bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Roles of tumor-associated macrophages in anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy for solid cancers
Authors: Zhang Hao , Liu Lin , Liu Jinbo , Dang Pengyuan , Hu Shengyun , Yuan Weitang , Sun Zhenqiang , Liu Yang , Wang Chengzeng
Published: March 2023

In recent years, tumor immunotherapy has made significant progress. However, tumor immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors), benefits only a tiny proportion of patients in solid cancers. The tumor microenvironment (TME) acts a significant role in tumor immunotherapy. Studies reported that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), as one of the main components of TME, seriously affected the therapeutic effect of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. In this review, we analyzed TAMs from epigenetic and single-cell perspectives and introduced the role and mechanisms of TAMs in anti-programmed death protein 1(anti-PD-1) therapy. In addition, we summarized combination regimens that enhance the efficacy of tumor PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and elaborated on the role of the TAMs in different solid cancers. Eventually, the clinical value of TAMs by influencing the therapeutic effect of tumor PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors was discussed. These above are beneficial to elucidate poor therapeutic effect of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in solid tumors from the point of view of TAMs and explore the strategies to improve its objective remission rate of solid cancers.
Cord blood presepsin as a predictor of early-onset neonatal sepsis in term and preterm newborns
Authors: Priolo Francesca , Maggio Luca , Fattore Simona , Tedesco Marta , De Rose Domenico Umberto , Perri Alessandro , Prontera Giorgia , Chioma Roberto , Sbordone Annamaria , Patti Maria Letizia , Vento Giovanni
Published: March 2023

Background

To date, no studies on presepsin values in cord blood of term infants with risk factors for early-onset sepsis (EOS) are available, whereas only one study reported presepsin values in cord blood of preterm infants at risk. In this study, we investigated the presepsin values in cord blood of term and preterm infants with documented risk factors for EOS.

Methods

In this single-center prospective pilot study, we enrolled neonates presenting with documented risk factors for EOS. P-SEP levels were assessed in a blood sample collected from the clamped umbilical cord after the delivery in 93 neonates, using a point-of-care device. The primary outcome of our study was to evaluate the role of cord blood P-SEP in predicting clinical EOS in term and preterm infants.

Results

During the study period, we enrolled 93 neonates with risk factors for EOS with a gestational age ranging between 24.6 and 41.6 weeks (median 38.0). The median P-SEP value in all infants was 491 pg/ml (IQR 377 – 729). Median cord P-SEP values were significantly higher in infants with clinical sepsis (909 pg/ml, IQR 586 – 1307) rather than in infants without (467 pg/ml, IQR 369 – 635) (p = 0.010). We found a statistically significant correlation between cord P-SEP value at birth and the later diagnosis of clinical sepsis (Kendall's τ coefficient 0.222, p = 0.002). We identified the maximum Youden’s Index (best cut-off point) at 579 pg/ml, corresponding to a sensitivity of 87.5% and a specificity of 71.8% in predicting clinical sepsis.

Conclusions

Maximum Youden’s index was 579 pg/ml for clinical EOS using cord P-SEP values. This could be the starting point to realize multicenter studies, confirming the feasibility of dosing P-SEP in cord blood of infants with risk factors of EOS to discriminate those who could develop clinical sepsis and spare the inappropriate use of antibiotics.
Association of cortical and subcortical microstructure with disease severity: impact on cognitive decline and language impairments in frontotemporal lobar degeneration
Authors: Ding Wencai , Ren Peng , Yi Liye , Si Yao , Yang Fan , Li Zhipeng , Bao Hongbo , Yan Shi , Zhang Xinyu , Li Siyang , Liang Xia , Yao Lifen ,   for the Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration Neuroimaging Initiative, Rosen Howard , Dickerson Bradford C. , Domoto-Reilly Kimoko , Knopman David , Boeve Bradley F. , Boxer Adam L. , Kornak John , Miller Bruce L. , Seeley William W. , Gorno-Tempini Maria-Luisa , McGinnis Scott , Mandelli Maria Luisa
Published: March 2023

Background

Cortical and subcortical microstructural modifications are critical to understanding the pathogenic changes in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) subtypes. In this study, we investigated cortical and subcortical microstructure underlying cognitive and language impairments across behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), semantic variant of primary progressive aphasia (svPPA), and nonfluent variant of primary progressive aphasia (nfvPPA) subtypes.

Methods

The current study characterized 170 individuals with 3 T MRI structural and diffusion-weighted imaging sequences as portion of the Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration Neuroimaging Initiative study: 41 bvFTD, 35 nfvPPA, 34 svPPA, and 60 age-matched cognitively unimpaired controls. To determine the severity of the disease, clinical dementia rating plus national Alzheimer’s coordinating center behavior and language domains sum of boxes scores were used; other clinical measures, including the Boston naming test and verbal fluency test, were also evaluated. We computed surface-based cortical thickness and cortical and subcortical microstructural metrics using tract-based spatial statistics and explored their relationships with clinical and cognitive assessments.

