bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smartphone applications are used for self-management, telerehabilitation, evaluation and data collection in low back pain healthcare: a scoping review
Authors: Dobija Lech , Lechauve Jean-Baptiste , Mbony-Irankunda Didier , Plan-Paquet Anne , Dupeyron Arnaud , Coudeyre Emmanuel
Published: September 2022

Background: Technological developments have accelerated notably in the field of telecommunications in the last few decades. Smartphone use has grown in providing healthcare for patients with low back pain (LBP), but the literature lacks an analysis of the use of smartphone apps. This scoping review aimed to identify current areas of smartphone apps use for managing LBP. We also aimed to evaluate the current status of the effectiveness or scientific validity of such use and determine perspectives for their potential development.

Methods: We searched PubMed, PEDro and Embase for articles published in English up to May 3rd, 2021 that investigated smartphone use for LBP healthcare and their purpose. All types of study design were accepted. Studies concerning telemedicine or telerehabilitation but without use of a smartphone were not included. The same search strategy was performed by two researchers independently and a third researcher validated the synthesis of the included studies.

Results: We included 43 articles: randomised controlled trials (RCTs) (n=12), study protocols (n=6), reliability/validity studies (n=6), systematic reviews (n=7), cohort studies (n=4), qualitative studies (n=6), and case series (n=1). The purposes of the smartphone app were for 1) evaluation, 2) telerehabilitation, 3) self-management, and 4) data collection. Self-management was the most-studied use, showing promising results derived from moderate- to good-quality RCTs for patients with chronic LBP and patients after spinal surgery. Promising results exist regarding evaluation and data collection use and contradictory results regarding measurement use.

Conclusions: This scoping review revealed a growing scientific literature regarding the use of smartphone apps for LBP patients. The identified purposes point to current scientific status and perspectives for further studies including RCTs and systematic reviews targeting specific usage. Caution should be taken to monitor the impact of smartphone-related compulsive behaviour.
Impact of serum levels of vitamin D on lipid profiles, glycemic indices, and insulin resistance in obese type 2 diabetes patients: An observational study
Authors: Faris Raheem Mohanad , H. Ali Shatha , G. Shareef Laith
Published: September 2022

Background: Diabetes patients have a higher chance of developing dyslipidemia and increased release of free fatty acids, which participate in developing insulin-resistant fat cells. On the other hand, vitamin D insufficiency is linked to the evolution of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study examines the impact of vitamin D serum levels on lipid profiles and insulin resistance concerning glycemic indices in obese T2DM patients.

Methods: During the data collecting stage, 47 diabetes patients were chosen from the out-patient clinic. The control individuals were selected from the general population and were equivalent to the matching patients, with a total of 43 healthy participants. After an overnight fast, a venous blood sample was collected from each individual to test insulin and vitamin D3 levels using particular ELISA kits. In addition, by colorimetric test, serum was used to estimate total cholesterol, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Aside from that, fasting serum glucose levels were measured (FSG).

Results: Fasting serum glucose (FSG), homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), total cholesterol, and triglycerides, all of these values were significantly elevated in people with diabetes as compared to controls (p-value <0.05) when the serum level of vitamin D was markedly low. In contrast, insulin and high-density lipoprotein values had decreased significantly in the diabetic population compared to controls (p-value <0.05) and were not correlated to vitamin D levels.

Conclusions: Diabetes patients had higher FSG, HOMA-IR, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios (TC: HDL-C), triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios (TG: HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios (LDL-C: HDL). In obese diabetic individuals, vitamin D levels had a significant impact on total cholesterol, LDL-C, and the TC:HDL-C ratio.
Automatic Vehicle Fueling System using PLC Controlled Robotic Arm
Authors: Venugopal Chitra , Thangavel Bhuvaneswari
Published: September 2022

The objective of this research is to design and develop a robotic arm for an automatic fuelling system using a PLC LogixPro simulation. The system includes the “FASS” concept, which is Fast, Accurate, Safe and Simple, to allow car users to have an efficient fuel filling system.  

The design concept consists of three processes – identification of the vehicle, payment, and filling with the fuel. The first process identifies the presence of the car by the in-floor weight sensors. The weight sensor identifies the car, locks it in position, and activates the payment system. The second process activates the payment system. After payment is completed, the fuel cap will be opened to enable the system to start filling the fuel. If the payment doesn’t go through the car will be released, manual operation will be initialized, and the entire system will be reset.  A timer is included in the payment section to process the payment. In the third process, the filling arm is extended to the car, the fuel cap is opened, the fuel pump is inserted into the tank, and fuel is directed into the tank. Once the tank is full, filling is stopped, the pump is ejected, the fuel cap is closed, and the arm returned back to its position. Thus, an automatic vehicle fuelling system is created to overcome the problems of poor safety and longer waiting time during peak hours.

