bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knockdown of lncRNA BLACAT1 enhances radiosensitivity of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells by regulating PSEN1
Authors: Gou Caixia , Han Pengbing , Li Jin , Gao Liying , Ji Xuejuan , Dong Fang , Su Qun , Zhang Yanping , Liu Xiaofeng
Published: January 2020

Objective:

This work focused on the function role and underlying mechanism of BLACAT1 in regulating the radiosensitivity of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells via PSEN1.

Methods:

BLACAT1 and PSEN1 expression in HNSCC tissues and cells were measured by qRT-PCR. Kaplan–Meier method and Spearman’s correlation analysis determined the prognostic roles and association of BLCAT1 and PSEN1 in HNSCC. The impacts of BLACAT1 and PSEN1, alone and in combination, on radiosensitivity of HNSCC cells were separately assessed through CCK-8, colony formation, flow cytometry, western blot and γH2AX foci staining assays.

Results:

Our study disclosed that BLACAT1 and PSEN1 were both in association with poor prognosis and radioresistance of HNSCC cells. BLACAT1 knockdown improved the radiosensitivity of HNSCC cells by changing cellular activities containing repressed cell viability, accelerated cell apoptosis, induced cell cycle arrest, and stimulated DNA damage response. Further, we found that PSEN1 was positively correlated with BLACAT1. Rescue assays confirmed that BLACAT1 regulated the radiosensitivity of HNSCC cells by modulating PSEN1.

Conclusion:

We revealed that BLACAT1 knockdown enhanced radioresistance of HNSCC cells via regulating PSEN1, exposing the probable target role of BLACAT1 in HNSCC.

Advances in knowledge:

This was the first time that the pivotal role of BLACAT1 was investigated in HNSCC, which provided a novel therapeutic direction for HNSCC patients.
The effect of anaemia on normal tissue toxicity and survival outcomes in prostate cancer treated with radical radiotherapy and neo-adjuvant androgen deprivation
Authors: Keenan Lorna G. , Ibrahim Nazir , Dunne Mary T. , Finn Marie , Armstrong John G.
Published: January 2020

Objective:

It has been established that survival and toxicity outcomes in some cancer types could be influenced by haemoglobin (Hb) levels. This study aims to determine if pre-treatment Hb is associated with late toxicity or survival outcomes in prostate cancer.

Methods:

Data from one Phase III randomised controlled trial and one single arm translational trial were analysed. Patients had localized prostate cancer and received ≥70 Gy radiotherapy and neo-adjuvant androgen deprivation between 1997 and 2013.

Results:

302 males were included. Median follow-up was 6.8 years for toxicity and 10.3 years for survival outcomes. Patients with Hb below the reference range were more likely to experience Grade 2–3 late gastrointestinal toxicity than patients with Hb within the range (p = 0.050). Neither late genitourinary toxicity, erectile function toxicity, prostate-specific antigen relapse free survival nor overall survival of patients were statistically significantly different between groups.

Conclusion:

Anaemia in prostate cancer is found in the minority of patients and is usually mild. Prostate cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy with low Hb were more likely to experience Grade 2–3 late gastrointestinal toxicity.

Advances in knowledge:

This study is one of the first in the published literature to investigate the role of Hb in prostate cancer toxicity and survival. We have found an association between Hb below the reference range and late GI toxicity. Consideration should be given to further investigating patients with iron deficiency anaemia to guide management options and outrule underlying GI pathology before proceeding with radiotherapy treatment.
Dual energy CT: a step ahead in brain and spine imaging
Authors: Nair Jaykumar Raghavan , Burrows Claire , Jerome Sue , Ribeiro Luciana , Larrazabal Ramiro , Gupta Rajiv , Yu Eugene
Published: January 2020

Objective:

The purpose of this pictorial essay is to illustrate the utility of dual energy CT as an adjunct or alternative to routine single energy CT (SECT) scan of the brain and spine in emergency neuroradiology practice.

Conclusion:

Dual energy CT can be used as a problem-solving tool in brain and spine imaging. It enables one to make a confident and accurate diagnosis for a variety of clinical conditions thereby impacting patient management.
Comparing sessile benthos on shallow artificial versus natural hard substrates in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea
Authors: SEDANO FRANCISCO , FLORIDO MARTA , RALLIS IOANNIS , ESPINOSA FREE , GEROVASILEIOU VASILIS
Published: January 2020

Artificial structures cover a considerable part of the Mediterranean coasts. In the Aegean Sea, most studies related to artificial structures have focused in vagile fauna on harbors and marinas but little attention has been given to the sessile biota on coastal defense structures. The aim of this work was to describe for the first time the shallow sublittoral sessile benthos on coastal defense structures in Crete (Eastern Mediterranean Sea) in order to identify potential differences in comparison to natural rocky substrates, adopting both a taxonomic and functional (i.e. macroalgal structural complexity) approach. Three shallow (1-3 m) localities were studied in the north coast and three in the south coast of the island (six localities in total). At each locality, two types of hard substrate were selected: an artificial coastal defense structure (rip-rap) and the nearest natural rocky substrates. The percent cover of sessile taxa was calculated using random points counts over photoquadrats (20 x 20 cm). The structure of the assemblage differed between artificial and natural habitats. Values of Shannon-Wiener’s diversity index and number of taxa were higher in natural substrates. In addition, cover of arborescent macroalgae was lower on artificial substrates. In conclusion, rip-raps do not function as surrogates of natural hard substrates in the study area since their shallow subtidal assemblages differ in terms of community structure, diversity and functionality. The deficient performance of such artificial structures could be attributed to the combined effects of abiotic factors and biotic processes, including substrate nature and roughness as well as differential grazing pressure.
Impacts of the alien mosquitofish on the abundance and condition of two Mediterranean native fish
Authors: KALOGIANNI ELENI , KOUTSIKOS NICHOLAS , VARDAKAS LEONIDAS , GIAKOUMI SOFIA , CHATZINIKOLAOU YORGOS , OIKONOMOU ANTHI
Published: January 2020

