bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Access to care and frequency of detransition among a cohort discharged by a UK national adult gender identity clinic: retrospective case-note review
Authors: Hall R. , Mitchell L. , Sachdeva J.
Published: October 2021

Background

UK adult gender identity clinics (GICs) are implementing a new streamlined service model. However, there is minimal evidence from these services underpinning this. It is also unknown how many service users subsequently ‘detransition’.

Aims

To describe service users’ access to care and patterns of service use, specifically, interventions accessed, reasons for discharge and re-referrals; to identify factors associated with access; and to quantify ‘detransitioning’.

Method

A retrospective case-note review was performed as a service evaluation for 175 service users consecutively discharged by a tertiary National Health Service adult GIC between 1 September 2017 and 31 August 2018. Descriptive statistics were used for rates of accessing interventions sought, reasons for discharge, re-referral and frequency of detransitioning. Using multivariate analysis, we sought associations between several variables and ‘accessing care’ or ‘other outcome’.

Results

The treatment pathway was completed by 56.1%. All interventions initially sought were accessed by 58%; 94% accessed hormones but only 47.7% accessed gender reassignment surgery; 21.7% disengaged; and 19.4% were re-referred. Multivariate analysis identified coexisting neurodevelopmental disorders (odds ratio [OR] = 5.7, 95% CI = 1.7–19), previous adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) per reported ACE (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1–1.9), substance misuse during treatment (OR = 4.3, 95% CI = 1.1–17.6) and mental health concerns during treatment (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.1–4.4) as independently associated with accessing care. Twelve people (6.9%) met our case definition of detransitioning.

Conclusions

Service users may have unmet needs. Neurodevelopmental disorders or ACEs suggest complexity requiring consideration during the assessment process. Managing mental ill health and substance misuse during treatment needs optimising. Detransitioning might be more frequent than previously reported.
Cancer in Children With Fanconi Anemia and Ataxia-Telangiectasia—A Nationwide Register-Based Cohort Study in Germany
Authors: Dutzmann Christina M. , Spix Claudia , Popp Isabell , Kaiser Melanie , Erdmann Friederike , Erlacher Miriam , Dörk Thilo , Schindler Detlev , Kalb Reinhard , Kratz Christian P.
Published: October 2021

PURPOSE

Fanconi anemia (FA) and ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) are rare inherited syndromes characterized by abnormal DNA damage response and caused by pathogenic variants in key DNA repair proteins that are also relevant in the pathogenesis of breast cancer and other cancer types. The risk of cancer in children with these diseases is poorly understood and has never been assessed in a population-based cohort before.

METHODS

We identified 421 patients with FA and 160 patients with AT diagnosed between 1973 and 2020 through German DNA repair disorder reference laboratories. We linked patients' laboratory data with childhood cancer data from the German Childhood Cancer Registry.

RESULTS

Among 421 patients with FA, we observed 33 cases of childhood cancer (15 cases of myelodysplastic syndrome; seven cases of acute myeloid leukemia; two cases of lymphoma, carcinoma, medulloblastoma, and nephroblastoma, respectively; and one case of rhabdomyosarcoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and glioma, respectively) versus 0.74 expected (on the basis of population-based incidence rates in Germany). This corresponds to a 39-fold increased risk (standardized incidence ratio [SIR] = 39; 95% CI, 26 to 56). For all FA subgroups combined, the cancer-specific SIR for myeloid neoplasms was 445 (95% CI, 272 to 687). Among the 160 patients with AT, we observed 19 cases of childhood cancer (15 cases of lymphoma, three cases of leukemia, and one case of medulloblastoma) versus 0.32 expected. This corresponds to a 56-fold increased risk (SIR = 56; 95% CI, 33 to 88). The cancer-specific SIR for Hodgkin lymphoma was 215 (95% CI, 58 to 549) and for non-Hodgkin lymphoma 470 (95% CI, 225 to 865).

CONCLUSION

Approximately 11% of patients with FA and 14% of patients with AT develop cancer by age 18 years.
Anesthetic Management and Outcomes of Patients With Epidermolysis Bullosa: Experience at a Tertiary Referral Center
Authors: Brooks Peterson Melissa , Strupp Kim M. , Brockel Megan A. , Wilder Matthew S. , Zieg Jennifer , Bruckner Anna L. , Kaizer Alexander M. , Szolnoki Judit M.
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND:

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of rare epithelial disorders caused by abnormal or absent structural proteins at the epidermal-dermal junction. As a result, patients experience blisters and wounds from mild shearing forces. Some forms of EB are complicated by resultant scarring and contractures. The perioperative anesthetic management of patients with EB is complex and requires a systems-based approach to limit harm. We reviewed our experience with providing general anesthesia to patients at our tertiary EB referral center, including adverse events related to anesthetic care, outcomes in the immediate perioperative period, and details of anesthetic management.

METHODS:

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients with EB anesthetized at the Children’s Hospital Colorado between January 2011 and December 2016. A subset of pediatric anesthesiologists cared for all patients using a standardized clinical care pathway. Patient demographics, detailed anesthetic methods, immediate perioperative outcomes, and adverse events were characterized.

