bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of Incidence of Acid-related Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders With Glycated Hemoglobin Level
Authors: Tseng Ping-Huei , Hung Chi-Sheng , Tu Chia-Hung , Chen Chien-Chuan , Liao Wan-Chung , Lee Yi-Chia , Chiu Han-Mo , Yang Wei-Shiung , Wu Ming-Shiang
Published: February 2022

Context

Previous cross-sectional studies show diabetes and higher levels of plasma hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) are associated with a higher prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) complications. However, whether the glycemic status is associated with incident acid-related upper GI disorders remains unclear.

Objective

We aimed to determine the effect of hyperglycemia per se, in terms of HbA1c, on the incidence of acid-related disorders.

Methods

We analyzed consecutive subjects who had undergone repeated upper endoscopies as part of the health examinations at the National Taiwan University Hospital from 2005 to 2011. Acid-related endoscopic abnormalities were defined as erosive esophagitis (EE), Barrett’s esophagus (BE), and peptic ulcer disease (PUD), which included gastric ulcers (GUs) and duodenal ulcers (DUs). All subjects were categorized by 3 tertiles of HbA1c levels. We analyzed the occurrence of respective acid-related disorders during the follow-up period.

Results

A total of 11 391 participants (mean HbA1c level 5.6 ± 0.7%) were enrolled in this longitudinal study. During the 38 426.3 person-years of follow-up (mean duration 3.37 ± 1.59 years), the incidence of EE, BE, GU, DU, PUD, and any acid-related disorders were 22.1%, 0.5%, 4.5%, 8.6%, 12.3%, and 30.3%, respectively. The higher HbA1c level was associated with higher risk of disease incidents, except BE, during the follow-up (all log-rank P < .001). In the Cox regression analyses with confounding factors fully adjusted, the hazard ratios for EE, GU, DU, PUD, and acid-related disorders were 1.174, 1.339, 1.24, 1.24, and 1.186, respectively, for the third tertile of HbA1c (all P < .05).

Conclusion

Higher HbA1c level was associated with a higher risk of acid-related upper GI endoscopic abnormalities. Efforts toward better glycemic control may help to prevent the development of late GI complications.
Estrogen Receptor α Inactivation in 2 Sisters: Different Phenotypic Severities for the Same Pathogenic Variant
Authors: Delcour Clémence , Khawaja Nahla , Gonzalez-Duque Sergio , Lebon Sophie , Talbi Abir , Drira Leila , Chevenne Didier , Ajlouni Kamel , de Roux Nicolas
Published: February 2022

Context

Estrogens play an essential role in reproduction. Their action is mediated by nuclear α and β receptors (ER) and by membrane receptors. Only 3 females and 2 males, from 3 families, with a loss of ERα function have been reported to date.

Objective

We describe here a new family, in which 2 sisters display endocrine and ovarian defects of different severities despite carrying the same homozygous rare variant of ESR1.

Methods

A 36-year-old woman from a consanguineous Jordanian family presented with primary amenorrhea and no breast development, with high plasma levels of 17β-estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, and enlarged multifollicular ovaries, strongly suggesting estrogen resistance. Her 18-year-old sister did not enter puberty and had moderately high levels of E2, high plasma gonadotropin levels, and normal ovaries.

Results

Genetic analysis identified a homozygous variant of ESR1 leading to the replacement of a highly conserved glutamic acid with a valine (ERα-E385V). The transient expression of ERα-E385V in HEK293A and MDA-MB231 cells revealed highly impaired ERE-dependent transcriptional activation by E2. The analysis of the KISS1 promoter activity revealed that the E385V substitution induced a ligand independent activation of ERα. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that less ERα-E385V than ERα-WT was translocated into the nucleus in the presence of E2.

Conclusion

These 2 new cases are remarkable given the difference in the severity of their ovarian and hormonal phenotypes. This phenotypic discrepancy may be due to a mechanism partially compensating for the ERα loss of function.
Neuro-ophthalmology and Pregnancy
Authors: Moss Heather E.
Published: February 2022

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article summarizes the impact of pregnancy on neuro-ophthalmic pathways and presents an approach to the evaluation of pregnant women who have neuro-ophthalmic symptoms or signs.

RECENT FINDINGS

Advances in noninvasive ophthalmic imaging have increased knowledge of the impact of pregnancy on ocular blood flow, which may have relevance for understanding the impact of preeclampsia and eclampsia on the eye.

The framework for approaching neuro-ophthalmic symptoms and signs in pregnant women is similar to the general approach for people who are not pregnant. Visual symptoms are common in preeclampsia and eclampsia. Some diseases that impact the neuro-ophthalmic pathways are more common in pregnant women. Pregnancy should be considered when recommending the workup and treatment for neuro-ophthalmic symptoms and signs.
Neuromuscular Disorders and Pregnancy
Authors: Massey Janice M. , Gable Karissa L.
Published: February 2022

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article provides an overview of neuromuscular disorders in pregnancy, with a focus on diagnosis and management.

RECENT FINDINGS

Neuromuscular disorders with issues that occur in pregnancy include conditions that are acquired (including autoimmune) or genetic; each requires a unique approach to management and treatment prepartum, peripartum, and postpartum. Guidance in the literature regarding management and treatment options is predominantly from case series and retrospective reviews. Treatment can be complex, particularly in autoimmune neuromuscular diseases, because of the risks of side effects of the treatments that may affect the patient and fetus.

