bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Missing clinical trial data: the evidence gap in primary data for potential COVID-19 drugs
Authors: Rodgers Florence , Pepperrell Toby , Keestra Sarai , Pilkington Victoria
Published: January 2021

Background

Several drugs are being repurposed for the treatment of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic based on in vitro or early clinical findings. As these drugs are being used in varied regimens and dosages, it is important to enable synthesis of existing safety data from clinical trials. However, availability of safety information is limited by a lack of timely reporting of overall clinical trial results on public registries or through academic publication. We aimed to analyse the evidence gap in this data by conducting a rapid review of results posting on ClinicalTrials.gov and in academic publications to quantify the number of trials missing results for drugs potentially being repurposed for COVID-19.

Methods

ClinicalTrials.gov was searched for 19 drugs that have been identified as potential treatments for COVID-19. Relevant clinical trials for any prior indication were listed by identifier (NCT number) and checked for results and for timely result reporting (within 395 days of the primary completion date). Additionally, PubMed and Google Scholar were searched to identify publications of results not listed on the registry. A second, blinded search of 10% of trials was conducted to assess reviewer concordance.

Results

Of 3754 completed trials, 1516 (40.4%) did not post results on ClinicalTrials.gov or in the academic literature. Tabular results were available on ClinicalTrials.gov for 1172 (31.2%) completed trials. A further 1066 (28.4%) had published results in the academic literature, but did not report results on ClinicalTrials.gov. Key drugs missing clinical trial results include hydroxychloroquine (37.0% completed trials unreported), favipiravir (77.8%) and lopinavir (40.5%).

Conclusions

There is an important evidence gap for the safety of drugs being repurposed for COVID-19. This uncertainty could cause unnecessary additional morbidity and mortality during the pandemic. We recommend caution in experimental drug use for non-severe disease and urge clinical trial sponsors to report missing results retrospectively.
Microbial fuel cell-assisted utilization of glycerol for succinate production by mutant of Actinobacillus succinogenes
Authors: Zheng Tianwen , Xu Bin , Ji Yaliang , Zhang Wenming , Xin Fengxue , Dong Weiliang , Wei Ping , Ma Jiangfeng , Jiang Min
Published: January 2021

Background

The global production of glycerol is increasing year by year since the demands of biodiesel is rising. It is benefit for high-yield succinate synthesis due to its high reducing property. A. succinogenes, a succinate-producing candidate, cannot grow on glycerol anaerobically, as it needs a terminal electron acceptor to maintain the balance of intracellular NADH and NAD+. Microbial fuel cell (MFC) has been widely used to release extra intracellular electrons. However, A. succinogenes is a non-electroactive strain which need the support of electron shuttle in MFC, and pervious research showed that acid-tolerant A. succinogenes has higher content of unsaturated fatty acids, which may be beneficial for the transmembrane transport of lipophilic electron shuttle.

Results

MFC-assisted succinate production was evaluated using neutral red as an electron shuttle to recover the glycerol utilization. First, an acid-tolerant mutant JF1315 was selected by atmospheric and room temperature plasma (ARTP) mutagenesis aiming to improve transmembrane transport of neutral red (NR). Additionally, MFC was established to increase the ratio of oxidized NR to reduced NR. By combining these two strategies, ability of JF1315 for glycerol utilization was significantly enhanced, and 23.92 g/L succinate was accumulated with a yield of 0.88 g/g from around 30 g/L initial glycerol, along with an output voltage above 300 mV.

Conclusions

A novel MFC-assisted system was established to improve glycerol utilization by A. succinogenes for succinate and electricity production, making this system as a platform for chemicals production and electrical supply simultaneously.
Longitudinal amyloid and tau accumulation in autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease: findings from the Colombia-Boston (COLBOS) biomarker study
Authors: Sanchez Justin S. , Hanseeuw Bernard J. , Lopera Francisco , Sperling Reisa A. , Baena Ana , Bocanegra Yamile , Aguillon David , Guzmán-Vélez Edmarie , Pardilla-Delgado Enmanuelle , Ramirez-Gomez Liliana , Vila-Castelar Clara , Martinez Jairo E. , Fox-Fuller Joshua T. , Ramos Claudia , Ochoa-Escudero Martin , Alvarez Sergio , Jacobs Heidi I. L. , Schultz Aaron P. , Gatchel Jennifer R. , Becker J. Alex , Katz Samantha R. , Mayblyum Danielle V. , Price Julie C. , Reiman Eric M. , Johnson Keith A. , Quiroz Yakeel T.
Published: January 2021

Background

Neuroimaging studies of autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease (ADAD) enable characterization of the trajectories of cerebral amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau accumulation in the decades prior to clinical symptom onset. Longitudinal rates of regional tau accumulation measured with positron emission tomography (PET) and their relationship with other biomarker and cognitive changes remain to be fully characterized in ADAD.

