bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case Report: An immunocompromised, vaccine breakthrough COVID-19 patient with pneumonia
Authors: Patrinos Antonios , Komninos Dimitris , Dimouli Katerina , Kartsonakis Andreas , Serpanos Dimitris , Kalogeropoulos Georgios , Dimitropoulou Dimitra
Published: July 2021

Background: The novel SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has inflicted a major blow on public health worldwide accounting for millions of deaths and subsequent socio-economic consequences. The main challenge for scientists and researchers has been to restrain transmission of the virus and prevent severe respiratory disease. Novel promising vaccines aim to fulfil these expectations, although new variants of the coronavirus have emerged. The present manuscript aims to add to the knowledge, through a case of an immunodeficient patient, who developed remarkably favorable recovery from SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia after having been fully vaccinated against the novel coronavirus.

Case presentation: An 82-year-old Caucasian male with a history of metastatic pancreatic cancer was admitted with signs and symptoms of pneumonia. Workup revealed a positive SARS-CoV-2 real time – polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and further investigation identified a B.1.1.7 variant. The imaging essays showed extensive lung disease. Interestingly, the patient had already received the second dose of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer) vaccine against the new coronavirus 16 days prior. After having been treated with appropriate antiviral and antibiotical agents the patient showed significantly favorable recovery and no need for high oxygen flows and no complications presented. The patient was discharged after six days of hospitalization in good condition, with no need for supplementary oxygen at home.

Conclusions: Despite breakthrough cases, vaccination against COVID-19 is crucial for restraining  the novel coronavirus. Further studies should be carried out in order to determine the optimal strategies for large-scale vaccination while minimizing the risk of further and faster evolution of the virus.
Fecal calprotectin as a predictor of gastrointestinal immune-related adverse events (CF-19): A prospective study.
Authors: Cardeña Gutiérrez Ana , Mielgo Rubio Xabier , Ruiz Muñoz Manuel , Martinez Cabañes Ruth , Moreno Muñoz Diana , Hernando Polo Susana , Olier Garate Clara , Hurtado Nuño Alicia , Sotelo Peña Verónica , Sánchez Becerra Maria Virginia , González López Andrea María , Esteban García Mónica , Robles Bermejo Teresa , Pérez Fernández Elia , Cámara Vicario Juan Carlos
Published: July 2021

Background: Colitis is a frequent immune-related toxicity, without any biomarker that may predict its onset. It is endoscopically similar to intestinal inflammatory diseases, where fecal calprotectin (FC) is used as a biomarker to early-detect a relapse. We found contradictory evidence about FC and immunotherapy and no prospective study was already published.  

Methods: We present an analytical, observational and prospective study of one year’s duration. We analyzed FC basal, and then prior to each cycle until the sixth, ending with quarterly follow-up. For evaluating the predictive value of FC we estimated the area under the ROC curve for basal absolute values and for each cycle, and calculated its relative percentage change with respect to basal. We also planned to estimate sensitivity, specificity and predictive values indexes for different cut-off points. Because of lack of recruitment we did a preliminary analysis at the end of the initially estimated period before suggesting its prolongation.  

Results: 24 patients (19 male) were included in the study. This included n=15 diagnosed with lung cancer, head and neck, renal, bladder and colorectal cancer (n=2, each), and melanoma (n=1). They were treated with Anti PD-1/PDL-1 mono therapy (n=18), combo with chemo (n=2), or combo with anti-CTLA4 (n=2). Three patients had G1 colitis and two, >=G2, all treated with anti-PD1 and before 6th cycle, as described on literature. ROC curve presents AUC 0,559 (CI95%:0,32-0,798) and RR for colitis taking FC value is 1,001 for each 10 units (p=0,493).  

Conclusion: Even though we must take into account the limitations of the study we cannot conclude that FC could be used as a predictor for detecting immune-mediated colitis.
Andrographolide, isolated from Andrographis paniculata, induces apoptosis in monocytic leukemia and multiple myeloma cells via augmentation of reactive oxygen species production
Authors: Doi Hiroki , Matsui Taei , Dijkstra Johannes M. , Ogasawara Atsushi , Higashimoto Yuki , Imamura Seiji , Ohye Tamae , Takematsu Hiromu , Katsuda Itsuro , Akiyama Hidehiko
Published: July 2021

Background: Andrographolide (Andro) is a diterpenoid component of the plant Andrographis paniculata that is known for its anti-tumor activity against a variety of cancer cells.  

Methods: We studied the effects of Andro on the viability of the human leukemia monocytic cell line THP-1 and the human multiple myeloma cell line H929. Andro was compared with cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) and vincristine (VCR), which are well-established therapeutics against hematopoietic tumors.  

Results: Andro reduced the viability of THP-1 and H929 in a dose-dependent manner. H929 viability was highly susceptible to Andro, although only slightly susceptible to Ara-C. The agents Andro, Ara-C, and VCR each induced apoptosis, as shown by cellular shrinkage, DNA fragmentation, and increases in annexin V-binding, caspase-3/7 activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and mitochondrial membrane depolarization. The apoptotic activities of Andro were largely suppressed by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an inhibitor of ROS production, whereas NAC hardly affected the apoptotic activities of Ara-C and VCR. Furthermore, whereas Ara-C and VCR increased the percentages of cells in the G0/G1 and G2/M phases, respectively, Andro showed little or no detectable effect on cell cycle progression.  