Results

Compared with controls, those with FTLD showed substantial cortical mean diffusivity alterations extending outside the regions with cortical thinning. Tract-based spatial statistics revealed that anomalies in subcortical white matter diffusion were widely distributed across the frontotemporal and parietal areas. Patients with bvFTD, nfvPPA, and svPPA exhibited distinct patterns of cortical and subcortical microstructural abnormalities, which appeared to correlate with disease severity, and separate dimensions of language functions.

Conclusions

Our findings imply that cortical and subcortical microstructures may serve as sensitive biomarkers for the investigation of neurodegeneration-associated microstructural alterations in FTLD subtypes.

Graphical Abstract

Flowchart of the study design (see materials and methods for detailed description).
A Spatio-temporal Bayesian model to estimate risk and influencing factors related to tuberculosis in Chongqing, China, 2014–2020
Authors: Chen Zhi-Yi , Deng Xin-Yi , Zou Yang , He Ying , Chen Sai-Juan , Wang Qiu-Ting , Xing Dian-Guo , Zhang Yan
Published: March 2023

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infectious disease that is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the spatial and temporal distribution patterns and potential influencing factors of TB incidence risk, and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of TB.

Methods

We collected reported cases of TB in 38 districts and counties in Chongqing from 2014 to 2020 and data on environment, population characteristics and economic factors during the same period. By constructing a Bayesian spatio-temporal model, we explored the spatio-temporal distribution pattern of TB incidence risk and potential influencing factors, identified key areas and key populations affected by TB, compared the spatio-temporal distribution characteristics of TB in populations with different characteristics, and explored the differences in the influence of various social and environmental factors.

Results

The high-risk areas for TB incidence in Chongqing from 2014 to 2020 were mainly concentrated in southeastern and northeastern regions of Chongqing, and the overall relative risk (RR) of TB showed a decreasing trend during the study period, while RR of TB in main urban area and southeast of Chongqing showed an increasing trend. The RR of TB was relatively high in the main urban area for the female population and the population aged 0–29 years, and the RR of TB for the population aged 30–44 years in the main urban area and the population aged 60 years or older in southeast of Chongqing had an increasing trend, respectively. For each 1 μg/m3 increase in SO2 and 1% increase in the number of low-income per 1000 non-agricultural households (LINA per 1000 persons), the RR of TB increased by 0.35% (95% CI: 0.08–0.61%) and 0.07% (95% CI: 0.05–0.10%), respectively. And LINA per 1000 persons had the greatest impact on the female population and the over 60 years old age group. Although each 1% increase in urbanization rate (UR) was associated with 0.15% (95% CI: 0.11–0.17%) reduction in the RR of TB in the whole population, the RR increased by 0.18% (95% CI: 0.16–0.21%) in the female population and 0.37% (95% CI: 0.34–0.45%) in the 0–29 age group.

Conclusion

This study showed that high-risk areas for TB were concentrated in the southeastern and northeastern regions of Chongqing, and that the elderly population was a key population for TB incidence. There were spatial and temporal differences in the incidence of TB in populations with different characteristics, and various socio-environmental factors had different effects on different populations. Local governments should focus on areas and populations at high risk of TB and develop targeted prevention interventions based on the characteristics of different populations.
Factors associated with stunting: gut inflammation and child and maternal-related contributors among under-five children in Hawassa City, Sidama Region, Ethiopia
Authors: Lefebo Berhanu Kibemo , Kassa Dejene Hailu , Tarekegn Baye Gelaw
Published: March 2023

Background

Under-nutrition remains a major global public health challenge, particularly among children under the age of five. Among the manifestations of under-nutrition, stunting accounts for the larger proportion, which is associated with multiple factors. In Ethiopia, however, the link between intestinal inflammation and childhood stunting was not well investigated. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the association between gut inflammation and childhood stunting.

Method

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted and a total of 82 children were included in the study. Anthropometric data were collected by measuring weight in underwear and without shoes with an electronic scale to the nearest 0.1 kg and their height in the Frankfort plane with a telescopic height instrument. Environmental risk factors for enteric bacterial exposure, access to improved sources of drinking water, and the presence of facilities for hygiene and sanitation conditions were assessed using a questionnaire. Gut inflammation was tested through fecal leukocyte count and each sample was stained with methylene blue. Stool samples were inoculated on MacConkey agar, Salmonella-Shigella agar, and Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate agar after enrichment with Selenite cystine broth and incubated at 37 °C for 18–24 h. Binary and multiple logistic regressions and Chi-square models were used to analyze the data.

Result

Data from the current study revealed that gut inflammation was (AOR: 5.28, 95% CI: 1.32–22.25) associated with stunting. On the other hand, children with reported diarrhea within the last week were 6 times more likely for the probability of being stunted (AOR: 6.21, 95% CI: 2.68–26.83). The findings of this study also demonstrated that children from a household with a family size of more than 5 members were three times more likely to be stunted than their counterparts (AOR: 3.21, 95% CI: 1.20 -10.13). Facts of the current study demonstrated that breastfeeding for 24 months and below was negatively associated (AOR: 0.3; 95% CI: -0.46-0.89) with gut inflammation. Detection of E.coli and Shigella species in the stool samples of children and Menaheria residents were positively associated with gut inflammation (AOR: 5.4, 95% CI: 1.32–22.25; AOR: 5, 95% CI: 1.47–24.21), respectively.

