bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A low-sugar diet enhancesDrosophilabody size in males and females via sex-specific mechanisms
Authors: Millington Jason W. , Biswas Puja , Chao Charlotte , Xia Yi Han , Wat Lianna W. , Brownrigg George P. , Sun Ziwei , Basner-Collins Paige J. , Klein Geltink Ramon I. , Rideout Elizabeth J.
Published: February 2022

In Drosophila, changes to dietary protein elicit different body size responses between the sexes. Whether these differential body size effects extend to other macronutrients remains unclear. Here, we show that lowering dietary sugar (0S diet) enhanced body size in male and female larvae. Despite an equivalent phenotypic effect between the sexes, we detected sex-specific changes to signalling pathways, transcription and whole-body glycogen and protein. In males, the low-sugar diet augmented insulin/insulin-like growth factor signalling pathway (IIS) activity by increasing insulin sensitivity, where increased IIS was required for male metabolic and body size responses in 0S. In females reared on low sugar, IIS activity and insulin sensitivity were unaffected, and IIS function did not fully account for metabolic and body size responses. Instead, we identified a female-biased requirement for the Target of rapamycin pathway in regulating metabolic and body size responses. Together, our data suggest the mechanisms underlying the low-sugar-induced increase in body size are not fully shared between the sexes, highlighting the importance of including males and females in larval studies even when similar phenotypic outcomes are observed.
Sex Differences in Diaphragm Voluntary Activation after Exercise
Authors: RAMSOOK ANDREW H. , SCHAEFFER MICHELE R. , MITCHELL REID A. , DHILLON SATVIR S. , MILNE KATHRYN M. , FERGUSON OLIVIA N. , PUYAT JOSEPH H. , KOEHLE MICHAEL S. , SHEEL A. WILLIAM , GUENETTE JORDAN A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The female diaphragm develops less fatigue after high-intensity exercise compared with males. Diaphragm fatigability is typically defined as a decrease in transdiaphragmatic twitch pressure (P
di,TW) and represents the contractile function of the muscle. However, it is unclear whether this sex difference persists when examining changes in voluntary activation, which represents a neural mechanism contributing to fatigability.

Purpose

This study aimed to determine if high-intensity cycling results in a decrease in diaphragm voluntary activation (D-VA) and to explore if the decrease in D-VA is different between sexes.

Methods

Twenty-five participants (15 females) completed a single bout of high-intensity constant load cycling. D-VA and P
di,TW were measured before and after exercise using cervical magnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerves to assess diaphragm fatigability.

Results

Participants were of similar aerobic fitness when expressed relative to predicted values (females: 114% ± 25% predicted, males: 111% ± 11% predicted; P = 0.769). P
di,TW decreased relative to baseline to 85.2% ± 16.7% and 70.3% ± 12.4% baseline (P = 0.012) in females and males, respectively, immediately after exercise. D-VA also decreased in both females and males immediately after exercise. The decrease in D-VA was less in females compared with males (95.4% ± 4.9% baseline vs 87.4% ± 10.8% baseline, respectively; P = 0.018).

Conclusions

D-VA decreases after whole-body exercise in both females and males, although the magnitude of the decrease is not as large in females compared with males. The findings of this study suggest that the female diaphragm is more resistant to both contractile and neural mechanisms of fatigability after whole-body exercise.
Impact of preoperative staging with contrast-enhanced mammography for localized breast cancer management
Authors: Montrognon Fanny , Clatot Florian , Berghian Anca , Douvrin Françoise , Quieffin Farzaneh , Defta Diana , Buquet Anaïs , Ferret Martine , Lequesne Justine , Leheurteur Marianne , Fontanilles Maxime , Georgescu Dragos , Callonnec Françoise
Published: February 2022

Objective:

A precise evaluation of the disease extent is mandatory before surgery for early breast cancer (EBC). Contrast-enhanced mammography (CEDM) is a recent technique that may help define adequate surgery.

Methods:

This retrospective study included consecutive patients referred to a cancer center between November 2016 and July 2017 for biopsy-confirmed invasive EBC management. The primary objective was to evaluate the rate of surgical changes after incorporating the results of the preoperative staging examination, including CEDM.

Results:

A total of 231 patients were screened for inclusion, and 132 patients were included, corresponding to 134 lesions. The first surgical plan was modified for 33 patients (25%), which represented 34 lesions. For 8 patients (6%), the surgery was cancelled in preference for neoadjuvant chemotherapy; for 16 patients (12.1%), the primary tumor procedure was enlarged; and for 23 patients (17.4%) the lymph node management was modified. Surgery was changed only due to the CEDM results for 24 patients (18.5%) and consisted of a more invasive procedure due to a more extended, multifocal or multicentric lesion than seen on the standard imaging. Anatomopathological surgery piece findings were well correlated with contrast-enhanced mammography results. Overall, there was no increase in the delay between the planned date of surgery and the effective surgical procedure (median 0 days).

Conclusion:

CEDM added to preoperative staging helped define better surgical management without increasing delay in the surgical procedure.

