bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prosopographie de la parentèle féminine des chevaliers romains (PFCR)
Authors: Alvarez Melero Anthony
Published: November 2021

Se trata de una obra para la que se solicita su edición en formato online y descarga libre en red, con las habituales limitaciones de uso (no modificar, ni comercializar y hacer siempre referencia al autor y a la editorial cuando se haga uso de su contenido; dispone de una marca de agua digital, que se modificaría para incluir el logotipo de la EUS). Está ya maquetado en PDF con novedosas y muy operativas fórmulas de búsqueda e interactividad para facilitar y hacer más operativa y enriquecedora la búsqueda de información. La Prosopographie de la parentèle féminine des chevaliers romains, obra inédita, contiene un extraordinario banco de datos de todas las feminae emparentadas con miembros del orden ecuestre, con el tratamiento de 750 personajes que vivieron entre el siglo I a.C. y el siglo IV d.C. en un volumen de 1259 páginas. El objetivo es de facilitar al lector una ficha que describe las informaciones conservadas acerca de esas mujeres próceres, con el fin de entender los procesos de movilidad y promoción social, con los matrimonios, los sacerdocios y demás actividades públicas que realizaron (viajes, evergetismo).
A Fluid-Diffusion-Hybrid Limiting Approximation for Priority Systems with Fast and Slow Customers
Authors: Yu Lun , Iravani Seyed , Perry Ohad
Published: November 2021

The paper “Fluid-Diffusion-Hybrid (FDH) Approximation” proposes a new heavy-traffic asymptotic regime for a two-class priority system in which the high-priority customers require substantially larger service times than the low-priority customers. In the FDH limit, the high-priority queue is a diffusion, whereas the low-priority queue operates as a (random) fluid limit, whose dynamics are driven by the former diffusion. A characterizing property of our limit process is that, unlike other asymptotic regimes, a non-negligible proportion of the customers from both classes must wait for service. This property allows us to study the costs and benefits of de-pooling, and prove that a two-pool system is often the asymptotically optimal design of the system.
Activist Learners’ Creative Thinking Processes in Posing and Solving Geometry Problem
Authors: Ferdiani Rosita Dwi , Manuharawati Manuharawati , Khabibah Siti
Published: November 2021

This study aimed to describe the creative thinking process of students with active learning styles in proposing and solving problems on geometry material. The research instruments were Honey and Mumford's Learning Style Questionnaire (LSQ), problem-solving and submission test sheets, and interview guidelines. The LSQ questionnaire was distributed to students majoring in mathematics education at a university in Malang, Indonesia, with a total of 200 students. Students who have an active learning style and meet the specified criteria will be selected as research subjects. Based on research on creative thinking processes in proposing and solving problems in students with active learning styles, it was found that there were differences in behaviour between subject 1 and subject 2 at each stage of creative thinking. However, based on the researcher's observations of the behaviour of the two subjects at each stage of their thinking, there are similarities in behaviour, namely, they tend to be in a hurry to do something, prefer trial and error, and get ideas based on daily experience.
COVID-19 experience from an Intensive Treatment Unit (ITU) in London
Authors: Patil Gaurav Vinod , Ng Chi
Published: November 2021

This article will try to provide an insight into the CoViD – 19 situation in Barnet Hospital with regards to management of the hospital, disease pattern, ITU admission criteria & treatment plans, work pattern of doctors, staff safety, & a trainee doctor’s experience. Barnet Hospital is a District General Hospital (DGH) in North London, whereas, Chase Farm Hospital is an elective surgical Hospital in North East London.

Overall management
Barnet Hospital is a DGH with 450 beds which includes 2 wings of ITU consisting of 10 beds & 13 beds respectively. There are more than 100 confirmed cases, and they are increasing. During the emergency period, elective surgeries have been stopped. The only surgeries that are on are emergencies, trauma (directed to another dedicated trauma centre), cancer surgeries, and maternity. The high risk areas are Emergency dept., isolation wards (separate for confirmed cases and suspected cases), ITU, Theatres, & Maternity. These have been reasonably well stocked with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

ITU expansion plan
2 extra beds have been setup in ITU North wing. Theatre recovery has been converted to an 8 bedded ITU with anaesthetic machines as ventilators. A ward adjacent to ITU South wing has been converted to an ITU wing with 6 beds with anaesthesia machine ventilators. That has expanded the ITU capacity to 39. If more beds are needed, 3 out of 5 Operation Theatres and Anaesthetic rooms will be converted to 9 beds with anaesthesia machines as ventilators. Anaesthesia machines have been transported from Chase Farm Hospital.
There is also a plan to transfer acute patients, preferably with single organ failure, to other hospitals with less patient volume, and also a new facility (Nightingale Hospital, Excel Centre) with 4000 dedicated beds for CoViD-19 patients.

