bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The consistency approach for the substitution of in vivo testing for the quality control of established vaccines: practical considerations and progressive vision
Authors: Dierick Jean-Francois , Halder Marlies , Jungbaeck Carmen , Lorenz Julie , Préaud Jean-Marie , Riou Patrice , Tesolin Lorenzo , Uhlrich Sylvie , Van Molle Wim , Vandeputte Joris
Published: October 2022

The aim of this letter is to share the discussions and proposals made by the VAC2VAC consortium on how to support the deployment of the “Consistency Approach” for quality control of established vaccines and thus facilitate the substitution of in vivo testing. This work answers specific questions about “what does a control strategy according to the consistency testing look like” and “how to submit a control strategy defined according to the consistency testing”. Some topics were answered in a very straightforward manner. This was the case when the deployment of the consistency approach and the corresponding changes in vaccines control strategy can be supported by the generic application of processes already described in regulatory guidelines/requirements and related to the establishment or change in the control strategy of vaccines. The application of some other processes required specific attention while others were deeply debated before reaching a proposal. The key outcomes of this work are that robust science must be used to develop a substitution strategy and produce supportive data packages. And this good science will be more efficient when supported by scientific collaboration between the different parties involved. Therefore, early interaction between manufacturers and competent authorities before and during dossier submission are key elements to success. The consistency approach, when approved and in place, will ensure vaccine products of assured quality reach the patient in a more efficient manner than when relying on in vivo testing. Adapting the mindset was one of the major hurdles to a progressive vision but there is now a consensus between experts from industry and regulatory bodies to foster the elimination of in vivo testing for routine vaccine release testing.
Quality parameters for RNA preparations from biopsies of ulcerated human skin
Authors: Giraldo-Parra Lina , Ramirez Lady Giovanna , Navas Adriana , Gómez María Adelaida
Published: October 2022

Background: Obtaining high quality RNA from skin biopsies is complex due the physical composition and high content of nucleases of this tissue. This becomes particularly challenging when using compromised skin samples with necrotic, inflammed or damaged areas, such as those from patients suffering skin conditions, which affect more than 900 million people annually. We evaluated the impact of the biopsy size and tissue preservation method on the quality and quantity of RNA extracts.

Methods: Skin lesion biopsies were obtained from patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Biopsy specimens of 2 mm (n = 10) and 3 mm (n = 59) were preserved in Allprotect® reagent, and 4 mm biopsies in OCT (n = 54). Quality parameters were evaluated using Nanodrop and Bioanalyzer. The informativeness of the extracted samples for downstream analyses was evaluated using RT-qPCR and RNA-Seq.

Results: The success rate, based on quality parameters of RNA extraction from tissue biopsies stored in OCT and 2 mm biopsies stored in Allprotect®, was 56% (30/54) and 30% (3/10), respectively. For 3 mm skin biopsies stored in Allprotect® was 93% (55/59). RNA preparations from 3 mm-Allprotect® biopsies had an average RIN of 7.2 ± 0.7, and their integrity was not impacted by sample storage time (up to 200 days at -20°C). RNA products were appropriate for qRT-PCR and RNA-seq. Based on these results, we propose a standardized method for RNA extraction from disrupted skin samples. This protocol was validated with lesion biopsies from CL patients (n = 30), having a success rate of 100%.

Conclusions: Our results indicate that a biopsy size of 3 mm in diameter and preservation in Allprotect® for up to 200 days at -20°C, are best to obtain high quality RNA preparations from ulcerated skin lesion biopsy samples.
Computer simulation of radiation effects on non-volatile OxRAM memory
Authors: Chubunov Pavel , Solodilov Maksim , Ryazancev Roman , Litvinov Nikolay , Gamzatov N. , Skvortsova Tatyana , Oksyuta O.
Published: October 2022

The paper discusses the issues of ensuring the stability of non-volatile memory under radiation exposure. Experimental studies of the durability of memristors were carried out. The switching mechanism on TaOh memristors is similar, but not identical to the TiO2 memristor. X-ray data showed that the "off" state is most susceptible to radiation damage, therefore, before gamma irradiation, all devices were reset to the "off" state. After the irradiation sequence was completed, an installation/reset cycle was performed. For example, graphs of reading I-V curves showing a slight change in slope are constructed. The setting/reset changes are in the range of observed electrical oscillations in the device between cycles, so it cannot be unambiguously attributed to gamma irradiation. When irradiated in static mode with a LPE of 70 MeV * cm2 /mg, single effects were not observed, but in dynamic mode they were.
Development of software products using character and string variables in an object-oriented environment
Authors: Sazonova Svetlana
Published: October 2022

