bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oblique plane microscope for mesoscopic imaging of freely moving organisms with cellular resolution
Authors: Singh Rajwinder , Subramanian Kaushikaram , Power Rory M. , Paix Alexandre , Gil Alejandro , Ikmi Aissam , Prevedel Robert
Published: November 2022

Several important questions in biology require non-invasive and three-dimensional imaging techniques with an appropriate spatiotemporal resolution that permits live organisms to move in an unconstrained fashion over an extended field-of-view. While selective-plane illumination microscopy (SPIM) has emerged as a powerful method to observe live biological specimens at high spatio-temporal resolution, typical implementations often necessitate constraining sample mounting or lack the required volumetric speed. Here, we report on an open-top, dual-objective oblique plane microscope (OPM) capable of observing millimeter-sized, freely moving animals at cellular resolution. We demonstrate the capabilities of our mesoscopic OPM (MesOPM) by imaging the behavioral dynamics of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis over 1.56 × 1.56 × 0.25 mm at 1.5 × 2.8 × 5.3 µm resolution and 0.5 Hz volume rate.
Framework for improving DoLP and AoLP reconstruction quality in microgrid polarimeters
Authors: Raffoul Joseph , LeMaster Daniel , Hirakawa Keigo
Published: November 2022

In polarimetric imaging, degree and angle of linear polarization (DoLP and AoLP, respectively) are computed from ratios of Stokes parameters. In snapshot imagers, DoLP and AoLP are degraded by inherent mismatches between the spatial bandwidth of the S0, S1, and S2 parameters reconstructed by demosaicking from microgrid polarizer array (MPA)-sampled data. To overcome this, we rigorously show that log-MPA-sampled data approximately decouples DoLP and AoLP from the intensity component (S0) in the spatial Fourier domain. Based on this analysis, we propose an alternative demosaicking strategy aimed at estimating DoLP and AoLP directly from MPA-sampled data. Our method bypasses Stokes parameter estimation, alleviating the spatial bandwidth mismatch problems altogether and reducing computational complexity. We experimentally verify the superior DoLP and AoLP reconstructions of the proposed log-MPA demosaicking compared to the conventional Stokes parameter demosaicking approach in simulation. We simulated the conventional 2 × 2 MPA patterns as well as the more recently introduced 2 × 4 MPA patterns, and report quantitative results (mean squared error, structural similarity index, and polarization angular error) using five demosaicking approaches drawn from the literature. We also provide a closed-form error analysis on the log-MPA-sampled data to demonstrate that the approximation error is negligible for real practical applications.
Photonic topological phases in Tellegen metamaterials
Authors: Chern Ruey-Lin , Chou Yi-Ju
Published: November 2022

We investigate the photonic topological phases in Tellegen metamaterials characterized by the antisymmetric magnetoelectric tensors with real-valued quantities. The underlying medium is considered a photonic analogue of the topological semimetal featured with a displaced Weyl cone in the frequency-wave vector space. As the ’spin’-degenerate condition is satisfied, the photonic system consists of two hybrid modes that are completely decoupled. By introducing the pseudospin states as the basis for the hybrid modes, the photonic system is described by two subsystems in terms of the spin-orbit Hamiltonians with spin 1, which result in nonzero spin Chern numbers that determine the topological properties. Surface modes at the interface between two Tellegen metamaterials with opposite sign of the magnetoelectric parameter exist at their common gap in the wave vector space, which are analytically formulated by algebraic equations. In particular, two types of surface modes are tangent to or wrapping around the Weyl cones, which form a pair of bended and a pair of twisted surface sheets. At the Weyl frequency, the surface modes contain a typical and two open Fermi arc-like states that concatenate to yield an infinite straight line. Topological features of the Tellegen metamaterials are further illustrated with the robust transport of surface modes at an irregular boundary.
Highly sensitive terahertz fingerprint sensing based on the quasi-guided modes in a distorted photonic lattice
Authors: Sun Min , Han Zhanghua
Published: November 2022

Using photonic structures resonating at the characteristic absorption frequency of the target molecules is a widely-adopted approach to enhance the absorption and improve the sensitivity in many spectral regions. Unfortunately, the requirement of accurate spectral matching poses a big challenge for the structure fabrication, while active tuning of the resonance for a given structure using external means like the electric gating significantly complicates the system. In this work, we propose to circumvent the problem by making use of quasi-guided modes which feature both ultra-high Q factors and wavevector-dependent resonances over a large operating bandwidth. These modes are supported in a distorted photonic lattice, whose band structure is formed above the light line due to the band-folding effect. The advantage and flexibility of this scheme in terahertz sensing are elucidated and exemplified by using a compound grating structure on a silicon slab waveguide to achieve the detection of a nanometer scale α-lactose film. The spectral matching between the leaky resonance and the α-lactose absorption frequency at 529.2 GHz by changing the incident angle is demonstrated using a flawed structure which exhibits a detuned resonance at normal incidence. Based on the high dependence of the transmittance at the resonance on the thickness of α-lactose, our results show it is possible to achieve an exclusive detection of α-lactose with the effective sensing of thickness as small as 0.5 nm.
Secure biometric systems based on bio-signals and DNA encryption of optical spectrograms
Authors: Salama Gerges M. , Omar Basma , El-Shafai Walid , El-Banby Ghada M. , Hamed Hesham F. A. , El-Gazar Safaa , Soliman Naglaa F. , Abd El-Samie Fathi E.
Published: November 2022