Advances in knowledge:

CEDM is a reliable technique that should be considered as part of preoperative staging for EBC.
Enhanced toxicity to chemoradiation in a patient with Anti-Jo-1-antisynthetase syndrome
Authors: Valle Luca , Katz James , Duffy Austin , Hueman Matthew , Wang Hao-Wei , Hughes Marybeth , Sissung Tristan , Figg William , Citrin Deborah
Published: February 2022

Appropriate counseling of patients with autoimmune connective tissue disorders (ACTDs) is often challenging for radiation oncologists, especially regarding anticipated side-effects of radiation treatment. These patients can have highly variable and unpredictable sequelae from radiation therapy, and the uncertainty builds when radiation is convoluted by the addition of concurrent chemotherapy. While many patients may experience a mild intensification of toxicity above what is expected, some patients experience much more severe toxicity. These patients become critical learning cases, enabling a better understanding of the delicate and complex ways in which radiation response is altered in the context of ACTDs while allowing other patients with similar ACTD profiles to benefit from past experience. Our report makes an important contribution to this space by describing a particularly severe case of toxicity that manifested in such a patient and the ensuing clinical decision-making. Comprehensive genotyping of classic pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic pathway genes (including mutations in DPD and CDA) did not reveal any signatures that might explain her enhanced toxicity and we demonstrate that severe toxicity can still manifest in the era of modern conformal radiation treatments for rectal cancer. We urge caution in the treatment of patients with rare ACTDs, but also emphasize that curative treatment should not be withheld in such patients. We conclude by advocating for the development and maintenance of a prospective multiinstitutional database of patients with ACTDs to help inform and improve future practice.
Giant epiphrenic diverticulum: an unusual case from diagnosis to treatment
Authors: Gorgoglione Francesca , Castorani Giulia , Palladino Nicola , Orciulo Grazia Vittoria , Ferretti Gian Maria , Palladino Diego , Simeone Anna , Taurchini Marco , Guglielmi Giuseppe
Published: February 2022

Esophageal diverticulum is a rare disease caused by impairment of esophageal motility. The incidence is not known, due to lack of symptoms in many cases. Surgical treatment is reserved to symptomatic patients.

In this case report, we describe a rare case of epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum. A 61-year-old male with silent medical history, suffering severe chest pain had a CT scan showing a large esophageal diverticulum. The patient was referred to our hospital, IRCCS “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, to complete pre-operative assessment with a CT scan and a Barium swallowing radiography, giving morphodimensional details of the diverticulum. Based on these findings, the surgeons have chosen the appropriate operative strategy. The surgeons adopted a laparoscopic access, completed with robotic-assisted laparotomy due to the morphology of the diverticulum.

Radiological evaluation is crucial in the diagnosis and in the treatment planning of symptomatic patients.
Κατασκευή και ψυχομετρικός έλεγχος κλίμακας διερεύνησης της στάσης των μαθητών απέναντι στην Ιστορία
Authors: Μαυρογιάννη Αριστέα , Βασιλάκη Ελένη , Γιαχνάκης Εμμανουήλ
Published: February 2022

Σημαντική πτυχή της ιστορικής εκπαίδευσης συνιστά τα τελευταία χρόνια η προσπάθεια κατανόησης της στάσης των μαθητών/τριών απέναντι στο μάθημα της Ιστορίας, που διδάσκεται στην ελληνική πρωτοβάθμια και δευτεροβάθμια εκπαίδευση συστηματικά. Μέχρι σήμερα δεν υφίσταται κλίμακα αποτύπωσης αυτής της στάσης. Σκοπός της παρούσας εργασίας ήταν η κατασκευή και ο έλεγχος μιας κλίμακας αυτοαναφορικής, για την στάση των μαθητών/τριών δευτεροβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης απέναντι στο σχολικό μάθημα της Ιστορίας. Η κατασκευή της βασίστηκε σε μεθοδολογία επτά βημάτων για δημιουργία ερωτηματολογίων εκπαιδευτικής έρευνας. Ο προκαταρκτικός έλεγχος περιεχομένου στο αρχικό σύνολο δηλώσεων κατέληξε σε ερωτηματολόγιο 23 δηλώσεων τύπου 5-βαθμης κλίμακας Likert, με το οποίο συλλέχθηκαν τα ερευνητικά δεδομένα από 247 μαθητές/τριες δευτεροβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης του Νομού Ηρακλείου Κρήτης. Η διερευνητική παραγοντική ανάλυση απέδωσε μοντέλο 11 δηλώσεων με σημαντικές φορτίσεις σε 4 παράγοντες. Αυτοί νοηματοδοτήθηκαν ως εξής: επίδραση των Τεχνολογιών Πληροφορίας και Επικοινωνιών (ΤΠΕ), στρατηγικές μελέτης του μαθήματος, ευρύτερη στάση απέναντι στην Ιστορία, και επίδραση του ιστορικού χάρτη. Η δομή του μοντέλου επιβεβαιώθηκε με πολύ καλές τιμές δεικτών προσαρμογής και έγινε επιτυχώς έλεγχος αξιοπιστίας, εγκυρότητας και ψυχομετρικής αξιολόγησης. Η ερευνητική διαδικασία απέδωσε την έγκυρη και αξιόπιστη κλίμακα ΕΔΙΣ, με 11 δηλώσεις σε 4 υποκλίμακες. Η συνολική βαθμολογία κλίμακας και υποκλιμάκων εξάγεται με απλή άθροιση των αντίστοιχων τιμών.
Reconsidering the ethics of compulsive treatment under the light of clinical psychiatry
Authors: Duarte Madeira Luis , Costa Santos Jorge
Published: February 2022

