bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
T2*-weighted MRI produces viable fetal “Black-Bone” contrast with significant benefits when compared to current sequences
Authors: Goodall Alex Francis , Barrett Alex , Whitby Elspeth , Fry Andrew
Published: May 2021

Objectives:

Fetal “black bone” MRI could be useful in the diagnosis of various skeletal conditions during pregnancy without exposure to ionizing radiation. Previously suggested susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) is not available in the suggested form on all scanners leading to long imaging times that are susceptible to motion artefacts. We aimed to assess if an optimized T2*-weighted GRE sequence can provide viable “black bone” contrast and compared it to other sequences in the literature.

Methods:

A retrospective study was conducted on 17 patients who underwent fetal MRI. Patients were imaged with an optimized T2*-weighted GRE sequence, as well as at least one other “black-bone” sequence. Image quality was scored by four blinded observers on a five-point scale.

Results:

The T2*-weighted GRE sequence offered adequate to excellent image quality in 63% of cases and scored consistently higher than the three other comparison sequences when comparing images from the same patient. Image quality was found to be dependent on gestational age with good image quality achieved on almost all patients after 26 weeks.

Conclusions:

T2*-weighted GRE imaging can provide adequate fetal “black bone” contrast and performs at least as well as other sequences in the literature due to good bone to soft tissue contrast and minimal motion artefacts.

Advances in knowledge:

T2*-weighted fetal “black-bone” imaging can provide excellent bone to soft tissue contrast without using ionizing radiation. It is as good as other “black bone” sequences and may be simpler and more widely implemented, with less motion artefacts.
An assessment of radiation use, knowledge and concerns in trainee cardiologists in Ireland
Authors: Brandon Lisa , Keane David
Published: May 2021

Objective

To evaluate knowledge, routine use and concerns of trainee cardiologists in the Republic of Ireland regarding radiation use in the cardiac catheterization laboratory.

Methods

We handed out a Radiation Questionnaire to cardiology trainees in February 2020 at the Irish Cardiac Society “Spring Meeting”. The questionnaire assessed radiation protection use amongst trainees and tested knowledge of X-ray basics.

Results

Many trainees report inadequate access to properly sized lead protection, and infrequent dosimeter usage. Over one-third of trainees report musculoskeletal issues from wearing leads, the majority of whom use correct size lead <60% of the time. 33.3% report radiation concerns will affect their decision making regarding subspeciality training, but notably 83.3% of females and only 19% of males surveyed report this, showing this is a bigger issue for females in cardiology. Less than half of trainees feel adequately educated about radiation.

Conclusion

Our assessment show deficiencies in the provision and use of personal protective equipment to trainees, highlights extra radiation concerns of female cardiology trainees, and notes gaps in knowledge in radiation use.

Advances in knowledge

Our assessment highlights deficiencies in the education of cardiology trainees regarding ionizing radiation, and suggests this area needs to be improved upon.
Migration of a nodule localisation marker to the contralateral lung
Authors: Skondras Evangelos , Basiony Mohamed , Anikin Vladimir
Published: May 2021

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been increasingly used to resect lung nodules avoiding thoracotomy thus reducing morbidity and hospitalisation time. One of the main challenges is to localise the target, because very often they are not palpable and small. Various nodule localisation techniques have been used to assist VATS resection including metallic marker implantation adjacent to the lesion of interest. These markers have been known to migrate, more often in the pleural space. We report an unusual case of metallic marker migration to the contralateral lung.
Viewing patterns regarding panoramic radiographs with different pathological lesions: an eye-tracking study
Authors: Vogel Dorothea , Schulze Ralf
Published: May 2021

Objective:

The aim of this study was to examine how dental students vary their viewing patterns of panoramic radiographs during different levels of dental education.

Methods:

Two groups of students (total number = 48, n = 24) in different grades (second and fifth clinical semester) were compared. The second clinical semester participated twice, as during the second clinical semester a specific lecture on dental radiology and diagnosis is held. The first viewing took place at the beginning of the semester (2a), the second at the end of it (2e). The fifth semester (5e) represents students shortly before graduation. While viewing 20 panoramic radiographs showing specific pathologies, the eye movement was captured by an eye-tracker. After a maximum of 60 s per image, the students had to report a suspected diagnosis. Every panoramic radiograph included a pathological lesion which was diagnosed by an expert observer who also defined the areas of interest (AOI). The images were presented in the same order to each participant. The metric data recorded by the tracking-system included total time to first fixation, total fixation count, total gaze duration and coordinates of the fixation in and outside an area of interest. In addition, parameters like the completeness of scanning and the suspected diagnosis were analysed. Differences between the groups were assessed for statistical significance and associations between level of different grades, viewing time, completeness of scanning and correctness of diagnosis were computed.

Results:

2e was significantly faster (p < 0,001), whereas 5e was significantly (p < 0.001) more likely to diagnose correctly and also to scan more completely. Scanning duration did not significantly influence the correctness of diagnosis. The lower edges of the panoramic radiographs were not scanned as often as the centre of the image. Bony lesions were generally found to be difficult to interpret and significant findings located in the sinus were overlooked the most.

