bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anopheles gambiae densovirus (AgDNV) negatively affects Mayaro virus infection in Anopheles gambiae cells and mosquitoes
Authors: Urakova Nadya , Brustolin Marco , Joseph Renuka E. , Johnson Rebecca M. , Pujhari Sujit , Rasgon Jason L.
Published: April 2020

Background

Recent studies demonstrate that insect-specific viruses can influence the ability of their mosquito hosts to become infected with and transmit arboviruses of medical and veterinary importance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interactions between Anopheles gambiae densovirus (AgDNV) (Parvoviridae) (a benign insect-specific virus that infects An. gambiae mosquitoes) and Mayaro virus (MAYV) (Togaviridae) (an emerging human pathogen that can be transmitted by An. gambiae) in both insect cell culture and mosquitoes.

Methods

For in vitro studies, An. gambiae Mos55 cells infected or uninfected with AgDNV were infected with MAYV. For in vivo studies, An. gambiae mosquitoes were injected intrathoracically with AgDNV and 4 days later orally infected with MAYV. Mosquitoes were dissected 10 days after MAYV infection, and MAYV titers in the body, legs and saliva samples quantified using focus-forming assay.

Results

MAYV virus replication was reduced 10–100-fold in An. gambiae Mos55 cells infected with AgDNV. In mosquitoes, there was a significant negative correlation between AgDNV and MAYV body titers 10 days post-blood meal.

Conclusions

AgDNV infection was associated with reduced production of MAYV in cell culture, and reduced body titers of MAYV in An. gambiae mosquitoes. As densovirus infections are common in natural mosquito populations, these data suggest that they may affect the epidemiology of viruses of medical importance.
Sonographic exploration for fascial exploration (SEFE) in necrotizing fasciitis: a case report
Authors: Fozard Jessica , Shafer Krystle , Kehrl Thompson
Published: April 2020

Background

Necrotizing skin and soft tissue infections are life-threatening conditions. Reliance on gas in tissue planes leads to worsened outcomes in patients with non-gas forming types of necrotizing fasciitis (NF).

Case presentation

We present a case of Group A Strep (GAS) necrotizing fasciitis, which was identified at bedside with point-of-care ultrasound (US) including an area of subfascial fluid. Computerized tomography only revealed diffuse cellulitic changes. Patient was taken to the operating room where fascial exploration was not performed at the concerning area seen on ultrasound and thus falsely negative. The patient subsequently developed multi-system organ failure and required amputation of the limb due to rapid spread of GAS NF.

Conclusion

We suggest an US protocol to help identify optimal areas for fascial exploration—sonographic exploration for fascial exploration (SEFE).
Severe eosinophilic asthma and aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease associated to eosinophilic gastroenteritis treated with mepolizumab: a case report
Authors: Caruso C. , Colantuono S. , Pugliese D. , Di Mario C. , Tolusso B. , Gremese E. , Papparella G. , Castrì F. , Gasbarrini A. , Romano A. , Armuzzi A.
Published: April 2020

Background

Mepolizumab (MEP) is the first anti Interleukin (IL)-5 add-on therapy approved for the treatment of severe refractory eosinophilic asthma.

Case presentation

We describe here the case of a 49 years-old woman with Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyposis and eosinophilic gastroenteritis successfully treated with MEP. Several laboratory and clinical items improved during therapy; moreover MEP showed to be useful as steroid sparing agent.

Conclusions

This case supports that the use of mepolizumab can be effective also in other eosinophilic conditions different from asthma and this opens to new therapeutic perspectives.
Inductive transfer learning for molecular activity prediction: Next-Gen QSAR Models with MolPMoFiT
Authors: Li Xinhao , Fourches Denis
Published: April 2020

Deep neural networks can directly learn from chemical structures without extensive, user-driven selection of descriptors in order to predict molecular properties/activities with high reliability. But these approaches typically require large training sets to learn the endpoint-specific structural features and ensure reasonable prediction accuracy. Even though large datasets are becoming the new normal in drug discovery, especially when it comes to high-throughput screening or metabolomics datasets, one should also consider smaller datasets with challenging endpoints to model and forecast. Thus, it would be highly relevant to better utilize the tremendous compendium of unlabeled compounds from publicly-available datasets for improving the model performances for the user’s particular series of compounds. In this study, we propose the Molecular Prediction Model Fine-Tuning (MolPMoFiT) approach, an effective transfer learning method based on self-supervised pre-training + task-specific fine-tuning for QSPR/QSAR modeling. A large-scale molecular structure prediction model is pre-trained using one million unlabeled molecules from ChEMBL in a self-supervised learning manner, and can then be fine-tuned on various QSPR/QSAR tasks for smaller chemical datasets with specific endpoints. Herein, the method is evaluated on four benchmark datasets (lipophilicity, FreeSolv, HIV, and blood–brain barrier penetration). The results showed the method can achieve strong performances for all four datasets compared to other state-of-the-art machine learning modeling techniques reported in the literature so far.
The global prevalence of Daptomycin, Tigecycline, Quinupristin/Dalfopristin, and Linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase–negative staphylococci strains: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Shariati Aref , Dadashi Masoud , Chegini Zahra , van Belkum Alex , Mirzaii Mehdi , Khoramrooz Seyed Sajjad , Darban-Sarokhalil Davood
Published: April 2020

Objective

Methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (MRCoNS) are among the main causes of nosocomial infections, which have caused major problems in recent years due to continuously increasing spread of various antibiotic resistance features. Apparently, vancomycin is still an effective antibiotic for treatment of infections caused by these bacteria but in recent years, additional resistance phenotypes have led to the accelerated introduction of newer agents such as linezolid, tigecycline, daptomycin, and quinupristin/dalfopristin (Q/D). Due to limited data availability on the global rate of resistance to these antibiotics, in the present study, the resistance rates ofS. aureus, Methicillin-resistantS. aureus(MRSA), and CoNS to these antibiotics were collected.

