bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lifetime prevalence and clinical correlates of nonsuicidal self-injury in youth inpatients with eating disorders: a retrospective chart review
Authors: Arnold Sabine , Wiese Antonia , Zaid Sarah , Correll Christoph U. , Jaite Charlotte
Published: February 2022

Background

Youths with eating disorders (EDs) engaging in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) are at higher suicide risk because EDs and NSSI are associated with suicidality. However, epidemiologic data on NSSI lacks in the vulnerable group of youth ED inpatients.

Methods

This retrospective chart review included patients up to 18 years of age with an ICD-10 diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, restricting type (AN-R), anorexia nervosa, binge-purge type (AN-BP), and bulimia nervosa (BN), treated at the child and adolescent inpatient department of the University Hospital in Berlin, Germany, between 1990 and 2015. Across and within ED subgroups, lifetime NSSI prevalence, methods of self-harm, and clinical correlates were evaluated. Independent correlations of demographic and clinical factors with NSSI were identified via multivariable regression models.

Results

Of 382 inpatients (median = 15.6 (range = 9–18) years, females = 97.1%), 21.5% reported lifetime NSSI, consisting of cutting = 86.6%, scratching = 12.2%, and hitting = 8.5%. NSSI was more frequent in BN (47.6%) and AN-BP (39.3%) than AN-R (8.3%) (Φ = 0.43). Across ED subgroups, NSSI was associated with a higher prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities (AN-R: Φ = 0.55; AN-BP: Φ = 0.69; BN: Φ = 0.78), suicidal ideation (AN-R: Φ = 0.30; AN-BP: Φ = 0.38; BN: Φ = 0.29), and psychiatric medication use (AN-R: Φ = 0.23; AN-BP: Φ = 0.64; BN: Φ = 0.60). In multivariable regression analyses, NSSI was independently associated with a higher prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities (AN-R: OR = 2.93 [1.42, 6.04]; AN-BP: OR = 2.67 [1.13, 6.31]; BN: OR = 3.75 [1.71, 8.23]). Additionally, independent correlates with NSSI in AN-R included a higher prevalence of suicidal ideation (OR = 0.21 [0.72, 0.64]) and less weekly weight gain (OR = 0.03 [0.02, 0.43]), while in BN, NSSI was correlated with longer inpatient treatment duration (OR = 1.01 [1.00, 1.02]).

Conclusions

There is a high lifetime prevalence of NSSI among youth with AN and BN requiring inpatient treatment, especially those with binge-purge behaviors. Treatment programs must be tailored to address psychiatric comorbidities and suicidality to improve patient care and suicide prevention.

Trial registration: This study was not considered a clinical trial but a retrospective chart review based on routinely assessed clinical parameters. The study includes data from human participants, however: (1) no intervention and no prospective assignment to interventions were performed, and (2) no evaluation of an intervention on participants was accomplished.
A pan-cancer landscape of telomeric content shows that RAD21 and HGF alterations are associated with longer telomeres
Authors: Sharaf Radwa , Montesion Meagan , Hopkins Julia F. , Song Jiarong , Frampton Garrett M. , Albacker Lee A.
Published: February 2022

Background

Cancer cells can proliferate indefinitely through telomere maintenance mechanisms. These mechanisms include telomerase-dependent elongation, mediated by TERT activation, and alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), linked to loss of ATRX or DAXX.

Methods

We analyzed the telomeric content of 89,959 tumor samples within the Foundation Medicine dataset and investigated the genomic determinants of high telomeric content, linking them to clinical outcomes, when available.

Results

Telomeric content varied widely by disease type with leiomyosarcoma having the highest and Merkel cell carcinoma having the lowest telomeric content. In agreement with previous studies, telomeric content was significantly higher in samples with alterations in TERC, ATRX, and DAXX. We further identified that amplifications in two genes, RAD21 and HGF, were enriched in samples with high telomeric content, which was confirmed using the PCAWG/ICGC dataset. We identified the minimal amplified region associated with high telomeric content for RAD21 (8q23.1–8q24.12), which excludes MYC, and for HGF (7q21.11). Our results demonstrated that RAD21 and HGF exerted an additive telomere lengthening effect on samples with existing alterations in canonical genes previously associated with telomere elongation. Furthermore, patients with breast cancer who harbor RAD21 alterations had poor median overall survival and trended towards higher levels of Ki-67 staining.

Conclusions

This study highlights the importance of the role played by RAD21 (8q23.1–8q24.12) and HGF (7q21.11) in the lengthening of telomeres, supporting unlimited replication in tumors. These findings open avenues for work aimed at targeting this crucial pathway in tumorigenesis.
Models and performance of SBAS and PPP of BDS
Authors: Chen Junping , Zhang Yize , Yu Chao , Wang Ahao , Song Ziyuan , Zhou Jianhua
Published: February 2022

Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) is one of the services provided by the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS). It broadcasts four types of differential corrections to improve user application performance. These corrections include the State Space Representation (SSR) based satellite orbit/clock corrections and ionospheric grid corrections, and the Observation Space Representation (OSR) based partition comprehensive corrections. The algorithms generating these SBAS corrections are not introduced in previous researches, and the user SBAS positioning performance with the contribution of BDS-3 has not been evaluated. In this paper, we present the BDS SBAS algorithms for these differential corrections in detail. Four types of Precise Point Positioning (PPP) function models for BDS Dual-Frequency (DF) and Single-Frequency (SF) users using the OSR and SSR parameters are also proposed. One week of data in 2020 is collected at 20 reference stations including the observations of both BeiDou-2 Navigation Satellite System (BDS-2) and BeiDou-3 Navigation Satellite System (BDS-3) satellites, and the PPP under various scenarios are performed using all the datasets and the BDS SBAS broadcast corrections. The results show that the performance of BDS-2/BDS-3 combination is superior to that of BDS-2 only constellation. The positioning errors in Root Mean Square (RMS) for the static DF PPP are better than 8 cm/15 cm in horizontal/vertical directions, while for the static SF PPP are 11 cm/24 cm. In the scenarios of simulated kinematic PPP, three Dimension (3D) positioning errors can reach 0.5 m in less than 10 min for the DF PPP and 30 min for the SF PPP, and the RMSs of the DF and SF PPP are better than 17 cm/21 cm and 20 cm/32 cm in horizontal/vertical directions. In a real-time single- and dual-frequency kinematic positioning test, the positioning errors of all three components can reach 0.5 m within 30 min, and the positioning accuracy after solution convergence in the N, E and U directions is better than 0.3 m.
Improved generalized moveout approximation with a novel parameterization
Authors: Jin Song , Stovas Alexey , Hu Xiangyun
Published: February 2022