Conclusions: Andro induces ROS-dependent apoptosis in monocytic leukemia THP-1 and multiple myeloma H929 cells, underlining its potential as a therapeutic agent for treating hematopoietic tumors. Notably, the high sensitivity of H929 cells is encouraging for further studies on the use of Andro against multiple myeloma.
The number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in hypofunctional teeth during orthodontic tooth movement in rats
Authors: Maulani Adibah , Farmasyanti Cendrawasih Andusyana , Sutantyo Darmawan
Published: July 2021

Background: When moved orthodontically, hypofunctional teeth will have a decreased tooth movement rate compared to normal teeth. This study aimed to determine the number of osteoblasts in the tension side and the number of osteoclasts in the pressure side of the hypofunctional teeth during orthodontic tooth movement. Method: 18 male Wistar rats were given a palatal coil spring application on the maxillary incisors. Rats were divided into two groups, the orthodontic group with normal occlusion (NO) and hypofunctional occlusion (HO). The number of osteoblasts on the tension side and osteoclasts on the pressure side on days zero (D0), five (D5), and 10 (D10) were tested with two-way ANOVA. Observations were made by hematoxylin eosin staining.

Result: The results showed that the number of osteoblasts on the tension side of the HO group was the same at the NO group (p> 0.05). The number of osteoblasts on the tension side in the NO and HO groups at D5 was the same at D10 (p = 0.99), but significantly higher (p = 0.002), than D0. The number of osteoclasts on the pressure side in the HO group was significantly lower than the NO group (p <0.05). The number of osteoclasts in the NO D5 group was significantly higher than the other groups (p <0.05).

Conclusions: The number of osteoblasts on the tension side was not affected by the hypofunctional state but decreased the number of osteoclasts on the pressure side during orthodontic tooth movement.
Any neuron can perform linearly non-separable computations
Authors: Cazé Romain D.
Published: July 2021

Multiple studies have shown how dendrites enable some neurons to perform linearly non-separable computations. These works focus on cells with an extended dendritic arbor where voltage can vary independently, turning dendritic branches into local non-linear subunits. However, these studies leave a large fraction of the nervous system unexplored. Many neurons, e.g. granule cells, have modest dendritic trees and are electrically compact. It is impossible to decompose them into multiple independent subunits. Here, we upgraded the integrate and fire neuron to account for saturating dendrites. This artificial neuron has a unique membrane voltage and can be seen as a single layer. We present a class of linearly non-separable computations and how our neuron can perform them. We thus demonstrate that even a single layer neuron with dendrites has more computational capacity than without. Because any neuron has one or more layer, and all dendrites do saturate, we show that any dendrited neuron can implement linearly non-separable computations.
Conciencia educativa intercultural del profesorado universitario a través de fondos de conocimiento en tiempos de pandemia.
Authors: Pareja-de-Vicente Dolores , Santos-Villalba María Jesús , Alcalá-del-Olmo-Fernández María José , Leiva-Olivencia Juan José
Published: July 2021

La conciencia educativa intercultural representa un aspecto clave en la educación del siglo XXI, como constructo pedagógico esencial en estos tiempos de COVID-19, en los que se hace aún más necesario desarrollar una educación intercultural e inclusiva en los espacios educativos formales e informales. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar las actitudes y percepciones del profesorado universitario hacia la diversidad cultural y la interculturalidad, así como examinar de qué manera se les ha dado respuesta a las necesidades del alumnado procedente de otros países y culturas. Los participantes del estudio fueron docentes del Grado de Educación Social y Pedagogía de la Universidad de Málaga. El enfoque metodológico del estudio fue de corte cualitativo fundamentado en el paradigma interpretativo y el instrumento de recogida de información ha sido la entrevista en profundidad. Las cuestiones abordadas han permitido conocer el paradigma de la interculturalidad en el tejido curricular universitario, junto con el reconocimiento de las diferencias culturales en la realidad educativa actual. Los resultados del estudio muestran la necesidad de resignificar nuevos puentes de comprensión a través del reconocimiento de los fondos de conocimiento pedagógico y ético que inspiren a los futuros profesionales de la educación con un enfoque educativo intercultural, más abierto, solidario e innovador.
Inappropriateness Penalty, Desirability Premium: What Do More Certifications Actually Signal?
Authors: Lanahan Lauren , Armanios Daniel Erian , Joshi Amol M.
Published: July 2021

