bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improvement in patient-reported outcomes and work productivity following 3-year ustekinumab or tumour necrosis factor inhibitor treatment in patients with psoriatic arthritis: results from the PsABio real-world study
Authors: Gossec Laure , Siebert Stefan , Bergmans Paul , de Vlam Kurt , Gremese Elisa , Joven-Ibáñez Beatríz , Korotaeva Tatiana V. , Lavie Frederic , Noël Wim , Nurmohamed Michael T. , Sfikakis Petros P. , Sharaf Mohamed , Theander Elke , Smolen Josef S.
Published: June 2023

Background

To evaluate the real-world effect of the IL-12/23 inhibitor ustekinumab or of a tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) on patient-reported outcomes (PRO) and their association with effectiveness endpoints in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients over 3 years.

Methods

In PsABio (NCT02627768), a prospective, observational study, patients with PsA that were prescribed first- to third-line ustekinumab or a TNFi, and remained on that drug for 3 years, were analysed for change in baseline in PROs (EuroQol-5 dimensions health state VAS [EQ-5D VAS], 12-item Psoriatic Arthritis Impact of Disease questionnaire [PsAID-12; range 0–10], Work Productivity and Activity Impairment for Psoriatic Arthritis questionnaire [WPAI; results expressed as a percentage for each domain]), and the association between PROs and WPAI with effectiveness endpoints, clinical disease activity index for psoriatic arthritis (cDAPSA), low disease activity (LDA)/remission, minimal disease activity (MDA) and very low disease activity (VLDA).

Results

In 437 patients (mean age 49.1 years, 47.8% female), at 3 years, ustekinumab and TNFi treatment led to comparable improvements in EQ-5D VAS; mean change from baseline (95% confidence intervals [CI]) was 11.0 (6.5; 15.4) and 18.9 (14.0; 23.9), respectively. Both groups improved PsAID-12 after 3 years; mean change from baseline (95% CI) was −2.9 (−3.2; −2.5) and −3.5 (−3.9; −3.2), respectively. At baseline, due to their PsA, TNFi-treated patients had lower work productivity compared to ustekinumab-treated patients; mean productivity reduction (95% CI) was 58.8 [52.4; 65.2] and 43.3 [35.6; 51.1]. Over 3 years, TNFi-treated patients had a greater improvement in work productivity compared to ustekinumab-treated patients, ultimately leaving work productivity to be comparable between groups; mean improvement (95% CI) was 44.5% (38.4; 50.6) and 24.9% (15.8; 34.0), respectively. A similar trend was observed in activity impairment. Patients in both treatment groups who achieved effectiveness endpoints, cDAPSA LDA/remission, MDA, and VLDA had greater improvement in PROs and WPAI than patients who did not achieve these endpoints.

Conclusions

At 3 years, improvements in PROs following ustekinumab or TNFi treatment were generally comparable; however, TNFi-treated patients achieved a greater improvement in work productivity, although this group started from a lower baseline. Achievement of effectiveness endpoints, independent of treatment group, also improved PROs.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02627768. Registered on 11 December 2015
More than skin-deep: visceral fat is strongly associated with disease activity, function and metabolic indices in psoriatic disease
Authors: Blake Tim , Gullick Nicola J. , Hutchinson Charles E. , Bhalerao Abhir , Wayte Sarah , Weedall Andrew , Barber Thomas M.
Published: June 2023

Objective

To compare body composition between patients with psoriatic disease (PsD), including cutaneous psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and controls, and to explore associations between disease activity and measures of function and metabolic derangement.

Methods

Body composition was assessed by air displacement plethysmography (ADP) and MRI-derived fat segmentation using an automated pipeline (FatSegNet). Function was assessed by Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and metabolic status by fasting lipid profile, insulin and adiponectin. Active and inactive PsO and PsA were defined by body surface area (BSA) and Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) and minimal disease activity (MDA), respectively.

Results

Thirty patients (median disease duration 15 years; median age 52 years) and 30 BMI-matched controls were enrolled. Compared with controls, all MRI-derived body composition parameters—whole-body volume, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), abdominal adipose tissue (AAT), VAT/AAT and VAT/SAT—were higher in the PsD group, specifically, those with active disease. Body mass, body fat, whole-body volume and whole-body VAT were correlated with higher triglycerides, cholesterol:HDL (high-density lipoprotein), insulin resistance and lower adiponectin as well as higher HAQ and lower MDA.

Conclusions

In this pilot study, patients with PsD revealed excessive total adipose tissue and a greater volume of metabolically unfavourable ectopic fat, including VAT, compared with BMI-matched controls, which also correlated with HAQ, disease activity and overall dysmetabolism. We also provide the first evidence in patients with PsD for the clinical application of FatSegNet: a novel, automated and rapid deep learning pipeline for providing accurate MRI-based measurement of fat segmentation. Our findings suggest the need for a more integrated approach to the management of PsD, which considers both the metabolic and inflammatory burden of disease. More specifically, visceral fat is a surrogate marker of uncontrolled PsD and may be an important future target for both pharmacological and lifestyle interventions.
Differential response to donepezil in MRI subtypes of mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Diaz-Galvan Patricia , Lorenzon Giulia , Mohanty Rosaleena , Mårtensson Gustav , Cavedo Enrica , Lista Simone , Vergallo Andrea , Kantarci Kejal , Hampel Harald , Dubois Bruno , Grothe Michel J. , Ferreira Daniel , Westman Eric
Published: June 2023

Background

Donepezil is an approved therapy for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Results across clinical trials have been inconsistent, which may be explained by design-methodological issues, the pathophysiological heterogeneity of AD, and diversity of included study participants. We investigated whether response to donepezil differs in mild cognitive impaired (MCI) individuals demonstrating different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) subtypes.

