bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collagen supplements: trend or truth for the treatment of ageing skin in menopausal women?
Authors: Arias Laurie
Published: November 2021

In recent years, collagen drinks have become a popular supplement, which has been stimulating the appetites of collagen-conscious patients, due to their perceived health and beauty benefits. These beauty supplements are frequently promoted on social media and endorsed by celebrities for their glowing skin and the wrinkle-reducing results.

With collagen shots, powders, capsules, gels, gummy sweets, chocolates and coffee creamers filling shop shelves and advertised on social media channels, it may be challenging to avoid being swayed by all the hype. This article aims to help us explore the science behind the hype and if collagen supplements are safe and effective to take and why.
Investigation of Minerals Substituted Hydroxyapatite Based Nanocomposite Coated Titanium Implant for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Govindaraj Dharman , Rajan Mariappan
Published: November 2021

In this paper, the collagen (Col)@minerals (Sr, Mg, Ce) substituted hydroxyapatite (MHA1)-halloysite nanotubes - single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) (Col@MHA1-HNT-SWCNT) nanocomposite was coated on the titanium (Ti) implant was investigated using the electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method. The phase and microstructure analysis of the coated samples were characterized using XRD, and SEM-EDAX, respectively. The Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains were tested for antimicrobial activity. The zone of inhibition shows that the Col@MHA1-HNT-SWCNT nanocomposite coating was effective at inhibiting pathogens. The analysis of blood compatibility revealed that the hemolytic ratio was less than 5%, confirming that the nanocomposite were naturally hemocompatible. Furthermore, the cell viability assay using osteoblast-like cells showed excellent cell proliferation and attachments on prepared samples. According to the findings of this research, the Col@MHA1-HNT-SWCNT nanocomposite coating supports bioactivity through fast osteo-compatibility and has greater bacterial resistance, making it necessary for the required biomedical applications.
Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Activities of Biologically Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles using Linumusitatissimum Extract
Authors: R Kanmani , Scleeva P IrudayaIrin
Published: November 2021

This research work was mainly focused to study the anti-oxidant and anti-diabetic activities of biologically synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from the flaxseed extract of Linumusitassimum. Qualitative tests identify the presence of phytochemicals in the flaxseed extract and its results showed the presence of tannins, terpenoids, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones, coumarins, xanthoproteins, alkaloids, emodins, and carbohydrate in it. Preliminarily AgNPs formation is confirmed by the UV spectra and it showed maximum adsorption band at 438nm. FT-IR spectroscopic studies reveal the Phyto-constituents which are involved in the reduction of silver (Ag+1) into silver nanoparticles (Ag0). The spherical shapes of AgNPs are observed with crystalline nature are found in the aid of SEM and XRD analysis. Synthesized AgNPs have the maximum percentage of a silver element which is examined by the EDX analysis. The in-vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of L. usitatissimummediated AgNPs were analyzed by using the DPPH, alpha-amylase, and alpha glycosides assays respectively. The DPPH result shows that the AgNPs possess 59.01% of radical scavenging property and the standard ascorbic acid reveals 48.63% at 100µg/ml concentration. Similarly in anti-diabetic activity, AgNPs shows the maximum inhibition of 79.84% in the alpha-amylase assay, and for alpha-glucosidase, AgNPs showed 58.86% at 100µg/ml concentration.
Study of Green Seaweed Biochar for Lead Adsorption from Aqueous Solution
Authors: D. Shah Karishma , Brahmbhatt Nayana H. , Thaker Pooja N.
Published: November 2021

The current work used a batch study to investigate the efficiency of Ulva lactuca carbon for lead adsorption from aqueous solution. For the optimization study, the effects of several parameters such as pH, Adsorbent dosage, effective contact time, and initial concentration on lead removal were also considered. pH 3 was observed to be the most beneficial. The Langmuir isotherm, which represents mono-layer adsorption, yielded a maximum lead absorption of 3.49 mg/g. SEM was used to examine surface adsorption behavior, and FTIR was used to detect probable functional groups involved in the bio-adsorption experiment. This study shows that biochar made from the marine algae Ulva lactuca is effective for waste water treatment.
Polarization-fading suppression of Φ-OTDR with Rayleigh gray-scale
pattern aggregation method
Authors: Wang Yu , Xiao Lin , Li Yan , Liang Bin , Liu Xin , Bai Qing , Zhang Hongjuan , Gao Yan , Jin Baoquan
Published: November 2021

Polarization diversity reception is a widely used method to suppress polarization
fading of

Φ

-optical time domain reflectometer (

Φ

-OTDR). However, the traditional
polarization diversity reception method with multichannel
point-to-point signal aggregation causes the discontinuity of the
aggregated signal, which affects the subsequent application. In order
to decrease the discontinuity of the aggregation signal, an
area-to-area signal aggregation method with a Rayleigh gray-scale
pattern is proposed. First, the Rayleigh pattern is simulated to
verify the large-scale continuity of fading areas. Then, an
image-processing method by Rayleigh gray-scale pattern is carried out
for the automatic judgment of large-scale fading areas, which includes
the operations of normalization, graying, comparison of amplitude
threshold using the Otsu algorithm, erosion, and dilation. The
experimental results indicate that multichannel area-to-area signal
aggregation can reduce the average fading ratio from 6.58% to 2.10%
and also realize the signal demodulation with an SNR of 15.83 dB of
positioning curve. This aggregation method provides an effective
scheme for the polarization-fading suppression for