The rapid decline of the Greek native Valencia letourneuxi, and its recently described sister species Valencia robertae, has been often attributed to habitat degradation, as well as aggression from or resource competition with the alien mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki. The mosquitofish is extremely wide-spread in Mediterranean freshwater ecosystems, however, documentation on its presumed negative impacts on native freshwater fishes is limited. In this study, we compared abundance, condition and gonad weight of Valencia spp. in no co-occurrence versus co-occurrence to the mosquitofish, using data collected from eight aquatic systems of Greece, over a five year period (2005 to 2009). Our results show that Valencia abundance is significantly lower in co-occurrence to the Eastern mosquitofish. Furthermore, female Valencia spp. individuals in co-occurrence to the mosquitofish were smaller in length and had poorer somatic condition compared to females in habitats not invaded by the mosquitofish. The mechanisms responsible for these effects of the alien mosquitofish as well as the conservation implications for native Valencia populations are discussed.
Impact of ocean acidification and warming on the feeding behaviour of two gastropod species
Authors: CHATZINIKOLAOU EVA , GRIGORIOU PANOS , MARTINI EVANGELIA , STERIOTI ASPASIA
Published: January 2020

Increased atmospheric CO2 produced by anthropogenic activities will be absorbed by the oceans over the next century causing ocean acidification and changes in the seawater carbonate chemistry. Elevated CO2 causes sublethal physiological and behavioural responses on the locomotion and foraging behaviour of marine organisms. This study aims to investigate the independent and synergistic effects of long term exposure to low pH and increased temperature on the feeding behaviour of two gastropod species, Hexaplex trunculus and Nassarius nitidus, both in adults and juveniles. Gastropods were maintained under controlled conditions of temperature (ambient = 20°C, increased = 23°C) and pH (ambient = 8, low = 7.6) for 2.5 years. The percentage of animals which successfully reached their food, the response time until gastropods began moving, the total duration until they reached food and the total distance covered, were measured. Speed and path index (i.e how straightforward the movement is) were estimated as means of foraging efficiency. Increased temperature (under ambient pH) resulted in faster responses, a shorter duration until food was reached and a higher speed in H. trunculus adults. H. trunculus (both adults and juveniles) were less successful in reaching their food source under low pH and ambient temperature in comparison to all other treatments. The response time, duration, speed and path index were not affected by low pH (at ambient or increased temperature) for H. trunculus adults and juveniles, as well as for N. nitidus. The foraging performance of juveniles hatched and developed under low pH (either at ambient or increased temperature) was more effective than adults of the same species, thus indicating a degree of acclimation. Also, the scavenger N. nitidus was more successful and responded faster in reaching carrion than the predator H. trunculus, whereas no significant effects were observed for N. nitidus under low pH.
New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records 2019
Authors: DRAGIČEVIĆ BRANCO , ANADOLI OLGA , ANGEL DROR , BENABDI MOULOUD , BITAR GHAZI , CASTRIOTA LUCA , CROCETTA FABIO , DEIDUN ALAN , DULČIĆ JAKOV , EDELIST DOR , GEROVASILEIOU VASILIS , GIACOBBE SALVATORE , GORUPPI ALENKA , GUY-HAIM TAMAR , KONSTANTINIDIS EVANGELOS , KUPLIK ZAFRIR , LANGENECK JOACHIM , MACALI ARMANDO , MANITARAS IOANNIS , MICHAILIDIS NIKOLAS , MICHALOUDI EVANGELIA , OVALIS PANAYOTIS , PERDIKARIS COSTAS , PILLON ROBERTO , PIRAINO STEFANO , RENDA WALTER , RIZGALLA JAMILA , SPINELLI ANDREA , TEMPESTI JONATHAN , TIRALONGO FRANCESCO , TIRELLI VALENTINA , TSIAMIS KONSTANTINOS , TURAN CEMAL , UYGUR NECDET , ZAVA BRUNO , ZENETOS ARGYRO
Published: January 2020