The ethics of compulsive treatment (CT) is a medical, social and legal discussion that reemerged after the ratification by 181 countries of the 2007 United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN-CRPD). The optional protocol of the UN-CRPD was ratified by 86 countries aiming to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights. It also determined the need to review mental health laws as under this light treatment of persons with disabilities, particularly those with mental disorders, cannot accept the use of CT. This selective review of literature aims to clarify inputs from clinical psychiatry adding evidence to the multi-disciplinary discussion. It focuses on how patients experience CT and its impact on their mental health and treatment programs, the reasons for the use of CT versus voluntary treatment and what efforts have been made to reduce, replace and refine the presence of CT in psychiatry.
Comments about the appraisal of systematic reviews in restorative dentistry
Authors: Afrashtehfar Kelvin I. , Saeed Musab H.
Published: February 2022

Adequate adoption of evidence-based practice is deeply rooted in accessing methodological quality and completeness of systematic reviews and meta-analyses reporting. Nonetheless, this assumption might be flawed if the methodological quality assessment has not been properly conducted. Taking the former statement into consideration, this correspondence article encourages the improvement of future tertiary manuscripts, especially in the field of restorative dentistry. Thus, this article addresses an overview of reviews in restorative dentistry as an example of evaluating tertiary evidence for increasing the awareness of reviewers, authors, and readers.
Proza nurtu chłopskiego wobec hegemonicznego dyskursu o przemianach społecznych lat 1944–1956. Rekonesans
Authors: Tarnowska Małgorzata
Published: February 2022

Celem artykułu jest prezentacja wstępnych wyników badań nad prozą nurtu chłopskiego powstającą w Polsce w latach 60., 70. i 80. XX w. w kontekście dominującego w PRL dyskursu o awansie społecznym wsi. Kategorie dyskursów hegemonicznych i kontrhegemonicznych posłużą autorce do roboczego określenia dwóch skrajnych wersji opowieści o chłopskości: tej konstruowanej przez władze PRL i tej podważającej ją, a niekiedy sutuującej się do niej w kontrze, która wyłania się z prozy nurtu chłopskiego. Przegląd literatury pokazuje, że proza ta była ważną uczestniczką procesów komunikacyjnych dotyczących kształtowania figury chłopskości w polskiej kulturze powojennej i jako taka może stanowić jedno ze źródeł rewizji historii Polski w ramach „zwrotu ludowego”.
Parallel Innovation Contests
Authors: Körpeoğlu Ersin , Korpeoglu C. Gizem , Hafalır İsa Emin
Published: February 2022

Crowdsourcing using innovation contests has become a popular tool to source innovative solutions to various problems organizations face. With several innovation contests that run in parallel, two key questions are how the number of contests affects contest outcomes and whether solvers who can compete in these contests should focus their effort on a small group of contests. A recent study by Ersin Körpeoğlu, C. Gizem Korpeoglu, and İsa Emin Hafalır titled “Parallel Innovation Contests” addresses these key questions. The study shows that running up to a certain number of contests in parallel can benefit the overall outcome of these contests. Interestingly, more contests can be run in parallel if these contests seek disruptive innovation rather than incremental innovation. The study also shows that encouraging solvers to work on multiple contests in parallel can improve contest outcomes when these contests seek disruptive innovation. These findings can help guide organizations and crowdsourcing platforms that organize multiple contests in parallel.
Formation of Professional and Personal Qualities of Future Elementary-school Teachers by Means of Pedagogical Metaphor
Authors:   State Institution Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, Cherviakova Nataliia
Published: February 2022

By compiling the fundamental psychological and pedagogical scientific works of famous researchers, an expert survey of the subjects of the educational process, a system of professional and personal qualities of an elementary-school teacher is highlighted, a brief description of them is provided, and the dominant professionally significant quality is determined – love for children. The essence, types, potential, properties of a pedagogical metaphor as an effective means of forming the professional and personal qualities of a future elementary-school teacher, its multifunctionality in the process of professional training are solved. The effectiveness of the method of using a pedagogical metaphor in the form of a piece of art (a philosophical tale, parable, story, poetic work, myth, popular expressions of famous people, maxims, paintings, etc.) is proved. Examples of the use of the pedagogical metaphor in the process of teaching pedagogical disciplines are given in order to form a tolerant, humanistic attitude towards a particular child, children's collective, parents and work colleagues among future elementary-school teachers.
Creative Competence of a Sergeant of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Authors:   State Institution Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, Shpileva Viktoriia
Published: February 2022

The article substantiates the importance of creative competence in the professional activities of a sergeant of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The essence of the process of forming the professional competence of a sergeant of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been revealed. The interpretation of the term «professional competence» has been highlighted. A review of various points of view of scientists on the understanding of creative competence has been performed. This has made it possible to define this category as a person’s ability to perform variable, flexible and innovative mental activity, which precedes the process of creative activity. The professional tasks of sergeants of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been disclosed, namely: to skilfully manage the subordinates, to show a role-model of discipline, to constantly educate the subordinates with the orientation towards humanism, love of the Motherland and humanity, compliance with the statutory order and readiness to perform tasks as intended, prevention of emergency events and crimes among the military personnel, the creativity of the implementation of which requires a creative, non-standard approach to solving problem situations.
Management of the failed rotator cuff repair
Authors: Thangarajah Tanujan , Lo Ian KY
Published: February 2022