The fuel cap is activated and deactivated by pressure and the sensor filler is stopped by a level sensor. The pump insert is activated and deactivated by a photosensor.
On the performance of a hybrid frequency–phase-keying-based MIMO hybrid RF/FSO communication link
Authors: Malik Suman , Chung Yeon Ho , Sahu Prasant Kumar
Published: September 2022

A hybrid technique in optical wireless communications is an effective solution to counter impairments and to improve link availability. In this work, a hybrid frequency phase keying (FPK) modulation scheme, based on frequency shift keying (FSK) and phase shift keying (PSK), for a hybrid radio frequency (RF)/free space optical (FSO) communication system is proposed. The hybrid FPK modulation scheme combines advantageous features of FSK and PSK and has the possibility to provide improved link performance in adverse channel conditions. A transmit aperture selection (TAS) and maximal ratio combining (MRC) diversity-based multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) hybrid RF/FSO system is considered to mitigate adverse fading effects. Analytical closed-form expressions are derived for the average symbol error probability to trace the performance of the TAS-MRC-based MIMO hybrid RF/FSO system with FPK modulation over fading and pointing error conditions. A comparative analysis of average symbol error performance is presented. The results clearly indicate that the proposed FPK modulation scheme with the MIMO hybrid RF/FSO communication system link is advantageous, as it exploits the complementary properties of both RF and FSO channel characteristics and PSK and FSK modulation schemes. In addition, the proposed MIMO hybrid RF/FSO system with FPK modulation offers superior performance, compared with MIMO RF, FSO, or hybrid RF/FSO systems applied with FSK and PSK modulation schemes. An optimum beam waist is derived analytically, and it is further verified with a numerical optimization technique. All results are validated using Monte Carlo simulation.
Revival and distribution of Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen steering of a four-mode cluster state in noisy channels
Authors: Zhai Shuqin , Zhang Nana , Kang Xiaolan , Liu Kui
Published: September 2022

Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen steering is an important resource for constructing secure quantum communication networks. The quantum states carry information transmitted among the spatially separated nodes through the quantum channels, and the steerability of quantum states will reduce or even completely disappear due to the noise in the channels. We theoretically studied the revived steering properties of the quadripartite quantum state. The steering properties versus transmission efficiency and noise amplitude were investigated. Our studies show that when the noise in the channels reaches a certain value, it will lead to the sudden death of steering, and the steerability can be revived over a large range of values by establishing correlated noisy channels. Different types of monogamy relationships are verified in our scheme. These results provide a theoretical foundation for the construction of secure quantum networks.
Measurement and correction of lateral distortion in a Fizeau interferometer based on the self-calibration technique
Authors: Qiao Xiaoyue , Bai Yunbo , Ding Guoqing , Wang Weiwei , Liu Shijie , Cai Ping , Chen Xin , Su Rong
Published: September 2022

The lateral distortion of a surface measuring Fizeau interferometer may cause distorted image features in the lateral direction, as well as the surface form error in the axial direction (which is a source of the retrace error). Traditional method for lateral distortion measurement requires a high-accuracy calibration plate featuring a grid pattern. Such a calibration plate is not always available, especially when the required accuracy of the grid pattern comes to the order of sub-micrometer or even nanometer level. To remove the dependence on the plate accuracy, we propose a self-calibration method for the measurement and correction of lateral distortion in Fizeau interferometer. The self-calibration technique may separate the lateral distortion and the geometric error of the calibration plate. This method is verified using a 108-mm-aperture Fizeau interferometer. The experiments show that the form measurement error of a surface tilted at approximately 5° and 16° can be reduced from 92 nm to 43 nm and from 251 nm to 144 nm (peak-to-valley value), respectively, after the distortion correction.
Unity-order magnetochiral effects exhibited by a single metamolecule
Authors: Kurosawa Hiroyuki , Tomita Satoshi , Sawada Kei , Nakanishi Toshihiro , Ueda Tetsuya
Published: September 2022

A numerical study predicts that a single metamolecule with magnetism and chirality has giant magnetochiral (MCh) effects at microwave frequencies. The magnetism is provided by the ferromagnetic resonance of ferrite under dc bias magnetic fields, while the chirality is provided by the spiral arrangement of dielectric cubes with Mie resonance. The dielectric and magnetic resonances interfere in the metamolecule, resulting in a two-order of magnitude enhancement of the MCh effect compared with that reported in previous studies. This prediction is verified experimentally. A unity-order directional difference in the refractive index caused by the MCh effect is also demonstrated. This study is a significant milestone in the practical use of the MCh effect.
Problems on polarization aberrations in large aperture dynamic interferometry based on the polarization phase shifting technique
Authors: Miao Xinyu , Ma Jun , Wei Cong , Wang Nianfeng , Ding Hui , Zhu Rihong , Yuan Caojin
Published: September 2022

The polarization based phase shifting method is an effective way for dynamic measurements. However, when this technique is applied to the measurements of large optics, the interferometric results are easily limited by the birefringence of large optics. The birefringence changes the polarization states of reference light and test light, and brings constant polarization aberrations into the measurement results independent of the phase shifting procedure. In this article, the detailed theoretical analysis on the mechanism of polarization aberration is presented. Afterwards, we propose a new interferometric method to determine the birefringence effects by measuring the transmitted wavefronts of the large optics, which are considered as birefringent samples. Theoretical analysis shows that the polarization error in the linearly polarized system can be corrected by two independent measurements with orthogonal polarization states. The phase retardance can be obtained from the wavefront difference of the transmitted wavefronts when switching the polarization states of the incident lights. The birefringence distribution obtained is used to calibrate the polarization aberrations in the measurement result of a homemade large aperture measurement platform and the correction result is compared with the result via the wavelength tuning phase shifting method. The elimination of the polarization aberrations can be observed in the final results.
Coherent modulation imaging using a physics-driven neural network
Authors: Yang Dongyu , Zhang Junhao , Tao Ye , Lv Wenjin , Zhu Yupeng , Ruan Tianhao , Chen Hao , Jin Xin , Wang Zhou , Qiu Jisi , Shi Yishi
Published: September 2022