Methods

Fourteen ADAD mutation carriers (Presenilin-1E280A) and 15 age-matched non-carriers from the Colombian kindred underwent 2–3 sessions of Aβ (11C-Pittsburgh compound B) and tau (18F-flortaucipir) PET, structural magnetic resonance imaging, and neuropsychological evaluation over a 2–4-year follow-up period. Annualized rates of change for imaging and cognitive variables were compared between carriers and non-carriers, and relationships among baseline measurements and rates of change were assessed within carriers.

Results

Longitudinal measurements were consistent with a sequence of ADAD-related changes beginning with Aβ accumulation (16 years prior to expected symptom onset, EYO), followed by entorhinal cortex (EC) tau (9 EYO), neocortical tau (6 EYO), hippocampal atrophy (6 EYO), and cognitive decline (4 EYO). Rates of tau accumulation among carriers were most rapid in parietal neocortex (~ 9%/year). EC tau PET signal at baseline was a significant predictor of subsequent neocortical tau accumulation and cognitive decline within carriers.

Conclusions

Our results are consistent with the sequence of biological changes in ADAD implied by cross-sectional studies and highlight the importance of EC tau as an early biomarker and a potential link between Aβ burden and neocortical tau accumulation in ADAD.
Sex differences in stroke outcome correspond to rapid and severe changes in gut permeability in adult Sprague-Dawley rats
Authors: El-Hakim Yumna , Mani Kathiresh Kumar , Eldouh Amir , Pandey Sivani , Grimaldo Maria T. , Dabney Alan , Pilla Rachel , Sohrabji Farida
Published: January 2021

Background

Sex differences in experimental stroke outcomes are well documented, such that adult males have a greater infarct volume, increased stroke-induced mortality, and more severe sensory-motor impairment. Based on recent evidence that the gut is an early responder to stroke, the present study tested the hypothesis that sex differences in stroke severity will be accompanied by rapid and greater permeability of the gut-blood barrier and gut dysbiosis in males as compared to females.

Method

Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats (5–7 months of age) were subject to endothelin (ET)-1-induced middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). Sensory-motor tests were conducted pre- and 2 days after MCAo. Gut permeability was assessed in serum samples using biomarkers of gut permeability as well as functional assays using size-graded dextrans. Histological analysis of the gut was performed with H&E staining, periodic acid-Schiff for mucus, and immunohistochemistry for the tight junction protein, ZO-1. Fecal samples obtained pre- and post-stroke were analyzed for bacterial taxa and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).

Results

After stroke, males displayed greater mortality, worse sensory-motor deficit, and higher serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-17A, MCP-1, and IL-5 as compared to females. MCAo-induced gut permeability was rapid and severe in males as indicated by dextran extravasation from the gut to the blood in the hyperacute (< 2 h) and early acute (2 days) phase of stroke. This was accompanied by dysmorphology of the gut villi and dysregulation of the tight junction protein ZO-1 in the acute phase. Fecal 16s sequencing showed no differences in bacterial diversity in the acute phase of stroke. Predictive modeling indicated that markers of gut permeability were associated with acute sensory-motor impairment and infarct volume.

Conclusions

These data show that extensive leakiness of the gut barrier is associated with severe post-stroke disability and suggest that reinforcing this barrier may improve stroke outcomes.
A new construction of Lupaş operators and its approximation properties
Authors: Qasim Mohd , Khan Asif , Abbas Zaheer , Cai Qing-Bo
Published: January 2021

The aim of this paper is to study a new generalization of Lupaş-type operators whose construction depends on a real-valued function ρ by using two sequences $u_{m} $

u
m

and $v_{m}$

v
m

of functions. We prove that the new operators provide better weighted uniform approximation over $[0,\infty )$
[
0
,
∞
)
. In terms of weighted moduli of smoothness, we obtain degrees of approximation associated with the function ρ. Also, we prove Voronovskaya-type theorem, quantitative estimates for the local approximation.
Scientific production and thematic breakthroughs in smart learning environments: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Agbo Friday Joseph , Oyelere Solomon Sunday , Suhonen Jarkko , Tukiainen Markku
Published: January 2021

This study examines the research landscape of smart learning environments by conducting a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the field over the years. The study focused on the research trends, scholar’s productivity, and thematic focus of scientific publications in the field of smart learning environments. A total of 1081 data consisting of peer-reviewed articles were retrieved from the Scopus database. A bibliometric approach was applied to analyse the data for a comprehensive overview of the trend, thematic focus, and scientific production in the field of smart learning environments. The result from this bibliometric analysis indicates that the first paper on smart learning environments was published in 2002; implying the beginning of the field. Among other sources, “Computers & Education,” “Smart Learning Environments,” and “Computers in Human Behaviour” are the most relevant outlets publishing articles associated with smart learning environments. The work of Kinshuk et al., published in 2016, stands out as the most cited work among the analysed documents. The United States has the highest number of scientific productions and remained the most relevant country in the smart learning environment field. Besides, the results also showed names of prolific scholars and most relevant institutions in the field. Keywords such as “learning analytics,” “adaptive learning,” “personalized learning,” “blockchain,” and “deep learning” remain the trending keywords. Furthermore, thematic analysis shows that “digital storytelling” and its associated components such as “virtual reality,” “critical thinking,” and “serious games” are the emerging themes of the smart learning environments but need to be further developed to establish more ties with “smart learning”. The study provides useful contribution to the field by clearly presenting a comprehensive overview and research hotspots, thematic focus, and future direction of the field. These findings can guide scholars, especially the young ones in field of smart learning environments in defining their research focus and what aspect of smart leaning can be explored.
Near-falls in Singapore community-dwelling older adults: a feasibility study
Authors: Soh Shawn Leng-Hsien , Tan Chee-Wee , Lane Judith , Yeh Ting-Ting , Soon Benjamin
Published: January 2021