Conclusion

Therefore, there was a strong correlation between stunting and gastrointestinal inflammation. Moreover, stunting was associated with diarrhea, breastfeeding duration, residence, and family size. Similarly, intestinal inflammation was linked to residence, breastfeeding duration, and the prevalence of bacterial infections such as E. coli and Shigella species.
Dietary diversity and micronutrients adequacy among the women of reproductive age at St. Martin’s island in Bangladesh
Authors: Islam Md. Hafizul , Jubayer Ahmed , Nowar Abira , Nayan Md. Moniruzzaman , Islam Saiful
Published: March 2023

Minimum dietary diversity for women, an important dimension of diet quality, has been widely used as a proxy indicator for micronutrient adequacy. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), women of reproductive age (WRA) particularly are at high risk of inadequate micronutrient intake resulting from poor diversified diets. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess dietary diversity and micronutrients adequacy in the diets of WRA of St. Martin’s island, along with their socio-economic determinants. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative sample of 201 WRA living at St. Martin’s island. Utilizing the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) cut-point approach, the adequacy of micronutrient intake was evaluated from observed 24-h recall dietary data. The recent guideline of FAO was employed to evaluate Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W). Binary logistic regression and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify socio-economic determinants of MDD-W and micronutrients adequacy. The mean (SD) dietary diversity score was 4.25 (1.17) and about 40.3% of the participants met the MDD-W cut-off. Starchy staples (100%), meat/poultry/fish (87%), and other vegetables (79%) were consumed more frequently, while, the least reported food groups were dairy (2%), nuts and seeds (11%), and vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables (11%). Except for Niacin, intake of all micronutrients was inadequate, with an inadequacy prevalence of 36–100%. Educational level, and decision-making role of women were significantly related to their dietary diversity. On the other hand, age, decision-making role, and MDD-W were important determinants of micronutrient adequacy. In conclusion, the WRA of St. Martin's island consumed neither a sufficient amount of micronutrients nor an adequate diversity of foods. In addition, several socio-economic components are linked with dietary diversity and micronutrient adequacy. Therefore, attention is needed to decide on the best strategies to improve the quality of diet and dietary diversity for WRA in this setting.
How does parents’ social support impact children’s health practice? Examining a mediating role of health knowledge
Authors: Straughan Paulin Tay , Xu Chengwei
Published: March 2023

Background

Family environmental factors play a vital role in shaping children’s health practices (e.g., obesity prevention). It is still unclear how parents’ social support affects children’s obesity-related health practices. The present study argues that whether parents’ social support positively associates with children’s obesity-related health practice depends on if it could promote parents’ obesity-related health knowledge. Thus, we hypothesize that health knowledge mediates the relationship between parents’ social support and children’s health practice regarding weight management.

Methods

To test the hypothesis, we conducted a questionnaire survey and collected a nationally representative sample of 1488 household responses in Singapore. The survey included questions about parents’ social support, health knowledge, children’s health practices, and socio-demographic variables. All participants have at least one child 14 years old or younger. In the sample, 66.1% of the respondents are female, and 93.7% are below 50 years old. Structural equation modeling (SEM) via Stata was used to examine the associations between parents’ social support, health knowledge, and children’s health practice.

Results

The results of our analysis support our hypothesis. Specifically, (1) parents’ social support shows a positive relationship with health knowledge (Coef. = 0.17,p < 0.001 for BMI knowledge and Coef. = 0.18,p < 0.001 for nutrition knowledge); (2) parents’ social support (total effect of social support = 0.081,p = 0.071) and health knowledge positively associate with children’s obesity-related health practice (coefficient of BMI knowledge = 0.10,p < 0.01; coefficient of nutrition knowledge = 0.31,p < 0.001); and (3) the effects of parents’ social support on children’s health practice is fully mediated by parents’ health knowledge (mediating effect = 100%,p = 0.007).

Conclusion

The present study provides fresh evidence from a multicultural context to understand the relationships between parents’ social support, health knowledge, and children’s obesity-related health practice. Our findings support the argument that social support from parents’ social networks does not necessarily promote health outcomes. The only social support that carries proper health knowledge can facilitate good health practice.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: a systematic review of barriers to the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine among adults in Nigeria
Authors: Babatope Tolulope , Ilyenkova Vera , Marais Debbi
Published: March 2023

Background

Since the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) disease was reported in 2019, huge human and material resources have been expended globally to combat the spread of the disease. Achieving herd immunity through mass vaccination remains an important strategy to adopt in the war against this disease since it is practically impossible for 60–70% of the population to achieve immunity through natural infection alone. Unfortunately, there have been widespread reports of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. This study aims to systematically review the literature to provide an up-to-date assessment of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates and also explore factors impacting COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among adults in Nigeria.