Reflection moveout approximations written as explicit functions of offset are convenient tools commonly applied in seismic data modeling, processing, and inversion. The generalized moveout approximation (GMA) has a flexible functional form that accommodates various causes of moveout nonhyperbolicity. We have developed a novel parameterization for the existing six-parameter version of GMA by changing the definition of one of its parameters. Three parameters of the proposed GMA approximation are obtained by fitting the traveltime, the normal moveout velocity, and the fourth-order Taylor series coefficient of traveltime squared at zero offset. The remaining three parameters are obtained by fitting kinematic properties at another two nonzero reference offsets. Through numerical tests on linear sloth models, circular reflector models, and acoustic transversely isotropic media with a vertical symmetry axis (acoustic VTI media), the proposed new GMA method is compared with other published GMA methods in terms of their accuracy. Numerical tests on the three models demonstrate that, when the far reference offset is fixed, the location of the middle reference offset has a considerable impact on the proposed GMA accuracy. We propose a moveout inversion method in a layer-stripping fashion for layered acoustic VTI media based on the proposed and other published GMA methods.
Autoimmune Thyroid Disorders in Autoimmune Addison Disease
Authors: Meling Stokland Ann-Elin , Ueland Grethe , Lima Kari , Grønning Kaja , Finnes Trine E , Svendsen Margrethe , Ewa Tomkowicz Aneta , Emblem Holte Synnøve , Therese Sollid Stina , Debowska Aleksandra , Singsås Hallvard , Landsverk Rensvik Marthe , Lejon Helle , Sørmo Dag-Erik , Svare Anders , Blika Sigrid , Milova Petya , Korsgaard Elin , Husby Øystein , Breivik Lars , Jørgensen Anders P , Sverre Husebye Eystein
Published: February 2022

Context

Autoimmune thyroid disease is the most common endocrine comorbidity in autoimmune Addison disease (AAD), but detailed investigations of prevalence and clinical course are lacking.

Objective

This work aimed to provide comprehensive epidemiological and clinical data on autoimmune thyroid disorders in AAD.

Methods

A nationwide registry-based study including 442 patients with AAD and autoimmune thyroid disease were identified through the Norwegian National Registry of Autoimmune Diseases.

Results

Of 912 registered AAD patients, 442 (48%) were diagnosed with autoimmune thyroid disease. A total of 380 (42%) had autoimmune hypothyroidism. Of the 203 with available thyroid function tests at time of diagnosis, 20% had overt hypothyroidism, 73% had subclinical hypothyroidism, and 7% had thyroid levels in the normal range. Negative thyroid peroxidase antibodies was found in 32%. Ninety-eight percent were treated with levothyroxine, 5% with combination therapy with liothyronine or thyroid extracts, and 1% were observed without treatment. Seventy-eight patients (9%) were diagnosed with Graves disease (GD), of whom 16 (21%) were diagnosed with autoimmune hypothyroidism either before onset or after remission of GD. At the end of follow-up, 33% had normal thyroid hormone levels without antithyroid-drugs or levothyroxine treatment. The remaining had either active disease (5%), had undergone ablative treatment (41%), or had developed autoimmune hypothyroidism (21%).

Conclusion

The true prevalence of hypothyroidism in AAD is lower than reported in the current literature. Careful consideration of the indication to start thyroxin therapy is warranted. Long-term remission rates in GD patients with AAD are comparable to recent reports on long-term follow-up of patients without AAD.
Estimating Social Preferences and Gift Exchange at Work
Authors: DellaVigna Stefano , List John A. , Malmendier Ulrike , Rao Gautam
Published: February 2022

We design three field experiments to estimate how workers' social preferences toward their employer motivates their work effort. We vary the pay rates offered to workers, the return to the employer, and employer generosity demonstrated via unexpected gifts. Workers exert effort even without private incentives, but their effort is insensitive to the return to the employer. This is consistent with “warm glow” but not pure altruism. The gifts have no effect on productivity, but engender extra work. This difference is explained partly by the finding that extra work is much more responsive to incentives than is productivity. (JEL C93, J24, J28, J33, M52)
Targeting High Ability Entrepreneurs Using Community Information: Mechanism Design in the Field
Authors: Hussam Reshmaan , Rigol Natalia , Roth Benjamin N.
Published: February 2022

Identifying high-growth microentrepreneurs in low-income countries remains a challenge due to a scarcity of verifiable information. With a cash grant experiment in India we demonstrate that community knowledge can help target high-growth microentrepreneurs; while the average marginal return to capital in our sample is 9.4 percent per month, microentrepreneurs reported in the top third of the community are estimated to have marginal returns to capital between 24 percent and 30 percent per month. Further we find evidence that community members distort their predictions when they can influence the distribution of resources. Finally, we demonstrate that simple mechanisms can realign incentives for truthful reporting. (JEL D82, G21, I38, L25, L26, O12, O16)
Διαχρονική παρακολούθηση του επιπολασμού του άσθματος και της αλλεργίας σε παιδιά σχολικής ηλικίας της ευρύτερης περιοχής των Πατρών κατά τη διάρκεια 40 ετών
Authors: Ντζούνας Αλέξανδρος
Published: February 2022

