bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainability determinants of an intervention to identify clinical deterioration and improve childhood cancer survival in Latin American hospitals: the INSPIRE study protocol
Authors: McKay Virginia , Carothers Bobbi , Graetz Dylan , Malone Sara , Puerto-Torres Maria , Prewitt Kim , Cardenas Adolfo , Chen Yichen , Devidas Meenakshi , Luke Douglas A. , Agulnik Asya
Published: November 2023

Background

More than 90% of children with cancer live in low-resourced settings, where survival is only 20%. Sustainable evidence-based (EB) interventions yielding ongoing beneficial patient outcomes are critical to improve childhood cancer survival. A better understanding of factors promoting intervention sustainability in these settings is urgently needed. The aim of this study is to provide an empirical understanding of how clinical capacity for sustainability, or the resources needed to sustain an intervention, impacts the sustainment of Pediatric Early Warning System (PEWS), an EB intervention that improves pediatric oncology outcomes in low-resource hospitals by detecting clinical deterioration and preventing the need for more intense treatment.

Methods

We will conduct a prospective, longitudinal study of approximately 100 resource-variable hospitals implementing and sustaining PEWS participating in Proyecto EVAT, a quality improvement collaborative of Latin American pediatric oncology centers. Aim 1: We will evaluate how clinical capacity for sustainability changes over time through 5 to 9 prospective measurements of capacity via survey of clinical staff using PEWS (approximately n = 13 per center) during the phases of PEWS adoption, implementation, and sustainability using the Clinical Sustainability Assessment Tool (CSAT). Aim 2: We will determine the relationship between capacity and a) PEWS sustainment and b) clinical deterioration mortality among pediatric oncology patients at centers sustaining PEWS for 2 to 10 years using chart review and an existing patient outcomes registry. Aim 3: We will develop novel strategies to promote sustainability by gaining a deeper understanding of perceived challenges to building capacity and PEWS sustainment. In combination with quantitative outcomes, we will conduct 24 focus groups with staff (doctors, nurses, and administrators) from hospitals with both high (n = 4) and low capacity (n = 4). We will then use implementation mapping to generate theoretically driven, empirically-supported sustainability strategies.

Discussion

This study will advance implementation science by providing a theoretically driven, foundational understanding of factors that predict sustainability among a large, diverse cohort of hospitals. We will then use this knowledge to develop sustainability evidence-informed strategies that optimize capacity and promote long-term sustainment of PEWS and improvements in patient outcomes, thus promoting equity in childhood cancer care globally.
A systematic meta-review of systematic reviews on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Chaulagain Ashmita , Lyhmann Ingvild , Halmøy Anne , Widding-Havneraas Tarjei , Nyttingnes Olav , Bjelland Ingvar , Mykletun Arnstein
Published: November 2023

Background

There are now hundreds of systematic reviews on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) of variable quality. To help navigate this literature, we have reviewed systematic reviews on any topic on ADHD.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science and performed quality assessment according to the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis. A total of 231 systematic reviews and meta-analyses met the eligibility criteria.

Results

The prevalence of ADHD was 7.2% for children and adolescents and 2.5% for adults, though with major uncertainty due to methodological variation in the existing literature. There is evidence for both biological and social risk factors for ADHD, but this evidence is mostly correlational rather than causal due to confounding and reverse causality. There is strong evidence for the efficacy of pharmacological treatment on symptom reduction in the short-term, particularly for stimulants. However, there is limited evidence for the efficacy of pharmacotherapy in mitigating adverse life trajectories such as educational attainment, employment, substance abuse, injuries, suicides, crime, and comorbid mental and somatic conditions. Pharmacotherapy is linked with side effects like disturbed sleep, reduced appetite, and increased blood pressure, but less is known about potential adverse effects after long-term use. Evidence of the efficacy of nonpharmacological treatments is mixed.

Conclusions

Despite hundreds of systematic reviews on ADHD, key questions are still unanswered. Evidence gaps remain as to a more accurate prevalence of ADHD, whether documented risk factors are causal, the efficacy of nonpharmacological treatments on any outcomes, and pharmacotherapy in mitigating the adverse outcomes associated with ADHD.
Constraint relations for superfluid weight and pairings in a chiral flat band superconductor
Authors: Thumin M. , Bouzerar G.
Published: November 2023

Within ten years, flat band (FB) superconductivity has gained a huge interest for its remarkable features and connection to quantum geometry. We investigate the superconductivity in a FB system whose orbitals are inequivalent and in which the gap and the quantum metric are tunable. The key feature of the present theoretical study is to show a unique and simple constraint relation that pairings obey. Furthermore, pairings and superfluid weight in partially filled FB are shown to be controlled by those of the half-filled lattice. We argue that the geometry of the lattice or the complexity of the hopping terms have no impact on the features revealed in this work as far as the system is bipartite.
Serum Phosphorus as a Driver of Skeletal Morbidity in Fibrous Dysplasia
Authors: Gun Zubeyir Hasan , Osamor Charles , Taylor Jocelyn , Li Xiaobai , Szymczuk Vivian , Boyce Alison M
Published: November 2023

Context

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) results in fractures, pain, and deformities. Abnormal osteoprogenitor cells overproduce FGF23, leading to hyperphosphaturia in most patients and frank hypophosphatemia in a subset. Studies suggest hypophosphatemia is associated with increased FD-related morbidity. However, the relationship between phosphorus and skeletal complications has not been investigated, and the optimal therapeutic target has not been determined.

