bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Practical guide for microscopic identification of infectious gastrointestinal nematode larvae in sheep from Sardinia, Italy, backed by molecular analysis
Authors: Knoll Stephane , Dessì Giorgia , Tamponi Claudia , Meloni Luisa , Cavallo Lia , Mehmood Naunain , Jacquiet Philippe , Scala Antonio , Cappai Maria Grazia , Varcasia Antonio
Published: September 2021

Background

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) are ubiquitous in small ruminant farming, representing a major health and production concern. Given their differences in pathogenicity and the current problems regarding anthelmintic resistance, specific diagnosis of GIN is of significant importance. At present, the most widely applied method for this entails culture and microscopic analysis of third-stage larvae, allowing for identification at least to the genus level. Overall, a variety of keys for microscopic analysis have been published, showing substantial variation. Given this fact, this study aimed to produce a practical and updated guide for the identification of infective ovine GIN larvae.

Methods

Using existing keys and protocols, a total of 173larvae of the most common species/genera of ovine GIN from pooled faecal samples from Sardinia (Italy) were identified and extracted, and further individual molecular identification was performed. Morphometric and morphological data as well as high-quality photographs were collected and combined to produce the final guide.

Results

GIN microscopically and molecularly identified during this research include Trichostrongylus spp., Teladorsagia circumcincta, Haemonchus contortus, Cooperia curticei, and Chabertia ovina. Based on microscopic analysis, 73.5% of the larvae were correctly identified. Based on sheathed tail length, 91.8% were correctly classified into their respective preliminary groups.

Conclusions

It is crucial for the microscopic identification of infectious GIN larvae to examine each larva in its entirety and thus to take multiple characteristics into account to obtain an accurate diagnosis. However, a preliminary classification based on sheathed tail length (resulting in three groups: A, short; B, medium; C, long) was found to be effective. Further identification within group A can be achieved based on the presence of a cranial inflexion, caudal tubercles and full body measurements (Trichostrongylus spp. < 720 µm, T. circumcincta ≥ 720 µm). Larvae within group B can be differentiated based on sheathed tail morphometry (H. contortus > 65 µm, C. curticei ≤ 65 µm), the presence of cranial refractile bodies, total body length measurements (H. contortus ≤ 790 µm, C. curticei > 790 µm) and shape of the cranial extremity. Finally, all characteristics proposed for the differentiation between Oesophagostomum spp. and C. ovina larvae (group C) were found to have considerable restrictions.

Graphical abstract
The specificity of Babesia-tick vector interactions: recent advances and pitfalls in molecular and field studies
Authors: Bajer Anna , Dwużnik-Szarek Dorota
Published: September 2021

Background

Babesia spp. are protozoan parasites of great medical and veterinary importance, especially in the northern Hemisphere. Ticks are known vectors of Babesia spp., although some Babesia-tick interactions have not been fully elucidated.

Methods

The present review was performed to investigate the specificity of Babesia-tick species interactions that have been identified using molecular techniques in studies conducted in the last 20 years under field conditions. We aimed to indicate the main vectors of important Babesia species based on published research papers (n = 129) and molecular data derived from the GenBank database.

Results

Repeated observations of certain Babesia species in specific species and genera of ticks in numerous independent studies, carried out in different areas and years, have been considered epidemiological evidence of established Babesia-tick interactions. The best studied species of ticks are Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus and Ixodes scapularis (103 reports, i.e. 80% of total reports). Eco-epidemiological studies have confirmed a specific relationship between Babesia microti and Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes persulcatus, and Ixodes scapularis and also between Babesia canis and D. reticulatus. Additionally, four Babesia species (and one genotype), which have different deer species as reservoir hosts, displayed specificity to the I. ricinus complex. Eco-epidemiological studies do not support interactions between a high number of Babesia spp. and I. ricinus or D. reticulatus. Interestingly, pioneering studies on other species and genera of ticks have revealed the existence of likely new Babesia species, which need more scientific attention. Finally, we discuss the detection of Babesia spp. in feeding ticks and critically evaluate the data on the role of the latter as vectors.

Conclusions

Epidemiological data have confirmed the specificity of certain Babesia-tick vector interactions. The massive amount of data that has been thus far collected for the most common tick species needs to be complemented by more intensive studies on Babesia infections in underrepresented tick species.

Graphical abstract
A novel patient-reported outcome instrument assessing the symptoms of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, the PNH-SQ
Authors: Daly R. Paola , Jalbert Jessica J. , Keith Shannon , Symonds Tara , Shammo Jamile
Published: September 2021

Background

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROs) used to measure symptoms of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) in trials do not measure PNH symptoms comprehensively and do not assess daily fluctuations in symptoms. Following a literature review and consultation with a PNH expert, we drafted the PNH Symptom Questionnaire (PNH-SQ) and a patient-centric conceptual model of PNH symptoms and impacts. We then interviewed 15 patients with PNH to assess comprehensiveness of symptom capture from the patient perspective and to cognitively debrief the PNH-SQ. Patient interview data were also used to finalize the PNH conceptual model.