Prevailing theory argues that more certifications increase performance. However, emerging empirical evidence implies that obtaining more certifications may actually decrease performance. How do we reconcile this tension? Practically speaking, why would ventures seek additional certifications in light of these recently identified risks? To address this gap between existing theory and recent empirics, we look more closely at ventures’ activities and performance outcomes after they receive their first certification. We posit that different patterns of certification reflect different forms of experimentation. In particular, ventures may be willing to experiment in ways that incur an inappropriateness penalty for the chance to gain a subsequent desirability premium if their experiments succeed. Inappropriateness means that certifications signal divergence from accepted market norms and standards. Desirability means that certifications signal activities that are in the perceived self-interest of the potential audience. We hypothesize that certifications reflecting broad experimentation incur initial inappropriateness penalties, yet when successful, they are more likely to lead to breakthroughs that generate desirability premia. We find support for this idea through an empirical analysis drawing from a sample of 7,440 U.S. ventures that receive one or more Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants to commercialize new technologies. This study advances institutional theory of certification to better account not only for its benefits but also for its costs.
QUANDO AS COMUNIDADES FAZEM SUAS BARREIRAS FRENTE À PANDEMIA: ESTRATÉGIAS DE DEFESA DA VIDA E DOS TERRITÓRIOS DAS COMUNIDADES CAIÇARAS DE TRINDADE E PRAIA DO SONO, PARATY-RJ, BRASIL
Authors: Faro Amanda Regis , Do Rego Monteiro Licio Caetano , Santos Jardson Dos , Paiva Davi , Monge Ricardo Papu Martins
Published: July 2021

Em março de 2020, a Organização Mundial da Saúde declarou a pandemia global de coronavírus. A repercussão na América Latina / Abya Yala foi imediata e diferentes medidas de confinamento e distanciamento social foram observadas. Como a pandemia pode fazer emergir, revelar e produzir barreiras e controles de populações e territórios que antes pareciam adormecidos ou latentes? Como algumas formas de barreiras são feitas não só pelo Estado, mas também por iniciativa das comunidades? A experiência social da pandemia e das formas de enfrentamento comunitário tem muito a nos ensinar sobre a dinâmica socioterritorial e política que ocorre hoje em vários cantos do continente. Este artigo apresenta as experiências de barreiras comunitárias feitas em duas comunidades tradicionais caiçaras no município de Paraty, estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. São as comunidades da Praia do Sono e Trindade que promoveram bloqueios em defesa da vida e do território, em situações de conflito e negociação com os poderes do Estado. As comunidades caiçaras são grupos que se formaram a partir da mistura étnico-cultural entre povos indígenas, colonos europeus e descendentes de africanos escravizados, assentados em áreas litorâneas entre os estados do Paraná e Rio de Janeiro. Essas comunidades são historicamente marcadas por conflitos e lutas territoriais. As barreiras foram estabelecidas através de arranjos comunitários, dada a impossibilidade de o poder público garantir o isolamento e a segurança física destas populações tradicionais, constantemente assediadas pelo turismo. Fazer a barreira não tem apenas como significado o fechamento de territórios, mas também a construção de formas mais autônomas de gestão da vida.
The Relationship between KBPR and Working Memory in Children with and without Specific Language Disorder: Phonological Loop and Episodic Buffer
Authors: Yim Dongsun , Shin Hyunji , Lim Naeun , Jung Yeyoung , Han Jimin , Yang Yoonhee
Published: July 2021

Objectives: This study examined whether there is a significant relationship between Korean Brief Parent Report (KBPR) and Working Memory (phonological loop, episodic buffer); and investigated the significant predictor of children’s language ability.Methods: A total of 52 children from 4 to 6 years old participated in this study composed of children with Specific Language Impairment (SLI), and typically developing (TD) children. Experimental tasks including KBPR, Non-Word Repetition (NWR), Word List Recall and a Symmetric-Asymmetric Matrix were used. One-way ANOVA, correlational, and multiple stepwise regression analysis were used.Results: 1) There was a significant difference between groups in section B (Current abilities) and C (Behavior patterns and activity preferences). 2) There was a statistically significant difference in phonological loop and linguistic episodic buffer (EB). 3) The correlation between each section score of KBPR and working memory in the TD group showed consistent linguistic sentential order in the EB task with all the other sections except for section A. In the SLI group, section A had correlation with phonological loop, section B had correlation with linguistic EB, and section C had correlation with non-linguistic EB 4) The most significant predictor of the KBPR total score in the TD group was linguistic sentential order EB, and in the SLI group was phonological loop.Conclusion: Both the KBPR score and working memory task competency of the SLI and TD groups showed significant differences. In addition, the meaningful predictor in the total score of KBPR in each group respectively was NWR in the SLI group and linguistic sentential order EB in the TD group.
Age-related Differences in the Effects of Working Memory Capacity and Cognitive Load on Word Recognition: An Eye Tracking Study
Authors: Yoo Min Ah , Oh Seung Ha , Kyong Jeong Sug , Sung Jee Eun
Published: July 2021