Objective

Characterize the impact of serum phosphorus on FD-related morbidity and identify levels associated with increased skeletal complications.

Methods

Natural history study with 240 subjects at a clinical research center who had ≥1 fasting phosphorus level, determined as age- and sex-adjusted Z-scores. Subjects were categorized based on frank hypophosphatemia (Z-score ≤ −2; n = 48); low-normophosphatemia (> −2 to ≤ −1; n = 66); and high-normophosphatemia (> −1 to ≤ 2; n = 125). Main outcomes were fractures, orthopedic surgeries, and scoliosis.

Results

Subjects with frank and low-normophosphatemia had increased fracture and surgery rates vs high-normophosphatemia. The prevalence of moderate to severe scoliosis was similarly higher in the frank and low-normophosphatemia groups. In a subanalysis of patients matched for Skeletal Burden Score ≥35, fracture and surgery rates remained higher in the frank hypophosphatemia group, suggesting association between phosphorus and skeletal complications is not explained by differences in FD burden alone.

Conclusion

Both frank hypophosphatemia and low-normophosphatemia are associated with increased FD-related complications. This supports FGF23-mediated hypophosphatemia as a driver of skeletal morbidity, which may impact a larger proportion of the FD/McCune-Albright syndrome population than previously recognized. These findings enable clinicians to identify at-risk patients and will inform development of prospective studies to determine optimal therapeutic targets.
The Multibiomarker Acro-TIME Score Predicts fg-SRLs Response: Preliminary Results of a Retrospective Acromegaly Cohort
Authors: Chiloiro Sabrina , Moroni Rossana , Giampietro Antonella , Angelini Flavia , Gessi Marco , Lauretti Liverana , Mattogno Pier Paolo , Calandrelli Rosalinda , Tartaglione Tommaso , Carlino Angela , Gaudino Simona , Olivi Alessandro , Rindi Guido , De Marinis Laura , Pontecorvi Alfredo , Doglietto Francesco , Bianchi Antonio
Published: November 2023

Context

The prompt control of acromegaly is a primary treatment aim for reducing related disease morbidity and mortality. First-generation somatostatin receptor ligands (fg-SRLs) are the cornerstone of medical therapies. A non-negligible number of patients do not respond to this treatment. Several predictors of fg-SRL response were identified, but a comprehensive prognostic model is lacking.

Objective

We aimed to design a prognostic model based on clinical and biochemical parameters, and pathological features, including data on immune tumor microenvironment.

Methods

A retrospective, monocenter, cohort study was performed on 67 medically naïve patients with acromegaly. Fifteen clinical, pathological, and radiological features were collected and analyzed as independent risk factors of fg-SRLs response, using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. A stepwise selection method was applied to identify the final regression model. A nomogram was then obtained.

Results

Thirty-seven patients were fg-SRLs responders. An increased risk to poor response to fg-SRLs were observed in somatotropinomas with absent/cytoplasmatic SSTR2 expression (OR 5.493 95% CI 1.19-25.16, P = .028), with low CD68+/CD8+ ratio (OR 1.162, 95% CI 1.01-1.33, P = .032). Radical surgical resection was associated with a low risk of poor fg-SRLs response (OR 0.106, 95% CI 0.025-0.447 P = .002). The nomogram obtained from the stepwise regression model was based on the CD68+/CD8+ ratio, SSTR2 score, and the persistence of postsurgery residual tumor and was able to predict the response to fg-SRLs with good accuracy (area under the curve 0.85).

Conclusion

Although our predictive model should be validated in prospective studies, our data suggest that this nomogram may represent an easy to use tool for predicting the fg-SRL outcome early.
Neurovascular Interventions for Neurotrauma: From Treatment of Injured Vessels to Treatment of the Injured Brain?
Authors: Doron Omer , Patel Aman B. , Hawryluk Gregory W. J.
Published: November 2023

