bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transform-based phase retrieval techniques from a single off-axis interferogram
Authors: Chandraprasad T Bagath , Vayalamkuzhi Pramitha , Bhattacharya Shanti
Published: June 2021

Optical phase retrieval (OPR) methods are important because they are
used to obtain the transverse phase profile information of a beam.
Interference methods are extensively used to convert the phase
information into an intensity pattern, which can then be processed
further to retrieve the unknown phase. The most widely used
interference method involves the interference of the unknown object
beam and a known reference beam with an angle between them. There are
several algorithms that retrieve the phase information from such a
single off-axis interference pattern. For a particular application,
the choice of an algorithm for OPR is very important. Therefore, it is
necessary to choose between them, depending on the requirements. Three
entirely different noniterative, transform-based algorithms, namely
the Fourier transform (FT) method, the continuous wavelet transform
(CWT) method, and the Hilbert transform (HT) method, are explained in
detail. A quantitative comparison is made using a combination of rms
error and standard structural similarity measure. The advantages of
using a standard unwrapping algorithm are also validated using the
same combination of comparison metrics. We show that the HT method has
a better response with object beam with higher spatial frequency
content, but with the penalty of affected noise. The FT method and CWT
method have better noise immunity, but have the limitation of the
spatial frequency range of the object beam. The different constraints,
advantages, and some practical limitations of the methods are
discussed with the help of a quantitative phase imaging experiment of
monodispersed polymethyl methacrylate beads.
Minimizing OCT quantification error via a surface-tracking imaging probe
Authors: Park Hyeon-Cheol , Li Ang , Guan Honghua , Bettegowda Chetan , Chaichana Kaisorn , Quiñones-Hinojosa Alfredo , Li Xingde
Published: June 2021

OCT-based quantitative tissue optical properties imaging is a promising technique for intraoperative brain cancer assessment. The attenuation coefficient analysis relies on the depth-dependent OCT intensity profile, thus sensitive to tissue surface positions relative to the imaging beam focus. However, it is almost impossible to maintain a steady tissue surface during intraoperative imaging due to the patient’s arterial pulsation and breathing, the operator’s motion, and the complex tissue surface geometry of the surgical cavity. In this work, we developed an intraoperative OCT imaging probe with a surface-tracking function to minimize the quantification errors in optical attenuation due to the tissue surface position variations. A compact OCT imaging probe was designed and engineered to have a long working distance of ∼ 41 mm and a large field of view of 4 × 4 mm2 while keeping the probe diameter small (9 mm) to maximize clinical versatility. A piezo-based linear motor was integrated with the imaging probe and controlled based upon real-time feedback of tissue surface position inferred from OCT images. A GPU-assisted parallel processing algorithm was implemented, enabling detection and tracking of tissue surface in real-time and successfully suppressing more than 90% of the typical physiologically induced motion range. The surface-tracking intraoperative OCT imaging probe could maintain a steady beam focus inside the target tissue regardless of the surface geometry or physiological motions and enabled to obtain tissue optical attenuation reliably for assessing brain cancer margins in challenging intraoperative settings.
Resolution acuity and spatial summation of chromatic mechanisms in the peripheral retina
Authors: Zlatkova Margarita B. , Racheva Kalina , Totev Tsvetalin , Mihaylova Milena , Hristov Ivan , Anderson Roger S.
Published: June 2021

Green stimuli are more difficult to detect than red stimuli in the retinal periphery, as reported previously. We examined the spatial characteristics of chromatic mechanisms using stimuli, modulated from an achromatic background to each pole of the “red–green” cardinal axis in DKL space at 20 deg eccentricity. The “blue–yellow” cardinal axis was also studied for comparison. By measuring both grating discrimination at the resolution limit (resolution acuity) and spatial summation, assessed by the Michaelis–Menten function, we demonstrated a marked “red–green” asymmetry. The resolution acuity was worse and spatial summation more extended for “green” compared to “red” stimuli, while showing significant individual variations. Ricco’s area was also measured, but not determined for “green” spots because of the poor small stimuli detection. These results cannot be explained by differences in L- and M-cone numerosity and/or spatial arrangement, but rather have postreceptoral origin, probably at the cortical level.
Direct solution of the volume integral equation for electromagnetic scattering from dielectric objects with negative permittivity
Authors: Deng A-Li , Zhang Li-Ming
Published: June 2021

In this paper, electromagnetic scattering from dielectric objects with negative permittivity is solved by the volume integral equation (VIE)–hierarchical matrix (

H

-matrix)-based fast direct solver. To improve solution efficiency, a coarsening algorithm for the

H

-matrix is used, and the key parameter for the admissible condition is optimized through numerical experiments. Finally, the discontinuous Galerkin (DG) VIE (DGVIE) method is developed for the fast direct solver. It is shown that scattering from inhomogeneous dielectric objects with negative permittivity and with multiscale structure can be analyzed efficiently by the DGVIE–

H

-matrix-based fast direct solver.
Polarization of light scattered by a two-dimensional array of dielectric spherical particles
Authors: Loiko N. A. , Miskevich A. A. , Loiko V. A.
Published: June 2021