Results

Participants mentioned 27 signs or symptoms of PNH spontaneously or after being probed; 93% reported experiencing ≥ 1 PNH symptom. Concept saturation was reached for all PNH symptoms. Further, interviews confirmed the instrument captured the most common PNH symptoms, including fatigue (87%), abdominal pain (60%), and difficulty swallowing (47%), with fatigue ranked as the most bothersome symptom. The interviews demonstrated that participants understood the items of the PNH-SQ (90–100%); considered the symptoms relevant (> 50– > 90%); the recall period appropriate (> 80–100%); and the response options suitable (> 80–100%). Participants also suggested changes regarding item redundancy and relevance; this feedback was used to finalize the instrument.

Conclusions

The finalized PNH-SQ assesses the presence and severity of 10 symptoms—abdominal pain, chest discomfort, difficulty sleeping, difficulty swallowing, difficulty thinking clearly, fatigue, headache, muscle weakness, pain in the legs or back, and shortness of breath—over 24 h. The PNH-SQ is a content-valid questionnaire suitable for assessing daily symptom presence and severity in PNH clinical trials.
Adult onset Still’s disease in a patient with scleroderma: case report
Authors: Brow Jeffrey D. , Zhu Daisy , Drevlow Barbara E.
Published: September 2021

Background

Scleroderma and adult onset Still’s disease (AOSD) are both uncommon autoimmune disorders. These two disorders have rarely been documented to occur simultaneously. In fact, after a thorough literature review, we discovered only one prior case report in a pregnant individual. Here, we describe the first documented case of scleroderma and AOSD in a postmenopausal patient.

Case presentation

The patient is a 61-year-old Caucasian female with a past medical history significant for peptic ulcer disease, mitral valve prolapse, chronic idiopathic pancreatitis, and limited cutaneous scleroderma with sclerodactyly, Raynaud’s, and calcinosis. She was sent to the emergency room by her primary care physician due to one-week history of intermittent spiking fevers (Tmax 101°F), sore throat, myalgias, arthralgias, and non-pruritic bilateral lower extremity rash. Diagnostic evaluation in the hospital included complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, respiratory viral panel, antinuclear antibody panel, bone marrow biopsy, and imaging with computerized tomography. Our patient fulfilled Yamaguchi Criteria for AOSD and all other possible etiologies were ruled out. She was treated with a steroid taper and methotrexate was initiated on post-discharge day number fourteen. Clinical and biochemical resolution was obtained at three months.

Conclusions

In this report, we describe the first ever documented case of scleroderma and AOSD in a postmenopausal patient. The clinical presentation, diagnostic work up, and management discussed herein may serve as a framework for which rheumatologists and other physicians may draw upon in similar future encounters.
Low pathogenic avian influenza virus infection retards colon microbiota diversification in two different chicken lines
Authors: Chrzastek Klaudia , Leng Joy , Zakaria Mohammad Khalid , Bialy Dagmara , La Ragione Roberto , Shelton Holly
Published: September 2021

Background

A commensal microbiota regulates and is in turn regulated by viruses during host infection which can influence virus infectivity. In this study, analysis of colon microbiota population changes following a low pathogenicity avian influenza virus (AIV) of the H9N2 subtype infection of two different chicken breeds was conducted.

Methods

Colon samples were taken from control and infected groups at various timepoints post infection. 16S rRNA sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq platform was performed on the samples and the data mapped to operational taxonomic units of bacterial using a QIIME based pipeline. Microbial community structure was then analysed in each sample by number of observed species and phylogenetic diversity of the population.

Results

We found reduced microbiota alpha diversity in the acute period of AIV infection (day 2–3) in both Rhode Island Red and VALO chicken lines. From day 4 post infection a gradual increase in diversity of the colon microbiota was observed, but the diversity did not reach the same level as in uninfected chickens by day 10 post infection, suggesting that AIV infection retards the natural accumulation of colon microbiota diversity, which may further influence chicken health following recovery from infection. Beta diversity analysis indicated a bacterial species diversity difference between the chicken lines during and following acute influenza infection but at phylum and bacterial order level the colon microbiota dysbiosis was similar in the two different chicken breeds.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that H9N2 influenza A virus impacts the chicken colon microbiota in a predictable way that could be targeted via intervention to protect or mitigate disease.
Relationship between early physical activity after total knee arthroplasty and postoperative physical function: are these related?
Authors: Takamura Daisuke , Iwata Kentaro , Sueyoshi Tatsuya , Yasuda Tadashi , Moriyama Hideki
Published: September 2021

Background

Physical activity is associated with physical function; however, the relationship between early physical activity after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and postoperative physical function remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of early physical activity after TKA with postoperative physical function.

Methods

Timed Up and Go test (TUG) of 47 patients was assessed preoperatively and at 10 days, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. Physical activity from the second to the ninth day after TKA was measured with accelerometer, and the correlation with pre- and postoperative physical function was evaluated . A multiple linear regression was used to predict TUG at 6 months after TKA.