This article summarizes expectations, diagnosis, and management for a wide range of neuromuscular disorders in pregnancy.
Mass Deployment of Deep Neural Network: Real-Time Proof of Concept With Screening of Intracranial Hemorrhage Using an Open Data Set
Authors: Hopkins Benjamin S. , Murthy Nikhil K. , Texakalidis Pavlos , Karras Constantine L. , Mansell Mitchell , Jahromi Babak S. , Potts Matthew B. , Dahdaleh Nader S.
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND:

Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is considered an emergency that requires rapid medical or surgical management. Previous studies have used artificial intelligence to attempt to expedite the diagnosis of this pathology on neuroimaging. However, these studies have used local, institution-specific data for training of networks that limit deployment of across broader hospital networks or regions because of data biases.

OBJECTIVE:

To demonstrate the creation of a neural network based on an openly available imaging data tested on data from our institution demonstrating a high-efficacy, institution-agnostic network.

METHODS:

A data set was created from publicly available noncontrast computed tomography images of known ICH. These data were used to train a neural network using distinct windowing and augmentation. This network was then validated in 2 phases using cohort-based (phase 1) and longitudinal (phase 2) approaches.

RESULTS:

Our convolutional neural network was trained on 752 807 openly available slices, which included 112 762 slices containing intracranial hemorrhage. In phase 1, the final network performance for intracranial hemorrhage showed a receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.99. At the inflection point, our model showed a sensitivity of 98% at a threshold specificity of 99%. In phase 2, we obtained an AUC of 0.98 after analysis of 726 scans with a negative predictive value of 99.70% (n = 726).

CONCLUSION:

We demonstrate an effective neural network trained on completely open data for screening ICH at an unrelated institution. This study demonstrates a proof of concept for screening networks for multiple sites while maintaining high efficacy.
Fatty acid-binding proteins and fatty acid synthase influence glial reactivity and promote the formation of Müller glia-derived progenitor cells in the chick retina
Authors: Campbell Warren A. , Tangeman Allen , El-Hodiri Heithem M. , Hawthorn Evan C. , Hathoot Maddie , Blum Sydney , Hoang Thanh , Blackshaw Seth , Fischer Andy J.
Published: February 2022

A recent comparative transcriptomic study of Müller glia (MG) in vertebrate retinas revealed that fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) are among the most highly expressed genes in chick ( Hoang et al., 2020). Here, we investigate how FABPs and fatty acid synthase (FASN) influence glial cells in the chick retina. During development, FABP7 is highly expressed by retinal progenitor cells and maturing MG, whereas FABP5 is upregulated in maturing MG. PMP2 (FABP8) is expressed by oligodendrocytes and FABP5 is expressed by non-astrocytic inner retinal glial cells, and both of these FABPs are upregulated by activated MG. In addition to suppressing the formation of Müller glia-derived progenitor cells (MGPCs), we find that FABP-inhibition suppresses the proliferation of microglia. FABP-inhibition induces distinct changes in single cell transcriptomic profiles, indicating transitions of MG from resting to reactive states and suppressed MGPC formation, with upregulation of gene modules for gliogenesis and decreases in neurogenesis. FASN-inhibition increases the proliferation of microglia and suppresses the formation of MGPCs. We conclude that fatty acid metabolism and cell signaling involving fatty acids are important in regulating the reactivity and dedifferentiation of MG, and the proliferation of microglia and MGPCs.
Keeping your cool: thermoregulatory performance and plasticity in desert cricetid rodents
Authors: Ramirez Richard W. , Riddell Eric A. , Beissinger Steven R. , Wolf Blair O.
Published: February 2022

Small mammals in hot deserts often avoid heat via nocturnality and fossoriality, and are thought to have a limited capacity to dissipate heat using evaporative cooling. Research to date has focused on thermoregulatory responses to air temperatures (Ta) below body temperature (Tb). Consequently, the thermoregulatory performance of small mammals exposed to high Ta is poorly understood, particularly responses across geographic and seasonal scales. We quantified the seasonal thermoregulatory performance of four cricetid rodents (Neotoma albigula, Neotoma lepida, Peromyscus eremicus, Peromyscus crinitus) exposed to high Ta, at four sites in the Mojave Desert. We measured metabolism, evaporative water loss and Tb using flow-through respirometry. When exposed to Ta≥Tb, rodents showed steep increases in Tb, copious salivation and limited evaporative heat dissipation. Most individuals were only capable of maintaining Ta–Tb gradients of ∼1°, resulting in heat tolerance limits (HTLs) in the range Ta=43–45°C. All species exhibited a thermoneutral Tb of ∼35–36°C, and Tb increased to maximal levels of ∼43°C. Metabolic rates and rates of evaporative water loss increased steeply in all species as Ta approached Tb. We also observed significant increases in resting metabolism and evaporative water loss from summer to winter at Ta within and above the thermoneutral zone. In contrast, we found few differences in the thermoregulatory performance within species across sites. Our results suggest that cricetid rodents have a limited physiological capacity to cope with environmental temperatures that exceed Tb and that a rapidly warming environment may increasingly constrain their nocturnal activity.
Arapaima gigas maintains gas exchange separation in severe aquatic hypoxia but does not suffer branchial oxygen loss
Authors: Aaskov Magnus L. , Jensen Rasmus J. , Skov Peter Vilhelm , Wood Chris M. , Wang Tobias , Malte Hans , Bayley Mark
Published: February 2022