Main body of the abstract

A systematic search of indexed electronic peer-reviewed literature published from 2019 onwards was conducted in Science Direct, PubMed, ProQuest, and EBSCOhost databases and reported according to the PRISMA checklist and Synthesis without meta-analysis (SWiM) in systematic review reporting guidelines. Fifteen out of the 148 studies retrieved, met the inclusion criteria and these were critically appraised using the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Critical Appraisal checklist and Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, version 2018. Basic descriptive statistic (percentage) was employed in the analysis of acceptance rates of the COVID-19 vaccine among various subgroups of adults in Nigeria, while a thematic analysis of the facilitators and barriers to the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria was conducted. Acceptance rates ranging from 24.3% to 49.5% were observed across the four studies conducted among the high-risk populations in Nigeria, while the acceptance rates among the low-risk populations ranged from 26.0% to 86.2%. Themes such as socio-demographic factors, perception of risk factors, and concerns about the vaccine's safety and efficacy act interchangeably as facilitators and barriers to the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines, whereas political factors, conspiracy theories, and cost primarily act as barriers to vaccine uptake.

Short conclusion

Substantial heterogeneity was observed in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates among adults in Nigeria. More than half of the studies reviewed reported acceptance rates below 60.0%. A multidisciplinary approach is recommended in engaging important stakeholders, to effectively address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Nigeria.
Knowledge on hypertension in Myanmar: levels and groups at risk
Authors: Pardoel Zinzi E. , Lensink Robert , Postma Maarten , Win Hla Hla , Swe Khin Hnin , Stein Claire , Febrinasari Ratih , My Hanh Hoang , Koot Jaap A.R. , Landsman Johanna A. , Reijneveld Sijmen A.
Published: March 2023

Background: Non-communicable diseases, specifically the burden of hypertension, have become a major public health threat to low- and middle-income countries, such as Myanmar. Inadequate knowledge of hypertension and its management among people may hinder its effective prevention and treatment with some groups at particular increased risks, but evidence on this is lacking for Myanmar. The aims of this study were therefore to assess the level of knowledge of risk factors, symptoms and complications of hypertension, by hypertension treatment status, community group-membership, and sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors in Myanmar.

Methods: Data was collected through structured questionnaires in 2020 on a random sample of 660 participants, stratified by region and existence of community groups. Knowledge of hypertension was measured with the ‘Knowledge’ part of a validated ‘Knowledge, Attitude and Practice’ survey questionnaire and categorised into ill-informed and reasonably to well-informed about hypertension. Results: The majority of respondents seem reasonably to well-informed about risk factors, symptoms and complications of hypertension. This did not vary by hypertension treatment status and community group membership. People with jobs (B=0.96; 95%-confidence interval 0.343 to 1.572) and higher education (B=1.96; 0.060 to 3.868) had more hypertension knowledge than people without jobs or low education. Adherence to treatment among hypertensive people was low.

Conclusion: This study shows a majority of participants in this study in Myanmar seem reasonably to well-informed, with no differences by hypertension status, treatment status, and community group-membership. People without jobs and low education have less hypertension knowledge, making them priority groups for tailored education on health care level as well as community level, lowering the burden of hypertension. Almost half of the hypertensive patients did not take their medicines and therefore, adherence to treatment of hypertension should be an important element for future health education.
Hospital Boarding Crises: The Impact of Urgent vs. Prevention Responses on Length of Stay
Authors: Adepoju Temidayo , Carson Anita L. , Jin Helen S. , Manasseh Christopher S.
Published: March 2023

Healthcare policy makers use wait-time metrics to encourage hospital managers to improve patient experience. In 2002, Massachusetts mandated that hospital managers develop processes to respond to boarding crises, which occur when emergency department (ED) patients experience long waits for inpatient beds. Performance improvement theory suggests that patients would be better served by preventing boarding crises rather than responding urgently after they occur. To empirically test this theory, we use data from a Massachusetts hospital that has two physician-based processes related to boarding and patient flow. First, to comply with the state mandate, the hospital developed processes to identify when the hospital is in a boarding crisis, a code yellow (CY), and subsequently request that physicians prioritize patient discharge (urgent response). Second, physicians can use predischarge orders, optional written communication about discharge barriers, to avoid discharge delays for patients approaching discharge (prevention response). Our data supports the existence of a trade-off between these two responses. Counter to our hypothesis, the state-mandated urgent response does not have any impact on length of stay (LOS). We also find that a CY has no impact on ED hourly occupancy, marginally decreases ED wait times, and increases boarding time. The prevention response is associated with a 26% reduction in LOS. Furthermore, we find that the urgent response reduces the likelihood of physicians’ ability to use the prevention response by 27.3%. We conclude that the state policy has unintended negative consequences that stymie hospital efforts to create longer term improvement.