This paper is a collection of novel distributional records of 20 species belonging to 8 phyla (Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta, Cnidaria, Ctenophora, Annelida, Mollusca, Arthropoda and Chordata) from 11 Mediterranean countries, namely, Spain: an additional record of the Canary dentex Dentex canariensis is reported from Spain (Valencia), this is the northernmost record of this species in the Mediterranean; Algeria: the first documented record of Caulerpa chemnitzia is reported from the Algerian coast; France: the first record of the Spotted sea hare Aplysia dactylomela is reported from the eastern coast of Corsica; Italy: the first records of the Lessepsian polychaete Dorvillea similis and the alien bivalve Isognomon legumen are reported from Italian waters while additional records of Mnemiopsis leidyi in the south Adriatic are provided;  Libya: the first record of an alien mollusc Crepidula fornicata is reported from Libyan waters; Malta: multiple sightings of gelatinous species Apolemia uvaria, Phacellophora camtschatica and Physophora hydrostatica are reported for the first time from Maltese waters, as well as the first tentative record of the Orange-spotted grouper Epinephelus cfr. coioides; Greece: an occurrence of a rare Bigeye thresher shark Alopias superciliosus is reported from Hellenic Ionian waters, while the first records of the alien Mertens’ prawn-goby Vanderhorstia mertensi, the recently described cyclopoid copepod Oithona davisae and the alien red seaweed Asparagopsis armata are reported from the Aegean Sea. The presence of the micromollusc Euthymella colzumensis is confirmed for Greece; Cyprus: the first record of the red cornetfish Fistularia petimba is reported from Cyprus; Turkey: the first record of the alien jellyfish Marivagia stellata is reported from south-eastern Turkey; Israel: the first records of the sea nettle Chrysaora sp. in the Levant are reported.
The genetics of intellectual disability: advancing technology and gene editing
Authors: Ilyas Muhammad , Mir Asif , Efthymiou Stephanie , Houlden Henry
Published: January 2020

Intellectual disability (ID) is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting 1–3% of the world’s population. Genetic factors play a key role causing the congenital limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. The heterogeneity of ID makes it more challenging for genetic and clinical diagnosis, but the advent of large-scale genome sequencing projects in a trio approach has proven very effective. However, many variants are still difficult to interpret. A combined approach of next-generation sequencing and functional, electrophysiological, and bioinformatics analysis has identified new ways to understand the causes of ID and help to interpret novel ID-causing genes. This approach offers new targets for ID therapy and increases the efficiency of ID diagnosis. The most recent functional advancements and new gene editing techniques involving the use of CRISPR–Cas9 allow for targeted editing of DNA in in vitro and more effective mammalian and human tissue-derived disease models. The expansion of genomic analysis of ID patients in diverse and ancient populations can reveal rare novel disease-causing genes.
Preliminary in vitro antimicrobial potential and phytochemicals study of some medical plants
Authors: Nwonuma Charles O. , Adelani-Akande Tabitha A. , Osemwegie Omorefosa O. , Olaniran Abiola F. , Adeyemo Toluwani A.
Published: January 2020

Background: Plants in traditional healthcare services in West Africa were selected based on ethnobotanical data for this study. Aqueous and ethanol extracts from these plants’ parts were comparatively screened for phytochemicals and in vitro antimicrobial activity.

Methods: The antimicrobial activity of five medicinal plants’ extracts (aqueous and ethanol) were evaluated against Proteus mirabilis (LHC201), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (LHC181) and Aspergillus fumigates (LUML56) using the agar-well diffusion protocol. Retailed chloramphenicol and griseofulvin were used as positive controls respectively. Phytochemicals and percentage yield were determined by modified standard methods.

Results: The target bacteria showed varied degrees of susceptibility to both aqueous and ethanol extracts. A. fumigates was insensitive to the treatments. The ethanol extracts of the sampled plants’ parts showed better inhibitory performance against the target bacteria compared to aqueous extracts. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of Aframomum melegueta, Moringa oleifera and Cola nitida showed marginal difference in inhibitory activity with higher inhibition zones observed for the ethanol extracts of A. melegueta seed and M. oleifera pod against the target bacteria. Phytochemicals composition and density observed in extractants and plants’ parts also varied. Phenols were detected in both the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of C. nitida and C. acuminata, but appeared relatively richer in extracts of A. melegueta seeds and C. albidium fruits. C. nitida, C. acuminate and A. melegueta extracts were positive for flavonoids which were undetected in C. albidium fruits, M. oleifera seeds and pod extracts. No single extract had all the phytochemicals assayed.

Conclusions: Screened extracts of medicinal plants’ parts used for this study showed promise antibacterial and resource for developing safer pharmaceutics. Optimization of the antibacterial potential of the extracts for commercial exploitation requires further studies. This study has provided information on the antibacterial property of C. albidum fruits which was hitherto underutilized for traditional medicine purpose.
Case Report: A case of PAI-1 4G/5G heterozygosity causing Budd-Chiari Syndrome
Authors: Sousa Domingos , Antunes Silva Sergio , Jorge Catarina , Martins Fernandes Rita , Rodrigues Ana Isabel , Viana Coelho Margarida , Guimarães Joana Filipa , Osorio Rui Marques , Morais Juvenal , Ríos Elena , Figueiredo Armindo
Published: January 2020

Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a hepatic venous outﬂow obstruction. A 36-year-old caucasian female was admitted with symptomatic hypoglycaemia. Lab tests revealed mild leucocytosis, thrombocytopenia and hepatic cytolysis. The abdominal ultrasound showed mild hepatomegaly due to hypertrophy of the left and caudate lobes, no blood flow on the right and medium hepatic veins and multiple intra-hepatic collateral vessels. Upper endoscopy showed grade I varicose veins. Further studies ruled out common prothrombotic disorders but identified an inherited thrombophilia: a plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G heterozygous polymorphism. On presentation, this patient had signs of cirrhosis and secondary portal hypertension from imaging results at the time of diagnosis but no symptoms. Four years after the diagnosis the patient continues asymptomatic, which is very unusual. This patient's outcome will be favourable as long as the cirrhosis is compensated by the collateral vessels' permeability. Our case highlights a new association between primary BCS secondary to a prothrombotic inherited mutation: the PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism.
Burden and risk factors for snakebite in India: protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Bhaumik Soumyadeep , Norton Robyn , Jagnoor Jagnoor
Published: January 2020

Introduction: Snakebites are a neglected tropical disease with a high burden in South and South-East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a roadmap which aims for a 50% reduction in death and disability due to snakebite globally by 2030. It is estimated that India has the highest number of snakebite deaths in the world.