Coherent modulation imaging (CMI) is a lessness diffraction imaging technique, which uses an iterative algorithm to reconstruct a complex field from a single intensity diffraction pattern. Deep learning as a powerful optimization method can be used to solve highly ill-conditioned problems, including complex field phase retrieval. In this study, a physics-driven neural network for CMI is developed, termed CMINet, to reconstruct the complex-valued object from a single diffraction pattern. The developed approach optimizes the network’s weights by a customized physical-model-based loss function, instead of using any ground truth of the reconstructed object for training beforehand. Simulation experiment results show that the developed CMINet has a high reconstruction quality with less noise and robustness to physical parameters. Besides, a trained CMINet can be used to reconstruct a dynamic process with a fast speed instead of iterations frame-by-frame. The biological experiment results show that CMINet can reconstruct high-quality amplitude and phase images with more sharp details, which is practical for biological imaging applications.
Tuning oxygen vacancies in epitaxial LaInO3 films for ultraviolet photodetection
Authors: Zhang Jinfu , Liu Ningtao , Zhang Tan , Hu Shudong , Wu Simiao , Wang Wei , Wang Zilong , Zhang Wenrui , Ye Jichun
Published: September 2022

LaInO3 (LIO) represents a new, to the best of knowledge, type of perovskite oxides for deep-ultraviolet (DUV) photodetection owing to the wide bandgap nature (∼5.0 eV) and the higher tolerance of defect engineering for tunable carrier transport. Here we fabricate fast-response DUV photodetectors based on epitaxial LIO thin films and demonstrate an effective strategy for balancing the photodetector performance using the oxygen growth pressure as a simple control parameter. Increasing the oxygen pressure is effective to suppress the oxygen vacancy formation in LIO, which is beneficial to suppress the dark current and enhance the response speed. The optimized LIO photodetector achieves a fast rise/fall time of 20 ms/73 ms, a low dark current of 2.0 × 10−12 A, a photo-to-dark current ratio of 1.2 × 103, and a detectivity of 6 × 1012 Jones.
Sub-60-fs, compact 1100-nm fiber laser system based on double-pass pre-chirp managed amplification
Authors: Gao Kong , Liu Yizhou , Qiao Wenchao , Xu Rong , Feng Tianli , Xuan Hongwen , Li Dechun , Zhao Xian , Wang Aimin , Li Tao
Published: September 2022

An ytterbium-doped, single-stage, double-pass nonlinear fiber amplification system was fabricated for amplifying an 1100-nm mode-locking fiber laser. Pre-chirp managed amplification (PCMA) was applied in realizing the nonlinear amplification process with an all-polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber construction. The system can deliver 19.8-nJ, 58.7-fs, 24.4-MHz amplified signal pulses with a 10-dB spectral range spanning from 1049 nm to 1130 nm. Further experimental investigations were conducted in exploring the dynamics of the double-pass nonlinear amplification process. This compact 1100-nm ultrafast fiber laser can be implemented for multi-photon microscopy (MPM) with deep penetration depth.
Suppressing scattering-induced nanosecond pre-pulses in Ti:sapphire multi-pass amplifiers
Authors: Wang Xinliang , Bai Peile , Liu Yanqi , Zhang Hui , Tang Yunhai , Wang Xiaobin , Zhang Xiaobo , Fan Chao , Yao Bo , Sun Yijie , Wu Fenxiang , Zhang Zongxin , Gan Zebiao , Yu Lianghong , Wang Cheng , Lu Xiaoming , Xu Yi , Liang Xiaoyan , Leng Yuxin
Published: September 2022

In this Letter, we experimentally investigate a new kind of nanosecond pre-pulse, which originates from the bidirectional scattering of crystals in traditional Ti:sapphire multi-pass amplifiers. The experimental results demonstrate that the intensity of scattering-induced pre-pulses is very sensitive to the scattering angle, and the delay time between the pre-pulse and the main pulse is an integer multiple of the light path in each pass of the amplifier. An optimized multi-pass amplifier configuration is proposed, for what is believed to be the first time, to suppress the scattering-induced pre-pulses. The contrast ratio between pre-pulses and the main pulse is enhanced by more than two orders of magnitude, reaching a level of 10−10. This novel multi-pass amplifier configuration is very simple and economical, and provides an effective solution for the temporal contrast enhancement in the nanosecond range.
Non-line-of-sight imaging based on an untrained deep decoder network
Authors: Wu Huazheng , Liu Shoupei , Meng Xiangfeng , Yang Xiulun , Yin Yongkai
Published: September 2022