This paper was accepted by Stefan Scholtes, healthcare management.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4724 .
How good are haemodialysis staff at detecting cognitive impairment in their patients? A pragmatic study of staff perception versus actual cognitive function
Authors: Sachar Amrit , Abdelwahed Aida , Al-Nusair Lana , Ulucay Edagul
Published: March 2023

Amrit Sachar, Aida Abdelwahed, Lana Al-Nusair and Edagul Ulucay explore the relationship between patients' actual cognitive function and staff perception of it
The ethics and law of safeguarding 3
Authors: Ellis Hannah , Ellis Emily , Ellis Peter
Published: March 2023

Hannah Ellis, Emily Ellis and Peter Ellis discuss the legal legislation surrounding safeguarding and explore how it applies to kidney care specialists
Radical informed consent: considering a new approach for reproductive justice in social work practice
Authors: Goldblatt Hyatt Erica
Published: March 2023

Abortion restrictions most greatly impact people of the global majority and queer populations, and social work scholarship has repeatedly called for the profession to engage in a reproductive justice framework across all levels of practice. This article does not provide another tool created by a White scholar with privilege; instead, I encourage social workers to consider: what is radical informed consent, and how can we do it?
Focusing through scattering media by a single polarization transmission matrix with binary polarization modulation
Authors: Yang Simin , Yu Xuelian , Zhang Yue , Li Xiufang , Yu Jiajing , Li Yinuo , Xie Zhenfei
Published: March 2023

Wavefront distortion induced by scattering media seriously affects optical focusing. Wavefront shaping based on a transmission matrix (TM) is useful in controlling light propagation in highly scattering media. Traditional TM generally studies amplitude and phase, but the stochastic nature of the light propagation in the scattering medium also affects its polarization. Based on the binary polarization modulation, we propose a single polarization transmission matrix (SPTM) and achieve single-spot focusing through scattering media. We anticipate that the SPTM will be widely used in wavefront shaping.
Infrared linear polarization small target enhancement algorithm in the cloudy background
Authors: Liu Xinlong , Wang Luping
Published: March 2023

With the development of infrared polarization sensors, image enhancement algorithms have been developed. Although using polarization information quickly distinguishes man-made objects from natural backgrounds, cumulus clouds would become detection noise because of their similar characteristics to targets in the sky scene. In this paper, we propose an image enhancement algorithm based on polarization characteristics and the atmospheric transmission model. The algorithm utilizes the principle of polarization imaging and atmospheric transmission theory to enhance the target in the image while suppressing the interference of clutter. We compare with other algorithms through the data we collected. The experimental results show that our algorithm significantly improves the target brightness and reduces clutter at the same time with real-time performance.
Terahertz sound generation at the effect of a femtosecond pulse of laser radiation on a metal
Authors: Danilov E. A. , Uryupin S. A.
Published: March 2023

Sound generation by a femtosecond laser pulse in a metal layer on a dielectric substrate is studied. The excitation of sound caused by the effect of the ponderomotive force, temperature gradients of electrons, and lattice is considered. A comparison is made of these generation mechanisms for various excitation conditions and frequencies of generated sound. It is shown that in the case when effective collision frequencies in the metal are low, sound generation dominates in the terahertz frequency range due to the ponderomotive effect of the laser pulse.
Polarization phase unwrapping by a dual-wavelength Mueller matrix imaging system
Authors: Song Jiawei , Guo Wei , Zeng Nan , Ma Hui
Published: March 2023

In this Letter, we report a dual-wavelength Mueller matrix imaging system for polarization phase unwrapping, allowing simultaneous acquisition of the polarization images at 633 nm and 870 nm. After phase unwrapping, the relative error of linear retardance is controlled to be 3% and the absolute error of birefringence orientation is about 6°. We first show that polarization phase wrapping occurs when the samples are thick or present obvious birefringence effects, and further analyze the effect of phase wrapping on anisotropy parameters via Monte Carlo simulations. Then, experiments on porous alumina with different thicknesses and multilayer tapes are performed to verify the feasibility of phase unwrapping by a dual-wavelength Mueller matrix system. Finally, by comparing the temporal characteristics of linear retardance during tissue dehydration before and after phase unwrapping, we emphasize the significance of the dual-wavelength Mueller matrix imaging system not only for anisotropy analysis in static samples, but also for determining the trend in polarization properties of dynamic samples.
Manipulating the supermodes in photonic molecules: Prospects for All-optical Switching and Sensing
Authors: Geints Yuri
Published: March 2023

A specific photonic structure, a photonic molecule (PM), formed by several ordered resonance microcavities (photonic atoms) supporting high-quality "whispering gallery" eigenmodes (WGM) is considered theoretically. All PM atoms are bound together by WGM electromagnetic fields and constitute collective supermodes of the whole molecule. Usually, the composition of the SM spectrum in a particular PM is determined only by its topology (atomic lattice type, interatomic gap). We propose another way to control the spectral composition of supermodes by using bilateral (double-sided) optical pumping of a PM provided by a variable phase shift between the optical excitation channels. We show that multi-atomic PMs made of silicone microcylinders demonstrate more than tenfold amplification/suppression of particular supermodes intensity located in the Stokes and anti-Stokes wings of the molecular spectrum. This may be beneficial for the engineering of PM-based intensity-dependent sensors of refractive index changes in optical pumping buses or all-optical thyristor with high switching range.
A retrospective study of risk factors, causative micro-organisms and healthcare resources consumption associated with prosthetic joint infections (PJI) using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) Aurum database
Authors: Perni Stefano , Bojan Bsmah , Prokopovich Polina
Published: March 2023

Background

Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a serious complication after joint replacement surgery and it is associated with risk of mortality and morbidity along with high direct costs.

