bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perioperative Opioid Consumption and Clinical Outcomes in Surgical Patients With a Pre-existing Opioid-Based Intrathecal Drug Delivery System
Authors: D’Souza Ryan S. , Warner Matthew A. , Olatoye Oludare O. , Langford Brendan J. , Bruns Danette L. , Schroeder Darrell R. , Mauck William D. , Schaefer Kalli K. , Warner Nafisseh S.
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND:

Intrathecal drug delivery systems (IDDS) have been utilized for over 3 decades for management of chronic pain and spasticity. Patients with IDDS may present for surgical procedures unrelated to the IDDS device, although data are limited regarding perioperative outcomes.

METHODS:

This is a historical matched cohort study conducted between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2016 of patients with an opioid-based IDDS versus matched control patients undergoing surgery excluding interventional pain procedures. Patients in the IDDS group were matched with up to 2 patients without an IDDS. Multivariable regression analyses were utilized to assess differences in the primary outcome of cumulative perioperative opioid consumption (ie, intraoperative and postanesthesia care unit [PACU] opioid consumption), and opioid consumption during the first 24 and 72 postoperative hours. Postoperative clinical outcomes were also assessed including escalating oxygen requirements, naloxone administration, pain-sedation mismatch, and perioperative pain service consultation.

RESULTS:

A total of 321 surgeries were included, 112 with IDDS and 209 controls, with median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of 57 (49–64) years. Compared to matched controls, patients with an IDDS had greater perioperative opioid consumption (median [IQR] oral morphine milligram equivalents [OME] of 110 [60–163] vs 93 [IQR, 53–142]; adjusted multiplicative increase 1.28 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.03–1.59]; P = .026). IDDS patients also had greater opioid consumption in the first 24 and 72 postoperative hours (multiplicative increases of 2.23 [95% CI, 1.36–3.63], P = .001, and 2.46 [95% CI, 1.41–4.32], P = .002, respectively). There were no significant differences in postoperative oxygen requirements, naloxone administration, or pain-sedation mismatch. Inpatient pain medicine consultation was more frequent in IDDS patients compared to controls (51.8% vs 6.2%; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients with opioid-based IDDS received more perioperative opioids and were more likely to receive postoperative pain service consultation compared to matched controls. There were no significant differences in clinical safety outcomes, suggesting tolerance for higher opioid doses. Further research is warranted to optimize perioperative outcomes in those with IDDS.
Porous Carbon/Se Composite Derived from Pistachio Shell as High-performance Li-Se Battery Cathode
Authors: Ou Junke , Wang Hao , Wang Jiayi , Wu Shugen
Published: July 2021

Pistachio shell derived porous carbon with a large amount of micropores is fabricated via a straightforward chemical activation and used as a selenium host material for lithium-selenium batteries. The as-obtained Se/carbon cathode displays a first discharge capacity of 713.1 mAh g−1 and displays a superior reversible capacity of 422.3 mAh g−1 after the 100th cycle at 0.2 C (1 C = 675 mA g−1). Furthermore, at a large rate of 10 C (6.75 A g−1), it still displays a reversible capacity of 221.2 mAh g−1. Such unique porous carbon as a selenium host material with superior electrochemical performance suggests great potential for practical application in Li-Se batteries.
Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy plus postoperative adjuvant XELOX chemotherapy versus postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with XELOX regimen for local advanced gastric cancer-A randomized, controlled study
Authors: Wang Fuli , Qu Aizhong , Sun Yinping , Zhang Jifeng , Wei Benzun , Cui Yong , Liu Xiao , Tian Wei , Li Yan
Published: July 2021

Objective:

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) combined with postoperative adjuvant XELOX (Oxaliplatin +Capecitabine) chemotherapy and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) with XELOX for local advanced gastric cancer (LAGC).

Methods:

In this prospectively randomized trial, we investigated the effect of NACRT combined with postoperative ACT for LAGC. 60 patients were randomly divided into NACRT group and ACT group, with 30 patients in each group. Patients in NACRT group were given three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (45 Gy/1.8 Gy/f) accompanied by synchronous XELOX of two cycles, followed by surgery, and then postoperative adjuvant XELOX chemotherapy of four cycles was performed. Patients in ACT group received surgery in advance, and then XELOX chemotherapy of six cycles was given.

Results:

The objective response rate of NACRT was 76.7%. The overall incidence of postoperative complications in NACRT group was not significantly different from that in ACT group (23.1% vs 30.0%, p = 0.560). The 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years progression-free survival (PFS）and overall survival (OS) in NACRT and ACT groups were 80.0% vs 56.7%, 73.3% vs 46.7%, 60.0% vs 33.3%, and 86.7% vs 80.0%, 76.7% vs 66.7%, 63.3% vs 50.0%, respectively. Patients in NACRT group showed a significantly higher R0 resection rate (84.6% vs 56.7%, p = 0.029),lower loco-regional recurrence rate (36.7% vs 11.5%, p = 0.039), longer PFS (p = 0.019) and freedom from locoregional progression(FFLP) (p = 0.004) than patients in ACT group, while there was no difference in OS (p = 0.215) and in toxicity incidence (p > 0.05).