Recently, biometrics has become widely used in applications to verify an individual's identity. To address security issues, biometrics presents an intriguing window of opportunity to enhance the usability and security of the Internet of Things (IoT) and other systems. It can be used to secure a variety of newly emerging IoT devices. However, biometric scenarios need more protection against different hacking attempts. Various solutions are introduced to secure biometrics. Cryptosystems, cancelable biometrics, and hybrid systems are efficient solutions for template protection. The new trend in biometric authentication systems is to use bio-signals. In this paper, two proposed authentication systems are introduced based on bio-signals. One of them is unimodal, while the other is multimodal. Protected templates are obtained depending on encryption. The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) encryption is implemented on the obtained optical spectrograms of bio-signals. The authentication process relies on the DNA sensitivity to variations in the initial values. In the multimodal system, the singular value decomposition (SVD) algorithm is implemented to merge bio-signals. Different evaluation metrics are used to assess the performance of the proposed systems. Simulation results prove the high accuracy and efficiency of the proposed systems as the equal error rate (EER) value is close to 0 and the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AROC) is close to 1. The false accept rate (FAR), false reject rate (FRR), and decidability (D) are also estimated with acceptable results of 1.6 × 10−8, 9.05 × 10−6, and 29.34, respectively. Simulation results indicate the performance stability of the proposed systems in the presence of different levels of noise.
Mode division multiplexing chaotic encryption scheme based on key intertwining and accompanying transmission
Authors: Ren Jianxin , Liu Bo , Wan Yibin , Zhu Xiaorong , Ullah Rahat , Ma Yiming , Wu Xiangyu , Mao Yaya , Sun Tingting , Zhang Chenfang , Shen Shikui , Wang Zelin , Wang Guangquan
Published: November 2022

A mode division multiplexing (MDM) chaotic encryption scheme based on key intertwining and accompanying transmission is proposed in this paper. Based on the weakly coupled few-mode fiber (FMF), data and time-varying keys can be accompanied by transmission in two modes, LP01 and LP11, respectively. In order to generate a new key, the current key is XORed with all of the keys from all the preceding moments, one by one. To implement chaotic masking in the digital domain, the three chaotic sequences corresponding to the new key are adopted to encrypt the data at the constellation phase, data symbol block, and subcarrier levels. An 8.89 Gb/s encrypted 16QAM-OFDM signal transmission over 1 km weakly-coupled FMF is experimentally demonstrated. The receiver with the correct key can recover the data normally, while the BER of the illegal receiver remains around 0.5. In the case of the key transmission bit rate of 1 Gb/s, the cracking efficiency threshold of the time-varying key encryption scheme is 5.21 × 106 times that of the time-invariant key encryption scheme, which suggests that the proposed work is a promising candidate for future physical layer security.
Vision measurement system for geometric parameters of tubing internal thread based on double-mirrored structured light
Authors: Li Xiao , Zhou Jingyu , Xin Haijun , Li Wei , Yin Xiaokang , Yuan Xin’an , Chen Huaiyuan , Chen Xingpei , Ma Xin
Published: November 2022

Geometric parameter measurement of tubing internal thread is critical for oil pipeline safety. In response to the shortcomings of existing methods for measuring internal thread geometric parameters, such as low efficiency, poor accuracy, and poor accessibility, this paper proposes a vision system for measuring internal thread geometric parameters based on double-mirrored structured light. Compared to previous methods, our system can completely reproduce the internal thread tooth profiles and allows multi-parameter measurement in one setup. To establish the correlation between the structural and imaging parameters of the vision system, three-dimensional (3D) optical path models (OPMs) for the vision system considering the mirror effect of the prism is proposed, which extends the scope of the optical path analysis and provides a theoretical foundation for designing the structural parameters of the vision system. Moreover, modeling and three-step calibration methods for the vision system are proposed to realize high-accuracy restoration from the two-dimensional (2D) virtual image to the actual 3D tooth profiles. Finally, a vision measurement system is developed, and experiments are carried out to verify the accuracy and measure the three geometric parameters (i.e., taper, pitch, and tooth height) of typical internal threads. Based on the validation results using the reference system, the vision measurement accuracy and efficiency are 6.7 and 120 times that of the traditional system, which verifies the measurement effectiveness and accuracy of the vision system proposed in this paper.
Ultra-precision manufacturing of microlens arrays using an optimum machining process chain
Authors: Wang Shixiang , Kong Lingbao , Wang Chunjing , Cheung Chifai
Published: November 2022