One of the most air-reliant obligate air-breathing fish is the South American Arapaima gigas, with substantially reduced gills impeding gas diffusion, thought to be a result of recurring aquatic hypoxia in its habitat. In normoxic water, A. gigas is reported to satisfy 70–80% of its O2 requirement from the air while excreting 60–90% of its CO2 to the water. If this pattern of gas exchange were to continue in severely hypoxic water, O2 loss at the gills would be expected. We hypothesized therefore that partitioning of CO2 would shift to the air phase in severe aquatic hypoxia, eliminating the risk of branchial O2 loss. By adapting a respirometer designed to measure aquatic ṀO2/ṀCO2, we were able to run intermittent closed respirometry on both water and air phase for both of these gasses as well as sample water for N-waste measurements (ammonia-N, urea-N) so as to calculate metabolic fuel utilization. In contrast to our prediction, we found that partitioning of CO2 excretion changed little between normoxia and severe hypoxia (83% versus 77% aquatic excretion, respectively) and at the same time there was no evidence of branchial O2 loss in hypoxia. This indicates that A. gigas can utilize distinct transfer pathways for O2 and CO2. Routine and standard ṀO2, N-waste excretion and metabolic fuel utilization did not change with water oxygenation. Metabolism was fuelled mostly by protein oxidation (53%), while carbohydrates and lipids accounted for 27% and 20%, respectively.
Labor Productivity Growth and Industrialization in Africa
Authors: McMillan Margaret , Zeufack Albert
Published: February 2022

Manufacturing has made an important contribution to raising living standards in many parts of the world. Concerns about premature deindustrialization have made some observers skeptical about the potential for manufacturing to play this role in Africa. But employment in African manufacturing has grown rapidly over the past 20 years. These employment gains have been accompanied by: (i) large increases in the number of small manufacturing firms; (ii) limited employment gains in large firms; and (iii) robust labor productivity growth in Africa’s large firms. Limited employment growth in Africa’s large manufacturing firms is partly a result of the capital intensity of the manufacturing subsectors in which African countries are most engaged—the processing of resources—and partly a result of rising capital intensity in manufacturing. The potential for manufacturing to raise living standards in Africa depends on indirect job creation by large firms through backward and forward linkages and increasing labor productivity in small firms.
Η Ελλάδα, η Κύπρος και η κρίση του Κονγκό, 1960-1964
Authors: Πανουτσόπουλος Αναστάσιος-Ανάργυρος
Published: February 2022

Η παρούσα διατριβή εξετάζει την πολιτική της Ελλάδας και της Κύπρου έναντι της κρίσης του Κονγκό και του λεγόμενου Τρίτου Κόσμου κατά τη διάρκεια του πρώτου μισού της δεκαετίας του 1960. Καθώς η διαδικασία της αποαποικιοποίησης κορυφωνόταν το 1960, με τις αποικιακές δυνάμεις συχνά απρόθυμες να αποχωρήσουν από τις αποικίες τους και τη Σοβιετική Ένωση να προσπαθεί να "διεισδύσει" στην Αφρική και την Ασία, η Ελλάδα αντιμετώπισε μία νέα πρόκληση. Η Αθήνα έπρεπε να ισορροπήσει μεταξύ της υποστήριξης των συμμάχων της στο ΝΑΤΟ και των απελευθερωτικών κινημάτων και των νέων κρατών στην περιφέρεια, για τα οποία ένιωθε συμπάθεια λόγω του πρόσφατου αγώνα της για την ανεξαρτησία της Κύπρου. Τον Ιούλιο του 1960, όταν ξέσπασε η κρίση του Κονγκό, η Αθήνα επιδίωξε να αναλάβει νέους διεθνείς ρόλους και να αναπτύξει μία συνολική πολιτική στον Τρίτο Κόσμο. Η απουσία αποικιακού παρελθόντος, καθώς επίσης και η ύπαρξη μίας πολυπληθούς ελληνικής παροικίας στο Κονγκό καλλιέργησε την ιδέα ότι ο εξαιρετισμός της Ελλάδας θα της επέτρεπε να προωθήσει τα συμφέροντα της Δύσης χωρίς να προκαλέσει το αντιαποικιακό αίσθημα των Αφρικανών. Τόσο η Αθήνα όσο και η Λευκωσία επιδίωξαν να αποτελέσουν μία γέφυρα μεταξύ των μελών του ΝΑΤΟ και των νέων κρατών στη Γενική Συνέλευση του ΟΗΕ προκειμένου να τα διατηρήσουν κοντά στη Δύση. Επιπλέον, η Αθήνα προσπάθησε να αναπτύξει ένα πρόγραμμα τεχνικής βοήθειας που θα συνεισέφερε στην οικονομική ανάπτυξη του Κονγκό και θα λειτουργούσε ως αντίβαρο σε ανάλογες προσπάθειες της Σοβιετικής Ένωσης. Τελικά, παρά τις πιθανότητες επιτυχίας τους, οι ελληνικές προσπάθειες απέτυχαν λόγω της έλλειψης εμπειρίας και πόρων, ενώ η πολιτική της Κύπρου στα Ηνωμένα Έθνη κατέληξε να υπηρετεί τα στενά εθνικά της συμφέροντα.
Effectiveness of antepartum breathing exercises on the outcome of labour: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Karkada Sushmitha R , Noronha Judith A , Bhat Shashikala K , Bhat Parvati , Nayak Baby S
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Background

Childbirth is a life-transforming intense event to a woman and her family. Even though a variety of non-pharmacological techniques are readily available to alleviate the distress of women in labour, the majority of women are unaware of its benefits. The objective of the study was to explore the impact of a simple non-pharmacological technique i.e., antepartum breathing exercises on maternal outcomes of labour among primigravid women.