Rotator cuff repair is increasingly being performed, and this is likely to continue to given the ageing population. An improvement in functional outcome can be achieved, with the best results noted in those tendons that go on to heal. Failure of repair following surgery can be associated with debilitating symptoms that are not always amenable to non-operative measures, so further surgery may be indicated for these patients. Several operative strategies have been described, but careful evaluation is required to determine the most suitable option. This review describes the decision-making strategies and treatment options available during management of a failed rotator cuff repair.
Demonstrating a Condition Monitoring Process for Axial Piston Pumps with Damaged Valve Plates
Authors: Keller Nathan , Sciancalepore Annalisa , Vacca Andrea
Published: February 2022

Unexpected pump failures in mobile fluid power systems result in monetary and productivity losses, but these failures can be alleviated by implementing a condition monitoring system. This research aims to find the best condition monitoring (CM) technique for a pump with the fewest number of sensors, to accurately detect a defective condition. The sensors choice in a CM system is a critical decision, and a high number of sensors may result in disadvantages besides additional cost, such as overfitting the CM model and increased maintenance.
A variable displacement axial piston pump is used as a reference machine for testing the CM technique. Several valve plates with various magnitudes of quantifiable wear and damage are used to compare “healthy” and “unhealthy” hydraulic pumps. The pump parameters are measured on a stationary test rig. This involves observing and detecting differences in pump performance between the healthy and unhealthy conditions and reducing the number of sensors required to monitor a pump’s condition. Observable differences in drain flow were shown, and machine learning algorithms were able to successfully classify a faulty and healthy pump with accuracies nearing 100%. The number of sensors was reduced by implementing a feature selection process and resulted in only five of the 23 sensors to correctly detect pump failure. These sensors measure outlet pressure, inlet pressure, drain pressure, pump speed, and pump displacement. The resulting reduction of sensors is reasonably affordable and relatively easy to implement on mobile applications.
Temperature sensor based on an erbium-doped fiber Sagnac interferometer
Authors: Pizzaia João Paulo Lebarck , Silva Rodolpho Ladislau , Leal-Junior Arnaldo Gomes , Castellani Carlos Eduardo Schmidt
Published: February 2022

The development of a highly sensitive all-fiber temperature sensor based on a Sagnac interferometer configuration is demonstrated here. We use 10 m of an erbium-doped fiber (EDF) as a passive sensing element inside the Sagnac loop, taking advantage of the extra birefringence added by the presence of the doping elements. Using a standard interrogation method of simply tracing a interference peak, we were able to detect temperature variations with a sensitivity of up to 0.2 nm/°C and high linearity. The results demonstrate, for the first time, that the usage of an EDF as a totally passive element can be an interesting option to extend the range of parameter possibilities achievable for highly sensitive temperature sensors.
Wavelength tuning robustness optimization for a high-temperature
single-mode VCSEL used in chip-scale atomic sensing systems
Authors: Zhou Yinli , Zhang Xing , Zhang Jianwei , Cui Jinjiang , Ning Yongqiang , Zeng Yugang , Wang Lijun
Published: February 2022

In this paper, the wavelength current tuning characteristics of high-temperature-operation single-mode vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) for chip-scale atomic sensing systems are studied. Excellent wavelength current tuning robustness is helpful to improve the stability of atomic sensing systems. By optimizing the size of the oxide aperture combined with surface relief mode control technology, the single-mode VCSEL with an 8 µm oxide aperture can achieve 2.02 mW output power at 355 K, and the wavelength current tuning coefficient is

∼

0.25

n
m

/

m
A

. This excellent wavelength current tuning robustness results from the low active current density and device heat generation due to the optimized oxide aperture size.
All optical half-adder/subtractor using photonic-crystal-based nonlinear cavities
Authors: Fang Yanfeng , Tang Xiaoping
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we aim to design a compact structure that can work both as an optical
adder and subtractor. Also, as far as we know, one of the main
disadvantages of previous optical adders or subtractors is that,
inside a single structure, the levels of optical intensity for logic 1
at different output ports are different. In this work, we aim to solve
this issue, too. For this purpose, two separate structures were
designed for the half-adder and half-subtractor. The final structure
was realized by combining these structures and adding an extra control
port. When the control port is 0, the structure can work as an optical
half-adder; however, when the control port is 1, the proposed
structure can work as an all optical half-subtractor. The simulation
results show that the rise time and ON/OFF contrast ratio are about
1.5 ps and 18.3 dB, respectively. Also the simulation results prove
that the output levels for logic at all the output ports are at
similar levels.
Analytic solutions to closed and eclipsing aperture Z-scan power transmission
Authors: Jaatinen Esa , Namarathne Dinithi , Donaldson Robert
Published: February 2022

Analytical solutions are derived using a straightforward mathematical treatment that accurately describes the power of a

T
E
M

00

Gaussian beam transmitted through or around a finite far-field aperture after propagation though a nonlinear refractive medium. These equations are arranged as a series of transmitted power orders, which allow closed and eclipsing aperture