Φ

-OTDR.
Remote temperature sensing by the compact thermal imager from the International Space Station
Authors: Choi Kwong-Kit , Jhabvala Murzy , Jennings Donald , Turck Kyle , La Anh , Wu Dong , Hewagama Tilak , Holmes Thomas , Flatley Thomas , Cillis Analia , Fitts Yasmin , Morton Douglas
Published: November 2021

A systematic calibration approach is presented to correlate the digital output of an infrared camera and the scene temperature. Aided by the optoelectronic properties of the camera, as few as two experimental data points are needed to establish this correlation. This approach can readily include the effects of atmospheric transmission, scene emissivity, and different background subtractions. Hence, the temperature conversion in flight can be reliably obtained from laboratory calibration. The conversion function can also be used to identify the camera’s thermal sensitivity and temperature resolution, which are important information in different space missions. In applying this calibration procedure to a laboratory camera and the compact thermal imager onboard the International Space Station, its validity is confirmed.
Fiber-optic vector magnetic field sensor based on a magnetic-fluid-infiltrated large-core-offset Mach–Zehnder interferometer
Authors: Zhang Junying , Tian Chen , Guo Zilong , Zhang Xiongxing , Chen Haibin , Wang Wei
Published: November 2021

A fiber-optic vector magnetic field sensor based on a large-core-offset Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) infiltrated by magnetic fluid (MF) is proposed and demonstrated in this paper. By large-core-offset fusion splicing of a short single-mode fiber (SMF) between a lead-in SMF and a coupling multi-mode fiber, the MZI with a sub-millimeter length is formed, which is then sealed in an MF-infiltrated glass capillary. Through the MF’s refractive index modulation by external magnetic field, the phase of the light passing through the MZI is altered. As a result, the transmission spectrum can be monitored for the magnetic field measurement. Furthermore, from the axial-asymmetry of the large-core-offset MZI structure, the proposed sensor possesses vectorial magnetic-field-sensing ability. Experiments show that the MF-infiltrated large-core-offset MZI vector magnetic-field sensor can achieve a high wavelength sensitivity of 96.68 pm/Oe in a magnetic field range of 50–130 Oe.
Grass-like alumina coated window harnesses the full omnidirectional potential of black silicon photodiodes
Authors: Kauppinen Christoffer , Pasanen Toni P. , Isakov Kirill , Serué Michael , Heinonen Juha , Vähänissi Ville , Lipsanen Harri , Savin Hele
Published: November 2021

Packaged photodiodes suffer from Fresnel reflection from the package window glass, especially at high angles of incidence. This has a notable impact particularly on black silicon (b-Si) photodiodes, which have extreme sensitivity. In this work, we show that by adding a simple grass-like alumina antireflection (AR) coating on the window glass, excellent omnidirectional sensitivity and high external quantum efficiency (EQE) of b-Si photodiodes can be retained. We demonstrate that EQE increases at all angles, and up to 15% absolute increases in EQE at a 70° angle of incidence compared to conventional uncoated glass. Furthermore, even at the incidence angle of 50°, the double-sided coating provides higher EQE than bare glass at normal incidence. Our results demonstrate that grass-like alumina coatings are efficient and omnidirectional AR coatings for photodiode package windows in a wide wavelength range across the visible spectrum to near-infrared radiation.
Analysis of quasi-phase-matched optical parametric amplification in hollow-core fibers using analytical static electric field solutions
Authors: Lopez-Zelaya Cesar , Courtney Trevor L. , Hemmer Patrick , Keyser Christian K.
Published: November 2021

Nonlinear fiber laser sources offer new and attractive ways of achieving agile wavelength tunability. We previously modeled a quasi-phase-matched, pressurized xenon-filled, hollow-core fiber-based optical parametric amplifier where numerically solved electrostatic fields were applied across the fiber via patterned electrodes [Opt. Express 27, 11962 (2021)10.1364/OE.420075]. Here, we present analytical expressions that describe the spatial variations of the applied electrostatic fields that result from three distinct electrode patterns that span the space of manufacturing difficulty. These analytical expressions show good agreement with numerical results and are incorporated into nonlinear optical modeling to rapidly prospect a broad parameter space for optimal design based on frequency conversion efficiency.
Modeling and simulations of a three-dimensional ghost imaging method with differential correlation sampling
Authors: Liu Bohu , Song Ping , Zhai Yayu , Wang Xuanquan , Zhang Wuyang
Published: November 2021

The quality of depth maps acquired by a time-of-flight three-dimensional ghost imaging (3DGI) system is limited by dynamic ambient light and electrical noise. We developed a novel method that integrates the differential-correlation-sampling (DCS) method and a modulated continuous-wave laser source to realize the 3DGI and reduce the noise influence. The simulation results for the proposed method, DCS-3DGI, verify its feasibility. The analysis of mean-square-error, peak signal-to-noise ratio, structural similarity index measure, and edge preservation index demonstrates a superior anti-interference performance than conventional 3DGI methods.
Diffraction as scattering under the Born approximation
Authors: Goswami Neha , Popescu Gabriel
Published: November 2021