Diagnosis
Patients are coming in with a combination of any of the following symptoms : Fever, dry cough, sore throat, history of recent travel/contact, shortness of breath,
Technology: A Friend or Foe? Do Electronic Health Records Increase Burn Out Amongst Anaesthesiologists?
Authors: Ghodki Poonam S
Published: November 2021

3D total laparoscopic hysterectomy in progress under general anaesthesia; steep head low, everyone delighted to see the 3D picture on screen with the goggles including the anaesthesia resident. I enter the OT (needless to say that as a senior one has to supervise more than one OT at a time). The high-end Anaesthesia machine standing tall inside the OT with all the sophisticated monitoring gadgets. I look at the ventilatory pattern on monitor: etCO2 graph upsloping with a value of 42mm of Hg, airway pressure 26mm of Hg and rising! I ask a rhetoric question to my resident as to where his attention is and to my dismay, he expresses his dissatisfaction that the monitors neither give us alarms against rising etCO2 or airway pressure nor do they warn us about changing capnograph slopes!! I am appalled.
THROWBACK- Not long time ago when we were residents, we used our ‘educated hands’ to monitor the airway pressure with manual ventilation. Differential diagnosis of tight bag used to be one of the favourite questions seniors used to ask us during on-table teaching. We had no etCO2 monitor then (the mandatory minimum monitoring standard); leave alone the hi-tech ventilatory gadgets and associated airway gas monitoring. Sooner the educated hand was replaced by ventilator and arguments will continue whether to declare this as a loss of clinical skill; an unresolved riddle due to paucity of evidence. The least that I can say is with the hand on pulse and bag in hand, we used to ‘stay connected’ to the patient; with the technical advances this connection got lost.
Does this make the ventilator and the advances in monitoring evil?? Obviously not. The advances in science and technology are not only for our comfort but they also play a pivotal role in improving patient’s safety and offering better patient care. Over years surgery has advanced enormously and most of these developments are attributed to advances in the field of anaesthesia which has evolved itself from the Stone Age t
Three-dimensional diffusion coefficient measurement by a large depth-of-field rotating point spread function
Authors: Wang Famin , Li Hangfeng , Ji Lin , Zhao Mengyuan , Miu Xin , Zhang Yunhai , Huang Wei , Wei Tongda
Published: November 2021

A prominent challenge in single-molecule localization microscopy is the real-time, fast, and accurate localization of nano-objects moving in three-dimensional (3D) samples. A well-established method for 3D single-molecule localization is the double-helix pointspread-function (DH-PSF) engineering, which uses additional optical elements to make the PSF exhibit different rotation angles with different nanoparticle depths. However, the compact main lobe size, effective detection depth, and precise conversion between rotation angle and depth are necessary, posing challenges to the DH-PSF generation method. Here we generate a more compact DH-PSF using Fresnel-zone-based spiral phases, and the pure phase mask achieves high transmission efficiency. The final generated DH-PSFs have a linear rotation rate at each axial position, showing a more accurate rotation angle and depth conversion. The Cramer–Rao lower limit calculation results show that the axial depth of DH-PSF extends to

∼

11

µ

m

with an axial localization precision of

∼

45

n
m

at 3000 photons and average background noise of 15. We measured the diffusion coefficient of nanospheres in different concentrations of glycerol using the generated DH-PSF. The measured results are within 6% error from the theoretical values, indicating the superior performance of the DH-PSF for nanoparticle diffusion coefficient measurements.
Advanced mechanism of multiphysics fields tip enhancement induced with
varied laser power to fabricate pattern-transformable subdiffraction limit
nanostructures
Authors: Yin HaiLong , Dong Xiangyang , Wang Xuewen , Cui Jianlei , Wang Wenjun , Mei Xuesong
Published: November 2021

The nanofabrication platform was carried out using an atomic force microscope (AFM)
system and a continuous wave (cw) laser to investigate the influence
of laser power on the underlying mechanism of nanostructures
fabricated by multiphysics fields tip enhancement (MFTE) induced by a
cw laser irradiating the AFM probe tip. The nanostructure fabrication
of nanopits and grooves and nanodots and lines on a polymethyl
methacrylate thin film was conducted in an ambient environment by
changing the incident laser power. The dependence of the MFTE on laser
power was numerically analyzed, too. The lateral dimensions of
nanopits and grooves and nanodots and lines characterized
in situ
were 154 nm, 96 nm, 188 nm,
and 25 nm, respectively, breaking the optical diffraction limit. It
turned out that the nanostructures converted from craters (pits and
grooves) to protrusions (dots and lines) when altered with the laser
power. Different laser powers can trigger the MFTE to change, thus,
inducing varied coupling energy, which is the essential mechanism for
nanostructure conversion. We also established a model to analyze the
nanostructures transition and to predict the dimensions of
nanostructures. The simulation results demonstrate that the MFTE has
an essential effect on the formation of nanostructures, which are in
good agreement with the experimental results.
Sharper photonic nanojets generated by microspheres under higher-order radially polarized beam illumination
Authors: Xing Zhenyu , Wang Xianghui , Fu Yuhang , Liu Wenjing , Cheng Jierong , Zeng Ming
Published: November 2021

