bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validity & Reliability of a Korean-version of Eating Assessment Tool (K-EAT-10): Predicting the Risk of Aspiration in Stroke Patients
Authors: Noh Dong Kyoung , Choi Seong Hee , Choi Chul-Hee , Lee Kyungjae , Kwak Su Hyun
Published: January 2023

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the reliability and validity of a Korean version of the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) as a clinical evaluation tool for dysphagia with stroke patients and determine its clinical usefulness as a screening tool. Methods: A total of 50 patients with stroke (15 without dysphagia, and 35 with dysphagia, identified through a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) participated in this study. The internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and concurrent validity of the adapted Korean version of EAT-10(K-EAT-10) were evaluated. In addition, the K- EAT-10 scores were compared between two groups according to demographic characteristics, post-stroke conditions, and swallowing function. Moreover, K-EAT-10 scores were compared with the VFSS findings to estimate the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictions of aspiration. Results: The internal consistency of the K-EAT-10 questionnaire showed a Cronbach α coefficient of .091, and the correlation coefficient of the test- retest reliability was .988. In addition, when correlation analysis was performed between the total score of K-EAT-10 and the K-DHI, the correlation coefficient was .904. In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of K-EAT-10, a cut-off point for the K-EAT-10 questionnaire was set at 10 points with a sensitivity of 86.7% and specificity of 77.1%, and the area under the curve was shown to be 0.86. In addition, the positive predictive value (PPV) for the K-EAT-10 was 91%, and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 60%. Conclusion: Korean version of EAT-10 revealed excellent internal consistency, test-retest reliability, concurrent validity and positive predictive value for aspiration. The results suggest that the Korean adaptation of EAT-10 can be useful as a clinical screening test for dysphagia, especially predicting aspiration risk in patients with stroke.
Tri-polarization Reconfigurable Fabry-Perot Resonator Antenna in Ku-band
Authors: Zhu Shichao , He Jiagang , Yu Jie , Feng Yang , Pan Shaopeng , Li Gaosheng
Published: January 2023

In this paper, a broadband tri-polarization reconfigurable antenna applied to polarization diversity is proposed. A partially reflective surface (PRS) is designed to form an air-filled resonator cavity. The reflection phase of the PRS has a positive phase gradient in order to achieve the characteristics of the proposed antenna gain enhancement in the wideband. A metal patch of a four-arm meander structure is used as the radiation structure and the feeding is realized through a four-channel rotating feeding network with equal amplitude and 90∘ phase difference. The feeding network is connected to the radiation structure through four metallized vias. In order to realize the polarization reconfigurability, the PIN diodes and the corresponding DC bias circuit are integrated in the rotating feeding network. The characteristics of horizontal polarization (HP), vertical polarization (VP) and right-hand circular polarization (RHCP) are realized by changing the ON/OFF states of PIN diodes integrated in the feeding network. In order to verify the performance of the proposed antenna, fabrication and testing were carried out. The measurement results show that the -10 dB impedance bandwidths of HP, VP, RHCP are 11% (12.5-14 GHz), 6.4% (13.7-14.6 GHz) and 20% (12.2-14.9 GHz), and the peak realized gains are 9.1, 9.2 and 11.5 dBi, respectively. For RHCP mode, the 3-dB axial ratio bandwidth reaches about 17% (12.35-13.4 GHz and 13.6-14.9 GHz).
Fractal Sectoral Monopole Antenna for UWB Band Applications
Authors: Majeed A. H. , Sayidmarie K. H.
Published: January 2023

This paper proposes a fractal monopole antenna based on a sectoral-shaped patch. To improve thegain of the proposed antenna over a larger bandwidth, the matching was enhanced by attaching two rectangular stubs to the feeding line. The antenna, which is built on an FR4 epoxy substrate with εr =4.3 and a loss tangent of 0.018 has a compact size of 28 mm×31 mm×1.6 mm. The antenna covers the UWB range and extends to about the 22 GHz frequency, as well as offers omnidirectional radiation patterns. The optimized configuration was fabricated and tested. The impedance bandwidth of the proposed antenna is about 155% with a reflection coefficient better than −10 dB and has a maximum gain of nearly 4 dBi with a relatively stable omnidirectional radiation pattern.
Analysis and correction of misalignment-induced aberrations in two-mirror telescopes with stop on the secondary mirror
Authors: Wang Yang , Li Yingrui , Gu Zhiyuan , Zhang Lei , Fu Yuegang
Published: January 2023

We study the problem of misalignment aberration analysis and correction of the two-mirror telescopes with stop on the secondary mirror. The variation law of the system’s aberration field is analyzed with nodal aberration theory when the primary mirror with an astigmatic figure error is misaligned. The analytic expression among the system wave aberration, misalignments, and astigmatism figure error is given, and the correction model of system misalignment aberration is established. The simulation experiment shows that the relative error of the prediction of system misalignment coma and astigmatism based on this model is less than 4.1%.
Volume holography-based abrupt autofocusing beam
Authors: Vyas Sunil , Luo Yuan
Published: January 2023