Method

Several databases including web of science, EMBASE, and Medline (via PubMed), were searched (September 2018) to identify those studies that address MRSA, and CONS resistance to linezolid, tigecycline, daptomycin, and Q/D around the world.

Result

Most studies that reported resistant staphylococci were from the United States, Canada, and the European continent, while African and Asian countries reported the least resistance to these antibiotics. Our results showed that linezolid had the best inhibitory effect onS. aureus.Although resistances to this antibiotic have been reported from different countries, however, due to the high volume of the samples and the low number of resistance, in terms of statistical analyzes, the resistance to this antibiotic is zero.Moreover, linezolid, daptomycin and tigecycline effectively (99.9%) inhibit MRSA. Studies have shown that CoNS with 0.3% show the lowest resistance to linezolid and daptomycin, while analyzes introduced tigecycline with 1.6% resistance as the least effective antibiotic for these bacteria. Finally, MRSA and CoNS had a greater resistance to Q/D with 0.7 and 0.6%, respectively and due to its significant side effects and drug-drug interactions; it appears that its use is subject to limitations.

Conclusion

The present study shows that resistance to new agents is low in staphylococci and these antibiotics can still be used for treatment of staphylococcal infections in the world.
Distribution of brain metastases: low-risk metastasis areas may be avoided when treating with whole-brain radiotherapy
Authors: Lin Binwei , Huang Dan , Yang Xiyue , Zhang Yu , Gang Feng , Du Xiao Bo
Published: April 2020

Objective

Previous work has demonstrated that metastases are not uniformly distributed across the brain. This study aims to determine there are low-risk brain metastasis (BM) areas that may be avoided during whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) to reduce neurocognitive toxicity.

Methods

Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of 991 metastases in 192 patients with advanced cancer were analyzed retrospectively. Eleven anatomically defined regions of interest (ROIs) were contoured, and the locations of the BMs were recorded. Using the same definition, ROIs were contoured in 20 healthy volunteers.The proportions of patients with BMs in different ROIs, proportion of BMs, and proportion of different ROI volumes relative to the total volume were calculated.

Results

The proportion of observed BMs was lower than expected in the brainstem, insula, diencephalon and internal structures, corpus callosum, and pituitary gland. The proportion of BMs was significantly higher than expected in the parietal lobe, occipital lobe, and cerebellum. For those patients with single BM, there was very low rate of low-risk ROIs involvement (0%), with 2–4 BMs, 6–13% of the patients had low-risk ROIs involvement, with ≥5 BMs, significant (> 30%) of the patients had low-risk ROIs involvement.

Conclusion

The brainstem, insula, diencephalon and internal structures, corpus callosum, and pituitary gland demonstrate low risk for metastatic involvement. Involvement of low risk areas occurs in patients with more than 1 BM.
Influence of unstable psychological condition on the quality of life of hemodialysis patients
Authors: Takahashi Junko , Abe Takaya , Kaneko Mariko , Sasaki Nariyuki , Takasawa Yumiko , Kato Tetsuo , Matsuura Tomohiko , Sugimura Jun , Fukumoto Kentaro , Otsuka Kotaro , Obara Wataru
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Hemodialysis patients tend to be in “unstable psychological conditions” because of complications and physical activity restriction. This study aimed to investigate unusual psychological factors and their influence on the quality of life (QOL) of hemodialysis patients.

Methods

This study targeted 55 patients who had experienced > 1 year of stable maintenance outpatient hemodialysis. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to evaluate unusual psychological conditions. The Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF) was used to evaluate QOL. Participants were grouped into “unstable psychological conditions” if HADS indicated that “depression is suspected” or “suspected depression, anxiety stated” (“Anxiety/Depression group”); this group was then compared to the “Stable group”.

Results

A total of 18 participants (32.7%) were included in the “Anxiety/Depression group”, and all QOL scores in this group were lower than those in the “Stable group”. In particular, a significantly low value was shown in the respective criteria such as “effects of kidney disease,” “social support,” and “general health perceptions”.