Photonic nanojets (PNJs) generated from a single microsphere illuminated by higher-order radially polarized (RP) beams are investigated. The effects of the size parameters of higher-order RP beams, the refractive index, and radius of the dielectric microsphere on the full width at half-maximum and peak intensity of the PNJ are numerically discussed and qualitatively interpreted. The results show that the minimal width of the PNJ can be obtained by optimally adjusting the size parameter. The PNJ beam waist becomes gradually narrower with increasing the radial mode number. As compared to the case of plane wave illumination, sharper PNJs are more easily generated when irradiated by a higher-order RP beam, even for microspheres with lower refractive indices or larger radii. Our findings can promote potential applications of PNJs in a variety of fields including super-resolution microscopy, nanolithography, and optical data storage.
Reversible supramolecular chiral structures induced in azopolymers by elliptically polarized light: influence of the irradiation wavelength and intensity
Authors: Blagoeva Blaga , Nedelchev Lian , Nazarova Dimana , Stoykova Elena , Park Joongki
Published: November 2021

Photoinduced supramolecular chiral structures in azo materials have been extensively studied for the development of all-optical switches and because of their influence on the properties of certain types of polarization holographic gratings. Here, we investigate chiral structures induced by irradiation with elliptically polarized light in thin films of four azopolymers denoted as PAZO,

P

1

,

P

1
−
2

, which are amorphous, and

P

2

, which is liquid crystalline. Their formation is characterized in real time by the kinetics of azimuth rotation. The influence of the irradiation wavelength and intensity is also analyzed. The largest azimuth rotation per unit thickness is achieved in PAZO (33°/µm) and

P

1
−
2

(25°/µm). Reversibility of the chiral structures is demonstrated by a tenfold change in the direction of rotation. Our results also indicate that chiral structures formation occurs significantly faster than the induction of linear birefringence.
Cytotoxicity analysis of oxazine 4-perchlorate fluorescence nerve potential clinical biomarker for guided surgery
Authors: Pampín-Suárez Sandra , Arce-Diego José Luis , Tapia Olga , Pérez-Campo Flor María , Rodríguez-Rey José Carlos , Fanjul-Vélez Félix
Published: November 2021

Biological tissue discrimination is relevant in guided surgery. Nerve identification is critical to avoid potentially severe collateral damage. Fluorescence imaging by oxazine 4-perchlorate (O4P) has been recently proposed. In this work, the cytotoxicity of O4P on U87 human-derived glioma cells has been investigated as a function of concentration and operating room irradiation modes. A custom-built optical irradiation device was employed for controlled optical dosimetry. DNA damage and O4P intracellular localization was also investigated by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. The results show that concentration below 100 µM can be considered safe. These results contribute to the assessment of the feasibility of O4P as a nerve biomarker.
Tutorial on filterless optical networks [Invited]
Authors: Ayoub Omran , Karandin Oleg , Ibrahimi Memedhe , Castoldi Andrea , Musumeci Francesco , Tornatore Massimo
Published: November 2021

The recent acceleration in fiber-to-the-home deployment worldwide along with the emerging 5G communications are pressuring network operators to enhance their networks to serve these new deployments. Hence, operators are seeking new high-capacity optical-network architectures, while averting excessive capital and operational expenditures. Filterless optical networks (FONs), by replacing costly wavelength selective switches in switching nodes with passive optical power splitters/combiners, currently represent a prominent candidate for cost-effective optical-network deployment. In this tutorial, we provide an overview of the architecture and the design issues of FONs when deployed in core and in metro networks. We also perform a techno-economic study to quantify the economic benefits of FONs, comparing their cost to that of state-of-the-art filtered optical networks, and we discuss how several networking problems such as resource allocation, network slicing, and protection are tackled in the context of FONs. Finally, we present our vision of how research on FONs will evolve in the coming years.
High-resolution on-chip Fourier transform spectrometer based on cascaded optical switches
Authors: Du Junjie , Zhang Hongyi , Wang Xinyi , Xu Weihan , Lu Liangjun , Chen Jianping , Zhou Linjie
Published: November 2021

Chip-level spectrometers provide a stable and cost-effective solution for spectral analysis in various applications. Here we present a silicon on-chip digital Fourier transform spectrometer consisting of eight cascaded optical switches connected by delay waveguides. By configuring the states of the optical switches, this chip can realize 127 Mach–Zehnder interferometers with linearly increased optical path differences. A machine-learning regularization method is utilized to reconstruct the spectrum. Experimental results show that our chip can retrieve both sparse and broadband optical spectra with negligible reconstruction errors. The spectral resolution can be further improved by cascading more stages of optical switches. Our method has the advantages of compact size, high scalability, and high signal-to-noise ratio, making it a promising candidate for realizing miniaturized spectrometers.
Supermode noise suppression with polarization-multiplexed dual-loop for active mode-locking optoelectronic oscillator
Authors: Li Yan , Wang Muguang , Zhang Jing , Mu Hongqian , Wang Chuncan , Yan Fengping
Published: November 2021