Conclusions:

NACRT combined with postoperative adjuvant XELOX chemotherapy can improve R0 resection rate, reduce loco-regional recurrence, prolong PFS and FFLP without increasing the incidence of postoperative complications in patients with LAGC.

Advances in knowledge:

Compared with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, locally advanced gastric cancer patients may benefit from neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, and toxicity associated with chemoradiotherapy was tolerant and manageable.
Paleohydrology of the Stefanina Cave (Greece)
Authors: Lazaridis Georgios Theodoros , Fellachidou Kyriaki , Georgaki Maria-Nefeli
Published: July 2021

The development of hypergene Stefanina Cave, the hydrological conditions, and the maximum discharge of the paleo-flow are studied, based on its pattern in ground-plan, the geometry of the passage, and the peak flow velocity from the dimensions of the scallops. The village of Stefanina is located East of Thessaloniki and the cave NE of the village. A study was conducted measuring the orientation of the discontinuities of the rocks inside and outside the cave, the scallops in various sites to estimate the flow velocities, and in addition, were taken photographs for the full analysis of its cross-section. The cave-in ground-plan has a pattern of branches, which is often associated with recharging through karstic depressions. The shape of the passages is both curvilinear and angular, depending on the foliage and the fractures. The symmetrical phreatic passage shape has been evolved to a vadose canyon, forming a keyhole passage in cross-section. This is indicative of a water table drop. The scallops are visible in a meandering channel, where the discharge of the paleo-flow is estimated. The estimated peak flow velocity ranges from 0.4 to 2.7 m / s, while the area-specific peak flow discharge is estimated to be 2.2 m3/s. On the one hand, the scallops represent the peak flow velocity, on the other hand, the karst springs have a limited maximum discharge, regardless of the size of the catchment, making it impossible to use the calculated paleo-discharge to estimate the respective catchment area.
Στάσεις και εξοικείωση εκπαιδευτικών φυσικής αγωγής σχετικά με την επιληψία και τη συμμετοχή μαθητών πασχόντων από επιληψία στο μάθημα της φυσικής αγωγής
Authors: Νικηταΐδης Νικόλαος Εμμανουήλ
Published: July 2021

Η ένταξη και η ενσωμάτωση στη γενική εκπαίδευση των παιδιών που πάσχουν από επιληψία, αποτελεί σημαντικό παράγοντα της ποιότητας ζωής τους, αλλά πολλές φορές αντιμετωπίζει δυσκολίες. Το μάθημα της Φυσικής Αγωγής (Φ.Α.) και οι στάσεις των εκπαιδευτικών Φυσικής Αγωγής (Ε.Φ.Α.) μπορεί να έχουν σημαντικό ρόλο στη διαδικασία της ένταξής τους και στη δια βίου άθληση. Σκοπός της παρούσας έρευνας είναι να μελετήσει την ύπαρξη επιμόρφωσης κι εμπειριών των Ε.Φ.Α. σχετικά με την επιληψία καθώς και τις απόψεις και στάσεις σχετικά με τη συμμετοχή των μαθητών πασχόντων από επιληψία (Μ.Π.Ε.) στο μάθημα της Φ.Α.. Για τις ανάγκες της έρευνας δημιουργήθηκε αρχικά ένα ανώνυμο ερωτηματολόγιο 21 ερωτήσεων, το οποίο δόθηκε σε 123 Ε.Φ.Α. από την Αττική. Από τα αποτελέσματα της παραγοντικής ανάλυσης προέκυψε ένα ερωτηματολόγιο 20 ερωτήσεων το οποίο, εκτός από την ύπαρξη σχετικής επιμόρφωσης, εξέταζε και τρεις κατηγορίες παραγόντων:  τις εμπειρίες σχετικά με την επιληψία, τις στάσεις Ε.Φ.Α.. για θέματα μέτρων ασφαλείας και χορήγησης πρώτων βοηθειών σε μαθητή-τρια σε κρίση επιληψίας, καθώς και τις  απόψεις  τους για τα οφέλη της συμμετοχή Μ.Π.Ε. στο μάθημα της Φ.Α. αλλά και των σχετικών επιμορφώσεων. Τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν ότι παρότι η πλειοψηφία έχει εξοικείωση με την επιληψία μέσω εμπειρίας, ωστόσο μικρό μόνο ποσοστό (14,6%) έχει λάβει κάποια επιμόρφωση. H πλειοψηφία (54,5%) αισθάνεται σε θέση να παρέχει τις πρώτες βοήθειες σε μαθητή -τρια σε κρίση επιληψίας. Η γνώση ύπαρξης νομικής κάλυψης για την παροχή του ειδικού φαρμάκου με υποκλυσμό και η σχετική επιμόρφωση δείχνουν να αποτελούν σημαντικούς παράγοντες στην πρόθεση χορήγησής του. Η συντριπτική πλειοψηφία πιστεύει ότι η συμμετοχή στο μάθημα της Φ.Α. προσφέρει σωματικά, παιδαγωγικά και ψυχολογικά οφέλη στους Μ.Π.Ε. Συμπερασματικά, τα αποτελέσματα αναδεικνύουν την ανάγκη συστηματικότερης διερεύνησης των γνώσεων και στάσεων των Ε.Φ.Α. και επιμόρφωσής τους.
Potential predictors of adoption of the Tobacco Heating System by U.S. adult smokers: An actual use study
Authors: Roulet Steve , Chrea Christelle , Kanitscheider Claudia , Kallischnigg Gerd , Magnani Pierpaolo , Weitkunat Rolf
Published: July 2021