Light diffraction at an aperture is a basic problem that has generated a tremendous amount of interest in optics. Some of the most significant diffraction results are the Fresnel-Kirchhoff and Rayleigh-Sommerfeld formulas. These theories are based on solving the wave equation using Green’s theorem and result in slightly different expressions depending on the particular boundary conditions employed. In this paper, we show that the diffraction by a thin screen, which includes apertures, gratings, transparencies etc, can be treated more generally as a particular case of scattering. Furthermore, applying the first order Born approximation to 2D objects, we obtain a general diffraction formula, without angular approximations. Finally, our result, which contains no obliquity factor, is consistent with the 3D theory of scattering. We discuss several common approximations and place our results in the context of existing theories.
Octave-spanning supercontinuum generation from off-axis Raman oscillation in a monolithic KTP crystal
Authors: Wu Ming-Hsiung , Lin Yan-Jou , Laurell Fredrik , Huang Yen-Chieh
Published: November 2021

We report generation of a visible and near-infrared supercontinuum from a high-gain, ultra-broadband, and mirrorless Raman oscillator in a monolithic KTP crystal. The plane transverse to the pump axis resonates and traps off-axis Stokes waves and their frequency-upconverted components bouncing between two crystal surfaces via total internal reflection. The Raman gain is maximized with the Stokes polarization perpendicular to the plane of reflections. When pumped by a

Q

-switched Nd:YAG laser, the monolithic oscillator generates quasi-mode-locked Stokes pulses with octave-spanning spectral groups across the visible and near-infrared spectra between 540 and 1800 nm.
Transport of intensity equation-based terahertz lensless full-field phase imaging
Authors: Rong Lu , Wang Shiyu , Wang Dayong , Tan Fangrui , Zhang Yaya , Zhao Jie , Wang Yunxin
Published: November 2021

Terahertz (THz) phase imaging is widely spreading in various scenarios, among which full-field phase distributions are commonly retrieved by digital holography or ptychography. In this Letter, the transport of the intensity equation reconstruction method is applied into the THz band. An algorithm named the lensless US-transport of intensity equation (TIE) is proposed to accommodate to an in-line configuration. The object phase is retrieved by primarily conducting iterations between the axial intensity derivative and the phase distribution at the recording plane and subsequent backward diffraction propagation. This method is applicable to both isolated and extended weakly absorbing samples with higher reconstruction quality and remarkably less time cost than holographic phase retrieval algorithms. It can also be attempted in other non-interferometric geometries or using low-cost partially coherent THz sources, which significantly broaden the application scope of THz phase imaging.
Toward Non-Line-of-Sight Videography
Authors: Feng Xiaohua , Gao Liang
Published: November 2021

Seeing objects hidden from sight, in real time, could
significantly expand humanity’s ability to explore the unknown.
Wavefront Coding See-Through Display with Extension of Depth of Field
Authors: Lee Chi-Feng , Chen Hung-Pin , Lee Cheng-Chung
Published: November 2021

We propose a see-through display with a wavefront coding (WFC) technique using a cubic phase plate to extend the depth of field (DOF) of the projected virtual image. The image projected by the WFC see-through display allows the eyes to see an object in the range of accommodation and a clear projected image simultaneously without re-focusing. The DOF of the clear projected image by the system can be extended from 250 mm to an optical infinity of 10 m.
Active stabilization of terahertz waveforms radiated from a two-color air plasma
Authors: Mi Yonghao , Johnston Kyle , Shumakova Valentina , Møller Søren H. , Jana Kamalesh , Zhang Chunmei , Staudte André , Sederberg Shawn , Corkum Paul B.
Published: November 2021

Intense laser fields focused into ambient air can be used to generate high-bandwidth current densities in the form of plasma channels and filaments. Excitation with bichromatic fields enables us to adjust the amplitude and sign of these currents using the relative phase between the two light pulses. Two-color filamentation in gas targets provides a route to scaling the energy of terahertz pulses to microjoule levels by driving the plasma channel with a high-energy laser source. However, the structure of plasma channels is highly susceptible to drifts in both the relative phase and other laser parameters, making control over the waveform of the radiated terahertz fields delicate. We establish a clear link between the phase dependence of plasma currents and terahertz radiation by comparing in situ detection of current densities and far-field detection of terahertz electric fields. We show that the current measurement can be used as a feedback parameter for stabilizing the terahertz waveform. This approach provides a route to energetic terahertz pulses with exceptional waveform stability.
Performance improvement approaches for optical fiber SPR sensors and their sensing applications
Authors: Jing Jianying , Liu Kun , Jiang Junfeng , Xu Tianhua , Wang Shuang , Ma Jinying , Zhang Zhao , Zhang Wenlin , Liu Tiegen
Published: November 2021