Conclusion:

The higher semester had a more complete viewing pattern and diagnosed correctly with a higher percentage. After hearing the mentioned lecture, the second semester scanned faster and mentioned the AOI more often but could not make a right diagnosis.
Radiobiological risks following dentomaxillofacial imaging: should we be concerned?
Authors: Belmans Niels , Oenning Anne Caroline , Salmon Benjamin , Baselet Bjorn , Tabury Kevin , Lucas Stéphane , Lambrichts Ivo , Moreels Marjan , Jacobs Reinhilde , Baatout Sarah
Published: May 2021

Objectives:

This review aimed to present studies that prospectively investigated biological effects in patients following diagnostic dentomaxillofacial radiology (DMFR).

Methods:

Literature was systematically searched to retrieve all studies assessing radiobiological effects of using X-ray imaging in the dentomaxillofacial area, with reference to radiobiological outcomes for other imaging modalities and fields.

Results:

There is a lot of variability in the reported radiobiological assessment methods and radiation dose measures, making comparisons of radiobiological studies challenging. Most radiological DMFR studies are focusing on genotoxicity and cytotoxicity, data for 2D dentomaxillofacial radiographs, albeit with some methodological weakness biasing the results. For CBCT, available evidence is limited and few studies include comparative data on both adults and children.

Conclusions

In the future, one will have to strive towards patient-specific measures by considering age, gender and other individual radiation sensitivity-related factors. Ultimately, future radioprotection strategies should build further on the concept of personalized medicine, with patient-specific optimization of the imaging protocol, based on radiobiological variables.
WIND (Workflow for pIRNAs aNd beyonD): a strategy for in-depth analysis of small RNA-seq data
Authors: Geles Konstantinos , Palumbo Domenico , Sellitto Assunta , Giurato Giorgio , Cianflone Eleonora , Marino Fabiola , Torella Daniele , Mirici Cappa Valeria , Nassa Giovanni , Tarallo Roberta , Weisz Alessandro , Rizzo Francesca
Published: May 2021

Current bioinformatics workflows for PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) analysis focus primarily on germline-derived piRNAs and piRNA-clusters. Frequently, they suffer from outdated piRNA databases, questionable quantification methods, and lack of reproducibility. Often, pipelines specific to miRNA analysis are used for the piRNA research in silico. Furthermore, the absence of a well-established database for piRNA annotation, as for miRNA, leads to uniformity issues between studies and generates confusion for data analysts and biologists.

For these reasons, we have developed WIND (Workflow for pIRNAs aNd beyonD), a bioinformatics workflow that addresses the crucial issue of piRNA annotation, thereby allowing a reliable analysis of small RNA sequencing data for the identification of piRNAs and other small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) that in the past have been incorrectly classified as piRNAs. WIND allows the creation of a comprehensive annotation track of sncRNAs combining information available in RNAcentral, with piRNA sequences from piRNABank, the first database dedicated to piRNA annotation. WIND was built with Docker containers for reproducibility and integrates widely used bioinformatics tools for sequence alignment and quantification. In addition, it includes Bioconductor packages for exploratory data and differential expression analysis. Moreover, WIND implements a "dual" approach for the evaluation of sncRNAs expression level quantifying the aligned reads to the annotated genome and carrying out an alignment-free transcript quantification using reads mapped to the transcriptome. Therefore, a broader range of piRNAs can be annotated, improving their quantification and easing the subsequent downstream analysis. WIND performance has been tested with several small RNA-seq datasets, demonstrating how our approach can be a useful and comprehensive resource to analyse piRNAs and other classes of sncRNAs.
Implementation of discovery learning in a digital class and its effect on student learning outcomes and learning independence level
Authors: Brata Wasis Wuyung Wisnu , Wibowo Firmanul Catur , Rahmadina Nadia
Published: May 2021

Background: The need to use online learning is inevitable during the Covid-19 pandemic. There has been a call for action in education policy to provide a more flexible, digitally based learning strategy. It is presumed that this change in learning methods will reduce meaningful learning experiences.

Methods: This study examines the application of discovery learning in the digital classroom and its effect on learning outcomes and independent learning. The research employed a quasi-experiment method, and the sample was taken using a randomized sampling technique. Two classes with the same initial knowledge value were used as experimental and control groups. The instrument used was a cognitive test and a Self-Directed Learning (SDL) questionnaire.

Results: The results of this research show that there is a significant difference in learning outcomes and SDL in the experiment and control group. Students that apply discovery learning with a combination of face-to-face and digital classes get better results on both variables than in conventional discovery class.