RESULTS:

Over a 6-year period, 37 patients underwent 202 general anesthetics. Most patients (75.7%) had dystrophic EB (DEB). Female patients comprised 48.6%. The majority (56.7%) traveled >50 miles to receive care, and many (35.1%) traveled >150 miles for their care. Common adaptations to care included avoidance of electrocardiogram leads (88.6%) and temperature probes (91.6%). Nasal fiberoptic intubation (n = 160) was performed, or natural airway/mask (n = 27) was maintained for most patients. Supraglottic devices were not used for airway management during any of the anesthetics. Anesthesia preparation time was longer (average 25.8 minutes [standard deviation {SD} = 12.7]) than our average institutional time (14 minutes). Succinylcholine was never used, and nondepolarizing muscle relaxants were used in only 1.5% of patient encounters. Blood was transfused in 16.3% of cases and iron infused in 24.8%. Average length of stay in the postanesthesia care unit was comparable to our institutional average (average 40.1 [SD = 28.6] vs 39 minutes). New skin or mucosal injury occurred in 8 encounters (4%), and desaturation occurred in 43 cases (21.3%). There were no major adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS:

By using a specialized team and a standardized clinical care pathway, our institution was able to minimize adverse events caused by the anesthetic and surgical care of patients with EB. We recommend natural airway or nasal fiberoptic airway management, meticulous avoidance of shear stress on the skin, and a multidisciplinary approach to care. Supportive therapy such as perioperative blood transfusions and iron infusions are feasible for the treatment of chronic anemia in this population.
Unequal From the Start? Poverty Across Immigrant Generations of Hispanic Children
Authors: Thiede Brian C. , Brooks Matthew M. , Jensen Leif
Published: October 2021

Recent cohorts of U.S. children increasingly consist of immigrants or the immediate descendants of immigrants, a demographic shift that has been implicated in high rates of child poverty. Analyzing data from the 2014–2018 Current Population Survey and using the U.S. Census Bureau's Supplemental Poverty Measure, we describe differences in child poverty rates across immigrant generations and assess how these disparities are rooted in generational differences in the prevalence and impact of key poverty risk factors. Our estimates show that poverty rates among Hispanic children are very high, particularly among first-generation children and second-generation children with two foreign-born parents. Low family employment is the most significant risk factor for poverty, but the prevalence of this risk varies little across immigrant generations. Differences in parental education account for the greatest share of observed intergenerational disparities in child poverty. Supplemental comparisons with third+-generation non-Hispanic White children underscore the disadvantages faced by all Hispanic children, highlighting the continued salience of race and ethnicity within the U.S. stratification system. Understanding the role of immigrant generation vis-à-vis other dimensions of inequality has significant policy implications given that America's population continues to grow more diverse along multiple social axes.
Interaction between Discs large and Pins/LGN/GPSM2: a comparison across species
Authors: Schiller Emily A. , Bergstralh Dan T.
Published: October 2021

The orientation of the mitotic spindle determines the direction of cell division, and therefore contributes to tissue shape and cell fate. Interaction between the multifunctional scaffolding protein Discs large (Dlg) and the canonical spindle orienting factor GPSM2 (called Pins in Drosophila and LGN in vertebrates) has been established in bilaterian models, but its function remains unclear. We used a phylogenetic approach to test whether the interaction is obligate in animals, and in particular whether Pins/LGN/GPSM2 evolved in multicellular organisms as a Dlg-binding protein. We show that Dlg diverged in C. elegans and the syncytial sponge Opsacas minuta and propose that this divergence may correspond with differences in spindle orientation requirements between these organisms and the canonical pathways described in bilaterians. We also demonstrate that Pins/LGN/GPSM2 is present in basal animals, but the established Dlg-interaction site cannot be found in either Placozoa or Porifera. Our results suggest that the interaction between Pins/LGN/GPSM2 and Dlg appeared in Cnidaria, and we therefore speculate that it may have evolved to promote accurate division orientation in the nervous system. This work reveals the evolutionary history of the Pins/LGN/GPSM2-Dlg interaction and suggests new possibilities for its importance in spindle orientation during epithelial and neural tissue development.
A Narrative Analysis of the Progression in the Top 100 Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 10-km Road Race Times from 2001 to 2019
Authors: GOSS CURTIS S. , GREENSHIELDS JOEL T. , NOBLE TYLER J. , CHAPMAN ROBERT F.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to characterize and describe finishing time trends of the fastest 100 performers in the men’s and women’s marathon, half-marathon, and road 10-km each year from 2001 to 2019 and assess the underlying basis for recent performance improvements.

Methods

The top 100 performers for each sex, event, and year were partitioned into four arbitrary ranking groups: 1–10, 11–25, 26–50, and 51–100. The percent improvement in mean performance time for each year beyond 2001 was calculated for each ranking group, event, and sex. Multiple linear regression was also used to determine improvement trend for each ranking group, both sexes, and all events for each 3-yr period between Olympic years.

Results

In total, 11,400 performances in the marathon, half-marathon, and 10-km road races from 2001 to 2019 were analyzed. The 3-yr period preceding the original date of the Tokyo Olympics (2017–2019) accounted for 44% and 35% of the overall improvement in marathon time from 2001 to 2019 for women and men, respectively. The years 2017–2019 featured the largest average improvement of any 3-yr period and was the only period where nearly every ranking group in every event for both sexes improved.