Volume holographic elements are excellent at shaping high-quality spatial and spectral modes. Many microscopy and laser–tissue interaction applications require precise delivery of optical energy at specific sites without affecting the peripheral regions. Owing to the property of very high energy contrast between the input and the focal plane, abrupt autofocusing (AAF) beams can be the right candidate for laser–tissue interaction. In this work, we demonstrate the recording and reconstruction of a PQ:PMMA photopolymer-based volume holographic optical beam shaper for an AAF beam. We experimentally characterize the generated AAF beams and show the broadband operation property. The fabricated volume holographic beam shaper shows long-term optical quality and stability. Our method offers multiple advantages including high angular selectivity, broadband operation, and intrinsically compact size. The present method may find important applications in designing compact optical beam shapers for biomedical lasers, illumination for microscopy, optical tweezers, and laser–tissue interaction experiments.
Object-based color constancy in a deep neural network
Authors: Heidari-Gorji Hamed , Gegenfurtner Karl R.
Published: January 2023

Color constancy refers to our capacity to see consistent colors under different illuminations. In computer vision and image processing, color constancy is often approached by explicit estimation of the scene’s illumination, followed by an image correction. In contrast, color constancy in human vision is typically measured as the capacity to extract color information about objects and materials in a scene consistently throughout various illuminations, which goes beyond illumination estimation and might require some degree of scene and color understanding. Here, we pursue an approach with deep neural networks that tries to assign reflectances to individual objects in the scene. To circumvent the lack of massive ground truth datasets labeled with reflectances, we used computer graphics to render images. This study presents a model that recognizes colors in an image pixel by pixel under different illumination conditions.
Sub-100 nm pixel pitch via STED photolithography with a nanoprinting-at-expansion/employments-at-recovery strategy
Authors: Xie Fei , Song Shichao , Liang Lili , Li Xiangping , Cao Yaoyu
Published: January 2023

Featured with its extraordinary super-resolution capability, the advent of stimulated emission depletion (STED) lithography has allowed for vastly reduced minimum feature size of a single pixel down to the deep sub-diffraction scale so as to produce unprecedented nanofeatures. However, the anticipated sub-diffraction pixel pitch down below 100 nm remains out of reach due to redundant polymerization of adjacent exposures at a short distance, so called memory effect. In this work, a nanoprinting-at-expansion/employments-at-recovery strategy is applied in the dual-beam STED lithography technique to surmount the memory effect and break adjacent-exposure limit imposed on minimizing the pixel pitch. The implementation of a femtosecond laser at a wavelength of 532 nm, the same as the inhibition laser beam, working as the initiation laser beam, can drastically reduce the saturated inhibition laser intensity by 74% for abating redundant polymerization subjected to multiple exposures in realizing nanoscale pixel pitch. The adjacent-exposure zone can be separated by isotropically expanding an elastic PDMS substrate for further diminishing redundant polymerization. Applying stretching ratio of 30%, a minimum super-resolved nanodots pixel pitch of 96 nm was achieved with single-dot size of 34 nm on both planar and hierarchical substrate, which offers a record-close distance for printing adjacent pixels. With its nanometer discernibility, this method holds great promise for future versatile utilization in advanced nanoimprinting, high density data storage, etc.
Shockwave-based THz emission in air
Authors: Huang Hsin-hui , Nagashima Takeshi , Hatanaka Koji
Published: January 2023

THz emission in air under the irradiation of a pair of tightly-focused femtosecond laser pulses (800nm, 35fs) with nanosecond time delay and micro-meter spatial offsets is studied with polarization-sensitive THz time-domain spectroscopy and time-resolved imaging. The pre-pulse irradiation induces air-breakdown at its focus, which results in the expansion of shockwave front traveling outward. When the main pulse irradiates such shockwave front far from the pre-pulse focus with nanosecond delay, THz emission intensity was enhanced up to ∼13-times and its linear polarization was aligned along the line between the two focus positions of the pre- and the main pulses which is parallel to the expansion direction of the shockwave front. Asymmetric density profiles of the shockwave fronts prepared by the pre-pulse irradiation define the polarization of THz emission. Mechanisms are discussed from the viewpoint of electron diffusion in such asymmetric density profiles.
Binocular full-color holographic three-dimensional near eye display using a single SLM
Authors: Lin Shu-Feng , Zhang Shi-Hang , Zhao Jie , Rong Lu , Wang Yunxin , Wang Dayong
Published: January 2023

A binocular full-color holographic three-dimensional near eye display system using a single spatial light modulator (SLM) is proposed. In the display system, the frequency spectrum shifting operation and color spectrum shifting operation are adopted to realize the frequency division multiplexing (FDM) and frequency superposition multiplexing (FSM) by manipulating the frequency spectrums of each color- and view-channel sub-holograms. The FDM combined with polarization multiplexing will be used to implement binocular display using a single SLM, and the FSM working with a bandpass filter for each view-channel will be used to achieve full-color display from single frame hologram. The optical analysis and experiments with 3D color objects confirm the feasibility of the proposed system in the practical application.
Accelerated self assembly of particles at the air-water interface with optically assisted heating due to an upconverting particle
Authors: Lokesh Muruga , Nalupurackal Gokul , Roy Srestha , Chakraborty Snigdhadev , Goswami Jayesh , Gunaseelan M. , Chowdhury Imdad Uddin , Bhallamudi Vidya P. , Sinha Mahapatra Pallab , Roy Basudev
Published: January 2023