Conclusions

A possibility was suggested that the major causes were the restrictions of social activity by hospital visits and treatment and unique psychological conditions.
Situating space: using a discipline-focused lens to examine spatial thinking skills
Authors: Atit Kinnari , Uttal David H. , Stieff Mike
Published: April 2020

Spatial skills are an important component of success in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. A majority of what we know about spatial skills today is a result of more than 100 years of research focused on understanding and identifying the kinds of skills that make up this skill set. Over the last two decades, the field has recognized that, unlike the spatial skills measured by psychometric tests developed by psychology researchers, the spatial problems faced by STEM experts vary widely and are multifaceted. Thus, many psychological researchers have embraced an interdisciplinary approach to studying spatial thinking with the aim of understanding the nature of this skill set as it occurs within STEM disciplines. In a parallel effort, discipline-based education researchers specializing in STEM domains have focused much of their research on understanding how to bolster students’ skills in completing domain-specific spatial tasks. In this paper, we discuss four lessons learned from these two programs of research to enhance the field’s understanding of spatial thinking in STEM domains. We demonstrate each contribution by aligning findings from research on three distinct STEM disciplines: structural geology, surgery, and organic chemistry. Lastly, we discuss the potential implications of these contributions to STEM education.
Roles of nanoparticles and heat generation/absorption on MHD flow of Ag–H2O nanofluid via porous stretching/shrinking convergent/divergent channel
Authors: Mishra Ashish , Pandey Alok Kumar , Chamkha Ali J. , Kumar Manoj
Published: April 2020

This article unveils the combined impact of heat generation/absorption and Joule heating on MHD flow of Ag-H2O nanofluid into a porous stretching/shrinking divergent/convergent channel with viscous dissipation and solid volume fraction. The mathematical modeling is presented for the existing equations of continuity, momentum, and energy fraction. The reduced boundary value problem is solved numerically employing Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg (RKF) method via shooting scheme and then the outcomes are sketched and interpreted. The results explore that the thermal boundary layer thickness of the stretching divergent and the shrinking divergent channels enhance by increasing the value of the Eckert number, while the opposite tendency is scrutinized on the momentum boundary layer thickness by increasing the value of the porosity parameter for the stretching divergent and the shrinking convergent channels.
Do Parents Value School Effectiveness?
Authors: Abdulkadiroğlu Atila , Pathak Parag A. , Schellenberg Jonathan , Walters Christopher R.
Published: April 2020

School choice may lead to improvements in school productivity if parents’ choices reward effective schools and punish ineffective ones. This mechanism requires parents to choose schools based on causal effectiveness rather than peer characteristics. We study relationships among parent preferences, peer quality, and causal effects on outcomes for applicants to New York City’s centralized high school assignment mechanism. We use applicants’ rank-ordered choice lists to measure preferences and to construct selection-corrected estimates of treatment effects on test scores, high school graduation, college attendance, and college quality. Parents prefer schools that enroll high-achieving peers, and these schools generate larger improvements in short- and long-run student outcomes. Preferences are unrelated to school effectiveness and academic match quality after controlling for peer quality. (JEL D12, H75, I21, I26, I28)
The Reach of Radio: Ending Civil Conflict through Rebel Demobilization
Authors: Armand Alex , Atwell Paul , Gomes Joseph F.
Published: April 2020

We examine the role of FM radio in mitigating violent conflict. We collect original data on radio broadcasts encouraging defections during the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency. This constitutes the first quantitative evaluation of an active counterinsurgency policy that encourages defections through radio messages. Exploiting random topography-driven variation in radio coverage along with panel variation at the grid-cell level, we identify the causal effect of messaging on violence. Broadcasting defection messages increases defections and reduces fatalities, violence against civilians, and clashes with security forces. Income shocks have opposing effects on both the conflict and the effectiveness of messaging. (JEL D74, L82, O17)
A bacterial riboswitch class senses xanthine and uric acid to regulate genes associated with purine oxidation
Authors: Yu Diane , Breaker Ronald R.
Published: April 2020

Dozens of candidate orphan riboswitch classes have been discovered previously by using comparative sequence analysis algorithms to search bacterial genomic sequence databases. Each orphan is classified by the presence of distinct conserved nucleotide sequences and secondary structure features, and by its association with particular types of genes. One previously reported orphan riboswitch candidate is the “NMT1 motif,” which forms a hairpin structure with an internal bulge that includes numerous highly conserved nucleotides. This motif associates with genes annotated to encode various dioxygenase enzymes, transporters, or proteins that have roles associated with thiamin or histidine metabolism. Biochemical evaluation of numerous ligand candidates revealed that NMT1 motif RNA constructs most tightly bind 8-azaxanthine, xanthine, and uric acid, whereas most other closely related compounds are strongly rejected. Genetic assays revealed that NMT1 motif RNAs function to turn off gene expression upon ligand binding, likely by regulating translation initiation. These results suggest that NMT1 motif RNAs function as aptamer domains for a riboswitch class that specifically responds to high concentrations of oxidized purines. Members of this “xanthine riboswitch” class appear to regulate genes predominantly related to purine transport and oxidation, thus avoiding the effects of overproduction of these common purine derivatives.
A community proposal to integrate structural bioinformatics activities in ELIXIR (3D-Bioinfo Community)
Authors: Orengo Christine , Velankar Sameer , Wodak Shoshana , Zoete Vincent , Bonvin Alexandre M.J.J. , Elofsson Arne , Feenstra K. Anton , Gerloff Dietland L. , Hamelryck Thomas , Hancock John M. , Helmer-Citterich Manuela , Hospital Adam , Orozco Modesto , Perrakis Anastassis , Rarey Matthias , Soares Claudio , Sussman Joel L. , Thornton Janet M. , Tuffery Pierre , Tusnady Gabor , Wierenga Rikkert , Salminen Tiina , Schneider Bohdan
Published: April 2020