Results

Postoperative physical activity correlated with preoperative TUG (ρ = −0.485, p < 0.001), TUG at 10 days (ρ = −0.675, p < 0.001), 3 months (ρ = −0.441, p < 0.01), and 6 months (ρ = −0.368, p < 0.05) after surgery. Multiple linear regression indicated that only the preoperative TUG was associated with TUG at 6 months. Postoperative physical activity was not an independent factor predicting TUG at 6 months after TKA.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that patients with better physical function have higher physical activity in the early postoperative period, whereas it does not affect physical function at 6 months after TKA. In the early postoperative period, increasing physical activity may not always be necessary to improve postoperative physical function. We also confirmed that preoperative physical function affects postoperative physical function. These findings may be beneficial in improving rehabilitation programs in the early postoperative period.
Advances in the molecular understanding of G protein-coupled receptors and their future therapeutic opportunities
Authors: Obot Daniel N. , Udom Godswill J. , Udoh Anwanabasi E. , Onyeukwu Nkechi J. , Olusola Ayobami J. , Udoh Ikanke M. , Umana Israel K. , Yemitan Omoniyi K. , Okokon Jude E.
Published: September 2021

Background

Understanding the mechanisms, activated and inhibited pathways as well as other molecular targets involved in existing and emerging disease conditions provides useful insights into their proper diagnosis and treatment and aids drug discovery, development and production. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are one of the most important classes of targets for small-molecule drug discovery. Of all drug targets, GPCRs are the most studied, undoubtedly because of their pharmacological tractability and role in the pathophysiology as well as the pathogenesis of human diseases.

Main body of the abstract

GPCRs are regarded as the largest target class of the “druggable genome” representing approximately 19% of the currently available drug targets. They have long played a prominent role in drug discovery, such that as of this writing, 481 drugs (about 34% of all FDA-approved drugs) act on GPCRs. More than 320 therapeutic agents are currently under clinical trials, of which a significant percentage targets novel GPCRs. GPCRs are implicated in a wide variety of diseases including CNS disorders, inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease, as well as metabolic disease and cancer. The non-olfactory human GPCRs yet to be clinically explored or tried are endowed with perhaps a huge untapped potential drug discovery especially in the field of immunology and genetics.

Short conclusion

This review discusses the recent advances in the molecular pharmacology and future opportunities for targeting GPCRs with a view to drug development.
Participation in Biology Education Research Influences Students’ Epistemic Development
Authors: Lee Dennis , Wright Mallory , Faber Courtney , Kennedy Cazembe , Dittrich-Reed Dylan
Published: September 2021

Science epistemology is the foundation of how biology constructs knowledge but is often implicit in undergraduate research experiences (UREs). This study describes the development of one student’s ideas about scientific knowledge in a URE in which science epistemology was explicitly discussed in meetings and written reflections.
Physician Influence on Variation in Receipt of Aggressive End-of-Life Care Among Women Dying of Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Mullins Megan A. , Uppal Shitanshu , Ruterbusch Julie J. , Cote Michele L. , Clarke Philippa , Wallner Lauren P.
Published: September 2021

PURPOSE:

End-of-life care for women with ovarian cancer is persistently aggressive, but factors associated with overuse are not well understood. We evaluated physician-level variation in receipt of aggressive end-of-life care and examined physician-level factors contributing to this variation in the SEER-Medicare data set.

METHODS:

Medicare beneficiaries with ovarian cancer who died between 2000 and 2016 were included if they were diagnosed after age 66 years, had complete Medicare coverage between diagnosis and death, and had outpatient physician evaluation and management for their ovarian cancer. Using multilevel logistic regression, we examined physician variation in no hospice enrollment, late hospice enrollment (≤ 3 days), > 1 emergency department visit, an intensive care unit stay, terminal hospitalization, > 1 hospitalization, receiving a life-extending or invasive procedure, and chemotherapy (in the last 2 weeks).

RESULTS:

In this sample of 6,288 women, 51% of women received at least one form of aggressive end-of-life care. Most common were no hospice enrollment (28.9%), an intensive care unit stay (18.6%), and receipt of an invasive procedure (20.7%). For not enrolling in hospice, 9.9% of variation was accounted for by physician clustering (
P
< .01). Chemotherapy had the highest physician variation (12.4%), with no meaningful portion of the variation explained by physician specialty, volume, region, or patient characteristics.