Optical fiber surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors point toward promising application potential in the fields of biomarker detection, food allergen screening, and environmental monitoring due to their unique advantages. This review outlines approaches in improving the fiber SPR sensing performance, e.g.,  sensitivity, detection accuracy, reliability, cross-sensitivity, selectivity, convenience and efficiency, and corresponding sensing applications. The sensing principles of SPR sensors, especially the performance indicators and their influencing factors, have been introduced. Current technologies for improving the fiber SPR performance and their application scenarios are then reviewed from the aspects of fiber substrate, intrinsic layer (metal layer), and surface nanomaterial modification. Reasonable design of the substrate can strengthen the evanescent electromagnetic field and realize the multi-parameter sensing, and can introduce the in situ sensing self-compensation, which allows corrections for errors induced by temperature fluctuation, non-specific binding, and external disturbances. The change of the intrinsic layer can adjust the column number, the penetration depth, and the propagation distance of surface plasmon polaritons. This can thereby promote the capability of sensors to detect the large-size analytes and can reduce the full width at half-maximum of SPR curves. The modification of various-dimensionality nanomaterials on the sensor surfaces can heighten the overlap integral of the electromagnetic field intensity in the analyte region and can strengthen interactions between plasmons and excitons as well as interactions between analyte molecules and metal surfaces. Moreover, future directions of fiber SPR sensors are prospected based on the important and challenging problems in the development of fiber SPR sensors.
Highly sensitive plasmonic nanorod hyperbolic metamaterial biosensor
Authors: Yan Ruoqin , Wang Tao , Yue Xinzhao , Wang Huimin , Zhang Yu-Hui , Xu Peng , Wang Lu , Wang Yuandong , Zhang Jinyan
Published: November 2021

Plasmonic sensing based on nanostructures is a powerful analytical tool for ultrasensitive label-free biomolecule detection that holds great potential in the field of clinical diagnostics and biomedical research. Here, we report the fabrication, the characterization, and the principle of operation of gold nanorod hyperbolic metamaterials (NHMMs) along with ultrasensitive bulk refractive index and label-free biomolecular detection. By combining electron-beam lithography and nanoscale electroplating, we demonstrate the fabrication of a highly ordered, height-controllable, and vertical array of nanorods. By exciting the bulk plasmon–polariton mode in the NHMM using a prism-coupling technique and integrating the sensor in microfluidics, we demonstrate that the bulk sensitivity and figure of merit of our device could reach 41,600 nm/RIU and 416 RIU-1, respectively. The physical mechanism of this high bulk sensitivity is revealed through theoretical and experimental studies. Moreover, by bio-functionalizing the surface of the NHMM sensor, monitoring the binding of streptavidin at dilute concentrations is performed in real time. We test different concentrations of streptavidin ranging from 200 to 5 µg/mL, and the NHMM biosensor exhibits a 1 nm wavelength shift for a 5 µg/mL streptavidin detection. By fitting the Hill equation of the NHMM biosensor and taking into account the level of noise (0.05 nm) as the minimum wavelength shift of the detectable limit, the limit of detection of the NHMM biosensor to streptavidin can be estimated to be 0.14 µg/mL (2.4 nm). As a direct comparison, a 0.5 nm wavelength shift for 20 µg/mL of streptavidin is reported when using a conventional gold film sensor under identical experimental conditions. The developed plasmonic NHMM sensor shows tremendous potential for highly sensitive bulk solutions and biomolecule detection and provides a promising avenue for free-label biosensing applications in the future.
Burst control: Synaptic conditions for burst generation in cortical layer 5 pyramidal neurons
Authors: Leleo Eilam Goldenberg , Segev Idan
Published: November 2021

The output of neocortical layer 5 pyramidal cells (L5PCs) is expressed by a train of single spikes with intermittent bursts of multiple spikes at high frequencies. The bursts are the result of nonlinear dendritic properties, including Na+, Ca2+, and NMDA spikes, that interact with the ~10,000 synapses impinging on the neuron’s dendrites. Output spike bursts are thought to implement key dendritic computations, such as coincidence detection of bottom-up inputs (arriving mostly at the basal tree) and top-down inputs (arriving mostly at the apical tree). In this study we used a detailed nonlinear model of L5PC receiving excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs to explore the conditions for generating bursts and for modulating their properties. We established the excitatory input conditions on the basal versus the apical tree that favor burst and show that there are two distinct types of bursts. Bursts consisting of 3 or more spikes firing at < 200 Hz, which are generated by stronger excitatory input to the basal versus the apical tree, and bursts of ~2-spikes at ~250 Hz, generated by prominent apical tuft excitation. Localized and well-timed dendritic inhibition on the apical tree differentially modulates Na+, Ca2+, and NMDA spikes and, consequently, finely controls the burst output. Finally, we explored the implications of different burst classes and respective dendritic inhibition for regulating synaptic plasticity.
Epidemiology of type 2 diabetes remission in Scotland in 2019: A cross-sectional population-based study
Authors: Captieux Mireille , Fleetwood Kelly , Kennon Brian , Sattar Naveed , Lindsay Robert , Guthrie Bruce , Wild Sarah H. ,   on behalf of the Scottish Diabetes Research Network Epidemiology Group
Published: November 2021

Background

Clinical pathways are changing to incorporate support and appropriate follow-up for people to achieve remission of type 2 diabetes, but there is limited understanding of the prevalence of remission in current practice or patient characteristics associated with remission.