Conclusions: It can be concluded that the application of discovery learning through the digital classroom has a positive effect on learning outcomes and students' level of independence. This study was only conducted in one secondary school and more samples are recommended for further study. The limitations of the application of face-to-face discovery learning can be overcome by the application of online learning, which facilitates meaningful learning experiences for students.
Orthorexia – current approach. A review
Authors: Hyrnik Joanna , Zasada Ida , Wilczyński Krzysztof , Jelonek Ireneusz , Janas-Kozik Małgorzata
Published: May 2021

Celem pracy było scharakteryzowanie ortoreksji (Orthorexia Nervosa; ON) na podstawie najnowszych wyników badań na temat częstości jej występowania, grup oraz czynników ryzyka, jak również zależności pomiędzy ortoreksją, a innymi jednostkami klinicznymi. Praca powstała w oparciu o przegląd bazy danych Medline/Pubmed. Przeanalizowano prace badawcze w kierunku epidemiologii, czynników ryzyka i konceptualizacji zjawiska ortoreksji, opublikowane w latach 2009-2019. ON pozostaje jednostką o niejasnej etiologii. Autorzy nadal dyskutują związek ON z innymi grupami zaburzeń (AN, BN, OCD, ASD). Dane epidemiologiczne są rozbieżne, wskazując skrajnie wartości od 1% do 90% w różnych populacjach. Czynniki ryzyka są zmiennie identyfikowane, w różnych grupach, a autorzy nie są jednogłośni co do wpływu determinant w postaci zmiennych antropometrycznych i socjodemograficznych na występowanie objawów ON. Na prezentowane wyniki wpływa stosunkowo niewielka liczebność grup badanych i ich ograniczona reprezentatywność oraz zmienność stosowanych narzędzi badawczych BOT, ORTO-15, EHQ, DOS. Wnioski: Wobec braku jasnego statusu nozologicznego, braku ujednoliconych i zoperacjonalizowanych kryteriów diagnostycznych oraz rzetelnych narzędzi jej oceny, ON wymaga dalszych badań. Podobnie, opracowania wymagają programy profilaktyki (zwłaszcza w grupach ryzyka) oraz nieistniejące programy terapeutyczne, wobec braku koncepcji leczenia ON, spowodowanej niejasnościami w konceptualizacji samego zjawiska.
What About "Price Gouging" By Employees
Authors: Reese Alexander , Pies Ingo
Published: May 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic reveals a new phenomenon, unaddressed by the existing literature on “price gouging” in times of emergency. While merchants – getting large(r) remuneration for providing desperately needed goods – evoke public moral outrage for assumed “price gouging”, employees – getting large(r) remuneration for providing desperately needed services – do not cause such outrage but rather experience moral appraisal for their valuable commitment. To address this inherent inconsistency of moral judgment, we propose to embrace insights from research on folk economics. By understanding the folk perception underlying public outrage at “price gougers,” business ethics might better enlighten the moral (il-)legitimacy of anti-“price gouging” measures.
Capital da dor: um monumento construído a partir dos escombros de todas as maravilhas dos “années folles” por Paul Éluard
Authors: Souza Karine Dos Santos
Published: May 2021

O presente artigo tem como principal objetivo trazer à tona a discussão da obra de Paul Éluard, poeta francês do século XX engajado politicamente e pouco traduzido para o português brasileiro. A obra aqui analisada é a antologia “Capitale de la douleur”, as discussões se embasam tanto na fortuna crítica produzida na França acerca da obra do poeta, quanto em teóricos relevantes para a crítica de poesia atual. A proposta de análise de dois poemas específicos da obra é apresentada na parte final do artigo.
O realismo maravilhoso em Cien Años de Soledad, de Gabriel García Márquez.
Authors: Vieira Mariana
Published: May 2021

O artigo revisa as diferenças e as semelhanças entre o gênero fantástico e o realismo maravilhoso. Nesse mesmo período, se explica a motivação de técnicas realistas maravilhosas e a impossibilidade de sua classificação se dar pelo nome “realismo mágico”. Após esta breve revisão, nos debruçamos sobre alguns aspectos que tornam nossa leitura de Cien Años de Soledad, como a de um romance pertencente ao realismo maravilhoso, quais sejam: o narrador do romance e a cidade narrativa Macondo. Após esta análise, conclui-se que o romance incorpora a presença do mito do eterno retorno em sua construção espaço-temporal, o que pode dialogar, em nossa leitura, com a História da América Latina e alguns aspectos de sua recepção crítica.
O dialogismo em “Breaking Bad” e “Pulp Fiction”: paralelos visuais, temáticos e composicionais
Authors: Lima de Oliveira Jancen Sérgio , Leal Amanda Gabriella Lima , Oliveira Ana Karolina de Melo Pessoa
Published: May 2021

Objetivamos, neste artigo, analisar, utilizando principalmente categorias da Gramática do Design Visual (GDV), o fenômeno do dialogismo que ocorre entre episódios do seriado televisivo Breaking Bad (2008-2013) e o filme Pulp Fiction (1994), de modo a evidenciar as semelhanças na construção estética dos planos em ambas as produções audiovisuais. Para isso, analisamos fotogramas retirados de cenas da série e do filme supracitados, comparando o dialogismo presente em aspectos como enquadramento, estruturação, saliência, além da composição estilística, como o ponto de vista, ângulos de câmera, entre outros. Como resultados, evidenciamos que Breaking Bad faz referências, em alguns episódios, às cenas do filme Pulp Fiction, que foi produzido antes da narrativa seriada.
Own your ethos
Authors: Davis Emma
Published: May 2021

Does your setting have an ethos or is it still evolving? It is important to understand what it means and how it dictates your work with children and families.
Long term gains?
Authors: Leitch Neil
Published: May 2021

The road to recovery will be a long one but there have been many innovative changes to practice due to the pandemic. Settings will be able to carry these forward to the benefit of children and families in the future.
Broadband, ultrahigh efficiency fiber-to-chip coupling via multilayer
nanophotonics
Authors: Puckett Matthew W. , Krueger Neil A.
Published: May 2021