Conclusions

The results suggest that recent world record performances are a result of overall circumstances affecting road racing (e.g., shoe technology) rather than the outstanding physiology of individual top runners, per se.
Fulfilment of August Antonius Rauber’s long-time dream
Authors: Toomsalu Maie
Published: October 2021

In his educational work, August Antonius Rauber, professor of Anatomy of the University of Dorpat (nowadays the University of Tartu) paid great attention to improving students’ training. He expected the educational museum of anatomy to be of great help in this. He began arranging it immediately after his arrival in Tartu in 1886. Professor Rauber lectured in German, but the number of Russian students was increasing rapidly in that period. Their command of German was limited – therefore, illustration of lectures with models and original specimens was of great significance. The museum opened in 1890 and found great recognition because of the quality of its specimens, originality of models and general organisation. Part of the exhibits of the educational museum of anatomy have been preserved to the present, and they are displayed at the exhibition of the Medical Collections of the Faculty of Medicine and are used in everyday work of the Department of Anatomy.
Skulls on the road – historical traces of anatomical connections between Erlangen and Tartu/Dorpat
Authors: Goldmann Tim S. , Scholz Michael , Dross Fritz
Published: October 2021

The Chair for the History of Medicine at the Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) is currently researching the provenance of human remains in the University Collections. Obviously, the by far largest number of those specimens is found in the Anatomical Collection, which is studied in close cooperation with the Institute of Functional and Clinical Anatomy a joint research project. Several specimens dating back to the time of Heinrich Friedrich Isenflamm (1771–1828) have been identified that went from Erlangen to Dorpat as well as others that came from Dorpat to Erlangen.
Exchange Rates and Sovereign Risk
Authors: Della Corte Pasquale , Sarno Lucio , Schmeling Maik , Wagner Christian
Published: October 2021

An increase in a country’s sovereign risk, as measured by credit default swap spreads, is accompanied by a contemporaneous depreciation of its currency and an increase of its volatility. The relation between currency excess returns and sovereign risk is mainly driven by default expectations (rather than distress risk premia) and exposure to global sovereign risk shocks and also emerges in a predictive setting for currency risk premia. We show that a sovereign risk factor is priced in the cross-section of currency returns and that it is not subsumed by the carry factor.

This paper was accepted by David Simchi-Levi, finance.
Tractable Relaxations of Composite Functions
Authors: He Taotao , Tawarmalani Mohit
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we introduce new relaxations for the hypograph of composite functions assuming that the outer function is supermodular and concave extendable. Relying on a recently introduced relaxation framework, we devise a separation algorithm for the graph of the outer function over P, where P is a special polytope to capture the structure of each inner function using its finitely many bounded estimators. The separation algorithm takes [Formula: see text] time, where d is the number of inner functions and n is the number of estimators for each inner function. Consequently, we derive large classes of inequalities that tighten prevalent factorable programming relaxations. We also generalize a decomposition result and devise techniques to simultaneously separate hypographs of various supermodular, concave-extendable functions using facet-defining inequalities. Assuming that the outer function is convex in each argument, we characterize the limiting relaxation obtained with infinitely many estimators as the solution of an optimal transport problem. When the outer function is also supermodular, we obtain an explicit integral formula for this relaxation.
Is Political Skill Always Beneficial? Why and When Politically Skilled Employees Become Targets of Coworker Social Undermining
Authors: Sun Shuhua
Published: October 2021

The benefits of political skill at work have been extensively documented and highlighted. Existing research also reports unexpectedly equivocal and even positive relationships between employee political skill and coworker social undermining, suggesting that politically skilled employees can become targets of coworker social undermining. However, there is a lack of research explaining why and when employee political skill can lead to coworker social undermining. This research, drawing from social rank theory and the theory of rivalry, offers a novel lens to answer these questions. Specifically, I theorize that employee political skill evokes coworker social undermining by affecting coworker perception of status threat, particularly when the coworker views the focal politically skilled employee as a personal rival. Findings from four studies—one correlational two-wave study and three experiments—provide support for these predictions. Further, nonrival competition and interpersonal disliking as alternative potential explanations to the hypothesized moderating effects of rivalry were ruled out. This study provides a theory-driven explanation of an unintended consequence of employee political skill and offers a more balanced understanding of the effects of political skill at work. Theoretical and future research implications are discussed.
ANALISIS PENGENDALIAN MUTU DALAM MENINGKATKAN PROSES PRODUKSI
Authors: Herlina Elin , Prabowo Faizal Haris Eko , Nuraida Dea
Published: October 2021

This research is motivated by the still not optimal quality control in the production of Nata De Coco which can be seen from the decrease in customer satisfaction, namely the reduced demand for products from consumers, this is thought to be caused by the not optimal implementation of quality control carried out by the company. The research method used in this study is a qualitative descriptive research method. Based on the results of the study that: 1) The implementation of quality control at the Nata De Coco Factory Bojongmengger Ciamis has been carried out quite well in accordance with the indicators that have been set in this study, namely performance, features, reliability, conformance, durability, service ability, aesthetics and quality which shows that it is quite good; 2) The production process at the Nata De Coco Factory Bojongmengger Ciamis is generally good because it is in accordance with the indicators that have been set in this study, which include the production schedule, production sequence and production time which show that it is good; 3) The implementation of quality control plays a role in improving the production process at the Nata De Coco Factory Bojongmengger Ciamis. It can be seen that with the implementation of quality control which is already quite good, it has an impact on increasing the production process at the Nata De Coco Factory in Bojongmengger Ciamis. Thus, if the implementation of quality control is good, the company's production process will increase.
Application of self-healing, swellable and biodegradable polymers for wound treatment
Authors: Agubata Chukwuma O , Mbah Mary A , Akpa Paul A , Ugwu Godwin
Published: October 2021

Aim:

Self-healing, swellable and biodegradable polymers are vital materials that may facilitate the different stages of wound healing. The aim of this research was to prepare wound healing films using self-healing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), swellable hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), biodegradable polyglycolic acid (PGA) sutures and ciprofloxacin antibiotic for improved treatment outcome.