Background

A near-fall is defined as a loss of balance that would result in a fall if sufficient balance recovery manoeuvres are not executed. Compared to falls, near-falls and its associated balance recovery manoeuvres have been understudied. Older adults may not recognise a near-fall or identify the use of their balance recovery manoeuvres to prevent a fall. The consensus on the methods to collect near-fall data is lacking. The primary objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of recruitment and retention. Secondary objectives were to establish evidence that Singapore community-dwelling older adults can identify near-falls and associated balance recovery manoeuvres. Texting and calling methods were explored as reporting methods.

Methods

This study took place in Singapore (September to October 2019). Participants were healthy, community-dwelling adults aged 65 or older. Recruitment was done through poster advertisement, and all participants gave informed consent. Participants attended a briefing session and reported their near-fall or fall incidence over 21 days using either daily texting or calling. The primary outcome measures were the recruitment rate, retention rate, preferred modes for data reporting and ability to report near-falls or falls. Secondary outcomes included the self-reported incidence of falls and near-falls.

Results

Thirty older adults were recruited in 5 weeks. All participants completed the study. They understood near-fall concepts and were able to report the occurrence and relevant balance recovery manoeuvres used to prevent a fall. 87% (26/30) chose to text while 13% (4/30) selected calling as their reporting method. One actual fall (0.16%) out of 630 responses was reported. Thirty-six incidents (5.7%) of near-falls were recorded. Sixteen participants (53.3%) experienced near-falls and half of this group experienced two or more near-falls. The use of reach-to-grasp strategy (36%), compensatory stepping (52.8%), and other body regions (11.2%) were used to prevent the fall.

Conclusions

The study provided evidence that studying near-falls in Singapore community-dwelling older adults is feasible and can be applied to a large-scale study. Recruitment and retention rates were good. Older adults were able to identify near-falls and balance recovery manoeuvres. Both texting and calling were feasible reporting methods, but texting was preferred.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials identifier: NCT04087551. Registered on September 12, 2019
The relationship between pelvic organ prolapse and short birth intervals in a rural area of Nepal
Authors: Singh Rupa , Mahat Sandeep , Singh Sonam , Nyamasege Carolyn K. , Wagatsuma Yukiko
Published: January 2021

Background

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is one of the main contributors to reproductive health problems that affect women’s quality of life. Previous studies have reported the risk factors and prevalence of POP. The aim of this study is to examine the association between POP and short birth intervals in a rural area of Nepal.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Panchapuri municipality, located in Surkhet District of Karnali Province in Nepal. A questionnaire was used to collect information on POP, birth intervals, and other known confounding factors, such as age and parity. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between minimum birth intervals and POP.

Results

The study recruited 131 women. The prevalence of POP was 29.8%. The mean (SD) of maternal age was 32.3 (0.7) years. The median parity was 2, with a range of 2–6 children. More than half (64.9%) of the women reported a minimum birth interval of less than 2 years. Maternal age at birth, minimum birth interval, parity, and latest birth interval were significantly associated with POP in univariate analyses. After adjusting for the potential confounding factors such as age and occupation, the minimum birth interval was significantly associated with POP [AOR = 3.08, 95% CI 1.04–9.19].

Conclusion

The prevalence of POP was high in this rural area of Nepal. Age, parity, occupation, and minimum birth interval were significantly associated with POP.
Inverted Meckel's diverticulum associated with heterotopic pancreatic tissue causing intestinal obstruction: a case report
Authors: Kamel Mahmoud , Barsoum Hani , Talaat Suzan , Mustafa Eman
Published: January 2021

Background

Meckel’s diverticulum is the most frequent congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract. It can invert or invaginate into the small intestine lumen. It is usually associated with heterotopic tissue elements.

Case presentation

We present a case of inverted Meckel's diverticulum, clinically and radiologically diagnosed as intestinal obstruction due to intussusceptions. The diagnosis was suspected due to target sign shown on radiological examination. Pathologically, it was inverted Meckel's diverticulum obstructing the lumen in parallel plan mimicking the telescoping appearance, with heterotopic pancreatic tissue formed of exocrine and ductal components only.