Εισαγωγή: Ο Επιπολασμός του παιδικού άσθματος, της ρινοεπιπεφυκίτιδας και του εκζέματος σε παιδιά ηλικίας 8-10 ετών στην ευρύτερη περιοχή των Πατρών, έχει αποτυπωθεί στο πλαίσιο 5 συγχρονικών επιδημιολογικών μελετών από το 1978. Έπειτα από μια συνεχή αύξηση στον επιπολασμό των παραπάνω νοσημάτων, ακολούθησε σταθεροποίηση για τον επιπολασμό του άσθματος μεταξύ 2003 και 2008, ενώ αυτός της αλλεργίας συνέχισε να αυξάνεται. Στην παρούσα μελέτη ερευνήσαμε αυτές τις τάσεις στη δεκαετία που ακολούθησε. Μέθοδος: Χρησιμοποιώντας πανομοιότυπη μεθοδολογία με τις προηγούμενες συγχρονικές μελέτες, διανεμήθηκε γραπτό ερωτηματολόγιο που απευθυνόταν στους γονείς παιδιών Τρίτης και Τετάρτης τάξης Δημοτικού Σχολείου (8-9 ετών) το 2013 και το 2018 (n=2554 και n=2648, αντίστοιχα) και υπολογίσθηκε ο επιπολασμός των τριών νοσημάτων. Τα ευρήματα συγκρίθηκαν με εκείνα των προηγούμενων καταγραφών (1978: n=3003, 1991: n=2417, 1998: n=3076, 2003: n=2725 και 2008: n=2688). Το 2018 πραγματοποιήθηκε επίσης σπιρομέτρηση και μετρήθηκε το κλάσμα εκπνεόμενου ΝΟ (FeNO) σε έναν υποπληθυσμό παιδιών με άσθμα και αλλεργίες. Αποτελέσματα: Ο επιπολασμός του πρόσφατου συριγμού/άσθματος (δηλαδή του διαγνωσμένου τα τελευταία δύο χρόνια) μειώθηκε από 6,9% το 2008 σε 5,2% το 2013 και 4,3% το 2018 (p για τάση <0,001). Ο επιπολασμός του επίμονου και του αποδραμόντος συριγμού/άσθματος (και οι δύο προϋποθέτουν εκδήλωση των συμπτωμάτων στην προσχολική ηλικία) ακολούθησαν την ίδια τάση, ενώ ο επιπολασμός του συριγμού/άσθματος πρόσφατης έναρξης (δηλαδή αυτού που έχει εκδηλωθεί μόνο τα τελευταία δύο χρόνια) παρέμεινε αμετάβλητος. Η διάγνωση του άσθματος είχε τεθεί πολύ συχνότερα στα παιδιά με επίμονο ή αποδραμών συριγμό σε σχέση με εκείνα με συριγμό πρόσφατης έναρξης. Τα παιδιά με συριγμό/άσθμα πρόσφατης έναρξης καθώς και ένα σημαντικό μέρος εκείνων με επίμονα συμπτώματα είχαν χαμηλότερη πνευμονική λειτουργία σε σχέση με τα υπόλοιπα. Ο επιπολασμός της ρινοεπιπεφυκίτιδας μειώθηκε επίσης (5,1% το 2008, 4,4% το 2013, 3,0% το 2018· p για τάση <0,001), ενώ αυτός του εκζέματος αυξήθηκε (10,8%, 13,6% και 16,1%, αντίστοιχα· p για τάση <0,001). Ο σχετικός κίνδυνος άσθματος στα παιδιά με ρινοεπιπεφυκίτιδα ήταν 7,73 το 2008, 6,00 το 2013 και 6,69 το 2018, ενώ στα παιδιά με έκζεμα 5,15, 2,80 και 2,22 αντίστοιχα. Μεταξύ των ασθματικών παιδιών, εκείνα με ρινοεπιπεφυκίτιδα είχαν χαμηλότερο FEV1 και υψηλότερες τιμές FeNO από εκείνα με έκζεμα. Συμπεράσματα: Ο επιπολασμός του άσθματος και της ρινοεπιπεφυκίτιδας μειώθηκε κατά την τελευταία δεκαετία στα παιδιά σχολικής ηλικίας, ενώ ο επιπολασμός του εκζέματος συνέχισε να αυξάνεται. Παρ 'όλα αυτά, η σχέση μεταξύ ρινοεπιπεφυκίτιδας και άσθματος παρέμεινε ισχυρή, ενώ η σχέση μεταξύ εκζέματος και άσθματος φαίνεται να έχει εξασθενήσει.
Δισταγμός εμβολιασμού παιδιών
Authors: Τσαγρή Χαραλαμπία
Published: February 2022