The features of developing software products using symbolic and string variables in the object-oriented C++ Builder environment are considered. The syntax is considered in detail in various examples when using symbolic and string variables in C++Builder software products. Examples of the use of character and string variables in the object-oriented programming environment C++ Builder, developed by the author, are presented in the form of algorithms, program code and program interfaces. The paper details examples of program development using symbols and string variables. The choice of the method necessary for solving problems is substantiated, taking into account the available initial data, as well as taking into account the forecast of the expected results and the features of their obtaining and further processing. The external specification and the main features of the solution of the set tasks are considered. The given examples of algorithms and programs in tasks with symbols and string variables in the C ++ Builder environment are the basis for developing software for solving engineering problems. The proposed approaches can be used in practice, since the algorithms presented in the work will serve as a complex example in solving the set engineering and technical problems.
Mathematical model for calculating resources in the elimination of possible fires at the facility of mass stay of people
Authors: Sazonova Svetlana , Barsukov Andrey , Osipov Aleksandr
Published: October 2022

The place of rescue activities is considered, as well as the scheme for exchanging messages with services in the event of a fire. The features of preparation for localization of fires by fire departments are outlined. The organization of fire suppression by personnel prior to the arrival of fire departments is considered. As an object of protection, the object of mass stay of people is considered on the example of the cinema and concert hall "October" in Lipetsk. The calculation of the required number of forces and means for extinguishing a fire on the roof of the protected object was carried out. Schemes have been developed for deploying forces and means for extinguishing the roof and deploying to extinguish a fire on the roof of the facility. The substantiation of the application of the main fire safety systems for the object of mass stay of people is carried out. Improvement and substantiation of fire extinguishing measures using water fire extinguishing systems was carried out. A schematic diagram of the internal fire-fighting water supply of the object of protection has been developed. Substantiation and application of photoluminescent evacuation systems is carried out. It is proposed to propose to install the main elements of fire extinguishing systems, which will ensure the response time of the main forces and means for the elimination of emergencies, as well as coordinate the main measures for the evacuation of the affected population from this facility.
On the Role of Inconsistency in Quantum Foundational Debate and Hilbert Space Formulation
Authors: Gangopadhyay Debajyoti
Published: October 2022

This article is intended mainly to develop an expository outline of an inherently inconsistent reasoning in the development of quantum mechanics during 1920s, which set up the background of proposing different variants of quantum logic a bit later. We will discuss here two of the quantum logical variants with reference to Hilbert space formulation, based on the proposals of Bohr and Schrödinger as a result of addressing the same kernel of difficulties and will give a relative comparison. Our presentation is fairly informal, as our goal here is to simply sketch the central ideas leaving further details for other occasions.Quanta 2022; 11: 28–41.
Data-Driven Optimization for Atlanta Police-Zone Design
Authors: Zhu Shixiang , Wang He , Xie Yao
Published: October 2022

We present a data-driven optimization framework for redesigning police patrol zones in an urban environment. The objectives are to rebalance police workload along geographical areas and to reduce response time to emergency calls. We develop a stochastic model for police emergency response by integrating multiple data sources, including police incident reports, demographic surveys, and traffic data. Using this stochastic model, we optimize zone-redesign plans using mixed-integer linear programming. Our proposed design was implemented by the Atlanta Police Department in March 2019. By analyzing data before and after the zone redesign, we show that the new design has reduced the response time to high-priority 911 calls by 5.8% and the imbalance of police workload among Atlanta’s zones by 43%.
Introduction: 2021 Daniel H. Wagner Prize for Excellence in the Practice of Advanced Analytics and Operations Research
Authors: Bjarnadottir Margret V. , Stone Lawrence D.
Published: October 2022

The judges for the 2021 Daniel H. Wagner Prize for Excellence in the Practice of Advanced Analytics and Operations Research selected the five finalist papers featured in this special issue of the INFORMS Journal on Applied Analytics. The prestigious Wagner Prize—awarded for achievement in implemented operations research, management science, and advanced analytics—emphasizes the quality and originality of mathematical models along with clarity of written and oral exposition. This year’s winning application describes the design and deployment of Eva, the Greek COVID-19 testing system used as Greece was opening up for tourism in 2020. The remaining four papers describe the stochastic modeling and mixed-integer programming system used to optimize the Atlanta police patrol zones for better police balance and reduced response time to emergency calls; Lyft’s new priority dispatch system, which solves the ride-sharing productivity paradox whereby increases in efficiency do not benefit the drivers; the application of advanced analytics to assist local and federal law enforcement organizations in their efforts to disrupt sex-trafficking networks; and the development of a new after-sales service concept, which increases chip availability for ASML’s customers.
Coxa valga and antetorta increases differences among different femoral version measurements
Authors: Schmaranzer Florian , Meier Malin K. , Lerch Till D. , Hecker Andreas , Steppacher Simon D. , Novais Eduardo N. , Kiapour Ata M.
Published: October 2022

Aims

To evaluate how abnormal proximal femoral anatomy affects different femoral version measurements in young patients with hip pain.

Methods

First, femoral version was measured in 50 hips of symptomatic consecutively selected patients with hip pain (mean age 20 years (SD 6), 60% (n = 25) females) on preoperative CT scans using different measurement methods: Lee et al, Reikerås et al, Tomczak et al, and Murphy et al. Neck-shaft angle (NSA) and α angle were measured on coronal and radial CT images. Second, CT scans from three patients with femoral retroversion, normal femoral version, and anteversion were used to create 3D femur models, which were manipulated to generate models with different NSAs and different cam lesions, resulting in eight models per patient. Femoral version measurements were repeated on manipulated femora.