Methods:

Films were formulated through aqueous-based mixing of varying amounts of polyvinyl alcohol (10–20% weight/weight (w/w)) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (0.5, 1% w/w) with fixed quantities of ciprofloxacin. PGA sutures were placed as grids within the wet mixtures of the polymers and ciprofloxacin, and thereafter products were air dried. The formulated films were evaluated for swelling ratio, breaking elongation, folding endurance, moisture uptake and loss, compatibility and in vitro antibiotic release. Furthermore, in vivo wound healing was studied using excision model and histopathological examinations.

Results:

Swelling ratios were above 1.0 and the films were minimally stretchable, with folding endurance greater than 500. Films were stable while moisture uptake and loss were observed to be less than 30%. Among the optimised hydrogel batches, those containing 10% w/w PVA and 1% w/w HPMC with no PGA showed the highest drug release of 73%, whereas the batches with higher PGA content showed higher percentage wound size reduction with minimal scar. The completeness of wound healing with batches containing PVA, HPMC, ciprofloxacin and PGA, along with the standard, is evident considering the massive cornification, regeneration of the epithelial front and stratum spinosum.

Conclusion:

The findings show that polymer-based multifunctional composite films are suitable for use as dressings for improved wound healing.
Evaluation of the cutaneous wound healing potential of tamanu oil in wounds induced in rats
Authors: Erdogan Sevil S , Gur Tugba F , Terzi Neslihan K , Dogan Bilal
Published: October 2021

Aims:

Tamanu is a plant oil derived from the fruit and seeds of the Calophyllum inophyllum tree. Although scientific data on tamanu oil are limited, it is recommended worldwide for the treatment of abrasions, burns, diabetic wounds and scars. This study aimed to compare the wound healing efficacy of the topical use of tamanu oil with a reference drug in rats.

Methods:

Uniform wounds were induced on the dorsum of 21 rats, randomly divided into three groups. The control group received normal saline; the tamanu group received tamanu oil; and the centella group was treated with Centella asiatica. Wound healing was clinically evaluated using wound healing scoring and wound contraction. A biopsy was taken from the wound sites of each rat on days 7, 14 and 21 for histopathological evaluation.

Results:

Wound contraction was significantly lower in the tamanu group compared with the other groups. On day 7, the intensity of macrophage infiltration and mature granulation tissues were significantly higher in the centella and tamanu groups than in the control group. Fibrosis and collagen density were higher in the tamanu group than the other groups on day 7.

Conclusion:

In wound healing in rats, tamanu oil accelerated the formation of macrophage-granulation tissues-fibrosis and resulted in less wound contraction.
Uncommon differential diagnosis of a breast ulcer: a case study
Authors: Combi Francesca , Papi Simona , Marchesini Denise , Andreotti Alessia , Gambini Anna , Palma Enza , Tazzioli Giovanni
Published: October 2021

Introduction:

Spider bites are common worldwide. Frequently symptoms resolve without any adverse outcome, but in rare cases the bite can cause severe morbidity. The most typical presentation of Mediterranean recluse spider (Loxosceles Rufescens) bite is a dermatonecrotic lesion of the skin (skin loxoscelism). When the only manifestation of a spider bite is an ulcerated skin lesion, clinical suspicion and differential diagnosis strongly depend on its site. We present the case of an ulcerated wound of the breast, diagnosed as a Mediterranean recluse spider bite.

Case presentation:

A 79-year-old woman presented a 10cm-wide soft tissue ulceration of her left breast. At first, the diagnostic hypothesis of an ulcerated cancer was ruled out. Two family members revealed a recent history of Mediterranean recluse spider bite and the same clinical diagnosis was made for our patient. A wide excision was performed, with complete resolution of symptoms.

Discussion:

No specific diagnostic criteria for spider bites are available. Diagnosis is usually clinical. Skin loxoscelism could be easily mistaken for cellulitis, various types of skin infections, cutaneous anthrax, vasculitis, scorpion sting, pyoderma gangrenosum, erythema migrans of Lyme disease or prurigo nodularis. A thorough anamnestic interview is fundamental to raise the diagnostic hypothesis. When possible, a biopsy is recommended and it is extremely important when the ulcer can mimic a cancer, as is the case in breast tissue.