Objective: To synthesize evidence on the burden (incidence/ prevalence, mortality, morbidity, health facility and economic), and risk factors for snakebite in India.

Methods: We will search for peer-reviewed literature and grey literature in six electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, PsychInfo, CENTRAL, SafetyLit) and hand-search IndMed, conference abstracts, relevant websites and citation tracking. Two reviewers will screen and extract data independently with a third reviewer acting as an arbiter for any inconsistencies. Quality of the included studies will be assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools.

For burden, data from facility based and community-based studies will be synthesised and reported separately, except in the case of studies conducted concurrently. We will conduct narrative analyses with the aim of understanding patterns in data through tabulation for both burden and risk factors evidence synthesis. The PROGRESS Plus lens will be used to explore equity pertaining to burden of snakebites.

Analyses for each individual risk factor-outcome pair will be conducted and reported separately. If appropriate, meta-analyses will be conducted as per JBI guidelines, assessing heterogeneity using Tau-squared, Cochran’s Q test and Chi-squared (p > 0.05) tests. We plan to conduct sub-group analyses based on setting, study design, sex/gender, age-groups, tribal people and occupation. A funnel plot will be generated if there are more than nine studies included in a specific meta-analysis, to assess publication bias. Asymmetry of the funnel plot will be adjudged using the Egger, Begg and Harbord tests.
Psychometric and Structural Evaluation of the Physics Metacognition Inventory Instrument
Authors: Haeruddin Haeruddin , Prasetyo Zuhdan Kun , Supahar Supahar , Sesa Elisa , Lembah Gazali
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the psychometric and structural instruments of the Physics Metacognition Inventory (PMI) developed by Taasoobshirazi, Bailey, and Farley (2015). The PMI consists of 26 items in six factors. The English and Indonesian versions were tested on an English course (N = 37) in the Geophysics study program at Tadulako University. The trials were conducted separately within a two-week interval. The data collected from 364 students of the Physics Education Department, University of Tadulako were analyzed using the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Later, data were collected from 351 students of some Indonesian universities which have physics education study programs, and the data were analyzed using the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The EFA result reveals six factors based on the rotation result with the maximum loading factor. The CFA result shows the RMSEA values of .018, 2 (284) = 316.32 (χ2 / df = 1,11), GFI = .93, CFI = .99, AGFI = .92 and NFI = .93 which meet the cut-off statistic value, and therefore, the model is considered fit, with the Construct Reliability Estimation (CR) of .93, Composite Reliability of  = .95, and maximum reliability of Ω = .96. The results obtained reveal that the PMI scale has good, valid and reliable psychometric properties. Therefore, PMI can be used to measure the level of metacognition of students when solving physics problems. Future studies using PMI are also discussed.
Applying Experiential Learning to Teaching the Equation of a Circle: A Case Study
Authors: Tong Duong Huu , Loc Nguyen Phu , Uyen Bui Phuong , Cuong Pham Hung
Published: January 2020

Methods of education in schools should promote students' activeness, self-awareness, initiative and creativity; be suitable with the characteristics of each class and subject; foster self-study methods, ability to work in groups, practice skills to apply knowledge into practice, and impact emotions to bring joy as well as excitement to students. Experiential education is a method of teaching and meets the above requirements. In fact, experiential activities are closely related to teaching and educational activities in schools, in order to create an environment for learners, associate theory with practice, and unify awareness with action and learners, and have the opportunity to experience their own behavior. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of activities through experience in solving problems about the equation of a circle and investigate students' attitudes as well as beliefs in such activities. The experimental class included 30 10th grade students and was taught by experiential learning model, while the control class also had 30 students and was taught in a conventional way of teacher’s guidance. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to analyze and evaluate the collected data. The results showed that the experimental class achieved better mathematical results than the control class as well as had a positive learning attitude, showing interest in the learning topic.
The PGBE Model for Building Students’ Mathematical Knowledge about Percentages
Authors: Mula Melinda , Hodnik Tatjana
Published: January 2020

This research study presents the PGBE model for teaching and learning percentages with students of Grade 7 when their cognitive development enables the conceptual understanding of percentages as proportional statements, and offers the possibility for more effective matching of them with fractions and decimal numbers. The abbreviation PGBE presents the interrelation of the poster method and three instructional models through which different types of students’ mathematical knowledge about percentages can be built. Hence, P stands for the poster method through which the recognition of students’ previous knowledge about percentages can be done, G represents different grids that can be used for building concrete type of knowledge about them; B signifies the bar model for developing students’ proportional understanding of percentages, and E represents the extended bar model for fostering students’ principled-conceptual understanding of percentages. The effectiveness of the implementation of the PGBE model is assessed by organizing two cycles of piloting and conducting the experimental method with 263 students of ten Grade 7 classes. The results of the study show that the implementation of the PGBE model has had an impact on the learning of students, stimulating an in-depth learning and a long lasting knowledge about percentages for this cohort of students.
The Effect of Emotional Intelligence, Self-Efficacy, Subjective Well-Being and Resilience on Student Teachers’ Perceived Practicum Stress: A Malaysian Case Study
Authors: Ngui Geok Kim , Lay Yoon Fah
Published: January 2020