There are still significant challenges in the accurate and uniform manufacturing of microlens arrays (MLAs) with advanced ultra-precision diamond cutting technologies due to increasingly stringent requirements and shape complexity. In this paper, an optimum machining process chain is proposed based on the integration of a micro-abrasive fluid jet polishing (MAFJP) process to improve the machining quality by single point diamond turning (SPDT). The MLAs were first machined and compensated by SPDT until the maximum possible surface quality was obtained. The MAFJP was used to correct the surface form error and reduce the nonuniformity for each lens. The polishing characterization was analyzed based on the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method to enhance the polishing efficiency. To better polish the freeform surface, two-step tool path generation using a regional adaptive path and a raster and cross path was employed. Moreover, the compensation error map was also investigated by revealing the relationship between the material removal mechanism and the surface curvature and polishing parameters. A series of experiments were conducted to prove the reliability and capability of the proposed method. The results indicate that the two integrated machining processes are capable of improving the surface form accuracy with a decrease in PV value from 1.67 µm to 0.56 µm and also elimination of the nonuniform surface error for the lenses.
Identification of SaCas9 orthologs containing a conserved serine residue that determines simple NNGG PAM recognition
Authors: Wang Shuai , Tao Chen , Mao Huilin , Hou Linghui , Wang Yao , Qi Tao , Yang Yuan , Ong Sang-Ging , Hu Shijun , Chai Renjie , Wang Yongming
Published: November 2022

Due to different nucleotide preferences at target sites, no single Cas9 is capable of editing all sequences. Thus, this highlights the need to establish a Cas9 repertoire covering all sequences for efficient genome editing. Cas9s with simple protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) requirements are particularly attractive to allow for a wide range of genome editing, but identification of such Cas9s from thousands of Cas9s in the public database is a challenge. We previously identified PAMs for 16 SaCas9 orthologs. Here, we compared the PAM-interacting (PI) domains in these orthologs and found that the serine residue corresponding to SaCas9 N986 was associated with the simple NNGG PAM requirement. Based on this discovery, we identified five additional SaCas9 orthologs that recognize the NNGG PAM. We further identified three amino acids that determined the NNGG PAM requirement of SaCas9. Finally, we engineered Sha2Cas9 and SpeCas9 to generate high-fidelity versions of Cas9s. Importantly, these natural and engineered Cas9s displayed high activities and distinct nucleotide preferences. Our study offers a new perspective to identify SaCas9 orthologs with NNGG PAM requirements, expanding the Cas9 repertoire.
Cluster detection with random neighbourhood covering: Application to invasive Group A Streptococcal disease
Authors: Cavallaro Massimo , Coelho Juliana , Ready Derren , Decraene Valerie , Lamagni Theresa , McCarthy Noel D. , Todkill Dan , Keeling Matt J.
Published: November 2022

The rapid detection of outbreaks is a key step in the effective control and containment of infectious diseases. In particular, the identification of cases which might be epidemiologically linked is crucial in directing outbreak-containment efforts and shaping the intervention of public health authorities. Often this requires the detection of clusters of cases whose numbers exceed those expected by a background of sporadic cases. Quantifying exceedances rapidly is particularly challenging when only few cases are typically reported in a precise location and time. To address such important public health concerns, we present a general method which can detect spatio-temporal deviations from a Poisson point process and estimate the odds of an isolate being part of a cluster. This method can be applied to diseases where detailed geographical information is available. In addition, we propose an approach to explicitly take account of delays in microbial typing. As a case study, we considered invasive group A Streptococcus infection events as recorded and typed by Public Health England from 2015 to 2020.
Optimized phylogenetic clustering of HIV-1 sequence data for public health applications
Authors: Chato Connor , Feng Yi , Ruan Yuhua , Xing Hui , Herbeck Joshua , Kalish Marcia , Poon Art F. Y.
Published: November 2022

Clusters of genetically similar infections suggest rapid transmission and may indicate priorities for public health action or reveal underlying epidemiological processes. However, clusters often require user-defined thresholds and are sensitive to non-epidemiological factors, such as non-random sampling. Consequently the ideal threshold for public health applications varies substantially across settings. Here, we show a method which selects optimal thresholds for phylogenetic (subset tree) clustering based on population. We evaluated this method on HIV-1 pol datasets (n = 14, 221 sequences) from four sites in USA (Tennessee, Washington), Canada (Northern Alberta) and China (Beijing). Clusters were defined by tips descending from an ancestral node (with a minimum bootstrap support of 95%) through a series of branches, each with a length below a given threshold. Next, we used pplacer to graft new cases to the fixed tree by maximum likelihood. We evaluated the effect of varying branch-length thresholds on cluster growth as a count outcome by fitting two Poisson regression models: a null model that predicts growth from cluster size, and an alternative model that includes mean collection date as an additional covariate. The alternative model was favoured by AIC across most thresholds, with optimal (greatest difference in AIC) thresholds ranging 0.007–0.013 across sites. The range of optimal thresholds was more variable when re-sampling 80% of the data by location (IQR 0.008 − 0.016, n = 100 replicates). Our results use prospective phylogenetic cluster growth and suggest that there is more variation in effective thresholds for public health than those typically used in clustering studies.
Breeding displacement in gray wolves (Canis lupus): Three males usurp breeding position and pup rearing from a neighboring pack in Yellowstone National Park
Authors: SunderRaj Jeremy , Rabe Jack W. , Cassidy Kira A. , McIntyre Rick , Stahler Daniel R. , Smith Douglas W.
Published: November 2022