Background: This was a pre-market, observational, actual use study with the Tobacco Heating System (THS), a candidate modified risk tobacco product. The main goal of the study was to describe THS adoption within current adult daily smokers by replicating the usage of THS in real-world conditions with participants being able to consume cigarettes, THS, and any other nicotine-containing products (e.g., e-cigarettes, cigars, etc.) ad libitum.

Methods: This study assessed self-reported stick-by-stick consumption of THS compared with the use of commercial cigarettes over six weeks. The aim of the analysis was to identify potential predictors for adoption of THS using stepwise logistic regression analysis.

Results: By the end of the observational period (in Week 6), 14.6% of participants (n=965) had adopted THS meaning that THS formed 70% or more of their total tobacco consumption. The main predictors of adoption were the liking of the smell, taste, aftertaste, and ease of use of THS. The proportion of adoption was higher in participants aged 44 years and older and in Hispanic or Latino adult smokers. Additionally, adoption of THS was more likely in participants who had never attempted to quit smoking and in participants who smoked up to 10 cigarettes per day. Finally, the adoption of THS was higher in participants who consumed both regular and menthol THS compared with those who consumed only one THS variant.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that the introduction of THS in the U.S. has the potential to result in adoption by current adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke cigarettes, and that the adoption of THS is unlikely to result in an increase of tobacco consumption. Post-marketing studies will provide further insights on THS adoption and THS use patterns to allow assessment of the impact of the THS at the individual and the overall population level.
Case Report: severe hemoperitoneum due to spontaneous rupture of uterine vessels during the second trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Jayarathna G.V. Ishara Geelaka Bandara , Jayalath G.K. Chaminda , Pathiraja Ramya
Published: July 2021

Spontaneous rupture of uterine vessels during pregnancy is a life-threatening condition though, it has a rare occurrence. This case report discusses about a 32-year-old lady at 16 weeks of gestation presented with spontaneous rupture of uterine artery and she was managed with emergency laparotomy with suturing of ruptured artery. She had delivered a healthy baby after 37 weeks of gestation by a caesarean section due to pregnancy induced hypertension at 36 weeks of gestation.
Acceptability and feasibility of conducting a pilot trial in Irish primary care: lessons from the IDEAs study
Authors: Riordan Fiona , Murphy Katie , Bradley Colin , Kearney Patricia M. , Smith Susan M. , McHugh Sheena M.
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Understanding primary care practices’ ‘readiness’ to engage in trials and their experience is important to inform trial procedures and supports. Few studies report on the feasibility of study procedures though this is a central part of pilot trials. We explored the acceptability and feasibility of study procedures of a cluster randomised pilot trial of an intervention in primary care to improve uptake of Ireland’s national diabetic retinopathy programme. 

Methods

As part of the embedded mixed-methods process evaluation, quantitative and qualitative data were gathered across four general practices participating in the intervention. Interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of staff. Research logs on time spent on intervention delivery, staff assignment, resources, problems/changes, and reasons for drop-outs, were maintained over the course of intervention rollout, and practice audit data were analysed. Quantitative outcomes included recruitment, retention, completion, and data quality and completeness. Qualitative data on perceptions and experience of the pilot trial procedures were analysed using the Framework Method.

Findings

Nine staff (3 GPs, 4 nurses, 2 administrators) were interviewed. An interest in the topic area or in research motivated practices to take part in the trial. Reimbursement meant they could ‘afford’ to participate. Staff valued the researcher briefing at the start of the trial, to avoid ‘going in slightly blind’. While staff varied in audit skills and confidence, and some found this aspect of data collection challenging, a ‘step-by-step’ audit manual and regular researcher contact, helped them stay on track and troubleshoot during data collection. Audit quality was acceptable overall, however there were some issues, incorrect assignment of patient status being most common.

Conclusion

The IDEAs trial procedures were acceptable and feasible for primary care staff, however, challenges with conducting the audit may reflect staff skills gaps and the need for greater guidance and support from researchers.
Materials science and technology of metallic, non-metallic and composite materials:the technology of manufacturing blanks and parts. Book 2
Authors: Adaskin Anatoliy , Krasnovskiy Aleksandr , Tarasova Tat'yana
Published: July 2021