Traumatic brain injury is often associated with a direct or secondary neurovascular pathology. In this review, we present recent advancements in endovascular neurosurgery that enable accurate and effective vessel reconstruction with emphasis on its role in early diagnosis, the expanding use of flow diversion in pseudoaneurysms, and traumatic arteriovenous fistulas. In addition, future directions in which catheter-based interventions could potentially affect traumatic brain injury are described: targeting blood brain barrier integrity using the advantages of intra-arterial drug delivery of blood brain barrier stabilizers to prevent secondary brain edema, exploring the impact of endovascular venous access as a means to modulate venous outflow in an attempt to reduce intracranial pressure and augment brain perfusion, applying selective intra-arterial hypothermia as a neuroprotection method mitigating some of the risks conferred by systemic cooling, trans-vessel wall delivery of regenerative therapy agents, and shifting attention using multimodal neuromonitoring to post-traumatic vasospasm to further characterize the role it plays in secondary brain injury. Thus, we believe that the potential of endovascular tools can be expanded because they enable access to the “highways” governing perfusion and flow and call for further research focused on exploring these routes because it may contribute to novel endovascular approaches currently used for treating injured vessels, harnessing them for treatment of the injured brain.
Visualization of the chemical defense molecule formoside binding to sensory structures in a model fish predator
Authors: Mascuch Samantha J. , Khatri Chhetri Bhuwan , Mojib Nazia , Kubanek Julia
Published: November 2023

Sensory perception of chemical threats coming from an organism's environment relies on the coordination of numerous receptors and cell types. In many cases, the physiological processes responsible for driving behavioral responses to chemical cues are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the physiological response of fish to an unpalatable compound, formoside, which is employed as a chemical defense by marine sponges. Construction of fluorescent probe derivatives of formoside allowed visualization of this chemical defense molecule in vivo, interacting with the cells and tissues of the early larvae of a model predator, the zebrafish (Danio rerio). This revealed the precise chemosensory structures targeted by formoside to be in the taste buds and olfactory epithelium of developing zebrafish. Mechanosensory neuromasts were also targeted. This study supports the involvement of a previously identified co-receptor in detection of the chemical defense and provides a springboard for the long-term goal of identification of the cellular receptor of formoside. Extension of this approach to other predators and chemical defenses may provide insight into common mechanisms of chemoreception by predators as well as common strategies of chemical defense employed by prey.
Mutation spectrum analysis of DMD gene in Indonesian Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy patients
Authors: Dwianingsih Ery Kus , Iskandar Kristy , Hapsara Sunartini , Ping Liu Chun , Malueka Rusdy Ghazali , Gunadi . , Matsuo Masafumi , Lai Poh San
Published: November 2023

Background Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) are allelic disorders caused by mutations in the DMD gene. The full mutation spectrum of the DMD gene in Indonesian patients is currently unknown. Mutation-specific therapies are currently being developed, such as exon skipping or stop codon read-through therapy. This study was conducted with the aim of identifying the mutation spectrum of the DMD gene in Indonesia to guide future development and application of feasible therapeutic strategies. Methods This study is a cross sectional study that enrolled 43 male patients with a clinical suspicion of DMD or BMD. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) reaction was performed to screen for the common mutations in the DMD gene. Results Out of 43 subjects, deletions accounted for 69.77% (n=30) cases, while duplications were found in 11.63% (n=5) cases. One novel duplication spanning exons 2 to 62 was identified. Deletion mutations clustered around the distal (66.67%) and proximal (26.67%) hot spot regions of the DMD gene while duplication mutations were observed solely at the proximal region. Two false positive cases of single exon deletion detected through MLPA were attributed to sequence mutations affecting primer ligation sites, confirming the need to validate all single exon deletions when using this screening method. Analysis of available maternal DNA samples showed that the rate of de novo mutations (48.15%) appears higher than expected in this population. Out of 31 patients who were classified as DMD based on clinical and genotype characterizations, 60.47% (n=26) of cases were suitable for exon skipping therapy. Conclusion This is the first comprehensive study showing the feasibility of implementing the MLPA method for routine screening of DMD patients in Indonesia. This is also the first study showing the potential applicability of exon skipping therapy in the majority of DMD cases in the country.
The genome sequence of the Large Longhorn, Nematopogon swammerdamella (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Langdon William B.V. , Baumberg Cass ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: November 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Nematopogon swammerdamella (the Large Longhorn; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Adelidae). The genome sequence is 699.5 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.46 kilobases in length.
Secure Storage of Computer Network Data based on Cloud Computing
Authors: Jiang Hongwei
Published: November 2023

Cloud computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources. User’s data is stored in large database. The stored data can be accessed and modified by the clients over the Internet. The data is monitored by the Third Party Auditor (TPA) on behalf of the client. Therefore, integrity is lacked by the data stored on the servers. The data integrity is ensured by the cloud services that provide trust to the privacy of users. Aiming at the urgent problem of network data security in cloud computing operations, this paper proposed a security situation assessment system to grasp the security situation in real time. A set of cloud computing network data storage security is proposed. Through this model, the extraction of network data storage security situation elements, the design of network data storage security situation assessment scheme and the calculation method of network data storage security situation value are completed. The experimental results show the error of the predicted value obtained by the network data storage security situation assessment system. The effectiveness of the system model and the superiority of the improved algorithm is verified by the experimental results. This paper uses the cloud model to predict the cloud computing network security situation. On the other hand, the security situation value obtained by the situation assessment process can be used directly without training the original situation value. Performance improvement by the proposed technique over existing technique is seen and it is observe that the proposed technique is 23% and 34% better than the existing techniques.
Community nursing and wound care: from TIME to TIMERS
Authors: Batas Renata
Published: November 2023