Conclusions

Inverted Meckel’s diverticulum may present by vague symptoms and may simulate other causes of intestinal obstruction.
Advances in microbial remediation for heavy metal treatment: a mini review
Authors: Wang Shipei , Liu Ting , Xiao Xiao , Luo Shenglian
Published: January 2021

In recent years, microbiological treatment to remediate contamination by heavy metals has aroused public attention as such pollution has seriously threatens ecosystems and human health and impedes sustainable development. However, the aspect of actual industrial wastewater and solid waste remediation by microorganisms is not explored sufficiently. And what we focus on is technical field of microbial remediation. Therefore, in this review, we discuss and summarize heavy metal treatment via microbiological approaches in different media, including wastewater, solid waste from industrial factories and polluted sites. We also clarify the technical applicability from the perspective of biosorption, bioleaching, biominerization, etc. In particular, the exploration of the combination of microbiological approaches with chemical methods or phytoextraction are scrutinized in this review relative to real waste heavy metal remediation. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of hyperaccumulator endophytes.

Graphical abstract
The study of sodium and potassium channel gene single-nucleotide variation significance in non-mechanical forms of epilepsy
Authors: Khamdiyeva Ozada , Tileules Zhanerke , Baratzhanova Gulminyam , Perfilyeva Anastassiya , Djansugurova Leyla
Published: January 2021

Background

Epilepsy is one of the most common and heterogeneous neurological diseases. The main clinical signs of the disease are repeated symptomatic or idiopathic epileptic seizures of both convulsive and non-convulsive nature that develop against a background of lost or preserved consciousness. The genetic component plays a large role in the etiology of idiopathic forms of epilepsy. The study of the molecular genetic basis of neurological disorders has led to a rapidly growing number of gene mutations known to be involved in hereditary ion channel dysfunction. The aim of this research was to evaluate the involvement of single-nucleotide variants that modify the function of genes (SCN1A, KCNT1, KCNTС1, and KCNQ2) encoding sodium and potassium ion channel polypeptides in the development of epilepsy.

Results

De novo mutations in the sodium channel gene SCN1A c.5347G>A (p. Ala1783Thr) were detected in two patients with Dravet syndrome, with a deletion in exon 26 found in one. Three de novo mutations in the potassium channel gene KCNT1 c.2800G>A (p. Ala934Thr), were observed in two patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and one patient with residual encephalopathy. Moreover, a control cohort matched to the case cohort did not reveal any SNVs among conditionally healthy individuals, supporting the pathogenic significance of the studied SNVs.

Conclusion

Our results are supported by literature data showing that the sodium ion channel gene SCN1A c.5347G>A mutation may be involved in the pathogenesis of Dravet syndrome. We also note that the c.2800G>A mutation in the potassium channel gene KCNT1 can cause not only autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (ADNFLE) but also other forms of epilepsy. To treat pathogenetic mutations that accelerate the function of sodium and potassium ion channels, we recommend ion channel blockade drug therapy.
Roles dissemination and implementation scientists can play in supporting research teams
Authors: Tabak Rachel G. , Bauman Ana A. , Holtrop Jodi Summers
Published: January 2021

The field of dissemination and implementation (D&I) science is rapidly growing, with many scientists seeking to apply D&I science to enhance and expand the impact of their work. As the D&I field grows and collaborations of implementation scientists with other fields flourish, a description for the roles for D&I scientists as they collaborate with researchers from other fields could be beneficial. This paper exemplifies how the D&I scientist/researcher collaborative process might work and important elements to consider in doing so, as well as provide an outline on how collaborations might progress for different project needs. This is discussed through example scenarios to consider an implementation scientists’ engagement in a research project and describe potential roles for implementation scientists in supporting research teams. We then discuss characteristics to consider when incorporating a D&I expert into a team and considerations in navigating the scenarios.
Characterization of squalene synthase gene from Gymnema sylvestre R. Br.
Authors: Kalariya Kuldeepsingh A. , Meena Ram Prasnna , Poojara Lipi , Shahi Deepa , Patel Sandip
Published: January 2021

Background

Squalene synthase (SQS) is a rate-limiting enzyme necessary to produce pentacyclic triterpenes in plants. It is an important enzyme producing squalene molecules required to run steroidal and triterpenoid biosynthesis pathways working in competitive inhibition mode. Reports are available on information pertaining to SQS gene in several plants, but detailed information on SQS gene in Gymnema sylvestre R. Br. is not available. G. sylvestre is a priceless rare vine of central eco-region known for its medicinally important triterpenoids. Our work aims to characterize the GS-SQS gene in this high-value medicinal plant.

Results

Coding DNA sequences (CDS) with 1245 bp length representing GS-SQS gene predicted from transcriptome data in G. sylvestre was used for further characterization. The SWISS protein structure modeled for the GS-SQS amino acid sequence data had MolProbity Score of 1.44 and the Clash Score 3.86. The quality estimates and statistical score of Ramachandran plots analysis indicated that the homology model was reliable. For full-length amplification of the gene, primers designed from flanking regions of CDS encoding GS-SQS were used to get amplification against genomic DNA as template which resulted in approximately 6.2-kb sized single-band product. The sequencing of this product through NGS was carried out generating 2.32 Gb data and 3347 number of scaffolds with N50 value of 457 bp. These scaffolds were compared to identify similarity with other SQS genes as well as the GS-SQSs of the transcriptome. Scaffold_3347 representing the GS-SQS gene harbored two introns of 101 and 164 bp size. Both these intronic regions were validated by primers designed from adjoining outside regions of the introns on the scaffold representing GS-SQS gene. The amplification took place when the template was genomic DNA and failed when the template was cDNA confirmed the presence of two introns in GS-SQS gene in Gymnema sylvestre R. Br.