In recent years, low-cost high-quality non-line-of-sight (NLOS) imaging by a passive light source has been a significant research dimension. Here, we report a new, to the best of our knowledge, reconstruction method for the well-known “occluder-aided” NLOS imaging configuration based on an untrained deep decoder network. Using the interaction between the neural network and the physical forward model, the network weights can be automatically updated without the need for training data. Completion of the optimization process facilitates high-quality reconstructions of hidden scenes from photographs of a blank wall under high ambient light conditions. Simulations and experiments show the superior performance of the proposed method in terms of the details and the robustness of the reconstructed images. Our method will further promote the practical application of NLOS imaging in real scenes.
High-spectral-resolution LIDAR based on a few-longitudinal mode laser for aerosol and cloud characteristics detection
Authors: Wang Binyu , Liu Dong , Pan Sunqiang , Chen Sijie , Wu Lingyun , Xiao Da , Zhang Kai , Wang Nanchao , Wu Hongda , Zhang Kaifeng , Zhang Tianhu , Chen Feitong , Jiang Chengchong , Liu Chong
Published: September 2022

A novel implementation of high-spectral-resolution LIDAR based on a passively Q-switched few-longitudinal mode laser (PQFLM-HSRL) is proposed, and the prototype is built for detecting aerosol and cloud characteristics. The spatial-temporal distributions of the aerosol and cloud are continuously observed by the PQFLM-HSRL for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. Based on observation, we present the retrieval results of backscatter coefficient, particle linear depolarization ratio, and LIDAR ratio, and these intensive parameters are used to classify the aerosol and cloud into different types. Particularly, we have observed mix-phased clouds. The resulting aerosol optical depths (AODs) are highly consistent with CE-318, the Sun photometer measurements of the local National Meteorological Station (NMS), which verify the retrieval accuracy and the system stability. In addition, the retrieved AODs also characterize the ambient air quality, which show a high correlation with the measured PM2.5 concentrations. The implementation of the PQFLM-HSRL provides a new method for atmospheric feature detection, which shows superior scientific potential for further study on climate change and environmental health.
Sub-femto-Newton sensing torsion pendulum for detection of light force
Authors: Guan Shengguo , Sun Jing , Huang Biao , Cheng Yanbei , Duan Zhenglu , Le Jianxin
Published: September 2022

Mechanical oscillators are widely used in many fields of physics, including ultrahigh precision measurements, gravity experiments, and optical mechanical systems. A sub-gram-scale silicon wafer is suspended by a tungsten wire with a diameter of 8 µm, forming a torsion pendulum to detect the laser radiation pressure. We demonstrate the application of a low-frequency, highly sensitive torsion pendulum for the measurement of light forces. In the feedback cooling state, the system exhibits a force sensitivity at the end of the pendulum close to 0.1 fN, approaches the thermal noise limit, and reaches the detection level of the laser radiation pressure of 60 nW.
Wide-field sensorless adaptive optics swept-source optical coherence tomographic angiography in rodents
Authors: Wei Xiang , Hormel Tristan T. , Pi Shaohua , Wang Bingjie , Morrison John C. , Jia Yali
Published: September 2022

In this study, we present a sensorless adaptive optics swept-source optical coherence tomographic angiography (sAO-SS-OCTA) imaging system for mice. Real-time graphics processing unit (GPU)-based OCTA image acquisition and processing software were applied to guide wavefront correction using a deformable mirror based on signal strength index (SSI) from both OCT and OCTA images. High-resolution OCTA images with aberrations corrected and contrast enhanced were successfully acquired. Fifty-degree field of view high-resolution montaged OCTA images were also acquired.
Low threshold Q-switched pulses based on a WTe2-graphene saturable absorber
Authors: Li Qianying , Li Hongda , Han Mengmeng , Chang Haixin , Shu Xuewen
Published: September 2022

Low-threshold and narrow-pulse-width Q-switched optical pulses are obtained using a tapered fiber-based WTe2-graphene saturable absorber (SA) in an erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) for the first time. Benefiting from the low unsaturated loss of graphene, the Q-switching threshold (25.8 mW) is an order of magnitude lower than that using SA with WTe2 only. Meanwhile, owing to the high carrier mobility of WTe2, the minimum pulse width (1.2 µs) is the narrowest among the graphene-based fiber lasers. The results indicate the potential of the WTe2-graphene SA in future application and development of laser pulses.
Near-field launching and mapping unidirectional surface plasmon polaritons using an automated dual-tip scanning near-field optical microscope
Authors: Abbasirad Najmeh , Barreda Angela , Chen Yi-Ju , Huang Jer-Shing , Staude Isabelle , Setzpfandt Frank , Pertsch Thomas
Published: September 2022

The spatial distribution of electromagnetic fields emitted from the aperture tip of a scanning near-field optical microscope (SNOM), which is called the emission pattern, depends on the geometry of the apex and the material composition of the tip’s coating. In previous works, experimental measurements of the emission pattern from the aperture tip were performed mostly in the far field. Moreover, the corresponding theoretical models were also developed based on these far-field measurements. Here, we have used the automated dual-tip SNOM to systematically characterize the emission from the aperture tip in the near field. In this regard, we have considered three different pairs of excitation and detection tips with distinct geometries. The emission patterns of the excitation tips were mapped using detection tips. Unidirectional surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) at the surface of a gold platelet were launched by an excitation tip and measured in the near field by the detection tip. The experimental results were numerically reproduced by means of the Bethe–Bouwkamp model. This work puts into evidence the applicability of the automated dual-tip SNOM as the only available characterization technique to measure the emission from aperture tips in the near field. The reported asymmetric SPP radiation patterns can find applications in photonic integrated circuits or in biological and chemical sensing.
Clock gene-dependent glutamate dynamics in the bean bug brain regulate photoperiodic reproduction
Authors: Hasebe Masaharu , Shiga Sakiko
Published: September 2022