Renata Batas disusses the implications of using the TIMERS assesment tool in practice
Join us in London for ECET 2024: 15th Conference of the European Council of Enterostomal Therapists
Authors: Kroboth Gabriele
Published: November 2023

The European Council of Enterstomal Therapy (ECET) announced their 15th Conference will be held in May 2024
DUAL MOBILITY ARTICULATION CONFERS LOWER DISLOCATION AND REVISION RATES: A STUDY USING REVIEW OF REVIEWS METHODOLOGY
Authors: Mehta Sonu , Goel Amit , Mahajan Uday , Reddy Rajyalakshmi , Bhaskar Deepu
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Dislocation post THA confers a higher risk of re-dislocation (Kotwal et al, 2009). The dual mobility (DM) cup design (1974) was aimed at improving the stability by increasing the femoral head to neck ratio (Cuthbert et al., 2019) combining the ideas of low friction arthroplasty with increased jump distance associated with a big head arthroplasty.

Aims

Understand the dislocation rates, rates of aseptic loosening, infection rate and revision rates between the 2 types of constructs to provide current and up-to date evidence.

Methods

Medline, pubmed, embase and Cochrane databases were used based on PRISMA guidelines. RevMan software was used for the meta-analysis. Studies (English literature) which used DM construct with atleast 6 months follow-up used as intervention and non DM construct as control were included. 2 independent reviewers conducted the review with a third reviewer in case of difference in opinion regarding eligibility. Primary outcome was dislocation rate and secondary outcome was rate of revision.

Results

564 articles identified out of which 44 articles were screened for full texts and eventually 4 systematic review articles found eligible for the study. Thus, study became a review of systematic reviews. From the 4 systematic reviews, another 35 studies were identified for data extraction and 13 papers were used for meta-analysis. Systematic reviews evaluated, projected an average follow up of 6–8 years with significantly lower dislocation rates for DM cups. The total number of patients undergoing DM cup primary THA were 30,559 with an average age 71 years while the control group consisted of 218,834 patients with an average age of 69 years. DM group had lower rate of dislocation (p < 0.00001), total lower rate of cup revision (p < 0.00001, higher incidence of fracture (p>0.05).

Conclusion

DM THA is a viable alternative for conventional THA. The long-term results of DM cups in primary THA need to be further evaluated using high quality prospective studies and RCTs.

Declaration of Interest

(b) declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported:I declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.
DO MEDICAL COMORBIDITIES PLAY A BIGGER ROLE IN MORTALITY IN NECK OF FEMUR FRACTURE PATIENTS THAN COVID? A MULTICENTRE STUDY
Authors: Mehta Sonu , Williams Llinos , Mahajan Uday , Bhaskar Deepu , Rathore Sameer , Barlow Victoria , Leggetter Peter
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Several studies have shown that patients over 65 years have a higher mortality with covid. Combine with inherently increased morbidity and mortality in neck of femur (NoFF) fractures, it is logical to think that this subset would be most at risk.

Aims

Investigate whether there is actual increase in direct mortality from Covid infection in NoFF patients, also investigate other contributing factors to mortality with covid positivity and compare the findings with current available literature.

Methods

1-year cross sectional, retrospective study from 1st March 2020 at two DGHs, one in Wales and one in England. Surgically treated NoFF patients with isolated intra/extracapsular fracture included. Mortality analysis done by creating a matched comparison group for each risk factor and combinations known to confer highest mortality. Chi square test for independence used to compare COVID status with 1 year mortality.

Results

610 patients, 62 patients had COVID-19RTPCR+ive test during hospital stay/in the community. 21(34%) deaths in COVID positive and 95 (17.33%) deaths in COVID negative patients. There was no mortality in ASA 1 or 2 patients. Analysis of asa matching with 10-year age ranges from 65years revealed a nearly double mortality rate in covid+ group as opposed to covid negative for both ASA 3 and 4 groups. Parameters such as preinjury mobility, residential status, AMTS score, time to surgery, did not seem to play a significant role in mortality.

Conclusion

First of its kind study with a large subset of patients and unique parameters to identify causes leading to mortality in the vulnerable population of NoFF. Higher morality in Covid positive NoFF patients, but increase may not be as significant as identified by most current studies in the literature and still within the confines of NHFD stats(2019).