The active mode-locking (AML) technique has been widely used in erbium-doped fiber lasers to generate picosecond pulse trains. Here we propose a novel active mode-locking dual-loop optoelectronic oscillator (AML-DL-OEO), which can generate microwave frequency comb (MFC) signals with adjustable comb spacings. Based on this scheme, the order of harmonic mode-locking is dramatically decreased for a certain AML driving frequency compared with a single-loop AML-OEO. Thus, the supermode noise caused by harmonic mode-locking can be efficiently suppressed. In addition, the sidemodes are well suppressed by the dual-loop architecture. An experiment is performed. MFC signals with different comb spacings are generated under fundamental or harmonic mode-locking states. AML-DL-OEO systems with different length differences between two loops are implemented to evaluate supermode noise suppression capability. The performance of the generated MFC signals is recorded and analyzed.
Correcting spectral baseline fluctuations in dual-comb interferometry
Authors: Walsh Mathieu , Tourigny-Plante Alex , Guay Philippe , Fdil Khaoula , Genest Jérôme
Published: November 2021

A method to measure and correct for spectral baseline fluctuations in dual-comb interferometry is presented. Fluctuations can be measured from the amplitude of beat notes between combs and a continuous wave laser or from a separate measurement of the combs’ repetition rates, filtered around the spectral region of interest. Amplitude-dependent spectral variations are characterized using low-resolution Fourier transforms around the centerburst of several interferograms, and a nonstationary filter is applied to properly account for the combs’ variations during the measurement. This allows removal of this source of statistical, as well as systematic, errors.
Efficient soliton self-frequency shift in hydrogen-filled hollow-core fiber
Authors: Chen Yi-Hao , Sidorenko Pavel , Antonio-Lopez Enrique , Amezcua-Correa Rodrigo , Wise Frank
Published: November 2021

We report a study of soliton self-frequency shifting in a hydrogen-filled hollow-core fiber. The combination of hydrogen and short 40-fs input pulses underlies clean and efficient generation of Raman solitons between 1080 and 1600 nm. With 240-nJ input pulses, the Raman soliton energy ranges from 110 to 20 nJ over that wavelength range, and the pulse duration is approximately 45 fs. In particular, 70-nJ and 42-fs pulses are generated at 1300 nm. Numerical simulations agree reasonably well with experiments and predict that microjoule-energy tunable pulses should be possible with higher-energy input pulses.
Maskless nanostructure photolithography by ultrahigh-order modes of a symmetrical metal-cladding waveguide
Authors: Zhang Meng , Dai Hailang , Shang Yuxi , Cao Zhuangqi , Chen Xianfeng
Published: November 2021

To fabricate fine patterns beyond the diffraction limit, a nanostructure photolithography technique is required. In this Letter, we present a method that allows sub-100-nm lines to be patterned photolithographically using ultrahigh-order modes from a symmetrical metal-cladding waveguide (SMCW) in the near field, which are excited by continuous-wave visible light without focusing. The etching depth of the nanopattern reaches more than 200 nm. The localized light intensity distribution can be used to map the photoresist exposure pattern, which agrees well with our theoretical model. This technique opens up the possibility of localizing light fields below the diffraction limit using maskless and lower power visible light.
Programmable fabrication of a miniaturized photodetector with thermal stability via femtosecond laser direct writing
Authors: Liang Shuyu , Xia Hong
Published: November 2021

With the ever-increasing sophistication of integration of electronic devices, the problem of heat accumulation has become ever more serious. Here, a miniaturized photodetector with thermal stability was fabricated by combining the excellent characteristics of femtosecond laser direct writing (FsLDW) and silicon (Si). The sensing part of the photodetector is a Si microwire composed of Si nanoparticles and the sensing area is only 300 μm2. As a result, the photodetector can work stably at a temperature as high as 100°C and the response speed of the photodetector becomes notably faster at high temperatures. Furthermore, an image sensor was successfully fabricated by integrating 16 photodetectors and the image sensor can also work stably at high temperatures. This work demonstrates the potential for application of photodetectors based on Si microwires prepared by FsLDW under harsh conditions.
Integrated polarization-independent optical isolators and circulators on an InP membrane on silicon platform
Authors: Ma Rui , Reniers Sander , Shoji Yuya , Mizumoto Tetsuya , Williams Kevin , Jiao Yuqing , van der Tol Jos
Published: November 2021

In photonic integrated circuits (PICs), optical isolators and circulators are essential to prevent lasers from backreflections and to reroute the light flow. In this paper, an integrated polarization-independent device that can be operated as an optical isolator or an optical circulator, based on an InP membrane on silicon platform, is demonstrated. A cerium-doped yttrium iron garnet die is adhesively bonded on a Mach–Zehnder interferometer, in combination with four polarization converters. The device shows maximum optical isolations of 27.0 dB for transverse-electric (TE)-mode input and 34.0 dB for transverse-magnetic TM-mode input. The device also works as a four-port optical circulator. Optical isolations of at least 18.6 dB and 16.4 dB are measured between each circulator port pair for TE- and TM-mode input, respectively. This work could remove the optical interfaces between laser and isolator for robust production. It also provides a step forward toward a multifunctional and high-density PIC.
Causal inference regulates audiovisual spatial recalibration via its influence on audiovisual perception
Authors: Hong Fangfang , Badde Stephanie , Landy Michael S.
Published: November 2021

