bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishing a framework for privacy-preserving record linkage among electronic health record and administrative claims databases within PCORnet®, the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network
Authors: Kiernan Daniel , Carton Thomas , Toh Sengwee , Phua Jasmin , Zirkle Maryan , Louzao Darcy , Haynes Kevin , Weiner Mark , Angulo Francisco , Bailey Charles , Bian Jiang , Fort Daniel , Grannis Shaun , Krishnamurthy Ashok Kumar , Nair Vinit , Rivera Pedro , Silverstein Jonathan , Marsolo Keith
Published: October 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine whether a secure, privacy-preserving record linkage (PPRL) methodology can be implemented in a scalable manner for use in a large national clinical research network.

Results

We established the governance and technical capacity to support the use of PPRL across the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet®). As a pilot, four sites used the Datavant software to transform patient personally identifiable information (PII) into de-identified tokens. We queried the sites for patients with a clinical encounter in 2018 or 2019 and matched their tokens to determine whether overlap existed. We described patient overlap among the sites and generated a “deduplicated” table of patient demographic characteristics. Overlapping patients were found in 3 of the 6 site-pairs. Following deduplication, the total patient count was 3,108,515 (0.11% reduction), with the largest reduction in count for patients with an “Other/Missing” value for Sex; from 198 to 163 (17.6% reduction). The PPRL solution successfully links patients across data sources using distributed queries without directly accessing patient PII. The overlap queries and analysis performed in this pilot is being replicated across the full network to provide additional insight into patient linkages among a distributed research network.
Introducing AI to the molecular tumor board: one direction toward the establishment of precision medicine using large-scale cancer clinical and biological information
Authors: Hamamoto Ryuji , Koyama Takafumi , Kouno Nobuji , Yasuda Tomohiro , Yui Shuntaro , Sudo Kazuki , Hirata Makoto , Sunami Kuniko , Kubo Takashi , Takasawa Ken , Takahashi Satoshi , Machino Hidenori , Kobayashi Kazuma , Asada Ken , Komatsu Masaaki , Kaneko Syuzo , Yatabe Yasushi , Yamamoto Noboru
Published: October 2022

Since U.S. President Barack Obama announced the Precision Medicine Initiative in his New Year’s State of the Union address in 2015, the establishment of a precision medicine system has been emphasized worldwide, particularly in the field of oncology. With the advent of next-generation sequencers specifically, genome analysis technology has made remarkable progress, and there are active efforts to apply genome information to diagnosis and treatment. Generally, in the process of feeding back the results of next-generation sequencing analysis to patients, a molecular tumor board (MTB), consisting of experts in clinical oncology, genetic medicine, etc., is established to discuss the results. On the other hand, an MTB currently involves a large amount of work, with humans searching through vast databases and literature, selecting the best drug candidates, and manually confirming the status of available clinical trials. In addition, as personalized medicine advances, the burden on MTB members is expected to increase in the future. Under these circumstances, introducing cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technology and information and communication technology to MTBs while reducing the burden on MTB members and building a platform that enables more accurate and personalized medical care would be of great benefit to patients. In this review, we introduced the latest status of elemental technologies that have potential for AI utilization in MTB, and discussed issues that may arise in the future as we progress with AI implementation.
New finding of Trichoderma asperellum in decreasing soil N2O emission
Authors: Wu Hong-sheng , Chen Su-yun , Ding Jun , Tian Wei , Wang Ti-jian , Shen Li-dong , Li Yan-hui , Liu Zheng , Li Ji
Published: October 2022

Background

Global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions affects sustainable human development. Agricultural practices are important source of greenhouse gases (GHG). Nitrous oxide (N2O) contributes greatly to farming GHG. It is important to find a potential and practical biological technique that mitigate N2O emissions in an environment friendly way.

Methods

N2O-inhibiting fungi were isolated and identified in the lab. The fungi were added into the soil and placed in the incubator and interval gas sampling was analyzed by gas chromatograph.

Results

Fungus coding Z17 was identified molecularly with the same evolutionary branch on the phylogenetic tree with Trichoderma asperellum by BLAST comparison on NCBI GenBank. In the lab simulation, the N2O emission flux was decreased by 28.18–47.16% by inoculating Trichoderma asperellum with 106 cfu·g−1, 5 × 106 cfu·g−1 and 107 cfu·g−1 fungal spores in the soil compared to the control.

Conclusions

The N2O-inhibiting fungus Z17 was identified as Trichoderma asperellum, capable of suppressing N2O emissions from soil with at least 106 CFU·g−1 soil. The best N2O-inhibiting effect was on day 9 of inoculation into soil because most of the fungal numbers were present in soil.

Graphical Abstract
Fitness of the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda to a new host plant, banana (Musa nana Lour.)
Authors: Zhou Shangchao , Qin Yanxiang , Wang Xiaoyun , Zheng Xialin , Lu Wen
Published: October 2022

Background

The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda is a highly destructive agricultural pest that primarily damages maize in China. However, there were no reports of S. frugiperda damage to banana until it was observed on bananas in the wild. This suggested that banana crops may be potential hosts of the pest. To clarify the fitness and potential impact of S. frugiperda on banana, this study analysed the survival and development of S. frugiperda fed on bananas in the laboratory and constructed age-stage and two-sex life tables.