Declaration of Interest

(b) declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported:I declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.
Bracing Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (BASIS) study – night-time versus full-time bracing in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: study protocol for a multicentre, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Swaby Lizzie , Perry Daniel C. , Walker Kerry , Hind Daniel , Mills Andrew , Jayasuriya Raveen , Totton Nikki , Desoysa Lauren , Chatters Robin , Young Bridget , Sherratt Frances , Latimer Nick , Keetharuth Anju , Kenison Laura , Walters Stephen , Gardner Adrian , Ahuja Sashin , Campbell Laura , Greenwood Sarah , Cole Ashley
Published: November 2023

Aims

Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine with associated rotation, often causing distress due to appearance. For some curves, there is good evidence to support the use of a spinal brace, worn for 20 to 24 hours a day to minimize the curve, making it as straight as possible during growth, preventing progression. Compliance can be poor due to appearance and comfort. A night-time brace, worn for eight to 12 hours, can achieve higher levels of curve correction while patients are supine, and could be preferable for patients, but evidence of efficacy is limited. This is the protocol for a randomized controlled trial of ‘full-time bracing’ versus ‘night-time bracing’ in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods

UK paediatric spine clinics will recruit 780 participants aged ten to 15 years-old with AIS, Risser stage 0, 1, or 2, and curve size (Cobb angle) 20° to 40° with apex at or below T7. Patients are randomly allocated 1:1, to either full-time or night-time bracing. A qualitative sub-study will explore communication and experiences of families in terms of bracing and research. Patient and Public Involvement & Engagement informed study design and will assist with aspects of trial delivery and dissemination.

Discussion

The primary outcome is ‘treatment failure’ (Cobb angle progression to 50° or more before skeletal maturity); skeletal maturity is at Risser stage 4 in females and 5 in males, or ‘treatment success’ (Cobb angle less than 50° at skeletal maturity). The comparison is on a non-inferiority basis (non-inferiority margin 11%). Participants are followed up every six months while in brace, and at one and two years after skeletal maturity. Secondary outcomes include the Scoliosis Research Society 22 questionnaire and measures of quality of life, psychological effects of bracing, adherence, anxiety and depression, sleep, satisfaction, and educational attainment. All data will be collected through the British Spine Registry.

Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(11):873–880.
All layers patterned conical nanostructured thin-film silicon solar cells for light-trapping efficiency improvement
Authors: Yang Xiancui , Shui Furong , Yu Yanli , Yi Zao , Li Haiou , Xu Zhimou , Zhang Fabi , Xiong Jian , Liu Xingpeng , Wangyang Peihua , Sun Tangyou
Published: November 2023

Thin-film silicon solar cells (TSSC) has received great attention due to its advantages of low cost and eco-friendly. However, traditional single-layer patterned solar cells (SPSC) still fall short in light-trapping efficiency. This article presents an all layers patterned (ALP) conical nanostructured TSSC to enhance the low absorption caused by the thin absorption layers. The Finite-Difference Time-Domain result shows that a photocurrent density up to 41.27 mA/cm2 can be obtained for the structure, which is 31.39% higher than that of the SPSC. An electrical optimization simulation of doping concentration was carried out on the parameters of the optically optimal structure of the model. The power conversion efficiency is 17.15%, which is 1.72 times higher than that of the planar structure. These results demonstrate a success for the potential and prospect of the fully patterned nanostructures in thin-film photovoltaic devices.
Compact 20-pass thin-disk multipass amplifier stable against thermal lensing effects and delivering 330 mJ pulses with M2 < 1.17
Authors: Zeyen Manuel , Affolter Lukas , Abdou Ahmed Marwan , Graf Thomas , Kara Oguzhan , Kirch Klaus , Marszalek Miroslaw , Nez François , Ouf Ahmed , Pohl Randolf , Schulthess Ivo , Rajamohanan Siddharth , Yzombard Pauline , Schuhmann Karsten , Antognini Aldo
Published: November 2023

We report on an Yb:YAG thin-disk multipass amplifier delivering 100 ns long pulses at a central wavelength of 1030 nm with an energy of 330 mJ at a repetition rate of 100 Hz. The beam quality factor at the maximum energy was measured to be M2 < 1.17. The small signal gain is 21.7, and the gain at 330 mJ was measured to be 6.9. The 20-pass amplifier is designed as a concatenation of stable resonator segments in which the beam is alternately Fourier transformed and relay-imaged back to the disk by a 4f-imaging optical scheme stage. The Fourier transform propagation makes the output beam robust against spherical phase front distortions, while the 4f-stage is used to compensate the thermal lens of the thin-disk and to reduce the footprint of the amplifier.
High-energy picosecond pulses with a single spatial mode from a passively mode-locked, broad-area semiconductor laser
Authors: Meller Mallachi-Elia , Bello Leon , Parshani Idan , Goldovsky David , London Yosef , Pe’er Avi
Published: November 2023