Conclusion:

We recommend a wide excision of the wound after failure of conservative treatment, in order to obtain local control and to perform histological examination on a more representative specimen.
Sensitivity and specificity of modified RUST score using clinical and radiographic findings as a gold standard
Authors: Plumarom Yanin , Wilkinson Brandon G. , Willey Michael C. , An Qiang , Marsh Lawrence , Karam Matthew D.
Published: September 2021

Aims

The modified Radiological Union Scale for Tibia (mRUST) fractures score was developed in order to assess progress to union and define a numerical assessment of fracture healing of metadiaphyseal fractures. This score has been shown to be valuable in predicting radiological union; however, there is no information on the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of this index for various cut-off scores. The aim of this study is to evaluate sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and cut-off points of the mRUST score for the diagnosis of metadiaphyseal fractures healing.

Methods

A cohort of 146 distal femur fractures were retrospectively identified at our institution. After excluding AO/OTA type B fractures, nonunions, follow-up less than 12 weeks, and patients aged less than 16 years, 104 sets of radiographs were included for analysis. Anteroposterior and lateral femur radiographs at six weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks, and final follow-up were separately scored by three surgeons using the mRUST score. The sensitivity and specificity of mean mRUST score were calculated using clinical and further radiological findings as a gold standard for ultimate fracture healing. A receiver operating characteristic curve was also performed to determine the cut-off points at each time point.

Results

The mean mRUST score of ten at 24 weeks revealed a 91.9% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and 92.6% accuracy of predicting ultimate fracture healing. A cut-off point of 13 points revealed 41.9% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and 46.9% accuracy at the same time point.

Conclusion

The mRUST score of ten points at 24 weeks can be used as a viable screening method with the highest sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for healing of metadiaphyseal femur fractures. However, the cut-off point of 13 increases the specificity to 100%, but decreases sensitivity. Furthermore, the mRUST score should not be used at six weeks, as results show an inability to accurately predict eventual fracture healing at this time point. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(10):796–805.
Estructura Factorial y fiabilidad de una batería de cuestionarios de estrategias de aprendizaje y motivacionales en universitarios
Authors: Felipe-Afonso Mª Isaura , García García Luis Alberto , Castro Sánchez José Juan
Published: October 2021

INTRODUCCIÓN. Este trabajo se ha desarrollado a partir del análisis de la estructura factorial y consistencia interna de la batería de cuestionarios HERGAR. Estos instrumentos fueron creados en la década de los noventa, utilizando los criterios psicométricos más comunes en esa época. Actualmente, gracias al avance metodológico aplicado a las ciencias sociales, es posible incremen­tar el nivel de exigencia psicométrico. Nuestro principal objetivo es analizar la fiabilidad y estruc­tura factorial empleando las recomendaciones más recientes. MÉTODO. Este estudio se ha reali­zado con 1.390 estudiantes de 3.º del Grado en Psicología. Los instrumentos analizados fueron: estrategias cognitivas de aprendizaje, estrategias de control en el estudio, hábitos y estrategias motivacionales para el estudio y motivos diferenciales en el estudio y en el aprendizaje. Se realizó un análisis factorial exploratorio con los indicadores KMO y el test de esfericidad de Bartlett, máxima verosimilitud y rotación oblicua oblimin. Posteriormente se halló la consistencia interna de los factores y de las pruebas a través del coeficiente alfa de Cronbach. RESULTADOS. Para el cuestionario ECA se han obtenido 9 factores, para la prueba ECE se dieron 3 factores, para el instrumento MODA se obtuvieron 8 factores y, por último, 11 factores para el cuestionario HEME. La fiabilidad alcanzada para cada prueba fue de: ECA= .900; ECE= .851; MODA= .832 y HEME= .884. DISCUSIÓN. Se han encontrado diferencias en el factorial actual en comparación con el análisis factorial inicial y altos coeficientes de fiabilidad con criterios psicométricos más riguro­sos y ajustados a los fundamentos metodológicos actuales. Esta mejora permitirá continuar apli­cando estas pruebas a la población universitaria, con una óptima exigencia estadística. Las modi­ficaciones halladas en las estructuras factoriales invitan a reflexionar sobre la posible influencia de los cambios en los planes académicos y por las características actuales de la población univer­sitaria.
Design of a terahertz dual-channel modulator based on metamaterials
Authors: Pan Wu , Yang Longliang , Ma Yong , Xiao Huiyun , Liu Bowen
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we propose a terahertz dual-channel modulator by combining a high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) with a metamaterials structure, in which the HEMT is embedded in the opening of the structure metamaterial. The modulator consists of a metamaterial structure, silicon carbide (SiC), HEMT active device, and feeder. The concentration of the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in the HEMT can be controlled by gate voltages, and the change of the concentration can realize the modulation of the intensity and phase of the terahertz wave. The simulation results indicate that when a single channel works, the modulation depth is 90.7% at 0.22 THz and 94.0% at 0.34 THz. When both channels work, the modulation depth is 88.9% at 0.22 THz and 93.3% at 0.34 THz. The terahertz modulator designed in this paper can work in two frequency bands and can be controlled independently, which efficiently uses the spectrum resources and has broad application prospects in the field of terahertz communication.
δ-SPN approximation for numerical modeling of directional sources and scattering
Authors: Patil Nishigandha , Naik Naren
Published: October 2021

We propose the

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approximation for the frequency domain coupled radiative transfer equations modeling fluorescence with collimated incident beams and present its numerical implementation using the finite element method. The performance of the proposed model is investigated with respect to Monte Carlo simulations and the standard