Methods

The Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) data were utilized to quantify PJI incidence after hip or knee replacement up to 5 years after implant and a variety of risk factors related to patient characteristics, medical and treatment history along with characteristics of the original surgery were analyzed through Cox proportional hazard.

Results

221,826 patients (individual joints 283,789) met all the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study; during the study follow-up period (5 years), 707 and 695 PJIs were diagnosed in hip and knee, respectively. Patients undergoing joint replacement surgery during an unscheduled hospitalization had greater risk of PJI than patients whose surgery was elective; similarly, the risk of developing PJI after a secondary hip or knee replacement was about 4 times greater than after primary arthroplasty when adjusted for all other variables considered. A previous diagnosis of PJI, even in a different joint, increased the risk of a further PJI. Distribution of average LoS per each hospitalization caused by PJI exhibited a right skewed profile with median duration [IQR] duration of 16 days [8–32] and 13 days [7.25–32] for hip and knee, respectively. PJIs causative micro-organisms were dependent on the time between initial surgery and infection offset; early PJI were more likely to be multispecies than later (years after surgery); the identification of Gram- pathogens decreased with increasing post-surgery follow-up.

Conclusions

This study offers a contemporary assessment of the budgetary and capacity (number and duration of hospitalizations along with the number of Accident and Emergency (A&E) visits) posed by PJIs in UK for the national healthcare system (NHS). The results to provide risk management and planning tools to health providers and policy makers in order to fully assess technologies aimed at controlling and preventing PJI. The findings add to the existing evidence-based knowledge surrounding the epidemiology and burden of PJI by quantifying patterns of PJI in patients with a relatively broad set of prevalent comorbidities.
Tailoring interventions to suit self-reported format preference does not decrease vaccine hesitancy
Authors: Mäki Karl O. , Karlsson Linda C. , Kaakinen Johanna K. , Schmid Philipp , Lewandowsky Stephan , Antfolk Jan , Soveri Anna
Published: March 2023

Individually tailored vaccine hesitancy interventions are considered auspicious for decreasing vaccine hesitancy. In two studies, we measured self-reported format preference for statistical vs. anecdotal information in vaccine hesitant individuals, and experimentally manipulated the format in which COVID-19 and influenza vaccine hesitancy interventions were presented (statistical vs. anecdotal). Regardless of whether people received interventions that were in line with their format preference, the interventions did not influence their vaccine attitudes or vaccination intentions. Instead, a stronger preference for anecdotal information was associated with perceiving the material in both the statistical and the anecdotal interventions as more frustrating, less relevant, and less helpful. However, even if the participants reacted negatively to both intervention formats, the reactions to the statistical interventions were consistently less negative. These results suggest that tailoring COVID-19 and influenza vaccine hesitancy interventions to suit people’s format preference, might not be a viable tool for decreasing vaccine hesitancy. The results further imply that using statistics-only interventions with people who hold anti-vaccination attitudes may be a less risky choice than using only anecdotal testimonies.
Editorial
Authors: Cassidy Margaret
Published: March 2023

At this point of transition from one editor-in-chief to another, the incoming editor acknowledges the contributions of the outgoing editorial staff and welcomes a new staff.
Weakness exploitation: Predicting socially communicative devices as a successor to internet-based graphical user interfaces
Authors: Li Jamy , Chignell Mark
Published: March 2023

Existing theories of technology transitions cannot predict what new technological paradigm will supplant the currently leading, internet-enabled graphical user interface paradigm. This article introduces a preliminary approach (‘weakness exploitation’) to explain the rise and fall of four technology ‘empires’: print, television, the internet and socially interactive devices (such as robots, chatbots and internet of things devices). The approach is related to technology diffusion and disruptive innovation, but with a predictive element induced from Marshall McLuhan’s descriptions of print and television as ‘extensions’ of the senses. It is applied to the internet as an historical example of a technology transition outside of McLuhan’s original analysis and to explain why excessive exposure to screen-rendered digital media as the internet’s exclusive access point may be replaced by a new ‘age’ of computationally intelligent, socially communicative devices. This new approach can help researchers and technologists conceptualize transitions between usage of incumbent and emerging technologies.
Mujeres y violencia revolucionaria. Nuevas aportaciones sobre las milicianas en la guerra civil española
Authors: Rodríguez López Sofía
Published: March 2023

