bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Negative perceptions of older adults and life satisfaction among community-dwelling older citizens in Japan
Authors: Shimizu Yuho , Sato Kenichiro , Ogawa Susumu , Cho Daisuke , Takahashi Yoshifumi , Yamashiro Daichi , Li Yan , Takahashi Tomoya , Hinakura Keigo , Iizuka Ai , Furuya Tomoki , Suzuki Hiroyuki
Published: May 2024

Background With the rapid aging of the population, increasing life satisfaction among older adults is essential. Negative perceptions of older adults are internalized, leading to poor mental health. This study hypothesized that participants with more negative perceptions of older adults would have lower life satisfaction. Methods A cross-sectional survey of older adults was conducted across five wards and four cities in Tokyo, Japan. Participants responded to questions regarding demographics, life satisfaction, and negative perceptions of older adults. Data from 285 participants (264 women, M = 71.97 years) were analyzed. Results The intraclass correlation coefficient for life satisfaction concerning residential areas was. 03 (95% confidence interval [CI] = [-.03, .10]). Instead of multilevel models, a multiple regression model with life satisfaction as the dependent variable and negative perceptions of older adults and demographics as the independent variables yielded the best fit. Results indicated that participants with more negative perceptions of older adults reported lower life satisfaction (β = -.16, 95% CI = [-.28, -.04], p = .008), supporting our hypothesis. Conclusions This study was constrained by limited variance in residential areas and a predominantly female participant pool. Previous studies have shown that higher life satisfaction is associated with increased social participation and extended life expectancy, and interventions aimed at enhancing life satisfaction in older adults are significant. Further exploration is warranted to ascertain whether a causal relationship exists, wherein more negative perceptions of older adults diminish life satisfaction.
Multi-repeat sequences identification using genome mining techniques for developing highly sensitive molecular diagnostic assay for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis
Authors: Shiluli Clement , Kamath Shwetha , N. Kanoi Bernard , Kimani Racheal , Maina Michael , Waweru Harrison , Kamita Moses , Ndirangu Ibrahim , M. Abkallo Hussein , Oduor Bernard , Pamme Nicole , Dupaty Joshua , M. Klapperich Catherine , Raju Lolabattu Srinivasa , Gitaka Jesse
Published: May 2024

Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). In 2019, the World Health Organization reported about 131 million infections. The majority of infected patients are asymptomatic with cases remaining undetected. It is likely that missed C. trachomatis infections contribute to preventable adverse health outcomes in women and children. Consequently, there is an urgent need of developing efficient diagnostic methods. In this study, genome-mining approaches to identify identical multi-repeat sequences (IMRS) distributed throughout the C. trachomatis genome were used to design a primer pair that would target regions in the genome. Genomic DNA was 10-fold serially diluted (100pg/μL to 1×10-3pg/μL) and used as DNA template for PCR reactions. The gold standard PCR using 16S rRNA primers was also run as a comparative test, and products were resolved on agarose gel. The novel assay, C. trachomatis IMRS-PCR, had an analytical sensitivity of 4.31 pg/µL, representing better sensitivity compared with 16S rRNA PCR (9.5 fg/µL). Our experimental data demonstrate the successful development of lateral flow and isothermal assays for detecting C. trachomatis DNA with potential use in field settings. There is a potential to implement this concept in miniaturized, isothermal, microfluidic platforms, and laboratory-on-a-chip diagnostic devices for reliable point-of-care testing.
The genome sequence of the Brown Ash Ermine moth, Zelleria hepariella Stainton, 1849
Authors: Boyes Douglas , Boyes Clare ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: May 2024

We present a genome assembly from a male Zelleria hepariella (the Brown Ash Ermine; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Yponomeutidae). The genome sequence is 428.8 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 19 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.31 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 15,718 protein coding genes.
Effects of distal ulnar morphology on symptomatic extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) subluxation and the clinical outcomes of anatomic ECU subsheath reconstruction: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Kang Sung Jin , Kim Ji Nam , Kim Yun Seop , Lee Seoung Joon
Published: May 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the association between distal ulnar morphology and symptomatic extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) subluxation and assess the results of anatomic ECU subsheath reconstruction.Methods: To investigate the effects of distal ulnar morphology on symptomatic ECU subluxation, we compared distal ulnar morphology using magnetic resonance imaging among three groups: group 1 (symptomatic ECU subluxation, 12 cases), group 2 (non-symptomatic ECU subluxation, 24 cases), and group 3 (no ECU subluxation, 24 cases). Distal ulnar morphology was evaluated using ulnar variance, ulnar styloid length, and ECU groove depth. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Patient-Related Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) score, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, Hand (DASH) score, grip strength, and the range of motion of the wrist joint.Results: Ulnar variance showed a statistically significant difference between groups 1 and 2, and ECU groove depth showed statistically significant differences between groups 1 and 2 and between groups 2 and 3. Ulnar styloid length showed no statistically significant between-group differences. In patients with symptomatic ECU subluxation, there was a significant increase in the range of motion in supination and grip strength, and a significant decrease in the DASH score (from 40 to 9) and PRWE score (from 48 to 12). Conclusion: Negative ulnar variance was associated with symptomatic ECU subluxation, and shallow ECU groove depth was correlated to asymptomatic ECU subluxation, but unrelated to symptoms. Anatomic ECU tendon sheath reconstruction was identified as an effective surgical method.
Anemia aplásica inducida por metimazol: presentación de caso
Authors: Orozco Burbano Juan David , Fajardo Blanca Viviana , Correa Correa Mario Ernesto , Muñoz Elvia Nohelia , López Palechor Jesús Iván
Published: May 2024