Particles can be assembled at the air-water interface due to optically induced local heating. This induces convection currents in the water which brings particles to the surface. We improve the technique by employing an upconverting particle (UCP), which, when illuminated with 975 nm light, not only emits visible emission but also generates heat owing to the poor efficiency of the upconversion process. This induces strong convection currents which makes particles dispersed in the suspension assemble at the interface and immediately under the UCP. We show assembly of polystyrene particles of 1 μm diameter and diamonds of 500 nm diameter bearing Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers around the UCP. We also show, for the first time, that the microdiamonds are assembled within about 30 nm at the bottom of the UCP by utilizing non-radiative energy transfer that reduces the lifetime of the 550 nm emission from about 90 μs to about 50 μs.
High selectivity and fluorescence reversible Eu3+ sensor based on GSH-capped AgZnInS QDs
Authors: Fang Zixin , Huang Yan , Zhang Yun , ZHao Feng , Li Feng , ZHu Quanshui , Jiang Guangyu
Published: January 2023

Fluorescence sensors for trivalent europium ions (Eu3+) are seldom reported. We study the synthesis of water-soluble quaternary quantum dots (QDs) and investigate their fluorescence sensor application for detecting Eu3+ The as-synthesized glutathione (GSH)-capped AgZnInS (AZIS) QDs show great sensitivity and selectivity to Eu3+among 12 different metal cations. Detailed experimental results indicate that the fluorescence response of the AZIS QDs to increasing concentration of Eu3+ ([Eu3+]) include intensity quenching and peak wavelength blueshift. With the addition of OH-, the fluorescence response reverses. Electron transfer is considered to be the mechanism for the fluorescence quenching and peak wavelength blueshift of the GSH-capped AZIS QDs. Our work provides a new, to the best of our knowledge, method for the detection of Eu3+.
High-flux and bright betatron X-ray source generated from femtosecond laser pulse interaction with sub-critical density plasma
Authors: Huang Ruixian , Han Liqi , Shou Yinren , Wang Dahui , Yu Tongpu , Yu Jinqing , Yan Xueqing
Published: January 2023

Recent progress on betatron X-ray source enables the exploration of new physics in fundamental science; however, the application range is still limited by the source flux and brightness. In this Letter, we show the generation of more than 1 × 1012 photons (energy > 1 keV) with a peak brightness of 7.8 × 1022 photons/(s mm2 mrad2) at 0.1% bandwidth (BW) at 10 keV, driven by a femtosecond laser pulse of ≈5.5 J and a sub-critical density plasma (SCDP). The source flux is more than two orders of magnitude higher than that from typical laser wakefield electron acceleration. This method to produce high-flux and bright X-ray source would open a wide range of applications.
Photonics-assisted compressed sensing radar receiver for frequency domain non-sparse signal sampling based on dictionary learning
Authors: Liu Shiyang , Wang Shi , Shi Taixia , Chen Yang
Published: January 2023

A photonics-assisted radar receiver based on compressed sensing (CS) technology is proposed to receive frequency domain non-sparse radar signals. The radar echo signal is mixed with a pseudo-random binary sequence (PRBS) in a photonic random demodulator (RD) consisting of a laser diode (LD), a dual-drive Mach–Zehnder modulator (DD-MZM), and a photodetector (PD). After the mixed signal from the photonic RD is undersampled by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), the echo signal is reconstructed in the digital domain using an overcomplete dictionary generated by the dictionary learning algorithm and sparse reconstruction algorithm. The target range can be then obtained by correlating the reconstructed echo signal and the transmitted one. Experimental results show that the proposed system can successfully reconstruct different kinds of undersampled non-sparse radar echo signals. When the compression ratio is 20, the ranging errors do not exceed 5 cm. The system provides a promising solution for recovering undersampled frequency domain non-sparse radar signals through photonics-assisted CS.
All-optical control of thermal conduction in waveguide quantum electrodynamics
Authors: Yan Wei-Bin , Man Zhong-Xiao , Zhang Ying-Jie , Fan Heng , Xia Yun-Jie
Published: January 2023

We investigate the heat conduction between two one-dimensional waveguides intermediated by a laser-driving atom. The laser provides the optical control of the heat conduction. The tunable asymmetric conduction of the heat against the temperature gradient is realized. Assisted by the modulated laser, the heat conduction from either waveguide to the other waveguide can be suppressed. The heat currents can be significantly amplified by the energy flow of the laser.
Simultaneous measurements of forward Thomson scattering and rotational Raman scattering in a weakly ionized plasma
Authors: He Zichen , Ranganathan Rajagopalan V. , Froedge D. T. , Zhang Zhili
Published: January 2023