Methods

A single centre prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted at the antenatal outpatient clinic of a secondary healthcare institution. Eligible primigravid women were randomized into intervention and standard care groups. Both groups received standard obstetrical care. In addition, the intervention group were taught antepartum breathing exercises and were advised to practise daily and also during the active stage of labour. The primary outcome of the trial was the maternal outcome of labour measured in terms of onset of labour, nature of delivery, duration of labour, and need for augmentation of labour. Data was collected using World Health Organization (WHO) partograph, structured observational record on the outcome of labour.

Results

A total of 98 (70%) primigravid women who practised antepartum breathing exercises had spontaneous onset of labour. The odds of spontaneous onset of labour after randomization in the intervention group was 2.192 times more when compared to standard care at a (95% confidence interval 1.31–3.36, p<.001). Also, the requirement for augmentation of labour was minimal and there was a reduction in the rate of caesarean deliveries (p <.05) based on the χ2 test. The overall mean duration of labour was less compared to standard care group F(1)= 133.800, p <.001.

Conclusion

Antepartum breathing exercises during labour can facilitate spontaneous vaginal birth, shorten the duration of labour, and reduce the need for operative interference.
Efficiency of transplacental transfer of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) specific antibodies among pregnant women in Kenya
Authors: Nyiro Joyce U. , Bukusi Elizabeth , Mwaengo Dufton , Nyaguara Amek , Nyawanda Bryan , Otieno Nancy , Bigogo Godfrey , Murunga Nickson , Widdowson Marc-Alain , Verani Jennifer R. , Chaves Sandra S. , Mwangudza Hope , Odundo Calleb , Berkley James A. , Nokes D James , Munywoki Patrick K.
Published: February 2022

Background: Maternal immunisation to boost respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antibodies in pregnant women, is a strategy being considered to enhance infant protection from severe RSV associated disease. However, little is known about the efficiency of transplacental transfer of RSV-specific antibodies in a setting with a high burden of malaria and HIV, to guide the implementation of such a vaccination program.

Methods: Using a plaque reduction neutralization assay, we screened 400 pairs of cord and maternal serum specimens from pregnant women for RSV-specific antibodies. Participants were pregnant women of two surveillance cohorts: 200 participants from a hospital cohort in Kilifi, Coastal Kenya and 200 participants from a surveillance cohort in Siaya, Western Kenya. Transplacental transfer efficiency was determined by the cord to maternal transfer ratio (CMTR). Logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors of impaired transplacental transfer of RSV-specific antibodies.

Results: A total of 800 samples were screened from the 400 participants. At enrollment the median age was 25 years (Interquartile range (IQR): 21-31). Overall, transplacental transfer was efficient and did not differ between Kilifi and Siaya cohort (1.02 vs. 1.02; p=0.946) but was significantly reduced among HIV-infected mothers compared to HIV-uninfected mothers (mean CMTR: 0.98 vs 1.03; p=0.015). Prematurity <33 weeks gestation (Odds ratio [OR]: 0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.06–0.85; p=0.028), low birth weight <2.5 kgs (OR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.07–0.94; p=0.041) and HIV infection (OR: 0.47, 95% CI:0.23-0.98; p=0.045) reduced efficiency of transplacental transfer among these women.

Conclusions: Transplacental transfer of RSV-specific antibodies among pregnant women in Kenya is efficient. A consideration to integrate other preventive interventions with maternal RSV vaccination targeting infants born premature (<33 weeks gestation), with low birth weight <2.5 kgs, or HIV-infected mothers is likely to improve vaccine outcomes in this setting.
Nazwy własne w przestrzeni miejskiej jako problem przekładowy. Spojrzenie tłumacza praktyka i dydaktyka tłumaczenia
Authors: Szczęsny Anna
Published: February 2022

Artykuł jest poświęcony nazwom własnym oznaczającym obiekty w przestrzeni miejskiej, różnie klasyfikowanym z punktu widzenia onomastyki (chrematonomastyki w szczególności), a także onomastyki przekładowej. Omawiając wybrane koncepcje translatoryczne, autorka podkreśla funkcje tekstowe tych nazw oraz sposoby oddawania ich w tekście przekładu (techniki tłumaczeniowe). Ponadto zwraca uwagę na stosunkowo nowe zjawiska w tym obszarze działań translatorskich i paratranslatorskich, na możliwe i postulowane zmiany zakresu stosowanych zabiegów, m.in. transliteracji angielskiej, przede wszystkim w odniesieniu do sfery mediów i przestrzeni publicznej. Ostatnia część tekstu jest opisem propozycji dydaktycznych z przykładami z języka rosyjskiego i polskiego.
Experiencias alternativas de producción, comercialización y consumo de alimentos en el contexto de la pandemia covid-19
Authors: Schiavo Ester , Travela Juan Carlos
Published: February 2022