We present a mode-locked semiconductor laser oscillator that emits few picosecond pulses (5-8ps at a repetition rate of 379MHz and wavelength of 1064nm) with record peak power (112W) and pulse energy (0.5nJ) directly out of the oscillator (with no amplifier). To achieve this high power performance we employ a high-current broad-area, spatially multi-mode diode amplifier (0.3×5mm), placed in an external cavity that enforces oscillation in a single spatial mode. Consequently, the brightness of the beam is near-ideal (M2 = 1.3). Mode locking is achieved by dividing the large diode chip (edge emitter) into two sections with independent electrical control: one large section for gain and another small section for a saturable absorber. Precise tuning of the reverse voltage on the absorber section allows to tune the saturation level and recovery time of the absorber, providing a convenient knob to optimize the mode-locking performance for various cavity conditions.
All-multimode fiber spatiotemporal mode-locked figure-eight laser based on multimode gain fiber
Authors: Xu Guoyu , Peng Jiying , Zhang Huaiwei , Zhang Yunhong , Cui Mengdi , Su Yiyang , Zheng Yi
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we report for the first time on an all-multimode fiber spatiotemporal mode-locked figure-eight laser operating at 1.0 µm. This laser utilizes a multimode gain fiber and a nonlinear amplifying loop mirror mechanism. It can generate mode-locked noise-like pulses at different central wavelengths. Additionally, we observed the presence of a multi-soliton state within the cavity by reducing intracavity gain. This study contributes to a broader investigation of various pulse phenomena in spatiotemporal mode-locked lasers and provides valuable insights into further exploring the evolution of spatiotemporal dynamics in such systems.
Geometric error modeling and compensation for high precision composite optical measurement systems
Authors: Liu Jixiao , Chen Qingrong , Wang Jian , Sun Si , Zhang Xi , Du Jialin , Jiang Jixin , Tian Zongwei , Yu Siyang , Yan Wei
Published: November 2023

Composite optical measurement systems are widely used in the field of precision measurement due to their combination of inspection with high accuracy, speed, wide range, real-time, and other advantages. Whereas errors are prevalent in measurements, in order to improve detection accuracy, the systems must be compensated for geometric errors in three-dimensional space. Aiming at the complex situation of multi-probes and multi-zooms in the composite optical measurement system, the current error modelling methods are difficult to be directly applied, so this paper establishes a unified three-dimensional volumetric error model based on the theory of multi-body system and combined with the principle of geometric optics, performs the error verification through the direct measurement method, and finally realises the compensation of geometric error in the continuous space of the whole measurement range. Eventually, the accuracy of the proposed error model and the effectiveness of the error compensation method were verified by a laser interferometer and standard objects to be measured, and the integrated geometric error of the system was decreased by 76.55%, which effectively improved the accuracy of the system. The error modelling and compensation method proposed in this paper provides a new idea for the error compensation of the zoom measurement system, and at the same time, it is universal for the measurement systems of different structures and motion forms, which can be widely used in the field of precision measurement.
“It’s complicated…”: Exploring second stage caesarean sections and reasons for non-performance of assisted vaginal births in Kenya: A mixed methods study
Authors: Dickinson Fiona M. , Allott Helen , Nyongesa Paul , Eyinda Martin , Muchemi Onesmus M. , Karangau Stephen W. , Ogoti Evans , Shaban Nassir A. , Godia Pamela , Nyaga Lucy , Ameh Charles A.
Published: November 2023

Unnecessary Caesarean Section (CS) can have adverse effects on women and their newborns. Assisted vaginal birth/delivery (AVB/AVD) using a suction device or obstetric forceps is a potential alternative when delays or complications occur in the second stage of labour. Unlike CS, AVB using a suction device does not require regional or general anaesthesia, can often be performed by midwives, and does not scar the uterus, lowering the risk of maternal mortality and morbidity, in this and subsequent pregnancies. This study examined the appropriateness and outcomes of second stage CS (SSCS), and reasons for low levels of AVB use, in Kenya. Using a mixed methods study design, we reviewed case notes from women having SSCS births and AVB, and conducted key informant interviews with healthcare providers, from 8 purposively selected hospitals in Kenya. Randomly selected SSCS and all AVB case notes were reviewed by a panel of four experienced obstetricians, and appropriateness of the procedure assessed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with obstetricians, medical officers and midwives, and analysed using a thematic approach. Review of 67 SSCS case notes showed 10% might have been conducted as AVBs, with a further 58% unable to be classified due to inadequate/inconsistent record keeping or excessive delay following initial CS decision. Outcomes following SSCS showed perinatal mortality rate of 89.6/1,000 births, with 11% of infants and 9% of mothers experiencing complications. Non-referred cases of AVB showed good outcomes. The findings of the 20 interviews explored the experience and confidence of healthcare providers in performing AVBs, and adequacy of the training they received. Key reasons for non-performance included lack of functioning equipment, lack of trained staff or their rotation to other departments. Reasons for non-performance of AVB were complex and often multiple. Any solutions to these problems will need to address various local, regional and national issues.
Predictors and outcomes of cardiac dyssynchrony among patients with heart failure attending Benjamin Mkapa Hospital in Dodoma, central Tanzania: A protocol of prospective-longitudinal study
Authors: Bilikundi Patrick , Alphonce Baraka , Nyundo Azan , Meda John Robson
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Cardiac Dyssynchrony is prevalent among patients with heart failure with high cost of care and potentially poor outcomes. Nevertheless, little is known about cardiac dyssynchrony among heart failure patients, especially in developing countries. This study aims at assessing the predictors and outcomes of cardiac dyssynchrony among heart failure patients attending the cardiology department at Benjamin Mkapa Referral Hospital in Dodoma, central Tanzania