We design, fabricate, and characterize a multilayer nanophotonic structure that couples light from standard optical fiber to an integrated photonics chip with unprecedented efficiency. The structure comprises a multilayer waveguide array tapering into a single waveguide supporting only fundamental TE- and TM-like modes. Measurements reveal a record-setting fiber-to-chip coupling efficiency of

98.3

%

±

0.3

%

per facet at a 1575 nm wavelength that remains greater than

92.8

%

±

0.4

%

across the 1550–1600 nm wavelength range. This approach is tailorable to any material platform, fiber type, or operating wavelength and represents a significant step forward for the accessibility of integrated photonics.
Near IR stationary wave Fourier transform lambda meter in lithium niobate: multiplexing and improving optical sampling using spatially shifted nanogroove antenna
Authors: Bonduelle Myriam , Heras Irene , Morand Alain , Ulliac Gwenn , Salut Roland , Courjal Nadege , Martin Guillermo
Published: May 2021

Several integrated optics solutions currently exist to develop monolithic, robust, and lightweight high-resolution spectrometers for spatial applications. An interesting option is generating a stationary wave inside a single-mode waveguide, and sampling the interference fringes using dielectric discontinuities on the surface of the waveguide. This allows the recording of the signal on a detector on top of the waveguide, and using dedicated Fourier transform methods to recover the spectrum of the source. All the difficulty is then linked to the length of the interferogram that is sampled. This determines the spectral resolution and the spacing between sampling centers, which are ultimately limited by the pixel pitch, and that will determine the spectral range of the spectrum. In addition, the dielectric discontinuities that will extract the flux from the waveguide have a relatively wide angular emission, resulting in crosstalk between pixels, and reducing the effective sampling step. Finally, the optical sensitivity of these systems is limited since the waveguides are single mode. Therefore, improving the efficiency of stationary wave Fourier transform spectrometers will require reducing the angular divergence of the sampled signal, reducing the sampling step, and increasing the optical input collection capacity. To achieve the two latest conditions, one interesting approach is spatial multiplexing. In this paper, we present the proof of concept of a multiplexed integrated optics Fourier transform spectrometer based on lithium niobate waveguides, using focused ion beam nanogrooves as sampling centers. The spatially shifted position of the antennas between consecutive waveguides will allow us to determine an unknown wavelength with tens of picometer resolution. The extraction efficiency and bandwidth of the antennas will be theoretically studied to optimize their periodicity and match a given pixel pitch. Finally, the ability to develop this concept on an electro-optic material will be of great interest to achieve further active phase modulation and increase the spectral bandwidth.
Controllable axial optical chain beams using a holographic method
Authors: Song Xianlin , Wei Jianshuang , Teng Ao , Zhao Aojie
Published: May 2021

Axial optical chain (optical bottle beams) beams are widely used in optical micromanipulation, atom trapping, guiding and binding of microparticles and biological cells, etc. However, the generation of axial optical chain beams are not very flexible at present, and its important characteristics such as periodicity and phase shift cannot be easily regulated. Here, we propose a holographic method to achieve the axial optical chain beams with controllable periodicity and phase. A double annular phase diagram is generated based on the gratings and lenses algorithms. The beam incident to the double annular slits was tilted from the optical axis to produce concentric double annular beams. The annular beam with different radius will produce the zero-order Bessel beam with different axial wave vector. Axial optical chain beams is produced by interference of two zero-order Bessel beams with different axial wave vectors. The phase and periodicity of the axial optical chain beams can be changed by changing the initial phase difference and radius of the double annular slits of the double annular phase diagram, respectively. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method are demonstrated by theoretical numerical analysis and experiments. This method will further expand the application of axial optical chain beams in optical tweezers, optical modulation and other fields.
Analysis of the misalignment effect and the characterization method for imprinting continuous phase plates
Authors: Ji Peng , Wang Bo , Li Duo , Jin Yuan , Ding Fei , Qiao Zheng
Published: May 2021

Continuous phase plates (CPPs) are increasingly being used to realize beam shaping and smoothing in high-power laser systems. With computer controlled optical surfacing (CCOS) technology, CPPs can be imprinted with high accuracy by a series of processing iterations, in which the characterization of the imprinted CPP surface plays a key role. However, the form accuracy evaluation is sensitive to the misalignment caused by the difference between the designed and measured coordinates. In this paper, the matching problem, which is the critical part of characterization, is first summarized as a least squares problem in accordance with the processing principle of CPPs. Then, the misalignment effect on the form error evaluation is analyzed. Necessary attention is paid to the CPP features and the sensibility analysis for different misalignments is conducted. To improve the efficiency and accuracy, an automatic characterization method based on image registration and nonlinear optimization is presented. Considering the smoothness of the CPP surface, the height difference tracing method is proposed to evaluate the matching performance and embedded into the characterization method. Finally, a series of simulations and experiments were undertaken to verify the performance of the proposed characterization method. The results demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed method, indicating that it can provide the reliable form error evaluation with sub-nanometer accuracy for imprinted CPPs.
On-chip continuous position control of phase singularities in nanoscale
Authors: Liu Houquan , Xie Zhenghao , Cheng Yu , Yuan Libo
Published: May 2021