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to identify the impact of age-related working memory capacity and cognitive load to word recognition using an eye tracker.Methods: A total of 48 participants (24 young, 24 elderly adults) who were divided according to working memory capacity (high, low) participated in the study. This study consisted of a digit load and word recognition task.Results: First, the elderly group had lower accuracy and slower response times than the young group. There was a significant difference between working memory capacity and cognitive load in response time. In the group with low working memory capacity, the response time increased under lower cognitive load, which was different from the group with a high working memory capacity. Next, the elderly group had a lower proportion of fixation than the young group by time interval. In addition, there was a significant interaction between group and cognitive load by time interval. In particular, the proportion of fixation decreased over time under a high cognitive load while the proportion of fixation increased under a low cognitive load in the elders, because the inhibition and switching abilities were weakened which made the elders unable to process information efficiently.Conclusion: The study results showed significant effects between working memory capacity and cognitive load in response time and proportion of fixation. This implies that complex factors influence language processing, which makes measuring accuracy insufficient. Thus, this research confirms the correlation among aging, working memory, and cognitive load through both online and offline measurement.
Gesture Production in a Story Recalling Task of Preschool Children with Specific Language Impairment
Authors: Kim Eun-Young , Lee Hee-Ran
Published: July 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the gesture production characteristics of Korean preschool children with specific language impairment (SLI) through the task of recalling a story after seeing a wordless-cartoon.Methods: The subjects of this study were sixteen children aged 5-6 years with SLI, 16 children with typical development (TD) matched by their chronological age (CA) and 16 children with typical development matched by their language age (LA). To compare gesture production characteristics of Children with SLI, wordless-cartoons and 5 facilitative questions were used.Results: First, there were significant differences between the SLI group and CA matched group in deictic gesture and representational gesture. However, there was no significant the difference in conventional gesture. Second, as a result of examining difference in proportion by modality of expression among those groups, there were significant differences between the SLI group and the CA matched group in spoken language and coverbal gesture. Third, there was no significant difference in the concordance rate of coverbal gesture.Conclusion: Children with SLI were found to produce gestures at a higher frequency than TD children, but there was no difference in the concordance rate of coverbal gestures. Thus, this study suggest that intervention is necessary to induce children with SLI to use spoken language and gestures together in order to effectively improve their expressive language ability.
The Development of Using the Postpositional Morpheme “Josa” in the Spontaneous Language of 2-3 Year-Old Children
Authors: Lee YoonKyoung , Lee So Jung
Published: July 2021

Objectives: The Josa, which is a Korean grammatical morpheme that indicates a relationship to the clause or conveys a more specific meaning, is an important indicator in the grammar development in early childhood. The purpose of this study was to examine the development of the Josa use in the spontaneous language of children in early childhood.Methods: Fifty young children aged 2;6-3;11 years participated in the study. The participants were classified into three age groups of 6- month interval; late 2-year, early 3-year, and late 3-year groups. Spontaneous language samples comprised of 50 utterances were collected during conversations between the examiner and the participants with books and pictures. The number of total Josa (NTJ), number of different Josa (NDJ), and NTJ and NDJ by subcategory of Josa were measured in the 50 utterances. An ANOVA and multiple regression analysis were conducted.Results: The late 2-year group demonstrated significantly less NTJ and NDJ compared to the early 3-year and late 3- year group respectively. Among NTJ and NDJ by subcategory of Josa, significant differences were found in adverbial, conjunctive, and auxiliary Josa and NDJ of adverbial and conjunctive Josa. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the NTJ of adverbial (39.2%), auxiliary (8.6%), and conjunctive (8%) Josa explained the month of age.Conclusion: The study confirmed the development of Josa use in the spontaneous language of the young children aged 2 and 3. The results of the study help us to understand the development of Josa use in young children and have implications for language assessment and intervention.
Understanding the pharmaceutical approach to pain management in canine osteoarthritis
Authors: Capon Hannah
Published: July 2021

Canine osteoarthritis was recently reclassified as a welfare concern by the Veterinary Companion Animal Surveillance System (VetCompass), an initiative run by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, focused on improving companion animal health. This condition is a common cause for consultation in first opinion practice, with an estimated 35% of the canine population being affected. Chronic pain is complex and a multimodal approach is best for management, which includes pharmaceuticals employed in a methodical manner. This article provides an overview of the types of pain associated with canine osteoarthritis, as well as how to recognise them. Making reference to hypothetical cases, the appropriate pharmaceutical management is described. Further management strategies, as part of a multimodal approach, are summarised to ensure best practice.
Combination of CRP with NLR is a sensitive tool for screening fixation-related infection in patients undergoing conversion total hip arthroplasty after failed internal fixation for femoral neck fracture
Authors: Xu Hong , Xie Jin-Wei , Liu Li , Wang Duan , Huang Ze-Yu , Zhou Zong-Ke
Published: July 2021

Aims

Monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) or neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are useful for diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), but their diagnostic values are unclear for screening fixation-related infection (FRI) in patients for whom conversion total hip arthroplasty (THA) is planned after failed internal fixation for femoral neck fracture.

Methods

We retrospectively included 340 patients who underwent conversion THA after internal fixation for femoral neck fracture from January 2008 to September 2020. Those patients constituted two groups: noninfected patients and patients diagnosed with FRI according to the 2013 International Consensus Meeting Criteria. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine maximum sensitivity and specificity of these two preoperative ratios. The diagnostic performance of the two ratios combined with preoperative CRP or ESR was also evaluated.

Results

The numbers of patients with and without FRI were 19 (5.6%) and 321 (94.4%), respectively. Areas under the ROC curve for diagnosing FRI were 0.763 for MLR, 0.686 for NLR, 0.905 for CRP, and 0.769 for ESR. Based on the Youden index, the optimal predictive cutoffs were 0.25 for MLR and 2.38 for NLR. Sensitivity and specificity were 78.9% and 71.0% for MLR, and 78.9% and 56.4% for NLR, respectively. The combination of CRP with MLR showed a sensitivity of 84.2% and specificity of 94.6%, while the corresponding values for the combination of CRP with NLR were 89.5% and 91.5%, respectively.