Methods and findings

We carried out a cross-sectional study estimating the prevalence of remission of type 2 diabetes in all adults in Scotland aged ≥30 years diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and alive on December 31, 2019. Remission of type 2 diabetes was assessed between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019. We defined remission as all HbA1c values <48 mmol/mol in the absence of glucose-lowering therapy (GLT) for a continuous duration of ≥365 days before the date of the last recorded HbA1c in 2019. Multivariable logistic regression in complete and multiply imputed datasets was used to examine characteristics associated with remission. Our cohort consisted of 162,316 individuals, all of whom had at least 1 HbA1c ≥48 mmol/mol (6.5%) at or after diagnosis of diabetes and at least 1 HbA1c recorded in 2019 (78.5% of the eligible population). Over half (56%) of our cohort was aged 65 years or over in 2019, and 64% had had type 2 diabetes for at least 6 years. Our cohort was predominantly of white ethnicity (74%), and ethnicity data were missing for 19% of the cohort. Median body mass index (BMI) at diagnosis was 32.3 kg/m2. A total of 7,710 people (4.8% [95% confidence interval [CI] 4.7 to 4.9]) were in remission of type 2 diabetes. Factors associated with remission were older age (odds ratio [OR] 1.48 [95% CI 1.34 to 1.62] P < 0.001) for people aged ≥75 years compared to 45 to 54 year group), HbA1c <48 mmol/mol at diagnosis (OR 1.31 [95% CI 1.24 to 1.39] P < 0.001) compared to 48 to 52 mmol/mol), no previous history of GLT (OR 14.6 [95% CI 13.7 to 15.5] P < 0.001), weight loss from diagnosis to 2019 (OR 4.45 [95% CI 3.89 to 5.10] P < 0.001) for ≥15 kg of weight loss compared to 0 to 4.9 kg weight gain), and previous bariatric surgery (OR 11.9 [95% CI 9.41 to 15.1] P < 0.001). Limitations of the study include the use of a limited subset of possible definitions of remission of type 2 diabetes, missing data, and inability to identify self-funded bariatric surgery.

Conclusions

In this study, we found that 4.8% of people with type 2 diabetes who had at least 1 HbA1c ≥48 mmol/mol (6.5%) after diagnosis of diabetes and had at least 1 HbA1c recorded in 2019 had evidence of type 2 diabetes remission. Guidelines are required for management and follow-up of this group and may differ depending on whether weight loss and remission of diabetes were intentional or unintentional. Our findings can be used to evaluate the impact of future initiatives on the prevalence of type 2 diabetes remission.
Dengue and Zika virus infection patterns vary among Aedes aegypti field populations from Belo Horizonte, a Brazilian endemic city
Authors: Godoy Raquel Soares Maia , Felix Luiza dos Santos , Orfanó Alessandra da Silva , Chaves Bárbara Aparecida , Nogueira Paula Monalisa , Costa Breno dos Anjos , Soares Aline Silva , Oliveira Cinthia Catharina Azevedo , Nacif-Pimenta Rafael , Silva Breno Mello , Duarte Ana Paula , Lacerda Marcus Vinicius Guimarães de , Monteiro Wuelton Marcelo , Secundino Nágila Francinete Costa , Pimenta Paulo Filemon Paolucci
Published: November 2021

Dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) belong to the same viral family, the Flaviviridae. They cause recurring threats to the public health systems of tropical countries such as Brazil. The primary Brazilian vector of both viruses is the mosquito Aedes aegypti. After the mosquito ingests a blood meal from an infected person, the viruses infect and replicate in the midgut, disseminate to secondary tissues and reach the salivary gland (SG), where they are ready to be transmitted to a vertebrate host. It is thought that the intrinsic discrepancies among mosquitoes could affect their ability to deal with viral infections. This study confirms that the DENV and ZIKV infection patterns of nine Ae. aegypti field populations found in geographically separate health districts of an endemic Brazilian city vary. We analyzed the infection rate, disseminated infection, vector competence, and viral load through quantitative PCR. Mosquitoes were challenged using the membrane-feeding assay technique and were tested seven and fourteen days post-infection (early and late infection phases, respectively). The infection responses varied among the Ae. aegypti populations for both flaviviruses in the two infection phases. There was no similarity between DENV and ZIKV vector competencies or viral loads. According to the results of our study, the risk of viral transmission overtime after infection either increases or remains unaltered in ZIKV infected vectors. However, the risk may increase, decrease, or remain unaltered in DENV-infected vectors depending on the mosquito population. For both flaviviruses, the viral load persisted in the body even until the late infection phase. In contrast to DENV, the ZIKV accumulated in the SG over time in all the mosquito populations. These findings are novel and may help direct the development of control strategies to fight dengue and Zika outbreaks in endemic regions, and provide a warning about the importance of understanding mosquito responses to arboviral infections.
Mass recovery following caloric restriction reverses lipolysis and proteolysis, but not gluconeogenesis, in insulin resistant OLETF rats
Authors: Cornejo Manuel A. , Dhillon Jaapna , Nishiyama Akira , Nakano Daisuke , Ortiz Rudy M.
Published: November 2021

Caloric restriction (CR) is one of the most important behavioral interventions to reduce excessive abdominal adiposity, which is a risk factor for the development of insulin resistance. Previous metabolomics studies have characterized substrate metabolism during healthy conditions; however, the effects of CR and subsequent mass recovery on shifts in substrate metabolism during insulin resistance (IR) have not been widely investigated. To assess the effects of acute CR and the subsequent mass recovery on shifts in substrate metabolism, a cohort of 15-week old Long Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) and Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats were calorie restricted (CR: 50% × 10 days) with or without partial body mass recovery (PR; 73% x 7 days), along with their respectivead libitumcontrols. End-of-study plasma samples were analyzed for primary carbon metabolites by gas chromatography (GC) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) data acquisition. Data analysis included PCA, Pearson correlation vs previously reported variables (adipose and body masses, and insulin resistance index, IRI), and metabolomics maps (MetaMapp) generated for the most significant group comparisons. All treatments elicited a significant group differentiation in at least one principal component. CR improved TCA cycle in OLETF, and increased lipolysis and proteolysis. These changes were reversed after PR except for gluconeogenesis. Plasma lipid concentrations were inversely correlated to IRI in LETO, but not OLETF. These shifts in substrate metabolism suggest that the CR-induced decreases in adipose may not be sufficient to more permanently alter substrate metabolism to improve IR status during metabolic syndrome.
Cerebral blood flow is associated with matrix metalloproteinase levels during the early symptomatic phase of concussion
Authors: Churchill Nathan W. , Di Battista Alex P. , Rhind Shawn G. , Richards Doug , Schweizer Tom A. , Hutchison Michael G.
Published: November 2021

