bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real-world effectiveness of admissions to a tertiary treatment-resistant psychosis service: 2-year mirror-image study
Authors: Casetta Cecilia , Gaughran Fiona , Oloyede Ebenezer , Onwumere Juliana , Pritchard Megan , Shergill Sukhi S. , Whiskey Eromona , MacCabe James Hunter
Published: August 2020

Background

Treatment-resistant schizophrenia is a major disabling illness which often proves challenging to manage in a secondary care setting. The National Psychosis Unit (NPU) is a specialised tertiary in-patient facility that provides evidence-based, personalised, multidisciplinary interventions for complex treatment-resistant psychosis, in order to reduce the risk of readmission and long-term care costs.

Aims

This study aimed to assess the long-term effectiveness of treatment at the NPU by considering naturalistic outcome measures.

Method

Using a mirror image design, we compared the numbers of psychiatric and general hospital admissions, in-patient days, acuity of placement, number of psychotropic medications and dose of antipsychotic medication prescribed before and following NPU admission. Data were obtained from the Clinical Records Interactive Search system, an anonymised database sourced from the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust electronic records, and by means of anonymous linkage to the Hospital Episode Statistics system.

Results

Compared with the 2 years before NPU admission, patients had fewer mental health admissions (1.65 ± 1.44v. 0.87 ± 0.99,z= 5.594,P< 0.0001) and less mental health bed usage (335.31 ± 272.67v. 199.42 ± 261.96,z= 5.195P< 0.0001) after NPU admission. Total in-patient days in physical health hospitals and total number of in-patient days were also significantly reduced (16.51 ± 85.77v. 2.83 ± 17.38,z= 2.046,P= 0.0408; 351.82 ± 269.09v. 202.25 ± 261.05,z= 5.621,P< 0.0001). The reduction in level of support required after treatment at the NPU was statistically significant (z= −8.099,P< 0.0001).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the long-term effectiveness of a tertiary service specialising in treatment-resistant psychosis.
Service transitions, interventions and care pathways following remittal to prison from medium secure psychiatric services in England and Wales: national cohort study
Authors: Leonard Sarah-Jayne , Webb Roger T. , Shaw Jennifer J.
Published: August 2020

Background

Little is known internationally about return to prison from in-patient psychiatric services, including: circumstances leading to return, aftercare services and subsequent patient outcomes.

Aims

To examine and describe: (a) circumstances leading to return to prison from medium secure services; (b) available aftercare and early outcomes of returned persons; and (c) implications for policy development.

Method

Prospective cohort design with all patients (n = 96) returned to prisons from 33 National Health Service (NHS) medium secure services over a 6-month period in England and Wales. Follow-up was conducted for 1 year post-remittal, across 60 prisons.

Results

Less than 20% of patients with legal entitlement to section 117 aftercare under the Mental Health Act 1983 were receiving care managed/delivered via the care programme approach. Subsequent pathways included: inter-prison transfer (30%), use of the Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork process (49%), referral to secure services (21%) and community release (30%). Less than half of community releases were referred to a community mental health team.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that persons returned to prison are a vulnerable group of patients, many of whom require intervention (e.g. enhanced monitoring, admission to a healthcare wing, readmission to secure mental health services) on return to prison in the absence of targeted aftercare services. More robust guidance for discharge and aftercare planning procedures for persons remitted to prison should be developed to ensure that the benefits of in-patient admission are maintained and that individuals’ legal rights to ongoing aftercare are upheld.
Improved Beta Cell Glucose Sensitivity Plays Predominant Role in the Decrease in HbA1c with Cana and Lira in T2DM
Authors: Ali Ali Muhammed , Mari Andrea , Martinez Robert , Al-Jobori Hussein , Adams John , Triplitt Curtis , DeFronzo Ralph , Cersosimo Eugenio , Abdul-Ghani Muhammad
Published: August 2020

Aim

To examine the effect of combination therapy with canagliflozin plus liraglutide versus each agent alone on beta cell function in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.

Research Design and Methods

A total of 45 poorly controlled (HbA1c = 7%-11%) T2DM patients received an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) before and after 16 weeks of treatment with: (i) liraglutide (LIRA); (ii) canagliflozin (CANA); (iii) liraglutide plus canagliflozin (CANA/LIRA).

Results

Both liraglutide and canagliflozin significantly lowered HbA1c with no significant additive effect of the combination on HbA1c (0.89%, 1.43%, and 1.67% respectively). Insulin secretion during the OGTT, measured with (∆C-Pep/∆G)0-120, increased in the 3 groups (from 0.30 ± 0.06 to 0.48 ± 0.10; 0.29 ± 0.05 to 0.98 ± 0.23; and 0.24 ± 0.06 to 1.09 ± 0.12 in subjects receiving CANA, LIRA and CANA/LIRA respectively; P = 0.02 for CANA vs LIRA, P < 0.0001, CANA/LIRA vs CANA), and the increase in insulin secretion was associated with an increase in beta cell glucose sensitivity (29 ± 5 to 55 ± 11; 33 ± 6 to 101 ± 16; and 28 ± 6 to 112 ± 12, respectively; P = 0.01 for CANA vs LIRA, P < 0.0001, CANA/LIRA vs CANA). No significant difference in the increase in insulin secretion or beta cell glucose sensitivity was observed between subjects in LIRA or CANA/LIRA groups. The decrease in HbA1c strongly and inversely correlated with the increase in beta cell glucose sensitivity (r = 0.71, P < 0.001). In multivariate regression model, improved beta cell glucose sensitivity was the strongest predictor of HbA1c decrease with each therapy.