Stress is inevitable in the world of teaching and practicum training and therefore, student teachers naturally incur a certain level of stress due to the demands for them to use various knowledge and skills in real school and classroom environment. Hence, practicum stress needs to be addressed accordingly. The central focus of this study is using a partial least square-structural equation modeling to explore the inter-relationships among the student teachers’ personal resources to mitigate practicum stress. A sample of 200 student teachers selected by purposive sampling from teacher education institutions in Sabah, Malaysia was used in this study. This study collected data via survey methods using a questionnaire developed from several existing scales. Findings showed that emotional intelligence, self-efficacy, and subjective well-being were able to explain resilience with good predictive accuracy and relevance but poorly for practicum stress. These findings were suggestive of the need to include additional constructs to explain perceived practicum stress better in future exploratory research.
Testing a phantom eye under various signal-to-noise ratio conditions using eleven different OCT devices
Authors: Heikka Tuomas , Ometto Giovanni , Montesano Giovanni , Rowe Scott , Jansonius Nomdo M. , Crabb David P.
Published: January 2020

We compared eleven OCT devices in their ability to quantify retinal layer thicknesses under different signal-strength conditions, using a commercially available phantom eye. We analyzed a medium-intensity 50 µm layer in an identical manner for all devices, using the provided log-scale images and a reconstructed linear-scale tissue reflectivity metric. Thickness measurements were highly comparable when the data were analyzed in an identical manner. With optimal signal strength, the thickness of the 50 µm layer was overestimated by a mean of 4.3 µm in the log-scale images and of 2.7 µm in the linear-scale images.
Flexible calibration method for visual measurement using an improved target with vanishing constraints
Authors: Chen Xiaoyun , Lin Jiarui , Yang Linghui , Sun Yanbiao , Zhu Jigui
Published: January 2020

In this paper, an improved calibration method based on vanishing
constraints is proposed for calculating the extrinsic parameters of
cameras. First, we come up with a improved target based on the
conventional target with two groups of orthogonal parallel lines. The
novel target is composed of two groups of parallel lines with a
certain angle range from 80° to 90°, which can reduce the difficulty
of target production and the manufacturing cost. Furthermore, in the
optimization process, we design a new function with a more robust
penalty factor instead of using the experienced values to get the
extrinsic parameters for the binocular vision sensors. Finally, on
account of using the improved target and the novel optimiazation
function, the proposed method is more flexible and robust compared
with Zhang’s method.
Optomechanically induced transparency, amplification, and fast–slow light transitions in an optomechanical system with multiple mechanical driving phases
Authors: Zhu Ying-Jian , Bai Cheng-Hua , Wang Tie , Wang Dong-Yang , Zhang Shou , Wang Hong-Fu
Published: January 2020

We investigate the change in width of transparency windows and the amplification of the probe output spectra in an optomechanical system with multiple mechanical resonators. Each mechanical resonator is driven by a mechanical driving field, and the phases of these mechanical driving fields are different. Via exhibiting the probe output spectra of the system, we find that the number of transparency windows is explicitly decided by the number of mechanical resonators with different frequencies. Meanwhile, we discuss the effect of cavity decay rate on the width of the transparency windows. Moreover, we also investigate the absorption and amplification phenomena with the different phase differences among the pump field, probe field, and mechanical driving fields. By adjusting the phase differences, the fast–slow light transitions can occur. These interesting phenomena can also be exploited to investigate the optical switch and frequency comb generation.
Phase and fluorescence imaging with a surprisingly simple microscope based on chromatic aberration
Authors: Mandula Ondřej , Kleman Jean-Philippe , Lacroix Françoise , Allier Cedric , Fiole Daniel , Hervé Lionel , Blandin Pierre , Kraemer Dorothee C. , Morales Sophie
Published: January 2020

We propose a simple and compact microscope combining phase imaging with multi-color fluorescence using a standard bright-field objective. The phase image of the sample is reconstructed from a single, approximately 100 μm out-of-focus image taken under semi-coherent illumination, while fluorescence is recorded in-focus in epi-fluorescence geometry. The reproducible changes of the focus are achieved with specifically introduced chromatic aberration in the imaging system. This allows us to move the focal plane simply by changing the imaging wavelength. No mechanical movement of neither sample nor objective or any other part of the setup is therefore required to alternate between the imaging modality. Due to its small size and the absence of motorized components the microscope can easily be used inside a standard biological incubator and allows long-term imaging of cell culture in physiological conditions. A field-of-view of 1.2 mm2 allows simultaneous observation of thousands of cells with micro-meter spatial resolution in phase and multi-channel fluorescence mode. In this manuscript we characterize the system and show a time-lapse of cell culture in phase and multi-channel fluorescence recorded inside an incubator. We believe that the small dimensions, easy usage and low cost of the system make it a useful tool for biological research.
CMOS camera based visible light communication (VLC) using grayscale value distribution and machine learning algorithm
Authors: Hsu Ke-Ling , Wu Yu-Chun , Chuang Yu-Cheng , Chow Chi-Wai , Liu Yang , Liao Xin-Lan , Lin Kun-Hsien , Chen Yi-Yuan
Published: January 2020