Methods

The study will follow a prospective longitudinal design involving participants aged 18 years and above with heart failure attending the Cardiology Department at Benjamin Mkapa Hospital. Heart failure will be identified based on Framingham’s score and patients will be enrolled and followed up for six months. Baseline socio-demographic and clinical characteristics will be taken during enrollment. Outcomes of interest at six months include worsening of heart failure, readmission and death. Continuous data will be summarized as Mean (SD) or Median (IQR), and categorical data will be summarized using proportions and frequencies. Binary logistic regression will be used to determine predictors and outcomes of Cardiac Dyssynchrony among patients with heart failure.
Lower odds of COVID-19-related mortality in hospitalised patients with type II diabetes mellitus: A single-centre study
Authors: Mina Jonathan , Samaha Nadia L. , Fleifel Mohamad , Nasr Janane , Haykal Tony , Dimassi Hani , Harb Ranime , Hout Ghida El , Franjieh Elissar , Mahdi Ahmad , Mokhbat Jacques , Farra Anna , Husni Rola
Published: November 2023

Background

COVID-19 infection in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) -a chronic illness in Lebanon–is not well described.

Methods

This was a single-centre retrospective observational study of 491 patients, including 152 patients with T2DM, who were hospitalised for COVID-19 between 20 August 2020 and 21 April 2021. Data on clinical characteristics, laboratory and radiological findings and outcomes were collected from the electronic medical records. Clinical characteristics and in-hospital mortality between patients with and without T2DM infected with COVID-19 using multivariate analysis were compared.

Results

Patients with T2DM were significantly older than those without T2DM (mean age, 68.7 vs. 60.3 years). Patients with T2DM were more likely to present with a body temperature of <38.3°C (83.9% vs. 69.9%) and less likely to present with chest pain (3.9% vs. 9.1%) and sore throat (2.0% vs. 6.8%). Patients with T2DM were more likely to be hypertensive (76.35% vs. 41%) and dyslipidaemic (58.6% vs. 25.7%) and had more frequent underlying coronary artery disease (33.6% vs. 12.4%). The rates of patients with creatinine levels of ≥1.17 mg/L and troponin T levels of ≥4 ng/dL were higher in the T2DM group than in the non-T2DM group (30.4% vs. 15% and 93.3% vs. 83.1%, respectively). Patients with T2DM were more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) (34.2% vs. 22.1%), require invasive ventilation (18.4% vs. 10.3%) and receive vasopressors (16.4% vs. 10.0%). Increasing age and the use of invasive ventilation and vasopressors were associated with higher odds of mortality (odds ratio (OR), 1.08, 9.95 and 19.83, respectively), whereas longer ICU stay was associated with lower odds of mortality (OR, 0.38). The odds of mortality were lower in the T2DM group than in the non-T2DM group (OR, 0.27).

Conclusion

Among patients hospitalised for COVID-19, those with T2DM were older, presented with milder symptoms and had more comorbidities and higher troponin T levels compared with those without T2DM. Despite the worse clinical course, the patients with T2DM had lower odds of mortality than those without T2DM.
Trend analysis of COVID-19 mis/disinformation narratives–A 3-year study
Authors: Kotseva Bonka , Vianini Irene , Nikolaidis Nikolaos , Faggiani Nicolò , Potapova Kristina , Gasparro Caroline , Steiner Yaniv , Scornavacche Jessica , Jacquet Guillaume , Dragu Vlad , della Rocca Leonida , Bucci Stefano , Podavini Aldo , Verile Marco , Macmillan Charles , Linge Jens P.
Published: November 2023

To tackle the COVID-19 infodemic, we analysed 58,625 articles from 460 unverified sources, that is, sources that were indicated by fact checkers and other mis/disinformation experts as frequently spreading mis/disinformation, covering the period from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2022. Our aim was to identify the main narratives of COVID-19 mis/disinformation, develop a codebook, automate the process of narrative classification by training an automatic classifier, and analyse the spread of narratives over time and across countries. Articles were retrieved with a customised version of the Europe Media Monitor (EMM) processing chain providing a stream of text items. Machine translation was employed to automatically translate non-English text to English and clustering was carried out to group similar articles. A multi-level codebook of COVID-19 mis/disinformation narratives was developed following an inductive approach; a transformer-based model was developed to classify all text items according to the codebook. Using the transformer-based model, we identified 12 supernarratives that evolved over the three years studied. The analysis shows that there are often real events behind mis/disinformation trends, which unverified sources misrepresent or take out of context. We established a process that allows for near real-time monitoring of COVID-19 mis/disinformation. This experience will be useful to analyse mis/disinformation about other topics, such as climate change, migration, and geopolitical developments.
A small molecule exerts selective antiviral activity by targeting the human cytomegalovirus nuclear egress complex
Authors: Chen Han , Lye Ming F. , Gorgulla Christoph , Ficarro Scott B. , Cuny Gregory D. , Scott David A. , Wu Fan , Rothlauf Paul W. , Wang Xiaoou , Fernandez Rosio , Pesola Jean M. , Draga Sorin , Marto Jarrod A. , Hogle James M. , Arthanari Haribabu , Coen Donald M.
Published: November 2023