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approximation over sub-centimeter domains for various optical properties. We find that the

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approximation is more accurate than the

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in the near-source region, and provides improved estimates of phase and partial currents, at both excitation and emission wavelengths, over a wider range of optical properties. The accuracy of the

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model improves with increase in approximation order for normally incident beams.
Coherent light wave generation in an incoherently pumped fiber optical parametric oscillator
Authors: Qiu Yi , Ahsan MD Shamim , Subhan Mohammad Raihan , Xu Yiqing , Du Shuxin
Published: October 2021

We present a numerical study on the coherent sideband generation from an incoherently pumped fiber optical parametric oscillator (FOPO). We revisit the fiber dispersion condition in a parametric process that fulfills the convection-induced phase-locking mechanism when pumping incoherently. Particularly, there exist analytical solutions for phase-matching frequencies in a convection-induced phase-locking process when using a parametric gain fiber with two zero dispersion wavelengths. With the optical feedback, we manage to circulate and amplify the convection sideband in a singly resonant FOPO. The autocorrelation shows that the coherence of the oscillating convection sideband can be strongly influenced by the cavity feedback fraction.
High-precision 3D drift correction with differential phase contrast images
Authors: Shang Mingtao , Zhou Zhiwei , Kuang Weibing , Wang Yujie , Xin Bo , Huang Zhen-Li
Published: October 2021

Single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) usually requires long image acquisition time at the order of minutes and thus suffers from sample drift, which deteriorates image quality. A drift estimation method with high precision is typically used in SMLM, which can be further combined with a drift compensation device to enable active microscope stabilization. Among all the reported methods, the drift estimation method based on bright-field image correlation requires no extra sample preparation or complicated modification to the imaging setup. However, the performance of this method is limited by the contrast of bright-field images, especially for the structures without sufficient features. In this paper, we proposed to use differential phase contrast (DPC) microscopy to enhance the image contrast and presented a 3D drift correction method with higher precision and robustness. This DPC-based drift correction method is suitable even for biological samples without clear morphological features. We demonstrated that this method can achieve a correction precision of < 6 nm in both the lateral direction and axial direction. Using SMLM imaging of microtubules, we verified that this method provides a comparable drift estimation performance as redundant cross-correlation.
Tunable quantum-cascade VECSEL operating at 1.9 THz
Authors: Wu Yu , Shen Yue , Addamane Sadhvikas , Reno John L. , Williams Benjamin S.
Published: October 2021

We report a terahertz quantum-cascade vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser (QC-VECSEL) emitting around 1.9 THz with up to 10% continuous fractional frequency tuning of a single laser mode. The device shows lasing operation in pulsed mode up to 102 K in a high-quality beam, with the maximum output power of 37 mW and slope efficiency of 295 mW/A at 77 K. Challenges for up-scaling the operating wavelength in QC metasurface VECSELs are identified.
Optical polarization division multiplexing fiber-wireless integration system at Ka-band based on a low-cost dual-drive MZM
Authors: Wang Wei , Zou Dongdong , Feng Xiaohui , Sui Qi , Lu Rongguo , Cao Zizheng , Li Fan
Published: October 2021

In this paper, a low-cost dual-drive Mach-Zehnder modulator (DDMZM) based 40 Gbit/s polarization division multiplexing (PDM) fiber-wireless-integration system at Ka-band is experimentally demonstrated. Since the DDMZM is biased at the quadrature point for electro-to-optical (E/O) conversion, a high-power direct current (DC)/radio frequency (RF) component will appear within the received signal bandwidth. This high-power component becomes a narrowband interference due to the phase noise of lasers, which will lead to the incorrect convergence of the constant-modulus algorithm (CMA) during equalization at the receiver side. In order to deal with the broadened DC component, twin-single-sideband (twin-SSB) signal with bandwidth interleave and RF-pilot based phase noise compensation scheme are adopted. Enabled by the combination of optical PDM technique and heterodyne coherent detection, a 40 Gbit/s PDM twin-SSB Nyquist-shaped quadrature-phase-shift-keying (QPSK) signal transmitting over 20-km single mode fiber (SMF) and 1-m 2×2 multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless distance is achieved with the bit error rate (BER) below the hard-decision forward-error-correction (HD-FEC) threshold of 3.8×10−3.
Separable actions of acetylcholine and noradrenaline on neuronal ensemble formation in hippocampal CA3 circuits
Authors: Prince Luke Y. , Bacon Travis , Humphries Rachel , Tsaneva-Atanasova Krasimira , Clopath Claudia , Mellor Jack R.
Published: October 2021