Results

Larvae of S. frugiperda fed on bananas completed their life cycles and produced fertile offspring, but the larvae had eight instars and presented longer developmental duration, slower population growth, and lower body weight than maize-fed larvae. Furthermore, the banana-fed S. frugiperda had longer adult longevity and preoviposition periods than the maize-fed larvae, while the opposite tendency was observed for oviposition days and egg production. Based on age-stage and two-sex life tables, the survival probability at each stage of S. frugiperda fed on bananas was lower than that of maize-fed larvae, and banana-fed S. frugiperda showed lower reproductive capacity.

Conclusions

Although banana is not an ideal host for the fall armyworm, it may be colonized by the species in situations in which the population density is high or the preferred host is scarce. Therefore, it is essential to prevent the pest from transferring to bananas and thereby increasing the number of sources of outbreaks.

Graphical Abstract
Measurement properties of the Brazilian online version of the Fibromyalgia Rapid Screening Tool (FiRST)
Authors: de Sousa Ana Paula , de Arruda Guilherme Tavares , Pontes-Silva André , de Souza Marcelo Cardoso , Driusso Patricia , Avila Mariana Arias
Published: October 2022

Objective

The Fibromyalgia Rapid Screening Tool (FiRST) was developed to screen people with chronic pain for Fibromyalgia (FM), especially in primary health care settings. This study aimed to translate the FiRST into Brazilian Portuguese and evaluate its measurement properties for an online application.

Methods

After the process of translation and backtranslation, the FiRST was applied online in 483 adults with chronic pain (FM group n = 395; Chronic pain group n = 88), along with the Numerical Rating Scale for pain and fatigue, the Brief Pain Inventory, and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire-Revised. A Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve was computed and the area under the curve (AUC) was used to determine the sensibility, specificity, and cut-off score for the FiRST. The Mann-Whitney test was used for quantitative variables and the Chi-square and the Fisher’s exact test, for the categorical variables with level of significance of 5%. Fleiss’ Kappa, Gwet’s AC1 and percentage of agreement were also calculated between test and retest.

Results

For all the questionnaires, the FM group presented higher scores, which mean a worst condition. The FiRST presented a sensitivity of 92.3%, and a specificity of 61.6% with 5 as the cut-off score. AUC, Fleiss’ Kappa, Gwet’s AC1 and percentage of agreement were, respectively, 0.82, 0.38, 0.63 and 71.8%.

Conclusion

The FiRST was translated into Brazilian Portuguese and the online version presented a good content validity and adequate measurement errors that allow FM patients to be screened among people with chronic pain.
Promoting spatial cognition in hospital buildings using space syntax analyses
Authors: Youssef Khaled Ali , Youssef Amr Mamdoh Ali
Published: October 2022

Spatial cognition is a pivotal consideration in hospital buildings. Potential circulation configuration alternatives in hospitals have been filtered to 59 significant alternatives, to be simulated using space syntax analyses for measuring connectivity, visual integration, and visual step depth. Best alternatives have been determined via comparison and correlation analysis. A survey has been conducted, comparing the preferences of professional architects with simulation outcomes. Results show that best and worst alternatives exist in triangular and circular buildings, respectively. Also, cul-de-sac corridors are argued to promote spatial cognition better than looped corridors. Notably, cognition is inversely proportional to the curvature of the circulation spaces, number of nodes, and the number of branches. The survey showed a weak perception of the best alternatives, while respondents have a better perception of highly visible locations in these alternatives.
Target-oriented waveform inversion based on Marchenko redatumed data
Authors: Lin Yuzhao , Liu Huaishan
Published: October 2022

Target-oriented inversion (TOI) can resolve subsurface reservoir parameters based on surface waveform data. Moreover, virtual data at the datum level and a precise local forward operator are required to accurately perform inversion in the target area. The Marchenko redatuming, a state-of-the-art seismic redatuming method, is used to obtain the virtual data of the target area. Local forward operators of crosscorrelation and cross-convolution forms are used to generate the local wavefields. A subsurface-domain interferometric objective function and the corresponding inversion algorithm are developed. A simple model is used to demonstrate the accuracy of this approach. This technique is applied to the Chevron 2014 benchmark data set to invert a specific area, indicating that the method can achieve accurate high-resolution inversion results with reduced computational costs. Finally, a time-lapse inversion is performed to exhibit the practicality of the new approach in 4D seismic exploration. These numerical results demonstrate great applications of the TOI based on the redatumed data and local forward operators of crosscorrelation or convolution forms.
Finite-difference modeling of 3D frequency-domain elastic wave equation using an affine mixed-grid method
Authors: Dong Shu-Li , Chen Jing-Bo
Published: October 2022