Structural bioinformatics provides the scientific methods and tools to analyse, archive, validate, and present the biomolecular structure data generated by the structural biology community. It also provides an important link with the genomics community, as structural bioinformaticians also use the extensive sequence data to predict protein structures and their functional sites. A very broad and active community of structural bioinformaticians exists across Europe, and 3D-Bioinfo will establish formal platforms to address their needs and better integrate their activities and initiatives. Our mission will be to strengthen the ties with the structural biology research communities in Europe covering life sciences, as well as chemistry and physics and to bridge the gap between these researchers in order to fully realize the potential of structural bioinformatics. Our Community will also undertake dedicated educational, training and outreach efforts to facilitate this, bringing new insights and thus facilitating the development of much needed innovative applications e.g. for human health, drug and protein design. Our combined efforts will be of critical importance to keep the European research efforts competitive in this respect.

Here we highlight the major European contributions to the field of structural bioinformatics, the most pressing challenges remaining and how Europe-wide interactions, enabled by ELIXIR and its platforms, will help in addressing these challenges and in coordinating structural bioinformatics resources across Europe. In particular, we present recent activities and future plans to consolidate an ELIXIR 3D-Bioinfo Community in structural bioinformatics and propose means to develop better links across the community. These include building new consortia, organising workshops to establish data standards and seeking community agreement on benchmark data sets and strategies. We also highlight existing and planned collaborations with other ELIXIR Communities and other European infrastructures, such as the structural biology community supported by Instruct-ERIC, with whom we have synergies and overlapping common interests.
Towards teacher professionalization for inclusive education: Reflections from the perspective of a socio-cultural approach
Authors: Arcidiacono Francesco , Baucal Aleksandar
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we reflect on teacher education and professionalization from the perspective of a socio-cultural approach. The goal is to have a greater understanding of some controversies, challenges and complexities related to the implementation of inclusion and to connect it to teacher education and professionalization. Firstly, we discuss key assumptions of a socio-cultural approach, as a theoretical framework for reflecting on teacher training and professionalization and the implementation of inclusive education. Next, we present some international principles and values that constitute the normative framework for inclusive education. This is used as a basis for defining competencies and practices that are necessary to ensure adequate learning and developmental opportunities at school. Finally, we present a specific model of teacher training to highlight the potential contribution of a socio-cultural approach in considering the status and role of inclusion and special needs education.
A seven-month-old with chronic intermittent biphasic stridor
Authors: Tsagkovits A , Hariri A , Bhalla S , Taghi A
Published: April 2020

Paediatric stridor can indicate serious pathology and requires prompt evaluation and management. Causes range from laryngomalacia to aerodigestive tract foreign bodies. We report on a chronic presentation of paediatric stridor, discuss the workup, management and lessons learned. A seven-month-old boy presented with chronic intermittent biphasic stridor for the previous five months. Diagnostic microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy revealed significant localised tracheomalacia. Urgent chest computed tomography was performed to investigate further. Radiological findings revealed an oesophageal foreign body prompting immediate rigid oesophagoscopy and removal of an embedded pistachio shell. The patient had an uneventful recovery. Foreign bodies in the airway and oesophagus are quite common in children, causing symptoms from the aerodigestive tract. It is uncommon for oesophageal foreign bodies to present with stridor in the absence of digestive tract symptoms. The otolaryngologist should consider this as a diagnosis, particularly in young children with an atypical presentation and symptoms.
Estimating particle export flux from satellite observations: Challenges associated with spatial and temporal decoupling of production and export
Authors: McGillicuddy Dennis J. , Resplandy Laure , Lévy Marina
Published: April 2020

Recent studies have suggested that accurate predictions of particle export flux can be derived from satellite-based estimates of phytoplankton biomass and net primary production (NPP), combined with models of the food web. We evaluate the performance of this approach using the output
of a highresolution, basin-scale coupled physical-biogeochemical model. There is tight correlation between the annual mean export flux simulated by the biogeochemical model and that predicted by the satellitebased algorithm driven by NPP from the model. Although the satellite-based approach
performs well on the annual average, there are significant departures during the course of the year, particularly in spring. NPP and export flux can also become decoupled at the mesoscale, when the dynamics of fronts and eddies cause export to be displaced in space and/or time from the productivity
event generating the particulate material. These findings have significant implications for the design of field studies aimed at reducing uncertainties in estimates of export flux.
Thermal vulnerability detection in integrated electronic and photonic circuits using infrared thermography
Authors: Hussain Bilal , Jalil Bushra , Antonietta Pascali Maria , Imran Muhammad , Serafino Giovanni , Moroni Davide , Ghelfi Paolo
Published: April 2020