In the hippocampus, episodic memories are thought to be encoded by the formation of ensembles of synaptically coupled CA3 pyramidal cells driven by sparse but powerful mossy fiber inputs from dentate gyrus granule cells. The neuromodulators acetylcholine and noradrenaline are separately proposed as saliency signals that dictate memory encoding but it is not known if they represent distinct signals with separate mechanisms. Here, we show experimentally that acetylcholine, and to a lesser extent noradrenaline, suppress feed-forward inhibition and enhance Excitatory–Inhibitory ratio in the mossy fiber pathway but CA3 recurrent network properties are only altered by acetylcholine. We explore the implications of these findings on CA3 ensemble formation using a hierarchy of models. In reconstructions of CA3 pyramidal cells, mossy fiber pathway disinhibition facilitates postsynaptic dendritic depolarization known to be required for synaptic plasticity at CA3-CA3 recurrent synapses. We further show in a spiking neural network model of CA3 how acetylcholine-specific network alterations can drive rapid overlapping ensemble formation. Thus, through these distinct sets of mechanisms, acetylcholine and noradrenaline facilitate the formation of neuronal ensembles in CA3 that encode salient episodic memories in the hippocampus but acetylcholine selectively enhances the density of memory storage.
Characterization of T cell responses to co-administered hookworm vaccine candidates Na-GST-1 and Na-APR-1 in healthy adults in Gabon
Authors: Mouwenda Yoanne D. , Betouke Ongwe Madeleine E. , Sonnet Friederike , Stam Koen A. , Labuda Lucja A. , De Vries Sophie , Grobusch Martin P. , Zinsou Frejus J. , Honkpehedji Yabo J. , Dejon Agobe Jean-Claude , Diemert David J. , van Leeuwen Remko , Bottazzi Maria E. , Hotez Peter J. , Kremsner Peter G. , Bethony Jeffrey M. , Jochems Simon P. , Adegnika Ayola A. , Massinga Loembe Marguerite , Yazdanbakhsh Maria
Published: October 2021

Two hookworm vaccine candidates, Na-GST-1 and Na-APR-1, formulated with Glucopyranosyl Lipid A (GLA-AF) adjuvant, have been shown to be safe, well tolerated, and to induce antibody responses in a Phase 1 clinical trial (Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02126462) conducted in Gabon. Here, we characterized T cell responses in 24 Gabonese volunteers randomized to get vaccinated three times with Na-GST-1 and Na-APR-1 at doses of 30μg (n = 8) or 100μg (n = 10) and as control Hepatitis B (n = 6). Blood was collected pre- and post-vaccination on days 0, 28, and 180 as well as 2-weeks after each vaccine dose on days 14, 42, and 194 for PBMCs isolation. PBMCs were stimulated with recombinant Na-GST-1 or Na-APR-1, before (days 0, 28 and 180) and two weeks after (days 14, 42 and 194) each vaccination and used to characterize T cell responses by flow and mass cytometry. A significant increase in Na-GST-1 -specific CD4+ T cells producing IL-2 and TNF, correlated with specific IgG antibody levels, after the third vaccination (day 194) was observed. In contrast, no increase in Na-APR-1 specific T cell responses were induced by the vaccine. Mass cytometry revealed that, Na-GST-1 cytokine producing CD4+ T cells were CD161+ memory cells expressing CTLA-4 and CD40-L. Blocking CTLA-4 enhanced the cytokine response to Na-GST-1.

In Gabonese volunteers, hookworm vaccine candidate, Na-GST-1, induces detectable CD4+ T cell responses that correlate with specific antibody levels. As these CD4+ T cells express CTLA-4, and blocking this inhibitory molecules resulted in enhanced cytokine production, the question arises whether this pathway can be targeted to enhance vaccine immunogenicity.
Scabies in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations in Australia: A narrative review
Authors: Gramp Prudence , Gramp Dallas
Published: September 2021

Scabies has recently gained international attention, with the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizing it as a neglected tropical disease. The International Alliance for the Control of Scabies recently formed as a partnership of more than 15 different countries, with an aim to lead a consistent and collaborative approach to preventing and controlling scabies globally. Scabies is most prevalent in low-resource and low socioeconomic areas that experience overcrowding and has a particularly high prevalence in children, with an estimated 5% to 10% in endemic countries. Scabies is widespread in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia with the prevalence of scabies in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in remote communities estimated to be as high as 33%, making it the region with the third highest prevalence in the world. This population group also have very high rates of secondary complications of scabies such as impetigo, poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN), and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). This article is a narrative review of scabies in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations in Australia, including clinical manifestations of disease and current treatment options and guidelines. We discuss traditional approaches to prevention and control as well as suggestions for future interventions including revising Australian treatment guidelines to widen the use of oral ivermectin in high-risk groups or as a first-line treatment.
The impact of mating and sugar feeding on blood-feeding physiology and behavior in the arbovirus vector mosquito Aedes aegypti
Authors: League Garrett P. , Degner Ethan C. , Pitcher Sylvie A. , Hafezi Yassi , Tennant Erica , Cruz Priscilla C. , Krishnan Raksha S. , Garcia Castillo Stefano S. , Alfonso-Parra Catalina , Avila Frank W. , Wolfner Mariana F. , Harrington Laura C.
Published: September 2021

Background

Aedes aegyptimosquitoes are globally distributed vectors of viruses that impact the health of hundreds of millions of people annually. Mating and blood feeding represent fundamental aspects of mosquito life history that carry important implications for vectorial capacity and for control strategies. Females transmit pathogens to vertebrate hosts and obtain essential nutrients for eggs during blood feeding. Further, because host-seekingAe.aegyptifemales mate with males swarming near hosts, biological crosstalk between these behaviors could be important. Although mating influences nutritional intake in other insects, prior studies examining mating effects on mosquito blood feeding have yielded conflicting results.