In seismic frequency-domain finite-difference modeling, the numerical accuracy depends on how mass and partial differential terms are discretized in the acoustic/elastic wave equation. For the mass term(s), a combination of consistent and lumped mass methods is widely accepted. For the partial differential terms, there exist many discretization technologies, such as the average-derivative method (ADM) and the rotated mixed-grid method (RMM). In comparison with the ADM, which focuses on the media interior, the RMM is excellent at handling the media interior and free-surface boundary simultaneously. However, the existing RMMs are based on the orthogonal coordinate transformation and suffer from the restriction of cube-grid sampling. Affine coordinate systems do not restrict the axes to be orthogonal. By introducing the 3D affine coordinate transformations to the RMM, we have developed an affine mixed-grid method and generated an optimal 27-point scheme for the 3D elastic wave equation. Our scheme removes the sampling restriction of cubic mesh, thus working for general cuboid mesh. In addition, it provides consistent expressions in the whole computational domain, thus improving the accuracies of the internal and free-surface grid points simultaneously. Dispersion analysis and numerical examples demonstrate that our scheme provides acceptable accuracy with five points per minimal S-wavelength for the internal and free-surface points with arbitrary spatial grid intervals.
Skeletal Effects of Sleeve Gastrectomy in Adolescents and Young Adults: A 2-Year Longitudinal Study
Authors: Mitchell Deborah M , Singhal Vibha , Animashaun Abisayo , Bose Amita , Carmine Brian , Stanford Fatima C , Inge Thomas H , Kelsey Megan M , Lee Hang , Bouxsein Mary L , Yu Elaine W , Bredella Miriam A , Misra Madhusmita
Published: October 2022

Context

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) is an increasingly common tool to achieve weight loss and improve metabolic health in adolescents and young adults with obesity, although it may adversely affect bone health.

Objective

This work aimed to evaluate the effect of VSG on bone health in youth.

Methods

An observational 2-year study was conducted at a tertiary care center of 66 patients aged 13 to 24 years with moderate-to-severe obesity meeting criteria for VSG. The patients underwent VSG (n = 30) or nonsurgical (n = 36) management per the decision of patient and clinical team. Main outcome measures included dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HRpQCT) measures of bone mineral density (BMD), geometry, and microarchitecture.

Results

VSG patients achieved 25.3 ± 2.0% weight loss at 2 years (P < .001) while control subjects gained 4.0 ± 2.0% (P = .026). Total hip BMD declined 8.5 ± 1.0% following VSG compared with 0.1 ± 1.0% gain in controls (P < .001), with similar results at the femoral neck (P < .001). Total volumetric BMD (vBMD) decreased both at the distal radius and tibia following VSG (P < .001) driven primarily by trabecular vBMD loss (P < .001). Two-year changes in cortical vBMD did not differ between groups, though cortical porosity decreased following VSG both at the radius and tibia (P = .048 and P < .001). Cortical thickness increased in controls but not in VSG (P = .022 and P = .002 for between-group comparisons at the radius and tibia, respectively). Following VSG, estimated failure load decreased at the radius and did not demonstrate the physiologic increases at the tibia observed in controls.

Conclusion

VSG leads to progressive changes in bone health over 2 years, and may lead to increased skeletal fragility in adolescents and young adults.
Women’s perceptions and attitudes to the use of AI in breast cancer screening: a survey in a cancer referral centre
Authors: Pesapane Filippo , Rotili Anna , Valconi Elena , Agazzi Giorgio Maria , Montesano Marta , Penco Silvia , Nicosia Luca , Bozzini Anna , Meneghetti Lorenza , Latronico Antuono , Pizzamiglio Maria , Rossero Eleonora , Gaeta Aurora , Raimondi Sara , Pizzoli Silvia Francesca Maria , Grasso Roberto , Carrafiello Gianpaolo , Pravettoni Gabriella , Cassano Enrico
Published: October 2022

Objective:

Although breast cancer screening can benefit from Artificial Intelligence (AI), it is still unknown whether, to which extent or under which conditions, the use of AI is going to be accepted by the general population. The aim of our study is to evaluate what the females who are eligible for breast cancer screening know about AI and how they perceive such innovation.

Methods:

We used a prospective survey consisting of a 11-multiple-choice questionnaire evaluating statistical associations with Chi-Square-test or Fisher-exact-test. Multinomial-logistic-regression was performed on items with more than two response categories. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI were computed to estimate the probability of a specific response according to patient’s characteristics.

Results:

In the 800 analysed questionnaires, 51% of respondents confirmed to have knowledge of AI. Of these, 88% expressed a positive opinion about its use in medicine. Non-Italian respondents were associated with the belief of having a deep awareness about AI more often than Italian respondents (OR = 1.91;95% CI[1.10–3.33]). Higher education level was associated with better opinions on the use of AI in medicine (OR = 4.69;95% CI[1.36–16.12]). According to 94% of respondents, the radiologists should always produce their own report on mammograms, whilst 77% agreed that AI should be used as a second reader. Most respondents (52%) considered that both the software developer and the radiologist should be held accountable for AI errors.