To obtain a coherent perception of the world, our senses need to be in alignment. When we encounter misaligned cues from two sensory modalities, the brain must infer which cue is faulty and recalibrate the corresponding sense. We examined whether and how the brain uses cue reliability to identify the miscalibrated sense by measuring the audiovisual ventriloquism aftereffect for stimuli of varying visual reliability. To adjust for modality-specific biases, visual stimulus locations were chosen based on perceived alignment with auditory stimulus locations for each participant. During an audiovisual recalibration phase, participants were presented with bimodal stimuli with a fixed perceptual spatial discrepancy; they localized one modality, cued after stimulus presentation. Unimodal auditory and visual localization was measured before and after the audiovisual recalibration phase. We compared participants’ behavior to the predictions of three models of recalibration: (a) Reliability-based: each modality is recalibrated based on its relative reliability—less reliable cues are recalibrated more; (b) Fixed-ratio: the degree of recalibration for each modality is fixed; (c) Causal-inference: recalibration is directly determined by the discrepancy between a cue and its estimate, which in turn depends on the reliability of both cues, and inference about how likely the two cues derive from a common source. Vision was hardly recalibrated by audition. Auditory recalibration by vision changed idiosyncratically as visual reliability decreased: the extent of auditory recalibration either decreased monotonically, peaked at medium visual reliability, or increased monotonically. The latter two patterns cannot be explained by either the reliability-based or fixed-ratio models. Only the causal-inference model of recalibration captures the idiosyncratic influences of cue reliability on recalibration. We conclude that cue reliability, causal inference, and modality-specific biases guide cross-modal recalibration indirectly by determining the perception of audiovisual stimuli.
ATRX proximal protein associations boast roles beyond histone deposition
Authors: Scott William A. , Dhanji Erum Z. , Dyakov Boris J. A. , Dreseris Ema S. , Asa Jonathon S. , Grange Laura J. , Mirceta Mila , Pearson Christopher E. , Stewart Grant S. , Gingras Anne-Claude , Campos Eric I.
Published: November 2021

The ATRX ATP-dependent chromatin remodelling/helicase protein associates with the DAXX histone chaperone to deposit histone H3.3 over repetitive DNA regions. Because ATRX-protein interactions impart functions, such as histone deposition, we used proximity-dependent biotinylation (BioID) to identify proximal associations for ATRX. The proteomic screen captured known interactors, such as DAXX, NBS1, and PML, but also identified a range of new associating proteins. To gauge the scope of their roles, we examined three novel ATRX-associating proteins that likely differed in function, and for which little data were available. We found CCDC71 to associate with ATRX, but also HP1 and NAP1, suggesting a role in chromatin maintenance. Contrastingly, FAM207A associated with proteins involved in ribosome biosynthesis and localized to the nucleolus. ATRX proximal associations with the SLF2 DNA damage response factor help inhibit telomere exchanges. We further screened for the proteomic changes at telomeres when ATRX, SLF2, or both proteins were deleted. The loss caused important changes in the abundance of chromatin remodelling, DNA replication, and DNA repair factors at telomeres. Interestingly, several of these have previously been implicated in alternative lengthening of telomeres. Altogether, this study expands the repertoire of ATRX-associating proteins and functions.
Ca2+ administration prevents α-synuclein proteotoxicity by stimulating calcineurin-dependent lysosomal proteolysis
Authors: Habernig Lukas , Broeskamp Filomena , Aufschnaiter Andreas , Diessl Jutta , Peselj Carlotta , Urbauer Elisabeth , Eisenberg Tobias , de Ory Ana , Büttner Sabrina
Published: November 2021

The capacity of a cell to maintain proteostasis progressively declines during aging. Virtually all age-associated neurodegenerative disorders associated with aggregation of neurotoxic proteins are linked to defects in the cellular proteostasis network, including insufficient lysosomal hydrolysis. Here, we report that proteotoxicity in yeast and Drosophila models for Parkinson’s disease can be prevented by increasing the bioavailability of Ca2+, which adjusts intracellular Ca2+handling and boosts lysosomal proteolysis. Heterologous expression of human α-synuclein (αSyn), a protein critically linked to Parkinson’s disease, selectively increases total cellular Ca2+content, while the levels of manganese and iron remain unchanged. Disrupted Ca2+homeostasis results in inhibition of the lysosomal protease cathepsin D and triggers premature cellular and organismal death. External administration of Ca2+reduces αSyn oligomerization, stimulates cathepsin D activity and in consequence restores survival, which critically depends on the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphatase calcineurin. In flies, increasing the availability of Ca2+discloses a neuroprotective role of αSyn upon manganese overload. In sum, we establish a molecular interplay between cathepsin D and calcineurin that can be activated by Ca2+administration to counteract αSyn proteotoxicity.
Spatial targeting of Screening + Eave tubes (SET), a house-based malaria control intervention, in Côte d’Ivoire: A geostatistical modelling study
Authors: Canelas Tiago , Thomsen Edward , McDermott Daniel , Sternberg Eleanore , Thomas Matthew B. , Worrall Eve
Published: November 2021