Book 2 presents the technologies for manufacturing blanks and parts from metal materials: casting, welding, pressure treatment and cutting. The basics of electroplating technology are given. The technologies of manufacturing parts from non-metallic materials are considered: plastics, rubber, glass, as well as composite materials. The technologies combining the production of composite materials and parts from them are shown.
The textbook is supplemented with two chapters reflecting the trends in the development of technology and technology (chapter 28 " Nanostructured materials. Features. Technologies for obtaining. Areas of application", chapter 29 "Additive manufacturing").
Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation.
For bachelors and undergraduates studying in enlarged groups of training areas 15.00.00 "Mechanical Engineering" and 22.00.00 "Materials Technologies". It can be used for training graduate students of machine-building specialties, as well as for advanced training of engineering and technical workers of machine-building enterprises.
Quantitative Analysis of the Camera Market Based on the Integrated Application Of game-Theoretic and Econometric Approaches
Authors: Vlasov Dmitriy , Karasev P. , Sinchukov Aleksandr
Published: July 2021

This article contains a quantitative analysis of the camera market and discloses the possibilities of comprehensive application of quantitative analysis and theoretical game modeling in the practice of making decisions in the field of the photo industry. It is noted that almost any phenomenon in the financial and economic sphere requires a thorough and comprehensive assessment, and the method of analyzing data in the form of dynamic series and theoretical and game models is most in demand in the conditions of actualization of risks of various nature. It is shown that the analysis of the dynamic series allows you to evaluate and predict the development of the economic situation, to form recommendations for making managerial decisions. Particular attention is paid to the construction and analysis of the basic game model of the manufacturer's choice of camera equipment for the time of launch of products to the market, taking into account projected demand. The inclusion of the risk factor in the process of quantitative analysis of the camera market helps to improve the quality of decisions made, in particular when choosing marketing strategies.
Demand for Business Process Automation Tools Among Industrial Enterprises of Russia in the Framework of «Industry 4.0»
Authors: Ermashkevich Natalia , Ron'zhin G.
Published: July 2021

The article examines the prerequisites for the formation of Industry 4.0 in Russia within the framework of which companies need to use business process automation tools, assesses the state of the global and domestic market for ERP systems and automation tools, reveals the dependence of the use of ready-made software and Open Source technologies.
Impact of Extended Producer Responsibility on the Development of Entrepreneurship in the Field of Waste Management
Authors: Repnikova Valentina , Rusanov A.
Published: July 2021

This article reveals the essence of the concept of extended producer responsibility. The influence of extended producer responsibility on entrepreneurship is described. The value of extended producer responsibility for the development of a closed-loop economy is determined.
Can physical education state policies impact on youth’s health behaviors? A natural experiment study
Authors: Silva Lizandra Barbosa da , Tenório Maria Cecília Marinho , Martins Clarice Maria de Lucena , Silva Caroline Ramos de Moura , Tassitano Rafael Miranda
Published: July 2021

Since 2011 an educational policy promulgated that public schools from Pernambuco have had to offer physical education (PE) class in the same shift where students are enrolled. This study examined the impact of the implementation of an educational policy on PE offering and students’ participation, and whether health related behaviors could be moderated by PE participation. It was a natural experiment study performed with data obtained from two cross-sectional studies (2007 and 2012) of a sample (n = 715) of high-school students from Caruaru. PE offering was assessed by asking students if they had PE class and adapted questionnaire was used to assess health-related information. It was observed that before policy implementation, most of the students (♂: 72.4%; ♀: 69.0%) was not engaged in any PE class during the week. After policy implementation the proportion of students who had at least one PE class/week increased (♂: 68.7%; ♀: 68.9%). Having ≥1 PE classes was not associated with the amount of physical activity either before (♂: OR = 1.47 (95%CI: 0.78 – 2.76)); ♀: OR = 1.02 (95%CI: 0.61– 1.72) or after (♂: OR = 0.90 (95%CI: 0.51 – 1.58)); ♀: OR = 1.06 (95%CI: 0.63 – 1.80) policy implementation. Fruit consumption was the only health-related behavior associated to PE class (♂: OR = 1.55 (95%CI: 1.01 – 2.70); ♀: OR = 1.48 (95%CI: 1.02 – 2.10). PE offering and participation of students improved and it seems that implementation of new policies for PE might impact on students’ behaviors, although, regarding to some limitations, not sufficiently to impact on overall students’ health behaviors.
OM Forum—Pandemics/Epidemics: Challenges and Opportunities for Operations Management Research
Authors: Gupta Sushil , Starr Martin K. , Farahani Reza Zanjirani , Asgari Nasrin
Published: July 2021

We reviewed research papers related to pandemics/epidemics (disease outbreaks of a global/regional scope) published in major operations management, operations research, and management science journals through the end of 2019. We evaluate and categorize these papers. We study research trends, explore research gaps, and provide directions for more efficient and effective research in the future. In addition, our recommendations include the lessons learned from the ongoing pandemic, COVID-19. We discuss papers in the following categories: (a) warning signals/surveillance, (b) disease propagation leading to pandemic conditions, (c) mitigation, (d) vaccines and therapeutics development, (e) resource management, (f) supply chain configuration, (g) decision support systems for managing pandemics/epidemics, and (h) risk assessment.
Diagnosis and treatment impacts on wound care efficiency drivers: real-world analysis
Authors: Lindholm Christina , Styche Tim J , Horton Helen E
Published: July 2021