Este artículo se centra en las mujeres que se alistaron como voluntarias de las milicias antifascistas durante la guerra civil española. Empleando fuentes inéditas de la Pagaduría del Ejército, ofrece un volumen aproximado de esas “milicianas” y analiza su papel de vanguardia en los frentes. Parte del contexto de violencia política de la primera mitad del siglo XX y de una genealogía combativa femenina que inspirarían las “Soldaderas” mejicanas y rusas. De forma deliberada, evita realizar una semblanza de las milicianas célebres, profundiza en el perfil de otras combatientes anónimas del Ejército del Centro, Asturias y Cataluña. Las conclusiones a las que se llega nos hablan de la baja extracción socio-profesional de estas voluntarias de las milicias populares, lo que demostraría la importancia del móvil económico en su alistamiento, y las estrategias que articularon para evitar su desmovilización, tras las medidas de regularización del Ejército Popular impulsadas por Largo Caballero.
Judas desvelado. Alteridad trotskista y verificación comunista en la España en guerra
Authors: Rueda Laffond José Carlos
Published: March 2023

La pulsión anti-trotskista constituye un rasgo característico del comunismo de los años treinta. Con frecuencia ha sido abordado desde el prisma de la pugna política o la simple exportación estalinista. Este artículo quiere resaltar, en cambio, su relevancia como vector organizador del binomio otredad/identidad comunista. Aborda claves de su narrativa con decidida proyección internacional y ejemplifica su plasmación ante la verificación de varios interbrigadistas durante la Guerra Civil española. Se destaca así un imaginario simbólico poderoso pero dúctil, que discurrió a través de un discurso a un tiempo compacto y flexible, manifestado en unas prácticas que pretendían testar la calidad militante ante casuísticas plurales. Para ello, propone un recorrido por el estado de la cuestión, y, a través de diverso material de archivo, por ciertas claves del relato anti-trotskista o por su tipificación y estereotipos en las Brigadas Internacionales.
Educación moral en la escuela infantil
Authors: Avilés Sedeño Fátima , Puig Rovira Josep M.
Published: March 2023

Este artículo estudia un aspecto del proceso de adquisición de las primeras conductas morales por parte de niños y niñas de entre dos y tres años en el contexto de la escuela infantil: los encuentros morales entre iguales y la regulación que a veces llevan a cabo las personas adultas. Durante un año se realizó una investigación etnográfica que proporcionó doscientas dieciséis escenas de episodios de relación entre iguales. Este material nos permitió definir qué es un encuentro moral, qué tipos de retos y conductas morales distintas surgen en los encuentros y qué modalidades de ayuda llevan a cabo las educadoras durante los encuentros morales. Los resultados han mostrado que la adquisición de la moralidad es un proceso psicopedagógico complejo que al menos articula tres dinamismos: la puesta a punto de la intencionalidad conjunta, el desarrollo de las actitudes morales que se manifiestan en la relación y el aprendizaje moral mediante el cual se transmiten pautas de conducta y valores de referencia. Asimismo, hemos podido constatar que en los encuentros morales entre iguales aparecen conductas morales de justicia, cooperación y cuidado. Unas conductas que son la base de la futura moralidad adulta, así como del desarrollo de varias teorías éticas. Finalmente, el artículo concluye dando indicaciones prácticas sobre cómo implementar un modelo de formación moral para la educación infantil atento a la relación entre iguales y la regulación adulta.
Anxious, Disconnected and ‘Missing Out’, but Oh So Convenient: Tertiary Students’ Perspectives of Remote Teaching and Learning with Covid-19
Authors:   Victoria University, Thomas Melissah B. , Quinton Helen Widdop ,   Victoria University, Yager Zali ,   Victoria University
Published: March 2023

The higher education sector has learnt a great deal in the online delivery shift due to Covid-19, however, student voice has been underrepresented in literature. This paper reveals 15 student perspectives, including both international and domestic students, who were studying a Master of Teaching (Secondary) at one university in Melbourne, Australia, during heightened social distancing restrictions. The inductive thematic qualitative data analysis collected through semi-structured interviews showed opportunities and challenges of learning experiences. Emergent themes found affordances of convenience and challenges of relational and structural aspects of teaching and learning. Relational aspects of learning were more challenging, including peer collaboration, seeking informal advice and feedback from academics, and participation and engagement. We recommend the inclusion of student voice to guide post Covid-19 teacher education design recommend several areas of support to guide a humanising and personal connection into the remote learning environment.
Advancing Network Securing Strategies with Network Algorithms for Integrated Air Defense System (IADS) Missile Batteries
Authors: Pran Rakib Hassan
Published: March 2023

Recently, the Integrated Air Defense System (IADS) has become vital for the defense system as the military defense system is vital for national security. Placing Integrated Air Defense System batteries among locations to protect locations assets is a crucial problem because optimal solutions are needed for interceptor missiles to intercept attacker missiles for maximizing protection of assets across locations or places. In this research, the procedures of using network algorithms along with developing several network algorithms are going to be demonstrated to develop a model for network securing strategies of Surface to Air Missile (SAM) batteries to maximize the protection of assets across locations (based on given asset values) by generating optimal solutions through computation to destroy maximum attacker missiles by using minimum interceptor missiles with given intercept probabilities. This network securing strategies can be implemented not only for Integrated Air Defense System (IADS) planning but also Counter Air (CA) planning as Integrated Air Defense System (IADS) is conducted with defensive counter air supported by attack operations in offensive counter air.
The Impact of High-Tech on the Global Economy in General and the Israeli Economy in Particular: The perspective of Public Sector Employees
Authors: Qassoom Mohammad
Published: March 2023

The impact of high technology on the world economy in general and the Israeli economy, in particular, is discussed in this paperfrom the perspective of those working in the public sector. Israel is a powerful, safe, autonomous, and self-sufficient state today. It is a developed, modern nation well-positioned to participate in the new global economy (Freilich, 2018).