Methods

From the Hippocampus Study double-blind, randomized clinical trial, we included 173 MCI individuals (donepezil = 83; placebo = 90) with structural MRI data, at baseline and at clinical follow-up assessments (6–12-month). Efficacy outcomes were the annualized percentage change (APC) in hippocampal, ventricular, and total grey matter volumes, as well as in the AD cortical thickness signature. Participants were classified into MRI subtypes as typical AD, limbic-predominant, hippocampal-sparing, or minimal atrophy at baseline. We primarily applied a subtyping approach based on continuous scale of two subtyping dimensions. We also used the conventional categorical subtyping approach for comparison.

Results

Donepezil-treated MCI individuals showed slower atrophy rates compared to the placebo group, but only if they belonged to the minimal atrophy or hippocampal-sparing subtypes. Importantly, only the continuous subtyping approach, but not the conventional categorical approach, captured this differential response.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that individuals with MCI, with hippocampal-sparing or minimal atrophy subtype, may have improved benefit from donepezil, as compared with MCI individuals with typical or limbic-predominant patterns of atrophy. The newly proposed continuous subtyping approach may have advantages compared to the conventional categorical approach. Future research is warranted to demonstrate the potential of subtype stratification for disease prognosis and response to treatment.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrial.gov NCT00403520. Submission Date: November 21, 2006.
Promises and Perils of Rortian Conversation
Authors: Bono James J.
Published: June 2023

As a contribution to the Common Knowledge symposium “Whatever Happened to Richard Rorty?,” this essay elucidates how Isabelle Stengers's signature idea of an “ecology of practices” offers a way to establish claims to expertise and—within limits that are, in effect, the limits of specific scientific practices—claims of authority within science that Rorty would have denied. The problems facing Rorty's understanding of science also imperil his vision of a society admirably seeking to realize what he calls “social hope.” Once again, Stengers's ecology of practices, together with her cosmopolitical perspective, offers grounds for questioning Rorty's utopian belief that endless conversation should lead to continual expansion of the “we” who constitute liberal society. Her idea also provides tools for engaging, in mutually respectful and sensitive encounters that reopen prospects for social hope, the multiplicity of voices, perspectives, and practices of the “others” who have been excluded from liberal society.
Rorty Reframed
Authors: Fuller Steve
Published: June 2023

Richard Rorty is easily cast as the intellectual godfather of our post-truth condition. But unlike Nicholas Gaskill, whose article in Common Knowledge 28, no. 3, has engendered a continuing symposium in the journal, Professor Fuller sees Rorty's role as being to his credit rather than detriment. Rorty extended W. B. Gallie's idea of “essentially contested concepts” from the moral and political spheres to the epistemic, thereby rendering such terms as truth, reason, and evidence inherently vague, which means that they are defined not a priori but only in the context of exemplary concrete cases. Doing so invariably results in a “redescription” of what is observed that explains the “meta” level of understanding that philosophy brings to whatever it discusses. In this sense, all that the post-truth condition does is turn everyone into a philosopher.
Non-linear properties of the Achilles tendon determine ankle impedance over a broad range of activations in humans
Authors: Jakubowski Kristen L. , Ludvig Daniel , Perreault Eric J. , Lee Sabrina S. M.
Published: June 2023

Regulating ankle mechanics is essential for controlled interactions with the environment and rejecting unexpected disturbances. Ankle mechanics can be quantified by impedance, the dynamic relationship between an imposed displacement and the torque generated in response. Ankle impedance in the sagittal plane depends strongly on the triceps surae and Achilles tendon, but their relative contributions remain unknown. It is commonly assumed that ankle impedance is controlled by changing muscle activation and, thereby, muscle impedance, but this ignores that tendon impedance also changes with activation-induced loading. Thus, we sought to determine the relative contributions from the triceps surae and Achilles tendon during conditions relevant to postural control. We used a novel technique that combines B-mode ultrasound imaging with joint-level perturbations to quantify ankle, muscle and tendon impedance simultaneously across activation levels from 0% to 30% of maximum voluntary contraction. We found that muscle and tendon stiffness, the static component of impedance, increased with voluntary plantarflexion contractions, but that muscle stiffness exceeded tendon stiffness at very low loads (21±7 N). Above these loads, corresponding to 1.3% of maximal strength for an average participant in our study, ankle stiffness was determined predominately by Achilles tendon stiffness. At approximately 20% MVC for an average participant, ankle stiffness was 4 times more sensitive to changes in tendon stiffness than to changes in muscle stiffness. We provide the first empirical evidence demonstrating that the nervous system, through changes in muscle activations, leverages the non-linear properties of the Achilles tendon to increase ankle stiffness during postural conditions.
"Ξύπνησα με το μαρμάρινο τούτο κεφάλι στα χέρια"
Authors: Σημαντώνη Παρασκευή-Νεκταρία
Published: June 2023