Gray Wolves(Canis lupus)are territorial, group living carnivores that live in packs typically consisting of a dominant breeding pair and their offspring. Breeding tenures are relatively short and competitive, with vacancies usually occurring following a breeder’s death, and are often filled by unrelated immigrants or by relatives of the previous breeder. The frequency and conditions of active breeder displacements are poorly understood. Position changes in the dominance hierarchy are common yet rarely documented in detail. We describe a male breeding position turnover in a wolf pack by males from a neighboring pack in mid-summer 2016 in Yellowstone National Park. Over the course of two months, three males from the Mollie’s pack displaced the breeding male of the neighboring Wapiti Lake pack, joined the pack’s two adult females, and subsequently raised the previous male’s four approximately three-month old pups. In the five years following the displacement (2017 to 2021), at least one of the intruding males has successfully bred with the dominant female and most years with a subordinate female (who was one of the pups at the time of displacement). The pack reared pups to adulthood each year. Male breeding displacements are likely influenced by male-male competition and female mate choice. These changes are the result of individuals competing to improve breeding position and may lead to increased pack stability and greater reproductive success. We report in detail on the behavior of a closely observed breeding displacement and we discuss the adaptive benefits of the change.
Figure skating: Increasing numbers of revolutions in jumps at the European and World Championships
Authors: Rauer Thomas , Pape Hans-Christoph , Knobe Matthias , Pohlemann Tim , Ganse Bergita
Published: November 2022

Figure skating is associated with a high prevalence of sport-specific injuries and overuse symptoms. Impacts are of greater magnitude in jumps with more revolutions that are thus connected to a greater risk of injury. While figure skating programs seem to have recently increased in difficulty, performance trends have not yet been reported in the literature. We hypothesized increasing performance and decreasing age trends of the best athletes who competed at international level in recent years. Furthermore, we aimed to identify and analyse objective performance parameters and to assess a potential link between age and the risk of injury. The development of the number of double, triple and quadruple jumps in the singles figure skating events at the World and European Championships since the introduction of the new ISU Judging System in the 2004/2005 season was analysed using regression statistics and Student’s T-Tests. In all groups, the numbers of jumps with fewer rotations significantly decreased in the favour of jumps with more rotations. Women only started to perform jumps with four rotations in 2019. In the men, the number of quadruple jumps increased from an average of less than one to more than three in recent years (European and World Championships, both p < 0.001). In the European, but not in the World Championships, the average age increased in the men and decreased in the women (European Championships, men and women p = 0.006). Our study was the first to assess performance trends in elite figure skating. The incidence of injuries and overuse syndromes in figure skating needs to be monitored cautiously, as increases can be expected following recent gains in performance and jump complexity.
Coral restoration and adaptation in Australia: The first five years
Authors: McLeod Ian M. , Hein Margaux Y. , Babcock Russ , Bay Line , Bourne David G. , Cook Nathan , Doropoulos Christopher , Gibbs Mark , Harrison Peter , Lockie Stewart , van Oppen Madeleine J. H. , Mattocks Neil , Page Cathie A. , Randall Carly J. , Smith Adam , Smith Hillary A. , Suggett David J. , Taylor Bruce , Vella Karen J. , Wachenfeld David , Boström-Einarsson Lisa
Published: November 2022

While coral reefs in Australia have historically been a showcase of conventional management informed by research, recent declines in coral cover have triggered efforts to innovate and integrate intervention and restoration actions into management frameworks. Here we outline the multi-faceted intervention approaches that have developed in Australia since 2017, from newly implemented in-water programs, research to enhance coral resilience and investigations into socio-economic perspectives on restoration goals. We describe in-water projects using coral gardening, substrate stabilisation, coral repositioning, macro-algae removal, and larval-based restoration techniques. Three areas of research focus are also presented to illustrate the breadth of Australian research on coral restoration, (1) the transdisciplinary Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP), one of the world’s largest research and development programs focused on coral reefs, (2) interventions to enhance coral performance under climate change, and (3) research into socio-cultural perspectives. Together, these projects and the recent research focus reflect an increasing urgency for action to confront the coral reef crisis, develop new and additional tools to manage coral reefs, and the consequent increase in funding opportunities and management appetite for implementation. The rapid progress in trialling and deploying coral restoration in Australia builds on decades of overseas experience, and advances in research and development are showing positive signs that coral restoration can be a valuable tool to improve resilience at local scales (i.e., high early survival rates across a variety of methods and coral species, strong community engagement with local stakeholders). RRAP is focused on creating interventions to help coral reefs at multiple scales, from micro scales (i.e., interventions targeting small areas within a specific reef site) to large scales (i.e., interventions targeting core ecosystem function and social-economic values at multiple select sites across the Great Barrier Reef) to resist, adapt to and recover from the impacts of climate change. None of these interventions aim to single-handedly restore the entirety of the Great Barrier Reef, nor do they negate the importance of urgent climate change mitigation action.
A single application of fertilizer can affect semi-natural grassland vegetation over half a century
Authors: Tsutsumi Michio , Hiradate Syuntaro , Yokogawa Masashi , Yamakita Eri , Inoue Masahito , Takahashi Yoshitaka
Published: November 2022