Conclusion

This study shows GS-SQS gene was very closely related to Coffea arabica and Gardenia jasminoides and this gene harbored two introns of 101 and 164 bp size.
Prioritizing Delivery of Cancer Treatment During a COVID-19 Lockdown: The Experience of a Clinical Oncology Service in India
Authors: Mallick Indranil , Chakraborty Santam , Baral Shweta , Saha Saheli , Lal Vishnu H. , Sasidharan Rohit , Santosham Ritesh J. M. , Chhatbar Samarth , Bhusal Subecha , Goyal Love , Maulik Shaurav , Phesao Vezokhoto , Arora Siddharth , Bhattacharyya Tapesh , Mahata Anurupa , Prasath Sriram , Balakrishnan Arun , Mandal Samar , Arunsingh Moses A. , Achari Rimpa , Chatterjee Sanjoy
Published: January 2021

PURPOSE

A COVID-19 lockdown in India posed significant challenges to the continuation of radiotherapy (RT) and systemic therapy services. Although several COVID-19 service guidelines have been promulgated, implementation data are yet unavailable. We performed a comprehensive audit of the implementation of services in a clinical oncology department.

METHODS

A departmental protocol of priority-based treatment guidance was developed, and a departmental staff rotation policy was implemented. Data were collected for the period of lockdown on outpatient visits, starting, and delivery of RT and systemic therapy. Adherence to protocol was audited, and factors affecting change from pre-COVID standards analyzed by multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

Outpatient consults dropped by 58%. Planned RT starts were implemented in 90%, 100%, 92%, 90%, and 75% of priority level 1-5 patients. Although 17% had a deferred start, the median time to start of adjuvant RT and overall treatment times were maintained. Concurrent chemotherapy was administered in 89% of those eligible. Systemic therapy was administered to 84.5% of planned patients. However, 33% and 57% of curative and palliative patients had modifications in cycle duration or deferrals. The patient’s inability to come was the most common reason for RT or ST deviation. Factors independently associated with a change from pre-COVID practice was priority-level allocation for RT and age and palliative intent for systemic therapy.

CONCLUSION

Despite significant access limitations, a planned priority-based system of delivery of treatment could be implemented.
Covalent Organic Frameworks: A Molecular Platform for Designer Polymeric Architectures and Functional Materials
Authors: Jiang Donglin
Published: January 2021

Covalent organic frameworks comprise a class of polymer which covalently links organic units into well-defined architectures to create ordered structures and offers an irreplaceable platform for designing organic/polymeric materials. In this award account, we trace our paths and show our initiatives to explore this class of molecular frameworks, by establishing design principle and synthetic strategies and developing functions and properties. By elucidating interplays of ordered structures with photons, excitons, electrons, holes, ions and molecules, we scrutinize unique structural features and functions which are specific to the ordered structures. We predict the key fundamental issues to be addressed in future and show the directions from perspectives of chemistry, physics, and materials science.
Experience with the Introduction of SAFT Testing in Volume Production of Large Forged Parts
Authors: Vrana Johannes , Zimmer Alexander , Schörner Karsten , Mooshofer Hubert , Kolk Karsten
Published: January 2021

Large rotor forged parts, which are usually one of the most critical components in land-based turbines and generators for power generation, require a complex volumetric test for a sufficient service life. This is usually performed manually or automatically with ultrasound. New requirements, designs and materials require more sensitive testing. This can be achieved by SAFT, also called ultrasound computer tomography. SAFT is based on the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and has been further developed by several universities. The introduction of SAFT in the volume production of large forged parts was achieved by the introduction of the quantitative SAFT developed by Siemens, also called AVG or DGS-SAFT, which allows an evaluation of each voxel in units of a replacement reflector, and by an acceleration that allows the reconstruction of the complete volume of a large forged component, which could be obtained when the SAFT test was introduced into volume production. The challenges for level 2/3 reviewers are discussed, such as volume-corrected display of results, handling of large amounts of data, focusing of displays, amplitude representation in units of a replacement reflector and handling of the software. Furthermore, it is shown how displays are represented by SAFT, how the detection limit can be determined in the case of quantitative SAFT, and which artifacts can occur during series testing with SAFT.
Reflexiones en torno al papel de la arquitectura en el visual merchandising como parte integral del plan estratégico de comunicación para eventos.
Authors: González Marzar Rita
Published: January 2021