Objective: The prevalence and economic burden of wounds are growing. Any wound has the potential to become hard-to-heal and require frequent care. Clinicians need to find ways to absorb demand on services without compromising outcomes. Drivers of wound care efficiency—time-to-heal, frequency of dressing change and the incidence of complications—can be evaluated to shape future wound management. A survey of wound care was conducted by clinicians from five centres in Sweden over a one-week period, during which clinicians documented every wound once. At the time of surveying, 49% of wounds were considered to be improving, infection incidence was 11.7% and dressings were changed a mean of 2.2 times per week, with highly exuding wounds changed 6.9 times per week. The data highlighted the importance of diagnosing patient and wound characteristics in selecting treatments and organising care. Recognised gaps in diagnoses potentially identify opportunities to influence healing, complication incidence and intensity of nursing, thus reducing demand on resources. In conclusion, this survey highlights opportunities to reduce the burdens these drivers present. Through improved diagnosis and alignment to recognised care pathways, there is potential to improve patient outcomes and alleviate the strains placed upon wound care providers.
Peripheral blood mononuclear cell transplantation to treat no-option critical limb ischaemia: effectiveness and safety
Authors: Sermsathanasawadi Nuttawut , Pruekprasert Kanin , Chruewkamlow Nuttapol , Kittisares Kulvara , Warinpong Thanatphak , Chinsakchai Khamin , Wongwanit Chumpol , Ruangsetakit Chanean , Mutirangura Pramook
Published: July 2021

Objective:

Local intramuscular transplantation of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilised peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PB-MNC) has been shown to be effective for treating patients with no-option critical limb ischaemia (CLI) who are not considered suitable to undergo surgical bypass or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of PB-MNCs as a treatment for no-option CLI patients.

Method:

This prospective cohort study was conducted between April 2013 and December 2017. Patients with no-option CLI were treated with G-CSF 5–10 µg/kg/day for 3 days. PB-MNCs (7.1±2.2×10 10 ) with CD34+ cells (2.1±1.2×10 8 ) were collected by blood cell separator and then injected into the calf or thigh of ischaemic limbs. Ankle–brachial index, toe–brachial index and transcutaneous oxygen tension were recorded at 1 and 3 months after injection. The amputation rate and the wound healing rate were also recorded.

Results:

Eight patients took part in the study. Two patients experienced rest pain relief 1 month after PB-MNC therapy. Five patients had healed ulcer at 6 months after PB-MNC therapy. Limb ischaemia did not improve after PB-MNC therapy in one patient. Below-knee amputation was performed in that patient due to extension of gangrene. Two patients required reinjection of PB-MNCs because of recurrence of ischaemic ulcer. The limb salvage rate after 1 year was 87.5%.

Conclusion:

Local intramuscular transplantation of G-CSF-mobilised PB-MNCs might be a safe and effective treatment for no-option CLI patients.
Electrical stimulation for pain reduction in hard-to-heal wound healing
Authors: Milne Jeanette , Swift Amelia , Smith Jennifer , Martin Robin
Published: July 2021

Objective:

Despite treatment advances over the past 30 years, the societal impact of hard-to-heal wounds is increasingly burdensome. An unresolved issue is wound pain, which can make many treatments, such as compression in venous leg ulcers, intolerable. The aim of this review is to present the evidence and stimulate thinking on the use of electrical stimulation devices as a treatment technology with the potential to reduce pain, improve adherence and thus hard-to-heal wound outcomes.

Method:

A literature search was conducted for clinical studies up to August 2020 reporting the effects of electrical stimulation devices on wound pain. Devices evoking neuromuscular contraction or direct spinal cord stimulation were excluded.

Results:

A total of seven publications (three non-comparative and four randomised trials) were identified with four studies reporting a rapid (within 14 days) reduction in hard-to-heal wound pain. Electrical stimulation is more widely known for accelerated healing and is one of the most evidence-based technologies in wound management, supported by numerous in vitro molecular studies, five meta-analyses, six systematic reviews and 30 randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Despite this wealth of supportive evidence, electrical stimulation has not yet been adopted into everyday practice. Some features of electrical stimulation devices may have hampered adoption in the past.

Conclusion:

As new, pocket-sized, portable devices allowing convenient patient treatment and better patient adherence become more widely available and studied in larger RCTs, the evidence to date suggests that electrical stimulation should be considered part of the treatment options to address the challenges of managing and treating painful hard-to-heal wounds.
Functional Measurement Applied to Engineering Students’ Test Anxiety Judgment for Online and Face-to-face Tests
Authors: Hedlefs-Aguilar Maria Isolde , Morales-Martinez Guadalupe Elizabeth , Villarreal-Lozano Ricardo Jesus , Moreno-Rodriguez Claudia , Gonzalez-Rodriguez Erick Alejandro
Published: July 2021