Restoration of species-rich semi-natural grassland requires not only a seed source but also appropriate soil properties. In Europe, approximately 10 years are required for the properties of fertilized soils to reach suitable conditions and be considered successfully restored. However, restoration may require additional time in Japan because heavier precipitation causes leaching of basic cations from soils, resulting in soil acidification; volcanic ejecta also forms active Al and Fe hydroxides with high phosphate sorption. Within this context, we aimed to answer the following questions: i) whether and how the impacts of fertilization remain in the soil properties after half a century in Japan; and ii) how fertilization affects the restoration of semi-natural grasslands in Japan. We investigated the vegetation and soil properties of a Zoysia japonica pasture improved half a century ago with a single application of fertilizer and an adjacent semi-natural grassland (native pasture) in Japan, and found the following: (1) the two pastures had similar dominance of Z. japonica, but differed in the species composition; (2) the improved pasture exhibited lower species richness than the native pasture; (3) soil nutrients, including N, P, K, Mg, and Ca, were higher in the improved pasture than in the native pasture; and (4) many chemical properties of the soils were associated with species composition; namely, the vegetation on nutrient-rich soil had more alien species and fewer native species. We conclude that a single dose of fertilization can affect soil properties in semi-natural grasslands over half a century in Japan, leading to species loss and changing the species composition. We suggest that fertilized soils under grazing in Japan may require more than half a century to restore the nutrients to suitable levels for the establishment of a species-diverse grassland.
Audit lead selection and yield prediction from historical tax data using artificial neural networks
Authors: Chan Trevor , Tan Cheng-En , Tagkopoulos Ilias
Published: November 2022

Tax audits are a crucial process adopted in all tax departments to ensure tax compliance and fairness. Traditionally, tax audit leads have been selected based on empirical rules and randomization methods, which are not adaptive, may miss major cases and can introduce bias. Here, we present an audit lead tool based on artificial neural networks that have been trained and evaluated on an integrated dataset of 93,413 unique tax records from 8,647 restaurant businesses over 10 years in the Northern California, provided by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA). The tool achieved a 40.1% precision and 58.7% recall (F1-score of 0.42) on classifying positive audit leads, and the corresponding regressor provided estimated audit gains (MAE of $155,490). Finally, we evaluated the statistical significance of various empirical rules for use in lead selection, with two out of five being supported by the data. This work demonstrates how data can be leveraged for creating evidence-based models of audit selection and validating empirical hypotheses, resulting in higher audit yields and more fair audit selection processes.
Age matters: Microbiome depletion prior to repeat mild traumatic brain injury differentially alters microbial composition and function in adolescent and adult rats
Authors: Sgro Marissa , Iacono Giulia , Yamakawa Glenn R. , Kodila Zoe N. , Marsland Benjamin J. , Mychasiuk Richelle
Published: November 2022

Dysregulation of the gut microbiome has been shown to perpetuate neuroinflammation, alter intestinal permeability, and modify repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (RmTBI)-induced deficits. However, there have been no investigations regarding the comparative effects that the microbiome may have on RmTBI in adolescents and adults. Therefore, we examined the influence of microbiome depletion prior to RmTBI on microbial composition and metabolome, in adolescent and adult Sprague Dawley rats. Rats were randomly assigned to standard or antibiotic drinking water for 14 days, and to subsequent sham or RmTBIs. The gut microbiome composition and metabolome were analysed at baseline, 1 day after the first mTBI, and at euthanasia (11 days following the third mTBI). At euthanasia, intestinal samples were also collected to quantify tight junction protein (TJP1 and occludin) expression. Adolescents were significantly more susceptible to microbiome depletion via antibiotic administration which increased pro-inflammatory composition and metabolites. Furthermore, RmTBI induced a transient increase in ‘beneficial bacteria’ (Lachnospiraceae and Faecalibaculum) in only adolescents that may indicate compensatory action in response to the injury. Finally, microbiome depletion prior to RmTBI generated a microbiome composition and metabolome that exemplified a potentially chronic pathogenic and inflammatory state as demonstrated by increased Clostridium innocuum and Erysipelatoclostridium and reductions in Bacteroides and Clostridium Sensu Stricto. Results highlight that adolescents are more vulnerable to RmTBI compared to adults and dysbiosis prior to injury may exacerbate secondary inflammatory cascades.
Hydrogel treatment for idiopathic osteoarthritis in a Dunkin Hartley Guinea pig model
Authors: Parola Lauren R. , Pinette Megan P. , Proffen Benedikt L. , Sant Nicholas J. , Karamchedu N. Padmini , Costa Meggin Q. , Molino Janine , Fleming Braden C. , Murray Martha M.
Published: November 2022