CONCLUSION:

In this study, a meaningful amount of variation in aggressive end-of-life care among women dying of ovarian cancer was at the physician level, suggesting that efforts to improve the quality of this care should include interventions aimed at physician practices and decision making in end-of-life care.
Writings on Media
Authors: Hall Stuart
Published: September 2021

Writings on Media gathers more than twenty of Stuart Hall's media analyses, from scholarly essays such as “Encoding and Decoding in the Television Discourse” (1973) to other writings addressed to wider publics. Hall explores the practices of news photography, the development of media and cultural studies, the changing role of television, and how the nation imagines itself through popular media. He attends to Britain's imperial history and the politics of race and cultural identity as well as the media's relationship to the political project of the state. Testifying to the range and agility of Hall's critical and pedagogic engagement with contemporary media culture—and also to his collaborative mode of working—this volume reaffirms his stature as an innovative media theorist while demonstrating the continuing relevance of his methods of analysis.
The Extensive Margin of Exporting Products: A Firm-Level Analysis
Authors: Arkolakis Costas , Ganapati Sharat , Muendler Marc-Andreas
Published: September 2021

To quantify trade frictions, we examine multiproduct exporters. We build a flexible general-equilibrium model and estimate market entry costs using Brazilian firm-product-destination data under rich demand and market access cost shocks. Our estimates show that additional products farther from a firm’s core competency come at higher production costs, but there are substantive economies of scope in market access costs. Market access costs differ across destinations, falling more rapidly in scope at nearby regions and at destinations with fewer nontariff barriers. We evaluate a counterfactual scenario that harmonizes market access costs across destinations and find global welfare gains similar to eliminating all current tariffs. (JEL D22, F12, F13, F14, O14, O19)
Household Search and the Marital Wage Premium
Authors: Pilossoph Laura , Wee Shu Lin
Published: September 2021

We develop a model where selection into marriage and household search generate a marital wage premium. Beyond selection, married individuals earn higher wages for two reasons. First, income pooling within a joint household raises risk-averse individuals’ reservation wages. Second, married individuals climb the job ladder faster, as they internalize that higher wages increase their partner’s selectivity over offers. Specialization according to comparative advantage in search generates a premium that increases in spousal education, as in the data. Quantitatively, household search explains 10–33 percent and 20–58 percent of the premium for males and females, respectively, and accounts for its increase with spousal education. (JEL D83, J12, J16, J24, J31, J64)
Long-Term Finance and Investment with Frictional Asset Markets
Authors: Kozlowski Julian
Published: September 2021

Trading frictions in financial markets affect more long-term than short-term bonds, generating an upward-sloping yield curve. Long-term financing is more expensive in economies with higher trading frictions so firms choose to borrow and invest in shorter horizons and lower productivity projects. The theory guides a new identification of the slope of liquidity spread in the data. We measure and calibrate the model for the United States, and counterfactual exercises suggest that variations in trading frictions can have significant effects on maturity choices and investment. A policy intervention improves liquidity, reduces long-term financial costs, and promotes investment in longer-term projects. (JEL E43, E44, E52, G12, G21, G32, O16)
Opportunities for professional psychological support in a situation of optimization of technological process control in the transport industry
Authors: Dyuzheva Marina , Rogovskaya Natal'ya , Starshinova Tat'yana , Antonovskiy Aleksandr
Published: September 2021

The article considers the main directions of optimization of technological process management in the transport industry in the context of the implementation of professional psychological support procedures (on the example of JSC "Russian Railways"). Railway transport is one of the dynamically developing industries, with complex automated technological processes, which requires highly qualified personnel involved in all branches and structural divisions of JSC "Russian Railways". The interrelation between the implementation of the Transport Strategy of the Russian Federation and the need for qualified performance of official duties of employees who meet the requirements of current professional standards is noted: successful performance of professional activities by employees with a high level of professional competencies and versatility of labor functions is necessary for modern transport organizations. The main principles, types and stages of professional psychological support are highlighted. The analysis of the directions of personnel work of JSC "Russian Railways" and its interaction with educational organizations of higher education in terms of professional psychological support is carried out. The significant role of industrial practice, the implementation of mentoring in the course of educational and professional activities, training programs for students of higher educational institutions are noted. In the process of professional psychological support of the professional activities of transport personnel performing their official duties related to automation and control of technological processes in the transport industry, there is not just a study of their professional abilities, but an assessment of their current state, professional readiness and professional suitability for work. Professional psychological support is considered as a system of continuous interaction between the subject of labor and accompanying persons, within which an active role belongs to all participants in the labor process of support.
TECHNOLOGIES OF SOCIAL ADAPTATION OF CHILDREN FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES
Authors: Ananin Olyeg , Pankratova Ekaterina
Published: September 2021

Today there is an acute issue of helping children in difficult situations. Children, faced with" adult " problems, often do not find support in their own families. Such problems as alcoholism and unemployment of parents, poverty, difficulties in relationships, loss of loved ones, abuse, social problems of parents can be the causes of difficult life situation of the child. If you do not provide timely assistance to the child, wounds from psychological and physical injuries can lead to serious consequences. In order to assist children from lowincome families in difficult life situations, the country has social rehabilitation centres for minors, whose activities are aimed at identifying and eliminating the causes and conditions that contribute to the poor family, neglect and homelessness of minors. The activities of these institutions are aimed at providing social, psychological and other assistance to minors, their parents or legal representatives in the elimination of difficult situations; restoration of the social status of minors in peer groups; promotion of the return of minors to low-income families, restoration of family and social ties of the child.
ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF PSYCHOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PERSONALITY OF THE LEADER IN LEGAL PSYCHOLOGY
Authors: Maltseva Tatyana
Published: September 2021