Introducción: Los medicamentos antitiroideos son una de las alternativas terapéuticas en el tratamiento de la enfermedad de Graves. Sin embargo,  puede generar  efectos adversos severos aunque poco frecuentes a nivel hematológico como la anemia aplásica, la cual se ha asociado con altas dosis de  estos medicamentos, aunque con  reversión de esta afección hematológica ante el retiro del medicamento.
Descripción del caso: Mujer de 38 años con antecedente de enfermedad de Graves en tratamiento con Metimazol, quien consulta por síntomas como epistaxis anterior de difícil control, petequias, astenia e hiporexia. Se documenta pancitopenia en el hemograma, con posterior hallazgo en biopsia de médula ósea de aplasia medular, sin respuesta ante el retiro del metimazol  y soporte transfusional.  
Conclusión:  Son pocos los casos de aplasia medular asociada a Metimazol sin respuesta al retiro del medicamento y con desenlaces fatales.  Por lo tanto, este efecto adverso debe tenerse en cuenta y vigilarse ante el inicio de esta medicación.
Naturaleza jurídica de las áreas protegidas y sus efectos en la propiedad privada
Authors: Méndez Zambrano Juliana Andrea
Published: May 2024

Mediante la designación de áreas protegidas en el territorio, el Estado pretende cumplir con sus deberes de proteger la diversidad y conservar las áreas de especial importancia ecológica, consagrados en los artículos 79 y 80 de la Constitución Política de 1991 y en el Convenio de Diversidad Biológica ratificado por Colombia. Esta situación cuestiona la propiedad privada como institución jurídica, pues se establecen límites al derecho de dominio que incluso pueden llegar a sacar del comercio bienes que son objeto de dicha afectación. El presente trabajo analiza cuáles son los efectos que tiene en la propiedad privada la constitución de áreas protegidas. Mediante una revisión bibliográfica de textos jurídicos, jurisprudenciales y legislativos, se realizó una investigación en donde, en primer lugar, se estudia cuál es la naturaleza jurídica de las áreas protegidas y posteriormente sus efectos en la propiedad; y, en segundo lugar, se profundiza en el tema de las propiedad; y, en segundo lugar, se profundiza en el tema de las áreas del Sistema de Parques Nacionales Naturales, pues es la categoría más estricta de todo el sistema. La presente revisión ha permitido concluir que las áreas protegidas se erigen como una afectación o limitación al ejercicio de los atributos del derecho de propiedad.
Análisis de la gestión del cambio climático en Colombia y sus compromisos internacionales a la luz del Plan Nacional de Desarrollo 2018-2022
Authors: Guerrero Giraldo Lina María
Published: May 2024

Los instrumentos de política pública, como los planes de desarrollo nacionales, indican los propósitos de las acciones gubernamentales. Este instrumento permite alcanzar los objetivos públicos y se define la participación de la comunidad internacional en acuerdos para que se asuman compromisos, se diseñen programas y se asignen recursos destinados a mitigar los efectos del cambio climático y la actuación conjunta en la lucha contra la crisis climática. A partir de acuerdos internacionales sobre el clima, Colombia ha tenido incidencia respecto a estas situaciones por medio del Plan Nacional de Desarrollo (en adelante, PND), que le ha permitido emprender acciones legislativas de cara al cambio climático como respuesta a las necesidades del país, en un territorio que presenta altas vulnerabilidades en ecosistemas, comunidades e infraestructura. En el presente capítulo se identifican los hitos más relevantes en las acciones sobre el cambio climático internacional y nacional en el PND que ha incorporado el tema como acciones estatales que soportan el desempeño nacional respecto al clima y que viene tomando fuerza desde la década de los noventa. A la luz del Acuerdo de París se analiza el cumplimiento de los compromisos de reducción de emisiones y de su desarrollo en el PND 2018-2022, en virtud de los ejes programáticos en mitigación y adaptación al cambio climático y su financiación para alcanzar las Contribuciones Nacionalmente Determinadas (NDC).
Capitalismo informacional y tecnopolítica: tensiones y resistencias
Authors: Ramos Martín Juan
Published: May 2024

Para ello, este capítulo desarrollará un primer apartado acerca de las bases estructurales del nuevo estadio de capitalismo informacional para, en un segundo y tercer apartados, reflexionar sobre las condiciones de determinación de las nuevas formas de acumulación entre las condiciones materiales de producción y la construcción de conocimiento, cultura e identidad en torno a dichas reconfiguraciones tecnológicas e informacionales. Finalmente, el texto concluye con una serie de necesidades identificadas en la reinterpretación de las formas de resistencia tecnopolítica, en el establecimiento de condiciones propias para la construcción de ontologías de movilización congruentes con la perspectiva co-constitutiva de las nuevas lógicas de producción y sus procesos de resistencia.
Apuntes preliminares para una historia de la Amazonia colombiana
Authors: Cabrera Becerra Gabriel
Published: May 2024