The study objective was to determine if intraarticular injections of an extracellular matrix (ECM) powder and blood composite (ECM-B) would have a significant impact on post-operative gait parameters without eliciting adverse cartilage changes or severe lymphatic reactions in an idiopathic osteoarthritis (OA) model. Twenty-one Dunkin Hartley Guinea pigs received an intraarticular injection of ECM-B in each knee and were split into sub-groups for gait assessment and post-harvest knee evaluations at 1 week (n = 5), 2 weeks (n = 5), 4 weeks (n = 5), or 8 weeks (n = 6). The results were compared with a control group (n = 5), which underwent bilateral injections of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), gait measurements at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks, and post-mortem knee evaluation at 8 weeks post-injection. Hind limbs and popliteal lymph nodes were collected at the Week 8 endpoint and underwent histological analysis by a veterinary pathologist. Significant improvement in hind limb base of support was observed in the ECM-B group compared to the control group at Week 4 but was no longer significant by Week 8. No significant differences were observed between control and ECM-B groups in hind limb cartilage, synovium, or popliteal lymph node histology at Week 8. In conclusion, administration of an ECM-B material may improve gait for a limited time without significant adverse effects on the cartilage, synovium, or local lymph nodes.
Sport-related risk factors for moderate or severe urinary incontinence in master female weightlifters: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Huebner Marianne , Ma Wenjuan , Harding Shirley
Published: November 2022

Background

Urinary incontinence (UI), defined as the involuntary loss of urine, is a common, multifactorial condition. It is unclear whether physical activities, their intensity or frequency, may affect the potential for UI in addition to known risk factors in the general population. Higher prevalence of UI has been observed when engaging in high-impact sports, but research is sparse regarding UI in strength sports. Since the Olympic-style weightlifting has seen an unprecedented increase in women’s participation in recent years, this study provides much-needed data to investigate whether weightlifting predisposes women to UI.

Objectives

The aim was to conduct a survey of female Master athletes in countries that are members of the International Weightlifting Federation using a validated incontinence severity index and to study (1) whether known risk factors in the general population increase the odds of UI in female competitive weightlifters and (2) whether sport-related factors are associated with UI after adjusting for known risk factors. The outcomes of interest were moderate or more severe UI and incontinence during lifts specific to weightlifting competitions.

Results

Respondents consisted of 824 female competitive weightlifters from 29 countries, ages 30 to 79, median 41 years. Prevalence of moderate or more severe incontinence was 32%. Higher BMI, prior pregnancies, and depressive mood increased the odds, but age was not associated. Athletes who had engaged in high-impact sports prior to starting weightlifting training were at a higher risk of UI, but participation in prior strength sports was not associated with UI. The predictive probability of moderate or more severe UI increased with more hours per week of weightlifting training.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that while female weightlifters had a higher prevalence of moderate or severe UI than in a general population according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and that athletes who had engaged in high-impact sports prior to starting weightlifting were at a higher risk of UI.
Determining reference ranges and sample sizes in parallel-group studies
Authors: Shieh Gwowen
Published: November 2022

Background and objectives

Reference ranges are widely used to locate the major range of the target probability distribution. When future measurements fall outside the reference range, they are classified as atypical and require further investigation. The fundamental principles and statistical properties of reference ranges are closely related to those of tolerance interval procedures. Existing investigations of reference ranges and tolerance intervals mainly devoted to the primitive cases of one- and paired-sample designs. Although reference ranges hold considerable promise for parallel group designs, the corresponding methodological and computational issues for determining reference limits and sample sizes have not been adequately addressed.

Methods

This paper describes a complete collection of one- and two-sided reference ranges for assessing measurement differences in parallel-group studies that assume variance homogeneity.

Results

The problem of sample size determination for precise reference ranges is also examined under the expected half-width and assurance probability considerations. Unlike the current methods, the suggested sample size criteria explicitly accommodate desired interval width in precise interval estimation.

Conclusions

Theoretical examinations and empirical assessments are presented to validate the usefulness of the proposed reference range and sample size procedures. To enhance the usages of the recommended techniques in practical applications, computer programs are developed for efficient calculation and exact analysis. A real data example regarding tablet absorption rate and extent is presented to illustrate the suggested assessments between two drug formulations.
FESPACO@50 and beyond: Dialectics of an emancipatory project
Authors: Sanogo Aboubakar
Published: November 2022

This article is a contribution to the celebration the 50th anniversary of FESPACO. It is divided in two major parts. The first takes stock of some of the most important debates that have traversed the festival since its inception, offers a sense of the significance of the festival and its experience, briefly reviews the Black Camera volumes on FESPACO and introduces the unique essays commissioned for this Special Issue. The second half examines three important issues related to the future of FESPACO and African cinema more generally: the centrality of histories and memories with an examination of the new Classics section of the festival, the extraversion and dependency of the political economies of African cinema, their impact on the forms, circulation and reception of African cinema, and their significance for FESPACO, and, finally the urgent need to address questions of sovereignty and territorial integrity on the continent as sine qua non for the very existence, survival and blossoming of an African film and audiovisual industry, liable to continue and potentially complete the unfinished emancipatory project at the heart of the festival.
Diagnosis of the Sputum Smear Positive and Sputum Smear Negative Pulmonary Tuberculosis - The Role of High - Resolution Computed Tomography of Chest
Authors: Himandri Harish Warbhe  , Himanshu Pophale  , Pankaj Magar  , Archana Kanavde  , Sudhanshu Sunil Tonpe
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND

Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex causes pulmonary tuberculosis (PT) which is a major public health problem worldwide and endemic in India. PT diagnosis is done by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) which has high sensitivity and specificity.