This study explored the cognitive mechanism behind information integration in the test anxiety judgments in 140 engineering students. An experiment was designed to test four factors combined (test goal orientation, test cognitive functioning level, test difficulty and test mode). The experimental task required participants to read 36 scenarios, one at a time and then estimate how much test anxiety they would experience in the evaluation situation described in each scenario. The results indicate three response styles (low, moderate, and high-test anxiety) among the participants. The orientation and difficulty of each given exam scenario were the most critical factors dictating test anxiety judgments. Only the moderate test anxiety group considered the test mode to be a third relevant factor. The integration mechanism for Cluster 1 was multiplicative, while for Clusters 2 and 3, it was summative. Furthermore, these last two clusters differed in terms of the valuation of the factors. These results suggest that programs that help students to cope with test anxiety need to take into account the valuation and integration mechanism that students use to integrate different information in specific examination contexts, since the way students assess their internal and external circumstances can influence how they deal with evaluative situations.
Perception of trainers and students on the measures to be taken to solve the addiction of young people to social networks
Authors: Valencia-Ortiz Rubicelia , Cabero-Almenara Julio , Garay Ruiz Urtza
Published: July 2021

Addictions to online social networks is a problem facing technological societies, and those most affected by this phenomenon are young people and teenagers. Among its effects are the decrease in academic performance and the increase in violent behavior. Given these facts, governments around the world are adopting mechanisms for their prevention. The present work describes the results of research focused on investigating the proposals that would be adopted by the members of the educational community to carry out preventive actions against the addiction and abuse of online social networks. The methodological design has been based on the intensive use of the Nominal Groups technique developed by Delbecq and Andrew in 1971 and which facilitates reaching consensus in a structured group process. The results show the high degree of coincidence among the participants stands out, which validates the usefulness of the measures, and that the addiction to social networks perceives it as a direct consequence of the addition to mobile phones and the Internet. Therefore, it seems necessary that prevention plans should have a generalized perspective that encompasses all three technologies
Teens' Behavior Patterns on the Web: Surfing or Wrecking?
Authors: Raposo-Rivas Manuela , Martínez-Figueira Mª Esther , Sarmiento-Campos José Antonio , Parrilla Latas Angeles
Published: July 2021

Adolescents’ relationship with technology is controversial both because of the possibilities it offers and because of the risks it entails, even being perceived by them as a real need. In order to improve the knowledge about it, a non-experimental research of transversal style has been carried out using a methodology based on data mining. 1,048 students of Secondary Education participated and answered a questionnaire about their use of the Internet and social networks. Six factors were indentified, which could be recognized as patterns of behavior in the network. They are grouped around: (1) the communicative and informative dimension of the resources; (2) the one related to the security in the network; (3) the risk and vulnerability; (4) the specialized information both general and specific, (5) the transfer and acquisition of goods; and (6) the leisure and parental surveillance. The main findings show that their habits are mostly oriented towards the transfer and transaction along with the maintenance of security, avoinding situations that could involve risk and vulnerability in navigation. The identification of these subgroups is timely in order to develop training and digital literacy actions.
El educador social y su relación con Internet. Uso o abuso de este medio
Authors: Marín-Díaz Verónica , Sampedro Begoña Esther
Published: July 2021

Social educators, due to their professions, encompass two spheres of action. These professionals are not common subjects in research studies, and even less if the research addresses their use or abuse of technology. The following article seeks to determine the relationship of these professionals with the Internet, from the perspective of their problematic use of it. For this, a quantitative method was utilized with an ex-post facto design, extracting the data from the Spanish version of the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) questionnaire, with a sample of students enrolled in the Social Education Degree (N=206). The results showed scarce significant differences as a function of the sociodemographic variables such as gender or academic year, as well as a problematic use more than an addiction. These results show that perhaps the technological addictions are deviating towards other resources or media that are different to the Internet, in this new era of virtualization
Luis Banchero Rossi (1955-1972), the best entrepreneur in Peru’s fishmeal industry: market governance, social capital, and embeddedness
Authors: Wong David , Hernández Lefranc Harold
Published: July 2021

In the 20th century, Peru was one of the major fishmeal producers worldwide. Luis Banchero Rossi (1929-1972) was the main driving force behind this economic boom. This article discusses how, given a set of historical conditions favoring such a setting, Banchero’s business performance surpassed that of other Peruvian and foreign producers in the industry, and enabled this development. This research uses complementary methodologies; i.e., case study work and financial databases. The authors find that Banchero’s share in Peru’s total exports reached 15.3 % in 1968, far above the next largest Peruvian exporter. In this regard, Banchero operated his organization following a set of criteria, called market governance by Williamson, plus several advantages, including negotiation abilities, social capital formation, human capital management, and tacit knowledge development, building on Peru’s specific sociological conditions. These conclusions help understanding how an entrepreneur of humble origins like Banchero worked around a commodity such as fishmeal to become a successful business leader worldwide.
Passive binary defocusing for large depth 3D measurement based on deep
learning
Authors: Li Yueyang , Shen Junfei , Wu Zhoujie , Zhang Qican
Published: July 2021

Phase-shifting profilometry (PSP) based on the binary defocusing technique has been widely used due to its high-speed capability. However, the required adjustment in projector defocus by traditional method is inaccurate, inflexible, and associated with fringe pitch. Instead of manual defocusing adjustment, a passive defocus of the binary patterns based on deep learning is proposed in this paper. Learning the corresponding binary patterns with a specifically designed convolutional neural network, high-quality three-step sinusoidal patterns can be generated. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method could reduce phase error by 80%–90% for different fringe pitches without projector defocus and outperform the traditional method by providing more accurate and robust results within a large measuring depth.
Simultaneous type-I and type-II phase matching for second-order nonlinearity in integrated lithium niobate waveguide
Authors: Briggs Ian , Hou Songyan , Cui Chaohan , Fan Linran
Published: July 2021