Results

Comparing the different measurement methods for femoral version resulted in a maximum mean difference of 18° (95% CI 16 to 20) between the most proximal (Lee et al) and most distal (Murphy et al) methods. Higher differences in proximal and distal femoral version measurement techniques were seen in femora with greater femoral version ( r > 0.46; p < 0.001) and greater NSA ( r > 0.37; p = 0.008) between all measurement methods. In the parametric 3D manipulation analysis, differences in femoral version increased 11° and 9° in patients with high and normal femoral version, respectively, with increasing NSA (110° to 150°).

Conclusion

Measurement of femoral version angles differ depending on the method used to almost 20°, which is in the range of the aimed surgical correction in derotational femoral osteotomy and thus can be considered clinically relevant. Differences between proximal and distal measurement methods further increase by increasing femoral version and NSA. Measurement methods that take the entire proximal femur into account by using distal landmarks may produce more sensitive measurements of these differences. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(10):759–766.
Analysis of the Okishio Theorem
Authors: Yu Bin
Published: October 2022

The Okishio theorem is a classic theory of Japanese Marxism that denies the law of the decline of the general rate of profit proposed by Marx in the third volume of
Capital. The theorem seriously affects the correct understanding of the mode of production and the economic crisis in capitalist countries today. Analyzing the original text of the Okishio theorem, this article finds that the theorem does not distinguish between paid and unpaid labor, and that its mathematical model is based on an incorrect understanding of Marx’s views and of the capitalist mode of production. The theorem’s mathematical proof process is itself untenable and even contradicts the numerical examples that Okishio gives. In fact, Okishio negates Marx’s view by effectively denying the existence of the capitalist mode of production. Unexpectedly, this article also finds that a decline in the general rate of profit will result even if all enterprises do not increase their organic composition of capital, but if only enterprises with a higher organic composition of capital expand their proportions in the economy.
High sensitivity tool for geophysical applications: a geometrically locked ring laser gyroscope
Authors: Maccioni E. , Beverini N. , Carelli G. , Di Somma G. , Di Virgilio A. , Marsili P.
Published: October 2022

We demonstrate that a middle sized ring laser gyroscope (RLG) can be a very sensitive and robust instrument for rotational seismology, even if it operates in a quite noisy environment. The RLG has a square cavity,

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, and it lies in a plane orthogonal to the Earth’s rotational axis. The Fabry–Perot optical cavities along the diagonals of the square were accessed, and their lengths were locked to a reference laser. Through a quite simple locking circuit, we were able to keep the sensor fully operative for 14 days. We verified that the prototype properties are compatible with the seismic requirements. The obtained long term stability is of the order of 3 nanorad/s, and the short term sensitivity is close to

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. These results are limited only by the noisy environment; our laboratory is located in a building downtown.
Retinal imaging using adaptive optics optical coherence tomography with fast and accurate real-time tracking
Authors: Mozaffari Sanam , Feroldi Fabio , LaRocca Francesco , Tiruveedhula Pavan , Gregory Patrick D. , Park B. Hyle , Roorda Austin
Published: October 2022

One of the main obstacles in high-resolution 3-D retinal imaging is eye
motion, which causes blur and distortion artifacts that require
extensive post-processing to be corrected. Here, an adaptive optics
optical coherence tomography (AOOCT) system with real-time active eye
motion correction is presented. Correction of ocular aberrations and
of retinal motion is provided by an adaptive optics scanning laser
ophthalmoscope (AOSLO) that is optically and electronically combined
with the AOOCT system. We describe the system design and quantify its
performance. The AOOCT system features an independent focus adjustment
that allows focusing on different retinal layers while maintaining the
AOSLO focus on the photoreceptor mosaic for high fidelity active
motion correction. The use of a high-quality reference frame for eye
tracking increases revisitation accuracy between successive imaging
sessions, allowing to collect several volumes from the same area. This
system enables spatially targeted retinal imaging as well as volume
averaging over multiple imaging sessions with minimal correction of
motion in post processing.
MC-GAT: multi-layer collaborative generative adversarial transformer for cholangiocarcinoma classification from hyperspectral pathological images
Authors: Li Yuan , Shi Xu , Yang Liping , Pu Chunyu , Tan Qijuan , Yang Zhengchun , Huang Hong
Published: October 2022