The polarization state of light scattered by a two-dimensional array of spherical particles is considered based on the statistical approach. The impact of filling factor, particle size, and the type of their spatial order is analyzed for arrays of silicon and silica scatterers. The conditions are formulated to suppress the

p

and

s

components of light specularly reflected by the array of any size and concentration of particles. It is shown that at an angle of suppression of the coherent component of the reflected wave, its incoherent component is also suppressed.
Optimizing metal grating back reflectors for III-V-on-silicon multijunction solar cells
Authors: Tillmann Peter , Bläsi Benedikt , Burger Sven , Hammerschmidt Martin , Höhn Oliver , Becker Christiane , Jäger Klaus
Published: June 2021

Multi-junction solar cells allow to utilize sunlight more effectively than single junction solar cells. In this work, we present optical simulations of III-V-on-silicon solar cells with a metal grating at the back, which experimentally have reached more than 33% power conversion efficiency. First, we perform simulations with the finite element method and compare them with experimental data to validate our model. We find that accurately modeling the investigated geometrical structure is necessary for best agreement between simulation and experimental measurements. Then, we optimize the grating for maximized light trapping using a computationally efficient Bayesian optimization algorithm. The photo current density of the limiting silicon bottom cell is improved from 13.48 mA/cm2 for the experimental grating to 13.85 mA/cm2 for the optimized metal grating. Investigation of all geometrical optimization parameters of the grating (period, height,…) shows that the structure is most sensitive towards the period, a parameter highly controllable in manufacturing by inference lithography. The results show a pathway to exceed the current world record efficiency of the III-V-on-silicon solar cell technology.
Plasmonic gold nanojets fabricated by a femtosecond laser irradiation
Authors: Guo Yujia , Zhang Kaixin , Zhang Ming , Chai Yingjie , Du Ying , Hu Guohang
Published: June 2021

Gold nanojets with various morphologies, from nanopillar to nanotip with up to 800 nm height, and finally to nanotip with droplet, are fabricated on gold thin film by a femtosecond laser irradiation. The near-field localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and photothermal effects of gold nanojets are studied through finite element electromagnetic (EM) analysis, supporting in nanojets design for potential applications of high-resolution imaging, nanomanipulation and sensing. For an individual nanotip, the confined electron oscillations in LSPR lead to an intense local EM field up to three orders of magnitude stronger than the incident field strength at the end of gold tip, where the vertical resolution for the field enhancement was improved down to nanoscale due to the small size of the sharp gold tip (5-nm-radius). At specific wavelength, nanopillar can serve as an effective light-to-heat converter and its heating can be fine-tuned by external irradiation, and its dimension. The long-range periodic nanojet arrays (periods from 1.5 µm to 2.5 µm) with different geometry were printed using several pulse energy levels. By confining more light into the tip (two orders of magnitude stronger than single tip), nanotip array shows more pronounced potential to serve as a refractometric sensor due to their high sensitivity and reproducibility. These results promote fs laser printing as a high-precision tool for nanoarchitecture in optical imaging, nanomanipulation and sensing application.
Caustic Interpretation of the Abruptly Autofocusing Vortex beams
Authors: Xiao Na , Xie Chen , Jia Erse , Li Jiaying , Giust Remo , Courvoisier François , Hu Minglie
Published: June 2021

We propose an effective scheme to interpret the abruptly autofocusing vortex beam. In our scheme, a set of analytical formulae are deduced to well predict not only the global caustic, before and after the focal plane, but also the focusing properties of the abruptly autofocusing vortex beam, including the axial position as well as the diameter of focal ring. Our analytical results are in excellent agreement with both numerical simulation and experimental results. Besides, we apply our analytical technique to the fine manipulation of the focusing properties with a scaling factor. This set of methods would be beneficial to a broad range of applications such as particle trapping and micromachinings.
Chromatic dispersion equalization FIR filter design based on discrete least-squares approximation
Authors: Wang Dawei , Jiang Hao , Liang Guowei , Zhan Qianxin , Su Zikang , Li Zhaohui
Published: June 2021

Chromatic dispersion (CD) equalization is one of the core tasks of the digital signal processing (DSP) chain in modern optical coherent receivers. A conventional impulse-invariant method for designing the CD equalization filter is revisited, improved by proper weighting, and reinterpreted as a Fourier series. To improve upon a direct evaluation of the passband least-squares (LS) approximation, we propose to design a CD equalization finite impulse response (FIR) filter based on a discrete LS approximation. The proposed method avoids numerical evaluation of nontrivial functions and relies only on Fourier transform. Its flexibility is corroborated by a filter design demonstration of joint matched filtering and CD equalization.
Highly efficient terahertz photoconductive metasurface detectors operating at microwatt-level gate powers
Authors: Hale Lucy L. , Harris C. Thomas , Luk Ting Shan , Addamane Sadhvikas J. , Reno John L. , Brener Igal , Mitrofanov Oleg
Published: June 2021