Failure prediction of any electrical/optical component is crucial for estimating its operating life. Using high temperature operating life (HTOL) tests, it is possible to model the failure mechanisms for integrated circuits. Conventional HTOL standards are not suitable for operating life prediction of photonic components owing to their functional dependence on the thermo-optic effect. This work presents an infrared (IR)-assisted thermal vulnerability detection technique suitable for photonic as well as electronic components. By accurately mapping the thermal profile of an integrated circuit under a stress condition, it is possible to precisely locate the heat center for predicting the long-term operational failures within the device under test. For the first time, the reliability testing is extended to a fully functional microwave photonic system using conventional IR thermography. By applying image fusion using affine transformation on multimodal acquisition, it was demonstrated that by comparing the IR profile and GDSII layout, it is possible to accurately locate the heat centers along with spatial information on the type of component. Multiple IR profiles of optical as well as electrical components/circuits were acquired and mapped onto the layout files. In order to ascertain the degree of effectiveness of the proposed technique, IR profiles of complementary metal–oxide semiconductor RF and digital circuits were also analyzed. The presented technique offers a reliable automated identification of heat spots within a circuit/system.
Double-plateau structure and the effect of the carrier-envelope phase on high-order harmonic generation from a Rydberg atom in a few-cycle laser pulse
Authors: Phan Ngoc-Loan , Do Kim-Ngan , Hoang Van-Hung , Le Cam-Tu , Le Van-Hoang
Published: April 2020

Recent studies have demonstrated that in a few-cycle laser pulse, a coherent Rydberg atom—an atom in a superposition of the ground and highly excited states—can generate high-order harmonic generation (HHG) spectra with high conversion efficiency and high cutoff energy, making it a potential procedure for producing attosecond pulses. In this study, we theoretically report two interesting findings that can be realized experimentally: the nontrivial dependence of HHG cutoff on the laser carrier-envelope phase (CEP) and the double-plateau structure in the spectrum when the CEP ranges from 75° to 120°. The second effect has not been reported for a Rydberg atom in the previous studies focusing only on CEP of 0°. Finally, using classical simulation and time-frequency analysis, we explain the influence of the CEP on the cutoff energy and, especially, the origin of the double-plateau structure. Unlike the first plateau generated by the recombination of an electron escaping from the Rydberg state but returning to the ground state, the second one arises from the ionization from the ground state. Consequently, by controlling the laser CEP, the electron dynamics can be embedded in the structure of plateaus in the HHG spectra.
Color reproduction pipeline for an RGBW color filter array sensor
Authors: Choi Wonseok , Park Hyun Sang , Kyung Chong-Min
Published: April 2020

Many types of RGBW color filter array (CFA) have been proposed for various purposes. Most studies utilize white pixel intensity for improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the image and demosaicing the image, but we note that the white pixel intensity can also be utilized to improve color reproduction. In this paper, we propose a color reproduction pipeline for RGBW CFA sensors based on a fast, accurate, and hardware-friendly gray pixel detection using white pixel intensity. The proposed color reproduction pipeline was tested on a dataset captured from an OPA sensor which has RGBW CFA. Experimental results show that the proposed pipeline estimates the illumination more accurately and preserves the achromatic color better than conventional methods which do not use white pixel intensity.
Effect of linewidth on intensity noise induced by stimulated Brillouin scattering in single-mode fibers
Authors: Zhao Jiejun , Yang Fei , Wei Fang , Zhang Xi , Ding Zhidan , Wu Rui , Cai Haiwen
Published: April 2020

Non-linear effects and intensity noise characteristics are critical factors that influence the performance of fiber communication systems as well as fiber-based sensors. It is observed in our experiment that relative intensity noise (RIN) subsequent to fiber transmission has a strong dependence on laser linewidth. Over a short transmission distance, RIN decreases with a narrowing laser linewidth. For longer distances, a narrower laser linewidth will result in a smaller RIN in a frequency range higher than 1 MHz and a larger RIN in a low-frequency range. In this study, the Brillouin linewidth parameter is introduced into a stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) three-wave coupling equation to simulate RIN variation phenomenon. Excellent agreement between the theoretical and experimental RIN spectra was obtained. We initially prove that the phenomenon is primarily owing to SBS. It is believed that the experimentally observed phenomena and theoretical justification presented in this study is significant in improving the performance of communication systems and fiber-based sensors.
Phase-matching condition for THz wave generation via difference frequency generation using InxGa1-xSe mixed crystals
Authors: Sato Yohei , Nakajima Mayu , Tang Chao , Watanabe Katsuya , Tanabe Tadao , Oyama Yutaka
Published: April 2020

Terahertz (THz) waves at 9.7, 10.1 and 10.6 THz were generated via difference frequency generation in high-quality InxG1-xaSe mixed crystals with a relatively high indium compositions (x = 0.040, 0.048, 0.074) grown from an indium flux. The phase-matching angle for THz wave generation was measured for each indium content. As a result, it is confirmed that the incident angle of the excitation light satisfying the phase-matching condition is shifted to a higher angle with an increase in the indium content.
A white city turned pink: Tel Aviv as Israel's homonormative LGBTQ flagship
Authors: Stallone Sabrina
Published: April 2020