In this paper, continuous position control of plasmonic phase singularities on a metal-air interface is achieved based on the misaligned coupling between the optical axis of vortex beam and nano ring plasmonic lens. The formula of surface plasmon polaritons field distribution in this case is derived. The offset distance and direction between the optical axis of the vortex beam and the center of the nano ring is used to control the distance and the angular distribution of the phase singularities in nanoscale, respectively. This can promote the accurate positioning of phase singularities in practical applications and provide a deeper understanding of the misaligned coupling between vortex beams and nano ring plasmonic lens.
Fourier transform spectrometer based on high-repetition-rate mid-infrared supercontinuum sources for trace gas detection
Authors: Abbas M. A. , Jahromi K. E. , Nematollahi M. , Krebbers R. , Liu N. , Woyessa G. , Bang O. , Huot L. , Harren F. J. M. , Khodabakhsh A.
Published: May 2021

We present a fast-scanning Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) in combination with high-repetition-rate mid-infrared supercontinuum sources, covering a wavelength range of 2–10.5 µm. We demonstrate the performance of the spectrometer for trace gas detection and compare various detection methods: baseband detection with a single photodetector, baseband balanced detection, and synchronous demodulation at the repetition rate of the supercontinuum source. The FTS uses off-the-shelf optical components and provides a minimum spectral resolution of 750 MHz. It achieves a noise equivalent absorption sensitivity of ∼10−6 cm−1 Hz−1/2 per spectral element, by using a 31.2 m multipass absorption cell.
Measuring fluence distribution of intense short laser based on the radiochromic effect
Authors: He Yunxiao , Hong Wei , Hua Jianfei , Qi Wei , Zhang Zhimeng , Li Gang , Cui Bo , Lu Feng , Deng Zhigang , He Shukai , Su Jingqin , Zhou Weimin , Lu Wei , Gu Yuqiu
Published: May 2021

This Letter demonstrates a novel, to the best of our knowledge, method to measure the fluence distribution of an intense short laser pulse based on the radiochromic effect. We discovered that an intense short laser pulse can induce the color reaction with a radiochromic film (RCF). Further, the net optical density of an irradiated RCF is proportional to the fluence of the incident laser pulse in a large range (

2

−

120

m
J

/

c
m

2

). This method supports a large detection area up to near square-meter scale by splicing multi-pieces of RCFs (

8

×
10

i
n
c
h

2

each). The spatial resolution reaches as high as 60 lines/mm. It offers a thin-film (

∼

100

µ

m

thick), flexible, vacuum-compatible solution to intense short laser measurements, especially to laser facilities above petawatt, with beam sizes up to near square-meter scale, e.g., extreme light infrastructure.
All-optical polarization split of the signal and LO for a bi-directional self-homodyne coherent system
Authors: Chen Yizhao , Wang Xuefeng , Zeng Yifan , Chen Junda , Li Weihao , Zhang Yao , Zhang Mingming , Zhao Can , Liu Deming , Tang Ming
Published: May 2021

In this Letter, we propose a cost-efficient bi-directional (BiDi) polarization-multiplexed self-homodyne coherent detection (SHCD) system, in which only one fiber link and one adaptive polarization controller (APC) are required. By employing the correlation of the state of polarization (SOP) between the upstream and downstream light, one APC is capable of stabilizing SOPs of the counterpropagating waves at the same time. The signal and local oscillator (LO) can be optically split by a polarization beam splitter (PBS), relaxing pressure of the digital signal processing (DSP) and simplifying the coherent receiver. The impact induced by polarization cross talk and delay mismatch is collectively investigated by theoretical analysis and simulation. Finally, the proposed scheme is experimentally verified through 120 Gbit/s 16-quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM) transmission, achieving a satisfying laser-linewidth tolerance of 10 MHz and a polarization rotation tolerance of up to 45 rad/s.
Resource efficient single photon source based on active frequency multiplexing
Authors: Massar Serge , Clemmen Stéphane
Published: May 2021

We propose a new, to the best of our knowledge, single photon source based on the principle of active multiplexing of heralded single photons, which, unlike previously reported architecture, requires a limited amount of physical resources. We discuss both its feasibility and the purity and indistinguishability of single photons as a function of the key parameters of a possible implementation.
Controlling thermal-induced dewetting of As20Se80 thin films for integrated photonics applications
Authors: Colmenares Yormary Nathaly , Correr Wagner , Messaddeq Sandra Helena , Messaddeq Younès
Published: May 2021

