bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endocrine Dysfunction From Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Pearls and Pitfalls in Evaluation and Management
Authors: Kotwal Anupam , Perlman Jordan E. , Goldner Whitney S. , Marr Alissa , Mammen Jennifer S.
Published: April 2023

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPis) have proven extremely efficacious in cancer therapy but also lead to a plethora of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). The endocrine irAEs are not only quite common but also may pose a challenge to the clinician while managing a patient with cancer treated with ICPis. The clinical features of endocrine dysfunction are usually nonspecific and may overlap with concurrent illnesses, underlying the importance of accurate hormone testing and efforts toward case-finding. The management of endocrine irAEs is unique in the focus being on hormone replacement rather than curtailing the autoimmune process. Although the management of thyroid irAEs appears straightforward, adrenal insufficiency and insulin-dependent diabetes can be life-threatening if not promptly recognized and treated. This clinical review synthesizes the studies to provide pearls and pitfalls in the evaluation and management of endocrine irAEs with specific reference to guidelines from oncologic societies.
On the doubly anharmonic oscillator in an elastic environment in the presence of a point-like defect
Authors: Vitória R. L. L. , Anderson T. da Silva Kleber
Published: April 2023

We have investigated a doubly anharmonic oscillator in an elastic medium characterized by the presence of a point-like defect, where we obtain analytically your solution of bound states. We show that it is not possible to obtain a unique expression for the energy profile of the quantum system, but rather an expression corresponding to each radial mode of the system. Furthermore, an interesting quantum effect is presented: the three parameters that characterize the doubly anharmonic oscillator are quantized, that is, they depend on the quantum numbers of the system.
Integrating biomechanics in evolutionary studies, with examples from the amphidromous goby model system
Authors: Blob Richard W. , Diamond Kelly M. , Lagarde Raphaël , Maie Takashi , Moody Kristine N. , Palecek Amanda M. , Ward Jessica L. , Schoenfuss Heiko L.
Published: April 2023

The functional capacities of animals are a primary factor determining survival in nature. In this context, understanding the biomechanical performance of animals can provide insight into diverse aspects of their biology, ranging from ecological distributions across habitat gradients to the evolutionary diversification of lineages. To survive and reproduce in the face of environmental pressures, animals must perform a wide range of tasks, some of which entail tradeoffs between competing demands. Moreover, the demands encountered by animals can change through ontogeny as they grow, sexually mature or migrate across environmental gradients. To understand how mechanisms that underlie functional performance contribute to survival and diversification across challenging and variable habitats, we have pursued diverse studies of the comparative biomechanics of amphidromous goby fishes across functional requirements ranging from prey capture and fast-start swimming to adhesion and waterfall climbing. The pan-tropical distribution of these fishes has provided opportunities for repeated testing of evolutionary hypotheses. By synthesizing data from the lab and field, across approaches spanning high-speed kinematics, selection trials, suction pressure recordings, mechanical property testing, muscle fiber-type measurements and physical modeling of bioinspired designs, we have clarified how multiple axes of variation in biomechanical performance associate with the ecological and evolutionary diversity of these fishes. Our studies of how these fishes meet both common and extreme functional demands add new, complementary perspectives to frameworks developed from other systems, and illustrate how integrating knowledge of the mechanical underpinnings of diverse aspects of performance can give critical insights into ecological and evolutionary questions.
Latch-mediated spring actuation (LaMSA): the power of integrated biomechanical systems
Authors: Patek S. N.
Published: April 2023