Το αίτημα να βρει η Ελλάδα τη σωστή της θέση απέναντι στην αρχαία παράδοσή της, να κρατήσει μια στάση μπρος στο βαρύτατο παρελθόν της, προβάλλει επιτακτικό στους κύκλους των καλλιτεχνών – λογοτεχνών και εικαστικών – της γενιάς του ’30. Σε μια περίοδο όπως αυτή του μεσοπολέμου που παρατηρείται έξαρση της έρευνας γύρω από τις αρχαιότητες (με τις αλλεπάλληλες ανασκαφές, την οργάνωση των μουσείων, τη σύγκλιση αρχαιολογικών συνεδρίων, την έκδοση επιστημονικών συγγραμμάτων) οι Έλληνες καλλιτέχνες στρέφονται στις πηγές με την πρόθεση να έρθουν σε διάλογο με την αρχαιότητα και να την ανακαλύψουν εκ νέου, αισθητικά και διαισθητικά, πέρα από τα εξιδανικευμένα πρότυπα που τους παρέδωσε η Αναγέννηση, όντας πεπεισμένοι ότι ο επαναπροσδιορισμός της σχέσης τους με το Μεγάλο Παρελθόν ήταν η απάντηση στην δική τους αναζήτηση ταυτότητας. Στην παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή διερευνώνται οι χρήσεις της υλικής αρχαιότητας στο έργο έξι εκ των σπουδαιότερων ποιητών της γενιάς του ’30, του Γιώργου Σεφέρη, του Οδυσσέα Ελύτη, του Γιάννη Ρίτσου, του Νικολάου Κάλας, του Ανδρέα Εμπειρίκου και του Νίκου Εγγονόπουλου. Εξετάζεται το σύνολο της ποιητικής τους παραγωγής, σε ένα χρονικό φάσμα που ξεκινά από τη δεκαετία του 1930 και φτάνει σε ορισμένες περιπτώσεις ως και τη δεκαετία του 1990, ενώ παράλληλα με τα λογοτεχνικά αξιοποιούνται και τα γραμματειακά κείμενά τους (δοκίμια, κριτικές, ημερολόγια, αλληλογραφίες), καθώς και αδημοσίευτο υλικό από το Αρχείο τους, ώστε να φωτιστούν όλες οι πτυχές της σύνθετης σχέσης τους με την αρχαιότητα.
Prevalence of and factors associated with depression, anxiety and stress among adolescents in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic: A population-based study
Authors: Haque Md Atiqul , Anjum Afifa , Mousum Sabrina , Salwa Marium , Ratan Zubair Ahmed , Khan Md Maruf Haque , Islam Mohammad Tanvir , Ahmed Helal Uddin , Amin Md Robed , Mamun Mohammad Abdullah Al
Published: June 2023

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant mental health challenges among adolescents in Bangladesh. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of and associated factors of depression, anxiety and stress among adolescents of Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Methods: This cross-sectional study used a two-stage cluster sampling procedure for collecting the sample. A total of 2030 adolescents were enrolled from urban and rural areas of all eight administrative divisions of Bangladesh. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress-21 (DASS-21) scale was used to assess depression, anxiety, and stress in adolescents. In addition, data on sociodemographics, parenting style, food insecurity, and anthropometric measures were also obtained. Linear regression was done to measure the risk factors. 

Results: Depression, anxiety, and stress were identified in 18%, 14%, and 16% of adolescents, respectively. Sociodemographic characteristics such as female sex, higher age, urban resident, food insecurity, and poor parenting were significant risk factors for depression, anxiety, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, inconsistent parenting has been identified as a significant risk factor for depression only. 

Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh, depression, anxiety, and stress are found quite common among adolescents. Therefore, necessary action is required to prevent the mental health epidemic from spreading.
Outcomes from the first dedicated diagnostic and interventional nephrology (DIN) service in a UK renal unit
Authors: Morrison Samuel , Lee Ji Ching , Brazell Madeline , Ayub Haroon , Marsden Joanna , Pollock Caitlin , Waterman Harry , Smith Abbey , Davies Simon , Brennan Sophie , Whitehead Jennifer , Sweeney Debra , Allan Carol , Dodds Margaret , McCloskey Sarah , Andrews James , Clark Rauri , Ahmed Saeed , Srivastava Shalabh
Published: June 2023

Background:  We report the clinical outcomes, operational and training model from the first diagnostic and interventional nephrology (DIN) department in a UK renal unit. 

Methods: Patient outcomes were evaluated for an array of diagnostic and therapeutic interventional procedures performed at the DIN unit, SDIN (the Sunderland Diagnostic and Intervention Unit), within the first year of its establishment. Data was retrospectively collected for the period beginning 1st October 2019 to 1st October 2020 for patients who underwent the following procedures: ultrasound guided renal biopsy, Tunnelled Dialysis Catheter (TDC) insertion and exchange, Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) catheter insertion/exchange, and Areteriovenous Fistula (AVF) Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS). These figures were compared to the cohort from the one-year period pre-SDIN, between the 1st October 2018 and 31st September 2019. All results are expressed as mean and percentages unless otherwise specified. 