As the use of photonics circuits expands, the optical quality and performance of integrated components in the microscale become a major concern. Aiming to improve the performance while reducing the time processing, new microfabrication approaches are being investigated. The dewetting of glassy thin films have been recently proposed as an alternative for nano and microfabrication of chalcogenide optical components. Besides being the best materials for light transmission in the infrared region, chalcogenide glasses possess a flexible molecular structure that allows using a cheap and simple molding process. Here we investigate the thermal-induced dewetting of chalcogenide As20Se80 thin films, by studying the influence of temperature, atmosphere, and heating rate on the formation of self-assembled microstructures. We found that thin films between 150 and 700 nm dewet via structural relaxation, similarly to liquid agglomeration, and produce solid microstructures with the same composition and molecular structure as the initial film. By controlling the glass viscosity and the kinetics of the nucleation process it was possible to adjust the distribution and size of glassy microstructures. Additionally, we combine the dewetting process with standard photolithography and by avoiding the capillary instabilities, we are capable to obtain waveguides with the smooth and symmetric surfaces required for optical applications in the microscale size.
High-optical-quality non-cubic Yb3+-doped Ca10(PO4)6F2 (Yb:FAP) laser ceramics
Authors: Furuse Hiroaki , Okabe Taiga , Shirato Homare , Kato Daichi , Horiuchi Naohiro , Morita Koji , Kim Byung-Nam
Published: May 2021

We fabricated an advanced transparent Yb-doped hexagonal fluorapatite ceramic with an average grain size of only 90 nm; we also demonstrated its laser oscillation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the smallest grain size for laser ceramics. The in-line transmittance was 86.1% at 1 µm for 0.79-mm-thick ceramics (corresponding to a loss coefficient of 0.45 cm-1). Although the ceramic crystal grains were randomly oriented, scattering at the grain boundary was suppressed because the grains were considerably smaller than the wavelength. This novel ceramic possesses both a fine microstructure and densification and is expected to be the foundation of many non-cubic laser ceramics.
Expression of Grainyhead-like 2 in the Process of Ductal Development of Mouse Mammary Gland
Authors: Matsuoka Shinya , Suzuki Hiroyoshi , Kato Chieko , Kamikawa-Tokai Mai , Kamikawa Akihiro , Okamatsu-Ogura Yuko , Kimura Kazuhiro
Published: May 2021

Grainyhead-like 2 (Grhl2) is a transcription factor regulating cell adhesion genes. Grhl2 acts as an epithelial–mesenchymal transition suppressor, and it is a proto-oncogene involved in estrogen-stimulated breast cancer proliferation. However, its expression during ovarian hormone–dependent mammary ductal development remains obscure. We here examined Grhl2 expression in the mammary gland of normal and steroid-replaced ovariectomized mice. Grhl2 protein signals were detected in both the mammary luminal epithelial and myoepithelial nuclei. The ratio and density of Grhl2-positive nuclei increased after the onset of puberty and progressed with age, whereas Grhl2-negative epithelial cells were detected in mature ducts. Claudin 3, claudin 4, claudin 7, and E-cadherin gene expression in the mammary gland was upregulated, and their expression was highly correlated with Grhl2 gene expression. Furthermore, Grhl2 mRNA expression and ductal lumen width were significantly increased by the combined treatment of estrogen and progesterone compared with estrogen alone. These results suggest that Grhl2 expressed in the luminal epithelial and myoepithelial cells from the early phase of ductal development, controlling the expression of cell adhesion molecules to establish functional ducts:
A microfluidic-based filtration system to enrich for bone marrow disseminated tumor cells from breast cancer patients
Authors: Pillai Sreeraj G. , Siddappa Chidananda M. , Ma Cynthia , Snider Jackie , Kaushal Madhurima , Watson Mark A. , Aft Rebecca
Published: May 2021

Disseminated tumors cells (DTCs) present in the bone marrow (BM) are believed to be the progenitors of distant metastatic spread, a major cause of mortality in breast cancer patients. To better understand the behavior and therapeutic vulnerabilities of these rare cell populations, unbiased methods for selective cell enrichment are required. In this study, we have evaluated a microfluidic-based filtration system (ParsortixR, Angle PLC), previously demonstrated for use in circulating tumor cell (CTC) capture, to capture BM DTCs. Performance using BM samples was also compared directly to enrichment of CTCs in the peripheral blood (PB) from both metastatic and non-metastatic breast cancer patients. Although the non-specific capture of BM immune cells was significant, the device could routinely achieve significant cytoreduction of BM and PB WBCs and at least 1,000-fold enrichment of DTCs, based on labeled tumor cell spike-in experiments. Detection of previously characterized DTC-associated gene expression biomarkers was greatly enhanced by the enrichment method, as demonstrated by droplet digital PCR assay. Cells eluted from the device were viable and suitable for single cell RNA sequencing experiments. DTCs in enriched BM samples comprised up to 5% of the total cell population, allowing for effective single cell and population-based transcriptional profiling of these rare cells. Use of the Parsortix instrument will be an effective approach to enrich for rare BM DTCs in order to better understand their diverse molecular phenotypes and develop approaches to eradicate these cells to prevent distant disease development in breast cancer patients.
Factors affecting the seasonal distribution and biomass of E. pacifica and T. spinifera along the Pacific coast of Canada: A spatiotemporal modelling approach
Authors: Evans Rhian , English Philina A. , Anderson Sean C. , Gauthier Stéphane , Robinson Clifford L. K.
Published: May 2021