This paper demonstrates a simultaneous Thomson scattering and rotational Raman scattering spectroscopy in a weakly ionized plasma in air. Thomson scattering was collected in the forward scattering direction, in order to compress the relative spectra width of Thomson scattering from the plasma. Simultaneous measurements of rotational Raman scattering were obtained in the same direction, which was not affected by the collection angles. The measurements thus yielded electron temperature (Te) and electron number density (ne) as well as gas temperature in a weakly ionized atmospheric pressure plasma. The separation of rotational Raman scattering and Thomson scattering occurred when the scattering angle decreased to 20 degrees in the plasma, where the air temperature was found to be 150 ± 25 °C, and electron temperature of the plasma was 0.587 ± 0.087 eV, and electron number density was (1.608 ± 0.416) × 1021 m-3. The technique could be used for various plasma and combustion diagnostics in realistic engineering environments.
Distinguishing chemically similar particles in a complex environment via modulated field spectrometry
Authors: Sharma Rohin , Thapa Anusa , Maharjan Rijan , Dhakal Ashim
Published: January 2023

Distinguishing chemically similar particles in a complex environment has been a challenging problem in spectroscopy, such as micro-Raman spectroscopy. Here, we show that it is possible to distinguish particles from their spectroscopic signals in a modulated optical trap, where the trapping field also acts as an excitation source. Using the overdamped Langevin equation, we report that spectroscopic signals averaged over a certain signal acquisition time exhibit several discrete minimas at unique modulating frequencies dependent on their drag coefficient, exemplified herein as a function of the particle size. In typical experimental conditions, such minimas can be as low as ∼50% of the signal of an unmodulated trap.
Full-spectrum visible electro-optic modulator
Authors: Xue Shixin , Shi Zhimin , Ling Jingwei , Gao Zhengdong , Hu Qili , Zhang Kaibo , Valentine Gareth , Wu Xi , Staffa Jeremy , Javid Usman A. , Lin Qiang
Published: January 2023

We report an on-chip high-speed visible-band electro-optic modulator
that can operate over the full visible spectrum of 400–700 nm,
with a record low

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at red, green, and blue wavelengths
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Qualitative analysis to identify determinants of use among different occupational settings and channels of communication to address smokeless tobacco use in Sri Lanka
Authors: Amarasinghe Hemantha , Ratnayake Nilantha , Ranaweera Sajeeva , Suveendran Thirupathy , Abeyakoon Palitha
Published: January 2023

Smokeless tobacco (SLT) use is a leading cause for oral and pharyngeal cancers in the Southeast Asian region which leads to considerable morbidity and mortality. This study aims to Identify the determinants of use and channels of communication to address smokeless tobacco use among specific user groups in Sri Lanka. The study uses a qualitative approach with purposive, snowballing sampling among groups. Specific high-risk demographic and occupational groups that are known to have high prevalence of SLT use were identified in five of the 25 administrative districts of Sri Lanka, were approached. Sixty-two in-depth interviews and 10 focus group discussions were carried out among different occupational groups in five districts. Thematic analysis coding each reported determinants and communication methods was carried out. Users of SLT of different groups revealed different determinants of use. Some of the determinants were common to several groups. When investigated the preferred methods to address SLT, it is found that the media use was also different among these groups. All preferred group level awareness programmes to individual level awareness programmes. Most groups watch specific television channels at specific times of the day. Most groups stated that they accepted the messages of religious leaders and cancer victim groups. Radio and newspapers were used rarely by these groups that were studied. Smart phones were used only by urban youth and others used basic mobile phones only for calling. Different risk groups were identified allowing preparation of an overall communication approach to address use of SLT. The findings here Identify determinants of use and the communication approaches that can be used to prepare an effective communication strategy to address SLT use among different and sometimes hidden groups in resource poor settings in low a middle-income country.
Acceptability of an integrated school-based HPV vaccination program within two districts of Tanzania: A qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Guillaume Dominique , Rosen Joseph G. , Mlunde Linda B. , Njiro Belinda J. , Munishi Castory , Mlay Davis , Gerste Amelia , Holroyd Taylor A. , Giattas Mary Rose , Morgan Christopher , Sunguya Bruno F. , Kyesi Furaha , Tinuga Florian , Ishengoma Joseline , Limaye Rupali J.
Published: January 2023

Tanzania has one of the highest cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates in sub-Saharan Africa. The Tanzanian Ministry of Health developed an integrated adolescent health program, HPV-Plus, that combines HPV vaccination with additional health services: nutritional assessments, vision screening, and vaccination for adolescent girls, and education for all genders. This qualitative descriptive study evaluated the acceptability of the HPV-Plus program in two districts in Tanzania. Key informants comprising of adolescent girls, parents, program planners, and program implementers in Njombe and Dar es Salaam Tanzania were interviewed to assess the program acceptability. Transcripts were analyzed using a team-based iterative thematic analysis approach, consisting of both inductive and deductive coding. The Theoretical Framework of Acceptability was used to guide analysis, with themes categorized according to theoretical constructs of intervention coherence, affective attitudes and perceptions, and perceived effectiveness. Overall acceptability of the HPV-Plus program was high among stakeholders. The most salient finding regarding factors that influenced HPV vaccine acceptability was largely related to education and knowledge levels surrounding the HPV, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccines. The educational component of the HPV-Plus program was key in increasing acceptability. Parents reported the lowest acceptability towards the program. This was found to be primarily due to perceptions of not being sufficiently engaged throughout program implementation. Increasing acceptability of HPV vaccination programs among key stakeholders is critical to facilitating vaccine uptake and meeting vaccination coverage targets. Our results demonstrate that the inclusion of a comprehensive education component within the HPV-Plus program was key in facilitating HPV vaccine acceptability amongst stakeholders.
Delivery cost of the first public sector introduction of typhoid conjugate vaccine in Navi Mumbai, India
Authors: Song Dayoung , Pallas Sarah W. , Shimpi Rahul , Ramaswamy N. , Haldar Pradeep , Harvey Pauline , Bhatnagar Pankaj , Katkar Arun , Jayaprasad Niniya , Kunwar Abhishek , Bahl Sunil , Morgan Win , Hutubessy Raymond , Date Kashmira , Mogasale Vittal
Published: January 2023

Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), a local government in Mumbai, India, implemented the first public sector TCV campaign in 2018. This study estimated the delivery costs of this TCV campaign using a Microsoft Excel-based tool based on a micro-costing approach from the government (NMMC) perspective. The campaign’s financial (direct expenditures) and economic costs (financial costs plus the monetized value of additional donated or existing items) incremental to the existing immunization program were collected. The data collection methods involved consultations with NMMC staff, reviews of financial and programmatic records of NMMC and the World Health Organization (WHO), and interviews with the health staff of sampled urban health posts (UHPs). Three UHPs were purposively sampled, representing the three dominant residence types in the catchment area: high-rise, slum, and mixed (high-rise and slum) areas. The high-rise area UHP had lower vaccination coverage (47%) compared with the mixed area (71%) and slum area UHPs (76%). The financial cost of vaccine and vaccination supplies (syringes, safety boxes) was $1.87 per dose, and the economic cost was $2.96 per dose in 2018 US dollars. Excluding the vaccine and vaccination supplies cost, the financial delivery cost across the 3 UHPs ranged from $0.37 to $0.53 per dose, and the economic delivery cost ranged from $1.37 to $3.98 per dose, with the highest delivery costs per dose in the high-rise areas. Across all 11 UHPs included in the campaign, the weighted average financial delivery cost was $0.38 per dose, and the economic delivery cost was $1.49 per dose. WHO has recommended the programmatic use of TCV in typhoid-endemic countries, and Gavi has included TCV in its vaccine portfolio. This first costing study of large-scale TCV introduction within a public sector immunization program provides empirical evidence for policymakers, stakeholders, and future vaccine campaign planning.
Community health workers and Covid-19: Cross-country evidence on their roles, experiences, challenges and adaptive strategies
Authors: Salve Solomon , Raven Joanna , Das Priya , Srinivasan Shuchi , Khaled Adiba , Hayee Mahwish , Olisenekwu Gloria , Gooding Kate
Published: January 2023

Community health workers (CHWs) are a key part of the health workforce, with particular importance for reaching the most marginalised. CHWs’ contributions during pandemics have received growing attention, including for COVID-19. This paper contributes to learning about CHWs’ experiences during COVID-19, based on evidence from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Kenya and Ethiopia. The paper synthesises evidence from a set of research projects undertaken over 2020–2021. A thematic framework based on the research focus and related literature was used to code material from the reports. Following further analysis, interpretations were verified with the original research teams. CHWs made important contributions to the COVID-19 response, including in surveillance, community education, and support for people with COVID-19. There was some support for CHWs’ work, including training, personal protective equipment and financial incentives. However, support varied between countries, cadres and individual CHWs, and there were significant gaps, leaving CHWs vulnerable to infection and stress. CHWs also faced a range of other challenges, including health system issues such as disrupted medical supply chains, insufficient staff and high workloads, a particular difficulty for female CHWs who were balancing domestic responsibilities. Their work was also affected by COVID-19 public health measures, such as restrictions on gatherings and travel; and by supply-side constraints related to community access and attitudes, including distrust and stigmatization of CHWs as infectious or informers. CHWs demonstrated commitment in adapting their work, for example ensuring patients had adequate drugs in advance of lockdowns, and using their own money and time to address increased transport costs and higher workloads. Effectiveness of these adaptations varied, and some involved coping in a context of inadequate support. CHW are critical for effective response to disease outbreaks, including pandemics like COVID-19. To support CHWs’ contribution and protect their wellbeing, CHWs need adequate resources, managerial support, and motivation.
Frequency, clinical characteristics and outcomes of Tropidolaemus species bite envenomations in Malaysia
Authors: Ismail Ahmad Khaldun , Abd Hamid Muhammad Nadzmi Hadi , Ariff Nur Alissa , Frederic Ng Vera Effa Rezar , Goh Wan Chee , Abdul Samat Nur Syafiqah , Osman Annuar Muhammad Zuljamal , Safferi Ruth Sabrina , Mohamed@Ismail Zainalabidin
Published: January 2023