New malaria control tools and tailoring interventions to local contexts are needed to reduce the malaria burden and meet global goals. The housing modification, screening plus a targeted house-based insecticide delivery system called the In2Care® Eave Tubes, has been shown to reduce clinical malaria in a large cluster randomised controlled trial. However, the widescale suitability of this approach is unknown. We aimed to predict household suitability and define the most appropriate locations for ground-truthing where Screening + Eave Tubes (SET) could be implemented across Côte d’Ivoire. We classified DHS sampled households into suitable for SET based on the walls and roof materials. We fitted a Bayesian beta-binomial logistic model using the integrated nested Laplace approximation (INLA) to predict suitability of SET and to define priority locations for ground-truthing and to calculate the potential population coverage and costs. Based on currently available data on house type and malaria infection rate, 31% of the total population and 17.5% of the population in areas of high malaria transmission live in areas suitable for SET. The estimated cost of implementing SET in suitable high malaria transmission areas would be $46m ($13m –$108m). Ground-truthing and more studies should be conducted to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of SET in these settings. The study provides an example of implementing strategies to reflect local socio-economic and epidemiological factors, and move beyond blanket, one-size-fits-all strategies.
Obesity in young South African women living with HIV: A cross-sectional analysis of risk factors for cardiovascular disease
Authors: Hanley Sherika , Moodley Dhayendre , Naidoo Mergan
Published: November 2021

Background

Young South African women are faced with a dual epidemic of HIV and obesity, placing them at a high risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). We sought to determine the prevalence of CVD risk factors in a cohort of reproductive-aged South African women living with HIV (WLHIV).

Methods

While the main purpose of an ongoing intervention study is the reduction of cardiovascular disease through the integration of CVD screening and prevention in the HIV management plan for women of reproductive age (ISCHeMiA trial), we present the prevalence of risk factors for CVD in this cohort of young women at baseline. Sociodemographic, conventional CVD risk factors, HIV-related factors and self body image perception were assessed through study questionnaires and standardized clinical and laboratory procedures.

Results

Of the 372 WLHIV enrolled from November 2018 to May 2019, 97% had received efavirenz-based antiretroviral treatment (ART) for at least 1 year and 67.5% (248/367) of women were overweight or obese at the time of enrolment. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 17.6% (95%CI 11.6–22.8) at a median age of 35 years (IQR 30.5–40.5). A significant proportion of women had abnormally low levels of high-density lipoprotein (43.2%, 80/185) and elevated levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (59.5%, 110/185). Seventy five percent of overweight women with an increased waist circumference reported to be satisfied with their body image.

Conclusions

The high prevalence of metabolic syndrome, obesity and elevated markers of inflammation in young South African WLHIV, underscores the need for a proactive integrated management approach to prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in low and middle income settings.
Comparison of central laboratory HbA1c measurements obtained from a capillary collection versus a standard venous whole blood collection in the GRADE and EDIC studies
Authors: Nathan David M. , Krause-Steinrauf Heidi , Braffett Barbara H. , Arends Valerie L. , Younes Naji , McGee Paula , Lund Claire , Johnson Mary , Lorenzi Gayle , Gao Xiaoyu , Steffes Michael W. , Lachin John M. ,   the GRADE Research Group,   the DCCT/EDIC Research Group
Published: November 2021

Background

We compared HbA1c values obtained from capillary blood collection kits versus venous whole blood collections in study participants with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Methods

A total of 122 subjects, 64 with type 2 diabetes participating in the Glycemia Reduction Approaches in Diabetes: A Comparative Effectiveness (GRADE) Study and 58 with type 1 diabetes from the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) Study, participated in the validation study. Capillary tubes were filled by fingerstick by the participants on the same day as the collection of venous whole blood samples in EDTA-containing test tubes and were mailed to the central laboratory. HbA1c in all samples was measured with the same high-performance liquid chromatography. GRADE participants also completed a questionnaire on the ease of performing capillary collections.

Results

Participants from 22 clinical centers (GRADE n = 5, EDIC n = 17) were between 35 and 86 years of age, with 52% male and diverse race/ethnicities. Venous HbA1c results ranged between 5.4–11.9% (35.5–106.6 mmol/mol) with corresponding capillary results ranging between 4.2–11.9% (22.4–106.6 mmol/mol). The venous and capillary results were highly correlated (R2 = 0.993) and 96.7% differed by ≤0.2% (2.2 mmol/mol). Of participants surveyed, 69% indicated that the instructions and collection were easy to follow and 97% felt the collection method would be easy to do at home.