Accurate histopathological analysis is the core step of early diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Compared with color pathological images, hyperspectral pathological images have advantages for providing rich band information. Existing algorithms of HSI classification are dominated by convolutional neural network (CNN), which has the deficiency of distorting spectral sequence information of HSI data. Although vision transformer (ViT) alleviates this problem to a certain extent, the expressive power of transformer encoder will gradually decrease with increasing number of layers, which still degrades the classification performance. In addition, labeled HSI samples are limited in practical applications, which restricts the performance of methods. To address these issues, this paper proposed a multi-layer collaborative generative adversarial transformer termed MC-GAT for CCA classification from hyperspectral pathological images. MC-GAT consists of two pure transformer-based neural networks including a generator and a discriminator. The generator learns the implicit probability of real samples and transforms noise sequences into band sequences, which produces fake samples. These fake samples and corresponding real samples are mixed together as input to confuse the discriminator, which increases model generalization. In discriminator, a multi-layer collaborative transformer encoder is designed to integrate output features from different layers into collaborative features, which adaptively mines progressive relations from shallow to deep encoders and enhances the discriminating power of the discriminator. Experimental results on the Multidimensional Choledoch Datasets demonstrate that the proposed MC-GAT can achieve better classification results than many state-of-the-art methods. This confirms the potentiality of the proposed method in aiding pathologists in CCA histopathological analysis from hyperspectral imagery.
RSS-based visible light positioning with unknown receiver tilting angle: robust design and experimental demonstration
Authors: Chen Feng , Huang Nuo , Gong Chen
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we consider the received signal strength (RSS)-based indoor visible light positioning (VLP) with unknown receiving angle. A novel VLP scheme is proposed by joint estimation of the receiver coordinate and receiver characteristic vector. We equivalently convert the original estimation problem into the problem that maximizes the projection of the RSS vector on the column space spanned by the measurement matrix. The proposed scheme does not require the prior knowledge of receiving coefficient and receiving angle. To further reduce the computational complexity, we also propose an importance sampling (IS) method for solving the VLP problem. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate the robustness of the proposed scheme to the receiving coefficient and receiving angle. Specifically, experimental results show that the proposed VLP scheme achieves a stable positioning accuracy below 7 cm under different receiver tilting angles in a 60 cm × 60 cm × 150 cm space, and is not sensitive to height perturbation.
Surface optical sensitivity enhanced by a single dielectric microsphere
Authors: Ruzankina Iuliia , Mukhin Nikolay , Mermoul Ali , Parfenov Vadim , Fron Eduard , Ferrini Gabriele
Published: October 2022

Single dielectric microspheres can manipulate light focusing and collection to enhance optical interaction with surfaces. To demonstrate this principle, we experimentally investigate the enhancement of the Raman signal collected by a single dielectric microsphere, with a radius much larger than the exciting laser spot size, residing on the sample surface. The absolute microsphere-assisted Raman signal from a single graphene layer measured in air is more than a factor of two higher than that obtained with a high numerical aperture objective. Results from Mie’s theory are used to benchmark numerical simulations and an analytical model to describe the isolated microsphere focusing properties. The analytical model and the numerical simulations justify the Raman signal enhancement measured in the microsphere-assisted Raman spectroscopy experiments.
Synthesis of a GS-16QAM signal for a simplified optical ISB system and direct detection with the K-means clustering algorithm
Authors: Ming Jun , Xiao Jiangnan , Wu Dongyan , Wang Leilei , Zhou Ye , Zhao Li
Published: October 2022

An independent sideband (ISB) is a promising scheme for short-reach and metro applications because of its high spectral efficiency, low complexity, and tolerance to chromatic dispersion. Here, we develop a signal synthesis scheme to further reduce the complexity of ISB direct-detection (DD) systems. Two lower-order quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) sideband signals are generated digitally, then the left sideband (LSB) and right sideband (RSB) are modulated with regular quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) and geometrically shaped shifted QPSK (GS-S-QPSK), respectively. Then, the two independent sideband signals are received in a single photodiode to synthesize a GS-16QAM signal. The LSB and RSB signals can be separated and demodulated by a digital signal process (DSP) instead of using two optical bandpass filters. The proposed scheme significantly reduces the complexity of the ISB-DD receiver, thus saving system cost. Three different GS-S-QPSK signals are evaluated, with the square GS-S-QPSK achieving the best bit error rate (BER) with its optimal shaping factor. Considering signal–signal beating interference, a sub-blind K-means clustering algorithm is used to improve the BER performance, and the results indicate that it can achieve a large received optical power (ROP) gain at a threshold of 3.8 × 10−3.
Dual-pixel tracking of the fast-moving target based on window complementary modulation
Authors: Fu Sheng , Xing Fei , You Zheng
Published: October 2022

Real-time tracking of fast-moving targets has been utilized in various fields. However, the tracking performance of image-based systems for fast-moving targets is still limited by the huge data throughput and computation. In this study, an image-free target tracking system utilizing a digital micromirror device (DMD) is proposed. The proposed system effectively combines the dual-pixel measurement and window complementary modulation, and the alternating interpolation Kalman filter is implemented to fully use the performance of the DMD and maximize the update rate of the system. The accuracy of the proposed system at the maximum update rate of 22.2 kHz can achieve 0.1 pixels according to the experimental results. Meanwhile, we experimentally demonstrated that the accuracy of the proposed image-free target tracking system is within 0.3 pixels at a maximal velocity of 2 × 104 pixel/s at 22.2 kHz by evaluating the performance of the proposed image-free target tracking system when tracking fast-moving targets with different maximal velocity.
Cascade MIR Ho:YLF laser at 2.1 µm and 2.9 µm
Authors: Ye Shuai , Zhou Xue , Huang Shengjun , Nie Hongkun , Bian Jintian , Li Tao , Yang Kejian , He Jingliang , Zhang Baitao
Published: October 2022