Animals adequately modulate their physiological status and behavior according to the season. Many animals sense photoperiod for seasonal adaptation, and the circadian clock is suggested to play an essential role in photoperiodic time measurement. However, circadian clock-driven neural signals in the brain that convey photoperiodic information remain unclear. Here, we focused on brain extracellular dynamics of a classical neurotransmitter glutamate, which is widely used for brain neurotransmission, and analyzed its involvement in photoperiodic responses using the bean bugRiptortus pedestristhat shows clear photoperiodism in reproduction. Extracellular glutamate levels in the whole brain were significantly higher under short-day conditions, which cause a reproductive diapause, than those under long-day conditions. The photoperiodic change in glutamate levels was clearly abolished by knockdown of the clock geneperiod. We also demonstrated that genetic modulation of glutamate dynamics by knockdown of glutamate-metabolizing enzyme genes,glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase(got) andglutamine synthetase(gs), attenuated photoperiodic responses in reproduction. Further, we investigated glutamate-mediated photoperiodic modulations at a cellular level, focusing on the pars intercerebralis (PI) neurons that photoperiodically change their neural activity and promote oviposition. Electrophysiological analyses showed that L-Glutamate acts as an inhibitory signal to PI neurons via glutamate-gated chloride channel (GluCl). Additionally, combination of electrophysiology and genetics revealed that knockdown ofgot,gs, andglucldisrupted cellular photoperiodic responses of the PI neurons, in addition to reproductive phenotypes. Our results reveal that the extracellular glutamate dynamics are photoperiodically regulated depending on the clock gene and play an essential role in the photoperiodic control of reproduction via inhibitory pathways.
Intranasal administration of abatacept enhances IL-35+ and IL-10+ producing Bregs in lung tissues of ovalbumin-sensitized asthmatic mice model
Authors: Alenazy Maha Fahad , Sharif-Askari Fatemeh Saheb , El-Wetidy Mohammed S. , Sharif-Askari Narjes Saheb , Hachim Ibrahim Yaseen , Temsah Mohammad-Hani , Saddik Basema , Al-Kufaidy Roua , Omair Maha A. , Alshawakir Yasser A. , Fathaddin Amany Adulgadel , Hannawi Suad , Hamid Qutayba , Omair Mohammed A. , Al-Muhsen Saleh , Halwani Rabih
Published: September 2022

Backgrounds

Treating asthmatic rheumatoid arthritis patients with abatacept has been shown to associate with better control of asthma symptoms. However, the mechanism behind that is not investigated.

Methods

Ovalbumin (OVA)- sensitized BALB/c female mice were treated intranasally (IN) or intraperitoneally (IP) with abatacept 4 hrs before the OVA challenge. The effects of abatacept IN or IP on the lungs and blood levels of Tregs and Bregs and their production of immunosuppressive cytokines, were determined using FACS analysis and ELISA assay.

Results

Treating OVA- sensitized asthmatic mice model with abatacept, IN or IP, reduced lung inflammation. IN treatment with abatacept increased the frequency of IL-35 and IL-10 producing Bregs in the lung tissues to a higher level compared to IP treatment. Moreover, the frequency of lungs LAG3+ Tregs was significantly increased following treatment. This was also associated with a reduction in lung tissue and serum IL-17 levels of treated mice.

Conclusions

These results suggest that abatacept by enhancing IL-35+IL-10+ Bregs and LAG3+ Tregs might reverse IL-17 induced lung inflammation during asthma.
An assessment of prevalence of Type 1 CFI rare variants in European AMD, and why lack of broader genetic data hinders development of new treatments and healthcare access
Authors: Jones Amy V. , Curtiss Darin , Harris Claire , Southerington Tom , Hautalahti Marco , Wihuri Pauli , Mäkelä Johanna , Kallionpää Roosa E. , Makkonen Enni , Knopp Theresa , Mannermaa Arto , Mäkinen Erna , Moilanen Anne-Mari , Tezel Tongalp H. ,   on behalf of the SCOPE Study group, Waheed Nadia K.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Advanced age-related macular degeneration (AAMD) risk is associated with rare complement Factor I (FI) genetic variants associated with low FI protein levels (termed ‘Type 1’), but it is unclear how variant prevalences differ between AMD patients from different ethnicities.

Methods

Collective prevalence of Type 1 CFI rare variant genotypes were examined in four European AAMD datasets. Collective minor allele frequencies (MAFs) were sourced from the natural history study SCOPE, the UK Biobank, the International AMD Genomics Consortium (IAMDGC), and the Finnish Biobank Cooperative (FINBB), and compared to paired control MAFs or background population prevalence rates from the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD). Due to a lack of available genetic data in non-European AAMD, power calculations were undertaken to estimate the AAMD population sizes required to identify statistically significant association between Type 1 CFI rare variants and disease risk in different ethnicities, using gnomAD populations as controls.