Across the tree of life – from fungi to frogs – organisms wield small amounts of energy to generate fast and potent movements. These movements are propelled with elastic structures, and their loading and release are mediated by latch-like opposing forces. They comprise a class of elastic mechanisms termed latch-mediated spring actuation (LaMSA). Energy flow through LaMSA begins when an energy source loads elastic element(s) in the form of elastic potential energy. Opposing forces, often termed latches, prevent movement during loading of elastic potential energy. As the opposing forces are shifted, reduced or removed, elastic potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy of the spring and propelled mass. Removal of the opposing forces can occur instantaneously or throughout the movement, resulting in dramatically different outcomes for consistency and control of the movement. Structures used for storing elastic potential energy are often distinct from mechanisms that propel the mass: elastic potential energy is often distributed across surfaces and then transformed into localized mechanisms for propulsion. Organisms have evolved cascading springs and opposing forces not only to serially reduce the duration of energy release, but often to localize the most energy-dense events outside of the body to sustain use without self-destruction. Principles of energy flow and control in LaMSA biomechanical systems are emerging at a rapid pace. New discoveries are catalyzing remarkable growth of the historic field of elastic mechanisms through experimental biomechanics, synthesis of novel materials and structures, and high-performance robotics systems.
How scaling approaches can reveal fundamental principles in physiology and biomechanics
Authors: Clemente Christofer J. , Dick Taylor J. M.
Published: April 2023

Among terrestrial mammals, the largest, the 3 tonne African elephant, is one-million times heavier than the smallest, the 3 g pygmy shrew. Body mass is the most obvious and arguably the most fundamental characteristic of an animal, impacting many important attributes of its life history and biology. Although evolution may guide animals to different sizes, shapes, energetic profiles or ecological niches, it is the laws of physics that limit biological processes and, in turn, affect how animals interact with their environment. Consideration of scaling helps us to understand why elephants are not merely scaled-up shrews, but rather have modified body proportions, posture and locomotor style to mitigate the consequences of their large size. Scaling offers a quantitative lens into how biological features vary compared with predictions based on physical laws. In this Review, we provide an introduction to scaling and its historical context, focusing on two fields that are strongly represented in experimental biology: physiology and biomechanics. We show how scaling has been used to explore metabolic energy use with changes in body size. We discuss the musculoskeletal and biomechanical adaptations that animals use to mitigate the consequences of size, and provide insights into the scaling of mechanical and energetic demands of animal locomotion. For each field, we discuss empirical measurements, fundamental scaling theories and the importance of considering phylogenetic relationships when performing scaling analyses. Finally, we provide forward-looking perspectives focused on improving our understanding of the diversity of form and function in relation to size.
Characterization of sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) and taro (Colocasia esculenta) flours with potential application in the preparation of both gluten-free and high protein foods.
Authors: Narváez Cadena Ruby Aracely , Salas Zambrano Angie Paola , Bravo Gómez Jesús Eduardo , Muñoz Pabon Karen Sofia , Roa-Acosta Diego Fernando
Published: April 2023

Background: Interest in alternative sources of tubers and legumes has increased in recent years because of the constant search for raw materials that provide bioactive compounds with antioxidant potential benefits for consumers. The functionality of new raw materials is sought through physical and/or chemical modifications to develop and innovate new foods. The objective of this study was to characterize taro (TF) (Colocasia esculenta) and sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) flours, obtained by the wet (SIF-WM) and defatted method (SIF-DM), as an alternative for the formulation of new functional foods.

Methods: The free polyphenols of the different mixtures were analyzed, and the antioxidant properties of the extracts obtained were measured using ABTS.* (2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid). The ABTS radical method, which reacts with the phenolic compounds of the food matrix, using Trolox as a standard.

The blends were subjected to pasting analysis, flow profile tests, determination of viscoelastic properties (temperature sweep). Characterization of common microorganisms in these foods was performed.

Results: The highest protein value was obtained in the sacha inchi flour obtained by the defatted method (72.62). The majority of components in taro were carbohydrates (85.4%). About antioxidant and determination of free polyphenols, taro flour obtained values of 2.71 µmol ET/g and 7.47 mg EAG/g, higher than Sacha inchi flours. In the rheological analysis (pasting properties, flow profile, and viscoelasticity), we observed that adding taro flour in different mixtures increases the viscosity peak and a lower breakdown, while there was an increase in setback. Except for defatted sacha flour, the others presented a flow index >1 before heating, showing a dilatant fluid behavior. The presence of Taro flour improves gel formation and stability. Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella were present in the taro flour.