Cascade transitions of Ho3+:5I6→5I7 and 5I7→5I8 provide a platform for a dual-wavelength mid-infrared (MIR) laser. In this paper, a continuous wave cascade MIR Ho:YLF laser operating at 2.1 and 2.9 µm is realized at room temperature. The total output power of 929 mW with 778 mW at 2.9 µm and 151 mW at 2.1 µm is obtained under the absorbed pump power of 5 W. Compared to the non-cascade mode, 2.9-µm lasing threshold is reduced by 10.3% and the slope efficiency is increased by 76.1% with the supports of cascade lasing at 2.1 µm. However, 2.9-µm lasing is the key population accumulation of the 5I7 level, which thus efficiently reduces the threshold and improves the output power of the 2.1-µm laser. Our results put forward a way for generating cascade dual-wavelength MIR lasing in Ho3+-doped crystals.
Reducing large errors in frequency-scanned phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometers using phase cross correlation
Authors: Muñoz Felipe , Romero Loreto , Soto Marcelo A.
Published: October 2022

The use of phase cross correlation is proposed to estimate the frequency shift of the Rayleigh intensity spectral response in frequency-scanned phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry (φ-OTDR). Compared with the standard cross correlation, the proposed approach is an amplitude-unbiased technique that evenly weights all spectral samples in the cross correlation, making the frequency-shift estimation less sensitive to high-intensity Rayleigh spectral samples and reducing large estimation errors. Using a 5.63-km sensing fiber with 1-m spatial resolution, experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method highly reduces the presence of large errors in the frequency shift estimation, increasing the reliability of the distributed measurements while keeping the frequency uncertainty as low as approximately 1.0 MHz. The technique can be also used to reduce large errors in any distributed Rayleigh sensor that evaluates spectral shifts, such as polarization-resolved φ-OTDR sensors and optical frequency-domain reflectometers.
Passive quadrature demodulation of multiplexed interferometric sensors using a CW correlation reflectometer with a single DFB diode laser
Authors: López Jorge H. , Shlyagin Mikhail G. , Esquivel-Hernández Jonathan , May-Arrioja Daniel , Martínez-Manuel Rodolfo
Published: October 2022

In this Letter, we report a novel, to the best of our knowledge, and simple approach for passive quadrature-phase demodulation of relatively long multiplexed interferometers based on two-channel coherence correlation reflectometry. Two-wavelength channels are generated using a single unmodulated CW-DFB diode laser and an acousto-optic frequency shifter. The introduced frequency shift determines the optical lengths of the interferometers. In our experiments, all interferometers have the same optical length of 32 cm corresponding to the π/2 phase difference between channel signals. An additional fiber delay line was introduced between channels to destroy coherence between initial and frequency-shifted channels. Demultiplexing of channels and sensors was performed using correlation-based signal processing. Amplitudes of cross correlation peaks obtained for both channels were used to extract the interferometric phase for each interferometer. Phase demodulation of relatively long multiplexed interferometers is experimentally demonstrated. Experimental results prove that the proposed technique is suitable for interrogating a serial array of relatively long interferometers dynamically modulated with phase excursions exceeding 2π. Simultaneous interrogation and phase demodulation were experimentally demonstrated using an in-line array of low-finesse Fabry–Perot interferometric sensors
Complexity curtailed MLSE equalizer based on a compact look-up-table for C-band DSB IM/DD transmission
Authors: Chen Zhuo , Dai Xiaoxiao , Nie Junyuan , Zhang Shenmao , Zhou Jiahao , Zhang Jing , Qiu Ying , Luo Ming , Yang Qi , Deng Lei , Cheng Mengfan , Qiu Kun , Liu Deming
Published: October 2022

Chromatic dispersion appears to be a major performance limiting problem in optical intensity modulation direct detection (IM/DD) transmission systems, especially for a double-sideband (DSB) signal. We propose a complexity-reduced look-up-table based maximum likelihood sequence estimation (LUT-MLSE) for DSB C-band IM/DD transmission based on pre-decision-assisted trellis compression and a path-decision-assisted Viterbi algorithm. To further compress the size of the LUT and reduce the length of the training sequence, we proposed a finite impulse response (FIR) and LUT hybrid channel model for the LUT-MLSE. For PAM-6 and PAM-4, the proposed methods can compress the size of the LUT into 1/6 and 1/4, and reduce the number of multipliers by 98.1% and 86.6% with slight performance degradation. We successfully demonstrate a 20-km 100-Gb/s PAM-6 and a 30-km 80-Gb/s PAM-4 C-band transmission over dispersion-uncompensated links.
Dynamic 3D measurement based on orthogonal fringe projection and geometric constraints
Authors: Bao Qingkang , Li Jian , Li Xufeng , Zhang Tianyu , Zhao Hong , Zhang Chunwei
Published: October 2022