Results:

Renal Biopsy: 104 biopsies were performed with an improvement in median waiting time from 12 to 7 days with 98.4% being diagnostic.

Tunnelled Dialysis Catheters: 99 TDCs were inserted or exchanged with the catheters remaining in place for a mean duration of 156 days. We report an incidence of 2 infections per 1000 catheter days within the 90-day observation period.

Peritoneal dialysis catheters: 16 PD catheters were inserted and they remained in place for an average of 153 days.  Eleven (69%) catheters had no complications within the 28-day observation period, 3 (19%) catheters required manipulation.

AVF POCUS: 279 AVF POCUS scans were performed during the SDIN period. The waiting time from referral to scan was reduced from a mean of 35 days to 2 days. 

Conclusions: A comprehensive DIN service leads to significant improvements in training, service and patient outcomes and would be an ideal model for wider adaptation across the UK renal units.
Case Report: Multiple atherosclerotic plaques at its extreme in synchrony
Authors: Toshniwal Saket , Sahai Isha , Ghosh Benumadhab , Chaturvedi Anuj , Agrawal Gajendra , Acharya Sourya , Kumar Sunil , Khadse Satish , Khurana Kashish
Published: June 2023

Peripheral vascular disease in association with renal artery stenosis is an important association which predicts the severity of the disease. An increase in the number of vessels affected by peripheral vascular disease increases the chances of renal artery stenosis. In our case, the patient had primarily presented with anginal chest pain with complaints of claudication which on further investigation was diagnosed to be a triple vessel coronary artery disease along with bilateral subclavian and bilateral renal stenosis. On detailed history taking, risk factors like hypertension and chronic smoking was found to be present in our case which predisposed to peripheral artery disease secondary to atherosclerosis which was diagnosed on further investigations.

Although the association of renal artery stenosis is not very rare in cases of severe peripheral vascular diseases, the presence of a triple vessel coronary artery disease in synchrony is what makes it unique.

Take away lesson from this case report is importance of early diagnosis of dyslipidemia causing atherosclerosis and its complications. Multiple atherosclerotic lesions in synchrony i.e, bilateral renal artery stenosis with bilateral subclavian artery stenosis with coronary artery triple vessel atherosclerotic disease like in our case and its severity should create awareness among health care individuals and early treatment measures including lifestyle modifications should be considered to avoid such drastic events.
Identification of predictive factors for surgical site infections in gastrointestinal surgeries: A retrospective cross-sectional study in a resource-limited setting
Authors: Al-hajri Abdu , Ghabisha Saif , Ahmed Faisal , Al-wageeh Saleh , Badheeb Mohamed , Alyhari Qasem , Altam Abdulfattah , Alsharif Afaf
Published: June 2023

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI), albeit infrequent, drastically impact the quality of care. This article endeavors to investigate the predictive factors of SSIs following surgical interventions that involve the gastrointestinal (GI) tract within a single institution in a resource-limited setting.

Methods: Over seven years from June 2015 to Oct 2022, patients who underwent GI surgery and developed SSI were retrospectively matched with an unaffected case-control cohort of patients. Standardized techniques for wound culture, laboratory evaluation of bacterial isolates, and antibiotic susceptibility tests were employed. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to investigate the predictive factors associated with 30-day postoperative SSI.

Results: A total of 525 patients who underwent GI surgical procedures were included, among whom, 79 (15%) developed SSI. The majority of SSIs were superficial (67.10%), Escherichia coli was the most commonly isolated bacterium (54.4%), and a high percentage of multidrug-resistant organisms were observed (63.8%). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, illiteracy (Odds ratio [OR]:40.31; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.54-170.26), smoking (OR: 21.15; 95% CI: 4.63-96.67), diabetes (OR: 5.07; 95% CI: 2.27-11.35), leukocytosis (OR: 2.62; 95% CI: 1.24-5.53), hypoalbuminemia (OR: 3.70; 95% CI: 1.35-10.16), contaminated and dirty wounds (OR: 6.51; 95% CI:1.62-26.09),  longer operative time (OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01-1.03), emergency operations (OR: 12.58; 95% CI: 2.91-54.30), and extending antibiotic prophylaxis duration (OR: 3.01; 95% CI: 1.28-7.10) were the independent risk factors for SSI (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions: This study highlights significant predictors of SSI, including illiteracy, smoking, diabetes, leukocytosis, hypoalbuminemia, contaminated and dirty wounds, longer operative time, emergency operations, and extending antibiotic prophylaxis duration. Identifying these risk factors can help surgeons adopt appropriate measures to reduce postoperative SSI and improve the quality of surgical care, especially in a resource-limited setting with no obvious and strict policy for reducing SSI.
Alleviative effects of Faradarmani Consciousness Field on Triticum aestivum L. under salinity stress
Authors: Torabi Sara , Taheri Mohammad Ali , Semsarha Farid
Published: June 2023

Background: The Faradarmani Consciousness Field was founded by Mohammad Ali Taheri. It is a novel field and is described similarly to the field of gravity, or the electromagnetic field. This field is neither matter nor energy, and therefore does not possess a quantity. Even though there is no direct scientific evidence for the Consciousness Field, it is possible to investigate its effects on objects through controlled experiments. The aim of the present work was to study the alleviative effects of the Faradarmani Consciousness Field on common wheat Triticum aestivum L. var Star under salt stress.