Despite their wide use in terahertz (THz) research and technology, the application spectra of photoconductive antenna (PCA) THz detectors are severely limited due to the relatively high optical gating power requirement. This originates from poor conversion efficiency of optical gate beam photons to photocurrent in materials with sub-picosecond carrier lifetimes. Here we show that using an ultra-thin (160 nm), perfectly absorbing low-temperature grown GaAs metasurface as the photoconductive channel drastically improves the efficiency of THz PCA detectors. This is achieved through perfect absorption of the gate beam in a significantly reduced photoconductive volume, enabled by the metasurface. This Letter demonstrates that sensitive THz PCA detection is possible using optical gate powers as low as 5 µW—three orders of magnitude lower than gating powers used for conventional PCA detectors. We show that significantly higher optical gate powers are not necessary for optimal operation, as they do not improve the sensitivity to the THz field. This class of efficient PCA THz detectors opens doors for THz applications with low gate power requirements.
Room temperature mid-infrared fiber lasing beyond 5  µm in chalcogenide glass small-core step index fiber
Authors: Nunes J. J. , Sojka Ł. , Crane R. W. , Furniss D. , Tang Z. Q. , Mabwa D. , Xiao B. , Benson T. M. , Farries M. , Kalfagiannis N. , Barney E. , Phang S. , Seddon A. B. , Sujecki S.
Published: June 2021

This Letter, to the best of our knowledge, reports mid-infrared fiber lasing beyond 5 µm at room temperature for the first time,

C
e

3
+

-doped, chalcogenide glass, step index fiber employed in-band pumping with a 4.15 µm quantum cascade laser. The lasing fiber is was 64 mm long, with a calculated numerical aperture of 0.48 at the lasing wavelengths. The core glass was

G
e

15

A
s

21

G
a

1

S
e

63

atomic % (at. %), doped with 500 parts-per-million-by-weight Ce, with a 9 µm core diameter. The cladding glass was

G
e

21

S
b

10

S
e

69

at. % with a 190 µm outer diameter. As pump power increases continuous wave lasing corresponding to the

2

F

7

/

2

→
2

F

5

/

2

, transition in the

C
e

3
+

ion occurs at 5.14 µm, 5.17 µm, and 5.28 µm.
Dual-band electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) terahertz metamaterial sensor
Authors: Zhu Lei , Li Haodong , Dong Liang , Zhou Wenjuan , Rong Miaoxin , Zhang Xiaozhou , Guo Jing
Published: June 2021

We propose a dual-band terahertz metamaterial sensor (MS), which exhibits the low loss and high quality (Q) factor of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) effects at the frequencies of 0.89 THz and 1.56 THz simultaneously. The physical natures of EIT effects are analyzed by using numerical simulations and a “two particle” model. Further, THz sensing is performed based on the shifts of two EIT resonances when the analyte is coated at the metamaterial surface. The sensitivities of the sensor are investigated with respect to different thicknesses, cover areas and refractive indexes of the coated analyte film. Results show that the first EIT resonance is suitable for sensing the analyte with the refractive index from 1.5 to 2, while the second EIT resonance is more suitable for sensing the refractive index of the analyte from 1 to 1.5. The sensitivity is 280.8 GHz/RIU, the average Q value is 14.3, and the figure of merit (FOM) value is 4 for the first EIT resonance. Meanwhile, the sensitivity is 201.6 GHz/RIU, the average Q value is 56.9, and the FOM value is 11.5 for the second EIT resonance. Such a metamaterial sensor with high refractive index sensitivity and dual-band would have great potentials for promoting the developments of multi-band/broadband terahertz sensing and detection technology.
Unsupervised logic-based mechanism inference for network-driven biological processes
Authors: Prugger Martina , Einkemmer Lukas , Beik Samantha P. , Wasdin Perry T. , Harris Leonard A. , Lopez Carlos F.
Published: June 2021

Modern analytical techniques enable researchers to collect data about cellular states, before and after perturbations. These states can be characterized using analytical techniques, but the inference of regulatory interactions that explain and predict changes in these states remains a challenge. Here we present a generalizable, unsupervised approach to generate parameter-free, logic-based models of cellular processes, described by multiple discrete states. Our algorithm employs a Hamming-distance based approach to formulate, test, and identify optimized logic rules that link two states. Our approach comprises two steps. First, a model with no prior knowledge except for the mapping between initial and attractor states is built. We then employ biological constraints to improve model fidelity. Our algorithm automatically recovers the relevant dynamics for the explored models and recapitulates key aspects of the biochemical species concentration dynamics in the original model. We present the advantages and limitations of our work and discuss how our approach could be used to infer logic-based mechanisms of signaling, gene-regulatory, or other input-output processes describable by the Boolean formalism.
Novelty is not surprise: Human exploratory and adaptive behavior in sequential decision-making
Authors: Xu He A. , Modirshanechi Alireza , Lehmann Marco P. , Gerstner Wulfram , Herzog Michael H.
Published: June 2021

Classic reinforcement learning (RL) theories cannot explain human behavior in the absence of external reward or when the environment changes. Here, we employ a deep sequential decision-making paradigm with sparse reward and abrupt environmental changes. To explain the behavior of human participants in these environments, we show that RL theories need to include surprise and novelty, each with a distinct role. While novelty drives exploration before the first encounter of a reward, surprise increases the rate of learning of a world-model as well as of model-free action-values. Even though the world-model is available for model-based RL, we find that human decisions are dominated by model-free action choices. The world-model is only marginally used for planning, but it is important to detect surprising events. Our theory predicts human action choices with high probability and allows us to dissociate surprise, novelty, and reward in EEG signals.
Patterns of recent natural selection on genetic loci associated with sexually differentiated human body size and shape phenotypes
Authors: Arner Audrey M. , Grogan Kathleen E. , Grabowski Mark , Reyes-Centeno Hugo , Perry George H.
Published: June 2021