Today, the heads of the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation represent a fairly large share in the staffing of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. The article provides an overview of approaches to the requirements for the personality of a leader in foreign and domestic psychology, as well as a theoretical analysis of these approaches within the framework of legal psychology. Management researchers have always set themselves the task of establishing the optimal structure of the qualities that an effective leader should have. A scientific direction that has formed in the psychology of management, within the framework of which attempts were made to determine this set of qualities, diagnose their presence and outline a system of actions for their formation and development.
Magnetospheric response to the interaction with the sporadic solar wind diamagnetic structure
Authors: Parhomov Vladimir , Eselevich Viktor , Eselevich Maxim , Dmitriev Alexei , Suvorova Alla , Khomutov Sergey , Tsegmed Battuulai , Tero Raita
Published: September 2021

We report the results of a study on the movement of the solar wind diamagnetic structure (DS), which is a sequence of smaller-scale microDS being part of the May 18, 2013 coronal mass ejection, from a source on the Sun to Earth’s surface. DS determined from the high negative correlation coefficient (r=–0.9) between the IMF modulus (B) and the SW density (N) on the ACE and Wind satellites at the L1 point, on the THB and THC satellites (r=–0.9) in near-Earth orbit, and on the THA satellite inside the magnetosphere is carried by the solar wind from the Sun to Earth’s orbit, while maintaining its fine internal structure. Having a large size in the radial direction (≈763 Rᴇ, where Rᴇ is the Earth radius), DS flows around the magnetosphere. At the same time, microDS of size ≤13 Rᴇ passes through the bow shock and magnetopause as a magnetized plasmoid in which the ion concentration increases from 10 cm⁻³ to 90 cm⁻³, and the velocity decreases as it moves toward the magnetotail. When a microDS passes through the magnetopause, a pulsed electric field of ~400 mV/m is generated with subsequent oscillations with a period of T~200 s and an amplitude of ~50 mV/m. The electric field accelerates charged particles of the radiation belt and produces modulated fluxes of protons in an energy range 95–575 keV on the day side and electrons in 40–475 keV and protons in 95–575 keV on the night side. In the duskside magnetosphere (19–23 MLT), the substorm activation is observed in geomagnetic pulsations and auroras, but without a magnetic negative bay. In the post-midnight sector (01–05 MLT), a sawtooth substorm occurs without the growth phase and breakup with deep modulation of the ionospheric current and auroral absorption. The duration of all phenomena in the magnetosphere and on Earth is determined by the period of interaction between DS and the magnetosphere (~4 hrs). To interpret the regularities of the magnetospheric response to the interaction with DS, we consider alternative models of the impulsive passage of DS from SW to the magnetosphere and the classical model of reconnection of IMF and the geomagnetic field.
Offsets in the geomagnetic indices of the magnetospheric ring current
Authors: Makarov Georgy
Published: September 2021

The paper considers changes in the daily average values of the Dst, SYM-H, ASY-H, and ASY-D indices and their dependence on the level of magnetic disturbance for the period 1981–2016. These indices are geomagnetic characteristics of the magnetospheric ring current. It has been established that the indices of the asymmetric component of the ring current ASY-H and ASY-D during relatively magnetically quiet periods are not equal to zero. The values of the offsets in the dependences of the ASY-H and ASY-D indices on the level of magnetic disturbance have been determined. The behavior of the index of the degree of symmetry of the ring current, the ratio SYM-H / ASY-H, is analyzed during the year at different levels of disturbance. This ratio has been found to grow in absolute value with increasing disturbance and to exceed 1 at large disturbances (at Dst <–50).
Morphology and diagnostic potential of the ionospheric Alfvén resonator
Authors: Potapov Alexander , Polyushkina Tatyana , Tsegmed B.
Published: September 2021

The layering of the ionosphere leads to the formation of resonators and waveguides of various kinds. One of the most well-known is the ionospheric Alfvén resonator (IAR) whose radiation can be observed both on Earth’s surface and in space in the form of a fan-shaped set of discrete spectral bands (DSB), the frequency of which changes smoothly during the day. The bands are formed by Alfvén waves trapped between the lower part of the ionosphere and the altitude profile bending of Alfvén velocity in the transition region between the ionosphere and the magnetosphere. Thus, IAR is one of the important mechanisms of the ionosphere-magnetosphere interaction. The emission frequency lies in the range from tenths of hertz to about 8 Hz — the frequency of the first harmonic of the Schumann resonance. The review describes in detail the morphology of the phenomenon. It is emphasized that the IAR emission is a permanent phenomenon; the probability of observing it is primarily determined by the sensitivity of the equipment and the absence of interference of natural and artificial origin. The daily duration of the DSB observation almost completely depends on the illumination conditions of the lower ionosphere: the bands are clearly visible only when the D layer is shaded. Numerous theoretical IAR models have been systematized. All of them are based on the analysis of the excitation and propagation of Alfvén waves in inhomogeneous ionospheric plasma and differ mainly in sources of oscillation generation and methods of accounting for various factors such as interaction of wave modes, dipole geometry of the magnetic field, frequency dispersion of waves. Predicted by all models of the cavity and repeatedly confirmed experimentally, the close relationship between DSB frequency variations and critical frequency foF2 variations serves as the basis for searching ways of determining in real time the electron density of the ionosphere from IAR emission frequency measurements. It is also possible to estimate the profile of the ion composition over the ionosphere from the data on the IAR emission frequency structure. The review also focuses on other results from a wide range of IAR studies, specifically on the results that revealed the influence of the interplanetary magnetic field orien tation on oscillations of the resonator, and on the facts of the influence of seismic disturbances on IAR.
Aspołeczne „my”
Authors: Bartula Piotr
Published: September 2021