Methods: Plants were grown under 0 mM NaCl (control) and 150 mM NaCl with or without the influence of Faradarmani Consciousness Field for 3 weeks. Chlorophyll, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA) content and activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD),polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and peroxidase (POX) were measured in all groups of plants.

Results: In the salt-treated plants under the influence of the Faradarmani Consciousness Field, the contents of total chlorophyll, as well as a and b chlorophyll forms, were elevated compared with the salt-treated plants without Faradarmani CF (34.8%, 17.8%, and 169% respectively). Additionally, Faradarmani increased H2O2 (57%) and the activity of SOD and PPO by 220% and 168%, respectively, under salinity compared with the salt-treated plants without Faradarmani CF. MDA content and activity of peroxidase were decreased by 12.5% and 34%, respectively.

Conclusion: These results suggest the Faradarmani Consciousness Field as a qualitative intervention strategy to withstand salt stress in plants, by increasing the contents of chlorophyll, antioxidant enzyme activities, and decreasing MDA content under salinity.
Anocheció de golpe. Colombia entre la fiesta política y la ilusión, 1953-1954
Authors: Ayala Diago César Augusto
Published: June 2023

Este libro narra e interpreta la historia de la irrupción del golpe de Estado en Colombia ocurrido el 13 de junio de 1953, las condiciones en que se dio y las formas cómo fue recibido por la sociedad colombiana de entonces. El periodo escogido termina con la masacre del 8 y 9 de junio de 1954, cuando la muchachada estudiantil conmemoraba el vigesimoquinto aniversario del asesinato de Gonzalo Bravo en las protestas de junio de 1929. Entre el 13 de junio de 1953 y las jornadas trágicas de junio de 1954, Colombia vivió prácticamente una comunión festiva, ya que se creía en el advenimiento de una etapa de salvación nacional. Por esa esperanzadora experiencia no había transitado nunca el país. El nuevo poder político comenzó a llenar de contenidos la nueva época. El 13 de junio pasó a formar parte, primero, de las grandes fechas de la patria, para llegar, después, a ser opacado por completo. Una vez se hicieron al poder, los militares se dedicaron a la fabricación de mensajes discursivos e icónicos que vehiculizaban a través de la mayoría (casi absoluta) de medios de comunicación nacionales volcados hacia su respaldo. Empezó un movimiento de reiteraciones, de innumerables repeticiones de la naturaleza del nuevo régimen, que daban a entender que en realidad se trataba de un cambio drástico en el sistema político y sus representaciones. Su propósito consistía en convencer a todos los colombianos de que se vivía un proceso de cambio. El conjunto de representaciones que empezaba a promoverse no era de reciente formulación, tenía que ver con idearios conservadores, pero que el nuevo gobierno reordenaba gracias a una coyuntura nacional favorable que hacía que las representaciones se revelaran como nuevas o aparecieran totalmente transformadas.
Candidiasis – Atypical Presentation in an Immunocompromised Patient: A Case Report
Authors: Vulugundam Srikar , Upadhyaya Aparnaa
Published: June 2023

Candidiasis, commonly known as a “yeast infection” is an opportunistic fungal infection. Though present in normal oral microbiota, Candida can attain an infectious state in certain cases. Untreated infections can become life threatening, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Florid infections involving esophagus and distal GIT can lead to ulcerations and fungemia. Timely management of candidiasis is critical to prevent life threatening complications. Any contributing systemic conditions can make the diagnostic process elusive and challenging. A thorough knowledge of candidiasis, variations in presentation and its management strategies are instrumental in diagnosis and management. A detailed discussion on pathogenesis, various forms of oral candidiasis and their pharmacological management is beyond the scope of discussion in this case report. However, a brief classification, diagnostic tools and pharmacological management is mentioned in the discussion section. This is a clinical case of a 54-year-old female patient with intraoral white lesions referred by her primary care physician to our dental practice and also to an ENT specialist due to insurance reasons. The patient’s complex medical history has contributed to such clinical findings. Due to the limited scope of our practice, lack of access to an oral pathologist or oral medicine department within the health system and the patient’s concern about personal financial responsibility, the patient was recommended to follow up with an in insurance network ENT specialist as referred by her primary care physician. At 3 weeks follow up, ~98% of the lesions were all healed. The patient disclosed receiving treatment with Clotrimazole 10 mg troche 5 times a day for 2 weeks from an ENT specialist. From the clinical presentation, medical history, polypharmacy and positive treatment outcome, hyperplastic candidiasis was considered as the final diagnosis.
Flexible Designs
Authors: Tyler Neil
Published: June 2023

In search of IoT connectivity for your devices, then you need to be flexible
Natural Selection
Authors: Hechtl Oliver
Published: June 2023

The ability to offer as many product variants under an Industry 4.0 based CTO model will depend heavily on engineering data management efficiency
Riding the Wave
Authors: Tyler Neil
Published: June 2023

BOOSTED BY A COMBINATION OF TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION AND A STRONG GLOBAL ECONOMY, MOUSER CONTINUES TO REPORT IMPRESSIVE GROWTH.
Data will Drive the Smart Transport Revolution
Authors: Tyler Neil
Published: June 2023