Conclusions: The flours analyzed represent a raw material with great potential for the development of gluten-free foods with functional properties.
The identification of high-performing antibodies for RNA-binding protein FUS for use in Western Blot, immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence
Authors: Alshalfie Walaa , Fotouhi Maryam , Ayoubi Riham , You Zhipeng , Southern Kathleen , McPherson Peter S. , Laflamme Carl ,   NeuroSGC/YCharOS/EDDU collaborative group
Published: April 2023

RNA-binding protein Fused-in Sarcoma (FUS) plays an essential role in various cellular processes. Mutations in the C-terminal domain region, where the nuclear localization signal (NLS) is located, causes the redistribution of FUS from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. In neurons, neurotoxic aggregates are formed as a result, contributing to neurogenerative diseases. Well-characterized anti-FUS antibodies would enable the reproducibility of FUS research, thereby benefiting the scientific community.

 In this study, we characterized ten FUS commercial antibodies for Western Blot, immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence using a standardized experimental protocol based on comparing read-outs in knockout cell lines and isogenic parental controls.

We identified many high-performing antibodies and encourage readers to use this report as a guide to select the most appropriate antibody for their specific needs.
The ability of Anopheles funestus and A. arabiensis to penetrate LLINs and its effect on their mortality
Authors: Meza Felician Clement , Muyaga Letus L , Limwagu Alex  Julius , Lwetoijera Dickson Wilson
Published: April 2023

Background: Variation in mosquito body size and the ability to penetrate long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) remains unknown. This study evaluated the ability of Anopheles funestus and A. arabiensis to penetrate commercially available treated and untreated bednets and how this behaviour affects mosquito mortality.

Methods: Three types of LLINs; DawaPlus 2.0, PermaNet 2.0, Olyset 2.0, and untreated (Safi Net) were tested inside a semi-field system. One hundred 3–5-day-old and non-starved female A. funestus and A. arabiensis were released in a chamber with a sleeping adult volunteer under a treated or untreated bednet. Mosquitoes that penetrated inside the nets were collected every two hours using a mouth aspirator. Live mosquitoes were put in paper cups, fed on glucose ad libitum and their mortality rate was monitored for 48 h.

Results: The ability of A. funestus to penetrate treated and untreated bednets was significantly higher than for A. arabiensis for all three LLIN net types (P<0.001). For both species the penetration rate was higher for untreated bednets than treated ones except for the Olyset net. Regardless of the assessed mosquito species, all the mosquitoes that penetrated the net, successfully blood-fed on the sleeping volunteer. Compared to A. arabiensis, significant mortality was recorded for A. funestus that were caught inside Olyset nets within 48 hrs of monitoring (P<0.001).

Conclusions:

These findings demonstrate the ability of A. funestus and A. arabiensis mosquitoes to penetrate the human-occupied treated and untreated bednets. Despite this ability, mosquitoes that penetrated the bednet succumbed to death within two days.
The genome sequence of the Grey Chi, Antitype chi (Linnaeus, 1761)
Authors: Lees David ,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: April 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Antitype chi (the Grey Chi; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Noctuidae). The genome sequence is 632.2 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the assembled Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.3 kilobases in length.
Towards a framework for developing visual analytics in supply chain environments
Authors: Khakpour Alireza , Colomo-Palacios Ricardo , Martini Antonio
Published: April 2023

Visual Analytics (VA) has shown to be of significant importance for Supply Chain (SC) analytics. However, SC partners still have challenges incorporating it into their data-driven decision-making activities. A conceptual framework for the development and deployment of a VA system provides an abstract, platform-independent model for the whole process of VA, covering requirement specification, data collection and pre-processing, visualization recommendation, visualization specification and implementation, and evaluations. In this paper, we propose such a framework based on three main aspects: 1) Business view, 2) Asset view, and 3) Technology view. Each of these views covers a set of steps to facilitate the development and maintenance of the system in its context. The framework follows a consistent process structure that comprises activities, tasks, and people. The final output of the whole process is the VA as a deliverable. This facilitates the alignment of VA activities with business processes and decision-making activities. We presented the framework's applicability using an actual usage scenario and left the implementation of the system for future work.
Modeling Contingent Decision Behavior: A Bayesian Nonparametric Preference-Learning Approach
Authors: Liu Jiapeng , Kadziński Miłosz , Liao Xiuwu
Published: April 2023