Concussion is associated with disrupted cerebral blood flow (CBF), although there appears to be substantial inter-individual variability in CBF response. At present, the mechanisms of variable CBF response remain incompletely understood, but one potential contributor is matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression. In more severe forms of acquired brain injury, MMP up-regulation contributes to CBF impairments via increased blood-brain barrier permeability. A similar relationship is hypothesized for concussion, where recently concussed individuals with higher MMP levels have lower CBF. To test this hypothesis, 35 concussed athletes were assessed longitudinally at early symptomatic injury (median: 5 days post-injury) and at medical clearance (median: 24 days post-injury), along with 71 athletic controls. For all athletes, plasma MMPs were measured and arterial spin labelling was used to measure CBF. Consistent with our hypothesis, higher concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-3 were correlated with lower global CBF. The correlations between MMPs and global CBF were also significantly diminished for concussed athletes at medical clearance and for athletic controls. These results indicate an inverse relationship between plasma MMP levels and CBF that is specific to the symptomatic phase of concussion. Analyses of regional CBF further showed that correlations with MMP levels exhibited some spatial specificity, with greatest effects in occipital, parietal and temporal lobes. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of post-concussion cerebrovascular dysfunction.
New highly antigenic linear B cell epitope peptides from PvAMA-1 as potential vaccine candidates
Authors: Fantin Raianna F. , Fraga Vanessa G. , Lopes Camila A. , de Azevedo Isabella C. , Reis-Cunha João L. , Pereira Dhelio B. , Lobo Francisco P. , de Oliveira Marcela M. , dos Santos Anderson C. , Bartholomeu Daniela C. , Fujiwara Ricardo T. , Bueno Lilian L.
Published: November 2021

Peptide-based vaccines have demonstrated to be an important way to induce long-lived immune responses and, therefore, a promising strategy in the rational of vaccine development. As to malaria, among the classic vaccine targets, the Apical membrane antigen (AMA-1) was proven to have important B cell epitopes that can induce specific immune response and, hence, became key players for a vaccine approach. The peptides selection was carried out using a bioinformatic approach based on Hidden Markov Models profiles of known antigens and propensity scale methods based on hydrophilicity and secondary structure prediction. The antigenicity of the selected B-cell peptides was assessed by multiple serological assays using sera from acute P.vivax infected subjects. The synthetic peptides were recognized by 45.5%, 48.7% and 32.2% of infected subjects for peptides I, II and III respectively. Moreover, when synthetized together (tripeptide), the reactivity increases up to 62%, which is comparable to the reactivity found against the whole protein PvAMA-1 (57%). Furthermore, IgG reactivity against the tripeptide after depletion was reduced by 42%, indicating that these epitopes may be responsible for a considerable part of the protein immunogenicity. These results represent an excellent perspective regarding future chimeric vaccine constructions that may come to contemplate several targets with the potential to generate the robust and protective immune response that a vivax malaria vaccine needs to succeed.
Household food insecurity, income loss, and symptoms of psychological distress among adults following the Cyclone Amphan in coastal Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Ahmed , Ahmed Bayes , Rahman Taifur , Sammonds Peter , Zaman Shamrita , Benzadid Shadly , Jakariya Md.
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Cyclone Amphan swept into Bangladesh’s southwestern coast at the end of May 2020, wreaking havoc on food security and economic stability, as well as possibly worsening mental health. We studied the prevalence of post-cyclone stressors in adults following the cyclone and its association with symptoms of psychological distress.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study in a coastal district of Bangladesh. A five-item brief symptom rating scale was used to measure the symptoms of psychological distress. Household food insecurity was measured using the USAID Household Food Insecurity Access Scale questionnaire. We estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) using robust log-linear models adjusted for potential confounders.

Results

A total of 478 adults (mean [SD] age, 37.0[12.6] years; 169[35.4%] women) participated in the study. The prevalence of moderate-to-severe psychological symptoms and suicidal ideation was 55.7% and 10.9%, respectively. Following the cyclone, 40.8% of the adults reported severe food insecurity, and 66% of them reported moderate-to-severe mental health symptoms. Also, 54.4% of women and 33.7% of men reported severe food insecurity in the households. Moreover, 25.5% of respondents reported no income or a significant income loss after the cyclone, and 65.5% of them had moderate-to-severe psychological symptoms. Also, 13.8% of respondents reported housing displacement because of severely damaged houses, and 68.2% of them reported moderate-to-severe psychological symptoms. The high prevalence of mental health symptoms was found in women (aPR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.06–1.82), people with severe food insecurity (aPR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.01–2.64), and people who lost jobs or lost a major income source (aPR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.02–1.54).