La Amazonia representa hoy un 42,3% de la superficie del país (Red Amazónica de Información Socioambiental Georreferenciada, 2012, p. 11) y concentra la mayor diversidad cultural, aunque algunos pueblos tienen una baja representación demográfica. Para este capítulo se adopta como criterio la distinción entre dos grandes zonas: la Amazonia occidental y la Amazonia oriental. Esta sectorización, atiende al desarrollo de lo que se llama el anillo de poblamiento amazónico, es decir, la consolidación de asentamientos más próximos al interior del país en el occidente y en el oriente a los patrones de asentamiento disperso de las comunidades indígenas (Arcila et al., 2000).
Education as an Open System in the Digital Society
Authors:   Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Bilyakovska Olha , Horuk Nataliya ,   Ivan Franko National University of Lviv
Published: May 2024

The article considers education as an open system that is implemented in digital society through distance education and the use of new information technologies. It has been characterized the researchers’ approaches to the interpretation of the studied concept. The need for a paradigm shift in education has been highlighted. It has been noted that the qualitative modernization of the educational sector is aligned with the development of the digital society, primarily the introduction of new types of education, including open education. It has been emphasized that open education should be built in accordance with the principles of open systems, occupying a significant place in the educational services market, as well as complementing traditional educational forms, thus becoming the basic form of self-education. The main characteristics of open education are accessibility, flexibility, parallelism, modularity, cost-effectiveness, internationality and coordination, which make it possible to get education regardless of place of residence, age, nationality, physical condition through the use of digital learning technologies. It has been determined that the leading trends in the development of open education are the progressive introduction of elements of open education into traditional educational practice; improvement of the system of education management and quality control; development and implementation of methods and means of open learning in the educational process.
Mykhailo Hrushevsky and the Ukrainian Language: in the Context of a Political Nation Creation
Authors:   Institute of Pedagogy of the NAES of Ukraine, Dichek Natalia
Published: May 2024

The article presents the author’s reflection on the contribution of Mykhailo Hrushevsky (1866–1934), the outstanding Ukrainian scientist-historian, academician of the All-Ukrainian Academy of Sciences (1923), public and political figure, in substantiating the foundations of the independent state existence of Ukrainians within the context of the struggle for carrying out their education in mother-tongue and the national education system development in future. The chronological limits of the study are the first decades of the XX century. The role of socio-political and journalistic activities of M. Hrushevsky in following activities has been highlighted: upholding and protecting the interests and cultural needs of the Ukrainian people, establishing the status of the Ukrainian language as the only alternative for education of Ukrainians, as a self-sufficient language of a particular Slavic people in the territory between two empires. All of the above still has historically instructive and politically reasoned meaning. It has been proven that purposeful, nationally oriented public educational activities of the scientist, firstly, are an example of an enduring personal contribution to the creation of our state, especially in the circumstances on the eve of the Ukrainian revolution. Secondly, the ideas he substantiated for the development of national education of Ukrainians laid the foundations for the philosophy of national education for the future. The scientific appeal has updated two journalistic articles by M. Hrushevsky – «The Stumbling Stone» and «The Cornerstone» (both 1916) – contextually significant for deepening the modern understanding of what the scientist has done to increase the ethnic consciousness of Ukrainians, especially Ukrainian peasants as bearers of traditions and language, development among compatriots of a common understanding of the national past, perception of the native language as an attribute of independent life.
Different stakeholder perspectives on NHS safety
Authors: Tingle John
Published: May 2024

John Tingle, Lecturer in Law, Birmingham Law School, University of Birmingham, discuses some key NHS stakeholder perspectives on NHS patient safety
Tech use: Emerging survey results
Authors: Winter Karen
Published: May 2024

In the fourth article in this series, Dr Karen Winter, professor in Children's Social Care at Queen's University Belfast, outlines some of the Toddlers, Tech and Talk project's most recent findings from a survey conducted as the first study phase.
New masquerade observations of Turkish leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: KONSTANTINOV ALEXANDER S. , GÜLTEKİN LEVENT , GÜLTEKİN NESLİHAN , DOROFEYEV VLADIMIR I.
Published: May 2024

Thirty-five observations of 25 leaf beetle species and their feeding damage are reported. The beetles belong to 13 genera. Obvious masquerade is found in 29 observations. Nine beetle species in our sample are light in color, but two, being generally light colored, have a wide dark stripe along the elytral suture, so that on the photos (and presumably to visual predators in the field) they appear dark. Feeding damage that these two are surrounded with is also dark. In six observations light colored beetles were making light colored damage. In five examples dark colored beetles were observed among both light and dark colored damage. In remaining observations dark colored beetles were making dark colored damage. Masquerade in Cassidinae and larvae of Alticini and Galerucini is reported here for the first time. In addition, observation of flea beetle interacting with ants on leaf surface and use of feeding holes to move from the upper to the lower leaf surface are reported.
A Dual-Polarization Broadband Coupling Feed Dipole Antenna Based on Artificial Magnetic Conductor
Authors: Jiang Z. N. , Li Z. W. , Wang Z. X.
Published: May 2024