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo comprobar cómo el Visual Merchandising debe ser integrado al plan de comunicación estratégica. También buscamos realzar el rol de la arquitectura dentro del plan de global de rentabilidad y comunicación para un evento, enfatizando sobre los beneficios obtenidos cuando ponemos la experiencia del consumidor en el centro del diseño arquitectural. Lo anterior se manifiesta claramente cuando observamos un recorrido que está diseñado de manera que estimula todos los sentidos humanos, con lo que se generan ciertas emociones que van a modificar la percepción sobre la identidad de una corporación o de un evento. Proponemos, pues, proyectarnos en el futuro e investigar sobre nuevos conceptos y tendencias (digitales y nuevas tecnologías) que se estarán aplicando en el campo del visual merchandising y que tendrán un impacto en eventos corporativos o de otro tipo. Y posicionamos al visual merchandising como a un reflejo de la constante evolución ritmada por las nuevas tecnologías. Es por esto que el visual merchandising se encuentra en permanente reinvención de si mismo en relación con los nuevos códigos emergentes, facilitando así la comunicación entre generaciones.
The importance and meaning of prayer rituals at the end of life
Authors: Anderson Dean , De Souza Joanna
Published: January 2021

Death rituals, such as the ritual of prayer, can offer cultural comfort to people who are grieving the loss of their own life or that of another. This article explores the meaning of ritual, how rituals are structured and how prayer rituals are used at the end of life from a cross-cultural perspective. Facing death can be a challenge to a person's sense of identity and their understanding of their world around them, beginning a process of spiritual suffering. Prayer rituals can help maintain a sense of control and identity during this time of crisis, offering comfort, meaning and structure. Despite varying outward appearances, prayer rituals from different cultures follow similar structures that can be deconstructed, allowing nurses to decipher their meaning and deepen the quality of care they provide to the dying person and those left behind.
Fatal distraction: implications of anthropogenic noise on the behavior and reproductive success of mason spiders
Authors: Raboin Maggie , Elias Damian O.
Published: January 2021

Many human activities produce sound (e.g. airborne, waterborne, and substrate-borne waves), or anthropogenic noise, that can be a novel stimulus for many animals and is widely recognized as an issue of environmental concern. Substrate-borne noise in particular, might be especially harmful to animals that can sense and communicate using substrate-borne waves. One way anthropogenic noise can be harmful is by distracting animals from important tasks, like providing parental care to offspring. We investigated if substrate-borne sound from traffic distracts mason spiders (Castianeira sp.) from the essential task of building mounds to protect their egg sacs. We conducted 60 trials across 4 treatments to examine the effects of noise and the consequences to offspring survival. Preliminary analyses indicate that noise has impacts on behavior and underlines the necessity of investigating impacts of anthropogenic activities on a variety of animals including invertebrates.

 

Featured photo by Tom on Flickr. https://flic.kr/p/2gsitFz
Lights, bats, and buildings: investigating the factors influencing roosting sites and habitat use by bats in Grand Teton National Park
Authors: Toth Cory A. , Barber Jesse R.
Published: January 2021

Bats are often useful bioindicators for ecosystem health and are disproportionately affected by sources of night light. Changes in bat behavior may manifest in two different ways: 1) some bats are light-exploiting and therefore attracted to areas with light sources, and 2) some are light-shy, traveling far out of their way to avoid lit areas. Grand Teton National Park provides an excellent natural system to study the effects of lights on bat behavior, as the park supports a large community of over a dozen species, as well as sizeable human infrastructure that generates night light. From June to August 2018 we used passive acoustic monitoring and radiotelemetry to study the activity and space use of bats in Colter Bay Village, specifically in the large parking lot at the center of the village and the adjacent naturally dark areas. We recorded 98,238 echolocation call sequences from 11 species, with the vast majority (~69,000) occurring in lit areas. Further, we recorded 4,665 location fixes from 32 tagged individuals from three species and, similarly, most location fixes (2,970) were in lit areas. All day roosts were found within buildings. We discuss the importance of these results and our work moving forward.

 

Featured photo by Shawna Wolf, taken from the AMK Ranch photo collection.
Environmental noise influences song frequency of Yellow Warblers (Dendroica petechia) in Grand Teton National Park
Authors: Wang Yi-Ju , Taylor Charles E. , Cody Martin L.
Published: January 2021

We explored how Yellow Warblers (Dendroica petechia) alter their songs when encountering noise in Grand Teton National Park. Different strategies for avoiding signal masking are used by other species of birds, yet there is a lack of information of birds’ responses to higher noise levels -- above 65 dB; such levels are often found in National Parks that have many visitors. In this study, we investigated singing behavior of Yellow Warblers when facing noise that ranged from 30 dB to 80 dB. In these preliminary results, we found that some features of Yellow Warblers did not appear to change with background noise level, including mean minimum frequency, bandwidth and song length. Other song features we studied did show small but statistically significant changes with higher background noise, including the peak frequency and the mean minimum frequency, both of which were significantly negatively correlated with the level of background noise. This result is different from the positive correlations that are typically observed.  We speculate that this difference is due to the very high dB levels of background noise that we observed.