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is an important pathogen for which new antiviral drugs are needed. HCMV, like other herpesviruses, encodes a nuclear egress complex (NEC) composed of two subunits, UL50 and UL53, whose interaction is crucial for viral replication. To explore whether small molecules can exert selective antiviral activity by inhibiting NEC subunit interactions, we established a homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence (HTRF) assay of these interactions and used it to screen >200,000 compound-containing wells. Two compounds, designated GK1 and GK2, which selectively inhibited this interaction in the HTRF assay with GK1 also active in a co-immunoprecipitation assay, exhibited more potent anti-HCMV activity than cytotoxicity or activity against another herpesvirus. At doses that substantially reduced HCMV plaque formation, GK1 and GK2 had little or no effect on the expression of viral proteins and reduced the co-localization of UL53 with UL50 at the nuclear rim in a subset of cells. GK1 and GK2 contain an acrylamide moiety predicted to covalently interact with cysteines, and an analog without this potential lacked activity. Mass spectrometric analysis showed binding of GK2 to multiple cysteines on UL50 and UL53. Nevertheless, substitution of cysteine 214 of UL53 with serine (C214S) ablated detectable inhibitory activity of GK1 and GK2 in vitro, and the C214S substitution engineered into HCMV conferred resistance to GK1, the more potent of the two inhibitors. Thus, GK1 exerts selective antiviral activity by targeting the NEC. Docking studies suggest that the acrylamide tethers one end of GK1 or GK2 to C214 within a pocket of UL53, permitting the other end of the molecule to sterically hinder UL50 to prevent NEC formation. Our results prove the concept that targeting the NEC with small molecules can selectively block HCMV replication. Such compounds could serve as a foundation for development of anti-HCMV drugs and as chemical tools for studying HCMV.
Arctic childhood in data-driven culture: Wearable technology and children’s right to privacy in Finland
Authors: Vänskä Annamari , Mickelsson Sini , Morozova Daria , Härkönen Heidi , Gurova Olga , Pirjatanniemi Elina
Published: November 2023

The article discusses the definition of ‘Arctic childhood’: how it affects the ideal of childhood in the Arctic countries while differentiating it from understandings of childhood in more temperate climates. Arctic childhood offers novel viewpoints to the concept of childhood. It grants agency to the non-human world: environment, weather and design solutions such as clothes and wearable technology. It also highlights how these shape the concept of childhood in the Arctic and beyond. The article focuses on wearable technology, which brings new legal issues to considerations of childhood in data-driven culture. The central argument is two-fold. As design solutions, wearable technology may preserve the ideal of the active child, essential to Arctic and Finnish childhoods. Legally, however, there are some issues: since wearable technology is designed to bring forth and share with others the vital functions of the child’s body, it raises concerns about children’s fundamental right to privacy and data protection. By bringing together fashion studies and the doctrinal study of law, and by using wearable technology as an example, the article argues that multidisciplinary approaches are needed when new technologies designed to track and monitor individuals are offered to minors in the name of staying healthy.
ECME 2022–24: Looking ahead
Authors: Kooistra Lauren
Published: November 2023

The Early Childhood Music Education (ECME) commission of the International Society for Music Education (ISME) looks ahead to the future work of ECME, and specifically the pre-conference seminar to be held in Helsinki, July 2024, with the theme Enhancing a Sustainable Future with Music in Early Childhood. With planning for the seminar underway, the commissioners aim is for ECME to be a sustained rich space, where researchers and practitioners can meet together to support and advocate for the role of music in the lives and well-being of young children and those who care for them.
Real-time Traffic Monitoring System Based on Deep Learning and YOLOv8
Authors: Neamah Saif B. , Karim Abdulamir A.
Published: November 2023

Computer vision applications are important nowadays because they provide solutions to critical problems that relate to traffic in a cost-effective manner to reduce accidents and preserve lives. This paper proposes a system for real-time traffic monitoring based on cutting-edge deep learning techniques through the state-of-the-art you-only-look-once v8 algorithm, benefiting from its functionalities to provide vehicle detection, classification, and segmentation. The proposed work provides various important traffic information, including vehicle counting, classification, speed estimation, and size estimation. This information helps enforce traffic laws. The proposed system consists of five stages: The preprocessing stage, which includes camera calibration, ROI calculation, and preparing the source video input; the vehicle detection stage, which uses the convolutional neural network model to localize vehicles in the video frames; the tracking stage, which uses the ByteTrack algorithm to track the detected vehicles; the speed estimation stage, which estimates the speed for the tracked vehicles; and the size estimation stage, which estimates the vehicle size. The results of the proposed system running on the Nvidia GTX 1070 GPU show that the detection and tracking stages have an average accuracy of 96.58% with an average error of 3.42%, the vehicle counting stage has an average accuracy of 97.54% with a 2.46% average error, the speed estimation stage has an average accuracy of 96.75% with a 3.25% average error, and the size estimation stage has an average accuracy of 87.28% with a 12.72% average error.