The study investigates the effects of high technology on the world economy in general and the Israeli economy in particular from the viewpoint of those working in the public sector. This study uses the perspective of public sector employees to examine the impact of high tech on the world economy in general and the Israeli economy in particular. It organizes and synthesizes this information, and via analysis, it creates a helpful model that details the effects of high technology on the Israeli economy(Qureshi, 2020). We designed a multi-stage study with several interviews to build a model, a pilot study to evaluate and improve it, and a final survey. According to the study, the difference widens as a nation’s reliance on technology in its democratic and economic institutions increases(Charles, Xia, & Courts, 2022). Israel is the ideal illustration of this paradox because it is a high-tech country leading the way regarding world media changes. Technology is widely used, and Israelis are among the top new media users. Israeli society has extensive ties to international affairs, and global media regularly reports political developments. However, Israel’s society is characterized by a lack of social cohesiveness and vast inequities, which penalize specific segments of the population and jeopardize the durability of these positive outcomes over the long run(Williams, 2018).
Isolation, phenotypic characterization and public health implications of
Listeria monocytogenes circulating in smallholder dairy farms of Kombolcha town and Kutaber district, Amhara regional state, Ethiopia
Authors: Abate Wubshet
Published: March 2023

Background:

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium of veterinary and public health importance, worldwide. The pathogen is among the major causes of abortion in dairy cattle. Listeriosis in humans is the main food-borne zoonotic illness resulted from consuming dairy and other food products contaminated with mainly
Listeria monocytogenes. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2020 to May 2021 to isolate
Listeria monocytogenes from raw bovine milk samples, to determine the Antibiogram of isolates and to understand its public health implication in smallholder dairy farms.
Listeria species isolation was performed, according to standard bacteriological procedures, using Buffered
Listeria Enrichment broth (BLEB) and Polymyxin Acriflavine Lithium-chloride Ceftazidime Aesculin Mannitol (PALCAM) agar and for confirmation and species identification: carbohydrates utilization tests using xylose, mannitol and rhamnose sugars, hemolysis test using blood agar, Christie Atkins Munch Peterson (CAMP) test and Listeriolysin 0 latex agglutination test was carried out. The antimicrobial susceptibility test using 9 commonly used antimicrobial drugs against 15
Listeria monocytogenes isolates, and a questionnaire survey were also conducted.

Results: From the total of 384 samples the overall prevalence of
Listeria species was 12.8% (49/384) and specifically for
Listeria monocytogenes was 4% (15/384). In this study, listeriosis is significantly associated with farm management systems and herd size (p-value< 0.05). Based on the antimicrobial susceptibility test, it was found that
Listeria monocytogenes was sensitive to most drugs except Sulfamethoxazole and nalidixic acid which in both showed 100% resistance. 13.3% of
L. monocytogenes isolates were also resistant to oxytetracycline, tetracycline, procaine penicillin G and cloxacillin.

Conclusion: This presence of
Listeria monocytogenes in raw milk and its multi-drug resistance pattern is an indication of a serious public health risk. Therefore, creating awareness to the farmers, and dairy product consumers, implementation of milk safety hygienic practices, implementation of countrywide surveillance and further research to estimate its prevalence both in animals and humans is strongly recommended.
Systematic Review of the Efficacy of Gluten-Free/Casein-Free diet or Supplementary Diets to Alleviate Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children
Authors: Kazem Zeina
Published: March 2023

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a serious neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in a child's cognitive function. The aim of this systematic review is to provide literature data about the efficacy and safety of specific biomedical dietary interventions on clinical aspects of children with autism. A review done by Kawicka & Regulska-Ilow has suggested that children with ASD may benefit from a gluten-free and casein-free diet (GF/CF) or probiotic/prebiotic supplementation due to their ability to alleviate the symptoms of the disorder, facilitate overall neurodevelopment and positively influence an autistic child’s behaviour. Pubmed was used as the source of the medical database to conduct a literature search on this topic. The date of the publication was not a restriction. Consideration was given to prospective studies conducted in child and adolescent populations (age 0 to 18) and evaluating the changes in the behaviour of those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The specific types of dietary interventions evaluated in this review are gluten/casein free diet, the use of probiotics/prebiotics, and briefly mentioning other emerging suggestions. Currently, while literature data is generally encouraging, additional randomized clinical trials are needed to provide more conclusive evidence about the effects of specific dietary interventions on the clinical aspects of autism.