Conclusion

Improved beta cell glucose sensitivity with canagliflozin monotherapy and liraglutide monotherapy or in combination is major factor responsible for the HbA1c decrease. Canagliflozin failed to produce an additive effect to improve beta cell glucose sensitivity above that observed with liraglutide.
Miro, a Rho GTPase genetically interacts with Alzheimer's disease-associated genes (Tau, Aβ42andAppl) inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Panchal Komal , Tiwari Anand Krishna
Published: August 2020

Miro (mitochondrial Rho GTPases), a mitochondrial outer membrane protein, facilitates mitochondrial axonal transport along the microtubules to facilitate neuronal function. It plays an important role in regulating mitochondrial dynamics (fusion and fission) and cellular energy generation. Thus, Miro might be associated with the key pathologies of several neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) including Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the present manuscript, we have demonstrated the possible genetic interaction between Miro and AD-related genes such as Tau, Aβ42 and Appl in Drosophila melanogaster. Ectopic expression of Tau, Aβ42 and Appl induced a rough eye phenotype, defects in phototaxis and climbing activity, and shortened lifespan in the flies. In our study, we have observed that overexpression of Miro improves the rough eye phenotype, behavioral activities (climbing and phototaxis) and ATP level in AD model flies. Further, the improvement examined in AD-related phenotypes was correlated with decreased oxidative stress, cell death and neurodegeneration in Miro overexpressing AD model flies. Thus, the obtained results suggested that Miro genetically interacts with AD-related genes in Drosophila and has the potential to be used as a therapeutic target for the design of therapeutic strategies for NDs.
Inhibition of protein kinase D by CID755673 promotes maintenance of the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells
Authors: Zhu Zhenhua , Zhang Yan , Wang Xiaoxiao , Wang Xiaohu , Ye Shou-Dong
Published: August 2020

The identification of novel mechanisms to maintain embryonic stem cell (ESC) pluripotency is of crucial importance, because the currently used culture conditions are not suitable for ESCs from all species. In this study, we showed that the protein kinase D (PKD) inhibitor CID755673 (CID) is able to maintain the undifferentiated state of mouse ESCs in combination with the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor. The expression levels of PKD members, including PKD1, PKD2 and PKD3, were low in mouse ESCs but significantly increased under differentiation conditions. Therefore, depletion of three PKD genes was able to phenocopy PKD inhibition. Mechanistically, PKD inhibition activated PI3K/AKT signaling by increasing AKT phosphorylation level, and the addition of a PI3K/AKT signaling pathway inhibitor partially reduced the cellular response to PKD inhibition. Importantly, the self-renewal-promoting effect of CID was maintained in human ESCs. Simultaneous knockdown of the three human PKD isoforms enabled short-term self-renewal in human ESCs, whereas PI3K/AKT signaling inhibition eliminated this self-renewal ability downstream of the PKD inhibitor. These findings expand our understanding of the gene regulatory network of ESC pluripotency.
Canopy parkour: movement ecology of post-hatch dispersal in a gliding nymphal stick insect (Extatosoma tiaratum)
Authors: Zeng Yu , Chang Sofia W. , Williams Janelle Y. , Nguyen Lynn Y-Nhi , Tang Jia , Naing Grisanu , Kazi Chandni , Dudley Robert
Published: August 2020

For flightless arboreal arthropods, moving from the understory into tree canopies is cognitively and energetically challenging because vegetational structures present complex three-dimensional landscapes with substantial gaps. Predation risk and wind-induced perturbations in the canopy may further impede the movement process. In the Australian stick insect Extatosoma tiaratum, first-instar nymphs hatch on the forest floor and disperse toward tree canopies in the daytime. Here, we address how their tactic responses to environmental cues and movement strategies are adapted to the canopy environment. Newly hatched nymphs ascend with high endurance, travelling >100 m within 60 minutes. Navigation toward open canopies is underpinned by negative gravitaxis, positive phototaxis, and visual responses to vertically oriented contrast patterns. Nymphal E. tiaratum also use directed jumping to cross gaps, and respond to tactile stimulation and potential threat with a self-dropping reflex, resulting in aerial descent. Post-hatch dispersal in E. tiaratum thus consists of visually mediated displacement both on vegetational structures and in the air; within the latter context, gliding is then an effective mechanism enabling recovery after predator- and perturbation-induced descent. These results further support the importance of a diurnal niche, in addition to the arboreal spatial niche, in the evolution of gliding in wingless arboreal invertebrates.
PDCD4 regulates axonal growth by translational repression of neurite growth-related genes and is modulated during nerve injury responses
Authors: Di Paolo Andrés , Eastman Guillermo , Mesquita-Ribeiro Raquel , Farias Joaquina , Macklin Andrew , Kislinger Thomas , Colburn Nancy , Munroe David , Sotelo Sosa José R. , Dajas-Bailador Federico , Sotelo-Silveira José R.
Published: August 2020

Programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) protein is a tumor suppressor that inhibits translation through the mTOR-dependent initiation factor EIF4A, but its functional role and mRNA targets in neurons remain largely unknown. Our work identified that PDCD4 is highly expressed in axons and dendrites of CNS and PNS neurons. Using loss- and gain-of-function experiments in cortical and dorsal root ganglia primary neurons, we demonstrated the capacity of PDCD4 to negatively control axonal growth. To explore PDCD4 transcriptome and translatome targets, we used Ribo-seq and uncovered a list of potential targets with known functions as axon/neurite outgrowth regulators. In addition, we observed that PDCD4 can be locally synthesized in adult axons in vivo, and its levels decrease at the site of peripheral nerve injury and before nerve regeneration. Overall, our findings demonstrate that PDCD4 can act as a new regulator of axonal growth via the selective control of translation, providing a target mechanism for axon regeneration and neuronal plasticity processes in neurons.
Impact of virus subtype and host IFNL4 genotype on large-scale RNA structure formation in the genome of hepatitis C virus
Authors: Simmonds Peter , Cuypers Lize , Irving Will L. , McLauchlan John , Cooke Graham S. , Barnes Ellie ,   STOP-HCV Consortium, Ansari M. Azim
Published: August 2020

Mechanisms underlying the ability of hepatitis C virus (HCV) to establish persistent infections and induce progressive liver disease remain poorly understood. HCV is one of several positive-stranded RNA viruses capable of establishing persistence in their immunocompetent vertebrate hosts, an attribute previously associated with formation of large-scale RNA structure in their genomic RNA. We developed novel methods to analyze and visualize genome-scale ordered RNA structure (GORS) predicted from the increasingly large data sets of complete genome sequences of HCV. Structurally conserved RNA secondary structure in coding regions of HCV localized exclusively to polyprotein ends (core, NS5B). Coding regions elsewhere were also intensely structured based on elevated minimum folding energy difference (MFED) values, but the actual stem–loop elements involved in genome folding were structurally poorly conserved, even between subtypes 1a and 1b. Dynamic remodeling was further evident from comparison of HCV strains in different host genetic backgrounds. Significantly higher MFED values, greater suppression of UpA dinucleotide frequencies, and restricted diversification were found in subjects with the TT genotype of the rs12979860 SNP in the IFNL4 gene compared to the CC (nonexpressing) allele. These structural and compositional associations with expression of interferon-λ4 were recapitulated on a larger scale by higher MFED values and greater UpA suppression of genotype 1 compared to genotype 3a, associated with previously reported HCV genotype-associated differences in hepatic interferon-stimulated gene induction. Associations between innate cellular responses with HCV structure and further evolutionary constraints represent an important new element in RNA virus evolution and the adaptive interplay between virus and host.
Re-thinking antimicrobial resistance transmission dynamics: a meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies at referral hospitals in Uganda
Authors: Mboowa Gerald , Sserwadda Ivan , Aruhomukama Dickson
Published: August 2020

Background: Antimicrobial resistance threatens the achievements of modern medicine as well as the sustainability of effective global public health responses to the threat posed by infectious diseases. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase production in bacteria provides the main mechanism of resistance in gram-negative bacteria, particularly those belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family as well as gram-positive bacteria. This study hence aimed at providing insights into the potential role of in-patients, their immediate hospital environments, out-patients, and their communities in the transmission of antimicrobial resistance via identifying gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria commonly isolated in samples collected from each of these patients/sites as well as their antimicrobial susceptibility profiles using extended-spectrum β-lactamase production in the same as the basis.

Methods: Our study reviewed four cross-sectional studies conducted at national and regional referral hospitals in Uganda. Data on bacterial aetiology and antimicrobial susceptibility testing retrieved from the studies was imported into Microsoft Excel, cleaned, sand then exported to IBM SPSS statistics (version 16) for statistical analysis. The databases used were PubMed and Embase. 

Results: We report that; Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are the most prevalent Enterobacteriaceae species in the samples that were collected in the studies reviewed; these species account for the highest proportions of extended-spectrum β-lactamase producers; Staphylococcus aureus is the most prevalent of the gram-positive bacteria isolated from the same samples, and accounts for the highest proportions of extended-spectrum β-lactamase producers in the gram-positive bacteria isolated, and similar Enterobacteriaceae species and gram-positive bacteria, are predominant in samples from in-patients, their immediate hospital environments, and out-patients.

Conclusion: The insights provided indicate antimicrobial resistance transmission dynamics be re-thought and more comprehensive studies aimed at investigating the same be done to ascertain the source and transmission routes of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in clinical settings.
Event driven Recommendation System for E-commerce using Knowledge based Collaborative Filtering Technique
Authors: Singh Mahesh Kumar , Rishi Om Prakash
Published: August 2020