Pit vipers from the genus Tropidolaemus are identified as one of the common causes of snake bite from venomous species in Malaysia. All Tropidolaemus species bite cases referred to the Remote Envenomation Consultation Services (RECS) between 2015–2021 were included. A total of 4,718 snake-related injuries cases consulted to RECS with 310 (6.6%) involved Tropidolaemus species; of these 190 (61.3%) were T. subannulatus and 120 (38.7%) T. wagleri. All the T. subannulatus cases occurred in Sabah and Sarawak while all cases of T. wagleri occurred in Peninsular Malaysia. The majority of patients were male (74.8%) and adults between 18–59 years old (61.2%). The upper limb (56.6%) was the most frequent anatomical region involved. Most cases were non-occupationally related (75.4%). Bites from both species caused local pain (77.1%) and swelling (27.2%). Most patients complained of mild pain (48.0%). Paracetamol (40.0%) was the most common analgesic prescribed. Antivenom was not indicated in all cases. Two patients were given antivenom inappropriately before RECS consultation. Most patients (54.7%) needed hospital observation for less than 24 hours. No deaths occurred in the group studied.
A dimer between monomers and hexamers—Oligomeric variations in glucosamine-6-phosphate deaminase family
Authors: Srinivasachari Sathya , Tiwari Vikas R. , Kharbanda Tripti , Sowdamini Ramanathan , Subramanian Ramaswamy
Published: January 2023

In bacteria that live in hosts whose terminal sugar is a sialic acid, Glucosamine-6-phosphate deaminase (NagB) catalyzes the last step in converting sialic acid into Fructose-6-phosphate. These bacteria then use the Fructose-6-phosphate as an energy source. The enzyme NagB exists as a hexamer in Gram-negative bacteria and is allosterically regulated. In Gram-positive bacteria, it exists as a monomer and lacks allosteric regulation. Our identification of a dimeric Gram-negative bacterial NagB motivated us to characterize the structural basis of two closely related oligomeric forms. We report here the crystal structures of NagB from two Gram-negative pathogens, Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) and Pasturella multocida (Pm). The Hi-NagB is active as a hexamer, while Pm-NagB is active as a dimer. Both Hi-NagB and Pm-NagB contain the C-terminal helix implicated as essential for hexamer formation. The hexamer is described as a dimer of trimers. In the Pm-NagB dimer, the dimeric interface is conserved. The conservation of the dimer interface suggests that the three possible oligomeric forms of NagB are a monomer, a dimer, and a trimer of dimers. Computational modeling and MD simulations indicate that the residues at the trimeric interface have less stabilizing energy of oligomer formation than those in the dimer interface. We propose that Pm-NagB is the evolutionary link between the monomer and the hexamer forms.
The effects of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) videos versus walking tour videos on ASMR experience, positive affect and state relaxation
Authors: Lohaus Tobias , Yüksekdag Sara , Bellingrath Silja , Thoma Patrizia
Published: January 2023

Objective

Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), the experience of a pleasant tingling on the neck and scalp, is known to be triggered by a characteristic type of videos (ASMR videos). The present study examines whether this experience is indeed specific to these ASMR videos, or whether it can also be triggered by other types of videos, e.g. walking tour videos. A further goal was to investigate differences between ASMR-responders and ASMR-non-responders regarding their ASMR sensation and to compare ASMR and walking tour videos with regard to the elicitation of positive affect and state relaxation.

Method

Two online assessments were carried out in two different predominantly student samples, one involving ASMR videos (n = 205) and the other one walking tour videos (n = 96). In both groups, ASMR experience, positive affect and state relaxation were assessed.

Results

Compared to the walking tour video group, the ASMR-responders in the ASMR video group reported a pronounced ASMR sensation, higher state relaxation and higher positive affect scores. For ASMR-non-responders, lower scores in ASMR sensation, state relaxation and positive affect were revealed compared to the walking tour group. Without differentiating ASMR responder types, the ASMR group showed higher ASMR scores and lower positive affect scores compared to the walking tour group.

Conclusions

Watching ASMR videos induced significantly more characteristic ASMR sensations compared to walking tour videos. Since ASMR videos typically include a simulated interaction of the video protagonist with the viewer and walking tour videos do not, the simulated interaction with the viewer might be one important factor for triggering ASMR. As the ASMR observer type (responder or non-responder) is crucial for benefitting from ASMR videos, future scientific evaluation of ASMR needs to consider this differention when evaluating effects of ASMR on mental heath associated domains.
The distribution of Van Genuchten model parameters on soil-water characteristic curves in Chinese Loess Plateau and new predicting method on unsaturated permeability coefficient of loess
Authors: Fang Shiyue , Shen Pengfei , Qi Xinhai , Zhao Fan , Gu Yue , Huang Jiaxin , Li Yan
Published: January 2023

The unsaturated permeability coefficients are often used to solve geotechnical problems associated with unsaturated soils. But it is very difficult to measure. However, the unsaturated permeability coefficients can be predicted by the Soil-water Characteristic Curves (SWCCs). The Van Genuchten Model (VG model) is very rife as it’s smooth and good fitting, thus, it has the most research data. Therefore, the research data on VG model parameters (α,n,θsandθr) of Malan loess in Chinese Loess Plateau are collected in the past two decades to obtain the spatial distribution characteristics of parameters. The trend surface analysis method is employed to clarify the regional scale distribution and the variation regular pattern on ArcGIS. Then the linear regression method is utilized to fit the relationship between suction and water content in three different regions of Chinese Loess Plateau, which is divided according to the properties and particle gradation. By using this relationship and the trend surface analysis contour map, the unsaturated permeability coefficient of the sample can be predicted after measuring the saturated permeability coefficient. The example verification shows that the difference between the prediction results and the experimental results is very small when the sample has the lower saturation, and the deviation is slightly larger if it has the higher saturation, but they are all within the acceptable range. This method not only saves the test cost, but also considers the physical properties of the loess in the three different regions of the Loess Plateau. With the improvement of data and the gradual improvement of sampling density, the prediction accuracy will gradually improve. It can provide convenience for solving the engineering problems of loess and water and other engineering applications.
The influencing factors of biomedical R&D cooperation in three major urban agglomerations of China based on cooperative patents
Authors: Sun Guojun , Zhang Shaoya , Xu Lan , Zhou Xiaoying , Wu Shuaijun , Zuo-jun Dong
Published: January 2023