Conclusions:

Most of the females undergoing screening in our Institute approve the introduction of AI, although only as a support to radiologist, and not in substitution thereof. Yet, accountability in case of AI errors is still unsolved. advances in knowledge:

This survey may be considered as a pilot-study for the development of large-scale studies to understand females’s demands and concerns about AI applications in breast cancer screening.
Human PRPF39 is an alternative splicing factor recruiting U1 snRNP to weak 5′ splice sites
Authors: Espinosa Sara , De Bortoli Francesca , Li Xueni , Rossi John , Wagley Marisa E. , Lo Hei-Yong G. , Taliaferro J. Matthew , Zhao Rui
Published: October 2022

Human PRPF39 is a homolog of the yeast Prp39 and Prp42 paralogs. We have previously shown that human PRPF39 forms a homodimer that interacts with the CTD of U1C, mirroring the yeast Prp39/Prp42 heterodimer. We demonstrate here that PRPF39 knockdown in HEK293 cells affects many alternative splicing events primarily by reducing the usage of weak 5′ ss. Additionally, PRPF39 preferentially binds to a GC-rich RNA, likely at the interface between its NTD and CTD. These data indicate that PRPF39 potentially recruits U1 snRNP to a weak 5′ ss, serving as a previously unrecognized alternative splicing factor. We further demonstrate that human TIA1 binds to U1C through its RRM1 and RRM3 + Q domains and has weak binding to PRPF39. Finally, all three human LUC7L isoforms directly interact with U1C and with PRPF39. These results reveal significant parallels to the yeast U1 snRNP structure and support the use of yeast U1 snRNP as a model for understanding the mechanism of human alternative splicing.
The kinesin motor KIF1C is a putative transporter of the exon junction complex in neuronal cells
Authors: Nagel Maike , Noß Marvin , Xu Jishu , Horn Nicola , Ueffing Marius , Boldt Karsten , Schüle Rebecca
Published: October 2022

Neurons critically depend on regulated RNA localization and tight control of spatiotemporal gene expression to maintain their morphological and functional integrity. Mutations in the kinesin motor protein geneKIF1Ccause hereditary spastic paraplegia, an autosomal recessive disease leading to predominant degeneration of the long axons of central motoneurons. In this study, we aimed to gain insight into the molecular function of KIF1C and understand how KIF1C dysfunction contributes to motoneuron degeneration. We used affinity proteomics in neuronally differentiated neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) to identify the protein complex associated with KIF1C in neuronal cells; candidate interactions were then validated by immunoprecipitation, and mislocalization of putative KIF1C cargoes was studied by immunostainings. We found KIF1C to interact with all core components of the exon junction complex (EJC); expression of mutant KIF1C in neuronal cells leads to loss of the typical localization distally in neurites. Instead, EJC core components accumulate in the pericentrosomal region, here colocalizing with mutant KIF1C. These findings suggest KIF1C as a neuronal transporter of the EJC. Interestingly, the binding of KIF1C to the EJC is RNA-mediated, as treatment with RNase prior to immunoprecipitation almost completely abolishes the interaction. Silica-based solid-phase extraction of UV-cross-linked RNA–protein complexes furthermore supports direct interaction of KIF1C with RNA, as recently also demonstrated for kinesin heavy chain. Taken together, our findings are consistent with a model where KIF1C transports mRNA in an EJC-bound and therefore transcriptionally silenced state along neurites, thus providing the missing link between the EJC and mRNA localization in neurons.
Characteristics of Corrosion Layers and Corrosion Products by Lead Contents of Excavated Bronze Artifacts
Authors: Choi Gyeong Seo , Bae Go Woon , Lee Sang Ok , Chung Kwang Yong
Published: October 2022

This study aims to investigate the corrosion characteristics of bronze artifacts according to lead contents by conducting a comprehensive analysis on corrosion layers and corrosion products focusing on excavated bronze artifacts of ternary alloys with various chemical compositions.
From the research outcome, the selective corrosion, high-tin corrosion layers, and lead compounds were identified in two excavated bronze artifacts, and there was a difference in the structure of corrosion layers and the corrosion products of core metal between high lead content bronze and the lowest lead content bronze. Especially, based on the specimen with the highest lead content, it was identified that lead oxide in reddish color and a large quantity of lead corrosion products including lead carbonate in various colors such as white, red, yellow, and green are distributed inside the base metal.
In this study, the number of analyzed samples is insufficient to represent the corrosion characteristics of bronze artifacts made of the ternary alloys. Therefore, it is judged that basic data should be accumulated by conducting a corrosion characteristic study on bronze artifacts with various alloy composition ratios in the future.
The Reuse Methods of Traditional Metal Hardware for Reinforcing the Structure of Korea Traditional Wooden Building
Authors: Min Sang A , Lee Sang Ok , Chung Kwang Yong
Published: October 2022

This study aims to provide basic data for actual heritage conservation areas by suggesting the reuse method of materials from wooden historic buildings. This research may contribute to an increase in the utilization of materials for stabilizing the structure of wooden historic buildings. The data were collected by applying heating, tapping, and heat treatment based on the pattern and extent of the damage of iron nails acquired from wooden historic buildings. To make a comparison before and after processing, morphological characteristics and physical properties were measured using a metallurgical analysis. According to these data, we can infer that the possibility of reuse of historic iron materials could be raised in the restoration process of historic buildings such as existing building components and roof tiles. If the research is to move forward, authenticity will be fostered in architectural heritage conservation.
Badanie i analiza potrzeb szkoleniowych w nauczaniu języka obcego osób dorosłych. Przegląd literatury, przykłady, procedury, badania
Authors: Zioło-Pużuk Karolina
Published: October 2022