METHODS

At a tertiary hospital, this cross-sectional study was conducted for 3 years. Patients presenting with productive cough with or without haemoptysis, shortness of breath, fever with night sweats or weight loss were suspected of having tuberculosis and underwent HRCT. PT was defined as the presence of consolidation, centrilobular nodules, and branching nodules with a tree in bud appearance with or without lymphadenopathy and pleural effusion on HRCT.

RESULTS

In this study, a total of 118 patients with a mean age of 51.85 ± 16.86 years were included. 64 (54.2%) were males and 54 (45.76%) were females out of 118 patients. Sputum smear was negative in a total of 66 (55.9%) patients and positive in 52(44.06%) patients. 84.26% was the diagnostic accuracy of HRCT in diagnosing PT with sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of 84.28%, 83.33%, 78.98%, and 99.02%, respectively. HRCT had diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of 86.40%, 89.46%, 83.42%, 94.14% and 72.43%, respectively in sputum smear positive patients. Whereas it was 83.87%, 91.54%, 75.40%, 64.57%, and 92.14%, respectively in sputum smear negative patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In diagnosing sputum smear-positive and sputum smear-negative PT, HRCT has high sensitivity. The specificity of HRCT was high in diagnosing sputum smear-positive PT, whereas in case of sputum smear-negative PT it was slightly low.
Efficacy and Safety of a Novel Hemostatic Peptide Solution During Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Uraoka Toshio , Uedo Noriya , Oyama Tsuneo , Saito Yutaka , Yahagi Naohisa , Fujimoto Ai , Kawahara Yoshiro , Mabe Katsuhiro , Hikichi Takuto , Yamamoto Yorimasa , Tajiri Hisao
Published: November 2022

INTRODUCTION:

To compare the effectiveness of the novel hemostatic peptide, TDM-621, with that of conventional hemostatic methods in treating intraoperative blood oozing during endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).

METHODS:

This multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial involved 227 patients with gastric and rectal epithelial tumors in whom ESD was indicated. Patients in whom the source of blood oozing was difficult to identify with waterjet washing during the procedure and required hemostasis with hemostatic forceps were randomly assigned to the TDM-621 and control groups. The TDM-621 group (in which hemostasis was achieved with TDM-621, followed by coagulation hemostasis with hemostatic forceps, as needed) was compared with the control group (in which hemostasis was achieved with hemostatic forceps). The primary end point was the mean number of coagulations with hemostatic forceps, determined by a blinded independent review committee. The secondary end points were the rate of achievement of hemostasis with only TDM-621, the dosage of TDM-621, and adverse events in the TDM-621 group.

RESULTS:

The mean number of coagulations with hemostatic forceps was significantly reduced in the TDM-621 group (1.0 ± 1.4) compared with that in the control group (4.9 ± 5.2) (P < 0.001). The rate of hemostasis achievement with only TDM-621 was 62.2%; the mean dosage of TDM-621 was 1.75 ± 2.14 mL. The rates of grade ≥3 adverse events were 6.2% and 5.0% in the TDM-621 and control groups, respectively.

DISCUSSION:

TDM-621 is a useful, easily operable hemostatic peptide for treatment of blood oozing during gastric and rectal ESD, with no serious safety concerns.
Decompression Illness in a Scuba Diver With Significant Esophageal Injury
Authors: Avivi Eyal , Zelnik Yovel Dana , Cohen Daniel L. , Shirin Haim
Published: November 2022

Scuba divers are at risk of decompression illness, of which arterial gas embolism is the most feared consequence. Severe complications involving the gastrointestinal tract are rare. In this report, we describe a case of an experienced scuba diver who was forced to rapidly ascend because of a mechanical failure. His course was complicated by severe esophageal mucosal injury including multiple ulcerations. Although he improved clinically, an esophageal stricture subsequently formed, which required dilation. This seems to be the first case report of significant esophageal injury resulting from decompression illness in a scuba diver.
SIG NO PLANEJAMENTO DE TRILHAS NO PARQUE ESTADUAL DE CAMPOS DO JORDÃO
Authors: Decanini Mônica Modesta Santos
Published: November 2022