Ο δισταγμός στα εμβόλια παραμένει μία από τις 10 μείζονες παγκόσμιες απειλές σύμφωνα με την έκθεση του Παγκόσμιου Οργανισμού Υγείας το 2019. Σκοπός της παρούσας διατριβής είναι η αξιολόγηση της στάσης και των αντιλήψεων των διστακτικών γονέων στην Ελλάδα με σκοπό την εφαρμογή στρατηγικών για την αύξηση της πρόσληψης εμβολίων. Διεξήχθη μια προοπτική μελέτη διατομής βάση ερωτηματολογίων μεταξύ Σεπτεμβρίου 2019 και Ιουνίου 2020 για γονείς παιδιών που φοιτούν στην πρωτοβάθμια εκπαίδευση στην πόλη της Πάτρας στη Δυτική Ελλάδα. Συλλέχθηκαν και αναλύθηκαν δεδομένα σχετικά με τις στάσεις και τις πεποιθήσεις των γονέων σχετικά με τους εμβολιασμούς. Χρησιμοποιήθηκε πολυμεταβλητή λογιστική παλινδρόμηση για τη διερεύνηση παραγόντων που σχετίζονται με τη λήψη εμβολίων. Από 2.154 κατανεμημένα ερωτηματολόγια, 1.227 συμπληρώθηκαν και επιστράφηκαν (ποσοστό απόκρισης 56,9%). Η κύρια πηγή πληροφοριών για το εμβόλιο για τους Έλληνες γονείς ήταν ο παιδίατρος της πρωτοβάθμιας φροντίδας τους (90,8%). Αμφιβολίες εξακολουθούν να υπάρχουν μεταξύ περίπου το ένα τρίτο αυτών (33,5%) σχετικά με πιθανή σχέση μεταξύ εμβολίων και αυτισμού. Σημειωτέων, το 44% των συμμετεχόντων στη μελέτη πιστεύουν ότι τα μη εμβολιασμένα παιδιά θα μπορούσαν να φοιτήσουν στο σχολείο. Το 84,6% των γονέων στην ομάδα μας παραδέχτηκε ότι είχαν εμβολιάσει πλήρως τα παιδιά τους. Στην ανάλυση πολλαπλών μεταβλητών, η οικογενειακή κατάσταση (p <.002) και η ελληνική εθνικότητα (p <.001) βρέθηκαν να είναι οι πιο σημαντικοί καθοριστικοί παράγοντες της πρόσληψης εμβολίων. Συνολικά, διαπιστώσαμε ότι το ποσοστό των γονέων στην Ελλάδα που είναι διστακτικοί στο εμβόλιο είναι μικρό αλλά δεν είναι αμελητέο. Με βάση τα αποτελέσματά μας, οι στοχοθετημένες παρεμβάσεις για τη δημόσια υγεία θα πρέπει να εστιάζονται ιδιαίτερα στους ανύπανδρους γονείς και σε εκείνους με μη ελληνική υπηκοότητα. Η εκπαίδευση επαγγελματιών υγείας για την παροχή επαρκών πληροφοριών είναι ζωτικής σημασίας για την αποσαφήνιση των παρανοήσεων.
Can the Mediterranean diet decrease the risk of depression in older persons – a systematic review
Authors: Rudzińska Anna , Perera Ian , Gryglewska Barbara , Gąsowski Jerzy , Piotrowicz Karolina
Published: February 2022

Znaczący odsetek osób z populacji powyżej 75 roku życia doświadcza epizodu dużej depresji. Objawy depresji, demonstrowane przez pacjentów w wieku podeszłym, są często traktowane jako naturalny element procesu starzenia się, przez co wielu pacjentów w wieku podeszłym pozostaje niezdiagnozowanych, bądź jest zdiagnozowana nietrafnie. Postuluje się, że stosowanie diety śródziemnomorskiej może przeciwdziałać rozwojowi depresji oraz łagodzić objawy depresyjne między innymi ze względu na przeciwzapalne właściwości takiego sposobu odżywiania się. Celem niniejszego przeglądu systematycznego było oszacowanie czy stopień adherencji do diety śródziemnomorskiej ma związek z występowaniem i nasileniem objawów depresyjnych u osób powyżej 65 roku życia. Ze względu na niejednorodną metodologię włączonych badań, przedstawiony przegląd jest przeglądem narracyjnym. Do przeglądu włączono 9 badań spośród 317 wyekstrachowanych artykułów. We wszystkich badaniach z wyjątkiem jednego stwierdzono, że stosowanie diety śródziemnomorskiej jest związane z niższą częstością występowania objawów depresyjnych. Dieta śródziemnomorska ze względu na wysoką zawartość antyoksydantów i składników działających przeciwzapalnie jest uznawana za najzdrowszy sposób odżywiania się i stanowi jeden z najczęściej badanych modeli żywieniowych
HOW CARBON PROJECTS CAN ADD TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS OF INDIA’, AN ASSOCIATIVE STUDY OF CDM PROJECTS
Authors: Avani Raval  , Swati Saxena  , Shashank Thanki
Published: February 2022

Growing concerns of climate change have necessitated a re-examination of business activities and their viability, not only from a financial viewpoint but also social as well as environmental dimension, popularly known as the ‘Triple Bottom Line approach’. The paper is an attempt to bring around the focus on Clean Development projects that deal with carbon credit in India. The sector is a niche in its numbers but huge in potential. This study mainly examines the CDM project risk associated with carbon credit in the organizations from energy sector that had registered and implemented CDM projects in Gujarat. The analysis is based on purposive data collected for larg-scale CDM projects. Statistical analysis was done through non-parametric tests named descriptive analysis, Spearman correlation analysis, and Mann-Whitney U test applied. Analysis of the result reveals that all the enlisted risk has a high degree of association with large scale projects. Correlation results indicated that all kinds of carbon risks have a meaningful positive relationship with each other irrespective of the phase of the CDM project. Type of organizations (public/private sector) also creates differences in CDM project risks. The findings of the research will assist managers in decision-making about carbon emission project risks.
Retailer Inventory Sharing in Two-Tier Supply Chains: An Experimental Investigation
Authors: Davis Andrew M. , Huang Rihuan , Thomas Douglas J.
Published: February 2022

When multiple retailers hold inventory to satisfy random demand, retailer inventory-sharing strategies can potentially reduce the supply-demand mismatch and increase overall supply chain performance. In this paper, we experimentally investigate alternative inventory-sharing strategies in a two-tier supply chain with an upstream manufacturer and two downstream retailers. In one setting, retailers act as if they are centralized and use a single quantity to fulfill joint demand. In the other, retailers are decentralized and face separate demands, but they can transfer inventory after demands are realized. In this latter decentralized scenario, we also consider whether the manufacturer or retailers have decision authority over the inventory transfer price. One key result is that when the retailers are decentralized and the manufacturer sets the transfer price, both retailers and the manufacturer earn higher profits than in the centralized retailer strategy, which runs counter to theory. We also find that when retailers are decentralized and set their own transfer price, the most equitable distribution of profits is achieved. In an effort to account for these results, we find that a model of fairness captures decisions well. Overall, by investigating how different inventory-sharing strategies affect the distribution of profits in a two-tier supply chain, our results provide guidance to firms considering how, if at all, they should enter such arrangements.

