power is typically needed to obtain efficient interactions to generate squeezed light in bulk crystals. Integrated photonics offers an elegant way to increase the nonlinearity by confining light strictly inside the waveguide. For the construction of large-scale quantum systems performing many-photon operations, it is essential to integrate various functional modules on a chip. However, fabrication imperfections and transmission cross talk may add unwanted diffraction and coupling to other photonic elements, reducing the quality of squeezing. Here, by introducing the topological phase, we experimentally demonstrate the topologically protected nonlinear process of four-wave mixing, enabling the generation of squeezed light on a silica chip. We measure the cross-correlations at different evolution distances for various topological sites and verify the nonclassical features with high fidelity. The squeezing parameters are measured to certify the protection of cavity-free, strongly squeezed states. The demonstration of topological protection for squeezed light on a chip brings new opportunities for quantum integrated photonics, opening novel approaches for the design of advanced multi-photon circuits.
Disease-related income and economic productivity loss in New Zealand: A longitudinal analysis of linked individual-level data
Authors: Blakely Tony , Sigglekow Finn , Irfan Muhammad , Mizdrak Anja , Dieleman Joseph , Bablani Laxman , Clarke Philip , Wilson Nick
Published: November 2021

Background

Reducing disease can maintain personal individual income and improve societal economic productivity. However, estimates of income loss for multiple diseases simultaneously with thorough adjustment for confounding are lacking, to our knowledge. We estimate individual-level income loss for 40 conditions simultaneously by phase of diagnosis, and the total income loss at the population level (a function of how common the disease is and the individual-level income loss if one has the disease).

Methods and findings

We used linked health tax data for New Zealand as a high-income country case study, from 2006 to 2007 to 2015 to 2016 for 25- to 64-year-olds (22.5 million person-years). Fixed effects regression was used to estimate within-individual income loss by disease, and cause-deletion methods to estimate economic productivity loss at the population level.

Income loss in the year of diagnosis was highest for dementia for both men (US$8,882; 95% CI $6,709 to $11,056) and women ($7,103; $5,499 to $8,707). Mental illness also had high income losses in the year of diagnosis (average of about $5,300 per year for males and $4,100 per year for females, for 4 subcategories of: depression and anxiety; alcohol related; schizophrenia; and other). Similar patterns were evident for prevalent years of diagnosis. For the last year of life, cancers tended to have the highest income losses, (e.g., colorectal cancer males: $17,786, 95% CI $15,555 to $20,018; females: $14,192, $12,357 to $16,026).

The combined annual income loss from all diseases among 25- to 64-year-olds was US$2.72 billion or 4.3% of total income. Diseases contributing more than 4% of total disease-related income loss were mental illness (30.0%), cardiovascular disease (15.6%), musculoskeletal (13.7%), endocrine (8.9%), gastrointestinal (7.4%), neurological (6.5%), and cancer (4.5%).

The limitations of this study include residual biases that may overestimate the effect of disease on income loss, such as unmeasured time-varying confounding (e.g., divorce leading to both depression and income loss) and reverse causation (e.g., income loss leading to depression). Conversely, there may also be offsetting underestimation biases, such as income loss in the prodromal phase before diagnosis that is misclassified to “healthy” person time.

Conclusions

In this longitudinal study, we found that income loss varies considerably by disease. Nevertheless, mental illness, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal diseases stand out as likely major causes of economic productivity loss, suggesting that they should be prioritised in prevention programmes.
Molecular studies into cell biological role of Copine-4 in Retinal Ganglion Cells
Authors: Goel Manvi , Aponte Angel M. , Wistow Graeme , Badea Tudor C.
Published: November 2021

The molecular mechanisms underlying morphological diversity in retinal cell types are poorly understood. We have previously reported that several members of the Copine family of Ca-dependent membrane adaptors are expressed in Retinal Ganglion Cells and transcriptionally regulated by Brn3 transcription factors. Several Copines are enriched in the retina and their over-expression leads to morphological changes -formation of elongated processes-, reminiscent of neurites, in HEK293 cells. However, the role of Copines in the retina is largely unknown. We now investigate Cpne4, a Copine whose expression is restricted to Retinal Ganglion Cells. Over-expression of Cpne4 in RGCs in vivo led to formation of large varicosities on the dendrites but did not otherwise visibly affect dendrite or axon formation. Protein interactions studies using yeast two hybrid analysis from whole retina cDNA revealed two Cpne4 interacting proteins–Host Cell Factor 1 and Morn2. Mass Spectrometry analysis of retina lysate pulled down using Cpne4 or its vonWillebrand A domain showed 207 interacting proteins. A Gene Ontology analysis of the discovered proteins suggests that Cpne4 is involved in several metabolic and signaling pathways in the retina.
The cellular prion protein interacts with and promotes the activity of Na,K-ATPases
Authors: Williams Declan , Mehrabian Mohadeseh , Arshad Hamza , Eid Shehab , Sackmann Christopher , Zhao Wenda , Wang Xinzhu , Ghodrati Farinaz , Verkuyl Claire E. , Watts Joel C. , Schmitt-Ulms Gerold
Published: November 2021