Z

-scan experiments to be analyzed analytically without requiring numerical simulation. It is shown with this formulism that the power eclipsing an obscuring aperture can be expressed through a linear relationship of the power transmitted through a closed aperture of the same dimensions, which means that the theoretical measurement accuracy of the two methods is the same. A study of the sensitivity of the solutions to nonlinear phase shifts up to

4

π

shows that the peak to valley change in normalized power transmission for both closed and eclipsing aperture decreases for phases beyond

3

π

/

2

, which means for large phase shifts it is difficult to determine a nonlinear refraction coefficient from peak to valley transmission measurements alone. The solutions were experimentally verified with closed and eclipsing aperture

Z

-scan toluene measurements undertaken over a range of aperture radii, which agreed well with previously published empirical formulas. The solutions correctly model the observed changes and asymmetries, explained here through strong sample induced focusing, in the closed aperture

Z

-scan trace shape.
Giant moiré trapping of excitons in twisted hBN
Authors: Li Yanshuang , Xie Xiuhua , Zeng Huan , Li Binghui , Zhang Zhenzhong , Wang Shuangpeng , Liu Jishan , Shen Dezhen
Published: February 2022

Excitons in van der Waals (vdW) stacking interfaces can be trapped in ordered moiré potential arrays giving rise to the attractive phenomena of quantum optics and bosonic many-body effects. Compared to the prevalent transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) systems, due to the wide bandgap and low dielectric constant, excitons in twist-stacked hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) are anticipated trapped in deeper moiré potential, which enhances the strength of interactions. However, constrained by the common low detectivity of weak light-emitting in the deep-ultraviolet (DUV) bands, the moiré excitons in twist-hBN remain elusive. Here, we report that a remarkable DUV emitting band (peak located at ∼260 nm) only emerges at the twisted stacking area of hBN, which is performed by a high collection efficiency and spatially-resolved cathodoluminescence (CL) at room temperature. Significant peak red shifting contrast to defect-bound excitons of bulk hBN indicates the giant trapping effects of moiré potential for excitons. The observation of deeply trapped excitons motivates further studies of bosonic strongly correlation physics based on the twist-hBN system.
Towards an image-based brightness model for self-luminous stimuli
Authors: Phung T. H. , Spieringhs R. M. , Smet K. A. G , Leloup F. B. , Hanselaer P.
Published: February 2022

Brightness is one of the most important perceptual correlates of color appearance models (CAMs) when self-luminous stimuli are targeted. However, the vast majority of existing CAMs adopt the presence of a uniform background surrounding the stimulus, which severely limits their practical application in lighting. In this paper, a study on the brightness perception of a neutral circular stimulus surrounded by a non-uniform background consisting of a neutral ring-shaped luminous area and a dark surround is presented. The ring-shaped luminous area is presented with 3 thicknesses (0.33 cm, 0.67 cm and 1.00 cm), at 4 angular distances to the edge of the central stimulus (1.2°, 6.4°, 11.3° and 16.1°) and at 3 luminance levels (90 cd/m2, 335 cd/m2, 1200 cd/m2). In line with the literature, the results of the visual matching experiments show that the perceived brightness decreases in presence of a ring and the effect is maximal at the highest luminance of the ring, for the largest thickness and at the closest distance. Based on the observed results, an image-based model inspired by the physiology of the retina is proposed. The model includes the calculation of cone-fundamental weighted spectral radiance, scattering in the eye, cone compression and receptive field post-receptor organization. The wide receptive field assures an adaptive shift determined by both the adaptation to the stimulus and to the background. It is shown that the model performs well in predicting the matching experiments, including the impact of the thickness, the distance and the intensity of the ring, showing its potential to become the basic framework of a Lighting Appearance Model.
Micro-newton strain force and temperature synchronous fiber sensor with a high Q-factor based on the quartz microbubble integrated in the capillary-taper structure
Authors: Sun Chongbin , Liu Yi , Li Yan , Qu Shiliang
Published: February 2022

A micro-newton strain force and temperature synchronous fiber sensor with a high Q-factor is proposed. The sensor is based on a commercial quartz microbubble (QMB, the diameter is less than 80 µm) that is attached to the end surface of the suspending taper integrated in the hollow core fiber. The multi-beam interference and long-active-length make the sensor show both high sensitivity (0.150 nm/mN) and Q-factor (1470 based on the 3dB-bandwidth). The actual detection limit of the strain force reaches about 50 µN. The UV-cured polymer between the QMB and taper improves the temperature sensitivity. The strain force and temperature can be demodulated synchronously by using band-pass filtering and sensing matrix. The sensor can have actual application in micro-newton strain force detection as its low cost and flexible structure.
Development of a quasi-coaxis dual-energy flat spectral response X-ray imaging instrument for measuring hotspot electron temperature
Authors: Li Wenjie , Mu Baozhong , Ren Kuan , Xu Jie , Chen Liang , Li Mingtao , Xu Xinye , Wang Xin , Liu Shenye , Yi Ronqing , Zhang Xing , Dong Jianjun , Wang Feng
Published: February 2022