Results

Type 1 CFI rare variants were enriched in all European AAMD cohorts, with odds ratios (ORs) ranging between 3.1 and 7.8, and a greater enrichment was observed in dry AMD from FINBB (OR 8.9, 95% CI 1.49–53.31). The lack of available non-European AAMD datasets prevented us exploring this relationship more globally, however a statistical association may be detectable by future sequencing studies that sample approximately 2,000 AAMD individuals from Ashkenazi Jewish and Latino/Admixed American ethnicities.

Conclusions

The relationship between Type 1 CFI rare variants increasing odds of AAMD are well established in Europeans, however the lack of broader genetic data in AAMD has adverse implications for clinical development and future commercialisation strategies of targeted FI therapies in AAMD. These findings emphasise the importance of generating more diverse genetic data in AAMD to improve equity of access to new treatments and address the bias in health care.
Aberrant mitochondrial homeostasis at the crossroad of musculoskeletal ageing and non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Prokopidis Konstantinos , Giannos Panagiotis , Witard Oliver C. , Peckham Daniel , Ispoglou Theocharis
Published: September 2022

Cancer cachexia is accompanied by muscle atrophy, sharing multiple common catabolic pathways with sarcopenia, including mitochondrial dysfunction. This study investigated gene expression from skeletal muscle tissues of older healthy adults, who are at risk of age-related sarcopenia, to identify potential gene biomarkers whose dysregulated expression and protein interference were involved in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Screening of the literature resulted in 14 microarray datasets (GSE25941, GSE28392, GSE28422, GSE47881, GSE47969, GSE59880 in musculoskeletal ageing; GSE118370, GSE33532, GSE19804, GSE18842, GSE27262, GSE19188, GSE31210, GSE40791 in NSCLC). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were used to construct protein-protein interaction networks and retrieve clustering gene modules. Overlapping module DEGs were ranked based on 11 topological algorithms and were correlated with prognosis, tissue expression, and tumour purity in NSCLC. The analysis revealed that the dysregulated expression of the mammalian mitochondrial ribosomal proteins, Mitochondrial Ribosomal Protein S26 (MRPS26), Mitochondrial Ribosomal Protein S17 (MRPS17), Mitochondrial Ribosomal Protein L18 (MRPL18) and Mitochondrial Ribosomal Protein L51 (MRPL51) were linked to reduced survival and tumour purity in NSCLC while tissue expression of the same genes followed an opposite direction in healthy older adults. These results support a potential link between the mitochondrial ribosomal microenvironment in ageing muscle and NSCLC. Further studies comparing changes in sarcopenia and NSCLC associated cachexia are warranted.
The impulsive behavior short scale–8 (I-8): A comprehensive validation of the English-language adaptation
Authors: Groskurth Katharina , Nießen Désirée , Rammstedt Beatrice , Lechner Clemens M.
Published: September 2022

The Impulsive Behavior Short Scale–8 (I-8) measures the psychological construct of impulsivity with four subscales comprising two items each (completion time < 1 min). The aim of the present study was threefold: (1) to assess the psychometric properties (objectivity, reliability, and validity) of the English-language I-8; (2) to compare these psychometric properties with those of the original German-language source version of the scale; and (3) to test the cross-national comparability of the scale via measurement invariance tests. For this purpose, we used heterogeneous quota samples from the UK and Germany. Our results indicate that I-8 is a reliable and valid short scale with highly comparable psychometric properties across both language versions. In addition, I-8 showed a highly similar correlational pattern with various extraneous variables across the two nations. Furthermore, partial scalar invariance and full invariance of residual variances held, allowing the comparison of latent means and observed (co)variances across nations. I-8 lends itself as a measure of impulsive behavior especially in surveys in which assessment time is limited, such as in large-scale cross-national surveys.
Evaluation of Cd2+ stress tolerance in transgenic rice overexpressing PgGPx gene that maintains cellular ion and reactive oxygen species homeostasis
Authors: Islam Tahmina , Reddy M. K.
Published: September 2022

Non-essential toxic heavy metal like cadmium (Cd2+) interferes with the plant growth and development in many ways. Cd2+ travels via plant transportation system, specifically through xylem and may integrate into the food chain causing unfavorable condition in human health. Therefore, strategies to develop Cd2+ tolerance and less accumulation in the plant system require urgent attention. Peroxidase gene family is known for metal ions transportation including Cd2+ and thus plays an important role in ion homeostasis. Previously, we have reported the presence of a Cd2+ dependent functional peroxiredoxin from Pennisetum glaucum (PgGPx). The present study elucidates the role of this PgGPx against Cd2+ stress in rice. The transcript levels of PgGPx were found to be highly upregulated in response to exogenous Cd2+. Moreover, recombinant PgGPx protein showed significant glutathione S-transferase activity in vitro. Ectopically expressed PgGPx in transgenic rice plants showed tolerance towards Cd2+ stress as demonstrated by several physiological indices including shoot and root length, biomass, chlorophyll, and hydrogen peroxide content. Moreover, these transgenic plants also showed enhanced capability to cope up with oxidative stress by enhancing the activity of different antioxidant enzymes including Superoxide dismutase, Catalase, Ascorbate peroxidase, Glutathione peroxidase, Glutathione reductase) in response to Cd2+. Hence, maintenance of cellular ion homeostasis and modulation of reactive oxygen species-scavenging pathway are found to be improved by overexpression of PgGPx under Cd2+ stress. These results will pave the way to develop strategies for engineering Cd2+ stress tolerance in economically important crop plants.
Psychosocial impacts of spontaneous coronary artery dissection: A qualitative study
Authors: Murphy Barbara M. , Rogerson Michelle C. , Hesselson Stephanie , Iismaa Siiri E. , Graham Robert M. , Jackson Alun C.
Published: September 2022