Geometric constraint algorithms can solve phase ambiguity for fringe projection profilometry (FPP). However, they either require multiple cameras or suffer from a small measurement depth range. To overcome these limitations, this Letter proposes an algorithm combining orthogonal fringe projection and geometric constraints. A novel, to the best of our knowledge, scheme is developed to assess the reliabilities of the potential homologous points, which works with depth segmentation to determine the final HPs. With full consideration of lens distortions, the algorithm reconstructs two 3D results from every set of patterns. Experimental results verify that it can effectively and robustly measure discontinuous objects with complex motion over a large depth range.
miR-275/305 cluster is essential for maintaining energy metabolic homeostasis by the insulin signaling pathway in Bactrocera dorsalis
Authors: Xie Junfei , Chen Hao , Zheng Wenping , Cai Zhaohui , Li Xiaoxue , Zhang Hongyu
Published: October 2022

Increasing evidence indicates that miRNAs play crucial regulatory roles in various physiological processes of insects, including systemic metabolism. However, the molecular mechanisms of how specific miRNAs regulate energy metabolic homeostasis remain largely unknown. In the present study, we found that an evolutionarily conserved miR-275/305 cluster was essential for maintaining energy metabolic homeostasis in response to dietary yeast stimulation in Bactrocera dorsalis. Depletion of miR-275 and miR-305 by the CRISPR/Cas9 system significantly reduced triglyceride and glycogen contents, elevated total sugar levels, and impaired flight capacity. Combined in vivo and in vitro experiments, we demonstrated that miR-275 and miR-305 can bind to the 3’UTR regions of SLC2A1 and GLIS2 to repress their expression, respectively. RNAi-mediated knockdown of these two genes partially rescued metabolic phenotypes caused by inhibiting miR-275 and miR-305. Furthermore, we further illustrated that the miR-275/305 cluster acting as a regulator of the metabolic axis was controlled by the insulin signaling pathway. In conclusion, our work combined genetic and physiological approaches to clarify the molecular mechanism of metabolic homeostasis in response to different dietary stimulations and provided a reference for deciphering the potential targets of physiologically important miRNAs in a non-model organism.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and its determinants among sub-Saharan African adolescents
Authors: Wang Dongqing , Chukwu Angela , Mwanyika-Sando Mary , Abubakari Sulemana Watara , Assefa Nega , Madzorera Isabel , Hemler Elena C. , Ismail Abbas , Lankoande Bruno , Mapendo Frank , Millogo Ourohiré , Workneh Firehiwot , Azemraw Temesgen , Febir Lawrence Gyabaa , James Christabel , Tinkasimile Amani , Asante Kwaku Poku , Baernighausen Till , Berhane Yemane , Killewo Japhet , Oduola Ayoade M. J. , Sie Ali , Smith Emily R. , Soura Abdramane Bassiahi , Raji Tajudeen , Vuai Said , Fawzi Wafaie W.
Published: October 2022

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among adolescents poses a challenge to the global effort to control the pandemic. This multi-country survey aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa between July and December 2021. The survey was conducted using computer-assisted telephone interviewing among adolescents in five sub-Saharan African countries, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania. A rural area and an urban area were included in each country (except Ghana, which only had a rural area), with approximately 300 adolescents in each area and 2662 in total. Sociodemographic characteristics and perceptions and attitudes on COVID-19 vaccines were measured. Vaccine hesitancy was defined as definitely not getting vaccinated or being undecided on whether to get vaccinated if a COVID-19 vaccine were available. Log-binomial models were used to calculate the adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between potential determinants and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. The percentage of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was 14% in rural Kersa, 23% in rural Ibadan, 31% in rural Nouna, 32% in urban Ouagadougou, 37% in urban Addis Ababa, 48% in rural Kintampo, 65% in urban Lagos, 76% in urban Dar es Salaam, and 88% in rural Dodoma. Perceived low necessity, concerns about vaccine safety, and concerns about vaccine effectiveness were the leading reasons for hesitancy. Healthcare workers, parents or family members, and schoolteachers had the greatest impacts on vaccine willingness. Perceived lack of safety (aPR: 3.52; 95% CI: 3.00, 4.13) and lack of effectiveness (aPR: 3.46; 95% CI: 2.97, 4.03) were associated with greater vaccine hesitancy. The prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among adolescents is alarmingly high across the five sub-Saharan African countries, especially in Tanzania. COVID-19 vaccination campaigns among sub-Saharan African adolescents should address their concerns and misconceptions about vaccine safety and effectiveness.
Time-to-recovery after cesarean section delivery among women who gave birth through cesarean section at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, South Ethiopia: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Fikrie Anteneh , Zeleke Rahel , Bekele Henok , Seyoum Wongelawit , Hailu Dejene , Wayessa Zelalem Jabessa , Tufa Girma , Utura Takala , Matie Male , Oda Gebeyehu Dejene
Published: October 2022