Conclusion

The presence of preoperative FRI among patients undergoing conversion THA after internal fixation for femoral neck fracture should be determined. The combination of preoperative CRP with NLR is sensitive tool for screening FRI in those patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(9):1534–1540.
In vivo functional imaging of the human middle ear with a hand-held optical coherence tomography device
Authors: Lui Christopher G. , Kim Wihan , Dewey James B. , Macías-Escrivá Frank D. , Ratnayake Kumara , Oghalai John S. , Applegate Brian E.
Published: July 2021

We describe an optical coherence tomography and vibrometry system designed for portable hand-held usage in the otology clinic on awake patients. The system provides clinically relevant point-of-care morphological imaging with 14-44 µm resolution and functional vibratory measures with sub-nanometer sensitivity. We evaluated various new approaches for extracting functional information including a multi-tone stimulus, a continuous chirp stimulus, and alternating air and bone stimulus. We also explored the vibratory response over an area of the tympanic membrane (TM) and generated TM thickness maps. Our results suggest that the system can provide real-time in vivo imaging and vibrometry of the ear and could prove useful for investigating otologic pathology in the clinic setting.
Compound Fabry–Pérot interferometer for simultaneous high-pressure and high-temperature measurement
Authors: Ma Zhangwei , Chen Jintao , Wei Heming , Zhang Liang , Wang Zhifeng , Chen Zhenyi , Pang Fufei , Wang Tingyun
Published: July 2021

We have proposed and experimentally demonstrated a sapphire-derived fiber (SDF) and silica capillary-based compound Fabry-Pérot interferometer (FPI) for high-pressure and high-temperature sensing. The SDF owns high alumina dopant concentration core, which can generate a mullite crystallization region during an arc discharge process. The crystallization region acts as a reflective interface to form one FPI in the SDF. The other FPI contains an air cavity constructed by the silica capillary and is used for high-pressure sensing. Both gas pressure within a range from 0 MPa to 4 MPa and temperature within a range from 20°C to 700°C are measured. Experimental results show that the wavelength shift of the FPI versus the applied pressure is linear at each tested temperature. The pressure sensitivity is measured to be 5.19 nm/MPa at a high temperature of 700°C, and the linear responses show excellent repeatability with linearity of 0.999. Meanwhile, the proposed FPI can stably function at a high temperature of 700°C with a temperature sensitivity of 0.013 nm/°C. The proposed FPI sensor provides a promising candidate for simultaneous measurement of high pressure and high temperature in extreme conditions.
Multipolar scattering analysis of hybrid metal-dielectric nanostructures
Authors: Ray Debdatta , Kiselev Andrei , Martin Olivier J. F.
Published: July 2021

We perform a systematic study showing the evolution of the multipoles along with the spectra for a hybrid metal-dielectric nanoantenna, a Si cylinder and an Ag disk stacked one on top of another, as its dimensions are varied one by one. We broaden our analysis to demonstrate the "magnetic light" at energies above 1 eV by varying the height of the Ag on the Si cylinder and below 1 eV by introducing insulating spacing between them. We also explore the appearance of the anapole state along with some exceptionally narrow spectral features by varying the radius of the Ag disk.
VO2-based micro-electro-mechanical tunable optical shutter and modulator
Authors: Figueroa José , Dsouza Henry , Pastrana Juan , Torres David , Hall Harris , Leedy Kevin , Sepúlveda Nelson
Published: July 2021

VO2-based MEMS tunable optical shutters are demonstrated. The design consists of a VO2-based cantilever attached to a VO2-based optical window with integrated resistive heaters for individual mechanical actuation of the cantilever structure, tuning of the optical properties of the window, or both. Optical transmittance measurements as a function of current for both heaters demonstrates that the developed devices can be used as analog optical shutters, where the intensity of a light beam can be tuned to any value within the range of VO2 phase transition. A transmittance drop off 30% is shown for the optical window, with tuning capabilities greater than 30% upon actuation of the cantilever. Unlike typical mechanical shutters, these devices are not restricted to binary optical states. Optical modulation of the optical window is demonstrated with an oscillating electrical input. This produces a transmittance signal that oscillates around an average value within the range off VO2’s phase transition. For an input current signal with fixed amplitude (f
el
= 0.28 Hz), tuned to be at the onset of the phase transition, a transmittance modulation of 14% is shown. Similarly, by modulating the DC-offset, a transmittance modulation of VO2 along the hysteresis is obtained.
Hyperspectral absorption microscopy using photoacoustic remote sensing
Authors: Bell Kevan , Mukhangaliyeva Lyazzat , Khalili Layla , Haji Reza Parsin
Published: July 2021

An improved method of remote optical absorption spectroscopy and hyperspectral optical absorption imaging is described which takes advantage of the photoacoustic remote sensing detection architecture. A wide collection of photoacoustic excitation wavelengths ranging from 210 nm to 1550 nm was provided by a nanosecond tunable source allowing access to various salient endogenous chromophores such as DNA, hemeproteins, and lipids. Sensitivity of the device was demonstrated by characterizing the infrared absorption spectrum of water. Meanwhile, the efficacy of the technique was explored by recovering cell nuclei and oxygen saturation from a live chicken embryo model and by recovering adipocytes from freshly resected murine adipose tissue. This represents a continued investigation into the characteristics of the hyperspectral photoacoustic remote sensing technique which may represent an effective means of non-destructive endogenous contrast characterization and visualization.
1.2-µm-band ultrahigh-Q photonic crystal nanocavities and their potential for Raman silicon lasers
Authors: Okada Hiroko , Fujimoto Masanao , Tanaka Natsumi , Saito Yuki , Asano Takashi , Noda Susumu , Takahashi Yasushi
Published: July 2021