Euphausiids are a keystone species in coastal food webs due to their high lipid content and seasonally high biomass. Understanding the habitat and environmental drivers that lead to areas of high biomass, or ‘hotspots’, and their seasonal persistence, will support the identification of important foraging regions for mid- and upper- trophic level predators. We quantify the distribution of hotspots of the two dominant species of euphausiid in the north-east Pacific Ocean:Euphausia pacificaandThysanoessa spinifera, as well as euphausiid larvae (mixed species). The Canadian coast encompasses the northern California Current Ecosystem and the transition zone to the Alaska current, and is a highly productive region for fisheries, marine mammals, and seabirds. We used spatiotemporal modelling to predict the distribution of these three euphausiid groups in relation to geomorphic and environmental variables during the important spring-summer months (April through September) when euphausiid biomass is highest. We quantified the area, intensity, and persistence of biomass hotspots across months according to specific oceanographic ecosections developed for marine spatial planning purposes. Persistent hotspots of both adult species were predicted to occur along the 200 m depth contour of the continental slope; however, differences were predicted on the shallower Dixon shelf, which was a key area forT.spinifera, and within the Juan de Fuca Eddy system whereE.pacificahotspots occurred. The continental slope along the west coast of Vancouver Island was the only persistent hotspot region common between both adult species and euphausiid larvae. Larval distribution was more correlated withT.spiniferathanE.pacificabiomass. Hotspots of adults were more persistent across months than hotspots of euphausiid larvae, which were seasonally patchy. The persistence of biomass hotspots of forage species through periods of low overall biomass could maintain trophic connectivity through perturbation events and increase ecosystem resilience to climate change.
The number of neurons in Drosophila and mosquito brains
Authors: Raji Joshua I. , Potter Christopher J.
Published: May 2021

Various insect species serve as valuable model systems for investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which a brain controls sophisticated behaviors. In particular, the nervous system of Drosophila melanogaster has been extensively studied, yet experiments aimed at determining the number of neurons in the Drosophila brain are surprisingly lacking. Using isotropic fractionator coupled with immunohistochemistry, we counted the total number of neuronal and non-neuronal cells in the whole brain, central brain, and optic lobe of Drosophila melanogaster. For comparison, we also counted neuronal populations in three divergent mosquito species: Aedes aegypti, Anopheles coluzzii and Culex quinquefasciatus. The average number of neurons in a whole adult brain was determined to be 199,380 ±3,400 cells in D. melanogaster, 217,910 ±6,180 cells in Ae. aegypti, 223,020 ± 4,650 cells in An. coluzzii and 225,911±7,220 cells in C. quinquefasciatus. The mean neuronal cell count in the central brain vs. optic lobes for D. melanogaster (101,140 ±3,650 vs. 107,270 ± 2,720), Ae. aegypti (109,140 ± 3,550 vs. 112,000 ± 4,280), An. coluzzii (105,130 ± 3,670 vs. 107,140 ± 3,090), and C. quinquefasciatus (108,530 ±7,990 vs. 110,670 ± 3,950) was also estimated. Each insect brain was comprised of 89% ± 2% neurons out of its total cell population. Isotropic fractionation analyses did not identify obvious sexual dimorphism in the neuronal and non-neuronal cell population of these insects. Our study provides experimental evidence for the total number of neurons in Drosophila and mosquito brains.
The life expectancy of older couples and surviving spouses
Authors: Compton Janice , Pollak Robert A.
Published: May 2021

Individual life expectancies provide information for individuals making retirement decisions and for policy makers. For couples, analogous measures are the expected years both spouses will be alive (joint life expectancy) and the expected years the surviving spouse will be a widow or widower (survivor life expectancy). Using individual life expectancies to calculate summary measures for couples is intuitively appealing but yield misleading results, overstating joint life expectancy and dramatically understating survivor life expectancies. This implies that standard "individual life cycle models" are misleading for couples and that “couple life cycle models” must be substantially more complex. Using the CDC life tables for 2010, we construct joint and survivor life expectancy measures for randomly formed couples. The couples we form are defined by age, race and ethnicity, and education. Due to assortative marriage, inequalities in individual life expectancies are compounded into inequalities in joint and survivor life expectancies. We also calculate life expectancy measures for randomly formed couples for the 1930–2010 decennial years. Trends over time show how the relative rate of decrease in the mortality rates of men and women affect joint and survivor life expectancies. Because our couple life expectancy measures are based on randomly formed couples, they do not capture the effects of differences in spouses’ premarital characteristics (apart from sex, age, race and ethnicity, and, in some cases, education) or of correlations in spouses’ experiences or behaviors during marriage. However, they provide benchmarks which have been sorely lacking in the public discourse.
Diagnosis, risk factors and management of diabetes mellitus in HIV-infected persons in France: A real-life setting study
Authors: Kousignian Isabelle , Sautereau Aurélie , Vigouroux Corinne , Cros Agnès , Kretz Sandrine , Viard Jean Paul , Slama Laurence
Published: May 2021

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major and increasing public health problem that may be underdiagnosed and undertreated among persons living with HIV (PLWH).

Objective

To describe the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of DM among PLWH.

Methods

This study was performed inside a monocentric cohort of 1494 PLWH. DM was defined as having a FG ≥126 mg/dL twice or a HbA1c ≥6.5%, or a history of diabetes, or receiving antidiabetic treatment. The first visit mentioning a diagnosis of DM was considered as the baseline visit. Chi-Square or Fisher exact test were used to examine the association between categorical variables and DM, Wilcoxon or Student t-test were used for continuous variables.