A dual-polarized broadband coupled feed dipole antenna loaded with artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) structure is proposed. The proposed AMC structure with 4×4 elements shown in this paper consists of four perfect electrical conductor (PEC) rectangular strips and a ring to reduce the profile height of the dual-polarized dipole antenna. In addition, the dual-polarization antenna adopts coupling feed microstrip to excite two pairs of bow-tie patch. The overall size of the coupling feed dipole antenna is 1.1λ0×1.1λ0×0.09λ0 at 5.5 GHz. Measured results shows that the proposed dual-polarization antenna loaded AMC exhibit a 25.2% common working bandwidth (4.75-6.12 GHz). The isolation is less than -14 dB, and the peak gain is 10.6 dBi. This dipole antenna with AMC structure has the virtues of low profile, wide band, and good radiation performance and it has the potential to be used in C-band communication.
A High-gain Low-sidelobe Dual-polarized Broadband Array Antenna
Authors: Zhou Qi-Lei , Zhang Bo-Wen , Liu Neng-Wu , Fu Guang
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we present a dual-polarized broadband low side lobe array designed for operation in the Ku-band. The antenna array operates within the frequency range of 14.0 GHz to 15.2 GHz, covering a bandwidth of over 8%. To realize this wide operational frequency, we have selected broadband microstrip antenna elements as the units of the array. In order to fulfill the demanding criteria of broadband performance and low sidelobe characteristics, we introduce a broadband low-sidelobe feeding network based on a directional coupler design. This feeding network ensures connectivity with the antenna units, resulting in a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) < 2 within the 14.0 GHz to 15.2 GHz frequency range. Furthermore, our antenna array achieves an array gain exceeding 21 dBi and keeps array sidelobes below -20 dB across the entire operating frequency band. Our research breakthrough addresses the critical design challenge of creating large-scale array antennas that combine broadband capabilities with high gain and minimal sidelobe interference.
Diplexer Antenna for 5G Full-duplex Application
Authors: Nguyen Hong Quang , Do Trong Toan , Hoang Dinh Hai Truyen , Nguyen Quoc Cuong , Le Minh Thuy
Published: May 2024

This work proposes a spiral filter-based diplexer antenna for dual-band full-duplex 5G application in C-band. The shared radiator is formed by a cross-shape Yagi-Uda antenna. The dual-band full-duplex characteristic is obtained by applying a diplexer with two different band-stop filters (BSFs) based on a high-order rectangular spiral-shaped open-stub filter. The proposed diplexer antenna is suitable for modern 5G full-duplex communication system applications with a small frequency ratio and high isolation between two ports by applying a Wilkinson power divider. The diplexer antenna is designed, fabricated, and measured, showing good performance of channel isolations of 27 dB/23 dB and the antenna gain of 4.7 dBi/4.2 dBi at two operation bands from 3.56 GHz to 3.68 GHz and from 3.72 GHz to 3.83 GHz covering the required 100 MHz maximum bandwidth in C-band while its frequency ratio is only 1.04.
Research on the Prediction Method of Conducted Interference in Flyback Converters based on the High-frequency Transformer Model
Authors: Zhou Mengxia , Cheng Bin , Liu Jianben , Pei Yakang , Yao Ruining , Liu Yan , Li Feng
Published: May 2024

Conducted electromagnetic interference (EMI) has always been a challenge for designers of switched-mode power supplies. Flyback converters are used in various applications. However, as the switching frequency of these converters increases, the issue of electromagnetic interference becomes progressively more severe. In light of this, this paper presents a predictive method for conducted interference in flyback converters, based on a high-frequency transformer model. A high-frequency transformer model topology is proposed, integrating traditional inductance models with a three-capacitor model. Subsequently, a self-organizing migrating algorithm (SOMA) is employed for the extraction of parameters from the high-frequency transformer model, and a high-frequency model is established for a transformer. Finally, the high-frequency model is applied to the prediction of conducted interference in flyback converters. The results demonstrate that the proposed predictive method can effectively forecast the actual conducted interference, thereby providing a reference for suppression of conducted electromagnetic interference.
Lensless single-shot dual-wavelength digital holography for industrial metrology
Authors: Shangguan Huangcheng , Urbach H. Paul , Kalkman Jeroen
Published: May 2024

We demonstrate lensless single-shot dual-wavelength digital holography
for high-speed 3D imaging in industrial inspection. Single-shot
measurement is realized by combining off-axis digital holography and
spatial frequency multiplexing of the two wavelengths on the detector.
The system has 9.1 µm lateral resolution and a 50 µm unambiguous depth
range. We determine the theoretical accuracy of off-axis
dual-wavelength phase reconstruction for the case of
shot-noise-limited detection. Experimental results show good agreement
with the proposed model. The system is applied to industrial metrology
of calibrated test samples and chip manufacturing.
Demonstration of quantum dot reservoir computing based on spatio-temporal optical processing
Authors: Tate Naoya , Yamaguchi Seiya , Sakai Shunichi , Shimomura Suguru , Nishimura Takahiro , Kozuka Jun , Ogura Yusuke , Tanida Jun
Published: May 2024