El patrón neoliberal de acumulación de capital ha afectado la conformación de las ciudades latinoamericanas, a su vez, aportó a la construcción de un modelo hegemónico de producción y acceso a los alimentos, con resultados negativos en términos socioambientales y económicos. Situación que se agrava por la crisis producto del covid-19. Ante ello, se propone identificar y analizar críticamente experiencias alternativas de producción, comercialización y consumo de alimentos, para conocer el rol que desempeñan los Estados, así como los efectos territoriales de dichas experiencias. A tal fin, se presenta el estado de la cuestión y como referencia empírica se consideraron cuatro casos en Argentina, pero se selecciona como caso de estudio solo uno de ellos, la Unión de Trabajadores de la Tierra, por ser el único que aporta estratégicamente a la modificación de las bases del modelo dominante, mediante la planeación territorial del sistema alimentario y la articulación con el Estado.
Selecting Data Granularity and Model Specification Using the Scaled Power Likelihood with Multiple Weights
Authors: Kim Mingyung , Bradlow Eric T. , Iyengar Raghuram
Published: February 2022

This paper proposes a selection tool that jointly identifies the best-fitted granularity-model pair that can be used for out-of-sample forecasting.
The Risk of Caution: Evidence from an Experiment
Authors: Carson Richard T. , Graff Zivin Joshua , Louviere Jordan J. , Sadoff Sally , Shrader Jeffrey G.
Published: February 2022

Innovation is important for firm performance and broader economic growth. However, breakthrough innovations necessarily require greater risk taking than more incremental approaches. To understand how managers respond to uncertainty when making research and development decisions, we conducted experiments with master’s degree students in a program focused on the intersection of business and technology. Study participants were asked to choose whether to fund hypothetical research projects using a process that mirrors real-world research and development funding decisions. The experiments provided financial rewards that disproportionately encouraged the choice of higher-risk projects. Despite these incentives, most participants chose lower-risk projects at the expense of projects more likely to generate a large payoff. Heterogeneity analysis and additional experimental treatments show that individual risk preferences predict greater tolerance of high-risk projects and suggest that more appropriate decision making can be learned. Thus, for firms seeking to fund breakthrough research and development, appropriate screening and training of employees may play important roles in increasing the likelihood of success.

This paper was accepted by Gustavo Manso, finance.

Funding: This work was supported by the National Science Foundation [Grant SBE-1561257].

Supplemental Material: The data files and online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2021.4292 .
A prescription for seamless care: PGDs in stoma care practice
Authors: Burton Julie
Published: February 2022

Patient group directions (PGDs) allow the administration of medicines to groups of patients who fit specific criteria, without having to write an individual prescription for each patient. The use of PGDs in stoma care nursing practice can significantly improve patients' quality of life, increase autonomy and accountability for the clinical nurse specialist, and provide a credible alternative to independent nurse prescribing. Julie Burton outlines the use of PGDs in stoma care nursing, and documents their introduction in one stoma care department.
Highly reflective Ru/Y multilayer mirrors for the spectral range of 9-11 nm
Authors: Polkovnikov V. N. , Shaposhnikov R. A. , Zuev S. Yu. , Svechnikov M. V. , Sertsu M. G. , Sokolov A. , Schäfers F. , Chkhalo N. I.
Published: February 2022

The results of the investigation of the reflective characteristics of multilayer mirrors based on Ru/Y are presented. Reflection coefficients at the level of 38.5% at an operating wavelength of 9.4 nm. It is shown that the deposition of B4C barrier layers onto Y layers makes it possible to significantly increase the reflection coefficient compared to structures without barrier layers. A reflectance of 54% was obtained for mirrors optimized for 11.4 nm, which is close to the theoretical limit for these materials.
Slight asymmetry induces significant distortion of soot volume fraction measurements in counterflow diffusion flames with diffuse back-illumination imaging
Authors: Zhou Jiwei , Zhou Mengxiang , Ma Liuhao , Wang Yu
Published: February 2022

Counterflow diffusion flame is a favorable platform for fundamental investigation of soot kinetics. A diffuse back-illumination imaging technique for measuring soot volume fractions in these flames was rigorously demonstrated here. It was noticed that the technique is extremely sensitive to slight asymmetry of the flame. Misleading conclusions could be drawn due to the surprisingly large distortion of the measured SVF profile caused by flame tilting, even when the tilting is so slight as to be undetectable through the flame images. To address this issue, the effect of the flame tilting on soot measurements were quantitatively analyzed and a novel procedure was proposed to identify and correct the measurement distortions.
Generation of random soliton-like beams in a nonlinear fractional Schrödinger equation
Authors: Wang Juanfen , Jin Yuan , Gong Xuguang , Yang Lingzhen , Chen Jie , Xue Pingping
Published: February 2022