This paper was accepted by Jay Swaminathan, operations management.

Funding: The authors acknowledge financial support from Cornell University and the University of Virginia.

Supplemental Material: The data files and electronic companion are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4323 .
Effects of vitamin D supplementation and aerobic exercises on balance and physical performance in children with Down syndrome
Authors: Eid Mohamed A , Ibrahim Marwa M , Radwan Nadia L , Aly Sobhy M
Published: February 2022

Background/Aims

Children with Down syndrome are prone to vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D supplements are commonly used to treat and prevent vitamin D deficiencies. There is growing evidence that support the role of vitamin D improving muscles and central nervous system function. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction effects of vitamin D supplementation combined with aerobic exercises and conventional physical therapy on balance and physical performance in children with Down syndrome.

Methods

A randomised controlled trial was conducted for 38 children with Down syndrome, with ages ranging from 8 to 12 years. They were divided randomly into two groups. The control group (n=19) received conventional physical therapy and aerobic exercises, while the study group (n=19) received conventional physical therapy, aerobic exercises and vitamin D in the form of an oral daily dose of vitamin D3 400 IU (cholecalciferol). The children in both groups participated in the same physical therapy for 45 minutes, 3 days a week for 12 weeks, and undertook 15 minutes of aerobic exercise after the physical therapy sessions. Balance was evaluated by using the Biodex Stability System and physical performance was evaluated by using the 6-Minute Walk Test.

Results

All groups showed a significant improvement in the medial-lateral stability index, the anterior-posterior stability index, the overall stability index and the 6-Minute Walk Test after treatment (P<0.05). The study group showed a significant improvement in the measured variables compared with that of the control group (P<0.05).

Conclusions

Vitamin D supplements, combined with aerobic exercises and conventional physical therapy, could improve balance and physical performance in children with Down syndrome. Therefore, vitamin D and aerobic exercises should be considered as an adjunctive to physical therapy.
Post-stroke physical rehabilitation: a byproduct of military medical history and its veteran pioneers. A narrative medical history review
Authors: Vadas Dor
Published: February 2022

The world has been familiar with the diagnosis of stroke since the year 500 BC, as well as with the therapeutic value of physical exercise (early physical therapy). However, exercises were incorporated to promote recovery after stroke in the late 1920s, and matured into an orderly practice in the late 1940s. The synthesis of the reviewed literature suggests that this late date of emergence was, to a great extent, because of the development of relevant knowledge, specific (post-war) timing and the emergence of health professional pioneers that led this practice. This article documents the unique historical trajectory of these preconditions.

This brief review demonstrates how war pushed physical rehabilitation to the threshold of being able to provide neurological rehabilitation. It also discusses the contribution of the health professional pioneers to post-stroke rehabilitation, in light of today's more accepted approach of evidence-based practice.
Indirect measurement for optimal quantum communication enhanced by binary non-standard coherent states
Authors: Namkung Min , Kim Jeong San
Published: February 2022

It is well known that the Helstrom bound can be improved by generalizing the form of a coherent state. Thus, designing a quantum measurement achieving the improved Helstrom bound is important for novel quantum communication. In this paper, we analytically show that the improved Helstrom bound can be achieved by a projective measurement composed of orthogonal non-standard Schrödinger cat states. Moreover, we numerically show that the improved Helstrom bound can be nearly achieved by an indirect measurement based on the Jaynes–Cummings model. As the Jaynes–Cummings model describes an interaction between a light and a two-level atom, we emphasize that the indirect measurement considered in this paper has potential to be experimentally implemented.
Accuracy improvement of single-sample calibration laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy with self-absorption correction
Authors: Deng Fan , Hu Zhenlin , Zhang Deng , Chen Feng , Niu Xuechen , Nie Junfei , Zeng Qingdong , Guo Lianbo
Published: February 2022

The single sample calibration laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (SSC-LIBS) is quite suitable for the fields where the standard sample is hard to obtain, including space exploration, geology, archaeology, and jewelry identification. But in practice, the self-absorption effect of plasma destroys the linear relationship of spectral intensity and element concentration based on the Lomakin-Scherbe formula which is the guarantee of the high accuracy of the SSC-LIBS. Thus, the self-absorption effect limits the quantitative accuracy of SSC-LIBS greatly. In this work, an improved SSC-LIBS with self-absorption correction (SSC-LIBS with SAC) is proposed for the promotion of quantitative accuracy of SSC-LIBS. The SSC-LIBS with SAC can correct the intensity ratio of spectral lines in the calculation of SSC-LIBS through relative self-absorption coefficient K without complicated preparatory information. The alloy samples and pressed ore samples were used to verify the effect of the SSC-LIBS with SAC. Compared with SSC-LIBS, for alloy samples, the average RMSEP and average ARE of SSC-LIBS with SAC decreased from 0.83 wt.% and 13.75% to 0.40 wt.% and 4.06%, respectively. For the pressed ore samples, the average RMSEP and average ARE of SSC-LIBS with SAC decreased from 4.77 wt.% and 90.48% to 2.34 wt.% and 14.60%. The experimental result indicates that SSC-LIBS with SAC has a great improvement of quantitative accuracy and better universality compared with traditional SSC-LIBS, which is a mighty promotion of the wide application of SSC-LIBS.
Coherent perfect absorption in Tavis-Cummings models
Authors: Wang Zibo , Khatiwada Pawan , Wang Dan , Mirza Imran M.
Published: February 2022