A quantum dot network, which consists of coupled structures of randomly
dispersed quantum dots, has been studied as a nano-scale optical
reservoir for effective machine learning processing. In this study, we
defined spatio-temporal fluorescence of a quantum dot network as the
reservoir output, which is due to the characteristic dynamics of the
excited energy in the network induced by laser pulse irradiation. In
order to verify whether a quantum dot reservoir can improve the
processing efficiency of advanced machine learning applications, we
performed experimental reservoir computing using a numerical model.
Several parameters that were required for the construction of the
model were defined from the spatio-temporal fluorescence of an
experimental quantum dot reservoir. Subsequently, the corresponding
reservoir computing based on the model was numerically demonstrated.
Reliable performances were successfully demonstrated as sufficient
error rates toward the delayed XOR task. Additionally, the dependency
on quantum dot compositions of these performances was clarified.
On-chip Kerr parametric oscillation with integrated heating for enhanced frequency tuning and control
Authors: Stone Jordan , Westly Daron , Moille Gregory , Srinivasan Kartik
Published: May 2024

Nonlinear microresonators can convert light from chip-integrated sources into new wavelengths within the visible and near-infrared spectrum. For most applications, such as the interrogation of quantum systems with specific transition wavelengths, tuning the frequency of converted light is critical. Nonetheless, demonstrations of wavelength conversion have mostly overlooked this metric. Here, we apply efficient integrated heaters to tune the idler frequency produced by the Kerr optical parametric oscillation in a silicon nitride microring across a continuous 1.5 terahertz range. Finally, we suppress idler frequency noise betweenDCand 5 kHz by several orders of magnitude using feedback to the heater drive.
Electro-optical logics by three-terminal quantum-well-light-emitting transistors integration
Authors: Cheng Hao-Tien , Liang Ya-Ting , Huang Yun-Ting , Hsu Shu-Jui , Lin Wei-Hao , Feng Milton , Wu Chao-Hsin
Published: May 2024

The three-terminal quantum-well-light-emitting transistors (QW-LETs) possess appealing characteristics, including multipath bidirectional electrical and optical inputs/outputs, transistor functionalities, and picosecond recombination lifetimes. This article presents the inaugural demonstration of electro-optical sequential logic circuits—first implementations of set-reset (SR) latches. These two latches feature both electrical and optical connectivities through a three-terminal QW-LET platform. Universal gates, such as NOR and NAND logic gates, have been manufactured and showcased, exhibiting accurate logic functionalities. Additionally, we propose two electro-optical SR latches based on NOR and NAND logic gates—the electro-optical registers, serving as fundamental building blocks for more intricate optoelectronic field-programmable gate arrays. The monolithically integrated QW-LET platform holds the potential to offer a comprehensive range of potent building blocks for optoelectronic chips and high-performance optoelectronic computing.
Transmissive reconfigurable metasurface enabling independent control of active and passive modules through weak coupling
Authors: Xue Kun , Wei Heng , Zhang Cilei , Zhang Yonghao , Sun Haoliang , Dong Shaohua
Published: May 2024

Metasurfaces have demonstrated rich electromagnetic control capabilities and degrees of freedom in past years. As is well known, for passive metasurfaces, their functionalities cannot be further expanded accordingly once prototypes are established. Therefore, reconfigurable metasurfaces, utilizing active devices to replace geometric changes in passive structures, have received widespread attention, especially with the development of wireless communication recently. In reconfigurable metasurfaces, artificial meta-atoms are composed of active devices and passive structures combined together. However, these two modules are usually utilized as a whole due to the tight coupling of the active devices and the passive structures, which results in passive structures not receiving sufficient attention and being utilized as independent degrees of freedom. In this article, we propose the concept of weakly coupled reconfigurable metasurfaces in transmissive systems, enabling independent control of active and passive modules through weak coupling. As the proof of concept, a simple weakly coupled system is proposed, which can realize the transmission wavefront engineering through the geometric changes of meta-structures in passive mode, while achieving switching between transmission and reflection states in active mode, respectively. Our exploration lies in making use of the physical structure, which is easily neglected in traditional reconfigurable metasurface design, emphasizing the collaborative work of active and passive modules, exploring more available variables within the same aperture, and providing a potential solution for balancing functionality and resource consumption in practical applications.
Integrated spatial-temporal random speckle spectrometer with high resolution in the C-band
Authors: Xu Shibo , Zhang Jiahui , Cheng Junwei , Dong Jianji
Published: May 2024