The prion protein (PrP) is best known for its ability to cause fatal neurodegenerative diseases in humans and animals. Here, we revisited its molecular environment in the brain using a well-developed affinity-capture mass spectrometry workflow that offers robust relative quantitation. The analysis confirmed many previously reported interactions. It also pointed toward a profound enrichment of Na,K-ATPases (NKAs) in proximity to cellular PrP (PrPC). Follow-on work validated the interaction, demonstrated partial co-localization of the ATP1A1 and PrPC, and revealed that cells exposed to cardiac glycoside (CG) inhibitors of NKAs exhibit correlated changes to the steady-state levels of both proteins. Moreover, the presence of PrPC was observed to promote the ion uptake activity of NKAs in a human co-culture paradigm of differentiated neurons and glia cells, and in mouse neuroblastoma cells. Consistent with this finding, changes in the expression of 5’-nucleotidase that manifest in wild-type cells in response to CG exposure can also be observed in untreated PrPC-deficient cells. Finally, the endoproteolytic cleavage of the glial fibrillary acidic protein, a hallmark of late-stage prion disease, can also be induced by CGs, raising the prospect that a loss of NKA activity may contribute to the pathobiology of prion diseases.
Smart investment of virus RNA testing resources to enhance Covid-19 mitigation
Authors: Gorji Hossein , Arnoldini Markus , Jenny David F. , Hardt Wolf-Dietrich , Jenny Patrick
Published: November 2021

A variety of mitigation strategies have been employed against the Covid-19 pandemic. Social distancing is still one of the main methods to reduce spread, but it entails a high toll on personal freedom and economic life. Alternative mitigation strategies that do not come with the same problems but are effective at preventing disease spread are therefore needed. Repetitive mass-testing using PCR assays for viral RNA has been suggested, but as a stand-alone strategy this would be prohibitively resource intensive. Here, we suggest a strategy that aims at targeting the limited resources available for viral RNA testing to subgroups that are more likely than the average population to yield a positive test result. Importantly, these pre-selected subgroups include symptom-free people. By testing everyone in these subgroups, in addition to symptomatic cases, large fractions of pre- and asymptomatic people can be identified, which is only possible by testing-based mitigation. We call this strategy smart testing (ST). In principle, pre-selected subgroups can be found in different ways, but for the purpose of this study we analyze a pre-selection procedure based on cheap and fast virus antigen tests. We quantify the potential reduction of the epidemic reproduction number by such a two-stage ST strategy. In addition to a scenario where such a strategy is available to the whole population, we analyze local applications, e.g. in a country, company, or school, where the tested subgroups are also in exchange with the untested population. Our results suggest that a two-stage ST strategy can be effective to curb pandemic spread, at costs that are clearly outweighed by the economic benefit. It is technically and logistically feasible to employ such a strategy, and our model predicts that it is even effective when applied only within local groups. We therefore recommend adding two-stage ST to the portfolio of available mitigation strategies, which allow easing social distancing measures without compromising public health.
Evoked potentials as biomarkers of hereditary spastic paraplegias: A case-control study
Authors: Brighente Samanta Ferraresi , Vicuña Paul , Rodrigues Louzada Ana Luiza , Giordani Gabriela Marchisio , Fussiger Helena , dos Santos Marco Antonnio Rocha , Cubillos-Arcila Diana Maria , Winckler Pablo Brea , Saute Jonas Alex Morales
Published: November 2021

Introduction

The Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias (HSP) are a group of genetic diseases that lead to slow deterioration of locomotion. Clinical scales seem to have low sensitivity in detecting disease progression, making the search for additional biomarkers a paramount task. This study aims to evaluate the role of evoked potentials (EPs) as disease biomarkers of HSPs.

Methods

A single center cross-sectional case-control study was performed, in which 18 individuals with genetic diagnosis of HSP and 21 healthy controls were evaluated. Motor evoked potentials (MEP) obtained with transcranial magnetic stimulation and somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) were performed in lower (LL) and upper limbs (UL).

Results

Central motor conduction time in lower limbs (CMCT-LL) was prolonged in HSP subjects, with marked reductions in MEP-LL amplitudes when compared to the control group (p<0.001 for both comparisons). CMCT-UL was 3.59ms (95% CI: 0.73 to 6.46; p = 0.015) prolonged and MEP-UL amplitudes were reduced (p = 0.008) in the HSP group. SSEP-LL latencies were prolonged in HSP subjects when compared to controls (p<0.001), with no statistically significant differences for upper limbs (p = 0.147). SSEP-UL and SSEP-LL latencies presented moderate to strong correlations with age at onset (Rho = 0.613, p = 0.012) and disease duration (Rho = 0.835, p<0.001), respectively. Similar results were obtained for the SPG4 subgroups of patients.