The Internet is changing the method of selling and purchasing items. Nowadays online trading replaces offline trading. The items offered by the online system can influence the nature of buying customers. The recommendation system is one of the basic tools to provide such an environment. Several techniques are used to design and implement the recommendation system. Every recommendation system passes from two phases similarity computation among the users or items and correlation between target user and items. Collaborative filtering is a common technique used for designing such a system. The proposed system uses a knowledge base generated from knowledge graph to identify the domain knowledge of users, items, and relationships among these, knowledge graph is a labelled multidimensional directed graph that represents the relationship  among the users and the items. Almost every existing recommendation system is based on one of feature, review, rating, and popularity of the items in which users’ involvement is very less or none. The proposed approach uses about 100 percent of users’ participation in the form of activities during navigation of the web site. Thus, the system expects under the users’ interest that is beneficial for both seller and buyer. The proposed system relates the category of items, not just specific items that may be interested in the users. We see the effectiveness of this approach in comparison with baseline methods in the area of recommendation system using three parameters precision, recall, and NDCG through online and offline evaluation studies with user data, and its performance is better than all other baseline systems in all aspects.
A Framework to Systematically Analyse the Trustworthiness of Nodes for Securing IoV Interactions
Authors: Bhardwaj Indu , Khara Sibaram , Shan Priestly
Published: August 2020

Trust plays essential role in any securing communications between Vehicles in IOV. This motivated us to design a trust model for IoV communication. In this paper, we initially review literature on IoV and Trust and present a hybrid trust model that separates the malicious and trusted nodes to secure the interaction of vehicle in IOV. Node segregation is done using value of statistics (St). If St of each node lies in the range of mean (m) plus/minus 2 standard deviation (SD) of PDR then nodes behaviour is considered as normal otherwise malicious. The simulation is conducted for different threshold values. Result depicts that PDR of trusted node is 0.63 that is much higher than the PDR of malicious node that is 0.15. Similarly, the average no. of hops and trust dynamics of trusted nodes are higher than that of malicious node. So, on the basis of values of PDR, number of available hops and trust dynamics, the malicious nodes can be clearly identified and discarded.
Features of Applying the New Revenue Recognition Model Under the IFRS
Authors: Shatunov Eduard
Published: August 2020

The article is devoted to topical issues of applying IFRS 15 "Revenue from contracts with customers" the Standard provides a new approach to revenue recognition, consisting of five consecutive steps to analyze the terms of sale in the contract with the buyer. The article considers examples of identification of obligations to perform depending on the terms of the contract and the features of the goods and services provided to the buyer.
Effect of dual-task and visual manipulation on the balance of older physical exercise practitioners and sedentary older and young adults
Authors: Martins Raquel de Melo , Pimenta Bruno José Frederico , Costa Marcelo Alves , Camata Thiago Viana , Oliveira Márcio Rogério , Marques Inara
Published: August 2020

O objetivo do estudo foi comparar o efeito da dupla-tarefa e da manipulação visual no equilíbrio posturalem idosos praticantes de diferentes modalidades de exercícios físicos, idosos e adultos jovens não praticantes. Participaram do estudo 51 indivíduos, subdivididos em quatro grupos: grupo de idosos praticantes de karatê (GPK), grupo de idosos praticantes de ginástica funcional (GPF), grupo de idosos não praticantes (GNP) e  grupo de adultos jovens (GNP). A tarefa consistiu em permanecer, na posição ereta, sob plataforma de força, por 40 segundos, sem e com dupla-tarefa, por meio de soma aritmética e com manipulação visual, com e sem visão. As variáveis analisadas do Centro de Pressão (COP) foram: área de oscilação e amplitude média de oscilação, nos sentidos médio-lateral e ântero-posterior. Os resultados foram desempenhos semelhantes entre os grupos que praticavam exercícios físicos (OPK e OPG) e o de adultos jovens (YNP), enquanto o ONP apresentou maior oscilação postural, nas variáveis área e amplitude de oscilação. Na condição visual, com visão e com a dupla-tarefa, os grupos OPK, OPG e YNP oscilaram menos, quando comparados a condição sem dupla-tarefa. Dessa forma, pode-se inferir que a prática de exercícios físicos, independente da modalidade, é eficaz no equilíbrio postural de idosos, com desempenho semelhante no grupo de adultos jovens, mesmo em condições com dupla-tarefa e manipulação sensorial da visão.
Developing a potential retinal OCT biomarker for local growth of geographic atrophy
Authors: Yu Yue , Moult Eric M. , Chen Siyu , Ren Qiushi , Rosenfeld Philip J. , Waheed Nadia K. , Fujimoto James G.
Published: August 2020

Geographic atrophy (GA), the advanced stage of age-related macular degeneration, is a leading cause of blindness. GA lesions are characterized by anisotropic growth and the ability to predict growth patterns would be valuable in assessing potential therapeutics. In this study, we propose an OCT-based marker of local GA growth rate based on an axial projection of the OCT volume in the Henle fiber layer (HFL) and outer nuclear layer (ONL). We analyze the association between our proposed metric and local GA growth rates in a small longitudinal cohort of patients with AMD. These methods can potentially be used to identify risk markers, stratify patients, or assess response in future therapeutic studies.
Characteristics of spatiotemporal dynamics of a quadruple Gaussian laser beam in a relativistic ponderomotive magnetized plasma
Authors: Pathak Nidhi , Agarwal P. C. , Gill T. S. , Kaur Sukhdeep
Published: August 2020