Conclusion

Following cyclone Amphan, many low-income individuals saw their income drop drastically while others were unemployed and living with severe food insecurity. The result suggests gender inequalities in food-security after the cyclone. Immediate action is needed to ensure household food-security for reducing the burden of mental illness. Rising opportunities of paid-jobs and decreasing income-loss, especially for the poor people, can have a protective impact on psychological distress. However, due to the high prevalence of severe psychological symptoms, long-term mental health services are required among the population of coastal Bangladesh.
A norovirus gastroenteritis outbreak in an Australian child-care center: A household-level analysis
Authors: Smoll Nicolas Roydon , Khan Arifuzzman , Walker Jacina , McMahon Jamie , Kirk Michael , Khandaker Gulam
Published: November 2021

There is a large burden of norovirus disease in child-care centers in Australia and around the world. Despite the ubiquity of norovirus outbreaks in child-care centers, little is known about the extent of this burden within the child-care center and the surrounding household clusters. Therefore, we performed an in-depth analysis of a gastroenteritis outbreak to examine the patterns of transmissions, household attack rates and the basic reproduction number (R0) for Norovirus in a child-care facility. We used data from parental interviews of suspected cases sent home with gastroenteritis at a child-care center between 24th of August and 18th of September 2020. A total of 52 persons in 19 household clusters were symptomatic in this outbreak investigation. Of all transmissions, 23 (46.9%) occurred in the child-care center, the rest occurring in households. We found a household attack rate of 36.5% (95% CI 27.3, 47.1%). Serial intervals were estimated as mean 2.5 ± SD1.45 days. The R0, using time-dependent methods during the growth phase of the outbreak (days 2 to 8) was 2.4 (95% CI 1.50, 3.50). The count of affected persons of a child-care center norovirus outbreak is approximately double the count of the total symptomatic staff and attending children. In the study setting, each symptomatic child-care attendee likely infected one other child-care attendee or staff and just over one household contact on average.
Distribution of bony erosions in feet and performance of two bone erosion scores: A dual-energy computed tomography study of 61 patients with gout
Authors: Chabernaud Negrier Amandine , Taihi Lokmane , Vicaut Eric , Richette Pascal , Bardin Thomas , Lioté Frédéric , Ea Hang-Korng , Bousson Valérie
Published: November 2021

Objectives

To assess the distribution of bone erosions and two erosion scores in the feet of patients with gout and analyze the association between erosion scores and monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposition using dual-energy computed tomography (DECT).

Materials and methods

We included all patients who underwent DECT of both feet between 2016 and 2019 in our radiology department, with positive detection of MSU deposits. Data on sex, age, treatment, serum urate, and DECT urate volumes were obtained. CT images were analyzed to score bone erosions in 31 sites per foot by using the semi-quantitative method based on the Rheumatoid Arthritis MRI Scoring (RAMRIS) system and the Dalbeth-simplified score. Reproducibility for the two scores was calculated with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Correlations between clinical features, erosion scores and urate crystal volume were analyzed by the Spearman correlation coefficient (r).

Results

We studied 61 patients (mean age 62.0 years); 3,751 bones were scored. The first metatarsophalangeal joint and the midfoot were the most involved in terms of frequency and severity of bone erosions. The distribution of bone erosions was not asymmetrical. The intra- and inter-observer reproducibility was similar for the RAMRIS and Dalbeth-simplified scores (ICC 0.93 vs 0.94 and 0.96 vs 0.90). DECT urate volume was significantly correlated with each of the two erosion scores (r = 0.58–0.63, p < 0.001). There was a high correlation between the two scores (r = 0.96, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

DECT demonstrates that foot erosions are not asymmetric in distribution and predominate at the first ray and midfoot. The two erosion scores are significantly correlated with DECT urate volume. An almost perfect correlation between the RAMRIS and Dalbeth-simplified scores is observed.
Innovative method for encapsulating highly pigmented biomass from Aspergillus nidulans mutant for copper ions removal and recovery
Authors: Rissoni Toledo Ailton Guilherme , Reyes Andrade Jazmina Carolina , Palmieri Mauricio Cesar , Bevilaqua Denise , Pombeiro Sponchiado Sandra Regina
Published: November 2021

Biosorption has been considered a promising technology for the treatment of industrial effluents containing heavy metals. However, the development of a cost-effective technique for biomass immobilization is essential for successful application of biosorption in industrial processes. In this study, a new method of reversible encapsulation of the highly pigmented biomass from Aspergillus nidulans mutant using semipermeable cellulose membrane was developed and the efficiency of the encapsulated biosorbent in the removal and recovery of copper ions was evaluated. Data analysis showed that the pseudo-second-order model better described copper adsorption by encapsulated biosorbent and a good correlation (r2 > 0.96) to the Langmuir isotherm was obtained. The maximum biosorption capacities for the encapsulated biosorbents were higher (333.5 and 116.1 mg g-1 for EB10 and EB30, respectively) than that for free biomass (92.0 mg g-1). SEM-EDXS and FT-IR analysis revealed that several functional groups on fungal biomass were involved in copper adsorption through ion-exchange mechanism. Sorption/desorption experiments showed that the metal recovery efficiency by encapsulated biosorbent remained constant at approximately 70% during five biosorption/desorption cycles. Therefore, this study demonstrated that the new encapsulation method of the fungal biomass using a semipermeable cellulose membrane is efficient for heavy metal ion removal and recovery from aqueous solutions in multiple adsorption-desorption cycles. In addition, this reversible encapsulation method has great potential for application in the treatment of heavy metal contaminated industrial effluents due to its low cost, the possibility of recovering adsorbed ions and the reuse of biosorbent in consecutive biosorption/desorption cycles with high efficiency of metal removal and recovery.
Chromosomal variants accumulate in genomes of the spontaneous aborted fetuses revealed by chromosomal microarray analysis
Authors: Li Sen , Chen Lei-Ling , Wang Xing-Hua , Zhu Hai-Jing , Li Xiao-Long , Feng Xie , Guo Lei , Ou Xiang-Hong , Ma Jun-Yu
Published: November 2021