The increasing demand for diverse portable high-precision spectral analysis applications has driven the rapid development of spectrometer miniaturization. However, the resolutions of existing miniaturized spectrometers mostly remain at the nanometer level, posing a challenge for further enhancement towards achieving picometer-level precision. Here, we propose an integrated reconstructive spectrometer that utilizes Mach–Zehnder interferometers and a tunable diffraction network. Through random tuning in the time domain and disordered diffraction in the space domain, the random speckle patterns closely related to wavelength information are obtained to construct the transmission matrix. Experimentally, we achieve a high resolution of 100 pm and precisely reconstruct multiple narrowband and broadband spectra. Moreover, the proposed spectrometer features a simple structure, strong portability, and fast sampling speed, which has great potential in the practical application of high-precision portable spectral analysis.
Fourier-domain-compressed optical time-stretch quantitative phase imaging flow cytometry
Authors: Li Rubing , Weng Yueyun , Wei Shubin , Lin Siyuan , Huang Jin , Song Congkuan , Shen Hui , Hou Jinxuan , Xu Yu , Mei Liye , Wang Du , Zou Yujie , Yin Tailang , Zhou Fuling , Geng Qing , Liu Sheng , Lei Cheng
Published: May 2024

Optical time-stretch (OTS) imaging flow cytometry offers a promising solution for high-throughput and high-precision cell analysis due to its capabilities of high-speed, high-quality, and continuous imaging. Compressed sensing (CS) makes it practically applicable by significantly reducing the data volume while maintaining its high-speed and high-quality imaging properties. To enrich the information of the images acquired with CS-equipped OTS imaging flow cytometry, in this work we propose and experimentally demonstrate Fourier-domain-compressed OTS quantitative phase imaging flow cytometry. It is capable of acquiring intensity and quantitative phase images of cells simultaneously from the compressed data. To evaluate the performance of our method, static microparticles and a corn root cross section are experimentally measured under various compression ratios. Furthermore, to show how our method can be applied in practice, we utilize it in the drug response analysis of breast cancer cells. Experimental results show that our method can acquire high-quality intensity and quantitative phase images of flowing cells at a flowing speed of 1 m/s and a compression ratio of 30%. Combined with machine-learning-based image analysis, it can distinguish drug-treated and drug-untreated cells with an accuracy of over 95%. We believe our method can facilitate cell analysis in both scientific research and clinical settings where both high-throughput and high-content cell analysis is required.
Scuphr: A probabilistic framework for cell lineage tree reconstruction
Authors: Koptagel Hazal , Jun Seong-Hwan , Hård Joanna , Lagergren Jens
Published: May 2024

Cell lineage tree reconstruction methods are developed for various tasks, such as investigating the development, differentiation, and cancer progression. Single-cell sequencing technologies enable more thorough analysis with higher resolution. We present Scuphr, a distance-based cell lineage tree reconstruction method using bulk and single-cell DNA sequencing data from healthy tissues. Common challenges of single-cell DNA sequencing, such as allelic dropouts and amplification errors, are included in Scuphr. Scuphr computes the distance between cell pairs and reconstructs the lineage tree using the neighbor-joining algorithm. With its embarrassingly parallel design, Scuphr can do faster analysis than the state-of-the-art methods while obtaining better accuracy. The method’s robustness is investigated using various synthetic datasets and a biological dataset of 18 cells.
Development and preliminary testing of Health Equity Across the AI Lifecycle (HEAAL): A framework for healthcare delivery organizations to mitigate the risk of AI solutions worsening health inequities
Authors: Kim Jee Young , Hasan Alifia , Kellogg Katherine C. , Ratliff William , Murray Sara G. , Suresh Harini , Valladares Alexandra , Shaw Keo , Tobey Danny , Vidal David E. , Lifson Mark A. , Patel Manesh , Raji Inioluwa Deborah , Gao Michael , Knechtle William , Tang Linda , Balu Suresh , Sendak Mark P.
Published: May 2024

The use of data-driven technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) is growing in healthcare. However, the proliferation of healthcare AI tools has outpaced regulatory frameworks, accountability measures, and governance standards to ensure safe, effective, and equitable use. To address these gaps and tackle a common challenge faced by healthcare delivery organizations, a case-based workshop was organized, and a framework was developed to evaluate the potential impact of implementing an AI solution on health equity. The Health Equity Across the AI Lifecycle (HEAAL) is co-designed with extensive engagement of clinical, operational, technical, and regulatory leaders across healthcare delivery organizations and ecosystem partners in the US. It assesses 5 equity assessment domains–accountability, fairness, fitness for purpose, reliability and validity, and transparency–across the span of eight key decision points in the AI adoption lifecycle. It is a process-oriented framework containing 37 step-by-step procedures for evaluating an existing AI solution and 34 procedures for evaluating a new AI solution in total. Within each procedure, it identifies relevant key stakeholders and data sources used to conduct the procedure. HEAAL guides how healthcare delivery organizations may mitigate the potential risk of AI solutions worsening health inequities. It also informs how much resources and support are required to assess the potential impact of AI solutions on health inequities.
LRK-1/LRRK2 and AP-3 regulate trafficking of synaptic vesicle precursors through active zone protein SYD-2/Liprin-α
Authors: Nadiminti Sravanthi S. P. , Dixit Shirley B. , Ratnakaran Neena , Deb Anushka , Hegde Sneha , Boyanapalli Sri Padma Priya , Swords Sierra , Grant Barth D. , Koushika Sandhya P.
Published: May 2024