We theoretically study the conditions under which two laser fields can undergo Coherent Perfect Absorption (CPA) when shined on a single-mode bi-directional optical cavity coupled with two two-level quantum emitters (natural atoms, artificial atoms, quantum dots, qubits, etc.). In addition to being indirectly coupled through the cavity-mediated field, in our Tavis-Cummings model, the two quantum emitters (QEs) are allowed to interact directly via the dipole-dipole interaction (DDI). Under the mean-field approximation and low-excitation assumption, in this work, we particularly focus on the impact of DDI on the existence of CPA in the presence of decoherence mechanisms (spontaneous emission from the QEs and the leakage of photons from the cavity walls). We also present a dressed-state analysis of the problem to discuss the underlying physics related to the allowed polariton state transitions in the Jaynes-Tavis-Cummings ladder. As a key result, we find that in the strong-coupling regime of cavity quantum electrodynamics, the strong DDI and the emitter-cavity detuning can act together to achieve the CPA at two laser frequencies tunable by the inter-atomic separation which are not possible to attain with a single QE in the presence of detuning. Our CPA results are potentially applicable in building quantum memories that are an essential component in long-distance quantum networking.
Compact thin film lithium niobate folded intensity modulator using a waveguide crossing
Authors: Nelan Sean , Mercante Andrew , Hurley Cooper , Shi Shouyuan , Yao Peng , Shopp Benjamin , Prather Dennis W.
Published: February 2022

A small footprint, low voltage and wide bandwidth electro-optic modulator is critical for applications ranging from optical communications to analog photonic links, and the integration of thin-film lithium niobate with photonic integrated circuit (PIC) compatible materials remains paramount. Here, a hybrid silicon nitride and lithium niobate folded electro-optic Mach Zehnder modulator (MZM) which incorporates a waveguide crossing and 3 dB multimode interference (MMI) couplers for splitting and combining light is reported. This modulator has an effective interaction region length of 10 mm and shows a DC half wave voltage of roughly 4.0 V, or a modulation efficiency (Vπ ·L) of roughly 4 V·cm. Furthermore, the device demonstrates a power extinction ratio of roughly 23 dB and shows .08 dB/GHz optical sideband power roll-off with index matching fluid up to 110 GHz, with a 3-dB bandwidth of 37.5 GHz.
Three-dimensional chiral metasurfaces for circular-polarized anomalous beam steering
Authors: Wu Xijun , Feng Yue , Zhang Chunyao , Liu H. L.
Published: February 2022

Metasurfaces offer unprecedented possibilities for developing versatile ultracompact photonic devices with unique functions, e.g., for linear- or circular-polarized light beam steering. Here we report a three-dimensional (3D) chiral metasurface for phase controlling and beam steering, which consists of periodically arranged double-layer circular arc chiral nanostructures. By tuning the central angle of the lower circular arc, the left- and right-circularly polarized light (LCP and RCP) induce different spatial phases, which have been designed as a beam steering device to realize the abnormal reflection of LCP and the mirror reflection of RCP in the near-infrared (NIR) spectrum from 900 nm to 1150 nm, providing a potential device for chiral molecule detection.
Simple approach to broadband mid-infrared pulse generation with a mode-locked Yb-doped fiber laser
Authors: Nakamura Takuma , Ramaiah Badarla Venkata , Hashimoto Kazuki , Schunemann Peter G. , Ideguchi Takuro
Published: February 2022

Broadband mid-infrared (MIR) molecular spectroscopy demands a bright and broadband light source in the molecular fingerprint region. To this end, intra-pulse difference frequency generation (IDFG) has shown excellent properties among various techniques. Although IDFG systems pumped with 1.5- or 2-µm ultrashort pulsed lasers have been extensively developed, few systems have been demonstrated with 1-µm lasers, which use bulky 100-W-class high-power Yb thin-disk lasers. In this work, we demonstrate a simple and robust approach of 1-µm-pumped broadband IDFG with a conventional mode-locked Yb-doped fiber laser. We first generate 3.3-W, 12.1-fs ultrashort pulses at 50 MHz by a simple combination of spectral broadening with a short single-mode fiber and pulse compression with chirped mirrors. Then, we use them for pumping a thin orientation-patterned gallium phosphide crystal, generating 1.2-mW broadband MIR pulses with the –20-dB bandwidth of 480 cm–1 in the fingerprint region (760–1240 cm–1, 8.1–13.1 µm). The 1-µm-based IDFG system allows for additional generations of ultrashort pulses in the ultraviolet and visible regions, enabling, for example, 50-MHz-level high-repetition-rate vibrational sum-frequency generation spectroscopy or pump-probe spectroscopy.
Phase-selective synthesis of lead-free CsMnBr3 and Cs3MnBr5 nanocrystals dependent on solvent concentration
Authors: Kang Tae Wook , Choi Eun Jin , Park Young Ji , Hwang Jonghee , Bae Byungseo , Kim Sun Woog
Published: February 2022

We demonstrate the crystal phase-selective synthesis for lead-free cesium manganese bromine perovskite nanocrystals synthesized by the modified hot-injection method due to changing the concentration of solvent (trioctylphosphine; TOP). The compositions synthesized were determined by the amount of TOP solvent, and the structure phase of the nanocrystals was selected from hexagonal CsMnBr3 to tetragonal Cs3MnBr5 as the amount of TOP solvent increased. The emission peaks of CsMnBr3 and Cs3MnBr5 nanocrystals were observed at 650 nm (red) and 520 nm (green), respectively. After a durability test at 85°C and 85% humidity for 24 h, the lead-free perovskite CsMnBr3 nanocrystal powder maintained its initial emission intensity, and the metal halide Cs3MnBr5 nanocrystal powder exhibited an increase in red emission due to the post-synthesis of CsMnBr3 nanocrystals.
Tunable and enhanced optical force with bound state in the continuum
Authors: Qin Haoye , Redjem Walid , Kante Boubacar
Published: February 2022