In recent years, the reputation of the so-called 'White City' Tel Aviv as one of the global gay capitals has been disseminated and upheld by mainstream media. This article builds upon existing analyses of Israel's supposed liberalness towards non-normative lifestyles and its strong links to the phenomenon of pinkwashing. The term has come to signify the glossing over of Israeli settler colonial occupation that specifically directs attention to Israel's progressive LGBTQ rights by juxtaposition with a narrative of queer oppression among Palestinian communities. Looking at a range of media representations, such as documentary Oriented and the mediatized phenomena of Tel Aviv Pride and LGBTQ-friendly Birthright Trips, I explore how these narratives ultimately contribute towards shaping Tel Aviv as an exclusionary urban space, inaccessible to those subjects who do not comply or fit with a securitized and corporatized new normal. By using a critical approach to the city's founding discourse, and the more recent Israeli state's ethno-nationalist investments towards branding Tel Aviv as a queer city, I argue that non-(homo)normative members of the LGBTQ community, and especially Palestinians, are silenced and pushed further away from what is constructed as the queer subject in the 'White City' space.
Mejora de los procesos de evaluación mediante analítica visual del aprendizaje
Authors: Álvarez-Arana Ainhoa , Villamañe-Gironés Mikel , Larrañaga-Olagaray Mikel
Published: April 2020

Las principales tendencias actuales en la educación universitaria implican la integración de aprendizaje presencial, de aprendizaje en línea y el uso de tecnologías que den soporte a diversos aspectos del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje. Uno de los principales aspectos que tienen en cuenta todas las tendencias educativas son los procesos de evaluación efectivos, que implican un análisis continuo de los resultados del alumnado para poder detectar anomalías lo antes posible y proporcionar feedback con el fin de resolverlas. Sin embargo, en un entorno de aprendizaje en el que se produce una gran cantidad de información heterogénea se necesita integrar dicha información para poder analizarla correctamente. En este artículo se presenta COBLE, una herramienta que posibilita la integración de información proveniente de diferentes fuentes para poder, a continuación, analizarla utilizando técnicas de analítica visual del aprendizaje. El sistema incorpora un módulo de feedback que proporciona información visual sobre el proceso de evaluación tanto a docentes como a alumnado para facilitarles sus procesos de toma de decisión. Las visualizaciones proporcionadas pueden adaptarse a las necesidades de cada asignatura o usuario. COBLE ha sido evaluado mediante su uso en un entorno real donde diferentes docentes han integrado información proveniente de diferentes fuentes (Moodle, hojas de cálculo personales, etc.) sobre el desempeño del alumnado. A continuación, tanto el profesorado como el alumnado utilizaron las visualizaciones de COBLE para extraer información sobre el proceso de evaluación. El resultado de esta evaluación ha sido muy satisfactorio obteniéndose una buena aceptación del sistema tanto por parte del alumnado como del profesorado.
Epidemiology, clinical manifestations and efficiency of different methods of treatment of acromegaly according to the United Russian Registry of Patients with Pituitary Tumors
Authors: Belaya Zhanna E. , Golounina Olga O. , Rozhinskaya Liudmila Y. , Melnichenko Galina A. , Isakov Michail А. , Lutsenko Alexander S. , Alekseeva Tatiana , Zenkova Tatiana S. , Przhiyalkovskaya Elena G. , Panyushkina Galina M. , Ilukhina Olga B. , Ivanova Elena I. , Krishtal Ekaterina A. , Vachygova Alla A. , Pigarova Ekaterina A. , Dzeranova Larisa K. , Marova Evgenia I. , Arapova Svetlana D. , Mamedova Elizaveta O. , Grebennikova Tatiana A. , Antsiferov Mikhail B. , Dreval Alexander V. , Dedov Ivan I.
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND: The registry is the main source of information about patients with acromegaly for assessing the quality of medical care, effectiveness of treatment, determining the compliance of real clinical practice with existing standards and patient management protocols.
AIMS: To evaluate epidemiological, demographic and clinical characteristics of acromegaly in Russian Federation and effectiveness of treatment modalities.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The object of the study was the database of the united Russian registry of patients with pituitary tumors with specific analysis of patients with acromegaly only. We analyzed the data of 4114 patients with acromegaly stored on the online system in February 2019.
RESULTS: Based on the data 32% of patients had complete clinical and laboratory remission of acromegaly; the percentage of patients with no remission was 68%, among them 22.5% had significant improvements in clinical symptoms and a decrease in growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) without IGF-1 normalization. The average age of patients at the onset of the disease was 42.7 years and at diagnosis 45.8 years. The ratio of men to women was 1:2.6. In patients with acromegaly hypopituitarism was registered in 14.7% of cases and among them hypothyroidism (66%) and hypogonadism (52%) were registered more often. Among other complications the leading were diabetes mellitus (15.7%) and acromegalic arthropathy (15%). The proportion of patients receiving neurosurgical treatment increased from 35.7% to 49.6% in 20122019; the portion of patients undergoing radiation therapy decreased significantly from 17.7% in 2012 to 0.8% in 2019. Remission was achieved in 40.47% after neurosurgery and 28.95% after medical treatment as a first line therapy p0.01. The number of patients receiving medical treatment at the time of the study was 1209. Among them 51% of patients treated with long-acting lanreotide and 24% receiving long-acting octreotide achieved remission (p0.0001)
CONCLUSIONS: The remission rate of acromegaly remains suboptimal despite increased surgical activity, which corresponds to global trends. Long-acting lanreotide was significantly superior versus long-acting octreotide in the rate of acromegaly remission, which does not correspond with clinical trials.
Stratejik Liderlik, Performans Ve Örgütsel Özdeşleşme: Havacılık İşletmesi Çalışanları Üzerinde Bir Araştırma
Authors: AKCA Meltem
Published: April 2020