Nanocavity devices based on silicon that can operate in the 1.2-µm band would be beneficial for several applications. We fabricate fifteen cavities with resonance wavelengths between 1.20 and 1.23 µm. Experimental quality (Q) factors larger than one million are obtained and the average Q values are lower for shorter wavelengths. Furthermore, we observe continuous-wave operation of a Raman silicon laser with an excitation wavelength of 1.20 µm and a Raman laser wavelength of 1.28 µm. The Q values of the nanocavity modes used to confine the excitation light and the Raman scattered light are about half of those for our Raman silicon laser operating in the 1.55-µm band. Nevertheless, this device exhibits an input–output characteristic with a clear laser threshold. Finally, we consider the effect of the higher scattering probability at shorter wavelengths on the Raman laser performance in the 1.2-µm band.
Multistate active control RCS signature for the continuous adjustment absorber/reflector transformation applications
Authors: Guo Sai , Zhao Yong , Cao Qiyang , Mao Zhanglong , Dong Jianxiong , Bie Shaowei , Miao Ling , Jiang Jianjun
Published: July 2021

Smart structures with tunable electromagnetic characteristics are required for camouflaging high-value targets, such as land warfare moving equipment, in continuously changing complex electromagnetic environments. The targets must control their radar cross section (RCS) to avoid detection and tracking. Frequency selective surfaces (FSSs) are the next-generation smart structures in which active RCS control is realized via impedance loading. In this paper, a multistate transformable FSS absorber/reflector that operates in the 3.9–11.0 GHz band is introduced and analyzed. The reflectivity amplitude of this absorber/reflector could be smoothly changed from 0 to -10 dB in 6.0-8.0 GHz. Each unit cell of the FSS structure consisted of four symmetrical diamond-shaped patterns, and the adjacent units were connected by PIN diodes. The absorption intensity of the FSS could be changed from 0 to -10 dB by adjusting the PIN bias voltage, which was applied via a simple bias network. The multistate switching characteristic of the FSS was verified by simulations and measurements. The results showed that adjustable absorbing intensity and switchable working states are the desirable characteristics that allow high-value targets to adapt to changing electromagnetic environments. Our work will bridge the gap between the available stealth strategies and practical applications, such as moving stealth vehicles.
Thermocapillary dewetting-based dynamic spatial light modulator
Authors: Kovacevich Dylan A. , Ma Tianxing , Gamboa Arielle R. , Nitzsche Michael P. , Saro-Cortes Valeria , Davis Emily , Singer Jonathan P.
Published: July 2021

Dynamic spatial light modulators (SLMs) are capable of precisely modulating a beam of light by tuning the phase or intensity of an array of pixels in parallel. They can be utilized in applications ranging from image projection to beam front aberration and microscopic particle manipulation with optical tweezers. However, conventional dynamic SLMs are typically incompatible with high-power sources, as they contain easily damaged optically absorbing components. To address this, we present an SLM that utilizes a viscous film with a local thickness controlled via thermocapillary dewetting. The film is reflowable and can cycle through different patterns, representing, to the best of our knowledge, the first steps towards a dynamic optical device based on the thermocapillary dewetting mechanism.
Silicon-coupled tantalum pentoxide microresonators with broadband low thermo-optic coefficient
Authors: Jean Philippe , Douaud Alexandre , Toubou Bah Souleymane , LaRochelle Sophie , Messaddeq Younès , Shi Wei
Published: July 2021

Stable microresonators are important integrated photonics components but are difficult to achieve on silicon-on-insulator due to silicon intrinsic properties. In this work, we demonstrate broadband thermally stable tantalum pentoxide microresonators directly coupled to silicon waveguides using a micro-trench co-integration method. The method combines in-foundry silicon processing with a single step backend thin-film deposition. The passive response of the microresonator and its thermal behavior are investigated. We show that the microresonator can operate in the overcoupled regime as well as near the critical coupling point, boasting an extinction ratio over 25 dB with no higher-order mode excitation. The temperature dependent wavelength shift is measured to be as low as 8.9 pm/K and remains below 10 pm/K over a 120 nm bandwidth.
Ultrafast carrier dynamics and nonlinear optical response of InAsP nanowires
Authors: Liu Junting , Yang He , Khayrudinov Vladislav , Lipsanen Harri , Nie Hongkun , Yang Kejian , Zhang Baitao , He Jingliang
Published: July 2021

Indium arsenide phosphide (InAsP) nanowires (NWs), a member of the III–V semiconductor family, have been used in various photonic and optoelectronic applications thanks to their unique electrical and optical properties such as high carrier mobility and adjustable band gap. In this work, we synthesize InAsP NWs and further explore their nonlinear optical properties. The ultrafast carrier dynamics and nonlinear optical response are thoroughly studied based on the nondegenerate pump probe and Z-scan experimental measurements. Two different characteristic carrier lifetimes (