Artykuł skupia się na przedstawieniu przeglądu literatury dotyczącej badania potrzeb szkoleniowych osób dorosłych w zakresie nauczania języków obcych na kursach języka specjalistycznego i ogólnego oraz jest on próbą opisania podstawowych zagadnień dotyczących tego typu badań, tj. pojęcia potrzeby, procedury działania oraz analizy otrzymanych wyników. Badanie potrzeb obejmujące nie tylko zagadnienia językowe, ale także style uczenia się, doświadczenie edukacyjne, role i funkcje społeczne, jakie spełnia uczący się i w jakich będzie używał języka, pozwala na stworzenie optymalnego programu nauczania, dostosowanego do potrzeb jednostki, grupy oraz instytucji edukacyjnej. Autorka przedstawia różnorodne podejścia do opisu potrzeb i ich badania ze względu na punkt widzenia osoby badającej oraz cel analizy. W artykule postuluje się zwrócenie większej uwagi na analizę potrzeb poprzedzającą kursy języka ogólnego. Jako przykład przedstawiono analizę potrzeb przeprowadzoną podczas kursu prowadzonego na Uniwersytecie Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego w Warszawie. Artykuł może stać się inspiracją dla nauczycieli do projektowania badania potrzeb na wszystkich etapach kursu językowego, gdyż syntetycznie prezentuje zagadnienia, jakie badacz-nauczyciel powinien wziąć pod uwagę, aby otrzymane wyniki były pomocne w dalszej pracy dydaktycznej.
On the Disclosure of Half-Truths and the Duty to Update
Authors: Beyer Anne , Dye Ronald A.
Published: October 2022

We develop a model of a manager’s equilibrium voluntary disclosure policy to study how that policy changes depending on whether the manager is prohibited from disclosing, or allowed to disclose, a half-truth; we also examine how the disclosure policy changes depending on whether the manager has a duty to update past disclosures. Among our results, we show that if a manager is prohibited from issuing half-truths, the manager discloses a wider array of information than if the manager is allowed to issue half-truths, and investors view the absence of disclosure more skeptically; we also show that imposing a duty to update on the manager does not affect the manager’s initial disclosures, but it results in the manager disclosing uniformly more information over time.

This paper was accepted by Brian Bushee, accounting.
Risk-Averse Optimal Control in Continuous Time by Nesting Risk Measures
Authors: Pichler Alois , Schlotter Ruben
Published: October 2022

This paper extends dynamic control problems from a risk-neutral to a risk-averse setting. We establish a limit for consecutive risk-averse decision making by consistently and adequately nesting coherent risk measures. This approach provides a new perspective on multistage optimal control problems in continuous time. For the limiting case, we elaborate a new dynamic programming principle, which is risk averse, and give risk-averse Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equations by generalizing the infinitesimal generator. In doing so, we provide a constructive explanation of the driver g in g-expectation, a dynamic risk measure based on backward stochastic differential equations.

Funding: This work was supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft [Project-ID 416228727 – SFB 1410].
Dementia and the risk of poor outcomes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Hill James Edward , Gomez Katalin Ujhelyi , Harrison Joanna
Published: October 2022

People with dementia belong to some of the most vulnerable groups of people, and their vulnerability has been augmented by the Covid-19 pandemic. This article critically appraises and evaluates a systematic review that investigated the relationship between dementia and COVID-19 related outcomes.
Medical cannabis in autism spectrum disorder: a specialist perspective
Authors: Erridge Simon , Sodergren Mikael H , Rucker James J
Published: October 2022

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive developmental disorder that is thought to affect 52 million people globally. Individuals are commonly affected by comorbid behavioural difficulties and psychiatric conditions. However, when considering the tolerability of currently available licensed medications, there are limited treatments for ASD. Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) have been proposed as a potential novel therapeutic for ASD based on the pre-clinical evidence of the effects of cannabinoids on anxiety, mood, behaviour and motor skills. However, clinical translation has been limited. Moreover, studies suggest that CBMPs are well tolerated by those with ASD. While randomised controlled trials are still necessary, those with ASD can be considered for treatment with CBMPs if they have failed to respond to licensed therapies following assessment at a specialist clinic, such as Sapphire Medical Clinics.
The rise of the clinical teaching fellow: a personal view of the postgraduate experience
Authors: Baryeh Kwaku
Published: October 2022

Clinical teaching fellowships are becoming increasingly popular, with the numbers of posts ever-expanding. This increase has accelerated as education and training start to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the nature of these roles, the entry requirements and the potential benefits are often poorly defined. This article outlines the author's experience of working as a clinical teaching fellow for a year and provides tips on what to look out for when considering these roles, as well as how to get the most out of them.
Managing food allergies in children and young people
Authors: Kochhar Suneeta
Published: October 2022

Suneeta Kochhar looks at how nurses can diagnose and manage these increasingly common allergies
Türkiye’s Climate Policies in the Context of Sustainable Security
Authors: ATVUR Senem , VURAL Çağla
Published: October 2022

Climate change is becoming one of the most crucial problems threatening the integrity of the global system. The impacts of climate change have been posing new threats to the states’

interests, human prosperity and environmental sustainability. This article aims to analyze Türkiye’s climate policies within the context of the sustainable security approach, which focuses on

the balance between national, human and environmental security. The study argues that Türkiye’s economic priorities prevail over its climate strategies. Moreover, Türkiye becomes more vulnerable

and less resilient to the impacts of climate change as long as the country’s carbon emissions continue to rise. Therefore, this article argues that if Türkiye considers the risks of climate change with

a sustainable security approach; economic advantages, social prosperity and environmental protection for both present and future generations could be equivalently guaranteed.
Safevî Devleti’nden Sonra İran’da Siyasî İktidarların Meşruiyet Arayışları
Authors: MOHAMED TABRİZ Ata
Published: October 2022