Conclusion

Motor and somatosensory evoked potentials can adequately differentiate HSP individuals from controls. MEP were severely affected in HSP subjects and SSEP-LL latencies were prolonged, with longer latencies being related to more severe disease. Future longitudinal studies should address if SSEP is a sensitive disease progression biomarker for HSP.
Short- and long-term effects of a cardiac rehabilitation program in patients implanted with a left ventricular assist device
Authors: Scaglione Anna , Panzarino Claudia , Modica Maddalena , Tavanelli Monica , Pezzano Antonio , Grati Paola , Racca Vittorio , Toccafondi Anastasia , Bordoni Bruno , Verde Alessandro , Cartella Iside , Castiglioni Paolo
Published: December 2021

The efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation in heart-failure patients who received a left-ventricular assist device (LVAD) instead of heart transplantation (HTx) is still unclear. This study aims to evaluate whether cardiac rehabilitation is beneficial in LVAD as HTx patients in the short term and whether its effects in LVAD patients persist over time. Twenty-five LVAD patients were evaluated by functional and psychological tests at admission (T0) and discharge (T1) of a 4-week inpatient structured rehabilitation program, and follow-ups 3 (T2), 6 (T3), and 12 months (T4) after discharge. Twenty-five matched HTx patients were also studied from T0 to T1 to compare the improvements in the six-minute walk test (6MWT). The quality-of-life scores substantially improved in LVAD patients and the 6MWT showed the same functional recovery as in HTx patients from T0 to T1. After T1, numerous LVAD patients withdrew from the study. However, the 6MWT outcome increased further from T1 to T3, with a positive trend during the follow-ups. Hemoglobin and the ventilatory performance increased, and the psychological perception of heart-failure symptoms and pain further improved at T2. In conclusion, exercise-based rehabilitation programs provide similar beneficial effects in LVAD and HTx patients, without deterioration in LVAD patients up to 12 months after discharge.
Fully automatic image colorization based on semantic segmentation technology
Authors: Xu Min , Ding YouDong
Published: November 2021

Aiming at these problems of image colorization algorithms based on deep learning, such as color bleeding and insufficient color, this paper converts the study of image colorization to the optimization of image semantic segmentation, and proposes a fully automatic image colorization model based on semantic segmentation technology. Firstly, we use the encoder as the local feature extraction network and use VGG-16 as the global feature extraction network. These two parts do not interfere with each other, but they share the low-level feature. Then, the first fusion module is constructed to merge local features and global features, and the fusion results are input into semantic segmentation network and color prediction network respectively. Finally, the color prediction network obtains the semantic segmentation information of the image through the second fusion module, and predicts the chrominance of the image based on it. Through several sets of experiments, it is proved that the performance of our model becomes stronger and stronger under the nourishment of the data. Even in some complex scenes, our model can predict reasonable colors and color correctly, and the output effect is very real and natural.
Effect of common foods as supplements for the mycelium growth of Ganoderma lucidum and Pleurotus ostreatus on solid substrates
Authors: Soh Eugene , Saeidi Nazanin , Javadian Alireza , Hebel Dirk E. , Le Ferrand Hortense
Published: November 2021

The transition from a linear to a circular economy is urgently needed to mitigate environmental impacts and loss of biodiversity. Among the many potential solutions, the development of entirely natural-based materials derived from waste is promising. One such material is mycelium-bound composites obtained from the growth of fungi onto solid lignocellulosic substrates, which find applications such as insulating foams, textiles, packaging, etc. During growth, the fungus degrades and digests the substrate to create a web-like stiff network called mycelium. The development of the mycelium is influenced by several factors, including the substrate composition. As food waste accounts for nearly 44% of total municipal solid waste, incorporating food in the substrate composition could be a means to increase the nutrients absorbed by the fungus. In this paper, we study the effects of the addition of food supplements on the growth of two fungal species, Ganoderma lucidum and Pleurotus ostreatus. The substrates, the food supplements, and the mycelia are characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and optical microscopy. Our results show that addition of barley as a supplement significantly boosts the growth of G. lucidum and P. ostreatus. Using a common food as a nutritious enrichment for the development of mycelium is a simple and straightforward strategy to create waste-based mycelium-bound biocomposites for a large range of applications, on-site, therefore promoting a circular economy.
Bacterial variation in the oral microbiota in multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Zangeneh Zahra , Abdi-Ali Ahya , Khamooshian Kianoosh , Alvandi Amirhoushang , Abiri Ramin
Published: November 2021

Background

Microorganisms in oral cavity are called oral microbiota, while microbiome consists of total genome content of microorganisms in a host. Interaction between host and microorganisms is important in nervous system development and nervous diseases such as Autism, Alzheimer, Parkinson and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Bacterial infections, as an environmental factor in MS pathogenesis play role in T helper 17(Th17) increase and it enhancing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as Interlukin-21(IL-21), IL-17 and IL -22. Oral microbiota consists diverse populations of cultivable and uncultivable bacterial species. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) is an acceptable method for identification of uncultivable bacteria. In this study, we compared the bacterial population diversity in the oral cavity between MS and healthy people.