Results

156 PLWH with DM were included. Compared to non-diabetic participants, they were more likely to be native of Sub Saharan Africa (31.6% vs. 22.4%, p = 0.027) and older (54.6 vs. 49.9 years, p<0.001), to have a higher BMI (> 25 for 46.1% vs. 35.3%, p = 0.020) and a poorer control of HIV (HIV RNA<50 copies/mL: 80.1% vs. 89.5%, p<0.001). The diagnosis of DM was missed in 37.8% of PLWH, and 47.2% of PLWH treated for DM did not reach a HbA1c<7%. PLWH with DM were more frequently on antihypertensive and/or lipid-lowering medications: 94.2% had a LDL-cholesterol <70 mg/dL and 60.9% had a blood pressure <140/90 mmHg.

Conclusion

In a setting of HIV-control, HIV care providers should focus on metabolic issues. The management of DM and associated risk factors is mandatory to prevent cardiovascular disease in PLWH.
Validation of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) as a candidate therapeutic target in the spontaneous canine model of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Sloan Shelby L. , Renaldo Kyle A. , Long Mackenzie , Chung Ji-Hyun , Courtney Lindsay E. , Shilo Konstantin , Youssef Youssef , Schlotter Sarah , Brown Fiona , Klamer Brett G. , Zhang Xiaoli , Yilmaz Ayse S. , Ozer Hatice G. , Valli Victor E. , Vaddi Kris , Scherle Peggy , Alinari Lapo , Kisseberth William C. , Baiocchi Robert A.
Published: May 2021

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a heterogeneous group of blood cancers arising in lymphoid tissues that commonly effects both humans and dogs. Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5), an enzyme that catalyzes the symmetric di-methylation of arginine residues, is frequently overexpressed and dysregulated in both human solid and hematologic malignancies. In human lymphoma, PRMT5 is a known driver of malignant transformation and oncogenesis, however, the expression and role of PRMT5 in canine lymphoma has not been explored. To explore canine lymphoma as a useful comparison to human lymphoma while validating PRMT5 as a rational therapeutic target in both, we characterized expression patterns of PRMT5 in canine lymphoma tissue microarrays, primary lymphoid biopsies, and canine lymphoma-derived cell lines. The inhibition of PRMT5 led to growth suppression and induction of apoptosis, while selectively decreasing global marks of symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and histone H4 arginine 3 symmetric dimethylation. We performed ATAC-sequencing and gene expression microarrays with pathway enrichment analysis to characterize genome-wide changes in chromatin accessibility and whole-transcriptome changes in canine lymphoma cells lines upon PRMT5 inhibition. This work validates PRMT5 as a promising therapeutic target for canine lymphoma and supports the continued use of the spontaneously occurring canine lymphoma model for the preclinical development of PRMT5 inhibitors for the treatment of human NHL.
A screening system for identifying interacting proteins using biomolecular fluorescence complementation and transposon gene trap
Authors: Miyakura Honami , Fukuda Mei , Enomoto Hiroya , Ishikawa Kosuke , Watanabe Shinya , Semba Kentaro
Published: May 2021

We have established a new screening system for identifying interacting proteins by combining biomolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and a transposon gene trap system. This system requires creation of a bait strain that stably expresses a fusion product of part of the fluorescent monomeric Kusabira-Green (mKG) protein to a protein of interest. A PiggyBac transposon vector is then introduced into this strain, and a sequence encoding the remainder of mKG is inserted into the genome and fused randomly with endogenous genes. The binding partner can be identified by isolating cells that fluoresce when BiFC occurs. Using this system, we screened for interactors of p65 (also known as RELA), an NF-κB subunit, and isolated a number of mKG-positive clones. 5′- or 3′-RACE to produce cDNAs encoding mKG-fragment fusion genes and subsequent reconstitution assay identified PKM, HSP90AB1, ANXA2, HSPA8, and CACYBP as p65 interactors. All of these, with the exception of CACYBP, are known regulators of NF-κB. Immunoprecipitation assay confirmed endogenously expressed CACYBP and p65 formed a complex. A reporter assay revealed that CACYBP enhanced 3κB reporter activation under TNFα stimulation. This screening system therefore represents a valuable method for identifying interacting factors that have not been identified by other methods.
Within- and between-person factor structure of the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory: Analysis of a diary study using multilevel confirmatory factor analysis
Authors: Gruszczynska Ewa , Basinska Beata A. , Schaufeli Wilmar B.
Published: May 2021

The study examined the factor structure of burnout, as measured with the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory. The participants were 235 employees of a public administration agency who assessed their burnout online for 10 consecutive working days. Two models were tested with multilevel confirmatory factor analysis, assuming the same one or two-factor structure at the within- and between-person levels. Both models showed a reasonable fit to the data, but due to a strong correlation between exhaustion and disengagement and low within-person reliability for disengagement, a unidimensional model seems more valid. A cross-level invariance was not confirmed for either of the structures, showing that factor loadings for the same items differ significantly between the levels. This suggests that burnout is not the same latent variable at each level; rather, there are factors other than daily burnout that influence person-level scores and ignoring these across-level discrepancies may lead to biased conclusions.