Levels of sex differences for human body size and shape phenotypes are hypothesized to have adaptively reduced following the agricultural transition as part of an evolutionary response to relatively more equal divisions of labor and new technology adoption. In this study, we tested this hypothesis by studying genetic variants associated with five sexually differentiated human phenotypes: height, body mass, hip circumference, body fat percentage, and waist circumference. We first analyzed genome-wide association (GWAS) results for UK Biobank individuals (~194,000 females and ~167,000 males) to identify a total of 114,199 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with at least one of the studied phenotypes in females, males, or both sexes (P<5x10-8). From these loci we then identified 3,016 SNPs (2.6%) with significant differences in the strength of association between the female- and male-specific GWAS results at a low false-discovery rate (FDR<0.001). Genes with known roles in sexual differentiation are significantly enriched for co-localization with one or more of these SNPs versus SNPs associated with the phenotypes generally but not with sex differences (2.73-fold enrichment; permutation test; P = 0.0041). We also confirmed that the identified variants are disproportionately associated with greater phenotype effect sizes in the sex with the stronger association value. We then used the singleton density score statistic, which quantifies recent (within the last ~3,000 years; post-agriculture adoption in Britain) changes in the frequencies of alleles underlying polygenic traits, to identify a signature of recent positive selection on alleles associated with greater body fat percentage in females (permutation test; P = 0.0038; FDR = 0.0380), directionally opposite to that predicted by the sex differences reduction hypothesis. Otherwise, we found no evidence of positive selection for sex difference-associated alleles for any other trait. Overall, our results challenge the longstanding hypothesis that sex differences adaptively decreased following subsistence transitions from hunting and gathering to agriculture.
SNX-3 mediates retromer-independent tubular endosomal recycling by opposing EEA-1-facilitated trafficking
Authors: Tian Yangli , Kang Qiaoju , Shi Xuemeng , Wang Yuan , Zhang Nali , Ye Huan , Xu Qifeng , Xu Tao , Zhang Rongying
Published: June 2021

Early endosomes are the sorting hub on the endocytic pathway, wherein sorting nexins (SNXs) play important roles for formation of the distinct membranous microdomains with different sorting functions. Tubular endosomes mediate the recycling of clathrin-independent endocytic (CIE) cargoes back toward the plasma membrane. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the tubule formation is still poorly understood. Here we screened the effect on the ARF-6-associated CIE recycling endosomal tubules for all the SNX members in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). We identified SNX-3 as an essential factor for generation of the recycling tubules. The loss of SNX-3 abolishes the interconnected tubules in the intestine of C. elegans. Consequently, the surface and total protein levels of the recycling CIE protein hTAC are strongly decreased. Unexpectedly, depletion of the retromer components VPS-26/-29/-35 has no similar effect, implying that the retromer trimer is dispensable in this process. We determined that hTAC is captured by the ESCRT complex and transported into the lysosome for rapid degradation in snx-3 mutants. Interestingly, EEA-1 is increasingly recruited on early endosomes and localized to the hTAC-containing structures in snx-3 mutant intestines. We also showed that SNX3 and EEA1 compete with each other for binding to phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate enriching early endosomes in Hela cells. Our data demonstrate for the first time that PX domain-only C. elegans SNX-3 organizes the tubular endosomes for efficient recycling and retrieves the CIE cargo away from the maturing sorting endosomes by competing with EEA-1 for binding to the early endosomes. However, our results call into question how SNX-3 couples the cargo capture and membrane remodeling in the absence of the retromer trimer complex.
The human immune response to saliva of Phlebotomus alexandri, the vector of visceral leishmaniasis in Iraq, and its relationship to sand fly exposure and infection
Authors: Lakhal-Naouar Ines , Mukbel Rami , DeFraites Robert F. , Mody Rupal M. , Massoud Lina N. , Shaw Dutchabong , Co Edgie M. , Sherwood Jeffrey E. , Kamhawi Shaden , Aronson Naomi E.
Published: June 2021

Background

Sand fly saliva exposure plays an important role in immunity against leishmaniasis where it has mostly been associated with protection.Phlebotomus (Ph.) alexandritransmitsLeishmania (L.) infantum, the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), in Iraq. Our group recently demonstrated that 20% of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) deployers had asymptomatic VL (AVL) indicative of prior infection by the parasiteL.infantum. Little is known aboutPh.alexandrisaliva, and the human immune response to it has never been investigated. Here, we characterize the humoral and cellular immune response to vector saliva in OIF deployers naturally exposed to bites ofPh.alexandriand characterize their immunological profiles in association to AVL.