Methods

From October to March 2019, samples were taken at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences’ MS patients center. A total of 30 samples were taken from MS patients and another 30 samples were taken from healthy people. Phenotypic tests were used to identify bacteria after pure cultures were obtained. DNA was extracted from 1 mL of saliva, and PCR products produced with primers were electrophoresed on polyacrylamide gels.

Results

The genera Staphylococcus, Actinomyces, Fusobacterium, Bacteroides, Porphyromonas, Prevotella, Veillonella, Propionibacterium and uncultivable bacteria with accession number MW880919-25, JQ477416.1, KF074888.1 and several other un-culturable strains were significantly more abundant in the MS group while Lactobacillus and Peptostreptococcus were more prevalent in the normal healthy group according to logistic regression method.

Conclusion

Oral micro-organisms may alleviate or exacerbate inflammatory condition which impact MS disease pathogenesis. It may be assumed that controlling oral infections may result in reduction of MS disease progression.
The risk of iatrogenic radial nerve and/or profunda brachii artery injury in anterolateral humeral plating using a 4.5 mm narrow DCP: A cadaveric study
Authors: Chuaychoosakoon Chaiwat , Chirattikalwong Supatat , Wuttimanop Watit , Boonriong Tanarat , Parinyakhup Wachiraphan , Suwannaphisit Sitthiphong
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Fixation of humeral shaft fractures with a plate and screws can endanger the neurovascular structure if proper care is not taken. No studies to our knowledge have studied the risk of iatrogenic radial nerve and/or profunda brachii artery (RNPBA) injury from each screw hole of a 4.5 mm narrow dynamic compression plate (narrow DCP). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the risk of RNPBA injury in anterolateral humeral plating with a 4.5 mm narrow DCP.

Material and methods

18 humeri of 9 fresh-frozen cadavers in the supine position were exposed via the anterolateral approach with 45 degrees of arm abduction. A hypothetical fracture line was marked at the midpoint of each humerus. A precontoured ten-hole 4.5mm narrow DCP was applied to the anterolateral surface of the humerus using the fracture line to position the center of the plate. All screw holes were drilled and screws inserted. The cadaver was then turned over to the prone position with 45 degrees of arm abduction, and the RNPBA exposed. The holes through in which 100% of the screw had contact with or penetrated the RNPBA were identified as dangerous screw holes, while lesser percentages of contact were defined as risky.

Results

The relative distance ratios of the entire humeral length from the lateral epicondyle of the humerus to the 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st proximal holes were 0.64, 0.60, 0.56 and 0.52, respectively. The most dangerous screw hole was the 2nd proximal, in which all 18 screws had contacted or penetrated the nerve, followed by the risky 1st (12/18), 3rd (8/18) and 4th (2/18) holes.

Conclusion

In humeral shaft plating with the 4.5mm narrow DCP using the anterolateral approach, the 2nd proximal screw hole carries the highest risk of iatrogenic radial nerve and/or profunda brachii artery injury.
Hypertriglyceridemia-associated acute pancreatitis: Response to continuous insulin infusion
Authors: Pulipati Vishnu Priya , Amblee Ambika , Yap Sara Elizabeth T. , Shaka Hafeez , Tahsin Bettina , Fogelfeld Leon
Published: November 2021

Objective

To assess the response of serum triglycerides (TG) to continuous insulin infusion (CII) in adults with hypertriglyceridemia-associated acute pancreatitis (HTGP).

Methods

Retrospective analysis of TG response to standardized CII therapy in 77 adults admitted to intensive care with TG >1000 mg/dL and HTGP.

Results

Participants had initial TG 3869.0 [2713.5, 5443.5] mg/dL and were 39.3 ± 9.7 years old, 66.2% males, 58.4% Hispanic, BMI 30.2 [27.0, 34.8] kg/m2, 74.0% with diabetes mellitus (DM) and 50.6% with excess alcohol use. TG-goal, defined as ≤1,000 ± 100 mg/dL, was achieved in 95%. Among the 73 TG-goal achievers (responders), 53.4% reached TG-goal in <36 hours after CII initiation (rapid responders). When compared to slow responders taking≥36 hours, rapid responders had lower initial TG (2862.0 [1965.0, 4519.0] vs 4814.5 [3368.8, 6900.0] mg/dL), BMI (29.4 [25.9, 32.8] vs 31.9 [28.2, 38.3] kg/m2), DM prevalence (56.4 vs 94.1%), and reached TG-50% (half of respective initial TG) faster (12.0 [6.0, 17.0] vs 18.5 [13.0, 32.8] hours). Those with DM (n = 57) vs non-DM (n = 20) were obese (31.4 [28.0, 35.6] vs 27.8 [23.6, 30.3] kg/m2), took longer to reach TG-final (41.0 [25.0, 60.5] vs 14.5 [12.5, 25.5] hours) and used more daily insulin (1.7 [1.3, 2.1] vs 1.1 [0.5, 1.9] U/kg/day). Among those with DM, the rapid responders had higher daily use of insulin vs slow responders 1.9 [1.4, 2.3] vs 1.6 [1.1, 1.8] U/kg/day. All results significant. In multivariable analysis, predictors of faster TG response were absence of DM, lower BMI and initial TG.