Safevî Devleti’nin çöküşünden sonraki yetmiş sene boyunca, İran’da dört farklı boy devlet kurdu. Ancak bunlardan sadece biri (Kaçarlar) hâkimiyetini bir yüz yıldan fazla sürdürebildi. Bu
araştırmada, İran’da söz konusu dönemde kurulan ilk üç yapının istikrarsızlığı, dördüncü yapıyı kuran Kaçarların devlet inşasındaki başarısı ve tüm bu devletlerin kendi hükümranlıklarını meşrulaştırma çabaları konu edilmiştir. Bu nedenle, birincil ve ikincil kaynaklar kullanılarak, bahsi geçen devletlerin kuruluş aşamaları incelenip aralarındaki benzerlik ve farklılıklar irdelenmiştir. Çalışmada ulaşılan sonuç, kurulan devletlerden ilk üçünün, Safevî mirasını önemsemekle birlikte, onların meşruiyet kaynaklarını temin edemedikleri yönündedir. Buna karşılık diğerlerine nispeten daha uzun ömürlü olabilen Kaçar Devleti’nin, Safevî Devleti’nin meşruiyet kaynaklarından öne çıkan dinî kimlik, nesep, coğrafi bütünlük ve askerî güç ilkelerini göz önünde bulundurduğu, bunları benimsediği görülmektedir.
Saltanat ve Hilafetin Kaldırılışının İspanya Basınındaki Yankıları
Authors: TÜRKKAN TUNALI Yasemin
Published: October 2022

Türkiye’de imparatorluktan ulus-devlete geçiş sürecinin önemli iki
gelişmesi; 1 Kasım 1922 tarihinde saltanatın ve 3 Mart 1924’te hilafetin
kaldırılması, tüm dünyada olduğu gibi İspanya basınının da
ilgisini çekmiştir. Gazeteler, bu kurumların tarihsel arka planını vermiş,
saltanatın kaldırılmasıyla hilafetin kazandığı yeni konumu betimlemeye
çalışmıştır. Egemenliğin TBMM tarafından kullanıldığı,
dini gücün ise yine Meclis tarafından seçilmiş bir halife tarafından
temsil edildiği bu yeni durum, basın tarafından İslami gelenekler ve
Türkiye’nin Müslüman dünyasına yönelik politikaları bağlamında
değerlendirilmiştir. Hilafetin kaldırılması ve son Halife Abdülmecid
Efendi’nin sürgüne gönderilmesinin ardından tekrar gündeme yerleşen
konu, İslam dünyasında yaratacağı dini-siyasi tepkiler, Müslüman
sömürgeleri nedeniyle İngiltere ve Fransa siyasetine etkileri ve yeni
Türk Devleti’nin devrimleri çerçevesinde ele alınmıştır. İspanya basınının
konuya yaklaşımı, gazetelerin siyasi duruşlarına göre farklılık
göstermişse de hilafetin kaldırılmasına dair nihai değerlendirmesi,
evrensel siyasi bir güç olarak Panislamizm’in sonlanması olmuştur.
Hilafetin kaldırılmasına dair haber ve köşe yazıları İspanya kamuoyunun,
Türkiye nezdinde Doğulu-Müslüman dünyasına dair oryantalist
bakışını yansıtmıştır.
Melgunov’a Göre 19. Yüzyılda İran’da Türkmen Boyları
Authors: YILDIRIM Zeynep
Published: October 2022

Grigory Valerianovich Melgunov 1860 yılında İran’a seyahat ederek
Türkmenlerin yaşadığı bölgede araştırmalar yapmış ve hazırladığı
seyahatnameyi Rusya’da yayımlamıştır. Eserde, 19. yüzyıl
başlarında Hazar Denizi’nin güney kıyılarında yaşayan Türkmenlerin
yerleşim birimleri, İran ve Rus Devletleri ile olan münasebetleri,
sosyal ve siyâsî ilişkileri detaylı olarak tasvir edilmekte
ve Türkmen boylarının sınıflandırılmış listesi verilmektedir. Bu
çalışmada Melgunov’un Türkmenler hakkında verdiği malumat
değerlendirilerek, bölgeye yaptığımız araştırma gezileri esnasında
tespit edilen boyların Türkmen Türkçesi adlarının esas şekilleri
verilerek Melgunov’un listesindeki hatalı kısımlara işaret edilmeye
çalışılacaktır.
Ötüken’den Kırım’a Türk Dünyası Kültür Tarihi / Turkish World Cultural History from Ötüken to Crimea. Ed. Ahmet Kanlıdere and İlyas Kemaloğlu, Ötüken Press, 2021.
Authors: BAŞAK KUZAKÇI Başak
Published: October 2022

Ötüken’den Kırım’a Türk Dünyası Kültür Tarihi / Turkish World Cultural History from Ötüken to Crimea. Ed. Ahmet Kanlıdere-İlyas Kemaloğlu. Ötüken Press, 2021.*
Noise-robust deep learning ghost imaging using a non-overlapping pattern for defect position mapping
Authors: Kataoka Shoma , Mizutani Yasuhiro , Uenohara Tsutomu , Takaya Yasuhiro , Matoba Osamu
Published: October 2022