Methodology/Principal findings

To resolve these discrepancies, we examined blood-feeding physiology and behavior in virgin and mated females and in virgins injected with male accessory gland extracts (MAG), which induce post-mating changes in female behavior. We controlled adult nutritional status prior to blood feeding by using water- and sugar-fed controls. Our data show that neither mating nor injection with MAG affectAe.aegyptiblood intake, digestion, or feeding avidity for an initial blood meal. However, sugar feeding, a common supplement in laboratory settings but relatively rare in nature, significantly affected all aspects of feeding and may have contributed to conflicting results among previous studies. Further, mating, MAG injection, and sugar intake induced declines in subsequent feedings after an initial blood meal, correlating with egg production and laying. Taking our evaluation to the field, virgin and mated mosquitoes collected in Colombia were equally likely to contain blood at the time of collection.

Conclusions/Significance

Mating, MAG, and sugar feeding impact a mosquito’s estimated ability to transmit pathogens through both direct and indirect effects on multiple aspects of mosquito biology. Our results highlight the need to consider natural mosquito ecology, including diet, when assessing their physiology and behavior in the laboratory.
Cross-sectional association of Toxoplasma gondii exposure with BMI and diet in US adults
Authors: Cuffey Joel , Lepczyk Christopher A. , Zhao Shuoli , Fountain-Jones Nicholas M.
Published: October 2021

Toxoplasmosis gondiiexposure has been linked to increased impulsivity and risky behaviors, which has implications for eating behavior. Impulsivity and risk tolerance is known to be related with worse diets and a higher chance of obesity. There is little known, however, about the independent link betweenToxoplasma gondii(T.gondii) exposure and diet-related outcomes. Using linear and quantile regression, we estimated the relationship betweenT.gondiiexposure and BMI, total energy intake (kcal), and diet quality as measured by the Health Eating Index-2015 (HEI) among 9,853 adults from the 2009–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Previous studies have shown different behavioral responses toT.gondiiinfection among males and females, and socioeconomic factors are also likely to be important as bothT.gondiiand poor diet are more prevalent among U.S. populations in poverty. We therefore measured the associations betweenT.gondiiand diet-related outcomes separately for men and women and for respondents in poverty. Among females <200% of the federal poverty levelToxoplasmosis gondiiexposure was associated with a higher BMI by 2.0 units (95% CI [0.22, 3.83]) at median BMI and a lower HEI by 5.05 units (95% CI [-7.87, -2.24]) at the 25thpercentile of HEI. Stronger associations were found at higher levels of BMI and worse diet quality among females. No associations were found among males. Through a detailed investigation of mechanisms, we were able to rule outT.gondiiexposure from cat ownership, differing amounts of meat, and drinking water source as potential confounding factors; environmental exposure toT.gondiias well as changes in human behavior due to parasitic infection remain primary mechanisms.
Deciphering the change in root system architectural traits under limiting and non-limiting phosphorus in Indian bread wheat germplasm
Authors: Dharmateja Palaparthi , Kumar Manjeet , Pandey Rakesh , Mandal Pranab Kumar , Babu Prashanth , Bainsla Naresh Kumar , Gaikwad Kiran B. , Tomar Vipin , Kranthi kumar Kamre , Dhar Narain , Ansari Rihan , Saifi Nasreen , Yadav Rajbir
Published: October 2021

The root system architectures (RSAs) largely decide the phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) of plants by influencing the phosphorus uptake. Very limited information is available on wheat’s RSAs and their deciding factors affecting phosphorus uptake efficiency (PupE) due to difficulties in adopting scoring values used for evaluating root traits. Based on our earlier research experience on nitrogen uptake efficiency screening under, hydroponics and soil-filled pot conditions, a comprehensive study on 182 Indian bread wheat genotypes was carried out under hydroponics with limited P (LP) and non-limiting P (NLP) conditions. The findings revealed a significant genetic variation, root traits correlation, and moderate to high heritability for RSAs traits namely primary root length (PRL), total root length (TRL), total root surface area (TSA), root average diameter (RAD), total root volume (TRV), total root tips (TRT) and total root forks (TRF). In LP, the expressions of TRL, TRV, TSA, TRT and TRF were enhanced while PRL and RAD were diminished. An almost similar pattern of correlations among the RSAs was also observed in both conditions except for RAD. RAD exhibited significant negative correlations with PRL, TRL, TSA, TRT and TRF under LP (r = -0.45, r = -0.35, r = -0.16, r = -0.30, and r = -0.28 respectively). The subclass of TRL, TSA, TRV and TRT representing the 0–0.5 mm diameter had a higher root distribution percentage in LP than NLP. Comparatively wide range of H’ value i.e. 0.43 to 0.97 in LP than NLP indicates that expression pattern of these traits are highly influenced by the level of P. In which, RAD (0.43) expression was reduced in LP, and expressions of TRF (0.91) and TSA (0.97) were significantly enhanced. The principal component analysis for grouping of traits and genotypes over LP and NLP revealed a high PC1 score indicating the presence of non-crossover interactions. Based on the comprehensive P response index value (CPRI value), the top five highly P efficient wheat genotypes namely BW 181, BW 103, BW 104, BW 143 and BW 66, were identified. Considering the future need for developing resource-efficient wheat varieties, these genotypes would serve as valuable genetic sources for improving P efficiency in wheat cultivars. This set of genotypes would also help in understanding the genetic architecture of a complex trait like P use efficiency.