∼
2

and

∼
15
  
ps

) from InAsP NWs are observed during the excited-carrier relaxation process. Based on the physical model analysis, the relaxation process can be ascribed to the carrier cooling process via carrier-phonon scattering and Auger recombination. In addition, based on the measured excited-carrier lifetime and Pauli-blocking principle, we discover that InAsP NWs show strong saturable absorption properties at the wavelengths of 532 and 1064 nm. Last, we demonstrate for the first time a femtosecond (

∼
426
  
fs

) solid-state laser based on an InAsP NWs saturable absorber at 1.04 μm. We believe that our work provides a better understanding of the InAsP NWs optical properties and will further advance their photonic applications in the near-infrared range.
Synaptotagmin-7–mediated activation of spontaneous NMDAR currents is disrupted in bipolar disorder susceptibility variants
Authors: Wang Qiu-Wen , Wang Ying-Han , Wang Bing , Chen Yun , Lu Si-Yao , Yao Jun
Published: July 2021

Synaptotagmin-7 (Syt7) plays direct or redundant Ca2+ sensor roles in multiple forms of vesicle exocytosis in synapses. Here, we show that Syt7 is a redundant Ca2+ sensor with Syt1/Doc2 to drive spontaneous glutamate release, which functions uniquely to activate the postsynaptic GluN2B-containing NMDARs that significantly contribute to mental illness. In mouse hippocampal neurons lacking Syt1/Doc2, Syt7 inactivation largely diminishes spontaneous release. Using 2 approaches, including measuring Ca2+ dose response and substituting extracellular Ca2+ with Sr2+, we detect that Syt7 directly triggers spontaneous release via its Ca2+ binding motif to activate GluN2B-NMDARs. Furthermore, modifying the localization of Syt7 in the active zone still allows Syt7 to drive spontaneous release, but the GluN2B-NMDAR activity is abolished. Finally, Syt7 SNPs identified in bipolar disorder patients destroy the function of Syt7 in spontaneous release in patient iPSC-derived and mouse hippocampal neurons. Therefore, Syt7 could contribute to neuropsychiatric disorders through driving spontaneous glutamate release.
Measuring and mitigating PCR bias in microbiota datasets
Authors: Silverman Justin D. , Bloom Rachael J. , Jiang Sharon , Durand Heather K. , Dallow Eric , Mukherjee Sayan , David Lawrence A.
Published: July 2021

PCR amplification plays an integral role in the measurement of mixed microbial communities via high-throughput DNA sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene. Yet PCR is also known to introduce multiple forms of bias in 16S rRNA studies. Here we present a paired modeling and experimental approach to characterize and mitigate PCR NPM-bias (PCR bias from non-primer-mismatch sources) in microbiota surveys. We use experimental data from mock bacterial communities to validate our approach and human gut microbiota samples to characterize PCR NPM-bias under real-world conditions. Our results suggest that PCR NPM-bias can skew estimates of microbial relative abundances by a factor of 4 or more, but that this bias can be mitigated using log-ratio linear models.
Internality and the internalisation of failure: Evidence from a novel task
Authors: Mancinelli Federico , Roiser Jonathan , Dayan Peter
Published: July 2021

A critical facet of adjusting one’s behaviour after succeeding or failing at a task is assigning responsibility for the ultimate outcome. Humans have trait- and state-like tendencies to implicate aspects of their own behaviour (called ‘internal’ ascriptions) or facets of the particular task or Lady Luck (’chance’). However, how these tendencies interact with actual performance is unclear. We designed a novel task in which subjects had to learn the likelihood of achieving their goals, and the extent to which this depended on their efforts. High internality (Levenson I-score) was associated with decision making patterns that are less vulnerable to failure. Our computational analyses suggested that this depended heavily on the adjustment in the perceived achievability of riskier goals following failure. We found beliefs about chance not to be explanatory of choice behaviour in our task. Beliefs about powerful others were strong predictors of behaviour, but only when subjects lacked substantial influence over the outcome. Our results provide an evidentiary basis for heuristics and learning differences that underlie the formation and maintenance of control expectations by the self.
Sample size calculation for phylogenetic case linkage
Authors: Wohl Shirlee , Giles John R. , Lessler Justin
Published: July 2021

Sample size calculations are an essential component of the design and evaluation of scientific studies. However, there is a lack of clear guidance for determining the sample size needed for phylogenetic studies, which are becoming an essential part of studying pathogen transmission. We introduce a statistical framework for determining the number of true infector-infectee transmission pairs identified by a phylogenetic study, given the size and population coverage of that study. We then show how characteristics of the criteria used to determine linkage and aspects of the study design can influence our ability to correctly identify transmission links, in sometimes counterintuitive ways. We test the overall approach using outbreak simulations and provide guidance for calculating the sensitivity and specificity of the linkage criteria, the key inputs to our approach. The framework is freely available as the R package phylosamp, and is broadly applicable to designing and evaluating a wide array of pathogen phylogenetic studies.
Arboviral diseases and poverty in Alabama, 2007–2017
Authors: Bisanzio Donal , Martello Elisa , Izenour Katherine , Stevens Kelly , Kaur Ramandeep , McKenzie Benjamin A. , Kraemer Moritz , Reithinger Richard , Zohdy Sarah
Published: July 2021