Light-actuated motors, vehicles, and even space sails have drawn tremendous attention for basic science and applications in space, biomedical, and sensing domains. Optical bound states in the continuum (BIC) are topological singularities of the scattering matrix, known for their unique light-trapping capability and enhanced light–matter interaction. We show that BIC modes enable the generation of enhanced and tunable optical forces and torques. A sharp and controllable line shape is observed in force and torque spectra when approaching high-Q resonance BIC modes. Wavelength and polarization tunability are presented as an effective method to control forces on BIC enclosed structures. Finally finite-size simulations are performed to evaluate the practical applications for a BIC-assisted metavehicle.
Interferometrical single-molecule localization based on dynamic PSF engineering
Authors: Wang Lei , Lu Jing , Ji Wei , Wan Lingyu , Gu Lusheng
Published: February 2022

We present a method for interferometric single-molecule localization based on dynamic point spread function (PSF) engineering. By using two galvo mirrors, a hexagonal PSF is constructed and the fluorescent signal under different illumination patterns could be acquired simultaneously. This method was evaluated using simulation, fluorescent nanosphere imaging, and single-molecule imaging. The study indicates a twofold improvement in localization precision while maintaining the same photon budget. This strategy, we believe, is a cost-effective way to increase the resolution of single-molecule localization microscopy.
Optics in Africa, Part 2: Realizing the Promise
Authors: Wills Stewart
Published: February 2022

OPN talked with a number of African researchers about the
prospects for advancing optical and photonic science on a diverse and
changing continent.
F-number and focal length of light field systems: a comparative study of field of view, light efficiency, signal to noise ratio, and depth of field
Authors: Ihrke Ivo
Published: February 2022

The paper discusses the light efficiency and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of light field imaging systems in comparison to classical 2D imaging, which necessitates the definition of focal length and f-number. A comparison framework between 2D imaging and arbitrary light field imaging systems is developed and exemplified for the kaleidoscopic and the afocal light field imaging architectures. Since the f-number, in addition to the light efficiency of the system, is conceptually linked to the depth-of-field, an appropriate depth-of-field interpretation for light field systems is discussed as well.
RNA-Seq is not required to determine stable reference genes for qPCR normalization
Authors: Sampathkumar Nirmal Kumar , Sundaram Venkat Krishnan , Danthi Prakroothi S. , Barakat Rasha , Solomon Shiden , Mondal Mrityunjoy , Carre Ivo , El Jalkh Tatiana , Padilla-Ferrer Aïda , Grenier Julien , Massaad Charbel , Mitchell Jacqueline C.
Published: February 2022

Assessment of differential gene expression by qPCR is heavily influenced by the choice of reference genes. Although numerous statistical approaches have been proposed to determine the best reference genes, they can give rise to conflicting results depending on experimental conditions. Hence, recent studies propose the use of RNA-Seq to identify stable genes followed by the application of different statistical approaches to determine the best set of reference genes for qPCR data normalization. In this study, however, we demonstrate that the statistical approach to determine the best reference genes from commonly used conventional candidates is more important than the preselection of ‘stable’ candidates from RNA-Seq data. Using a qPCR data normalization workflow that we have previously established; we show that qPCR data normalization using conventional reference genes render the same results as stable reference genes selected from RNA-Seq data. We validated these observations in two distinct cross-sectional experimental conditions involving human iPSC derived microglial cells and mouse sciatic nerves. These results taken together show that given a robust statistical approach for reference gene selection, stable genes selected from RNA-Seq data do not offer any significant advantage over commonly used reference genes for normalizing qPCR assays.
Meta-control of social learning strategies
Authors: Yaman Anil , Bredeche Nicolas , Çaylak Onur , Leibo Joel Z. , Lee Sang Wan
Published: February 2022

Social learning, copying other’s behavior without actual experience, offers a cost-effective means of knowledge acquisition. However, it raises the fundamental question of which individuals have reliable information: successful individuals versus the majority. The former and the latter are known respectively as success-based and conformist social learning strategies. We show here that while the success-based strategy fully exploits the benign environment of low uncertainly, it fails in uncertain environments. On the other hand, the conformist strategy can effectively mitigate this adverse effect. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that meta-control of individual and social learning strategies provides effective and sample-efficient learning in volatile and uncertain environments. Simulations on a set of environments with various levels of volatility and uncertainty confirmed our hypothesis. The results imply that meta-control of social learning affords agents the leverage to resolve environmental uncertainty with minimal exploration cost, by exploiting others’ learning as an external knowledge base.
CaSWC4 regulates the immunity-thermotolerance tradeoff by recruiting CabZIP63/CaWRKY40 to target genes and activating chromatin in pepper
Authors: Cai Weiwei , Yang Sheng , Wu Ruijie , Zheng Yutong , He Shicong , Shen Lei , Guan Deyi , He Shuilin
Published: February 2022