ASOCIAL “WE” The problems discussed in the book are revealed by the well-known view of Aristotle that man is a cultural, social and political being: ...And he who by nature and not by mere accident lives outside the state, is either a wretch or superhuman being; he is ‘without lineage, law, hearth,‘ as denoted by Homer, because if someone is such a person by nature, he desires passionately war, being isolated, as a stone excluded from dice. Furthermore, It appears that the state is a creation of nature and most of all concerns the individual because when each person separately is not self-sufficient, he will be placed in the same relation to the state like these and other parts in relation to a whole. However, one who is unable to live in the community, or does not need it at all, being self-sufficient, such a person is not a member of the state, so he must be either a beast or god. Directed by the spirit of contrariness, I will add Friedrich Nietzsche’s comment : “Aristotle says that in order to live alone one must be either an animal or a god. The third alternative is lacking. A man must be both – a philosopher.”
Informational and Noninformational Advertising Content
Authors: Tsai Yi-Lin , Honka Elisabeth
Published: September 2021

Informational and noninformational advertising content.
No Magic for Market Entry in the Field: Evidence from Taxi Markets
Authors: Xia Xiaoyu , Chong Juin Kuan
Published: September 2021

We study taxi markets in Singapore to understand market entry in the field. Although market-entry games in the laboratory consistently produce equilibrium outcomes, we show that a lack of market knowledge hinders the markets from consistently reaching equilibrium in the field. In Singapore, a small, 720-square-kilometre island city that can be divided into 29 taxi markets, full equilibrium is elusive: 68% of the market-entry decisions made by the 2,728 taxi drivers in our data could be improved. Using three months of earnings and detailed movement data from these taxi drivers, we find an average 20% gap in marginal wage rates across markets. We use dynamic programming to derive the optimal solution for more than 3 million search decisions and find that only 32% of the searches ended in an optimal market. Finally, we find that market knowledge developed in a given month explains an additional 3% variation of the earning losses in the 2.6 million decisions for the subsequent two months, an improvement in model fit of 74%, whereas strategic thinking and minimization risk have no impact on earning loss.

This paper was accepted by Yan Chen, behavioral economics and decision analysis.
Modifiable risk factors, symptoms, wellbeing and treatment expectations in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Lachonius Maria , Widell Charlotte , Bergfeldt Lennart , Odell Annika
Published: September 2021

Background/Aims

Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder, which increases the risk for stroke and heart failure, and commonly impairs quality of life. Increasing evidence has shown the causative role of several risk factors and suggested that aggressive lifestyle interventions might reduce atrial fibrillation incidence and effects. The size of the problem and how to provide optimal multidisciplinary management is less well known. This study aimed screened patients with atrial fibrillation for potentially modifiable risk factors and describe patients' symptom burden, wellbeing and treatment expectations.

Methods

The atrial fibrillation risk profile, symptom burden, wellbeing and expectations of future treatment were studied in 352 patients. Various questionnaires and instruments were used, in addition to medical history assessment.

Results

In total, 69% of patients had 1–5 possibly modifiable risk factors for atrial fibrillation: 50% were overweight/obese, 39% had a blood pressure of >140/90 mmHg, 28% had symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea and 25% reported no physical exercise. Most patients had high expectations for their upcoming atrial fibrillation treatment, but men expected full recovery more often than women. Worries about future health and reduced survival were present in approximately 28% of patients.

Conclusions

Most patients with paroxysmal/persistent atrial fibrillation had potentially modifiable risk factors for atrial fibrillation and other cardiovascular events suitable for lifestyle interventions. Several patients experienced limitations in daily life, anxiety related to atrial fibrillation, and worry about their future health and survival. The results of this study might help identify relevant components for risk management and plan an individualised programme for atrial fibrillation patients.
A lifelong career
Authors: Lown Anna
Published: September 2021

Anna Lown discusses her professional journey
Depressive symptoms in elderly patients with Parkinson's disease: frequency and associated factors
Authors: Gomes da Costa Layla Vieira , Trippo Karen Valadares , Duarte Gabriel Pereira , Cruz Alessandra Oliveira , Filho Jamary Oliveira , Ferraz Daniel Dominguez
Published: September 2021

Background/aims

Emotional health is an important factor in clinical and functional manifestations of Parkinson's disease. The aim of this study was to correlate clinical features with depressive symptoms in elderly patients with Parkinson's disease.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted. The Geriatric Depression Scale 15 was used to evaluate depressive symptoms, the modified Hoehn and Yahr scale was used to describe the symptom progression of Parkinson's disease and the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire 39 to assess the quality of life. The Pearson correlation and the chi-square test were used. Significance level was set at 5%.