Defect detection requires highly sensitive and robust inspection methods. This study shows that non-overlapping illumination patterns can improve the noise robustness of deep learning ghost imaging (DLGI) without modifying the convolutional neural network (CNN). Ghost imaging (GI) can be accelerated by combining GI and deep learning. However, the robustness of DLGI decreases in exchange for higher speed. Using non-overlapping patterns can decrease the noise effects in the input data to the CNN. This study evaluates the DLGI robustness by using non-overlapping patterns generated based on binary notation. The results show that non-overlapping patterns improve the position accuracy by up to 51%, enabling the detection of defect positions with higher accuracy in noisy environments.
Rotation of a KH2PO4 crystal and its effect on the second-harmonic generation of a high-average-power laser beam
Authors: Su Ruifeng
Published: October 2022

The rotation of a

K
H

2

P
O

4

(KDP) crystal in an optomechanical system and its effect on the second-harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency of a high-average-power laser beam are studied. A method is proposed to study the rotation of the KDP crystal caused by the gravity-induced distortion of the optomechanical system and its effect on the SHG efficiency, as well as the formation mechanism of the rotation and the effects of structural parameters of the optomechanical system. The results indicate that the rotation of the KDP crystal causes a decrease in the SHG efficiency, and appropriate structural parameters of the optomechanical system are beneficial to decrease the rotation and increase the SHG efficiency.
Modeling returned signal of a satellite laser altimeter over an urban area
Authors: Qiu Peiru , Zhou Hui , Zhang Qianyin , Ma Yue
Published: October 2022

Modeling the returned signal of a satellite laser altimeter is a significant theoretical foundation for understanding the topography of the Earth. According to the lidar equation and working principle of laser altimeter, we establish the mathematical expression of the urban target response waveform (TRW) by using a definite integral formation. The characteristic parameters of the TRW, including signal energy, time delay, pulse width, and skewness are deduced in detail. Based on the specifications of the global ecosystem dynamics investigation laser altimeter and the assumption that the target is considered a rectangular plane, we simulate the influences of the geometrical parameters of the target, including the region area, the center geolocation, and the surface slope, on the TRW patterns and the characteristic parameters. The simulation results show that the TRW would present left-skewed and right-skewed patterns, with the exception that the center geolocation is nearly coincident with the laser footprint center. Such skewed distributions make the time delay derived from the TRW time centroid inaccurate for representing the range between the laser altimeter and the target center. In addition, the TRW energy is positively proportional to the region area and the proximity of the center geolocation to the laser footprint center and attenuated by the cosine of the surface slope. The root-mean-square pulse width is principally determined by the tangent of the surface slope. The simulation results contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between the TRW pattern and the geometrical parameters of the illuminated target. In particular, the characteristic parameters of the TRW can provide the detailed references for developing the waveform processing algorithm and the inversion of the surface elevation, the slope, and the reflectance. The returned signal in this paper may facilitate the application of the satellite laser altimeter over an urban area.
Multiple microwave frequency measurement system based on a sawtooth-wave-modulated non-flat optical frequency comb
Authors: Zhu Wei , Li Jing , Yan Miaoxia , Pei Li , Ning Tigang , Zheng Jingjing , Wang Jianshuai
Published: October 2022

A photonic-assisted instantaneous microwave measurement system, capable of measuring multiple frequency signals, is demonstrated and analyzed. The principle lies in the combination of a channelizer and frequency-to-power mapping. An effective generation method of a non-flat optical frequency comb is proposed based on sawtooth wave modulation, which has more comb lines and adjustable comb spacing. Under this method, two low-speed post-processing devices are utilized to realize frequency measurements up to 32 GHz. The scheme is verified by simulation, and factors affecting system performance are also studied.
Laser speckle simulation tool based on stochastic differential equations for bio imaging applications
Authors: K Murali , Varma Hari M.
Published: October 2022

Laser speckle-based blood flow imaging is a well-accepted and widely
used method for pre-clinical and clinical applications. Although it
was introduced as a method to measure only superficial blood flow
(< 1mm depth), several recently introduced variants resulted in
measuring deep tissue blood flow (a few cm) as well. A means of
simulating laser speckles is often necessary for the analysis and
development of these imaging modalities, as evident from many such
attempts towards developing simulation tools in the past. Such methods
often employ Fourier transforms or statistical tools to simulate
speckles with desired statistical properties. We present the first
method to use a stochastic differential equation to generate laser
speckles with a pre-determined probability density function and a
temporal auto-correlation. The method allows the choice of apriori
gamma distribution along with simple exponential or more complex
temporal auto-correlation statistics for simulated speckles, making it
suitable for different blood flow profiles. In contrast to the
existing methods that often generate speckles associated with
superficial flow, we simulate both superficial and diffuse speckles
leading to applications in deep tissue blood flow imaging. In
addition, we have also incorporated appropriate models for noise
associated with the detectors to simulate realistic speckles. We have
validated our model by comparing the simulated speckles with those
obtained from in-vivo studies in mice and healthy
human subject.
Monte Carlo-based full-wavelength simulator of Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography
Authors: Mao Jianing , Ling Yuye , Xue Ping , Su Yikai
Published: October 2022