Due to the particularity of biomedical industry, it has become necessary for biomedical enterprises to seek innovative research and development (R&D) cooperation to maintain advanced technologies and products in multiple fields. Under such circumstance, the biomedical industry has gradually formed a certain cluster to promote the development of the industry. So far, the biomedical industry cluster has formed in China, mainly within the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, and Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei three urban agglomerations. Within the industrial clusters, the frequency of innovation cooperation among enterprises, universities, research institutions, and other relevant organizations in the biomedical area is high, and the capacity for innovation cooperation is strong as well. This paper used the representative cross-section data of cooperative patents from the medical science and technology patent database of China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), researching the R&D cooperation within the three major urban agglomerations in China from 2008 to 2016 (Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration, Pearl River Delta Urban Agglomeration, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Urban Agglomeration) on total 36 cities’ spatial pattern characteristics of biomedical cooperation and the influencing factors. The spatial interaction model was used to study the spatial, economic, political, and R&D influencing factors of cross-city cooperation. The degree of aggregation showed that cross-city R&D cooperation mainly occurred in well-developed and central cities of urban agglomerations. Econometric results revealed that spatial, economic, political, and R&D bias factors did have a significant impact on the frequency of biomedical R&D cooperation across cities.
Selection of genotypes harbouring mutations in the cytochrome b gene of Theileria annulata is associated with resistance to buparvaquone
Authors: Hacılarlıoglu Selin , Bilgic Huseyin Bilgin , Bakırcı Serkan , Tait Andrew , Weir William , Shiels Brian , Karagenc Tulin
Published: January 2023

Buparvaquone remains the only effective therapeutic agent for the treatment of tropical theileriosis caused by Theileria annulata. However, an increase in the rate of buparvaquone treatment failures has been observed in recent years, raising the possibility that resistance to this drug is associated with the selection of T. annulata genotypes bearing mutation(s) in the cytochrome b gene (Cyto b). The aim of the present study was: (1) to demonstrate whether there is an association between mutations in the T. annulata Cyto b gene and selection of parasite-infected cells resistant to buparvaquone and (2) to determine the frequency of these mutations in parasites derived from infected cattle in the Aydın region of Türkiye. Susceptibility to buparvaquone was assessed by comparing the proliferative index of schizont-infected cells obtained from cattle with theileriosis before and/or after treatment with various doses of buparvaquone, using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) colourimetric assay. The DNA sequence of the parasite Cyto b gene from cell lines identified as resistant or susceptible was determined. A total of six nonsynonymous and six synonymous mutations were identified. Two of the nonsynonymous mutations resulted in the substitutions V135A and P253S which are located at the putative buparvaquone binding regions of cytochrome b. Allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR) analyses detected the V135A and P253S mutations at a frequency of 3.90% and 3.57% respectively in a regional study population and revealed an increase in the frequency of both mutations over the years. The A53P mutation of TaPIN1 of T. annulata, previously suggested as being involved in buparvaquone resistance, was not detected in any of the clonal cell lines examined in the present study. The observed data strongly suggested that the genetic mutations resulting in V135A and P253S detected at the putative binding sites of buparvaquone in cytochrome b play a significant role in conferring, and promoting selection of, T. annulata genotypes resistant to buparvaquone, whereas the role of mutations in TaPIN1 is more equivocal.
Immunophenotype and antitumor activity of cytokine-induced killer cells from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Yang Chan-Keng , Huang Chien-Hao , Hu Ching-Hsun , Fang Jian-He , Chen Tse-Ching , Lin Yung-Chang , Lin Chun-Yen
Published: January 2023

Background

Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells are heterogeneous lymphocytes from human peripheral blood mononucleated cells (PBMCs) co-cultured with several cytokines. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the functional characteristics and anticancer ability of CIK cells from hepatocarcinoma (HCC) patients.

Methods

CIK cells were activated ex-vivo and expanded from PBMCs from HCC patients. The immunophenotype and the ex-vivo killing ability of CIK cells were evaluated. Human CIK cells were intravenously injected into NOD/SCID mice to evaluate the in vivo anticancer ability.