Methodology/Principal findings

The humoral response toPh.alexandrisalivary gland homogenate (SGH) showed that 64% of 200 OIF deployers developed an antibody response. To assess the cellular immune response to saliva, we selected a subcohort of subjects based on their post-travel (median 4 months; range 1–22 months) antibody response (SGH Antibody [Ab] positive or negative) as well as their AVL status; ten never-traveled controls were also included. Banked peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), collected ~10 years after end of deployment, were stimulated with SGH for 96 hours. The levels of IFN- γ, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13 and IL-17 were determined by ELISA. Our findings indicate that OIF deployers mounted a cellular response to SGH where the anti-SGH+ asymptomatic subjects developed the highest cytokine levels. Further, stimulation with SGH produced a mixture of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Contrary to our hypothesis, we observed no correlation between the cellular immune response toPh.alexandriSGH and prevention from asymptomatic infection withL.infantum.

Conclusions/Significance

As we found, although all infected deployers demonstrated persistent disease control years after deployment, this did not correlate with anti-saliva systemic cellular response. More exposure to this vector may facilitate transmission of theL.infantumparasite. Since exposure to saliva ofPh.alexandrimay alter the human immune response to bites of this vector, this parameter should be taken into consideration when considering the VL risk.
High incidence of asymptomatic cases during an outbreak of Plasmodium malariae in a remote village of Malaysian Borneo
Authors: Naserrudin Nurul Athirah , Abdul Aziz Emira Izzati , Aljet Erdie , Mangunji George , Tojo Bumpei , Jeffree Mohammad Saffree , Culleton Richard , Ahmed Kamruddin
Published: June 2021

An outbreak of Plasmodium malariae occurred in Sonsogon Paliu village in the remote area of Ulu Bengkoka sub-district of Kota Marudu, Northern Sabah, Malaysian Borneo from July through August 2019. This was the first outbreak of malaria in this village since 2014. On 11th July 2019 the Kota Kinabalu Public Health Laboratory notified the Kota Marudu District Health Office of a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) positive case of P. malariae. This index case was a male from Sulawesi, Indonesia working for a logging company operating in Sonsogon Paliu. During the resulting outbreak, a total of 14 symptomatic cases were detected. All of these cases were positive by thick and thin blood smear examination, and also by PCR. During the outbreak, a mass blood survey screening was performed by light-microscopy and PCR. A total of 94 asymptomatic villagers 31 (33.0%) were PCR positive but thick and thin blood smear negative for P. malariae. Both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases received treatment at the district hospital. When symptomatic and asymptomatic cases were considered together, males (29/45. 64.5%) were infected more than females (16/45, 35.6%), the male:female ratio being 1.8:1. Adults were the predominant age group infected (22/45, 48.9%) followed by adolescents (19/45, 42.2%) and children under five years of age (4/45, 8.9%). This report illustrates that symptomatic and submicroscopic cases pose a challenge during P. malariae outbreaks and that PCR is a valuable tool for their identification. The rapid identification and control of imported malaria is crucial for the continued control of malaria in Malaysia.
Epidemiological investigation and physician awareness regarding the diagnosis and management of Q fever in South Korea, 2011 to 2017
Authors: Kim Yong Chan , Jeong Hye Won , Kim Dong-Min , Huh Kyungmin , Choi Sang-Ho , Lee Hee Young , Jung Yunjung , Seong Yeol Jung , Kim Eun Jin , Choi Young Hwa , Heo Jung Yeon
Published: June 2021

Background

In South Korea, the number of Q fever cases has rapidly increased since 2015. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the epidemiological and clinical features of Q fever in South Korea between 2011 and 2017.

Methods/Principal findings

We analyzed the epidemiological investigations and reviewed the medical records from all hospitals that had reported at least one case of Q fever from 2011 to 2017. We also conducted an online survey to investigate physicians’ awareness regarding how to appropriately diagnose and manage Q fever. The nationwide incidence rate of Q fever was annually 0.07 cases per 100,000 persons. However, there has been a sharp increase in its incidence, reaching up to 0.19 cases per 100,000 persons in 2017. Q fever sporadically occurred across the country, with the highest incidences in Chungbuk (0.53 cases per 100,000 persons per year) and Chungnam (0.27 cases per 100,000 persons per year) areas. Patients with acute Q fever primarily presented with mild illnesses such as hepatitis (64.5%) and isolated febrile illness (24.0%), whereas those with chronic Q fever were likely to undergo surgery (41.2%) and had a high mortality rate (23.5%). Follow-up for 6 months after acute Q fever was performed by 24.0% of the physician respondents, and only 22.3% of them reported that clinical and serological evaluations were required after acute Q fever diagnosis.

Conclusions

Q fever is becoming an endemic disease in the midwestern area of South Korea. Given the clinical severity and mortality of chronic Q fever, physicians should be made aware of appropriate diagnosis and management strategies for Q fever.
Leveraging a health information exchange for analyses of COVID-19 outcomes including an example application using smoking history and mortality
Authors: Tortolero Guillermo A. , Brown Michael R. , Sharma Shreela V. , de Oliveira Otto Marcia C. , Yamal Jose-Miguel , Aguilar David , Gunther Matt D. , Mofleh Dania I. , Harris Rachel D. , John Jemima C. , de Vries Paul S. , Ramphul Ryan , Serbo Dritana Marko , Kiger Jennifer , Banerjee Deborah , Bonvino Nick , Merchant Angela , Clifford Warren , Mikhail Jenny , Xu Hua , Murphy Robert E. , Wei Qiang , Vahidy Farhaan S. , Morrison Alanna C. , Boerwinkle Eric
Published: June 2021