We investigate the generation of random soliton-like beams based on the Kuznetsov-Ma solitons in a nonlinear fractional Schrödinger equation (NLFSE). For Lévy index α = 1, the Kuznetsov-Ma solitons split into two nondiffracting beams during propagation in linear regime. According to the different input positions of the Kuznetsov-Ma solitons, the diffraction-free beams can be divided into three different types: bright-dark, dark-bright and bright-bright beams. In the nonlinear regime, the Kuznetsov-Ma solitons can be evolved into random soliton-like beams due to the collapse. The number of soliton-like beams is related to the nonlinear coefficient and the Lévy index. The bigger the nonlinear coefficient, the more beams generated. Moreover, the peak intensity of soliton-like beams presents a Gaussian distribution under the large nonlinear effect. In practice, the evolution of KM soliton can be realized by a plane wave with a Gaussian perturbation, which can be confirmed that they have the similar dynamics of propagation. In two dimensions, the plane wave with a Gaussian perturbation can be evolved into a bright-dark axisymmetric ring beam in the linear regime. Under the nonlinear modulation, the energy accumulates to the center and finally breaks apart into random beam filaments.
Water-based metasurface with continuously tunable reflection amplitude
Authors: Tan Xiaoxue , Chen Juan , Li Jianxing , Yan Sen
Published: February 2022

In this paper, a water-based metasurface with adjustable reflection amplitude is proposed. The overall structure uses a transparent substrate as a water-based container, and the upper surface is loaded with a double-ring-shaped resistive film. As the height of the water in the container gradually increases from 0 mm to 0.5 mm, within a broadband range from 0.1 GHz to 30 GHz, the maximum adjustable range of the reflection amplitude is -2 dB to -12 dB. The water-based metasurface switches from a state of strong reflection to a state of absorption. The test results are in good agreement with the simulation results. Because the tunable metasurface is transparent to visible light, it can be used for electromagnetic shielding of windows of airplanes.
Optical microstructure fabrication using structured polarized illumination
Authors: Strobelt Jonas , Stolz Daniel , Leven Maximilian , Soelen Matthew Van , Kurlandski Luke , Abourahma Heba , McGee David J.
Published: February 2022

A versatile system for the fabrication of surface microstructures is demonstrated by combining the photomechanical response of supramolecular azopolymers with structured polarized illumination from a high resolution spatial light modulator. Surface relief structures with periods 900 nm - 16.5 µm and amplitudes up to 1.0 µm can be fabricated with a single 5 sec exposure at 488 nm. Sinusoidal, circular, and chirped surface profiles can be fabricated via direct programming of the spatial light modulator, with no optomechanical realignment required. Surface microstructures can be combined into macroscopic areas by mechanical translation followed by exposure. The surface structures grow immediately in response to illumination, can be visually observed in real time, and require no post-exposure processing.
Polarization device with active controlled terahertz amplitude and frequency shift
Authors: Yang Tingting , Li Xiang , Shen Jingling , Zhang Bo
Published: February 2022

A polarization device with active controlled terahertz amplitude and frequency shift based on In2O3 was designed. The THz transmission intensity decreases under optical excitation of the In2O3/PEDOT:PSS/metal wire grid/quartz structure. The modulation depth of the sample for THz transmission is greater when the metal wire is perpendicular to the direction of the THz electric field polarization than when it is parallel. The photoexcited sample reduces the THz transmission and allows the frequency to be tuned. When driven by bias, the THz transmission signal and frequency can be substantially reset. The decrease and increase of the THz transmission result from the increase in the conductivity of the In2O3 layer and the decrease in the conductivity of the PEDOT:PSS:DMSO film, respectively. The THz frequency shift results from a change in the refractive index of the sample, which causes a photo-induced redshift or a bias-driven blueshift of the THz frequency.
Theoretical framework to describe the reflection of circularly polarized light by a natural photonic crystal: elytron of a Chrysina resplendens scarab
Authors: Vargas William E.
Published: February 2022

A theoretical treatment of the optical properties of chiral materials exhibiting a photonic crystal behavior is summarized and extended. It can be applied to interpret the photonic characteristics of synthetic cholesteric liquid crystals and natural elytra of jewel scarabs showing graded spatial periods or pitches. The model is applied here to analyze the photonic properties of the cuticle of a C. resplendens scarab which reflects both components of circular polarization when illuminated with non-polarized light. The structural composition of the elytra has shown to consist of an optically homogenous epicuticle, an upper left-handed twisted arrangement of chitin fibrils embedding uric acid crystallites, followed by a unidirectional layer, and a second left-handed thicker helicoid. The basic information about this morphological structure is taken from the pioneering work of Caveney [Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond. B178, 205 (1971)10.1098/rspb.1971.0062]. Some of his findings are also obtained within the context of our theory (birefringence of the unidirectional layer, average volume fraction for the whole structure, and typical spectral composition of left- and right-handed reflectance spectra), and new ones are reported. Novel expressions for the photonic band gap and its width, the ordinary and extraordinary effective refractive indices and birefringence are also reported.
Quasi-static optical parametric amplification
Authors: Jankowski Marc , Jornod Nayara , Langrock Carsten , Desiatov Boris , Marandi Alireza , Lončar Marko , Fejer Martin M.
Published: February 2022