The measurement of hotspot electron temperature is a paramount technique of implosion physics research in inertial confinement fusion. This study proposes a novel quasi-coaxis dual-energy flat spectral response high-resolution X-ray imaging instrument comprising a dual-channel total-reflection Kirkpatrick-Baez microscope and two flat non-periodic multilayer mirrors, which can image at 6.4 ± 0.5 and 9.67 ± 0.5 keV simultaneously. Various theoretical simulations were performed to verify the performance and feasibility of the imaging instrument, which was assembled and characterized in a laboratory. Experimental results show that the imaging instrument could achieve a high spatial resolution of 5 µm in a ± 150 µm field of view (FOV), the root mean square(RMS) deviation values of the measured reflection efficiency are 1.71% and 1.82% for the 6.4 keV and 9.67 keV imaging channels, respectively, in the ± 150 µm FOV.
Ultra-compact silicon mode (de)multiplexer based on directional couplers with subwavelength sidewall corrugations
Authors: Wang Xiaofei , Yu Hui , Zhang Qiang , Fu Zhilei , Xia Penghui , Huang Qikai , Ning Nannan , Wei Zhujun , Wang Yuehai , Jiang Xiaoqing , Yang Jianyi
Published: February 2022

Asymmetrical directional couplers aided with subwavelength sidewall corrugations are used to realize ultra-compact silicon mode (de)multiplexers at C-band. Three mode (de)multiplexers with ultra-short coupling lengths of 5.6/6.5/7.7

μ

m are designed to enable low-loss mode conversions between TE0 and TE1/2/3 modes. They are then cascaded to build a four-channel mode-division-multiplexing (MDM) link. The four mode channels present minimal on-chip insertion losses of 0.2/0.7/0.7/0.9 dB at their peak wavelengths. Measured cross talk levels of the four mode channels are better than −18.0/−19.1/−16.0/−18.2 dB within the wavelength range from 1530 nm to 1580 nm.
Boosting photoconductive large-area THz emitter via optical light confinement behind a highly refractive sapphire-fiber lens
Authors: Ponomarev D. S. , Lavrukhin D. V. , Zenchenko N. V. , Frolov T. V. , Glinskiy I. A. , Khabibullin R. A. , Katyba G. M. , Kurlov V. N. , Otsuji T. , Zaytsev K. I.
Published: February 2022

We report on a sapphire-fiber-based lens that can be used to enhance the emitted THz power of a large-area photoconductive antenna (PCA). Using numerical simulations, we demonstrate that the lens provides a spatial redistribution of the photocarriers density in the PCA’s gap. By optimizing the diameter of the sapphire-fiber, one could reach efficient confinement of the photocarriers in the vicinity of the PCA electrodes with a 10-

μ

m gap size for a 220-

μ

m-thick sapphire-fiber. This allows enhancing the coupling of the incident electromagnetic waves at the interface between the sapphire fiber and the semiconductor with the antenna terminals by ∼40 times for a single PCA element, as well as boosting the total efficiency of the large-area PCA-emitter up to ∼7–10 times. To validate our approach, we propose a step-by-step process that can be used for the precise and controllable placement of the sapphire-fiber on the surface of a single PCA.
Ultralow 0.034 dB/m loss wafer-scale integrated photonics realizing 720 million Q and 380 μW threshold Brillouin lasing
Authors: Liu Kaikai , Jin Naijun , Cheng Haotian , Chauhan Nitesh , Puckett Matthew W. , Nelson Karl D. , Behunin Ryan O. , Rakich Peter T. , Blumenthal Daniel J.
Published: February 2022

We demonstrate 0.034 dB/m loss waveguides in a 200-mm wafer-scale, silicon nitride (Si3N4) CMOS-foundry-compatible integration platform. We fabricate resonators that measure up to a 720 million intrinsic Q resonator at 1615 nm wavelength with a 258 kHz intrinsic linewidth. This resonator is used to realize a Brillouin laser with an energy-efficient 380 µW threshold power. The performance is achieved by reducing scattering losses through a combination of single-mode TM waveguide design and an etched blanket-layer low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) 80 nm Si3N4 waveguide core combined with thermal oxide lower and tetraethoxysilane plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (TEOS–PECVD) upper oxide cladding. This level of performance will enable photon preservation and energy-efficient generation of the spectrally pure light needed for photonic integration of a wide range of future precision scientific applications, including quantum, precision metrology, and optical atomic clocks.
Extending the color discrimination metric with consideration of illuminance level
Authors: Liu Ying , Li Zhenzhen , Chen Zhiyu , Pointer Michael R. , Liu Qiang , Khanh Tran Quoc
Published: February 2022

Color discrimination is a crucial dimension for the visual assessment of white light sources. In this Letter, we took full advantage of data comparability among Farnsworth–Munsell 100 Hue (FM-100) color vision tests and modified our recent proposed color discrimination metric [Opt. Lett. 45, 6062 (2020)10.1364/OL.400422] to make it effective in quantifying the color discrimination capability of lighting under multiple illuminance levels. The updated metric was developed based on a meta-analysis of 100 sets of combined visual data derived from three groups of visual studies containing 29 FM-100 trials and its superiority was comprehensively validated by 140 sets of combined data from five groups of studies with 42 FM-100 trials.
Geographic clusters of objectively measured physical activity and the characteristics of their built environment in a Swiss urban area
Authors: Vallarta-Robledo Juan R. , Joost Stéphane , Vieira Ruas Marco André , Gubelmann Cédric , Vollenweider Peter , Marques-Vidal Pedro , Guessous Idris
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Evidence suggests that the built environment can influence the intensity of physical activity. However, despite the importance of the geographic context, most of the studies do not consider the spatial framework of this association. We aimed to assess individual spatial dependence of objectively measured moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and describe the characteristics of the built environment among spatial clusters of MVPA.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from the second follow-up (2014–2017) of CoLaus|PsyCoLaus, a longitudinal population-based study of the Lausanne area (Switzerland), was used to objectively measure MVPA using accelerometers. Local Moran’s I was used to assess the spatial dependence of MVPA and detect geographic clusters of low and high MVPA. Additionally, the characteristics of the built environment observed in the clusters based on raw MVPA and MVPA adjusted for socioeconomic and demographic factors were compared.