Synaptic vesicle proteins (SVps) are transported by the motor UNC-104/KIF1A. We show that SVps travel in heterogeneous carriers in C. elegans neuronal processes, with some SVp carriers co-transporting lysosomal proteins (SV-lysosomes). LRK-1/LRRK2 and the clathrin adaptor protein complex AP-3 play a critical role in the sorting of SVps and lysosomal proteins away from each other at the SV-lysosomal intermediate trafficking compartment. Both SVp carriers lacking lysosomal proteins and SV-lysosomes are dependent on the motor UNC-104/KIF1A for their transport. In lrk-1 mutants, both SVp carriers and SV-lysosomes can travel in axons in the absence of UNC-104, suggesting that LRK-1 plays an important role to enable UNC-104 dependent transport of synaptic vesicle proteins. Additionally, LRK-1 acts upstream of the AP-3 complex and regulates its membrane localization. In the absence of the AP-3 complex, the SV-lysosomes become more dependent on the UNC-104-SYD-2/Liprin-α complex for their transport. Therefore, SYD-2 acts to link upstream trafficking events with the transport of SVps likely through its interaction with the motor UNC-104. We further show that the mistrafficking of SVps into the dendrite in lrk-1 and apb-3 mutants depends on SYD-2, likely by regulating the recruitment of the AP-1/UNC-101. SYD-2 acts in concert with AP complexes to ensure polarized trafficking & transport of SVps.
Seroprevalence and molecular characterization of viral hepatitis and HIV co-infection in the Central African Republic
Authors: Basimane-Bisimwa Parvine , Koyaweda Giscard Wilfried , Ngaïganam Edgarthe , Vickos Ulrich , Sibiro Ornella Anne Demi , Yambiyo Brice Martial , Sombié Benjamin Seydou , Pélembi Pulchérie , Moussa Sandrine , Bekondi Claudine , Giles-Vernick Tamara , Manirakiza Alexandre , Vray Muriel , Komas Narcisse Patrice Joseph
Published: May 2024

Background

The Central African Republic (CAR) is one of the countries with the highest prevalence of viral hepatitis infection in the world. Coinfection with HIV increases the morbidity and mortality beyond that of mono-infection with either hepatitis or HIV. The present study describes the geographic distribution of viral hepatitis infections and molecular characterization of these viruses in the CAR.

Methodology

Out of 12,599 persons enrolled during the fourth Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey of 2010 in the CAR, 10,621 Dried Blood Spot (DBS) samples were obtained and stored at -20°C. Of these DBS, 4,317 samples were randomly selected to represent all regions of the CAR. Serological tests for hepatitis B, D, and C viruses were performed using the ELISA technique. Molecular characterization was performed to identify strains.

Results

Of the 4,317 samples included, 53.2% were from men and 46.8% from women. The HBsAg prevalence among participants was 12.9% and that HBc-Ab was 19.7%. The overall prevalence of HCV was 0.6%. Co-infection of HIV/HBV was 1.1% and that of HBV/HDV was 16.6%. A total of 77 HBV, 6 HIV, and 6 HDV strains were successfully sequenced, with 72 HBV (93.5%) strains belonging to genotype E and 5 (6.5%) strains belonging to genotype D. The 6 HDV strains all belonged to clade 1, while 4 recombinants subtype were identified among the 6 strains of HIV.

Conclusion

Our study found a high prevalence of HBV, HBV/HDV and HBV/HIV co-infection, but a low prevalence of HCV. CAR remains an area of high HBV endemicity. This study’s data and analyses would be useful for establishing an integrated viral hepatitis and HIV surveillance program in the CAR.
The patient safety curriculum: An interventional study on the effectiveness of patient safety education for Jordanian nursing students
Authors: Al-Nawafleh Ahmad H. , Musleh Sultan , Nawafleh Nofal
Published: May 2024

Introduction

The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) patient safety curriculum (PSC) in improving the patient safety education for nursing students in Jordanian higher education programmes.

Methods

An interventional design adopting a pre-test and post-test was used. A questionnaire survey was administered to 373 nursing students before and after the curriculum. Students were asked to complete pre-test and post-test questionnaires on self-awareness of patient safety.

Results

Students had moderate knowledge of factors that influence patient safety and scored as the highest, (mean 3.45, SD 0.94). The greatest improvement was in the role of the health organisation in error reporting (the mean difference was 0.97, P = 0.001). Taking into consideration the essential measurements, the results obtained after the post-test regarding the two patient safety topics showed a significant increase after completing the training, demonstrating that the patient safety course was effective.