An investigation of the spatiotemporal dynamics of a quadruple Gaussian
laser beam via plasma in the presence of an external magnetic field
characterized by ponderomotive and relativistic nonlinearities is
presented. The moment theory approach is used to study the
second-order nonlinear differential equation analytically and
numerically. The evolution of the beam width parameter determines the
pulse dynamics, in both time and space. The spatial evolution at
different pulse times of a quadruple Gaussian laser beam in a
relativistic ponderomotive magnetized plasma is reported. The effects
of initial laser parameters, such as lateral beam separation, laser
intensity, external magnetic field, plasma density, and time factor on
self-focusing, are studied. Strong periodic self-focusing is observed
for a gradual increase in the magnetic field, plasma density, and time
factor, whereas an increase in beam intensity shows reversal effects.
The phenomenon of self-trapping is also observed for different values
of lateral beam separation and magnetic field. A three-dimensional
portrait of the normalized intensity as a function of the normalized
radial co-ordinate and lateral beam separation is well illustrated. It
is useful in studying inertial confinement fusion.
Optimization of an extremely high Q-factor terahertz perfect absorber for environmental refractive index sensing using quasi-analytical solutions
Authors: Tapsanit Piyawath
Published: August 2020

Terahertz (THz) radiation can be used to monitor the environment by sensing its variation of refractive index. Previous studies have shown that a THz perfect absorber with several hundred Q-factors can function as sensitive THz refractive-index sensors (THz-RISs). However, the electromagnetic field simulation of THz-RIS is currently based on the numerical methods, which are inefficient when THz-RIS has extremely high Q-factors in several orders of magnitude. In this study, we present the quasi-analytical solutions of THz-RIS made by a 2D metallic hole array coated by polymer thin-film (2D-HACP) for the efficient optimization of extremely sensitive THz-RIS. It is found that the optimized 2D-HACP shows the absorption peak about 96.7% at the resonant frequency close to 1 THz. The absorption peak has full width at half-maximum about 39.1 MHz, yielding the Q-factor equal to 25,555. It is shown that the figure of merit associated with the variations of the real part and imaginary part of environment’s complex refractive index are equal to

2.56
×

10
4

1/RIU and

4.12
×

10
8

1/(RIU·THz), respectively. Therefore, the optimized 2D-HACP may work as an extremely sensitive environmental sensor by monitoring the tiny variation of the environment’s complex refractive index.
“Short circuit” of power flux of light in near-zero refractive index metamaterials
Authors: Yongxing Wang , Ping Xu
Published: August 2020

An interesting phenomenon of “short circuit” of the power flux of light arising from the electromagnetic decoupling has been discovered in a composite structure composed of epsilon-mu-near-zero medium (EMNZ) and epsilon-near-zero (ENZ). In the composite structure, the power flux of light goes around the ENZ components with any shapes and sizes and perfectly passes through the composite structure via the EMNZ until the connection of the EMNZ is broken. The ENZ components can freely manipulate the power flux of light flowing along arbitrary paths inside the EMNZ without reflection. In addition, we discover that the embedded ENZ components enhance the stability of transmission property of impure EMNZ effectively. The arbitrarily-shaped non-ENZ dopants of EMNZ are able to be well hidden by coating an ENZ cladding with moderate thickness, which is demonstrated through an actual structure composed of photonic crystals. In the area of transmission and processing of optical signal in two-dimensional integrated optical systems, the EMNZ-ENZ composite structure we construct employs potential application prospects.
Fluorescence-detected Fourier transform electronic spectroscopy by phase-tagged photon counting
Authors: Tamimi Amr , Landes Tiemo , Lavoie Jonathan , Raymer Michael G. , Marcus Andrew H.
Published: August 2020

Fluorescence-detected Fourier transform (FT) spectroscopy is a technique in which the relative paths of an optical interferometer are controlled to excite a material sample, and the ensuing fluorescence is detected as a function of the interferometer path delay and relative phase. A common approach to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio in these experiments is to apply a continuous phase sweep to the relative optical path, and to detect the resulting modulated fluorescence using a phase-sensitive lock-in amplifier. In many important situations, the fluorescence signal is too weak to be measured using a lock-in amplifier, so that photon counting techniques are preferred. Here we introduce an approach to low-signal fluorescence-detected FT spectroscopy, in which individual photon counts are assigned to a modulated interferometer phase (‘phase-tagged photon counting,’ or PTPC), and the resulting data are processed to construct optical spectra. We studied the fluorescence signals of a molecular sample excited resonantly by a pulsed coherent laser over a range of photon flux and visibility levels. We compare the performance of PTPC to standard lock-in detection methods and establish the range of signal parameters over which meaningful measurements can be carried out. We find that PTPC generally outperforms the lock-in detection method, with the dominant source of measurement uncertainty being associated with the statistics of the finite number of samples of the photon detection rate.
Differential-pressure fiber-optic airflow sensor for wind tunnel testing
Authors: Liu Yueying , Jing Zhenguo , Liu Qiang , Li Ang , Teng Chang-an , Cheung Yang , Lee Ang , Tian Fu , Peng Wei
Published: August 2020