 

Featured photo by wagon16 on Flickr. https://flic.kr/p/G2W6Bk
Wavelet-based background and noise subtraction for fluorescence microscopy images
Authors: Hüpfel Manuel , Yu. Kobitski Andrei , Zhang Weichun , Nienhaus G. Ulrich
Published: January 2021

Fluorescence microscopy images are inevitably contaminated by background intensity contributions. Fluorescence from out-of-focus planes and scattered light are important sources of slowly varying, low spatial frequency background, whereas background varying from pixel to pixel (high frequency noise) is introduced by the detection system. Here we present a powerful, easy-to-use software, wavelet-based background and noise subtraction (WBNS), which effectively removes both of these components. To assess its performance, we apply WBNS to synthetic images and compare the results quantitatively with the ground truth and with images processed by other background removal algorithms. We further evaluate WBNS on real images taken with a light-sheet microscope and a super-resolution stimulated emission depletion microscope. For both cases, we compare the WBNS algorithm with hardware-based background removal techniques and present a quantitative assessment of the results. WBNS shows an excellent performance in all these applications and significantly enhances the visual appearance of fluorescence images. Moreover, it may serve as a pre-processing step for further quantitative analysis.
Reducing errors in THz material parameter determination by model-based
time-domain extraction methods
Authors: Stock Daniel , Wigger Anna K. , Bolívar Peter Haring
Published: January 2021

We demonstrate a reduction of THz material parameter estimation errors
by a factor of 40, using a time-domain material-model-based extraction
method, in comparison with the respective frequency-domain approach.
Based on simulated and experimentally measured THz time-domain
spectroscopy data with different levels of the signal-to-noise ratios
(SNR), an improved robustness of the time-domain scheme with regard to
noise is demonstrated. This approach thereby provides an additional
tool for the extraction of material parameters, which is especially
suited for the evaluation of spectral data of samples with strong
resonant absorption features, even if the SNR at those features drops
below 0 dB. The cause for the difference in performance between the
frequency-domain and time-domain methods is identified and a formal
description provided.
Detection of aflatoxin M1 by fiber cavity attenuated phase shift spectroscopy
Authors: Daniyal Ghauri M. , Zajif Hussain Syed , Ullah Ubaid , Armaghan Ayaz Rana M. , Saleem Rahman Shah Zaib , Kiraz Alper , Cheema M. Imran
Published: January 2021

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a carcinogenic compound commonly found in milk in excess of the WHO permissible limit, especially in developing countries. Currently, state-of-the-art tests for detecting AFM1 in milk include chromatographic systems and enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assays. Although these tests provide fair accuracy and sensitivity, they require trained laboratory personnel, expensive infrastructure, and many hours to produce final results. Optical sensors leveraging spectroscopy have a tremendous potential of providing an accurate, real-time, and specialist-free AFM1 detector. Despite this, AFM1 sensing demonstrations using optical spectroscopy are still immature. Here, we demonstrate an optical sensor that employs the principle of cavity attenuated phase shift spectroscopy in optical fiber cavities for rapid AFM1 detection in aqueous solutions at 1550 nm. The sensor constitutes a cavity built by two fiber Bragg gratings. We splice a tapered fiber of < 10 μm waist inside the cavity as a sensing head. For ensuring specific binding of AFM1 in a solution, the tapered fiber is functionalized with DNA aptamers followed by validation of the conjugation via FTIR, TGA, and EDX analyses. We then detect AFM1 in a solution by measuring the phase shift between a sinusoidally modulated laser input and the sensor output at resonant frequencies of the cavity. Our results show that the sensor has the detection limit of 20 ng/L (20 ppt), which is well below both the U.S. and the European safety regulations. We anticipate that the present work will lead towards a rapid and accurate AFM1 sensor, especially for low-resource settings.
Dilated convolutional neural networks for fiber Bragg grating signal demodulation
Authors: Li Baocheng , Tan Zhi-Wei , Shum Perry Ping , Wang Chenlu , Zheng Yu , Wong Liang jie
Published: January 2021

In quasi-distributed fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor networks, challenges are known to arise when signals are highly overlapped and thus hard to separate, giving rise to substantial error in signal demodulation. We propose a multi-peak detection deep learning model based on a dilated convolutional neural network (CNN) that overcomes this problem, achieving extremely low error in signal demodulation even for highly overlapped signals. We show that our FBG demodulation scheme enhances the network multiplexing capability, detection accuracy and detection time of the FBG sensor network, achieving a root-mean-square (RMS) error in peak wavelength determination of < 0.05 pm, with a demodulation time of 15 ms for two signals. Our demodulation scheme is also robust against noise, achieving an RMS error of < 0.47 pm even with a signal-to-noise ratio as low as 15 dB. A comparison on our high-performance computer with existing signal demodulation methods shows the superiority in RMS error of our dilated CNN implementation. Our findings pave the way to faster and more accurate signal demodulation methods, and testify to the substantial promise of neural network algorithms in signal demodulation problems.
Deep learning based one-shot optically-sectioned structured illumination microscopy for surface measurement
Authors: Chai Changchun , Chen Cheng , Liu Xiaojun , Lei ZiLi
Published: January 2021