Bu araştırmanın amacı stratejik
liderliğin çalışan performansı üzerinde etkili olup olmadığını belirlemek ve bu
etkileşimde örgütsel özdeşleşmenin rolüne ilişkin mevcudiyeti saptamaktır. Bu
kapsamda literatür incelenmiş ve teorik çerçeve hazırlanmıştır. Araştırma modelinin
test edilmesi için havacılık işletmesi çalışanları örneklem grubunu
oluşturmaktadır. İstatistiksel programlar kullanılarak yapılan analizler
sonucunda algılanan stratejik liderliğin çalışan performansı üzerindeki
değişimi açıkladığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Ayrıca, örgütsel özdeşleşmenin
stratejik liderlik algısının çalışan performansı üzerindeki etkisinde kısmi
aracı role sahip olduğu tespit edilmiştir.
Dynamic construction of pan-genome subgraphs
Authors: Dede Kadir , Ohlebusch Enno
Published: April 2020

Marcus et al. (Bioinformatics 2014) proposed to use a compressed de Bruijn graph as a description of a pan-genome, comprising the genomes of many individuals/strains of the same or closely related species. Subsequent work improved the construction of the compressed de Bruijn graph in terms of run-time and memory consumption. According to the Computational Pan-Genomics Consortium (Briefings in Bioinformatics 2016), a pan-genome data structure should support the following functionality: “All information within a data structure should be easily accessible for human eyes by visualization support on different scales.” However, a pan-genome graph can have thousands to millions of nodes and such an amount of information is certainly not easily accessible for human eyes. Thus, the possibility to construct pangenome subgraphs on demand would be quite valuable. In this article, we use the space-efficient representation of the compressed de Bruijn graph devised by Beller and Ohle-busch (Algorithms for Molecular Biology 2016) to construct pan-genome subgraphs on the fly. The user can specify a region in one of the genomes and the software tool will build a subgraph that contains the path corresponding to that region and all paths that are in the neighborhood of that path. The size of the neighborhood can be controlled by the user.
Recent advances on hybrid integration of 2D materials on integrated optics platforms
Authors: Ma Qijie , Ren Guanghui , Mitchell Arnan , Ou Jian Zhen
Published: April 2020

The burgeoning research into two-dimensional (2D) materials opens a door to novel photonic and optoelectronic devices utilizing their fascinating electronic and photonic properties in thin-layered architectures. The hybrid integration of 2D materials onto integrated optics platforms thus becomes a potential solution to tackle the bottlenecks of traditional optoelectronic devices. In this paper, we present the recent advances of hybrid integration of a wide range of 2D materials on integrated optics platforms for developing high-performance photodetectors, modulators, lasers, and nonlinear optics. Such hybrid integration enables fully functional on-chip devices to be readily accessible researchers and technology developers, becoming a potential candidate for next-generation photonics and optoelectronics industries.
Recent advances in graphene and black phosphorus nonlinear plasmonics
Authors: Zhou Renlong , Ullah Kaleem , Yang Sa , Lin Qiawu , Tang Liangpo , Liu Dan , Li Shuang , Zhao Yongming , Wang Fengqiu
Published: April 2020

Over the past decade, the plasmonics of graphene and black phosphorus (BP) were widely recognized as promising media for establishing linear and nonlinear light-matter interactions. Compared to the conventional metals, they support significant light-matter interaction of high efficiency and show undispersed optical properties. Furthermore, in contrast to the conventional metals, the plasmonic properties of graphene and BP structure can be tuned by electrical and chemical doping. In this review, a deep attention was paid toward the second- and third-order nonlinear plasmonic modes of graphene and BP. We present a theoretical framework for calculating the lifetime for surface plasmons modes of graphene and BP assisted by the coupled mode theory. The effect of the Fermi energy on the second-order and third-order nonlinear response is studied in detail. We survey the recent advances in nonlinear optics and the applications of graphene and BP-based tunable plasmonic devices such as light modulation devices, switches, biosensors, and other nonlinear photonic devices. Finally, we highlight a few representative current applications of graphene and BP to photonic and optoelectronic devices.
2D molybdenum carbide (Mo2C)/fluorine mica (FM) saturable absorber for passively mode-locked erbium-doped all-fiber laser
Authors: Liu Sicong , Wang Yonggang , Lv Ruidong , Wang Jiang , Wang Huizhong , Wang Yun , Duan Lina
Published: April 2020