Mosquito-borne viruses cause diseases of great public health concern. Arboviral disease case distributions have complex relationships with socioeconomic and environmental factors. We combined information about socio-economic (population, and poverty rate) and environmental (precipitation, and land use) characteristics with reported human cases of arboviral disease in the counties of Alabama, USA, from 2007–2017. We used county level data on West Nile virus (WNV), dengue virus (DENV), chikungunya virus (CHIKV), Zika virus (ZIKV), California serogroup virus, Eastern equine encephalitis virus, and Saint Louis encephalitis virus to provide a detailed description of their spatio-temporal pattern. We found a significant spatial convergence between incidence of WNV and poverty rate clustered in the southern part of Alabama. DENV, CHIKV and ZIKV cases showed a different spatial pattern, being mostly located in the northern part, in areas of high socioeconomic status. The results of our study establish that poverty-driven inequities in arboviral risk exist in the southern USA, and should be taken into account when planning prevention and intervention strategies.
Production and сharacterization of the exopolysaccharide from strain Paenibacillus polymyxa 2020
Authors: Liyaskina Elena V. , Rakova Nadezhda A. , Kitykina Alevtina A. , Rusyaeva Valentina V. , Toukach Philip V. , Fomenkov Alexey , Vainauskas Saulius , Roberts Richard J. , Revin Victor V.
Published: July 2021

Paenibacillus spp. exopolysaccharides (EPSs) have become a growing interest recently as a source of biomaterials. In this study, we characterized Paenibacillus polymyxa 2020 strain, which produces a large quantity of EPS (up to 68 g/L),and was isolated from wasp honeycombs. Here we report its complete genome sequence and full methylome analysis detected by Pacific Biosciences SMRT sequencing. Moreover, bioinformatic analysis identified a putative levan synthetic operon. SacC and sacB genes have been cloned and their products identified as glycoside hydrolase and levansucrase respectively. The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra demonstrated that the EPS is a linear β-(2→6)-linked fructan (levan). The structure and properties of levan polymer produced from sucrose and molasses were analyzed by FT-IR, NMR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), cytotoxicity tests and showed low toxicity and high biocompatibility. Thus, P. polymyxa 2020 could be an exceptional cost-effective source for the industrial production of levan-type EPSs and to obtain functional biomaterials based on it for a broad range of applications, including bioengineering.
Comorbidities, sequelae, blood biomarkers and their associated clinical outcomes in the Mount Sinai Health System COVID-19 patients
Authors: Brojakowska Agnieszka , Eskandari Abrisham , Bisserier Malik , Bander Jeffrey , Garikipati Venkata Naga Srikanth , Hadri Lahouaria , Goukassian David A. , Fish Kenneth M.
Published: July 2021

With the continuing rise of SARS-CoV2 infection globally and the emergence of various waves in different countries, understanding characteristics of susceptibility to infection, clinical severity, and outcomes remain vital. In this retrospective study, data was extracted for 39,539 patients from the de-identified Mount Sinai Health System COVID-19 database. We assessed the risk of mortality based on the presence of comorbidities and organ-specific sequelae in 7,032 CoV2 positive (+) patients. Prevalence of cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities was high among SARS-CoV2+ individuals. Diabetes, obesity, coronary artery disease, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure all increased overall mortality risk, while asthma did not. Ethnicity modified the risk of mortality associated with these comorbidities. With regards to secondary complications in the setting of infection, individuals with acute kidney injury and acute myocardial injury showed an increase in mortality risk. Cerebral infarcts and acute venous thromboembolic events were not associated with increased risk of mortality. Biomarkers for cardiovascular injury, coagulation, and inflammation were compared between deceased and survived individuals. We found that cardiac and coagulation biomarkers were elevated and fell beyond normal range more often in deceased patients. Several, but not all, inflammatory markers evaluated were increased in deceased patients. In summary, we identified comorbidities and sequelae along with peripheral blood biomarkers that were associated with elevated clinical severity and poor outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Overall, these findings detail the granularity of previously reported factors which may impact susceptibility, clinical severity, and mortality during the course of COVID-19 disease.
Things don’t cry, do they? Emotional attachment between humans, technology and nature in Harry Martinson’s epic space poem Aniara and the science fiction film Aniara
Authors: Wennerscheid Sophie
Published: July 2021

While Harry Martinson’s epic space poem Aniara (1956) has received little attention outside Sweden over the last half-century, several new adaptations have appeared in recent years, most notably the 2018 science fiction film Aniara. This article explores the reason for this renewed interest and argues that, in addition to ecocritical aspects, it is the interest in human–machine relations that has contributed to the rediscovery. Drawing on Jane Bennett’s notion of thing-power, the article focuses on the spaceship Aniara’s artificial intelligence, Mima. Both in Martinson’s text and the film adaptation, Mima is depicted as a sentient machine that does not show empathy with suffering humans but rather with the suffering of nature, epitomized in crying stones. Analysing the motif of the crying stones in more detail, the article seeks to contribute to the discussion about emotional attachment between humans, technology and nature.