Optically-sectioned structured illumination microscopy (OS-SIM) is broadly used for biological imaging and engineering surface measurement owing to its simple, low-cost, scanning-free experimental setup and excellent optical sectioning capability. However, the efficiency of current optically-sectioned methods in OS-SIM is yet limited for surface measurement because a set of wide-field images under uniform or structured illumination are needed to derive an optical section at each scanning height. In this paper, a deep-learning-based one-shot optically-sectioned method, called Deep-OS-SIM, is proposed to improve the efficiency of OS-SIM for surface measurement. Specifically, we develop a convolutional neural network (CNN) to learn the statistical invariance of optical sectioning across structured illumination images. By taking full advantage of the high entropy properties of structured illumination images to train the CNN, fast convergence and low training error are achieved in our method even for low-textured surfaces. The well-trained CNN is then applied to a plane mirror for testing, demonstrating the ability of the method to reconstruct high-quality optical sectioning from only one instead of two or three raw structured illumination frames. Further measurement experiments on a standard step and milled surface show that the proposed method has similar accuracy to OS-SIM techniques but with higher imaging speed.
3D-coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering Fourier ptychography tomography (CARS-FPT)
Authors: Heuke Sandro , Rigneault Hervé , Sentenac Anne
Published: January 2021

Fourier ptychography tomography (FPT) is a novel computational technique for coherent imaging in which the sample is numerically reconstructed from images acquired under various illumination directions. FPT is able to provide three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of the complex sample permittivity with an increased resolution compared to standard microscopy. In this work, FPT is applied to coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) imaging. We show on synthetic data that complex third-order susceptibilities can be reconstructed in 3D from a limited number of widefield CARS images. In addition, we observe that the non-linear interaction increases significantly the potential of CARS-FPT compared to linear FPT in terms of resolution. In particular, with a careful choice of the pump and Stokes beam directions, CARS-FPT is able to provide optical sectioning even in transmission configuration.
Direct chip-scale optical frequency divider via regenerative harmonic injection locking
Authors: Bustos-Ramirez Ricardo , Trask Lawrence R. , Bhardwaj Ashish , Hoefler Gloria E. , Kish Fred A. , Delfyett Peter J.
Published: January 2021

A novel optical frequency division technique, called regenerative harmonic injection locking, is used to transfer the timing stability of an optical frequency comb with a repetition rate in the millimeter wave range (

∼

300

G
H
z

) to a chip-scale mode-locked laser with a

∼

10

G
H
z

repetition rate. By doing so, the 300 GHz optical frequency comb is optically divided by a factor of

30

×

to 10 GHz. The stability of the mode-locked laser after regenerative harmonic injection locking is

∼

10

−
12

at 1 s with a

1

/

τ

trend. To facilitate optical frequency division, a coupled opto-electronic oscillator is implemented to assist the injection locking process. This technique is exceptionally power efficient, as it uses less than

100

µ

W

of optical power to achieve stable locking.
All-fiber laser feedback interferometry with 300  m transmission distance
Authors: Wang Yifan , Li Yuhang , Xu Xin , Tian Mingwang , Zhu Kaiyi , Tan Yidong
Published: January 2021

A novel, to the best of our knowledge, interferometry based on the laser feedback technique with long transmission distance is proposed. The system has the advantages of high sensitivity for uncooperative targets and a simple structure. Also, the quasi-common path orthogonally polarized light compensation method is designed to compensate for the drift in long-distance transmission and achieves more than 200 times reduction experimentally. Using a copper block as a target, the displacement resolution of 20 nm is demonstrated experimentally with 300 m transmission distance. The sub-microwatt power consumption of the measurement beam indicates the high sensitivity of the interferometry. The performance, in terms of linearity, is also evaluated. Although a lot needs to be improved, the proposed method is promising for further development toward practical applications, like sensors in remote, nuclear radiative, or other harsh conditions.
Polynomial regression of multiple sensing variables for high-performance smartphone colorimeter
Authors: Rani Saptami , Biswas Protik Chandra , Hossain Md Arafat , Islam Md Rafiqul , Canning John
Published: January 2021

A robust and adaptive smartphone-based colorimetric sensing platform is reported. It utilizes multiple regression analysis to address nonlinear concurrent variations of multiple sensing variables. The instrument can perform colorimetric measurement with improved accuracy over a wide range where both color and intensity information of a colorimetric signal varies independently often simultaneously. The instrument utilizes the smartphone in-built flash LED (λ = 400–700 nm) to illuminate the test sample and the phone’s CMOS camera as a detector, collecting and digitizing the reflected light from that sample. 3D printing technology is used to fabricate a specially designed optical enclosure that performs as a diffuser, neutral density filter, and reflector to ensure constant and uniform illumination of the sensing platform. Thus, an ultra-low-cost (< 3 USD) portable smartphone-based colorimetric diagnostic system becomes feasible along with an easy-to-use customized android app adaptable for multi-analyte assays. The performance of the colorimetric measurement system is validated by: (a) monitoring the concentration of a laser dye, (b) measuring the pH of drinking water, and (c) quantifying the chlorine concentration of shrimp ponds.