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an increasingly recognised cause of acute myocardial infarction, particularly in younger women without classic cardiac risk factors. While recent quantitative studies have noted high anxiety and depression in SCAD survivors, the full range and extent of psychosocial impacts of SCAD is unknown. The present study used a qualitative approach to investigate the psychosocial impacts of SCAD in Australian SCAD survivors. Focus group participants were recruited as part of a larger study of SCAD survivors currently being undertaken by the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. Thirty SCAD survivors participated in one of seven online focus groups, conducted using a semi-structured format. Focus group duration was 1.5 hours. Each was digitally recorded and transcribed. Data were analyzed thematically according to recommended guidelines. One over-arching theme, five main themes and 26 sub-themes were identified. The over-arching theme related to lack of information, while the five main themes related to emotional impacts, issues with self-management, issues with family, impacts on work life, and the need for psychosocial support. The ‘emotional impacts’ theme comprised 11 sub-themes, namely shock and disbelief, confusion and uncertainty, unfairness, fear and anxiety, loss and grief, isolation and loneliness, guilt, invalidation and embarrassment, depression, vulnerability, and frustration. Findings are discussed in light of relevant psychological theories. This qualitative study extends previous quantitative investigations of SCAD survivors by providing an in-depth understanding of the complex, inter-related and highly distressing impacts of SCAD. The findings point to the urgent need for a coherent approach to information provision, the development and delivery of SCAD-specific cardiac rehabilitation programs, and the provision of psychosocial support programs for SCAD survivors.
Perubahan kualitas hidup akibat pandemi COVID-19: Analisis klaster provinsi di Indonesia
Authors: Meilianna Ruth , Sinaga Juan Palem , Dinnita Riskie Ulvat
Published: September 2022

Good quality of life is an essential aspect of human capital development. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic not only influenced critical economic sector, such as unemployment problem, but also affected fulfilment of basic needs, such as health, education, assets ownership that are indicators of quality of life in the community. The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life in provinces in Indonesia may vary, given the different levels of spread of COVID-19 in each province. This study aims to create clustering based on the level of quality of life of provinces in Indonesia and review whether there were cluster changes among the cluster members due to the COVID-19 pandemic and whether the position of the cluster changed from the centroid position after the COVID-19 pandemic. The data used in this study are life expectancy, school expectancy, economic growth rate per capita, and percentage of homeownership in 2018-2020. The method used is K-Means using the Rapid Mining Studio tool. The results showed changes in the provincial clusters from the transition period to the period after the COVID-19 pandemic.health; education; economy; cluster; quality of life; COVID-19 pandemic
KARAKTER ORANG MADURA, NASIONALISME, DAN GLOBALISASI
Authors: Raditya Ardhie
Published: September 2022

This paper is an essential part for those who are interested in Madurese Studies, which have been mostly written from outsiders’ point of views, mainly Western researchers. This paper aims to produce a counter-discourse to the writings of outsiders who tend to position the Madurese as a violent and destructive ethnicity. By utilizing the method of ethnographic imagination, it is shown that the honourable character of the Madurese is unlike what has been imagined in various Western or Colonial literature. The Madurese have a vital contribution to the nationalism of anti-colonial for the development of Indonesian culture after the independence period. The spirit of Islamic values and culture respects human dignity as the locomotive of the development of the noble character of the Madurese. After the New Order regime, the true character of the Madurese begins to scatter. Intolerant Islamic groups in Madura tried to use the momentum of democracy in Indonesia to oppose all forms of globalization products and Chinese minority groups that were considerably not aligned with their political agenda. Their presence could potentially threaten not only the development of the noble character of the Madurese, but also the integrity of the Indonesian nation.
IMPLEMENTASI NILAI-NILAI PANCASILA PADA MINAT WIRAUSAHA (STUDI KASUS KNPI KOTA SEMARANG)
Authors: Arifin Ahmad Zaenal
Published: September 2022

ABSTRACTPancasila is the basis for the nation of Indonesia. The application of Pancasila values in entrepreneurship will encourage new entrepreneurs who grow in accordance with the culture that develops in Indonesia as a populist economy characterized by Indonesia. The existence of Pancasila entrepreneurship in the form of a populist economy can encourage the creation of new jobs so that it can be a solution in reducing unemployment. Entrepreneurs can be formed and trained, so the most important one is the existence of entrepreneurial intention. Therefore, it is important to know the determinants of entrepreneurial intention. One approach to look at the factors that influence interest in entrepreneurship is through Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). There are three main components in TPB, which are attitude, social norm and perceived behavioral control. This study aims to: analyze the effect of the perceived implementation of Pancasila to attitude; analyze the effect of perceived implementation of Pancasila to perceived behavioral control; analyze the effect of the perceived implementation of Pancasila to social norms; analyze the effect of attitude to entrepreneurial intention; analyze the effect of perceived behavioral control to entrepreneurial intention; analyze the influence of social norm to entrepreneurial intention; analyze the effect of access to entrepreneurial intention; analyze the effect of access to entrepreneurial action; analyze the effect of entrepreneurial intention on entrepreneurial action.
STRATEGI PEMULIHAN DAN PERCEPATAN PENGEMBANGAN INDUSTRI ANIMASI INDONESIA PASCA PANDEMI
Authors: Wikayanto Andrian , Yudoprakoso Bagus Fitrian , Kurniawan Ehwan , Wilson Daryl , Prana Irvan S.
Published: September 2022