As a new member of saturable absorber (SA), molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) has some excellent optical properties. Herein, we report a new type of Mo2C/fluorine mica (FM) SA device. Uniform and compact Mo2C films were deposited on the FM by magnetron sputtering method. In order to increase the laser damage threshold, an additional protective layer of silicon oxide was deposited on the Mo2C. The FM is a single-layer structure of 20 μm, and its high elasticity makes it not easy to fracture. The transmission rate of FM is as high as 90% at near infrared wavelength. FM has better heat dissipation and softening temperature than organic composite materials, so it can withstand higher laser power without being damaged. In this work, Mo2C/FM SA was cut into small pieces and inserted into erbium-doped fiber laser to achieve mode-locked operation. The pulse duration and average output power of the laser pulses were 313 fs and 64.74 mW, respectively. In addition, a 12th-order sub-picosecond harmonic mode-locking was generated. The maximum repetition rate was 321.6 MHz and the shortest pulse duration was 338 fs. The experimental results show that Mo2C/FM SA is a broadband nonlinear optical mode-locker with excellent performance.
Fine structures of valley-polarized excitonic states in monolayer transitional metal dichalcogenides
Authors: Li Zhipeng , Wang Tianmeng , Miao Shengnan , Lian Zhen , Shi Su-Fei
Published: April 2020

Monolayer transitional metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), a new class of atomically thin semiconductor, respond to optical excitation strongly with robust excitons, which stem from the reduced screening in two dimensions. These excitons also possess a new quantum degree of freedom known as valley spin, which has inspired the field of valleytronics. The strongly enhanced Coulomb interaction allows the exciton to bind with other particles to form new excitonic states. However, despite the discovery of trions, most of the excitonic states in monolayer TMDCs remain elusive until recently, when new light was shed into the fascinating excitonic fine structures with drastically improved sample quality through boron nitride encapsulation. Here, we review the latest research progress on fine structures of excitonic states in monolayer TMDCs, with a focus on tungsten-based TMDCs and related alloy. Many of the new excitonic complexes inherit the valley degree of freedom, and the valley-polarized dark excitonic states are of particular interest because of their long lifetime and possible long valley coherence time. The capability of resolving the excitonic fine structures also enables the investigation of exciton–phonon interactions. The knowledge of the interlayer between excitons and other particles not only advances our understanding of many-body effects in the monolayer TMDCs but also provides guidance on future applications based on TMDCs.
Nonlinear optical microscopies (NOMs) and plasmon-enhanced NOMs for biology and 2D materials
Authors: Ma Jialin , Sun Mengtao
Published: April 2020

In this review, we focus on the summary of nonlinear optical microscopies (NOMs), which are stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS), second harmonic generation (SHG), and two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF). The introduction is divided into two parts: the principle of SRS, CARS, TPEF, and SHG and their application to biology and two-dimensional materials. We also introduce the connections and differences between them. We also discuss the principle of plasmon-enhanced NOM and its application in the above two aspects. This paper not only summarizes the research progress in the frontier but also deepens the readers’ understanding of the physical principles of these NOMs.
Progressive Changes in Sleep and Its Relations to Amyloid-β Distribution and Learning in SingleAppKnock-In Mice
Authors: Maezono Sakura Eri B. , Kanuka Mika , Tatsuzawa Chika , Morita Miho , Kawano Taizo , Kashiwagi Mitsuaki , Nondhalee Pimpimon , Sakaguchi Masanori , Saito Takashi , Saido Takaomi C. , Hayashi Yu
Published: April 2020

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients often suffer from sleep disturbances. Alterations in sleep, especially rapid eye movement sleep (REMS), can precede the onset of dementia. To accurately characterize the sleep impairments accompanying AD and their underlying mechanisms using animal models, it is crucial to use models in which brain areas are affected in a manner similar to that observed in the actual patients. Here, we focused onAppNL-G-Fmice, in which expression levels and patterns of mutated amyloid precursor protein (APP) follow the endogenous patterns. We characterized the sleep architecture of maleAppNL-G-Fhomozygous and heterozygous mice at two ages (six and 12 months). At six months, homozygous mice exhibited reduced REMS, which was further reduced at 12 months together with a slight reduction in non-REMS (NREMS). By contrast, heterozygous mice exhibited an overall normal sleep architecture. Homozygous mice also exhibited decreased electroencephalogram γ to δ power ratio during REMS from six months, resembling the electroencephalogram slowing phenomenon observed in preclinical or early stages of AD. In addition, homozygous mice showed learning and memory impairments in the trace fear conditioning (FC) at both ages, and task performance strongly correlated with REMS amount at 12 months. Finally, histologic analyses revealed that amyloid-β accumulation in the pontine tegmental area and ventral medulla followed a course similar to that of the REMS reduction. These findings support the notion that changes in REMS are an early marker of AD and provide a starting point to address the mechanism of sleep deficits in AD and the effects on cognition.
FutureForest: Promoting Biodiversity Literacy by Implementing Citizen Science in the Classroom
Authors: Schneiderhan-Opel Jennifer , Bogner Franz X.
Published: April 2020

The terms Anthropocene and Homogenocene are frequently used to describe our current epoch, which is characterized by strong human impacts on the environment. One defining feature of the Anthro- or Homogenocene is biodiversity loss – experts say we are heading for Earth's sixth mass extinction. A crucial weapon in the battle against threats to biodiversity is education, particularly biodiversity literacy. Raising awareness of the social and environmental value of biodiversity, providing education on the concept of biodiversity, and promoting the ability to act may lead to active and responsible citizenship. We developed a biodiversity education teaching unit to promote biodiversity literacy through formal education. To make the topic of biodiversity tangible for students, our approach involves them in a citizen science project and uses the forest ecosystem to illustrate the relations between economic, ecological, and social aspects of biodiversity.