Results

A total of 81 individuals participated and 48 (60.8%) presented with depressive symptoms. Participants in the moderate stage of Parkinson's disease and women presented a higher frequency of depressive symptoms. Cognition, communication and mobility presented the highest correlation with depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

The participants presented a high frequency of depressive symptoms that is correlated with a decrease in mobility, communication and cognitive functions. It is recommended that the rehabilitation of elderly people with Parkinson's disease should be performed by a multidisciplinary team, whose objectives are to improve mobility, cognition and communication, which can help reduce depressive symptoms and depression in elderly people with Parkinson's disease.
Strategies for culturally appropriate care: the regulatory perspective
Authors: Halliwell Amanda
Published: September 2021

The Care Quality Commission's latest resource outlines the ways in which they expect care to be provided to meet diverse needs. Amanda Halliwell identifies what care homes need to do.
Otitis externa: the role of the veterinary nurse
Authors: Paterson Sue
Published: September 2021

Otitis externa is a common problem in primary care veterinary practice. While the diagnosis and treatment of disease is the responsibility of the attending veterinary surgeon, the veterinary nurse, as an integral part of the veterinary surgeon-led team, plays an important role in the investigation and management of disease. Veterinary nurses are more than capable of assessing the external ear canal both macroscopically and cytologically to help the veterinary surgeon to make a diagnosis. Client facing nurse communications can help with the administration of therapy, provide owner support during treatment to increase compliance and help with follow-up assessments.
Does body condition scoring portray an accurate representation of a horse's condition when compared to other morphological techniques?
Authors: Turner Alicia , Chapman Stella
Published: September 2021

Background:

The assessment of a horse's condition is generally carried out using body condition scoring, cresty neck scoring or weigh taping.

Aim:

The objective of this study was to investigate the accuracy of body condition scoring in comparison to other commonly used morphological condition assessment techniques.

Methods:

A recognised and well-established body condition scale adapted from Henneke et al (1983) was used, and the subsequent scores from this were compared to cresty neck scores, rump width measurements and belly and heart girth measurements. The study was carried out using seven horses and seven volunteers, who assessed each horse identifying any differences or similarities in each assessor's condition assessment.

Results:

The rump width measurements were the most accurately assessed condition assessment; however, using rump width measurements alone, a whole-body condition assessment cannot be made.

Conclusion:

It is therefore recommended that it should be combined with other condition assessments to create a whole-body assessment, with detailed localised adiposity information.
Ensuring there is not a dry eye in the house
Authors: O'Neill Dan
Published: September 2021

Powered by the VetCompass Programme at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), Dr Dan O'Neill and colleagues analysed clinical data on 363 898 dogs to identify predictors for dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca). Dan explores how veterinary nurses can use this information to help improve the welfare of dogs.
Heartwood and Sapwood Variation and Development in Chenshan Red-Heart Chinese Fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook)
Authors: Kang Huiling , Wen Xuding , Deng Xiangwen , Chen Liang , Xiao Fuming
Published: September 2021

Chenshan red-heart Chinese fir is a provenance of Cunninghamia lanceolata, with high-value red heartwood, which is widely used in high-quality furniture and construction. Yet, there is still little information on heartwood development of this tree for high-value decorative timber, which is essential to improve one's plantation management strategy. Here, we investigated the horizontal and vertical variation of heartwood and sapwood and simulated heartwood formation process using stem analysis method. We selected 15 sample trees from five plots of 20 m × 30 m in Chenshan red-heart Chinese fir plantations (9, 15, 26, 29, and 34 years old, respectively). The results showed that Chenshan red-heart Chinese fir stems began to form heartwood when the xylem diameter reached 4 to 8 cm. The heartwood diameter and area, as well as the sapwood area, all increased in the different-aged Chenshan red-heart Chinese firs with increasing xylem diameter and decreased with increasing tree height. As tree height increased, the red heartwood formation rate declined at all ages. Relationship analysis showed that xylem diameter was the most important factor influencing heartwood formation. Red heartwood rate at breast height could be modeled by logistic models. We concluded that heartwood formation began at about 7 years old, and the formation rate increased until peaking at 60 percent at 40 years old. In conclusion, it will be imperative to prolong the Chenshan red-heart Chinese fir rotation period from the currently common 25 years to about 40 years to achieve the maximum sustainable yield of high-value decorative timber.
Mode coupling at avoided crossings in slab waveguides with comparison to optical fibers: tutorial
Authors: Young J. T. , Wei C. , Menyuk C. R. , Hu J.
Published: September 2021