Conclusion

CII was effective in reaching TG-goal in 95% of patients with HTGP. Half achieved TG-goal within 36 hours. Presence of DM, higher BMI and initial TG slowed the time to reach TG-goal. These baseline parameters and rate of decline to TG-50% may be real-time indicators to initiate and adjust the CII for quicker response.
Will Africans take COVID-19 vaccination?
Authors: Anjorin AbdulAzeez A. , Odetokun Ismail A. , Abioye Ajibola I. , Elnadi Hager , Umoren Mfon Valencia , Damaris Bamu F. , Eyedo Joseph , Umar Haruna I. , Nyandwi Jean B. , Abdalla Mena M. , Tijani Sodiq O. , Awiagah Kwame S. , Idowu Gbolahan A. , Fabrice Sifeuh N. Achille , Maisara Aala M. O. , Razouqi Youssef , Mhgoob Zuhal E. , Parker Salim , Asowata Osaretin E. , Adesanya Ismail O. , Obara Maureen A. , Jaumdally Shameem , Kitema Gatera F. , Okuneye Taofik A. , Mbanzulu Kennedy M. , Daitoni Hajj , Hallie Ezekiel F. , Mosbah Rasha , Fasina Folorunso O.
Published: December 2021

The economic and humanistic impact of COVID-19 pandemic is enormous globally. No definitive treatment exists, hence accelerated development and approval of COVID-19 vaccines, offers a unique opportunity for COVID-19 prevention and control. Vaccine hesitancy may limit the success of vaccine distribution in Africa, therefore we assessed the potentials for coronavirus vaccine hesitancy and its determinants among Africans. An online cross-sectional African-wide survey was administered in Arabic, English, and French languages. Questions on demographics, self-reported health status, vaccine literacy, knowledge and perception on vaccines, past experience, behavior, infection risk, willingness to receive and affordability of the SARS-COV-2 vaccine were asked. Data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. A total of 5,416 individuals completed the survey. Approximately, 94% were residents of 34 African countries while the other Africans live in the Diaspora. Only 63% of all participants surveyed were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible and 79% were worried about its side effects. Thirty-nine percent expressed concerns of vaccine-associated infection. The odds of vaccine hesitancy was 0.28 (95% CI: 0.22, 0.30) among those who believed their risk of infection was very high, compared to those who believed otherwise. The odds of vaccine hesitancy was one-fifth (OR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.28) among those who believed their risk of falling sick was very high, compared to those who believed their risk of falling very sick was very low. The OR of vaccine hesitancy was 2.72 (95% CI: 2.24, 3.31) among those who have previously refused a vaccine for themselves or their child compared to counterparts with no self-reported history of vaccine hesitancy. Participants want the vaccines to be mandatory (40%), provided free of charge (78%) and distributed in homes and offices (44%). COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is substantial among Africans based on perceived risk of coronavirus infection and past experiences.
Seasonal variation in fish school spatial distribution and abundance under the Kuroshio regular pattern and the large meander in Suzu coastal waters
Authors: Zhu Yanhui , Minami Kenji , Iwahara Yuka , Oda Kentaro , Hidaka Koichi , Hoson Osamu , Morishita Koji , Hirota Masahito , Tsuru Sentaro , Shirakawa Hokuto , Miyashita Kazushi
Published: November 2021

The Kuroshio Current can take two paths; usually it follows the regular pattern but occasionally it follows a pattern known as the large meander. In this study, we investigated the abundance of fish that migrate to coastal waters and the spatial distribution of fish schools under both Kuroshio patterns in Suzu district, Kochi prefecture, where the set net is the main fishery industry. We clarified the seasonal variation in the density and distribution of fish schools using a quantitative echo sounder. The effects of the Kuroshio large meander (LM) depended on the season. There was no effect of current pattern in summer or autumn, but in winter and spring the LM altered the marine environment and fish distributions. Cold water masses were formed in the survey area during winter and spring during the LM, and the water temperature dropped significantly compared with during the Kuroshio non-large meander (NLM). This altered the fish species and the distribution of fish schools in the survey area. The catches of Japanese horse mackerels (Trachurus japonicus) and Yellowtails (Seriola quinqueradiata) were much higher during the LM compared with those during the NLM. Unlike these two species, the small-sized pelagic fishes in spring has decreased significantly during the LM.
Insect rearing protocols in forensic entomology: Benefits from collective rearing of larvae in a carrion beetle Necrodes littoralis L. (Silphidae)
Authors: Gruszka Joanna , Matuszewski Szymon
Published: December 2021