A differential-pressure fiber-optic airflow (DPFA) sensor based on Fabry-Perot (FP) interferometry for wind tunnel testing is proposed and demonstrated. The DPFA sensor can be well coupled with a Pitot tube, similar to the operation of the differential diaphragm capsule in the airspeed indicator on the aircraft. For differential pressure sensing between total pressure and static pressure in the airflow, an FP cavity is formed between the sensing diaphragm and a fiber end-face, and a tubule is inserted into the FP cavity. According to the principle of differential pressure derived from Bernoulli’s equation, the airflow velocity can be determined by monitoring the change of the FP cavity length. The experimental results demonstrate that a DPFA sensor with 0∼11 kPa measurable range, 826.975 nm/kPa sensitivity, and 0.008% (0.89 Pa) resolution can be realized. Combined with a 100 Hz-sweep frequency self-developed white light interferometric (WLI) interrogator and a Pitot tube, the DPFA sensor can be used for measuring the airflow velocity of 2.0∼119.24 m/s with an accuracy of 0.61%. The system is applied to the analysis of the flat-plate boundary layer, a wind tunnel experimental model, where the results are consistent with those of the theoretical analysis and from the standard electronic pressure transducer. With the large measurable range, high sweep frequency, and high precision, the system has potential application value for wind tunnel experimental investigation and in-flight measurement of airspeed.
Unveiling external motion dynamics of solitons in passively mode-locked fiber lasers
Authors: Zhang Yusheng , Huang Lin , Cui Yudong , Liu Xueming
Published: August 2020

Real-time measurement of ultrafast pulses together with high temporal resolution and long recording length is an urgent requirement of all optical communication systems and nonlinear science. Here, external motion dynamics of soliton pairs in mode-locking ultrafast fiber lasers can be single-shot characterized with long recording length, by using an asynchronous four-wave-mixing (FWM)-based temporal magnifier (AFTM) system. Recording length of more than one thousand roundtrips can be achieved through the AFTM system. Temporal propagation dynamics of soliton pairs with tunable separations are observed, revealing that soliton pairs with narrower separation display vibration-like dynamics, while the two solitons with wider separation remain relatively unchanged. We believe our results will provide a promising solution for real-time measurement of ultrafast pulse and can offer novel insights for ultrafast transient dynamics in nonlinear optics.
Compact and broad wavelength range tunable orbital angular momentum mode generator based on cascaded helical photonic crystal fibers
Authors: Fu Cailing , Li Pengfei , Bai Zhiyong , Liu Shen , Wang Yiping
Published: August 2020

A compact and broad wavelength range tunable orbital angular momentum (OAM) generator was experimentally demonstrated by cascading two helical photonic crystal fibers (HPCFs) with opposite helicity, i.e., clockwise-twisted 

+

anticlockwise-twisted HPCF. Such an OAM generator exhibited a length of approximately 9 mm and generated a high-quality OAM mode with a wavelength range of 35 nm. Moreover, the wavelength range is expected to be tuned from 17.9–51.3 nm by applying mechanical torsion.
Astigmatism-corrected endoscopic imaging probe for optical coherence tomography using soft lithography
Authors: Woo Lee Min , Hoon Kim Yeon , Xing Jingchao , Yoo Hongki
Published: August 2020

In endoscopic optical coherence tomography, a transparent protective sheath is used to protect the optics and tissue. However, the sheath causes astigmatism, which degrades transverse resolution and signal-to-noise ratio due to the cylindrical lens effect. Generally used methods for correcting this astigmatism are complex, difficult to control precisely, high-cost, and increase the dimensions of the imaging probe. To overcome these problems, we have developed an astigmatism-corrected imaging probe with an epoxy window. The astigmatism is precisely and cost-effectively adjusted controlling the curvature radius of the epoxy window, which is produced by soft lithography. Using the fiber optic fusion splicing, the fabrication process is simple. The fabricated imaging probe is almost monolithic, so its diameter is similar to that of a standard single-mode fiber. We demonstrate its astigmatism-correcting performance using focal spot analysis, imaging micro-beads and a biological sample.
Experimental study of optical hyperbolic metamaterials for high-efficiency spatial filtering
Authors: Yao Na , Jiao Jiao , Luo Zhenfei , Wang Du , Cheng Ke , Zhong Xianqiong , Sun Xu , Lü Haifeng
Published: August 2020

We experimentally study the optical properties of Al-

S
i
O

2

hyperbolic metamaterials. The
hyperbolic dispersion and ultrathin Al film

∼

12

n
m

make the Al-

S
i
O

2

multilayers possess transmission
efficiency

∼

0.3

for the spatial frequency ranging
from

k
0

to 1.42

k
0

at 363.8 nm illumination. The atomic
concentration of 3% Cu-doping is experimentally demonstrated to obtain
Al film

∼

12

n
m

with root-mean-square roughness

∼

0.49

n
m

. The fabricated Al-

S
i
O

2

multilayers combined with the
optimized

Z
r
O

2

resonant grating with period 280 nm
serves as a structured illumination device, which efficiently converts
the

P

-polarized normal field to the spatial
frequency 1.3

k
0

structured field. The measured
average transmission intensity of the

±

1

order is

∼

0.14

, and the intensity ratio of the

±

1

order and 0 order is

∼

65

. This Letter is promising for
structured illumination, spontaneous emission enhancement, Cherenkov
radiation, etc.
Patterned sapphire substrates cause a wavelength shift of green InGaN light-emitting diodes
Authors: Wu Haoyang , Xu Shengrui , Feng Lansheng , Mao Wei , Tao Hongchang , Gao Yuan , Huang Yuzhi , Wang Xuewei , Li Wen , Su Huake , Zhang Jincheng , Hao Yue
Published: August 2020

InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) were fabricated under the same growth conditions on the planar and patterned sapphire substrates (PSS) with 10 nm and 20 nm sputtering AlN layers, respectively. Photoluminescence and electroluminescence results both showed that MQWs samples have significant differences in emission wavelengths. The wavelength of the samples on planar substrate is about 20 nm longer than that on the PSS. For samples with the same substrate, but different AlN layer thickness, also exhibit a small wavelength shift. High-resolution X-ray diffraction also revealed that the periodic thickness of MQWs on a planar substrate is thicker than that on PSS. Thermodynamic simulation was carried out to verify the effect of PSS on the heat conduction of GaN film. The PSS embedded in GaN film will affect its heat dissipation ability, and thus influence the wavelength of the MQWs samples by affecting the growth temperature.
The OCIAD protein family: comparative developmental biology and stem cell application
Authors: Praveen Wulligundam , Sinha Saloni , Batabyal Rajarshi , Kamat Kajal , Inamdar Maneesha S.
Published: August 2020

Over the last two decades, an exponential growth in technologies and techniques available to biologists has provided mind-boggling quantities of data and led to information overload. Yet, answers to fundamental questions such as “how are we made?” and “what keeps us ticking?” remain incomplete. Developmental biology has provided elegant approaches to address such questions leading to enlightening insights. While several important contributions to developmental biology have come from India over the decades, this area of research remains nascent. Here, we review the journey in India, from the discovery of the ociad gene family to decoding its role in development and stem cells. We compare analysis in silico, in vivo and ex vivo, with developmental models such as Drosophila, mouse and stem cells that gave important insight into how these clinically significant genes function.
Haltere development in D. melanogaster: implications for the evolution of appendage size, shape and function
Authors: Khan Soumen , Dilsha C , Shashidhara L S
Published: August 2020

Differential specification of dorsal flight appendages, wing and haltere, in Drosophila provides an excellent model system to address a number of important questions in developmental biology at the levels of molecules, pathways, tissues, organs, organisms and evolution. Here we discuss the mechanism by which the Hox protein Ubx recognizes and regulates its downstream targets, implications of the same in growth control at cellular and organ level and finally the evolution of haltere from ancestral hindwings in other holometabolous insects.
Forebrain roof plate morphogenesis and hippocampus development in the chick embryo
Authors: Gupta Sandeep , Udaykumar Niveda , Sen Jonaki
Published: August 2020

The forebrain roof plate undergoes dramatic morphogenetic changes to invaginate, and this leads to formation of the two cerebral hemispheres. While many genetic factors are known to regulate this process, the mechanism of forebrain roof plate invagination remains unknown. In a recent study we have identified retinoic acid as a signal from the dorsal mesenchyme that regulates the invagination of the roof plate. This has brought into focus the importance of the interaction between the dorsal mesenchyme and the underlying roof plate. One of the structures derived from the dorso-medial forebrain after roof plate invagination is the hippocampus. While the functions of the hippocampus are conserved between birds and mammals, there are distinct structural differences. We have studied hippocampus development in the chick embryo and uncovered several similarities and differences between the process in mammals and birds. This study has also lent support to one of the prevalent models of structural homology between the avian and mammalian hippocampus. In this review, we have underscored the importance of the chick embryo as a model for studying forebrain roof plate morphogenesis and hippocampus development.
Simultaneous differentiation of articular and transient cartilage: WNT-BMP interplay and its therapeutic implication
Authors: Biswas Tathagata , Jaswal Akrit P. , Yadav Upendra S. , Bandyopadhyay Amitabha
Published: August 2020

Limb skeleton forms through the process of endochondral ossification. This process of osteogenesis proceeds through an intermediate cartilage template and involves several stages of chondrocyte maturation and eventual bone formation. During the process of endochondral ossification, interplay between BMP and WNT signaling regulate simultaneous differentiation of articular and transient cartilage. In this review, we focus on the recent literature which explores the simultaneous differentiation of these two different types of cartilage. We discuss a new paradigm of developmental biology-inspired tissue engineering of bone and cartilage grafts and provide novel insight into treatment of osteoporosis.
Maternal control of gamete choice during fertilization
Authors: Nair Sreelaja
Published: August 2020

Sexually reproducing organisms generate male and female haploid gametes, which meet and fuse at fertilization to produce a diploid zygote. The evolutionary process of speciation is achieved and maintained by ensuring that gametes undergo productive fusion only within a species. In animals, hybrids from cross-species fertilization events may develop normally, but are usually sterile (Fitzpatrick, 2004). Metazoan sperm and eggs have several features to ensure that the gametes, which have evolved independently and also in conflict with each other, are competent to undergo fertilization (Firman, 2018). Fertilization is a specific process that is ideally supposed to result in randomized fusion of compatible egg and sperm. Here, I will discuss key processes driven by maternal factors in the egg that dictate earliest stages of gamete recognition, gamete choice and fusion in metazoans.
Fields, patterns and information: R.L. Brahmachary’s contributions during the infancy of molecular embryology
Authors: Ray Animesh
Published: August 2020