Results

More than 70% of CIK cells were CD3+CD8+, and 15%–30% were CD3+CD56+. These cells expressed an increased number of activated natural killer (NK) receptors, such as DNAM1 and NKG2D, and expressed low-immune checkpoint molecules, including PD-1, CTLA-4, and LAG-3. Among the chemokine receptors expressed by CIKs, CXCR3 and CD62L were elevated in CD8+ T cells, representing the trafficking ability to inflamed tumor sites. CIK cells possess the ex-vivo anticancer activity to different cell lines. To demonstrate in vivo antitumor ability, human CIK cells could significantly suppress the tumor of J7 bearing NOD/SCID mice. Furthermore, human immune cells could be detected in the peripheral blood and on the tumors after CIK injection.

Conclusions

This study revealed that CIK cells from HCC patients possess cytotoxic properties, and express increased levels of effector NK receptors and chemokine molecules and lower levels of suppressive checkpoint receptors. CIK cells can suppress human HCC ex-vivo and in vivo. Future clinical trials of human CIK cell therapy for HCC are warranted.
What are the top priorities of patients and clinicians for the organization of primary cardiovascular care in Quebec? A modified e-Delphi study
Authors: Del Grande Claudio , Kaczorowski Janusz , Pomey Marie-Pascale
Published: January 2023

Background

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Little is known about the organizational priorities of patients and clinicians involved in primary cardiovascular care. This study aimed to identify their shared top priorities and explore on which aspects their perspectives differed.

Methods

A three-round modified online Delphi study was carried out with patients and clinicians in seven academic primary care settings from metropolitan, suburban and small-town areas in Quebec, Canada. Patient partners experienced in the mobilization of their experiential knowledge also participated in the study. Following an “open” round, the items elicited were assessed by a combined rating and ranking approach. Items achieving an initial consensus level ≥70% were reassessed and then rank-ordered based on their final scores. Levels of consensus achieved among patients and clinicians were compared using Fisher’s Exact tests.

Results

Thirty panelists completed the study (9 clinic patients, 7 patient partners and 14 clinicians). Out of 41 organizational aspects generated, six top priorities were shared by patients and clinicians. These related to listening and tailoring care to each patient, provision of personalized information, rapid response in the event of a problem, keeping professional training up-to-date, and relational and informational continuity of care. Statistically significant differences were found between patients’ and clinicians’ perspectives regarding the importance of offering healthy lifestyle and prevention activities at the clinic (lower for patients), timely access to the treating physician (higher for patients), and effective collaboration with specialist physicians (higher for patients).

Conclusion

Although their views differ on some organizational aspects, patients and clinicians share a small set of top priorities for primary cardiovascular care that may be transferable to other chronic diseases. These top priorities should remain a central focus of clinical settings, alongside other primary care reform goals.
Sociability: The key to sensory processing disorder
Authors: Fotoglou Anestis , Moraiti Ioanna , Stergios Vasilis , Ashley Paraskevi Elizabeth , Vogindroukas Ioannis , Speis Phoebe Demeter , Papantoniou Stamatina , Chrysouli Katerina , Karabatzaki Zoe , Stathopoulou Agathi
Published: January 2023

Social communication and sensory processing disorder are two factors that interact with each other and the difficulties they find in them impact on different neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism. More specifically, sociability is shown to play a key role in dealing with sensory processing difficulties and the interventions related to it can be implemented in a school setting as well within a therapeutic setting and even at home. The design of these interventions with a focus on sociability aims on the one hand to reduce sensory difficulties and on the other hand to provide meaningful communication when working with children with autism or severe or generalized learning difficulties. This article’s goal is to compile research findings regarding the impact of sociability on children with sensory difficulties through a literature review. Specifically, many interventions with pillars the social communication have been studied to help children with autism and other syndromes The outcomes demonstrated a direct link between sociability and sensory processing disorder with interventions and therapeutic programs implemented in many nations with favorable outcomes in many facets of how children with these issues behave. One of the most effective interventions that helps are Intensive Interaction with high contribution to the sensory regulation of children mainly with autism. Students with neurodevelopmental problems were the samples for the interventions' participants. Application of these programs on a weekly basis, two to three times, is helpful in the right direction.
Avaliação de produtividade do milho safrinha sob diferentes fontes e doses de nitrogênio
Authors: Jesus Cleidiomar Alves de , Cabral Filho Fernando Rodrigues , Andrade Christiano Lima Lobo de , Silva Edson Cabral da
Published: January 2023

O nitrogênio é um nutriente com grande importância, e de exigência pela cultura do milho (Zea mays L.), e seu suprimento inadequado é um dos principais fatores para a redução de produtividade sobre essa cultura. Dessa forma, objetivou-se neste trabalho, quantificar o número de grãos por planta, massa de mil grãos, massa de grãos por planta, produtividade e produção de sacas por hectare da cultura do milho utilizando a ureia revestida distribuída a lanço. O ensaio foi conduzido na área experimental do IF Goiano, município de Rio Verde – GO,, Brasil. Foi utilizado o delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso com 4 repetições, totalizando 40 parcelas experimentais. Os tratamentos consistiram em cinco doses de nitrogênio (N2) (0, 30, 60, 120 e 180 kg ha-1) e duas fontes de N2 (Ureia convencional e Ureia protegida). O aumento da quantidade de nitrogênio aplicado a lanço, promoveu aumento na produtividade de grãos por hectare, enquanto a utilização da fonte “Ureia revestida” na cultura do milho, não apresentou resultados significativos para a cultura.