Forensic entomologists frequently use a developmental method to estimate a post-mortem interval (PMI). Such estimates are based usually on the blow fly larvae or puparia. Data on their development is obtained by rearing them in colonies. In the case of beetles, which can be also useful for PMI estimation, development data is frequently collected by rearing them individually. However, some carrion beetles are gregarious, for instance, Necrodes littoralis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Silphidae). We compared mortality, rate of development and body size of emerged adult beetles reared individually and in aggregations. Mortality was much higher for beetles reared individually, particularly at low temperatures. The rearing protocol affected the time of immature development and the size of adult insects. Individually reared specimens developed much longer at 16°C, whereas at 20°C and 26°C development times of individually reared beetles were slightly shorter. Significant differences in the body size were observed only at 16°C; beetles that developed in aggregations were larger at this temperature. These findings demonstrate that aggregating is particularly beneficial for larvae of N. littoralis at low temperatures, where it largely reduces mortality and facilitates growth. Moreover, these results indicate that in forensic entomology the protocol of individual rearing is unsuitable for gregarious beetles, as it produces reference developmental data of low quality.
The role of sigmoid colon anatomic dimensions in the development of sigmoid volvulus, North-Western Ethiopia
Authors: Bayeh Agegnehu Berie , Abegaz Belta Asnakew
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Sigmoid colon anatomic dimensions have been studied to have roles in the occurrence of sigmoid volvulus; however, these studies are few in number and failed to control the confounding effect of acute sigmoid obstruction on the anatomic dimensions. The main objective of this study was to assess the role of sigmoid colon anatomic dimensions in the development of sigmoid volvulus controlling the effect of acute sigmoid obstruction on the anatomic dimensions.

Materials and methods

The study was carried out from Dec, 2019 to April, 2021 at Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital and Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, two referral hospitals in Bahir Dar city, North-Western Ethiopia to compare sigmoid anatomic dimensions among three independent groups of participants: patients with no history of sigmoid volvulus (I), those for whom elective surgery was done after non-surgical detorsion of sigmoid volvulus (II), and patients for whom emergency surgery was done for sigmoid volvulus (III). The anatomic dimensions were compared using fixed effects one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis H test at p-value ≤ .05 (two-sided) and Tukey method or Dunn-Bonferroni’s test was used for post-hoc comparisons.

Results

A total of 66 consecutive eligible patients (22 for each of the three groups) were included and analyzed in the study. The means of anatomic dimensions (in cm) for groups (I, II, III) were: sigmoid colon length-SCL (35.91, 71.07, 80.86), meso-sigmoid height-MSH (17.11, 26.52, 28.86), meso-sigmoid maximal width-MSMW (9.70, 14.89,16.80), and meso-sigmoid root width-MSRW (8.34, 7.48, 8.11). SCL, MSH, MSMW, MSH/MSRW, and MSMW/MSRW were found to be statistically significantly different in patients with sigmoid volvulus. MSRW and MSH/MSMW were not different between the study groups.

Conclusion

A long sigmoid colon with long and wide mesentery, but with a constant base is highly likely to predispose individuals to sigmoid volvulus.
l-Menthol increases extracellular dopamine and c-Fos-like immunoreactivity in the dorsal striatum, and promotes ambulatory activity in mice
Authors: Umezu Toyoshi , Sano Tomoharu , Hayashi Junko
Published: November 2021

Similar to psychostimulants, the peripheral administration of menthol promotes mouse motor activity, and the neurotransmitter dopamine has been suggested to be involved in this effect. The present study aimed to elucidate the effects of l-menthol on parts of the central nervous system that are involved in motor effects. The subcutaneous administration of l-menthol significantly increased the number of c-Fos-like immunoreactive nuclei in the dorsal striatum of the mice, and motor activity was promoted. It also increased the extracellular dopamine level in the dorsal striatum of the mice. These observations indicated that after subcutaneous administration, l-menthol enhances dopamine-mediated neurotransmission, and activates neuronal activity in the dorsal striatum, thereby promoting motor activity in mice.
Reteplase Fc-fusions produced in N. benthamiana are able to dissolve blood clots ex vivo
Authors: Izadi Shiva , Jalali Javaran Mokhtar , Rashidi Monfared Sajad , Castilho Alexandra
Published: November 2021