We demonstrate a visible light communication (VLC) system using light emitting diode (LED) backlight display panel and mobile-phone complementary-metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) camera. The panel is primarily used for displaying advertisements. By modulating its backlight, dynamic contents (i.e. secondary information) can be transmitted wirelessly to users based on rolling shutter effect (RSE) of the CMOS camera. As different display content will be displayed on the panel, the VLC performance is significantly limited if the noise-ratio (NR) is too high. Here, we propose and demonstrate a CMOS RSE pattern demodulation scheme using grayscale value distribution (GVD) and machine learning algorithm (MLA) to significantly enhance the demodulation.
BRDF characteristics of different textured fabrics in visible and near-infrared band
Authors: Lai Qingzhi , Liu Bing , Zhao Junming , Zhao Ziwei , Tan Jianyu
Published: January 2020

The directional reflection characteristics of fabrics with various texture structures is an important and challenging topic in computer graphics and visual simulation. In the present study, the Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) of four different textured fabrics is measured via a self-designed Scatterometry to analyze the effect of surface textures and illuminated wavelengths. Furthermore, a fast and simple BRDF model is provided, and optimal model parameters for fabric BRDF calculation were obtained via a genetic algorithm. The results indicate that the reflected distribution of fabrics is dominated by diffuse reflection and is modulated by surface textures and irradiated wavelengths.
Illumination modulation for reflective and fluorescent separation
Authors: Fu Ying , Zou Yunhao , Bian Liheng , Guo Yuxiang , Huang Hua
Published: January 2020

In this Letter, we present, to the best of our knowledge, a novel illumination modulation method for reflective and fluorescent separation by using only one spectral image. Specifically, we present an optical system using off-the-shelf devices to generate high frequency illumination, which is desirable in reflective-fluorescent separation tasks. In addition, we employ the total variation regularization scheme to account for spectral–spatial correlation, which makes our method robust to noise. Experiments on both simulated and real data verify the effectiveness and practicality of our method.
Continuous-wave terahertz self-referencing digital holography based on Fresnel's mirrors
Authors: Wang Dayong , Zhang Yaya , Rong Lu , Ma Duoxuan , Zhao Jie , Wang Yunxin
Published: January 2020

Continuous-wave terahertz digital holography (TDH) is a booming full-field phase-contrast imaging method validated in both in-line and Mach–Zehnder off-axis geometries. In this Letter, a self-referencing TDH approach is proposed based on the Fresnel's mirrors, by which the object wavefront is partitioned and reflected. Two beams interfere with each other to form an off-axis hologram. The proposed recording configuration is immune from a superposed twin image and has higher temporal stability than Mach–Zehnder interferometers. To evaluate the phase-contrast imaging performance, different types of samples are measured.
Improved Nd distribution in Czochralski grown YAG crystals by implementation of the accelerated crucible rotation technique
Authors: Saleh Muad , Kakkireni Saketh , McCloy John , Lynn Kelvin G.
Published: January 2020

Nd:YAG is a well-known laser material typically grown from the melt using the Czochralski (CZ) method, and like many other doped materials grown from the melt, it suffers from dopant segregation, giving an average Nd concentration in the crystal (Nd%) far less than that in the melt, with Nd variation along the growth axis. Here, the Nd segregation issue is addressed by the successful implementation of the Accelerated Crucible Rotation Technique (ACRT) with CZ. Compared to conventional CZ, ACRT provided improved Nd uniformity, higher Nd incorporation, and control of Nd% along the growth axis, even achieving higher Nd% in the crystal than the initial Nd from the overall melt. ACRT also affects the solid/liquid interface shape and thus the radial segregation. It is thus shown that ACRT and the mixing it provides is promising for achieving unconventional dopant profiles in CZ crystals.
Cirkuške koreografije teles in predmetov
Authors: Arhar Nika
Published: January 2020

Povzetek

Prispevek se refleksije 12. festivala novega cirkusa in sodobne klovnade Klovnbuf loteva skozi prizmo značaja sodobnega cirkusa in njegove izmuzljive lege znotraj sodobnih uprizoritvenih praks. Po kratkem pregledu razvoja, ki sooblikuje današnji kontekst, se analiza uprizoritev osredotoča predvsem na tiste tendence, ki v svoje izvajanje vključujejo kritično mišljenje in raziskovanje lastne forme, sredstva (izurjenega cirkuškega telesa) ter njunih pogojev in s koreografskimi pristopi širijo perspektive tega umetniškega polja. Naslavlja tudi problematiko umestitve sodobnega cirkusa v lokalnem okolju z ozkim krogom akterjev, izvedbeno zahtevnostjo, produkcijsko ranljivostjo in šibkim strokovnim diskurzom.
Dangerous promises
Authors: Smole Simon
Published: January 2020