Cesarean deliveries have become a major public health problem worldwide in recent decades. In addition, information on the quality of service, as measured by timely recovery is scarce. This study was assessed predictors of recovery time after cesarean section among women who delivered by cesarean section at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (HU-CSH) Southern Ethiopia. Institution-based prospective cohort study design was conducted among 381 study participants from July to August 2020. A consecutive sampling technique employed to select study participants. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data were entered and analyzed by Epi info version 7 and SPSS respectively. Bivariable and multivariable Cox regression used to identify the predictors of time-to-recovery after cesearean section. Adjusted Hazard Ratio (AHR) with the respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs)and p-value <0.5 was used to declare statistical significance. A total of 369 mothers who undergone cesearean section were followed for 1,042 person-days of observation. The timely recovery (within 4 days) was found to be 96.2% [95%CI: 94.04–98.4%] and the overall median (IQR) time of recovery was 2.00 (2, 3) days. The study revaled that the Incidence density rate (IDR) of timely recovery was found to be 0.34 per person-days or 2.38 per person-week. Whereas, the cumulative probability of not recovered on the 1st and 4th day was 0.995 and 0.038 respectively. This study found that women who had ANC follow-up (AHR = 1.49, 95%, CI: 1.05–2.10) and discharge from the wound site (AHR = 0.13, 95%, CI: 0.03–0.56) were identified as a significant positive and negative predictors of time-to-recovery after CS delivery respectively. The rate of early recovery obtained by this study was comparable to the global level figures. Still, the cleanness of the surgical site to prevent the incidence of postsurgical site CS delivery is very essential.
Systematics of Thraupis (Aves, Passeriformes) reveals an extensive hybrid zone between T. episcopus (Blue-gray Tanager) and T. sayaca (Sayaca Tanager)
Authors: Cueva Diego , Bravo Gustavo A. , Silveira Luís Fábio
Published: October 2022

The Neotropical avian genusThraupis(Passeriformes, Thraupidae) currently comprises seven species that are widespread and abundant throughout their ranges. However, no phylogenetic hypothesis with comprehensive intraspecific sampling is available for the group and, therefore, currently accepted species limits remain untested. We obtained sequence data for two mitochondrial (ND2, cyt-b) and three non-coding nuclear (TGFB2, MUSK, and βF5) markers from 118 vouchered museum specimens. We conducted population structure and coalescent-based species-tree analyses using a molecular clock calibration. We integrated these results with morphometric and coloration analyses of 1,003 museum specimens to assess species limits withinThraupis. Our results confirm thatThraupisis a monophyletic group and support its origin in the late Miocene and subsequent diversification during the Pleistocene. However, we found conflicts with previous phylogenies. We recoveredThraupis glaucocolpato be sister to all other species in the genus, andT.cyanopterato the remaining five species. Our phylogenetic trees and population structure analyses uncovered phylogeographic structure withinThraupis episcopusthat is congruent with geographic patterns of phenotypic variation and distributions of some named taxa. The first genetic and phenotypic cluster inT.episcopusoccurs east of the Andes and is diagnosed by the white patch on the lesser and median wing coverts, whereas the second group has a blue patch on the wing and distributes to the west of Colombia’s eastern Andes. Finally, we present evidence of hybridization and ongoing gene flow between several taxa at different taxonomic levels and discuss its taxonomic implications.
Study on the different responses of different winter wheat cultivars to dry hot wind
Authors: Kang Xiyan , Le Zhangyan , Li Chunqiang , Dai Liqin , Quan Chang , Shi Minghua , Liao Rongwei
Published: October 2022

Dry hot wind (DHW) is one of the main agro-meteorological disasters that occur during the grain filling stage of winter wheat in northern China. In this study, three major winter wheat cultivars planted at the Mazhuang experimental station, Xinji city, Hebei Province, including Henong 6119 (HN6119), Gaoyou 5218 (GY5218), and Jimai 325 (JM325), were analyzed. Through natural DHW and artificially simulated DHW experiments, we investigated how the physiological parameters of the three cultivars were affected on the day with DHW and the day before and after DHW occurred. Comparative analysis of the different responses among the physiological parameters of the three cultivars demonstrated that HN6119 experienced less leaf water loss by reducing its stomata conductance and transpiration rate under natural DHW conditions, while GY5218 and JM325 experienced more leaf water loss by increasing their stomata conductance and transpiration rates under natural DHW conditions. The net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomata conductance of HN6119 recovered after the DHW conditions, while those of GY5218 and JM325 showed a continuously decreasing trend. The leaf photosynthetic water use efficiency decreased on DHW days because the net photosynthesis rate was reduced for HN6119, but the transpiration rate increased for GY5218 and JM325. HN6119 showed a significant positive correlation between physiological parameters, while GY5218 and JM325 showed a poor correlation after being affected by DHW conditions. The effect of artificial simulation under mild and severe DHW stress on the thousand kernel weight (TKW) of HN6119, GY5218 and JM325 was 0.01%, 3.51%, 3.57% and 0.36%, 8.12%, 8.84%, respectively. HN6119 showed better resistance to DHW, followed by GY5218, and JM325 showed the weakest resistance.
Causal, Bayesian, & non-parametric modeling of the SARS-CoV-2 viral load distribution vs. patient’s age
Authors: Guardiani Matteo , Frank Philipp , Kostić Andrija , Edenhofer Gordian , Roth Jakob , Uhlmann Berit , Enßlin Torsten
Published: October 2022