Monte Carlo (MC) simulation has been widely used to study imaging procedures, including Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT). Despite the broadband nature of FD-OCT, the results obtained at a single wavelength are often used in previous studies. Some wavelength-relied imaging applications, such as spectroscopic OCT (S-OCT), are unlikely to be simulated in this way due to the lack of information from the entire spectrum. Here, we propose a novel simulator for full-wavelength MC simulation of FD-OCT. All wavelengths within the emission spectrum of the light source will be simulated, and the optical properties derived from Mie theory will be applied. We further combine the inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) with a probability distribution-based signal pre-processing to combat the excessive noises in the OCT signal reconstruction, which is caused by the non-uniform distribution of the scattering events at different wavelengths. Proof-of-concept simulations are conducted to show the excellent performance of the proposed simulator on signal reconstruction and optical properties extraction. Compared with the conventional method, the proposed simulator is more accurate and could better preserve the wavelength-dependent features. For example, the mean square error (MSE) computed between the backscattering coefficient extracted by the proposed simulator and the ground truth is 0.11, which is far less than the value (7.67) of the conventional method. We believe this simulator could be an effective tool to study the wavelength dependency in FD-OCT imaging as well as a preferred solution for simulating spectroscopic OCT.
Long-term consequences of food insecurity among Ebola virus disease-affected households after the 2013–2016 epidemic in rural communities of Kono District, Sierra Leone: A qualitative study
Authors: Djomaleu Manuella L. , Rogers Abu B. , Barrie M. Bailor , Rutherford George W. , Weiser Sheri D. , Kelly J. Daniel
Published: October 2022

The 2013–2016 Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic caused food insecurity during and immediately following local outbreaks in Sierra Leone, but longer-term effects are less well described, particularly among households with no EVD survivors. We conducted a qualitative sub-study in July 2018 in Kono District, Sierra Leone to understand the impact of food insecurity on EVD-affected households. Using data from a community-based cohort, we compiled a list of all households, within the sampled communities in Kono District, that had at least one EVD case during the epidemic. We used purposive sampling to recruit 30 households, inclusive of 10 households with no EVD survivors, to participate in the study. The research team conducted open-ended, semi-structured interviews with the head of each household. All 30 interviews were transcribed, translated, and analyzed using comparative content analysis consistent with a grounded theory approach. Most household members were facing persistent food insecurity as direct or indirect consequences of the EVD epidemic, regardless of whether they did or did not live with EVD survivors. Three major themes emerged as drivers and/or mitigators of EVD-related food insecurity. Financial instability and physical health complications were drivers of food insecurity in the population, whereas support provided by NGOs or governmental agencies was observed as a mitigator and driver of food insecurity after its removal. Among the EVD-households reporting long-term support through jobs and educational opportunities, there was sustained mitigation of food insecurity. EVD-affected households with and without survivors continue to face food insecurity three years after the EVD epidemic. Provision of support was a mitigator of food insecurity in the short term, but its removal was a driver of food insecurity in the longer term, suggesting the need for longer-term transitional support in affected households.
Assessing the efficacy of albendazole against hookworm in Vietnam using quantitative PCR and sodium nitrate flotation
Authors: Dyer Clare E. F. , Clarke Naomi E. , Nguyen Dinh Ng , Herath H. M. P. Dilrukshi , Hii Sze Fui , Pickford Russell , Traub Rebecca J. , Vaz Nery Susana
Published: October 2022

Preventive chemotherapy (PC), consisting of the regular distribution of anthelmintics to populations or groups of populations at risk, is the primary tool used to control soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections. This strategy, whilst cost-effective, raises the concern of potential emergence of drug resistance. The efficacy of anthelmintics against STH infections is measured using cure rate (CR) and egg reduction rate (ERR), using microscopy-based techniques such as the Kato-Katz thick smear. However, Kato-Katz has low sensitivity, especially for low-intensity infections, and requires fresh samples that need to be processed quickly. Realtime quantitative PCR (qPCR), which is more sensitive, is emerging as a “gold standard” for STH diagnostics given its higher sensitivity (important in low prevalence settings) and ability to differentiate hookworm species, while sodium nitrate flotation (SNF) may provide a low-cost more sensitive and practical alternative to Kato-Katz in the field. In this study, we examined the efficacy of a locally manufactured brand of albendazole 400 mg (“Alzental”) against hookworm in Đắk Lắk province, Vietnam, using both qPCR and SNF. For qPCR, formulae to convert qPCR cycle threshold (Ct) values into eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) were utilised to determine efficacy calculations, and these values directly compared with efficacy values generated using SNF. Factors associated with CR and ERR were examined, and Alzental tablet quality was assessed by comparing with an Australian TGA-approved equivalent “Eskazole” tablet. We observed a CR and ERR of 64.9% and 87.5% respectively using qPCR, and 68.4% and 67.6% respectively using SNF. The tablet composition of Alzental was comparable to Eskazole in terms of active albendazole drug concentration with no evidence of impurities. This study demonstrates that the efficacy of Alzental against hookworm is within the range of previously reported studies for albendazole 400 mg. The study also demonstrates the value of qPCR and SNF as alternatives to standard Kato-Katz methodology for assessment of anthelmintic efficacy.