The article aims to look at the current Serbian theatre scene from several perspectives; in addition to its poetic and culturological level, it highlights the relations of domination in theatre and, more broadly, within the transitional and post-transitional cultural model of Serbia. It finds the novelty of the so-called »new Serbian drama« in its break with the Serbian theatre tradition and its representational and aesthetic conventions, while at the same time taking a critical stance on the lack of changes to the paradigm of how theatre works (its manners of directing, acting, organization and production).
Maja Smrekar: K-9_topology
Authors: Smrekar Eva
Published: January 2020

K-9_topology, a unit of four art projects created by Maja Smrekar, deals with relevant problems of contemporary society. The cohesive thread which serves as a link between the dramaturgy of every single project is a state of becoming: becoming-animal, becoming-Other. It deals with Deleuzian idea of desubjectivation, social constructs of humanity and interspecies interaction. The basis of her artistic narrative is her own background and special attachment to dogs, which perform as the main actors of K-9_topology. Her projects are an answer to the hopeless state of the Anthropocene. The article aims to deepen the discussion, brought by Maja Smrekar.
Seis islas temporales en Still — The Economy of Waiting
Authors: Melgares Calzado Miguel Ángel
Published: January 2020

El artículo se centra en el análisis de la instalación performática Still — The Economy of Waiting, obra del artista alemán Julian Hetzel. En dicho proyecto se abordan ciertas problemáticas asociadas a los mecanismos en la producción laboral y las éticas del trabajo. Tomando como punto de partida modelos de producción posfordistas, Hetzel observa la actual transformación de la idea de “trabajo” en la idea de “ocupación”. Mientras que la idea de “labor y trabajo” han estado orientadas hacia un modelo productivo que persigue resultados y objetivos específicos, la idea de “ocupación” se centra en la actividad como proceso, es decir, su finalidad no es otra que la de permanecer ocupado, planteando con ello un contra-modelo temporal con el que generar una brecha en el flujo de la circulación capitalista.
Prevalence, distribution on host's body, and chemical control of camel ticks Hyalomma dromedarii in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Al-Deeb Mohammad Ali , Muzaffar Sabir Bin
Published: January 2020

Background and Aim: Camel farming remains a part of the culture of the Arabian Peninsula although modern methods have greatly increased camel densities in the entire region. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), camel production is threatened by tick parasitism. However, no study has considered assessing the magnitude of the problem in the UAE. We conducted a study evaluating tick richness, abundance, and spatial distribution of ticks on camels in farms near Al Ain, UAE. In addition, we conducted a survey of farm owners to determine the control methods used to eliminate camel ticks. Materials and Methods: Tick counts were made on 502 camels (Camelus dromedarius). For each examined animal, visual counts of ticks were made on the entire body segregating the counts by head, neck, forelegs, hump, abdomen, back legs, and tail area. In addition, a total of 70 camel owners from the study area were randomly selected and surveyed about the tick control methods. Results: Hyalomma dromedarii was the only species found during the study. The prevalence of ticks was 98% among the sampled animals. The mean intensity (tick load) was 25.8±2.4 ticks/host and the maximum number of ticks per animal was 102. Ticks were found in five vicinities that are on the border with Oman. The highest number of ticks on the body of the camel occurred on the tail area followed by the abdomen. Cypermethrin was the most commonly used acaricide (46.9%). Conclusion: The high abundance of ticks reported in this study calls for the establishment of a good management strategy. In addition, finding ticks in vicinities in the UAE that are on the border with Oman suggests a cross-border movement between the two countries. Therefore, studying this movement is important to understand its role in the global circulation of some H. dromedarii tick-borne diseases and the movement of acaricide resistance alleles among tick populations.
Nano zinc oxide – An alternate zinc supplement for livestock
Authors: Geetha K. , Chellapandian M. , Arulnathan N. , Ramanathan A.
Published: January 2020

Aim: This study was aimed to investigate antimicrobial and cytotoxicity effect of nano ZnO in in vitro for the application of livestock feed supplement.

Materials and Methods: Nano ZnO was synthesized by wet chemical precipitation method using zinc acetate as a precursor and sodium hydroxide was used for reducing the precursor salt. The properties of synthesized powder were characterized using ultraviolet (UV)–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. In vitro antimicrobial activities were analyzed against the pathogenic bacteria in poultry Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Streptococcus aeruginosa. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was conducted to analyze the cytotoxicity effect of nano ZnO.

Results: SEM showed a spherical ZnO particle in the range of 70-100 nm. The size of the particle and purity of the sample were confirmed by XRD. The nano-sized ZnO particles exhibited the UV absorption peak at 335 nm. In FTIR spectroscopy, pure ZnO nanoparticles showed stretching vibrations at 4000-5000 cm-1. ZnO nanoparticles exhibited remarkable antibacterial activity against E. coli, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, and S. aeruginosa bacterial strains. Cell viability was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner in the cytotoxicity study.

Conclusion: From the broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and the lower cytotoxicity observed at the prescribed dose, it is concluded that nano ZnO powder is a potential alternate zinc supplement for livestock.
Oncomir MicroRNA-346 Is Upregulated in Colons of Patients With Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Authors: Kempinska-Podhorodecka Agnieszka , Blatkiewicz Malgorzata , Wunsch Ewa , Krupa Lukasz , Gutkowski Krzysztof , Milkiewicz Piotr , Milkiewicz Malgorzata
Published: January 2020

INTRODUCTION:

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a cholestatic liver disorder that is frequently associated with ulcerative colitis (UC). Patients with PSC and UC (PSC-UC) have a higher risk of colorectal neoplasia compared with patients with UC. The oncogenic properties of microRNA-346 (miR-346) have been recently reported. We investigated the expression of miR-346 and its 2 target genes, the receptor of vitamin D (VDR), and the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), which are known to modulate carcinogenesis.