Spontaneous abortion is an impeding factor for the success rates of human assistant reproductive technology (ART). Causes of spontaneous abortion include not only the pregnant mothers’ health conditions and lifestyle habits, but also the fetal development potential. Evidences had shown that fetal chromosome aneuploidy is associated with fetal spontaneous abortion, however, it is still not definite that whether other genome variants, like copy number variations (CNVs) or loss of heterozygosity (LOHs) is associated with the spontaneous abortion. To assess the relationship between the fetal genome variants and abortion during ART, a chromosomal microarray data including chromosomal information of 184 spontaneous aborted fetuses, 147 adult female patients and 78 adult male patients during ART were collected. We firstly analyzed the relationship of fetal aneuploidy with maternal ages and then compared the numbers and lengths of CNVs (< 4Mbp) and LOHs among adults and aborted fetuses. In addition to the already known association between chromosomal aneuploidy and maternal ages, from the chromosomal microarray data we found that the numbers and the accumulated lengths of short CNVs and LOHs in the aborted fetuses were significantly larger or longer than those in adults. Our findings indicated that the increased numbers and accumulated lengths of CNVs or LOHs might be associated with the spontaneous abortion during ART.
Women Make Horror: Filmmaking, Feminism, Genre, Alison Peirse (ed.) (2020)
Authors: Daniels Mikayla
Published: November 2021

Review of: Women Make Horror: Filmmaking, Feminism, Genre, Alison Peirse (ed.) (2020)

Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick, 270 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-97880-512-5, h/bk, $120.00

ISBN 978-1-97880-511-8, p/bk, $29.95
Ciencia, técnica y tecnología en la historia
Authors: Juanes Cortés Antonio , Vicente Santos Francisco José , Sáez González Carmen
Published: November 2021

El ser humano a desarrollado la ciencia, la técnica y la tecnología con el principal objetivo de mejorar sus condiciones de adaptación al medio que le ha rodeado en los diferentes momentos del pasado. Al mismo tiempo, determinados inventos o teorías científicas inicialmente concebidas como hitos en pro de la humanidad han terminado por revelarse de forma opuesta a la pretendida. Dada la influencia que han tenido tales disciplinas en el progreso hist´órico, era necesario conceder un espacio apropiado de discusión e intercambio científicos en el que abordar el desarrollo de todas aquellas innovaciones que se han producido a lo largo de la historia y su papel en el transcurso de esta. Al fin y al cabo, la propia producción de tales avances tuvo un impacto real en el devenir humano y sentó las bases del futuro, nuestro presente.
A mozaikcsaládok családtipológiai megközelítése a vásárlási konfliktusok vizsgálatán keresztül
Authors: Eisingerné Balassa Boglárka
Published: November 2021

A mozaikcsaládok vásárlási döntéseiket a hagyományostól eltérő módon hozzák meg, jellegzetességük, hogy a családtagok speciális rokoni kapcsolatai miatt sokkal több konfliktust kell megoldaniuk, mint a hagyományos családmodellben élőknek. A szerző tanulmányában a vásárlási döntések vizsgálatán keresztül rávilágít arra, hogy a mozaikcsaládok korábbi pszichológiai és szociológiai megközelítése és tipizálása mellett újabb típusok is azonosíthatók. A kutatás eredményei rámutatnak arra, hogy – ellentétben a korábbi kutatások eredményeivel – a mozaikcsaládok mindennapi életében, konfliktusaiban és ezek megoldásában nem feltétlenül a családhoz csatlakozott felnőtt vagy gyerek neme, életkora, a családon kívül élő gyerekek száma – tehát a családszerkezet – a meghatározó, hanem az abban élők egymással kapcsolatos viszonyai, alkalmazkodási képessége, egymás elfogadása, az egymásért történő felelősségvállalás mértéke.
SWINGS AND ROUNDABOUTS IN CNS DRUG BIOMARKERS
Authors: Isaac M.B. , Vamvakas S.
Published: November 2021

Despite substantial advances in the understanding of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, healthcare systems worldwide face an unprecedented challenge in dealing with the unmet needs in this area (1). Meanwhile, the CNS drug pipeline looks worryingly dry. There are several reasons for this, including the obvious complexity of the CNS, a lack of interdisciplinary collaborations, increased drug development costs and the higher risk of clinical failure of CNS drugs, compared with those in other areas of drug development. The year 2016 was also disappointing in terms of failed trials of Alzheimer’ Dementia (AD) drugs.