Second-order optical nonlinearity is widely used for both classical and quantum photonic applications. Due to material dispersion and phase matching requirements, the polarization of optical fields is pre-defined during the fabrication. Only one type of phase matching condition is normally satisfied, and this limits the device flexibility. Here, we demonstrate that phase matching for both type-I and type-II second-order optical nonlinearity can be realized simultaneously in the same waveguide fabricated from thin-film lithium niobate. This is achieved by engineering the geometry dispersion to compensate for the material dispersion and birefringence. The simultaneous realization of both phase matching conditions is verified by the polarization dependence of second-harmonic generation. Correlated photons are also generated through parametric down conversion from the same device. This work provides a novel approach to realize versatile photonic functions with flexible devices.
Widely stretchable soliton crystals in a passively mode-locked fiber laser
Authors: Andrianov Alexey , Kim Arkady
Published: July 2021

We present the first direct demonstration of a new type of stable and extremely elastic soliton crystals, the bond length and bond strength of which can be individually controlled in a wide range. The stretching and compressing can be repeated many times, conserving the overall structure by incorporating a highly asymmetric tunable Mach-Zehnder interferometer into a specially designed passively mode-locked fiber laser. The temporal structure and dynamics of the generated soliton crystals were measured using an asynchronous optical sampling system with picosecond resolution. We demonstrated that a stable and robust soliton crystal can be formed by two types of primitive structures: single dissipative solitons and (or) pairs each consisting of a dissipative soliton and a pulse with a lower amplitude. Continuous stretching and compression of the soliton crystal by an extraordinarily high factor of more than 30 has been demonstrated, the smallest recorded separation between the pulses being as low as 5 ps, corresponding to an effective repetition frequency of 200 GHz. Collective pulse dynamics, including soliton crystal cracking and transformation of crystals comprising high/low-amplitude pulse pairs to the crystals of similar pulses, has been observed experimentally.
Ultranarrow bandwidth pulses from a regeneratively mode-locked fiber laser
Authors: Zhao Zhi , Minty Michiko
Published: July 2021

We report on the generation of transform-limited nanosecond pulse with an ultranarrow bandwidth from a regeneratively mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser. A narrow bandwidth fiber Bragg grating is combined with a bulk amplitude electro-optic modulator to shape pulse evolution inside a ring cavity, and regenerative mode locking is applied to produce a stationary shape of pulses in the nanosecond regime (2.05 ns in duration). Spectral characterization via high bandwidth optoelectronic devices shows that optical pulses have an ultranarrow bandwidth of 220 MHz. Numerical simulation reveals that the shape of the narrow spectral filter has a strong effect on the duration and bandwidth of output pulses.
Temperature errors in two-color pyrometry simultaneously considering reﬂection and combustion gas radiation
Authors: Huang Yunwei , Long Jianyu , Chen Dengfu , Long Mujun , Yang Zhe , Li Chuan
Published: July 2021

Temperature measurements are ubiquitous in combustion systems. However, the accuracy of surface temperature measurements of critical components operating in a harsh combustion gases environment is greatly affected by reﬂection and combustion gas radiation. In this paper, an analytical two-color pyrometry model was used to quantitatively analyze the temperature errors caused by the combination of reflection and H2O-CO2-CO-N2 mixture radiation. As the results indicate, the most signiﬁcant contributors to the measurement errors are found to be the error arising from H2O-CO2-CO-N2 mixture absorption and emission for two-color pyrometer operating at long wavebands. The errors due to reflection predominate over the measurement errors measured at short wavebands. In a combustor where reflected radiation from high-temperature surrounding and hot/cool combustion gas is present, two-color pyrometry is practically inoperative as a consequence of its unacceptably large measurement error and high measurement sensitivity. When the intervening gas is isothermal and the optical distance from surface to detector is considered optically thin, the temperature error has linear growth with both the H2O-CO2-CO-N2 mixture concentration and viewing path length increasing. This linear change provides us a method of linear extrapolation to eliminate the effect of uncertain gaseous absorption and emission. The results of this work can be used as a theoretical support for the design and application of a two-color pyrometer in a gas-fired furnace.
Frequency interferometric localization microscopy
Authors: Liu Hedong , Zhang Yizhu , Liu Tiegen , Hu Haofeng
Published: July 2021

We propose a new super-resolution microscopy, named frequency interferometric localization microscopy (FILM). FILM is implemented by incorporating a Michelson interferometer into wide-field fluorescence microscope, which introduces coherence time as a new auxiliary axis to obtain the spectral information of individual fluorophores. After the time–wavelength transformation, the homogeneous linewidth of individual fluorophores can be isolated from the inhomogeneous broadening distribution of the fluorophore ensemble. Thus, the nearby fluorophores with a distinguishable central wavelength can be separated in the frequency domain and localized with accuracy beyond the diffraction limit. The principle of the method, experimental schematics, and reconstruction algorithm are numerically demonstrated. With properly prepared fluorophores, FILM has the potential to reach, in principle, molecular-scale spatial resolution.
Tubular laser solitons
Authors: Veretenov Nikolay , Fedorov Sergey , Rosanov Nikolay
Published: July 2021