High-gain optical parametric amplification is an important nonlinear
process used both as a source of coherent infrared light and as a
source of nonclassical light. In this work, we experimentally
demonstrate an approach to optical parametric amplification that
enables extremely large parametric gains with low energy requirements.
In conventional nonlinear media driven by femtosecond pulses, multiple
dispersion orders limit the effective interaction length available for
parametric amplification. Here, we use the dispersion engineering
available in periodically poled thin-film lithium niobate
nanowaveguides to eliminate several dispersion orders at once. The
result is a quasi-static process; the large peak intensity associated
with a short pump pulse can provide gain to signal photons without
undergoing pulse distortion or temporal walk-off. We characterize the
parametric gain available in these waveguides using optical parametric
generation, where vacuum fluctuations are amplified to macroscopic
intensities. In the unsaturated regime, we observe parametric gains as
large as 71 dB (118 dB/cm) spanning 1700–2700 nm with pump energies of
only 4 pJ. When driven with pulse energies

>

10

p
J

, we observe saturated parametric
gains as large as 88 dB (

>

146

d
B

/

c
m

). The devices shown here achieve
saturated optical parametric generation with orders of magnitude less
pulse energy than previous techniques.
Spin–orbit photonic diode from biomimetic 3D chiral liquid crystal architectures
Authors: Agez Gonzague , Brasselet Etienne
Published: February 2022

Spin–orbit photonic devices usually rely on 2D (transverse) material structuring and are designed for optimal coupling between the polarization state and the spatial degrees of freedom at a given wavelength. Exploiting the third dimension (longitudinal) provides ways to bypass monochromatic limitations. Within a singular optics framework, here we show that chiral liquid crystals endowed with non-singular 3D helix axis orientational distribution exhibit transmissive broadband spin–orbit optical vortex generation as well as an optical diode effect. These results are in stark contrast to the properties of spin–orbit optical elements fabricated from chiral liquid crystals with a uniform orientation of the helix axis, which are reflective devices that process forward and backward propagating waves equally. Moreover, the similarities between the proposed 3D chiral structure and that of the cuticle of some insects invites considering spin–orbit photonics from a biological perspective.
Dysphagia among geriatric trauma patients: A population-based study
Authors: Nieto Kenny , Ang Darwin , Liu Huazhi
Published: February 2022

Objective

To determine the significance of dysphagia on clinical outcomes of geriatric trauma patients.

Methods

This is a retrospective population-based study of geriatric trauma patients 65 years and older utilizing the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration dataset from 2010 to 2019. Patients with pre-admission dysphagia were excluded. Multivariable regression was used to create statistical adjustments. Primary outcomes included mortality and the development of dysphagia. Secondary outcomes included length of stay and complications. Subgroup analyses included patients with dementia, patients who received transgastric feeding tubes (GFTs) or tracheostomies, and speech language therapy consultation.

Results

A total of 52,946 geriatric patients developed dysphagia after admission during a 9-year period out of 1,150,438 geriatric trauma admissions. In general, patients who developed dysphagia had increased mortality, length of stay, and complications. When adjusted for traumatic brain and cervical spine injuries, the addition of mechanical ventilation decreased the mortality odds. This was also observed in the subset of patients with dysphagia who had GFTs placed. Of the three primary risk factors for dysphagia investigated, mechanical ventilation was the most strongly associated with later development of dysphagia and mortality.

Conclusion

The geriatric trauma population is vulnerable to dysphagia with a large number associated with traumatic brain injury, cervical spine injury, and polytraumatic injuries that lead to mechanical ventilation. Earlier intubation/mechanical ventilation in association with GFTs was found to be associated with decreased inpatient hospital mortality. Tracheostomy placement was shown to be an independent risk factor for the development of dysphagia. The utilization of speech language therapy was found to be inconsistently utilized.
Knowledge, perceptions and practices on antibiotic use among Sri Lankan doctors
Authors: Shu Gihan , Jayawardena Kaushika , Jayaweera Patabandige Dinesh , Tennegedara Asanka , Liyanapathirana Veranja
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Prescribers have a major role in preventing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through appropriate prescribing. However, in countries like Sri Lanka, where continuous professional development is not mandatory for license renewal and antimicrobial stewardship is not implemented, prescribing practices go largely unchecked.

Objectives

To identify the knowledge on antibiotic use and practices related to antibiotic prescribing among Sri Lankan doctors.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020. We used a validated, pretested Google-form based questionnaire with multiple choices, single best answer questions, polar questions (Yes/No) and five-point Likert scale questions. The Google-sheet generated was used for data analysis. Knowledge and practice scores were calculated.

Results

Of the 262 respondents, 40.1% were males. Majority (61.8%) were aged 25–35-years and in medical practice for 0–5 years (48.9%) while 46.2% had or were engaged in post graduate studies. Knowledge scores ranged from 98.31% to 46.55% [mean:71.27% (SD±10.83); median:71.18% (IQR 64.4–79.7)]. Most (98.09%) obtained ≥50 marks while 45.8% scored more than the mean. The practice scores ranged from 100% to 0% [mean:65.33% (SD±18.16), median:66.67% (IQR53.3–80)]. The majority (81.3%) scored ≥50 in the practice score while 52.3% achieved more than the mean practice score. The knowledge score and the practice score differed significantly (p<0.001, related sample Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test) but the knowledge and practice scores were significantly correlated [Spearman correlation, p<0.001, r = 0.343 (Bias corrected 95% CI 0.237–0.448)]. Knowledge scores and the practice scores were significantly higher in those with or undergoing postgraduate training.