METHODS:

Ascending and sigmoid colon biopsies were obtained from patients with PSC, PSC and UC (PSC-UC), UC, and healthy controls (n = 10 in each group). Expressions of VDR, TNF-α, 18S RNA, p27Kip1, miR-346, and reference microRNA, miR-191, were evaluated by real-time PCR using human TaqMan Gene Expression and TaqMan MicroRNA Assays. Functional studies with miR-346 mimic and inhibitor were conducted in HepG2 and Caco-2 cells. The effect of ursodeoxycholic acid on miR-346 expression was examined in Caco-2 cells.

RESULTS:

An increased expression of miR-346 in the ascending colon of PSC-UC was observed (P < 0.001 vs all groups). In patients with UC, an exceptionally low colonic expression of miRNA-346 was accompanied by the extensive upregulation of VDR and TNF-α genes. A functional in vitro analysis demonstrated that inhibition of miR-346 resulted in the upregulation of VDR and TNF-α, whereas the induction of miR-346 activity suppressed VDR, TNF-α, and p27Kip1.

DISCUSSION:

The upregulation of miRNA-346 in the colon of patients with PSC may be responsible for the disturbance of VDR and TNF-α signaling pathway, which could result in an inadequate suppression of neoplasia.
Application of Behavioral Economics Principles Improves Participation in Mailed Outreach for Colorectal Cancer Screening
Authors: Bakr Omar , Afsar-Manesh Nasim , Raja Naveen , Dermenchyan Anna , Goldstein Noah J. , Shu Suzanne B. , May Folasade P.
Published: January 2020

INTRODUCTION:

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in the United States. Although various interventions have improved screening rates, they often require abundant resources and can be difficult to implement. Social psychology and behavioral economics principles offer an opportunity for low-cost and easy-to-implement strategies but are less common in clinical settings.

METHODS:

We randomized 2,000 patients aged 50–75 years eligible for CRC screening to one of the 2 mailed interventions: a previously used text-based letter describing and offering fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) and colonoscopy (usual care arm); or a letter leveraging social psychology and behavioral economics principles (e.g., implied scarcity and choice architecture), minimal text, and multiple images to offer FIT and colonoscopy (intervention arm). We compared total screening uptake, FIT uptake, and colonoscopy uptake at 1-month intervals in each group.

RESULTS:

There were 1,882 patients included in the final analysis. The mean age was 69.3 years, and baseline characteristics in the 2 groups were similar. Screening completion at 26 weeks was 19.5% in the usual care arm (16.3% FIT vs 3.2% colonoscopy, P < 0.01) and 24.1% in the intervention arm (22.1% FIT vs 2.0% colonoscopy, P < 0.01) (P = 0.02).

DISCUSSION:

Among primary care patients aged 50–75 years in an academic setting, mailed CRC outreach employing social psychology and behavioral economics principles led to a higher participation in CRC screening than usual care mailed outreach.

TRANSLATIONAL IMPACT:

Mailed interventions to increase CRC screening should incorporate social psychology and behavioral economics principles to improve participation.
Effects of High-Fiber Diets and Macronutrient Substitution on Bloating: Findings From the OmniHeart Trial
Authors: Zhang Mingyu , Juraschek Stephen P. , Appel Lawrence J. , Pasricha Pankaj Jay , Miller Edgar R. , Mueller Noel T.
Published: January 2020

OBJECTIVES:

To examine the effects of high-fiber, isocaloric, macronutrient substitutions on bloating.

METHODS:

The OmniHeart study is a randomized 3-period crossover feeding trial conducted from April 2003 to June 2005. Participants were provided 3 isocaloric versions of high-fiber (∼30 g per 2,100 kcal) diet, each different in carbohydrate, protein, and unsaturated fat composition. Each feeding period lasted for 6 weeks with a 2- to 4-week washout period between diets. Participants reported the presence and severity of bloating at baseline (participants were eating their own diet) and at the end of each feeding period.

RESULTS:

One hundred sixty-four participants were included in the analysis (mean age: 53.1 years; 45% women; 55% black). The prevalence of bloating at baseline and at the end of the carbohydrate-rich, protein-rich, and unsaturated fat-rich diet period was 18%, 24%, 33%, and 30%, respectively. Compared with baseline, the relative risk of bloating for the carbohydrate-rich, protein-rich, and unsaturated fat-rich high-fiber diet was 1.34 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93, 1.92), 1.78 (95% CI: 1.32, 2.40), and 1.63 (95% CI: 1.17, 2.26), respectively. The protein-rich diet increased the risk of bloating more than the carbohydrate-rich diet (relative risk = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.88). Bloating did not significantly vary between protein-rich vs unsaturated fat-rich or unsaturated fat-rich vs carbohydrate-rich diets. Black participants compared with non-black participants had a higher risk of bloating after all 3 versions of the high-fiber OmniHeart diet (P-value for interaction = 0.012).

DISCUSSION:

Substitution of protein with carbohydrate may be an effective strategy to decrease bloating among individuals experiencing gastrointestinal bloating from a high-fiber diet.