Conclusions

The capillary blood HbA1c results compared well with the conventional venous whole blood results. The capillary kits can be employed in other studies to reduce interruption of critical data collection and potentially to augment clinical care when in-person visits are not possible.
Antimicrobial resistance profiles and associated factors of Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas aeruginosa nosocomial infection among patients admitted at Dessie comprehensive specialized Hospital, North-East Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study
Authors: Mekonnen Habtamu , Seid Abdurahaman , Molla Fenta Genet , Gebrecherkos Teklay
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Hospital admitted patients are at increased risk of nosocomial infections (NIs) with multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens which are prevalent in the hospital environment. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) are common causes of NIs worldwide. The objective of this study is to determine antimicrobial resistance profiles and associated factors of Acinetobacter spp and P. aeruginosa NIs among hospitalized patients.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Dessie comprehensive specialized hospital, North-East Ethiopia, from February 1 to April 30, 2020. A total of 254 patients who were suspected of the bloodstream, urinary tract, or surgical site nosocomial infections were enrolled consecutively. Socio-demographic and other variables of interest were collected using a structured questionnaire. Specimens were collected and processed following standard microbiological procedures. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 23 and p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Overall, 13% of patients had nosocomial Acinetobacter spp and/or P. aeruginosa infections. The culture positivity rate was 16(6.3%) for Acinetobacter spp and 18(7.1%) for P. aeruginosa. Patients admitted in the surgical ward (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR):10.66;95% confidence interval (CI):1.22–93.23), pediatric ward (AOR:14.37;95%CI:1.4–148.5), intensive care unit (AOR:41.93;95%CI:4.7–374.7) and orthopedics (AOR:52.21;95%CI:7.5–365) were significantly at risk to develop NIs compared to patients admitted in the medical ward. Patients who took more than two antimicrobial types at admission were 94% (AOR:0.06; 95% CI:0.004–0.84) times more protected from NIs compared to those who did not take any antimicrobial. About 81% of Acinetobacter spp and 83% of P. aeruginosa isolates were MDR. Amikacin and meropenem showed promising activity against Acinetobacter spp and P. aeruginosa isolates.

Conclusion

The high prevalence of MDR Acinetobacter spp and P. aeruginosa nosocomial isolates enforce treating of patients with NIs based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing results.
Spatial distribution evolution and accessibility of A-level scenic spots in Guangdong Province from the perspective of quantitative geography
Authors: Liao Zhenjie , Zhang Lijuan
Published: November 2021

As a typical representative of tourism resources, the spatial distribution of A-level scenic spots has a profound impact on the layout of tourism industry. Scenic spot accessibility is also important for the development of tourism. However, the relationship of regional accessibility and spatial distribution of A-level scenic spots are understudied. The study used quantitative geography and geographic information system spatial analysis methods and analyzed the evolution of spatial distribution and regional accessibility of A-level scenic spots in Guangdong Province from 2001 to 2020. The results present the following: 1. Agglomeration distribution is the main distribution type of A-level scenic spots in Guangdong Province, and the spatial distribution is unbalanced. 2. From 2001 to 2020, the spatial distribution of A-level scenic spots in 21 prefecture-level cities of Guangdong Province has gradually developed from "wide gap" to "relatively reasonable." 3. Distribution density of A-level scenic spots in Guangdong Province has evolved into the main core area of high density. 4. Center of the gravity of A-level scenic spots in Guangdong Province developed from east to west during 2002–2007 and moved to the east after 2007. 5. Accessibility between A-level scenic spots and tourist source areas in Guangdong Province is good, with an evident aggregation phenomenon. This study reveals the spatial distribution evolution law and regional accessibility of A-level scenic spots, which is conducive to healthy, sustainable, and stable development of tourism in Guangdong Province.
Toe pressure and toe brachial index are predictive of cardiovascular mortality regardless of the most diseased arterial segment in symptomatic lower-extremity artery disease—A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Koivunen V. , Juonala M. , Venermo M. , Laivuori M. , Jalkanen J. M. , Hakovirta H. H.
Published: November 2021

Objective

Although lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD) is most often multisegmental, the predominant disease location and risk factors differ between patients. Ankle-brachial index (ABI), toe-brachial index (TBI), and toe pressure (TP) are predictive of outcome in LEAD patients. Previously, we reported a classification method defining the most diseased arterial segment (MDAS); crural (CR), femoropopliteal (FP), or aortoiliac (AOI). Current study aimed to analyze the associations between MDAS, peripheral pressure measurements and cardiovascular mortality.

Materials and methods

We reviewed retrospectively 729 consecutive LEAD patients (Rutherford 2–6) who underwent digital subtraction angiography between January, 2009 to August, 2011 and had standardized peripheral pressure measurements.

Results

In Cox Regression analyses, cardiovascular mortality was associated with MDAS and non-invasive pressure indices as follows; MDAS AOI, TP <30 mmHg (HR 3.00, 95% CI 1.13–7.99); MDAS FP, TP <30 mmHg (HR 2.31, 95% CI 1.36–3.94), TBI <0.25 (HR 3.20, 95% CI 1.34–7.63), ABI <0.25 (HR 5.45, 95% CI 1.56–19.0) and ≥1.30 (HR 6.71, 95% CI 1.89–23.8), and MDAS CR, TP <30 mmHg (HR 4.26, 95% CI 2.19–8.27), TBI <0.25 (HR 7.71, 95% CI 1.86–32.9), and ABI <0.25 (HR 2.59, 95% CI 1.15–5.85).