We analyze, to the best of our knowledge, a new type of topological optical solitons in lasers with fast saturable absorption, which is intermediate between 2D and 3D ones. Being generated by 2D laser solitons, such 3D dissipative solitons in a laser cavity of length

L

have a number of vortex lines, which are straight for under-critical values

L

and spiral for larger

L

. For supercritical

L

, a vortex with multiple topological charges

m
>
1

in generating 2D solitons transforms into

m

separate vortex lines. Taking into account weak non-paraxiality reveals polarization singularities in the form of lines, on which the elliptical polarization turns into linear in the cross section of the structures.
Transmission Mueller matrix imaging with spatial filtering
Authors: Meng Ruoyu , Shao Conghui , Li Pengcheng , Dong Yang , Hou Anli , Li Chao , Lin Liyan , He Honghui , Ma Hui
Published: July 2021

In this Letter, we report a study on the effects of spatial filtering for a transmission Mueller matrix imaging system. A spatial filter (SF) is placed on the back Fourier plane of the imaging lens in a dual-rotating-retarders Mueller matrix imaging system to select photons within a certain scattering angle. The system is then applied to three types of human cancerous tissues. When imaging with a small-aperture SF, some polarimetry basis parameters show sharp changes in contrast in the cancerous regions. Monte Carlo simulations using a simple sphere–cylinder scattering model also show that spatial filtering of the scattered photons provides extra information on the size and shape of the scattering particles. The results indicate that spatial filtering enhances the capability of polarization imaging as a powerful tool for biomedical diagnosis.
Pch2 orchestrates the meiotic recombination checkpoint from the cytoplasm
Authors: Herruzo Esther , Lago-Maciel Ana , Baztán Sara , Santos Beatriz , Carballo Jesús A. , San-Segundo Pedro A.
Published: July 2021

During meiosis, defects in critical events trigger checkpoint activation and restrict cell cycle progression. The budding yeast Pch2 AAA+ ATPase orchestrates the checkpoint response launched by synapsis deficiency; deletion of PCH2 or mutation of the ATPase catalytic sites suppress the meiotic block of the zip1Δ mutant lacking the central region of the synaptonemal complex. Pch2 action enables adequate levels of phosphorylation of the Hop1 axial component at threonine 318, which in turn promotes activation of the Mek1 effector kinase and the ensuing checkpoint response. In zip1Δ chromosomes, Pch2 is exclusively associated to the rDNA region, but this nucleolar fraction is not required for checkpoint activation, implying that another yet uncharacterized Pch2 population must be responsible for this function. Here, we have artificially redirected Pch2 to different subcellular compartments by adding ectopic Nuclear Export (NES) or Nuclear Localization (NLS) sequences, or by trapping Pch2 in an immobile extranuclear domain, and we have evaluated the effect on Hop1 chromosomal distribution and checkpoint activity. We have also deciphered the spatial and functional impact of Pch2 regulators including Orc1, Dot1 and Nup2. We conclude that the cytoplasmic pool of Pch2 is sufficient to support the meiotic recombination checkpoint involving the subsequent Hop1-Mek1 activation on chromosomes, whereas the nuclear accumulation of Pch2 has pathological consequences. We propose that cytoplasmic Pch2 provokes a conformational change in Hop1 that poises it for its chromosomal incorporation and phosphorylation. Our discoveries shed light into the intricate regulatory network controlling the accurate balance of Pch2 distribution among different cellular compartments, which is essential for proper meiotic outcomes.
CREB mediates the C. elegans dauer polyphenism through direct and cell-autonomous regulation of TGF-β expression
Authors: Park JiSoo , Oh Hyekyoung , Kim Do-Young , Cheon YongJin , Park Yeon-Ji , Hwang Hyeonjeong , Neal Scott J. , Dar Abdul Rouf , Butcher Rebecca A. , Sengupta Piali , Kim Dae-Won , Kim Kyuhyung
Published: July 2021

Animals can adapt to dynamic environmental conditions by modulating their developmental programs. Understanding the genetic architecture and molecular mechanisms underlying developmental plasticity in response to changing environments is an important and emerging area of research. Here, we show a novel role of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB)-encoding crh-1 gene in developmental polyphenism of C. elegans. Under conditions that promote normal development in wild-type animals, crh-1 mutants inappropriately form transient pre-dauer (L2d) larvae and express the L2d marker gene. L2d formation in crh-1 mutants is specifically induced by the ascaroside pheromone ascr#5 (asc-ωC3; C3), and crh-1 functions autonomously in the ascr#5-sensing ASI neurons to inhibit L2d formation. Moreover, we find that CRH-1 directly binds upstream of the daf-7 TGF-β locus and promotes its expression in the ASI neurons. Taken together, these results provide new insight into how animals alter their developmental programs in response to environmental changes.