The viral load of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 varies on logarithmic scales and possibly with age. Controversial claims have been made in the literature regarding whether the viral load distribution actually depends on the age of the patients. Such a dependence would have implications for the COVID-19 spreading mechanism, the age-dependent immune system reaction, and thus for policymaking. We hereby develop a method to analyze viral-load distribution data as a function of the patients’ age within a flexible, non-parametric, hierarchical, Bayesian, and causal model. The causal nature of the developed reconstruction additionally allows to test for bias in the data. This could be due to, e.g., bias in patient-testing and data collection or systematic errors in the measurement of the viral load. We perform these tests by calculating the Bayesian evidence for each implied possible causal direction. The possibility of testing for bias in data collection and identifying causal directions can be very useful in other contexts as well. For this reason we make our model freely available. When applied to publicly available age and SARS-CoV-2 viral load data, we find a statistically significant increase in the viral load with age, but only for one of the two analyzed datasets. If we consider this dataset, and based on the current understanding of viral load’s impact on patients’ infectivity, we expect a non-negligible difference in the infectivity of different age groups. This difference is nonetheless too small to justify considering any age group as noninfectious.
Health literacy in a high income Arab country: A nation-wide cross-sectional survey study
Authors: Nair Satish Chandrasekhar , Sreedharan Jayadevan , Satish Karthyayani Priya , Ibrahim Halah
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Health literacy is a powerful predictor of health outcomes, but remains a global challenge. There is a paucity of published data and limited understanding of the health literacy of patients in the Middle East. The purpose of this study was to assess the patient health literacy levels in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and identify associated demographic characteristics.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of adult patients attending public and private hospitals and primary care clinics was conducted across the UAE between January 2019 and May 2020. Chi-square test was used to analyze the association between health literacy and demographic variables. Ordinal regression was adopted to analyze the data for statistically significant independent variables.

Results

2349 of 2971 patients responded (79% response rate). Slightly less than one-quarter (23.9%) of patients surveyed demonstrated adequate health literacy. Over a third of women respondents (31.7%) possessed adequate health literacy, as compared to only 13% of men surveyed (p<0.001). Participant age was significantly (p<0.001) associated with health literacy levels, with approximately 50% of participants above age 50 years (51–75 years) demonstrating inadequate health literacy. Education was also positively correlated with health literacy. Adequate health literacy levels were twofold higher (30.5%, p<0.001) in patients with high school education, as compared to patients without secondary education.

Conclusions

The high proportion of patients with inadequate health literacy in our study confirms that the health literacy deficit is a challenge in the UAE. Targeted interventions are needed to improve health literacy, particularly for older individuals, to optimize healthcare utilization and improve individual and population health outcomes.
Analysis of the complete plastomes and nuclear ribosomal DNAs from Euonymus hamiltonianus and its relatives sheds light on their diversity and evolution
Authors: Park Young Sang , Kang Jong-Soo , Park Jee Young , Shim Hyeonah , Yang Hyun Ok , Kang Jung Hwa , Yang Tae-Jin
Published: October 2022

Euonymus hamiltonianus and its relatives (Celastraceae family) are used for ornamental and medicinal purposes. However, species identification in Euonymus is difficult due to their morphological diversity. Using plastid genome (plastome) data, we attempt to reveal phylogenetic relationship among Euonymus species and develop useful markers for molecular identification. We assembled the plastome and nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) sequences from five Euonymus lines collected from South Korea: three Euonymus hamiltonianus accessions, E. europaeus, and E. japonicus. We conducted an in-depth comparative analysis using ten plastomes, including other publicly available plastome data for this genus. The genome structures, gene contents, and gene orders were similar in all Euonymus plastomes in this study. Analysis of nucleotide diversity revealed six divergence hotspots in their plastomes. We identified 339 single nucleotide polymorphisms and 293 insertion or deletions among the four E. hamiltonianus plastomes, pointing to abundant diversity even within the same species. Among 77 commonly shared genes, 9 and 33 were identified as conserved genes in the genus Euonymus and E. hamiltonianus, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on plastome and nrDNA sequences revealed the overall consensus and relationships between plastomes and nrDNAs. Finally, we developed six barcoding markers and successfully applied them to 31 E. hamiltonianus lines collected from South Korea. Our findings provide the molecular basis for the classification and molecular taxonomic criteria for the genus Euonymus (at least in Korea), which should aid in more objective classification within this genus. Moreover, the newly developed markers will be useful for understanding the species delimitation of E. hamiltonianus and closely related species.