Conclusions

Symptomatic LEAD appears to be multisegmental with severe infrapopliteal involvement. Because of this, TP and TBI are strongly predictive of cardiovascular mortality and they should be routinely measured despite the predominant disease location or clinical presentation.
A modified weighted log-rank test for confirmatory trials with a high proportion of treatment switching
Authors: Jiménez José L. , Niewczas Julia , Bore Alexander , Burman Carl-Fredrik
Published: November 2021

In confirmatory cancer clinical trials, overall survival (OS) is normally a primary endpoint in the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis under regulatory standards. After the tumor progresses, it is common that patients allocated to the control group switch to the experimental treatment, or another drug in the same class. Such treatment switching may dilute the relative efficacy of the new drug compared to the control group, leading to lower statistical power. It would be possible to decrease the estimation bias by shortening the follow-up period but this may lead to a loss of information and power. Instead we propose a modified weighted log-rank test (mWLR) that aims at balancing these factors by down-weighting events occurring when many patients have switched treatment. As the weighting should be pre-specified and the impact of treatment switching is unknown, we predict the hazard ratio function and use it to compute the weights of the mWLR. The method may incorporate information from previous trials regarding the potential hazard ratio function over time. We are motivated by the RECORD-1 trial of everolimus against placebo in patients with metastatic renal-cell carcinoma where almost 80% of the patients in the placebo group received everolimus after disease progression. Extensive simulations show that the new test gives considerably higher efficiency than the standard log-rank test in realistic scenarios.
The habitat-modifying red alga Ramicrusta on Pacific reefs: A new generic record for the Tropical Northwestern Pacific and the description of four new species from Guam
Authors: Mills Matthew S. , Schils Tom
Published: November 2021

The genus Ramicrusta (order Peyssonneliales) is a new record for Micronesia, with range expansions of Ramicrusta fujiiana and R. lateralis to Guam. In addition, four species (Ramicrusta adjoulanensis, R. asanitensis, R. labtasiensis, and R. taogamensis) are newly described from Guam using molecular and anatomical characters. Ramicrusta lateralis specimens from Guam share most anatomical features with the holotype description from Vanuatu, but the plants from Guam are more tightly adherent, rigid, and robust than those of Vanuatu. Ramicrusta adjoulanensis possesses a well-developed epithallus with frequent cell fusions, secondary pit connections, and lacking hair bases or trichocytes, similar to Ramicrusta bonairensis. Ramicrusta adjoulanensis differs from other Ramicrusta species in having occasionally free margins and being attached by frequently produced, relatively long rhizoids (75–100 μm long). Ramicrusta asanitensis shares features with many other species, but the thickness of the crust (upwards of 2 mm thick), heavy calcification in the epithallus, and the extent of secondary, tertiary, and quaternary growth, differentiate it from other Ramicrusta species. Ramicrusta labtasiensis shares features with its close relative Ramicrusta lateralis but possesses frequent, robust, and relatively long rhizoids (75–95 μm long) throughout its entire undersurface. Ramicrusta taogamensis resembles its close relative Ramicrusta appressa but is primarily distinguished by its generally well-developed epithallus with occasional secondary pit connections and cell fusions. The six species reported here make Guam equal to Vanuatu in currently having the highest known species richness of Ramicrusta in the world.
Regression of Schistosoma mansoni associated morbidity among Ugandan preschool children following praziquantel treatment: A randomised trial
Authors: Nalugwa Allen , Tukahebwa Edridah Muheki , Olsen Annette , Nuwaha Fred
Published: November 2021

Preschool children suffer from morbidity attributable to Schistosoma mansoni. We compared a single and double dose of praziquantel treatment on the regression of S. mansoni associated morbidity in children less than six years in Uganda. We measured the sizes of spleen and liver as well as liver fibrosis before treatment and 8 months after treatment among children who either received one dose (n = 201) or two doses (n = 184) of praziquantel (standard oral dose of 40 mg/kg body weight). Heamoglobin measurements were also taken. Overall, liver enlargement reduced from 52.2% (95% CI (Confidence interval) 45.1, 59.3) to 17.9% (95% CI 12.9, 23.9) with a single dose and from 48.4 (95% CI 40.9, 55.8) to 17.9% (95% CI 12.7, 24.3) with a double dose and there was no significant difference between the changes in proportion of children with enlarged liver between the two treatment groups. The proportion of children with enlarged spleen was not significantly reduced in the group treated with either one or two doses, 47.8% (95% CI 41.7, 54.9) to 45.3% (95% CI 38.3, 52.4) and 48.4% (95% CI 40.9,55.8) to 40.8% 95% CI 33.6, 48.2), respectively. Liver fibrosis detected among children getting single dose (n = 9) or double doses (n = 13) resolved after treatment with praziquantel. The number of children with low heamoglobin significantly reduced from 51.2% (95% CI 44.1, 58.3) to 0.5% (0.2, 0.8) and 61.4% (95% CI 53.9,68.5) to 1.1% (95% CI 0.1, 3.9) after single and double dose treatment, respectively. These results suggest that there is no evidence of a difference in effect between one dose of praziquantel and two doses in reversing morbidity attributable to S. mansoni among children less than six years of age.