Industri animasi Indonesia memiliki sejarah yang cukup panjang. Semestinya tahun 2020 lalu industri animasi dapat tumbuh pesat dan menjadi tahun paling produktif bagi industri ini. Meskipun demikian berbagai tantangan mencegah industri ini untuk tumbuh pesat, utamanya ketika pandemi Covid-19 mulai melanda sejak 2020 lalu. Permasalahan utama yang kemudian muncul yakni terkait kebutuhan akan proyek pemesanan jasa animasi, bantuan dana kerja produksi IP animasi, dan kebijakan serta insentif terkait yang berpihak pada penumbuhkembangan industri animasi lokal. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif dengan metode model-building. Metode ini digunakan untuk mengkonstruksikan strategi kebijakan terkait strategi pemulihan dan percepatan berdasarkan pada hasil temuan di lapangan tentang dampak pandemi covid-19 pada sektor industri animasi Indonesia. Berdasarkan data penelitian terdahulu dan rekonstruksi dari temuan di lapangan terhadap kondisi industri animasi saat ini, strategi pemulihan dan percepatan pengembangan industri animasi Indonesia perlu mengedepankan peran pemerintah dalam menyediakan proyek kerja, membantu pendanaan produksi dan penasaran, serta berpihak pada industri animasi lokal dengan membatasi impor animasi asing.
PsychoEducation Tensor Theoretical Overview
Authors: Sheppard Joseph Z.
Published: September 2022

The PsychoEducation Tensor Theoretical Overview Poster was designed to illustrate relationships between sixteen elementary mental processes and focuses on four primary forms of working memory.Moreover, the PsychoEducation Tensor (PET) is described as one of seven primary tensors describing all scientifically measurable phenomena. PET is adapted from EM-Theory as a minimalist model of global cognition.
Travel perception and mode choice: a descriptive and exploratory factor analysis of a pilot survey addressed to students of UFRRJ (Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro)
Authors: Aguiar de Andrade Christiane , De Abreu e Silva João António
Published: September 2022

Universities generate a significant volume of daily commuting, in addition to being a favorable environment for development of new habits and behavior, as result of the influence among those who attend them. This study addressed a survey, based on Theory of Planned Behavior and Theory of Human Motivation, to UFRRJ students in order to identify the factors taken into account in travel decisions and to collect their perceptions about the transportation system in metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro. The results were achieved by exploratory factor analysis and interviews. The findings corroborate the already consolidated application of Theory of Planned Behavior on travel research and confirmed the existence of a hierarchy of transport needs suggested by the Theory of Human Motivation, which denotes its potential as a tool for transport policies design. The study also revealed the importance given by students to travel time over other needs, the strong influence of the safety attributes on decisions and a high awareness of the social and inclusive role of transport.
US features of normal parathyroid glands: a comparison with metastatic lymph nodes in thyroid cancer
Authors: Kim Seong Ju , Na Dong Gyu , Noh Byeong-Joo
Published: September 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the ultrasound (US) features of normal parathyroid glands (PTGs) and to evaluate whether normal PTGs can be differentiated from metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) in thyroid cancer.Methods: This retrospective study included 10 normal PTGs and 95 metastatic LNs from thyroid cancer showing suspicious US features. The echogenicity, echotexture, echogenic foci (calcifications), cystic change, abnormal vascularity, size, shape, and location were retrospectively assessed and compared between normal PTGs and metastatic LNs.Results: The echogenicity of normal PTGs was significantly different from that of metastatic LNs (P<0.001). Normal PTGs exhibited marked hyperechogenicity (100%), homogeneous echotexture (80%), focal intraglandular hypoechogenicity (20%), ovoid shape (90%), and focal cystic change in one case (10%). The echogenicity of metastatic LNs was markedly hyperechoic (0%), moderately hyperechoic (15.8%), mildly hyperechoic (53.7%), and hypoechoic (28.4%). The size and long axis/short axis ratios of normal PTGs were significantly smaller and larger than those of metastatic LNs (P<0.01 and P=0.022, respectively).Conclusion: Marked hyperechogenicity was found only in normal PTGs, and small, ovoid, markedly hyperechoic structures in the paramedian central neck characterized normal PTGs. Normal PTGs may be differentiated from metastatic LNs in thyroid cancer.
(Meta)Lexicografia e Terminografia
Authors: Galvão Patrícia Medeiros da Silva
Published: September 2022

Trata-se de uma resenha da obra (Meta)Lexicografia e Terminografia, de autoria de Adja Balbino de Amorim Barbieri Durão, Aylton Barbieri Durão e María Àngeles Sastre Ruano, publicada em 2020 pela Pontes Editores.