Conclusions

While the knowledge and practice scores were high, and knowledge and practice scores were correlated, the practices score was lower than that of knowledge indicating the need to encourage correct practices through means other than solely promoting knowledge.
Sound source localization patterns and bilateral cochlear implants: Age at onset of deafness effects
Authors: Anderson Sean R. , Jocewicz Rachael , Kan Alan , Zhu Jun , Tzeng ShengLi , Litovsky Ruth Y.
Published: February 2022

The ability to determine a sound’s location is critical in everyday life. However, sound source localization is severely compromised for patients with hearing loss who receive bilateral cochlear implants (BiCIs). Several patient factors relate to poorer performance in listeners with BiCIs, associated with auditory deprivation, experience, and age. Critically, characteristic errors are made by patients with BiCIs (e.g., medial responses at lateral target locations), and the relationship between patient factors and the type of errors made by patients has seldom been investigated across individuals. In the present study, several different types of analysis were used to understand localization errors and their relationship with patient-dependent factors (selected based on their robustness of prediction). Binaural hearing experience is required for developing accurate localization skills, auditory deprivation is associated with degradation of the auditory periphery, and aging leads to poorer temporal resolution. Therefore, it was hypothesized that earlier onsets of deafness would be associated with poorer localization acuity and longer periods without BiCI stimulation or older age would lead to greater amounts of variability in localization responses. A novel machine learning approach was introduced to characterize the types of errors made by listeners with BiCIs, making them simple to interpret and generalizable to everyday experience. Sound localization performance was measured in 48 listeners with BiCIs using pink noise trains presented in free-field. Our results suggest that older age at testing and earlier onset of deafness are associated with greater average error, particularly for sound sources near the center of the head, consistent with previous research. The machine learning analysis revealed that variability of localization responses tended to be greater for individuals with earlier compared to later onsets of deafness. These results suggest that early bilateral hearing is essential for best sound source localization outcomes in listeners with BiCIs.
The human ACE-2 receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 express on the viral surface of the Newcastle disease virus as a non-replicating viral vector vaccine candidate
Authors: Jung Bo-Kyoung , An Yong Hee , Jang Jin-Ju , Jeon Joo Hee , Jang Sung Hoon , Jang Hyun
Published: February 2022

Since the SARS-CoV-2 infection was identified in December 2019, SARS-CoV-2 infection has rapidly spread worldwide and has become a significant pandemic disease. In addition, human death and serious health problem caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, the socio-economic impact has been very serious. Here, we describe the development of the viral vector vaccine, which is the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 expressed on the surface of Newcastle disease virus (LVP-K1-RBD19). The RBD protein concentrations on the viral surface were measured by the sandwich ELISA method. 106.7 TCID50/ml of LVP-K1-RBD19 has a 0.17 μg of RBD protein. Optical density (OD) values of mouse sera inoculated with 10 μg of RBD protein expressed on the surface of LVP-K1-RBD19 generated 1.78-fold higher RBD-specific antibody titers than mice inoculated with 10 μg RBD protein with alum at 28 dpi. Moreover, mice inoculated with 10 μg of RBD protein expressed on the surface of LVP-K1-RBD19 virus showed more than 80% neutralization at 1:256 against the SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus. These results demonstrated that inactivated LVP-K1-RBD19 virus produces neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in a short period and could be elect protective immunity in humans and LVP-K1-RBD19 will be a good candidate for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Development of a core outcome set and outcome measurement set for physiotherapy trials in adults with Bronchiectasis (COS-PHyBE study): A protocol
Authors: Hamzeh Hayat , Spencer Sally , Kelly Carol
Published: February 2022

Background

Bronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory disease characterised by airways widening and recurrent infections, resulting in episodes of chronic cough, sputum expectoration, and dyspnoea. This leads to deterioration in daily function, repeated hospital admissions and poor quality of life. The prevalence and mortality related to bronchiectasis is increasing worldwide with growing economic burden on healthcare systems. Physiotherapy for bronchiectasis aims to decrease accumulation of sputum, dyspnoea, and improve exercise capacity and daily function. A robust evidence base to support physiotherapy in bronchiectasis is currently lacking. This is partly because of inconsistency and poor reporting of outcomes in available studies.

A core outcome set is the minimum acceptable group of outcomes that should be used in clinical trials for a specific condition. This decreases research waste by improving consistency and reporting of key outcomes and facilitates the synthesis of study outcomes in systematic reviews and guidelines.

The aim of the study is therefore to develop a core outcome set and outcome measurement set for physiotherapy research in adults with bronchiectasis. This will ensure outcomes important to key stakeholders are consistently used and reported in future research.

Methods and analysis

This project will use the COMET Initiative and COSMIN guidelines of core outcome set development and will include three phases. In the first phase, a comprehensive list of outcomes will be developed using systematic review of reported outcomes and qualitative interviews with patients and physiotherapists. Then consensus on key outcomes will be established in phase two using a Delphi survey and a consensus meeting. Finally, in phase three, we will identify appropriate instruments to measure the core outcomes by evaluating the psychometric properties of available instruments and a stakeholders’ meeting to establish consensus.

Ethics

The study was reviewed and has received ethical approval from the health-related Research Ethics Committee- Edge Hill University (ETH2021-0217).

Registration

This study is registered with the COMET database.https://www.comet-initiative.org/Studies/Details/1931.

The full systematic review protocol is registered in PROSPERO under the numberCRD42021266247.