Thrombolytic and fibrinolytic therapies are effective treatments to dissolve blood clots in stroke therapy. Thrombolytic drugs activate plasminogen to its cleaved form plasmin, a proteolytic enzyme that breaks the crosslinks between fibrin molecules. The FDA-approved human tissue plasminogen activator Reteplase (rPA) is a non-glycosylated protein produced in E. coli. rPA is a deletion mutant of the wild-type Alteplase that benefits from an extended plasma half-life, reduced fibrin specificity and the ability to better penetrate into blood clots. Different methods have been proposed to improve the production of rPA. Here we show for the first time the transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana of rPA fused to the immunoglobulin fragment crystallizable (Fc) domain on an IgG1, a strategy commonly used to improve the stability of therapeutic proteins. Despite our success on the expression and purification of dimeric rPA-Fc fusions, protein instability results in high amounts of Fc-derived degradation products. We hypothesize that the “Y”- shape of dimeric Fc fusions cause steric hindrance between protein domains and leads to physical instability. Indeed, mutations of critical residues in the Fc dimerization interface allowed the expression of fully stable rPA monomeric Fc-fusions. The ability of rPA-Fc to convert plasminogen into plasmin was demonstrated by plasminogen zymography and clot lysis assay shows that rPA-Fc is able to dissolve blood clots ex vivo. Finally, we addressed concerns with the plant-specific glycosylation by modulating rPA-Fc glycosylation towards serum-like structures including α2,6-sialylated and α1,6-core fucosylated N-glycans completely devoid of plant core fucose and xylose residues.
DEMENTIA PREVENTION: OPTIMIZING THE USE OF OBSERVATIONAL DATA FOR PERSONAL, CLINICAL, AND PUBLIC HEALTH DECISION-MAKING
Authors: Dacks P.A. , Andrieu S. , Blacker D. , Carman A.J. , Green A.M. , Grodstein F. , Henderson V.W. , James B.D. , Lane R.F. , Lau J. , Lin P.-J. , Reeves B.C. , Shah R.C. , Vellas B. , Yaffe K. , Yurko-Mauro K. , Shineman D.W. , Fillit H.M. , Bennett D.A.
Published: November 2021

Worldwide, over 35 million people suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. This number is expected to triple over the next 40 years. How can we improve the evidence supporting strategies to reduce the rate of dementia in future generations? The risk of dementia is likely influenced by modifiable factors such as exercise, cognitive activity, and the clinical management of diabetes and hypertension. However, the quality of evidence is limited and it remains unclear whether specific interventions to reduce these modifiable risk factors can, in turn, reduce the risk of dementia. Although randomized controlled trials are the gold-standard for causality, the majority of evidence for long-term dementia prevention derives from, and will likely continue to derive from, observational studies. Observational research has some unavoidable limitations, but its utility for dementia prevention might be improved by, for example, better distinction between confirmatory and exploratory research, higher reporting standards, investment in effectiveness research enabled by increased data-pooling, and standardized exposure and outcome measures. Informed decision-making by the general public on low-risk health choices that could have broad potential benefits could be enabled by internet-based tools and decision-aids to communicate the evidence, its quality, and the estimated magnitude of effect.
E.U./U.S. CTAD TASK FORCE ON ALZHEIMER\'S TRIAL POPULATIONS
Authors: Vellas B. , Sampaio C. , Bateman R. , Boxer A. , Carrillo M.C. , Cummings J. , Dubois B. , Hampel H. , Katz R. , Khachaturian Z. , Gauthier S. , Johnson K. , Karlawish J. , Mintun M. , Petersen R. , Rafii M. , Robert P. , Schneider L.S. , Siemers E. , Sperling R. , Tariot P. , Touchon J. , Weiner M. , Andrieu S. , Aisen P.
Published: November 2021

Successful therapeutic trials require well-targeted populations to demonstrate the effectiveness of a drug candidate. Most trials in the field of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have been conducted in patients with mild to moderate dementia. However, the advent of amyloid PET imaging has demonstrated that a significant proportion of individuals enrolled in such studies do not have evidence of brain amyloidosis and may in fact not have Alzheimer’s disease. Further, dementia represents an advanced stage of neurodegeneration, perhaps too late for significant benefits of disease-modifying interventions. The successful development of effective disease-slowing therapies requires a study population selected in accordance with the mechanism of the specific intervention. An international task force of investigators from academia, industry, non-profit foundations, and regulatory agencies met in San Diego, California, USA, on November 13, 2013, to address issues related to screening and identification of clinical trial participants, and the ramifications of decisions made in this regard for drug development in AD and other dementias.
Agência institucional na promoção de iniciativas de pesquisa e ensino: O caso do IMPA e da área da matemática no Brasil
Authors: Petrin Renata , Gonzalez Duarte Roberto
Published: November 2021

Áreas do conhecimento desenvolvem-se a partir de iniciativas de ensino e pesquisa. Essas iniciativas partem de agentes que têm algum tipo de interesse (econômico ou não econômico) nesse desenvolvimento. Entre os agentes, os Institutos Públicos de Pesquisa (IPPs) são fundamentais para a evolução de áreas do conhecimento nos Sistemas Nacionais de Inovação (SNIs). Esta pesquisa analisa como um IPP pode desenvolver sua capacidade de agência institucional a fim de possibilitar o avanço de uma área do conhecimento em termos de pesquisa e ensino. Para evidenciar o desenvolvimento da capacidade de agência, analisou-se o Instituto de Matemática Pura e Aplicada (IMPA) por sua notoriedade nacional e internacional e sua efetiva contribuição para o avanço da matemática no SNI brasileiro. Foi realizada uma análise de conteúdo de documentos, vídeos e entrevistas. Esta pesquisa contribui para os estudos sobre o SNI e políticas educacionais, ao incorporar a essas literaturas discussões recentes da teoria institucional, mais especificamente, a agência institucional. Os resultados evidenciaram que a capacidade de agência institucional dos pesquisadores em influenciar as instituições governamentais e da comunidade científica, bem como a sociedade civil, permitiu ao IPP promover iniciativas de pesquisa e ensino, resultando no desenvolvimento de uma área do conhecimento.
Feministische Perspektive auf landwirtschaftliche Produktion
Authors: Brettin Suse
Published: December 2021