The contribution of Professor Ratan Lal Brahmachary’s research during the early years of molecular embryology, its theoretical underpinnings, and its connection with those of other contemporary research efforts, are traced in this article as a part of the history of developmental biology research in India.
Research on early mammalian development in India
Authors: Seshagiri Polani B. , Vani Venkatappa
Published: August 2020

Historically, research in India on early mammalian development had only begun, rather modestly, in the last century, unlike the USA and UK. In India, initial studies were on gonadal and reproductive tissue development and function and they were limited to anatomical and histological characterization. This was followed by research on fertility regulation and contraception. Since the 1960s, a major initiative took place regarding endocrine biochemistry and the use of antifertility agents in inhibiting gonadal function and early development. Post-independence, the Indian government´s funding support enabled universities and institutions to embark on various research disciplines in biology but with no particular emphasis on developmental biology per se. Subsequently, India made significant progress in the area of mammalian reproduction and development, but not specifically in the core aspects of developmental biology. Reasons for this could be due to the nation’s compulsion to invest and embark on socio-economic and infrastructure development and on research involving family planning methods for reversible-affordable contraceptives to curtail population growth. With regard to the latter, biologists were involved in hormone-based contraception research. During this pursuit, insights were achieved into basic aspects of the development of gonads, gametes and embryos. Notwithstanding this, in the post-1980s through to the present time, Indian scientists have contributed to (i) the understanding of the cellular and molecular regulation of early development, (ii) developing genetically modified mouse models, (iii) using assisted reproductive technologies, generating mammalian progeny, including humans and (iv) deriving pluripotent stem cell lines for developmental studies. This article provides a perspective on the past and current status of early mammalian development research in India.
Glimpses of Dictyostelid research in India
Authors: Begum Rasheedunnisa , Saran Shweta
Published: August 2020

Simple organisms are preferred for understanding the molecular and cellular function(s) of complex processes. Dictyostelium discoideum is a lower eukaryote, a protist and a cellular slime mould, which has been in recent times used for various studies such as cell differentiation, development, cell death, stress responses etc. It is a soil amoeba (unicellular) that undertakes a remarkable, facultative shift to multicellularity when exposed to starvation and requires signal pathways that result in alteration of gene expression and finally show cell differentiation. The amoebae aggregate, differentiate and form fruiting bodies with two terminally differentiated cells: the dead stalk (non-viable) and dormant spores (viable). In India, starting from the isolation of Dictyostelium species to morphogenesis, cell signalling and social evolution has been studied with many more new research additions. Advances in molecular genetics make Dictyostelium an attractive model system to study cell biology, biochemistry, signal transduction and many more.
Introduction of Developmental Biology at Utkal University, (Odisha, India)
Authors: Mohanty-Hejmadi Priyambada
Published: August 2020

The paper deals with the background and the establishment of a Developmental Biology Laboratory in Utkal University in Odisha state. It describes the process from a humble beginning with limited facilities into a leading research centre, initially for amphibians and later for the endangered olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) turtle. Starting from the biology, reproduction and development in many anurans, the laboratory took up research on regeneration, especially on super-regeneration in tadpoles under the influence of morphogens such as vitamin A (retinoids). Treatment with vitamin A after amputation of the tail inhibited tail regeneration but unexpectedly induced homeotic transformation of tails into limbs in many anurans, starting with the marbled balloon frog Uperodon systoma. This was the first observation of homeotic transformation in any vertebrate. The laboratory continues research on histological and molecular aspects of this phenomenon. In addition, taking advantage of the largest rookery of olive ridley sea turtles in Gahirmatha, in the same state the laboratory has contributed significantly to the biology, breeding patterns, development and especially the temperature-dependent sex determination phenomenon (TSD). This research was extended to biochemical and ultrastructural aspects during development for the first time for any sea turtle. The laboratory has contributed significantly to the conservation of olive ridleys as well as the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). Recognition and awards for the laboratory have been received from both national and international bodies.
Cell signaling molecules in hydra: insights into evolutionarily ancient functions of signaling pathways
Authors: Ghaskadbi Surendra
Published: August 2020

Hydra, a Cnidarian believed to have been evolved about 60 million years ago, has been a favorite model for developmental biologists since Abraham Trembley introduced it in 1744. However, the modern renaissance in research on hydra was initiated by Alfred Gierer when he established a hydra laboratory at the Max Plank Institute in Göttingen in the late 1960s. Several signaling mechanisms that regulate development and pattern formation in vertebrates, including humans, have been found in hydra. These include Wnt, BMP, VEGF, FGF, Notch, and RTK signaling pathways. We have been using hydra to understand the evolution of cell signaling for the past several years. In this article, I will summarize the work on cell signaling pathways in hydra with emphasis on our own work. We have identified and characterized, for the first time, the hydra homologs of the BMP inhibitors Noggin and Gremlin, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and several receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Our work, along with that of others, clearly demonstrates that these pathways arose early in evolution to carry out functions that were often quite different from their functions in more complex animals. Apart from providing insights into morphogenesis and pattern formation in adult, budding and regenerating hydra, these findings bring out the utility of hydra as a model system to study evolutionarily ancient, in contrast to recently acquired, functions of various biological molecules.