Quality data, in real-time, will be critical to making the concept of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) a reality.
An Award-Winning Partnership
Authors: Tyler Neil
Published: June 2023

ARM's collaboration with the University of Southampton hits 10 years. Here we celebrate a decade of innovation in mobile and embedded systems.
Cultivating Innovation
Authors: Grylls Bethan
Published: June 2023

As the maker-market thrives, a new breed of engineer has appeared, and one which needs some nurturing.
Step into the Future
Authors: Tyler Neil
Published: June 2023

Returning this October, the Engineering Design Show continues to evolve
Smart IoT in Lighting
Authors: Welch Mike
Published: June 2023

Laying the foundations for the future.
Smart, Safe and Secure
Authors: Tyler Neil
Published: June 2023

Electronica saw record attendees and exhibitor numbers. Neil Tyler reports on some of the announcements from this year's show
The Radar Sensor Challenge
Authors: Morrissey John
Published: June 2023

A 24 GHz Demorad radar solution to support contactless sensors is being used in the emerging industrial mass market, as John Morrissey explains
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation outcomes in a UK veterinary hospital: pilot study
Authors: Wood Amy , Chong Siew Kim , Vivian Sarah
Published: June 2023

This retrospective study aimed to investigate cardiopulmonary resuscitation outcomes in a UK veterinary hospital and compare these to values communicated in literature from other countries. Five years' worth of patient records, kept by one hospital, were examined over a one-month period. Clinical notes were reviewed to obtain key data and animals with incomplete data sets were not included. Results were statistically analysed. A sample of 114 records were reviewed; 89 canines, 25 felines. Initially, 21.9% of patients were revived following cardiopulmonary arrest with 6.1% of patients surviving to discharge. Location of resuscitation (P=0.003), type of compression used (open or closed) (P=0.005), and whether sustained return of spontaneous circulation was achieved (P=0.001) were variables of significance in relation to cardiopulmonary resuscitation outcome. Overall, the study revealed cardiopulmonary resuscitation survival to discharge fell in line with statistics recorded in similar studies. Prospective studies would aid clinical auditing and robust use of recording sheets.
Coleotestudus: A new genus for North American species currently in the genus Niptus (Coleoptera: Ptinidae) and description of two new species from Mexico
Authors: CHAMBLISS ROBERT M. , PHILIPS T. KEITH
Published: June 2023

A new genus, Coleotestudus gen. nov., is proposed for the North American species currently placed in the genus Niptus Boieldieu and are transferred herein.  Those species with this new combination include Coleotestudus ventriculus (LeConte), Coleotestudus guiliani (Aalbu and Andrews), Coleotestudus sleeperi (Aalbu and Andrews), Coleotestudus abditus (Brown), Coleotestudus arcanus (Aalbu and Andrews), Coleotestudus neotomae (Aalbu and Andrews), Coleotestudus absconditus (Spilman), and Coleotestudus abstrusus (Spilman). Two new species from Mexico are also described as Coleotestudus potosi sp. nov. and Coleotestudus nahuas sp. nov. Distinguishing morphological characteristics to separate the North American Coleotestudus species from Niptus hololeucus are given.  Morphological evidence presented herein along with DNA sequence data and a Western USA and Mexican distribution strongly support the hypothesis that Coleotestudus does not share a recent common ancestor with N. hololeucus and both represent independent clades of spider beetles that are not closely related.
My brother’s keeper: masculinities, social mobility and the role of familial care for working-class men
Authors: Stahl Garth , Adams Ben
Published: June 2023

Research on social mobility continues to foreground the role of familial relationships. Studies of students who are first-in-family to attend university have often highlighted the intensity of familial obligations. Drawing on longitudinal research with upwardly mobile young men from working-class (and working-poor) backgrounds, this article presents three case studies focused on their relationship with their brothers who were on different, less upwardly mobile pathways. We understand gender to be discursively constructed and relationally negotiated through various interactions and the roles individuals come to embody. Research into caring masculinities foregrounds the various ways men are no longer disconnected from traditional feminine practices, particularly those concentrated on caring for others. We draw on the words of three upwardly working-class young men regarding how they perceived their relationship with their younger brothers, focusing specifically on the subjectivities they present as protector, supporter and familial caregiver.
When the news reports women: media and the gender gap in political interest
Authors: Sánchez-Vítores Irene
Published: June 2023

The media plays a prominent role in shaping individuals’ declared levels of political interest, but its role regarding gender differences remains largely unexplored. To what extent are media contents and their reflection of gender roles related to declared levels of political interest in men and women? This article argues that more egalitarian media environments, where a larger share of women are represented, should be associated with smaller gender differences in political interest. Data from the European Social Survey and the Global Media Monitoring Programme have been merged to test this argument. Results suggest that more women being reported shows some association with more minor differences between men’s and women’s declared levels of political interest. This difference is particularly present when the increase occurs in more hard-news-oriented media like the printed press and in topics like economic affairs, or when more women are quoted as experts, which are traditionally identified as more masculinised.
High dynamic range 3D motion tracking using circular scans with optical coherence tomography
Authors: Hao Senyue , Amaral Marcello Magri , Zhou Chao
Published: June 2023