Avoided crossings are important in many waveguides and resonators. That
is particularly the case in modern-day solid-core and air-core optical
fibers that often have a complex geometry. The study of mode coupling
at avoided crossings often leads to a complicated analysis. In this
tutorial, we aim to explain the basic features of avoided crossings in
a simple slab waveguide structure so that the modes can be found
analytically with simple sinusoidal and exponential forms. We first
review coupled-mode theory for the guided mode in a slab waveguide,
which has a higher index in the core. We study the effective index of
the guided true mode for a five-layer slab waveguide including two
core layers with higher indices compared to the indices in the three
cladding layers. Then, we study the same structure by using the
overlap between approximate modes confined in the two individual core
slabs. When the two individual core slabs are not near each other, the
avoided crossing using the true modes within the two-slab waveguide
agrees well with the results using the overlap between the two
approximate modes. We also study coupled-mode theory and avoided
crossings for leaky modes in an antiresonant slab waveguide. We obtain
good agreement between the results using the true leaky mode and the
results using the overlap between approximate modes. We then discuss
examples of avoided crossings in solid-core and air-core optical
fibers. We describe the similarities and differences between the
optical fibers and simple slab waveguides that we have analyzed
in detail.
Pulsed fiber laser oscillator at 1.7 µm by stimulated Raman scattering in H2-filled hollow-core photonic crystal fibers
Authors: Pei Wenxi , Li Hao , Huang Wei , Wang Meng , Wang Zefeng
Published: September 2021

We have reported a pulsed fiber gas Raman laser oscillator at 1.7 µm based on an all-fiber resonant cavity, which is made by splicing solid-core fibers with a 50-meter-long hydrogen-filled hollow-core photonic crystal fiber and further introducing homemade fiber Bragg gratings at the Raman wavelength. Pumping by a homemade pulsed 1540 nm fiber amplifier, a 1693 nm Stokes wave is obtained by pure rotational stimulated Raman scattering of H2. The maximum optical-to-optical efficiency inside the hollow-core fiber is about 54% with the repetition frequency of 6 MHz, giving an average Raman power of 1.5 W, and the Raman threshold of peak power is as low as 3.6 W, which is more than 10 times lower than that of the single-pass structure. The relationship between pulse characteristics and Raman threshold is systematically studied, and the Raman threshold can be reduced dramatically when the repetition frequency of pulses is consistent with the resonant frequency of the cavity. This work provides good guidance for achieving low-threshold pulsed all-fiber gas Raman lasers, which is significant for development and application.
Discovering extremely low confinement-loss anti-resonant fibers via swarm intelligence
Authors: Meng Fanchao , Zhao Xiaoting , Ding Jinmin , Niu Yingli , Zhang Xinghua , Yang Lvyun , Wang Xin , Lou Shuqin , Sheng Xinzhi , Tao Guangming , Liang Sheng
Published: September 2021

In this work, we obtain extremely low confinement-loss (CL) anti-resonant fibers (ARFs) via swarm intelligence, specifically the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. We construct a complex search space of ARFs with two layers of cladding and nested tubes. There are three and four structures of cladding tubes in the first and second layer, respectively. The ARFs are optimized by using the PSO algorithm in terms of both the structures and the parameters. The optimal structure is obtained from a total of 415900 ARFs structures, with the lowest CL being 2.839×10−7 dB/m at a wavelength of 1.55 µm. We observe that the number of ARF structures with CL less than 1×10−6 dB/m in our search space is 370. These structures mainly comprise four designs of ARFs. The results show that the optimal ARF structures realized by the PSO algorithm are different from the ARFs reported in the previous literature. This means that the swarm intelligence accelerates the design and invention of ARFs and also provides new insights regarding the ARF structures. This work provides a fast and effective approach to design ARFs with special requirements. In addition to providing high-performance ARF structures, this work transforms the ARF designs from experience-driven to data-driven.
Theory of χ(2)-microresonator-based frequency conversion
Authors: Zhao Yun , Jang Jae K. , Okawachi Yoshitomo , Gaeta Alexander L.
Published: September 2021

Microresonator-based platforms with nonlinearities have the potential to perform frequency conversion at high efficiencies and ultralow powers with small footprints. The standard doctrine for achieving high conversion efficiency in cavity-based devices requires “perfect matching,” that is, zero phase mismatch while all relevant frequencies are precisely at a cavity resonance, which is difficult to achieve in integrated platforms due to fabrication errors and limited tunabilities. In this Letter, we show that the violation of perfect matching does not necessitate a reduction in conversion efficiency. On the contrary, in many cases, mismatches should be intentionally introduced to improve the efficiency or tunability of conversion. We identify the universal conditions for maximizing the efficiency of cavity-based frequency conversion and show a straightforward approach to fully compensate for parasitic processes such as thermorefractive and photorefractive effects that, typically, can limit the conversion efficiency. We also show the design criteria that make these high-efficiency states stable against nonlinearity-induced instabilities.