Conclusion

The study highlights the importance of developing a curriculum in nursing schools that incorporates patient safety education. The WHO PSC guide can be a great start in this domain.
Impact of R&D innovation and political background on corporate growth: A study based on private listed companies in China
Authors: Kong Xiangde , Chen Hongan , Wu Peng , Ma Ran , Pan Fei
Published: May 2024

Based on a review of related concepts and theories this study investigates the different impacts of research and development (R&D) innovation and political background on corporate growth in a particular context. Unlike other studies, we integrate these two factors. We empirically analyze 6079 sets of data from 1292 A-share private manufacturing enterprises in Shanghai and Shenzhen from 2012 to 2019. The results show that these factors directly impact corporate growth and have heterogeneous effects at different enterprise growth levels. We find the effect of R&D innovation on corporate growth is more pronounced for young firms. These findings highlight the need for firms to adjust their investments in R&D innovation and political backgrounds at different stages of development to adapt to different markets and political environments.
Conditional independence as a statistical assessment of evidence integration processes
Authors: Salinas Emilio , Stanford Terrence R.
Published: May 2024

Intuitively, combining multiple sources of evidence should lead to more accurate decisions than considering single sources of evidence individually. In practice, however, the proper computation may be difficult, or may require additional data that are inaccessible. Here, based on the concept of conditional independence, we consider expressions that can serve either as recipes for integrating evidence based on limited data, or as statistical benchmarks for characterizing evidence integration processes. Consider three events, A, B, and C. We find that, if A and B are conditionally independent with respect to C, then the probability that C occurs given that both A and B are known, P(C|A, B), can be easily calculated without the need to measure the full three-way dependency between A, B, and C. This simplified approach can be used in two general ways: to generate predictions by combining multiple (conditionally independent) sources of evidence, or to test whether separate sources of evidence are functionally independent of each other. These applications are demonstrated with four computer-simulated examples, which include detecting a disease based on repeated diagnostic testing, inferring biological age based on multiple biomarkers of aging, discriminating two spatial locations based on multiple cue stimuli (multisensory integration), and examining how behavioral performance in a visual search task depends on selection histories. Besides providing a sound prescription for predicting outcomes, this methodology may be useful for analyzing experimental data of many types.
TPP1 is associated with risk of advanced precursors and cervical cancer survival
Authors: Wang Qiao-Li , Gong Caifeng , Meng Xiang-Yu , Fu Min , Yang Hui , Zhou Fuxiang , Wu Qiuji , Zhou Yunfeng
Published: May 2024

It is unclear how telomere-binding protein TPP1 interacts with human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and influences cervical cancer development and progression. This study included all eligible 156 cervical cancers diagnosed during 2003–2008 and followed up through 2014, 102 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) patients, and 16 participants with normal cervix identified at the same period. Correlation of expression of TPP1 and hTERT in these lesions was assessed using Kappa statistics. TPP1 was knocked down by siRNA in three cervical cancer cell lines. We assessed mRNA expression using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and protein expression using tissue microarray-based immunohistochemical staining. We further analyzed the impact of TPP1 expression on the overall survival of cervical cancer patients by calculating the hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using the multivariable-adjusted Cox regression model. Compared to the normal cervix, high TPP1expression was significantly associated with CIN 3 and cervical cancers (P<0.001 for both). Expressions of TPP1 and hTERT were highly correlated in CIN 3 (Kappa statistics = 0.50, P = 0.005), squamous cell carcinoma (Kappa statistics = 0.22, P = 0.011), and adenocarcinoma/adenosquamous carcinoma (Kappa statistics = 0.77, P = 0.001). Mechanistically, knockdown of TPP1 inhibited the expression of hTERT in both mRNA and protein levels. High expression of TPP1 (HR = 2.61, 95% CI 1.23–5.51) and co-high expression of TPP1 and hTERT (HR = 2.38, 95% CI 1.28–4.43) were independently associated with worse survival in cervical cancer patients. TPP1 and hTERT expression was correlated and high expression of TPP1 was associated with high risk of CIN 3 and cervical cancer and could predict a worse survival in cervical cancer.
Tissue culture and Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of the oil crop sunflower
Authors: Chen Fangyuan , Zeng Youling , Cheng Quan , Xiao Lvting , Ji Jieyun , Hou Xianfei , Huang Qixiu , Lei Zhonghua
Published: May 2024

Sunflower is one of the four major oil crops in the world. ‘Zaoaidatou’ (ZADT), the main variety of oil sunflower in the northwest of China, has a short growth cycle, high yield, and high resistance to abiotic stress. However, the ability to tolerate adervesity is limited. Therefore, in this study, we used the retention line of backbone parent ZADT as material to establish its tissue culture and genetic transformation system for new variety cultivating to enhance resistance and yields by molecular breeding. The combination of 0.05 mg/L IAA and 2 mg/L KT in MS was more suitable for direct induction of adventitious buds with cotyledon nodes and the addition of 0.9 mg/L IBA to MS was for adventitious rooting. On this basis, an efficient Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation system for ZADT was developed by the screening of kanamycin and optimization of transformation conditions. The rate of positive seedlings reached 8.0%, as determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), under the condition of 45 mg/L kanamycin, bacterial density of OD600 0.8, infection time of 30 min, and co-cultivation of three days. These efficient regeneration and genetic transformation platforms are very useful for accelerating the molecular breeding process on sunflower.