Motion artifacts, from such sources as heartbeats, respiration, or peristalsis, often degrade microscopic images or videos of live subjects. We have developed a method using circular optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans to track the transverse and axial motion of biological samples at speeds ranging from several micrometers per second to several centimeters per second. We achieve fast and high-precision measurements of the magnitude and direction of the sample’s motion by adaptively controlling the circular scan pattern settings and applying interframe and intraframe analyses. These measurements are the basis of active motion compensation via feedback control for future in vivo microscopic and macroscopic imaging applications.
Bronzing effect: predicting the color shine of printed surfaces by estimating the refractive index of the inks
Authors: Simonot Lionel , Girardeau Thierry , Hebert Mathieu
Published: June 2023

This paper investigates the optical phenomenon responsible for the colored shine that sometimes appears at the surface of ink layers in the specular direction, often called “bronzing” or “gloss differential.” The prediction of this shine effect relies on the Fresnel formulas of the air/ink interface. The complex refractive index of the ink must therefore be determined, which is made difficult because of the roughness of inked printing supports. We propose a generic method that can be applied to any ink, without any prior knowledge of its composition or the printing substrate. In order to reduce light scattering, a solid colored area is printed with the studied ink on a glossy paper previously printed with black ink. By ellipsometry, we determine the effective refractive index of the sample. The intrinsic complex refractive index of the ink can then be extracted by modeling the optical response of the inked surface with a set of Gaussian oscillators, among which one of them approaches residual scattering. With this data, we could proceed to a fine colorimetric analysis of the bronzing color of some cyan, magenta, and yellow inks. In particular, we show that this gloss color is slightly shifted from the complementary of the ink’s usual color in diffuse reflection.
Long-range surface plasmon resonance-based hollow fiber temperature sensor with ultrahigh sensitivity and tunable detection range
Authors: Zhang Xian , Xu Yangyang , Zhu Xiao-Song , Shi Yi-Wei
Published: June 2023

A dielectric/Ag-coated hollow fiber (HF) temperature sensor based on long-range surface plasmon resonance (LRSPR) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The structural parameters, including the dielectric material and layer thicknesses, are optimized through comprehensive theoretical analysis to achieve the best performance. By filling it with a high refractive index (RI) thermosensitive liquid, the GK570/Ag-coated HF temperature sensor with optimal structural parameters is fabricated. Due to the high sensitivity of the LRSPR sensor and the optimized design, the fabricated sensor achieves a temperature sensitivity of 3.6∼20.5 nm/°C, which is almost the highest among the optical fiber temperature sensors based on surface plasmon resonance reported experimentally. Moreover, the detection range of the proposed sensor can be easily tuned up to 170°C by varying the RI of the filled thermosensitive liquid, and the sensor performance remains stable. Considering that most temperature sensors using polydimethylsiloxane have a fixed detection range, this is an outstanding advantage that could expand the application field of the optical fiber temperature sensor.
Numerical modeling of multi-point side-pumped mid-infrared erbium-doped fluoride fiber lasers
Authors: Xiao Yang , He Yuxuan , Chen Yun , Xu Xiaochuan , Xiao Xusheng , Guo Haitao
Published: June 2023

We investigate the power scaling and thermal management of multi-point side-pumped 2.825 µm heavily-erbium-doped fluoride fiber lasers by numerical simulation. The 4-point (or 6-point) erbium-doped fluoride fiber laser with polished erbium-doped fluoride fiber-based side-pump couplers delivers an output laser power of over 100 W at each launched 981 nm pump power of 100 W (or 75 W). Meanwhile, the core temperature increases of the gain fiber tips are below 1 K, making it possible for a highly reflective fiber Bragg grating to work stably in high-power operation. Once the preparation processes of these erbium-doped fluoride fiber-based side-pump couplers and endcaps with effective coatings are mature, the proposed multi-point side-pumped erbium-doped fluoride fiber lasers with some feasibility may theoretically pave the way for the development of hundred-watt mid-infrared fiber lasers with effective thermal management.
LED-pumped eye-safe pulse laser with an extracavity optical parametric oscillator
Authors: Chang C. H. , Yen K. T. , Li A. L. , Li Y. R. , Su K. W.
Published: June 2023

An LED-side-pumped Nd:YAG/Cr4+:YAG passively Q-switched (PQS) laser containing an extracavity optical parametric oscillator (EOPO) is demonstrated. As far as we know, it is the first LED-pumped eye-safe laser. The Nd:YAG pump module is optimized to increase the PQS pulse energy to 24 mJ at 1064 nm. By using a single-pass EOPO design, the output energy of the signal pulse at 1573 nm is 7.44 mJ with a pulse width of 16 ns, the peak power is 434 kW, and the pump-to-signal conversion efficiency is 31%. For double-pass EOPO operation, the pump-to-signal conversion efficiency increases to 45.8%, the output energy of signal pulse is up to 10.98 mJ with a pulse width of 23.5 ns, and the peak power is 459 kW.
Monolithically integrated femtosecond optical parametric oscillators
Authors: Jornod Nayara , Jankowski Marc , Krüger Léonard M. , Wittwer Valentin J. , Modsching Norbert , Langrock Carsten , Phillips Christopher R. , Keller Ursula , Südmeyer Thomas , Fejer Martin M.
Published: June 2023

Synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) are highly efficient sources of long-wavelength pulses and nonclassical light, making them invaluable for applications in spectroscopy, metrology, multi-photon microscopy, and quantum computation. Typical systems based on free-space cavities either operate non-degenerately, which limits their efficiency, or use active feedback control to achieve degenerate operation, which limits these systems to dedicated low-noise environments. In this work, we demonstrate a femtosecond monolithically integrated OPO. In contrast with bulk OPOs, our monolithic 10 GHz cavity, based on reverse-proton-exchanged lithium niobate, operates stably without active locking. By detuning the repetition rate of the free-running pump laser from the cavity free spectral range, we control the intracavity pulse dynamics and observe many of the operating regimes previously encountered in free-space degenerate OPOs, such as box-pulsing and quadratic bright-dark solitons (simultons), in addition to non-degenerate operation. When operated in the simulton regime and pumped with 125 fs pulses at 1 µm, this monolithic OPO chip outputs broadband sech2 pulses (63 nm, 3 dB) with tens of milliwatts of average power.
Neural Network-based Inverse Model for Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy
Authors: Lan Qing , McClarren ryan , Vishwanath Karthik
Published: June 2023

In diffuse optical spectroscopy, the retrieval of the optical properties of a target requires the inversion of a measured reflectance spectrum. This is typically achieved through the use of forward models such as diffusion theory or Monte Carlo simulations, which are iteratively applied to optimize the reconstruction of the optical parameters. In this paper, we propose a novel neural network-based approach for solving this inverse problem, and establish its performance using experimentally measured diffuse reflectance data from a previously reported phantom study. Our inverse model was developed from a neural network forward model that was pre-trained with data from Monte Carlo simulations. The neural network forward model then creates a lookup table to invert the diffuse reflectance to the optical coefficients. We describe the construction of the neural network-based inverse model and test its ability to accurately retrieve optical properties from experimentally acquired diffuse reflectance data in liquid optical phantoms. Our results indicate that the developed neural network-based model achieves comparable accuracy to traditional Monte Carlo-based inverse models while offering improved speed and flexibility, potentially providing an alternative for developing faster clinical diagnosis tools. This study highlights the potential of neural networks in solving inverse problems in diffuse optical spectroscopy.
Influence of instrumental factors in the measurement of power profiles of intraocular lenses with a commercial deflectometer
Authors: Gómez-Pedrero Jose , Albarrán César , Garcia Maria , Garzón Nuria , Fernández Verónica González
Published: June 2023

The deflectometry is an optical technique for determining properties such as power distribution, wavefront, etc, and measurement of the optical properties of an intraocular lenses can provide relevant information for the clinicians. The aim of the current study is to establishes a protocol to measure lens power maps and profiles of different optics designs of intraocular lenses with a deflectometer based on the phase-shifting Schlieren principle (NIMO TR1504 ,Lambda-X, Nivelles, Belgium). Results are discussed based on the accuracy and repeatability, the influence of the use of filters and whether considering the intraocular lens as a thin lens or a thick lens.
Wide field time of flight measurements of highly scattering media
Authors: Stefanov André , Tijkorte Pascal , Hannink Gijs , Roth Lynn , Frenz Martin
Published: June 2023

We present a setup that makes use of a time-resolved single-photon camera to determine the scattering parameters of media. The measurement is realized in a non-contact way, both for the illumination laser and for the detection. By fitting the time-of-flight acquired distributions at different spatial positions with the diffusion equation, we retrieve the scattering coefficients of a highly diffusive isotropic reference media for wavelengths in the range from 540 to 840 nm.
A general framework to support cost-efficient survey design choices for the control of soil-transmitted helminths when deploying Kato-Katz thick smear
Authors: Kazienga Adama , Levecke Bruno , Leta Gemechu Tadesse , de Vlas Sake J. , Coffeng Luc E.
Published: June 2023

Background

To monitor and evaluate soil-transmitted helminth (STH) control programs, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends screening stools from 250 children, deploying Kato-Katz thick smear (KK). However, it remains unclear whether these recommendations are sufficient to make adequate decisions about stopping preventive chemotherapy (PC) (prevalence of infection <2%) or declaring elimination of STHs as a public health problem (prevalence of moderate-to-heavy intensity (MHI) infections <2%).

Methodology

We developed a simulation framework to determine the effectiveness and cost of survey designs for decision-making in STH control programs, capturing the operational resources to perform surveys, the variation in egg counts across STH species, across schools, between and within individuals, and between repeated smears. Using this framework and a lot quality assurance sampling approach, we determined the most cost-efficient survey designs (number of schools, subjects, stool samples per subject, and smears per stool sample) for decision-making.

Principal findings

For all species, employing duplicate KK (sampling 4 to 6 schools and 64 to 70 subjects per school) was the most cost-efficient survey design to assess whether prevalence of any infection intensity was above or under 2%. For prevalence of MHI infections, single KK was the most cost-efficient (sampling 11 to 25 schools and 52 to 84 children per school).

Conclusions/Significance

KK is valuable for monitoring and evaluation of STH control programs, though we recommend deploying a duplicate KK on a single stool sample to stop PC, and a single KK to declare the elimination of STHs as a public health problem.