Understanding sociodemographic, behavioral, clinical, and laboratory risk factors in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 is critically important, and requires building large and diverse COVID-19 cohorts with both retrospective information and prospective follow-up. A large Health Information Exchange (HIE) in Southeast Texas, which assembles and shares electronic health information among providers to facilitate patient care, was leveraged to identify COVID-19 patients, create a cohort, and identify risk factors for both favorable and unfavorable outcomes. The initial sample consists of 8,874 COVID-19 patients ascertained from the pandemic’s onset to June 12th, 2020 and was created for the analyses shown here. We gathered demographic, lifestyle, laboratory, and clinical data from patient’s encounters across the healthcare system. Tobacco use history was examined as a potential risk factor for COVID-19 fatality along with age, gender, race/ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), and number of comorbidities. Of the 8,874 patients included in the cohort, 475 died from COVID-19. Of the 5,356 patients who had information on history of tobacco use, over 26% were current or former tobacco users. Multivariable logistic regression showed that the odds of COVID-19 fatality increased among those who were older (odds ratio = 1.07, 95% CI 1.06, 1.08), male (1.91, 95% CI 1.58, 2.31), and had a history of tobacco use (2.45, 95% CI 1.93, 3.11). History of tobacco use remained significantly associated (1.65, 95% CI 1.27, 2.13) with COVID-19 fatality after adjusting for age, gender, and race/ethnicity. This effort demonstrates the impact of having an HIE to rapidly identify a cohort, aggregate sociodemographic, behavioral, clinical and laboratory data across disparate healthcare providers electronic health record (HER) systems, and follow the cohort over time. These HIE capabilities enable clinical specialists and epidemiologists to conduct outcomes analyses during the current COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Tobacco use appears to be an important risk factor for COVID-19 related death.
Characterization of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome in Arizona from 2010-2017
Authors: Eaves Emery R. , Barber Jarrett , Whealy Ryann , Clancey Sara A. , Wright Rita , Cocking Jill Hager , Spadafino Joseph , Hepp Crystal M.
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we describe a population of mothers who are opioid dependent at the time of giving birth and neonates exposed to opioids in utero who experience withdrawal following birth. While there have been studies of national trends in this population, there remains a gap in studies of regional trends. Using data from the Arizona Department of Health Services Hospital Discharge Database, this study aimed to characterize the population of neonates with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) and mothers who were opioid dependent at the time of giving birth, in Arizona. We analyzed approximately 1.2 million electronic medical records from the Arizona Department of Health Services Hospital Discharge Database to identify patterns and disparities across socioeconomic, ethnic, racial, and/or geographic groupings. In addition, we identified comorbid conditions that are differentially associated with NOWS in neonates or opioid dependence in mothers. Our analysis was designed to assess whether indicators such as race/ethnicity, insurance payer, marital status, and comorbidities are related to the use of opioids while pregnant. Our findings suggest that women and neonates who are non-Hispanic White and economically disadvantaged, tend be part of our populations of interest more frequently than expected. Additionally, women who are opioid dependent at the time of giving birth are unmarried more often than expected, and we suggest that marital status could be a proxy for support. Finally, we identified comorbidities associated with neonates who have NOWS and mothers who are opioid dependent not previously reported.
Development of 50 InDel-based barcode system for genetic identification of tartary buckwheat resources
Authors: Sohn Hwang-Bae , Kim Su-Jeong , Hong Su-Young , Park Sin-Gi , Oh Dong-Ha , Lee Sunghoon , Nam Hwa Yeun , Nam Jung Hwan , Kim Yul-Ho
Published: June 2021

Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gartn.) is a highly functional crop that is poised to be the target of many future breeding efforts. The reliable ex situ conservation of various genetic resources is essential for the modern breeding of tartary buckwheat varieties. We developed PCR-based co-dominant insertion/deletion (InDel) markers to discriminate tartary buckwheat genetic resources. First, we obtained the whole genome from 26 accessions across a superscaffold-scale reference genome of 569.37 Mb for tartary buckwheat cv. “Daegwan 3–7.” Next, 171,926 homogeneous and 53,755 heterogeneous InDels were detected by comparing 26 accessions with the “Daegwan 3–7” reference sequence. Of these, 100 candidate InDels ranging from 5–20 bp in length were chosen for validation, and 50 of them revealed polymorphisms between the 26 accessions and “Daegwan 3–7.” The validated InDels were further tested through the assessment of their likelihood to give rise to a single or a few PCR products in 50 other accessions, covering most tartary buckwheat genome types. The major allele frequencies ranged from 0.5616 at the TB42 locus to 0.9863 at the TB48 locus, with the average PIC value of 0.1532 with a range of 0.0267–0.3712. To create a user-friendly system, the homology of the genotypes between and among the accessions were visualized in both one- (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) barcode types by comparing amplicon polymorphisms with the reference variety, “Daegwan 3–7.” A phylogenetic tree and population structure of the 76 accessions according to amplicon polymorphisms for the 50 InDel markers corresponded to those using non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism variants, indicating that the barcode system based on the 50 InDels was a useful tool to improve the reliability of identification of tartary buckwheat accessions in the germplasm stocks.
Comparative survival of cancer patients requiring Israeli permits to exit the Gaza Strip for health care: A retrospective cohort study from 2008 to 2017
Authors: Bouquet Benjamin , Barone-Adesi Francesco , Lafi Mohamed , Quanstrom Kathryn , Riccardi Federica , Doctor Henry , Shehada Walaa , Nassar Juliana , Issawi Sali , Daher Mahmoud , Rockenschaub Gerald , Rashidian Arash
Published: June 2021