Pepper (Capsicum annuum) responds differently to high temperature stress (HTS) andRalstonia solanacearuminfection (RSI) but employs some shared transcription factors (TFs), such as CabZIP63 and CaWRKY40, in both cases. How the plant activates and balances these distinct responses, however, was unclear. Here, we show that the protein CaSWC4 interacts with CaRUVBL2 and CaTAF14b and they all act positively in pepper response to RSI and thermotolerance. CaSWC4 activates chromatin of immunity or thermotolerance related target genes of CaWRKY40 or CabZIP63 by promoting deposition of H2A.Z, H3K9ac and H4K5ac, simultaneously recruits CabZIP63 and CaWRKY40 through physical interaction and brings them to their targets (immunity- or thermotolerance-related genes) via binding AT-rich DNA element. The above process relies on the recruitment of CaRUVBL2 and TAF14 by CaSWC4 via physical interaction, which occurs at loci of immunity related target genes only when the plants are challenged with RSI, and at loci of thermotolerance related target genes only upon HTS. Collectively, our data suggest that CaSWC4 regulates rapid, accurate responses to both RSI and HTS by modulating chromatin of specific target genes opening and recruiting the TFs, CaRUVBL2 and CaTAF14b to the specific target genes, thereby helping achieve the balance between immunity and thermotolerance.
Nervous system-wide analysis of Hox regulation of terminal neuronal fate specification in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Zheng Chaogu , Lee Ho Ming Terence , Pham Kenneth
Published: February 2022

Hox genes encode evolutionarily conserved transcription factors that specify regional identities along the anterior-posterior (A-P) axis. Although some Hox genes are known to regulate the differentiation of certain neurons, to what extent Hox genes are involved in the terminal specification of the entire nervous system is unclear. Here, we systematically mapped the expression of all six Hox genes in C. elegans nervous system and found Hox expression in 97 (32%) of the 302 neurons in adult hermaphrodites. Our results are generally consistent with previous high-throughput expression mapping and single-cell transcriptomic studies. Detailed analysis of the fate markers for these neurons revealed that Hox genes regulate the differentiation of 29 (25%) of the 118 classes of C. elegans neurons. Hox genes not only regulate the specification of terminal neuronal fates through multiple mechanisms but also control subtype diversification along the A-P axis. The widespread involvement of Hox genes in neuronal differentiation indicates their roles in establishing complex nervous systems.
Absence of YhdP, TamB, and YdbH leads to defects in glycerophospholipid transport and cell morphology in Gram-negative bacteria
Authors: Douglass Martin V. , McLean Amanda B. , Trent M. Stephen
Published: February 2022

The outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria provides the cell with a formidable barrier that excludes external threats. The two major constituents of this asymmetric barrier are lipopolysaccharide (LPS) found in the outer leaflet, and glycerophospholipids (GPLs) in the inner leaflet. Maintaining the asymmetric nature and balance of LPS to GPLs in the OM is critical for bacterial viability. The biosynthetic pathways of LPS and GPLs are well characterized, but unlike LPS transport, how GPLs are translocated to the OM remains enigmatic. Understanding this aspect of cell envelope biology could provide a foundation for new antibacterial therapies. Here, we report that YhdP and its homologues, TamB and YdbH, members of the “AsmA-like” family, are critical for OM integrity and necessary for proper GPL transport to the OM. The absence of the two largest AsmA-like proteins (YhdP and TamB) leads to cell lysis and antibiotic sensitivity, phenotypes that are rescued by reducing LPS synthesis. We also find that yhdP, tamB double mutants shed excess LPS through outer membrane vesicles, presumably to maintain OM homeostasis when normal anterograde GPL transport is disrupted. Moreover, a yhdP, tamB, ydbH triple mutant is synthetically lethal, but if GPL transport is partially restored by overexpression of YhdP, the cell shape adjusts to accommodate increased membrane content as the cell accumulates GPLs in the IM. Our results therefore suggest a model in which “AsmA-like” proteins transport GPLs to the OM, and when hindered, changes in cell shape and shedding of excess LPS aids in maintaining OM asymmetry.
COVID-19 mitigation measures in primary schools and association with infection and school staff wellbeing: An observational survey linked with routine data in Wales, UK
Authors: Marchant Emily , Griffiths Lucy , Crick Tom , Fry Richard , Hollinghurst Joe , James Michaela , Cowley Laura , Abbasizanjani Hoda , Torabi Fatemeh , Thompson Daniel A. , Kennedy Jonathan , Akbari Ashley , Gravenor Michael B. , Lyons Ronan A. , Brophy Sinead
Published: February 2022

Introduction

School-based COVID-19 mitigation strategies have greatly impacted the primary school day (children aged 3–11) including: wearing face coverings, two metre distancing, no mixing of children, and no breakfast clubs or extra-curricular activities. This study examines these mitigation measures and association with COVID-19 infection, respiratory infection, and school staff wellbeing between October to December 2020 in Wales, UK.

Methods

A school staff survey captured self-reported COVID-19 mitigation measures in the school, participant anxiety and depression, and open-text responses regarding experiences of teaching and implementing measures. These survey responses were linked to national-scale COVID-19 test results data to examine association of measures in the school and the likelihood of a positive (staff or pupil) COVID-19 case in the school (clustered by school, adjusted for school size and free school meals using logistic regression). Linkage was conducted through the SAIL (Secure Anonymised Information Linkage) Databank.

Results

Responses were obtained from 353 participants from 59 primary schools within 15 of 22 local authorities. Having more direct non-household contacts was associated with a higher likelihood of COVID-19 positive case in the school (1–5 contacts compared to none, OR 2.89 (1.01, 8.31)) and a trend to more self-reported cold symptoms. Staff face covering was not associated with a lower odds of school COVID-19 cases (mask vs. no covering OR 2.82 (1.11, 7.14)) and was associated with higher self-reported cold symptoms. School staff reported the impacts of wearing face coverings on teaching, including having to stand closer to pupils and raise their voices to be heard. 67.1% were not able to implement two metre social distancing from pupils. We did not find evidence that maintaining a two metre distance was associated with lower rates of COVID-19 in the school.

Conclusions

Implementing, adhering to and evaluating COVID-19 mitigation guidelines is challenging in primary school settings. Our findings suggest that reducing non-household direct contacts lowers infection rates. There was no evidence that face coverings, two metre social distancing or stopping children mixing was associated with lower odds of COVID-19 or cold infection rates in the school. Primary school staff found teaching challenging during COVID-19 restrictions, especially for younger learners and those with additional learning needs.