Results

Data from 1,889 participants (median age 63, 55% women) were used. The geographic distribution of MVPA and the characteristics of the built environment among clusters were similar for raw and adjusted MVPA. In the adjusted model, we found a low concentration of individuals within spatial clusters of high MVPA (median: 38.5mins; 3% of the studied population) and low MVPA (median: 10.9 mins; 2% of the studied population). Yet, clear differences were found in both models between clusters regarding the built environment; high MVPA clusters were located in areas where specific compositions of the built environment favor physical activity.

Conclusions

Our results suggest the built environment may influence local spatial patterns of MVPA independently of socioeconomic and demographic factors. Interventions in the built environment should be considered to promote physically active behaviors in urban areas.
Value of D-dimer in predicting various clinical outcomes following community-acquired pneumonia: A network meta-analysis
Authors: Li Jiawen , Zhou Kaiyu , Duan Hongyu , Yue Peng , Zheng Xiaolan , Liu Lei , Liao Hongyu , Wu Jinlin , Li Jinhui , Hua Yimin , Li Yifei
Published: February 2022

Background

Whether high D-dimer level before treatment has any impact on poor outcomes in patients with community-associated pneumonia (CAP) remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted the first meta-analysis focusing specifically on prognostic value of high D-dimer level before treatment in CAP patients.

Methods

Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and World Health Organization clinical trials registry center were searched up to the end of March 2021. Randomized clinical trials (RCT) and observational studies were included to demonstrate the association between the level of D-dimer and clinical outcomes. Data were extracted using an adaptation of the Checklist for Critical Appraisal and Data Extraction for Systematic Reviews of Prediction Modeling Studies (CHARMS-PF). When feasible, meta-analysis using random-effects models was performed. Risk of bias and level of evidence were assessed with the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool and an adaptation of Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation. Data were analyzed using STATA 14.0 to complete meta and network analysis.

Main outcomes and measures

Besides d-dimer levels in CAP patients with poor outcomes, we also analyzed proportion of patients with or without poor outcomes correctly classified by the d-dimer levels as being at high or low risk. The poor outcome includes severe CAP, death, pulmonary embolism (PE) and invasive mechanical ventilators.

Results

32 studies with a total of 9,593 patients were eventually included. Pooled effect size (ES) suggested that d-dimer level was significantly higher in severe CAP patients than non-severe CAP patients with great heterogeneity (SMD = 1.21 95%CI 0.87–1.56, I2 = 86.8% p = 0.000). D-dimer level was significantly elevated in non-survivors compared to survivors with CAP (SMD = 1.22 95%CI 0.67–1.77, I2 = 85.1% p = 0.000). Prognostic value of d-dimer for pulmonary embolism (PE) was proved by hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic curve (HSROC) with good summary sensitivity (0.74, 95%CI, 0.50–0.89) and summary specificity (0.82, 95%CI, 0.41–0.97). Network meta-analysis suggested that there was a significant elevation of d-dimer levels in CAP patients with poor outcome than general CAP patients but d-dimer levels weren’t significantly different among poor outcomes.

Conclusion

The prognostic ability of d-dimer among patients with CAP appeared to be good at correctly identifying high-risk populations of poor outcomes, suggesting potential for clinical utility in patients with CAP.
Combining explainable machine learning, demographic and multi-omic data to inform precision medicine strategies for inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Gardiner Laura-Jayne , Carrieri Anna Paola , Bingham Karen , Macluskie Graeme , Bunton David , McNeil Marian , Pyzer-Knapp Edward O.
Published: February 2022

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, affect several million individuals worldwide. These diseases are heterogeneous at the clinical, immunological and genetic levels and result from complex host and environmental interactions. Investigating drug efficacy for IBD can improve our understanding of why treatment response can vary between patients. We propose an explainable machine learning (ML) approach that combines bioinformatics and domain insight, to integrate multi-modal data and predict inter-patient variation in drug response. Using explanation of our models, we interpret the ML models’ predictions to infer unique combinations of important features associated with pharmacological responses obtained during preclinical testing of drug candidates inex vivopatient-derived fresh tissues. Our inferred multi-modal features that are predictive of drug efficacy include multi-omic data (genomic and transcriptomic), demographic, medicinal and pharmacological data. Our aim is to understand variation in patient responses before a drug candidate moves forward to clinical trials. As a pharmacological measure of drug efficacy, we measured the reduction in the release of the inflammatory cytokine TNFα from the fresh IBD tissues in the presence/absence of test drugs. We initially explored the effects of a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor; however, we later showed our approach can be applied to other targets, test drugs or mechanisms of interest. Our best model predicted TNFα levels from demographic, medicinal and genomic features with an error of only 4.98% on unseen patients. We incorporated transcriptomic data to validate insights from genomic features. Our results showed variations in drug effectiveness (measured byex vivoassays) between patients that differed in gender, age or condition and linked new genetic polymorphisms to patient response variation to the anti-inflammatory treatment BIRB796 (Doramapimod). Our approach models IBD drug response while also identifying its most predictive features as part of a transparent ML precision medicine strategy.
Current ionising radiation doses in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone do not directly impact on soil biological activity
Authors: Beresford Nicholas A. , Wood Michael D. , Gashchak Sergey , Barnett Catherine L.
Published: February 2022