Background

Gaza has been under land, sea, and aerial closure for 13 years, during which time Palestinian patients from Gaza have been required to obtain Israeli-issued permits to access health facilities in the West Bank (including east Jerusalem), as well as in Israel and Jordan. Specific groups, like cancer patients, have a high need for permits due to lack of services in Gaza. The approval rate for patient permits to exit Gaza dropped from 94% in 2012 to 54% in 2017. We aimed to assess the impact of access restrictions due to permit denials/delays on all-cause mortality for cancer patients from Gaza referred for chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

Methods

This study matched 17,072 permit applications for 3,816 cancer patients referred for chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2017 with referrals data for the same period and mortality data from 1 January 2008 to 30 June 2018. We carried out separate analyses by period of first application (2008–14; 2015–17), in light of varying access to Egypt during these times. Primary analysis compared survival of patients according to their first referral decision (approved versus denied/delayed) using Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression.

Findings

Mortality in patients unsuccessful in permit applications from 2015–17 was significantly higher than mortality among successful patients, with a hazard ratio of 1·45 (95% CI: 1·19–1·78, p<0.001), after adjusting for age, sex, type of procedure, and type of cancer. There was no significant difference in mortality risk for the two groups in the 2008–2014 period.

Interpretation

Limitations to patient access due to unsuccessful applications for permits to exit the Gaza Strip had a significant impact on mortality for cancer patients applying for chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy in the period 2015–17. The substantially higher number of annual unsuccessful permit applications from 2015, combined with severely limited alternatives to access chemotherapy and radiotherapy during these years, may be important factors to explain the difference in the impact of permits delays/denials between the two study periods.
Impact of medication therapy management service on selected clinical and humanistic outcomes in the ambulatory diabetes patients of Tikur Anbessa Specialist Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Negash Zenebe , Berha Alemseged Beyene , Shibeshi Workineh , Ahmed Abdurezak , Woldu Minyahil Alebachew , Engidawork Ephrem
Published: June 2021

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) patients are at increased risk of developing drug therapy problems (DTPs). The patients had a variety of comorbidities and complications, and they were given multiple medications. Medication therapy management (MTM) is a distinct service or group of services that optimize therapeutic outcomes for individual patients. The study assessed the impact of provision of MTM service on selected clinical and humanistic outcomes of diabetes patients at the diabetes mellitus clinic of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH).

Methods

A pre-post interventional study design was carried out at DM clinic from July 2018 to April 2019. The intervention package included identifying and resolving drug therapy problems, counseling patients in person at the clinic or through telephone calls, and providing educational materials for six months. This was followed by four months of post-intervention assessment of clinical outcomes, DTPs, and treatment satisfaction. The interventions were provided by pharmacist in collaboration with physician and nurse. The study included all adult patients who had been diagnosed for diabetes (both type I & II) and had been taking anti-diabetes medications for at least three months. Patients with gestational diabetes, those who decided to change their follow-up clinic, and those who refused to participate in the study were excluded. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics, t-test, and logistic regressions were performed for data analyses.

Results

Of the 423 enrolled patients, 409 fulfilled the criteria and included in the final data analysis. The intervention showed a decrease in average hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting blood sugar (FBS), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) by 0.92%, 25.04 mg/dl, and 6.62 mmHg, respectively (p<0.05). The prevalence of DTPs in the pre- and post-intervention of MTM services was found to be 72.9% and 26.2%, respectively (p<0.001). The overall mean score of treatment satisfaction was 90.1(SD, 11.04). Diabetes patients of age below 40 years (92.84 (SD, 9.54)), type-I DM (93.04 (SD, 9.75)) & being on one medication regimen (93.13(SD, 9.17)) had higher satisfaction score (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Provision of MTM service had a potential to reduce DTPs, improve the clinical parameters, and treatment satisfaction in the post-intervention compared to the pre-intervention phase.
Proof of concept for real-time detection of SARS CoV-2 infection with an electronic nose
Authors: Snitz Kobi , Andelman-Gur Michal , Pinchover Liron , Weissgross Reut , Weissbrod Aharon , Mishor Eva , Zoller Roni , Linetsky Vera , Medhanie Abebe , Shushan Sagit , Jaffe Eli , Sobel Noam
Published: June 2021

Rapid diagnosis is key to curtailing the Covid-19 pandemic. One path to such rapid diagnosis may rely on identifying volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by the infected body, or in other words, identifying the smell of the infection. Consistent with this rationale, dogs can use their nose to identify Covid-19 patients. Given the scale of the pandemic, however, animal deployment is a challenging solution. In contrast, electronic noses (eNoses) are machines aimed at mimicking animal olfaction, and these can be deployed at scale. To test the hypothesis that SARS CoV-2 infection is associated with a body-odor detectable by an eNose, we placed a generic eNose in-line at a drive-through testing station. We applied a deep learning classifier to the eNose measurements, and achieved real-time detection of SARS CoV-2 infection at a level significantly better than chance, for both symptomatic and non-symptomatic participants. This proof of concept with a generic eNose implies that an optimized eNose may allow effective real-time diagnosis, which would provide for extensive relief in the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sleep, evening light exposure and perceived stress in healthy nulliparous women in the third trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Liset Randi , Grønli Janne , Henriksen Roger E. , Henriksen Tone E. G. , Nilsen Roy M. , Pallesen Ståle
Published: June 2021