Erkenntnisse feministischer Theorien können für die Diskussion um nachhaltige Landnutzung und Agrarproduktion wertvolle Perspektiven eröffnen. Ein neues, integratives Verständnis von Landwirtschaft ermöglicht beispielsweise der Einbezug eines der Kernthemen feministischer Auseinandersetzung: Die Sorgearbeit.
Condiciones metodológicas de los programas de entrenamiento cognitivo en adultos mayores: una revisión narrativa
Authors: Caicedo-Támara Natalia , Ríos-Cruz Sonia Gisela
Published: December 2021

El envejecimiento se entiende como un proceso dinámico, progresivo a nivel morfológico,
químico y psicológico; algunas veces genera deterioro cognitivo que afecta
la calidad de vida, por ello son necesarias las intervenciones preventivas basadas en
entrenamiento cognitivo. El objetivo del estudio es revisar las condiciones metodológicas
de programas de entrenamiento cognitivo dirigidos a adultos mayores para
estimar su posible efectividad. La estrategia de búsqueda se realizó por medio de las
bases de datos Ebscohost, Scopus y Pubmed, entre 2015 y 2019. Las intervenciones se
clasificaron en función del tipo de intervención; es decir, basadas en el uso de medios
digitales, manuales (lápiz o papel) o combinados con la inclusión del ejercicio físico.
Se concluyó que, en general, las intervenciones indiscriminadamente de la metodología
fueron efectivas en la medida en que se evidencian diferencias significativas
en los grupos que son expuestos al entrenamiento; sin embargo, la heterogeneidad en
las condiciones experimentales dificulta establecer una estimación de los factores que
estarían asociados con la efectividad.
Dimension estimates for the boundary of planar Sobolev extension domains
Authors: Lučić Danka , Rajala Tapio , Takanen Jyrki
Published: November 2021

We prove an asymptotically sharp dimension upper-bound for the boundary of bounded simply-connected planar Sobolev

W

1
,
p

{W^{1,p}}

-extension domains via the weak mean porosity of the boundary. The sharpness of our estimate is shown by examples.
English medium of instruction in Chinese higher education: a systematic mapping review of empirical research
Authors: Jablonkai Reka R. , Hou Jie
Published: November 2021

In 2001, the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China issued guidelines to promote the quality of higher education and to advocate the expansion of the use of English (Ministry of Education (MoE). 2001. Guanyu jiaqiang gaodeng xuexiao benke jiaoxue gongzuo tigao jiaoxue zhiliang de ruogan yijian [Guidelines for Improving the Quality of Undergraduate Teaching at Higher Education Institutions]. Available at: http://old.moe.gov.cn/publicfifiles/business/htmlfifiles/moe/moe_309/200412/4682.html). This paper reviews empirical studies in English and Chinese on EMI in Chinese higher education published from 2001 to 2019, during the last two decades since these guidelines were released. The review contributes to the field of EMI by documenting, analysing and synthesising empirical evidence and by situating EMI studies in China in the global trends of EMI research. The review aims to give an overview of studies targeted at both global and local audiences, therefore, publications in both English and Chinese were included. To select the Chinese articles the core journals indexed by CNKI were searched, and for the English articles, we used ERIC, IBSS, SCOPUS and WOS databases. After excluding theoretically oriented studies, literature reviews and commentaries, 42 articles remained. The in-depth analysis revealed that the main topics of these studies included the student perception, implementation and educational practices, and the role of language. We conclude that in general there are insufficient empirical studies, especially about EMI teachers’ perspectives to inform policies and practices at the micro, meso and macro level. Based on the findings, directions for further research are identified and recommendations for methodological approaches for future studies are also made.
Identification of Matrix Diffusion Coefficient in a Parabolic PDE
Authors: Mondal Subhankar , Nair M. Thamban
Published: November 2021

An inverse problem of identifying the diffusion coefficient in matrix form in a parabolic PDE is considered.
Following the idea of natural linearization, considered by Cao and Pereverzev (2006), the nonlinear inverse problem is transformed into a problem of solving an operator equation where the operator involved is linear.
Solving the linear operator equation turns out to be an ill-posed problem.
The method of Tikhonov regularization is employed for obtaining stable approximations and its finite-dimensional analysis is done based on the Galerkin method, for which an orthogonal projection on the space of matrices with entries from

L
2

⁢

(
Ω
)

L^{2}(\Omega)

is defined.
Since the error estimates in Tikhonov regularization method rely heavily on the adjoint operator, an explicit representation of adjoint of the linear operator involved is obtained.
For choosing the regularizing parameter, the adaptive technique is employed in order to obtain order optimal rate of convergence.
For the relaxed noisy data, we describe a procedure for obtaining a smoothed version so as to obtain the error estimates.
Numerical experiments are carried out for a few illustrative examples.