O objetivo do presente trabalho é desenvolver uma aplicação de SIG para dar suporte ao planejamento detrilhas ecoturisticas no Parque Estadual de Campos do Jordão (PECJ). Para realizar a modelagem da aplicação adotou-se o paradigma dos quatro universos: Universo do Mundo Real, Universo Conceitual, Universo de Representação e Universo de Implementação. No nível conceitual adotou-se o construtor básico de classes do GMOD/UAPE, dentro de uma abordagem orientada-por-objeto. A formulação dos critérios de analise deu ênfase as restrições ambientais, como a legislação referente a proteção dos recursos naturais e o zoneamento do plano de manejo existente. Utilizou-se o aplicativo Microstation para a aquisição dos dados espaciais e o aplicativo Arc/Info-7.1 para a criação e análise da base de dados geográficos. O aplicativo Arcview-3.0 foi utilizado para compor mapas através do documento View, que permite realizar buscas. Deve-se ressaltar que o fator limitante nessa aplicação foi a falta de dados mais detalhados.
O ENGENHEIRO CARTÓGRAFO NO MERCADO DE TRABALHO
Authors: Da Silva João Fernando Custódio , Bassetto Camila
Published: November 2022

Antiga necessidade das sociedades humanas, a Cartografia tem recente história de educação formal no Brasil. Os aspectos profissionais são pouco estudados e em conseqÃ¼ência os estudantes e os engenheiros cartógrafos têm poucas informações objetivas acerca do mercado de trabalho. O presente trabalho é mais uma tentativa de desvelar o mercado de trabalho para a comunidade cartográfica brasileira. O levantamento recente, levado a efeito em 2001 e apurado em 2002 diante de uma amostra de 109 profissionais, confirma que o setor público ainda é o maior empregador, mas informa que o setor privado aumenta sua participação como empregador. O resultado da pesquisa permite calcular o salário médio mensal em R$3.563,33; que a idade média dos participantes da amostra é de 36,1 anos; que a área de vendas e consultoria cresce a cada levantamento; e muitas outras confirmações, como a concentração das atividades no Sudeste. Revela também que mapeamento fundamental, meio-ambiente e planejamento são os três campos de atuação mais comuns das organizações empregadoras e que coordenação, produção cartográfica e planejamento são as tarefas rotineiras mais comuns dos engenheiros cartógrafos.
EFEITOS NA CARTOGRAFIA DEVIDO A EVOLUÇÃO DO SISTEMA GEODÉSICO BRASILEIRO E ADOÇÃO DE UM REFERENCIAL GEOCÊNTRICO
Authors: Dalazoana Regiane , De Freitas Sílvio Rogério Correia
Published: November 2022

Os produtos cartográficos existentes no país, inclusive o mapeamento sistemático - cuja produção é de responsabilidade do IBGE (Fundação Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística) e da DSG (Diretoria do Serviço Geográfico) - estão baseados em diferentes sistemas de referência e suas realizações. Os principais sistemas de referência, em função do volume de documentos existentes, são o Córrego Alegre e o SAD 69 (South American Datum of 1969) - este composto de uma realização inicial e da realização de 1996. As potencialidades dos métodos de posicionamento por satélites, aliado ao fato dos sistemas ditos clássicos não possuírem precisão compatível com as atuais técnicas de posicionamento, fez com que muitos países adotassem sistemas de referência geocêntricos. Neste sentido, foi criado na América do Sul o projeto SIRGAS (Sistema de Referência Geocêntrico para a América do Sul e atualmente para as Américas). A futura adoção do SIRGAS como sistema oficial no Brasil segue uma tendência lógica tendo em vista os avanços tecnológicos e científicos. Porém, a adoção de um novo referencial implica na necessidade de integração dos dados e mapas já gerados ao novo sistema. Nesse sentido, procura-se com este trabalho averiguar as implicações advindas da evolução do Sistema Geodésico Brasileiro e as implicações relacionadas à adoção de um novo referencial no país.
RELAÇÃO ENTRE O RELEVO E AS CLASSES TEXTURAIS DO SOLO NA MICROBACIA HIDROGRÁFICA DE VACA BRAVA, PB.
Authors: Dos Santos Antonio Clementino , Salcedo Ignacio Hernán , Candeias Ana Lúcia Bezerra
Published: November 2022

A ocupação desordenada e o uso intensivo da terra no agreste Paraibano têm resultado em um aumento nos níveis de degradação ambiental, tanto pela perda da biodiversidade quanto pelo aumento da erosão do solo. Para avaliar a intensidade desses processos, foi escolhida a microbacia de Vaca Brava, por apresentar um forte contraste entre uma área de preservação de mata Atlântica de altitude com outra sob intensa exploração agropecuária. Nesta última, a densidade populacional é 755 habitantes para 794 ha. Inicialmente foi realizado o levantamento tridimensional da bacia e depois foi tematizada em relação às declividades, estabelecendo-se ainda relações com a granulometria e a densidade do solo. Pelos resultados obtidos, a topografia influenciou a textura dos solos, uma vez que nas encostas aumentou a proporção de amostras com texturas mais finas, em contraste com as áreas de pedimento e várzeas, onde predominaram as texturas mais grosseiras, em função da redistribuição de sedimentos por erosão. A densidade do solo, como era esperado, foi decrescente com o aumento dos teores de silte e argila. Nas posições de várzea, pedimento, meia encosta e ombro, a utilização do solo parece ter sido definida conforme a variação na textura. Nesses casos, os solos com textura mais grosseira foram escolhidos para agricultura e capineiras, enquanto as pastagens predominaram nos de textura fina.