Objective

Sleep disturbances are common in pregnancy, and the prevalence increases during the third trimester. The aim of the present study was to assess sleep patterns, sleep behavior and prevalence of insomnia in pregnant women in the third trimester, by comparing them to a group of non-pregnant women. Further, how perceived stress and evening light exposure were linked to sleep characteristics among the pregnant women were examined.

Methods

A total of 61 healthy nulliparous pregnant women in beginning of the third trimester (recruited from 2017 to 2019), and 69 non-pregnant women (recruited in 2018) were included. Sleep was monitored by actigraphy, sleep diaries and the Bergen Insomnia Scale. The stress scales used were the Relationship Satisfaction Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale and the Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale. Total white light exposure three hours prior to bedtime were also assessed.

Results

The prevalence of insomnia among the pregnant women was 38%, with a mean score on the Bergen Insomnia Scale of 11.2 (SD = 7.5). The corresponding figures in the comparing group was 51% and 12.3 (SD = 7.7). The pregnant women reported lower sleep efficiency (mean difference 3.8; 95% CI = 0.3, 7.3), longer total sleep time derived from actigraphy (mean difference 59.0 minutes; 95% CI = 23.8, 94.2) and higher exposure to evening light (mean difference 0.7; 95% CI = 0.3, 1.2), compared to the non-pregnant group. The evening light exposure was inversely associated with total sleep time derived from actigraphy (B = -8.1; 95% CI = -14.7, -1.5), and an earlier midpoint of sleep (B = -10.3, 95% CI = -14.7, -5.9). Perceived stressors were unrelated to self-reported and actigraphy assessed sleep.

Conclusion

In healthy pregnant participants sleep in the third trimester was preserved quite well. Even so, the data suggest that evening light exposure was related to shorter sleep duration among pregnant women.
Traffic control and social distancing evidence from COVID-19 in China
Authors: Lin Shanlang , Lin Ruofei , Yan Na , Huang Junpei
Published: June 2021

We collected COVID-19 epidemiological and epidemic control measures-related data in mainland China during the period January 1 to February 19, 2020, and empirically tested the practical effects of the epidemic control measures implemented in China by applying the econometrics approach. The results show that nationally, both traffic control and social distancing have played an important role in controlling the outbreak of the epidemic, however, neither of the two measures have had a significant effect in low-risk areas. Moreover, the effect of traffic control is more successful than that of social distancing. Both measures complement each other, and their combined effect achieves even better results. These findings confirm the effectiveness of the measures currently in place in China, however, we would like to emphasize that control measures should be more tailored, which implemented according to each specific city’s situation, in order to achieve a better epidemic prevention and control.
Current use of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications and clinical characteristics of child and adolescent psychiatric outpatients prescribed multiple ADHD medications in Japan
Authors: Sasaki Yoshinori , Tsujii Noa , Sasaki Shouko , Sunakawa Hikaru , Toguchi Yusuke , Tanase Syuuichi , Saito Kiyoshi , Shinohara Rena , Kurokouchi Toshinari , Sugimoto Kaori , Itagaki Kotoe , Yoshida Yukino , Namekata Saori , Takahashi Momoka , Harada Ikuhiro , Hakosima Yuuki , Inazaki Kumi , Yoshimura Yuta , Mizumoto Yuki , Okada Takayuki , Usami Masahide
Published: June 2021

Background/aim

Patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) manifest symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and/or inattention. ADHD medications available in Japan are limited compared with those in Western countries. Prescribing status has not been sufficiently evaluated in clinical settings in Japan. This study investigated the current use of ADHD medications and characteristics of patients who received multiple ADHD medications in a clinical setting in Japan.

Methods

Study participants were those who visited the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Kohnodai Hospital between April 2015 and March 2020. We investigated patients who received osmotic-controlled release oral delivery system methylphenidate, atomoxetine, or guanfacine. A retrospective case–control design was used to evaluate the characteristics of patients who received multiple ADHD medications. Patients who were given three ADHD medications were defined as the case group. Randomly sampled sex- and age-matched patients diagnosed with ADHD were defined as the control group. We compared data for child-to-parent violence, antisocial behavior, suicide attempt or self-harm, abuse history, refusal to attend school, and two psychological rating scales (the ADHD-Rating Scale and Tokyo Autistic Behavior Scale).

Results

Among the 878 patients who were prescribed any ADHD medications, 43 (4.9%) received three ADHD medications. Logistic regression revealed that children with severe ADHD symptoms, autistic characteristics, or tendency of child-to-parent violence were more likely to have been prescribed three medications during their treatment.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest the approach to prevent the use of multiple ADHD medications. A prospective study to investigate the causality between prescribing status and clinical characteristics is warranted.