Although soil organisms are essential for ecosystem function, the impacts of radiation on soil biological activity at highly contaminated sites has been relatively poorly studied. In April-May 2016, we conducted the first largescale deployment of bait lamina to estimate soil organism (largely soil invertebrate) feeding activityin situat study plots in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ). Across our 53 study plots, estimated weighted absorbed dose rates to soil organisms ranged from 0.7 μGy h-1to 1753 μGy h-1. There was no significant relationship between soil organism feeding activity and estimated weighted absorbed dose rate. Soil biological activity did show significant relationships with soil moisture content, bulk density (used as a proxy for soil organic matter) and pH. At plots in the Red Forest (an area of coniferous plantation where trees died because of high radiation exposure in 1986) soil biological activity was low compared to plots elsewhere in the CEZ. It is possible that the lower biological activity observed in the Red Forest is a residual consequence of what was in effect an acute high exposure to radiation in 1986.
Evidence that dog ownership protects against the onset of disability in an older community-dwelling Japanese population
Authors: Taniguchi Yu , Seino Satoshi , Headey Bruce , Hata Toshiki , Ikeuchi Tomoko , Abe Takumi , Shinkai Shoji , Kitamura Akihiko
Published: February 2022

Objectives

This study examined the association between dog and cat ownership, the onset of disability and all-cause mortality in an older population. Dog and cat owners take more regular exercise and have closer social relationships than non-owners. We further assess the beneficial effects of these moderating variables on the onset of disability and mortality.

Methods

Dog and cat ownership data were collected from 11233 community-dwelling adults age 65 years and older. These data were matched with data about the onset of disability held by the Japanese long-term care insurance system. Local registry data were used to ascertain all-cause mortality.

Results

During the approximately 3.5 year follow-up period, 17.1% of the sample suffered onset of disability, and 5.2% died. Logistic regression analysis indicated that, compared with a reference group of those who had never owned a dog (odds ratio fixed at 1.0), older adults who were currently dog owners had a significantly lower odds ratio of onset of disability (OR = 0.54 95% CI: 0.37–0.79). Our results further show that regular exercise interacts with dog ownership to reduce the risk of disability. The association of dog and/or cat ownership with all-cause mortality was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Dog ownership appears to protect against incident disability among older Japanese adults. Additional benefits are gained from ownership combined with regular exercise. Daily dog care may have an important role to play in health promotion and successful aging.
Evaluation of the genetic risk for COVID-19 outcomes in COPD and differences among worldwide populations
Authors: Marçalo Rui , Neto Sonya , Pinheiro Miguel , Rodrigues Ana J. , Sousa Nuno , Santos Manuel A. S. , Simão Paula , Valente Carla , Andrade Lília , Marques Alda , Moura Gabriela R.
Published: February 2022

Background

Populations seem to respond differently to the global pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Recent studies show individual variability in both susceptibility and clinical response to COVID-19 infection. People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) constitute one of COVID-19 risk groups, being already associated with a poor prognosis upon infection. This study aims contributing to unveil the underlying reasons for such prognosis in people with COPD and the variability in the response observed across worldwide populations, by looking at the genetic background as a possible answer to COVID-19 infection response heterogeneity.

Methods

SNPs already associated with susceptibility to COVID-19 infection (rs286914 and rs12329760) and severe COVID-19 with respiratory failure (rs657152 and rs11385942) were assessed and their allelic frequencies used to calculate the probability of having multiple risk alleles. This was performed on a Portuguese case-control COPD cohort, previously clinically characterized and genotyped from saliva samples, and also on worldwide populations (European, Spanish, Italian, African, American and Asian), using publicly available frequencies data. A polygenic risk analysis was also conducted on the Portuguese COPD cohort for the two mentioned phenotypes, and also for hospitalization and survival to COVID-19 infection.

Findings

No differences in genetic risk for COVID-19 susceptibility, hospitalization, severity or survival were found between people with COPD and the control group (all p-values > 0.01), either considering risk alleles individually, allelic combinations or polygenic risk scores. All populations, even those with European ancestry (Portuguese, Spanish and Italian), showed significant differences from the European population in genetic risk for both COVID-19 susceptibility and severity (all p-values < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Our results indicate a low genetic contribution for COVID-19 infection predisposition or worse outcomes observed in people with COPD. Also, our study unveiled a high genetic heterogeneity across major world populations for the same alleles, even within European sub-populations, demonstrating the need to build a higher resolution European genetic map, so that differences in the distribution of relevant alleles can be easily accessed and used to better manage diseases, ultimately, safeguarding populations with higher genetic predisposition to such diseases.