We propose a preference-learning algorithm for uncovering Decision Makers’ (DMs’) contingent evaluation strategies in the context of multiple criteria sorting. We assume the preference information in the form of holistic assignment examples derived from the analysis of alternatives’ performance vectors and textual descriptions. We characterize the decision policies using a mixture of threshold-based, value-driven preference models and associated latent topics. The latter serve as the stimuli underlying the contingency in decision behavior. Such a probabilistic model is constructed by using a flexible and nonparametric Bayesian framework. The proposed method adopts a hierarchical Dirichlet process as the prior so that a group of DMs can share a countably infinite number of contingent models and topics. For all DMs, it automatically identifies the components representing their evaluation strategies adequately. The posterior is summarized by using the Hamiltonian Monte Carlo sampling method. We demonstrate the method’s practical usefulness in a real-world recruitment problem considered by a Chinese IT company. We also compare the approach with counterparts that use a single preference model, implement the parametric framework, or consider each DM’s preferences individually. The results indicate that our approach performs favorably in both interpreting DMs’ contingent decision behavior and recommending decisions on new alternatives. Furthermore, the approach’s performance and robustness are investigated through a computational experiment involving real-world data sets.

History: Accepted by Ram Ramesh, Area Editor for Data Science and Machine Learning.

Funding: J. Liu received financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 72071155 and 71701160]. M. Kadziński received financial support from the Polish National Science Center under the SONATA BIS project [Grant DEC-2019/34/E/HS4/00045]. X. Liao received financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant 71872144].

Supplemental Material: The software that supports the findings of this study is available within the paper and its Supplemental Information ( https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/suppl/10.1287/ijoc.2023.1292 ) as well as from the IJOC GitHub software repository ( https://github.com/INFORMSJoC/2021.0328 ) at ( http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7608750 ).
Atrophy in Aging Systems: Evidence, Dynamics, and Antidote
Authors: Tiwana Amrit , Safadi Hani
Published: April 2023

Information systems age ungracefully. Once-modern systems aging into unmaintainable, buggy, meltdown-prone albatrosses is a widespread phenomenon that has received limited research attention. The received wisdom is that degenerative deterioration can be combated with refactoring or architectural improvements to their existing code. We conceptualize this phenomenon as system atrophy, and corroborate its existence by analyzing the code of over 1,300 systems as they underwent 19 million changes over 25 years. Such atrophy in systems has bread-and-butter consequences for organizations that rely on them. We show that it stunts the evolution of systems, makes them more bug-prone, and disengages developers. Atrophy in existing systems also makes it for organizations to implement other new systems because there are harder to integrate with them and cannibalize resources left over after their costlier upkeep. We then develop the idea that little increments in the modularity of their underlying code as a system evolves provide a powerful antidote to such atrophy. However, this antidote gradually loses its potency as a system ages further. Contrary to the popular belief, architectural improvements slow down atrophy but do not stop it. Our findings suggest that organizations must plan to eventually phase out these information systems, rather than just hoping to maintain them. For practice, we offer new insights on managing the tradeoff between evolution and atrophy; and how organizations can extract more useful life from aging systems.
Blood and blood products transfusion errors: what can we do to improve patient safety?
Authors: Brown Claire , Brown Michelle
Published: April 2023

Evidence suggests that blood transfusion errors tend to occur because of an external stimulus, limiting control for the professional administering it. Whether it be cognitive bias, human traits, organisational or human factors, errors should be prevented because they put the safety of the patient at risk from major morbidity and mortality. The authors explored the literature that looked at the blood transfusion errors that occur, suggesting interventions that may have a positive impact on patient safety. A review of the literature was undertaken using key words and limiters to focus the search. The review found that, when practitioners do not perform skills or interventions regularly, competence diminishes. Training and rolling refresher programmes appeared to improve retention and knowledge, therefore enhancing patient safety. Consequently, the impact of human factors in the healthcare setting requires more comprehensive investigation. Nurses may have the knowledge and understanding regarding blood transfusions; however, the environment in which they work could contribute to the likelihood of errors.
An overview of menopause, and why this should feature within pre-registration education
Authors: Calow Alice , Morrell-Scott Nicola , Smith Emma Johnson
Published: April 2023

Background: Over half the population (51%) of England and Wales is female, most of whom will experience menopause, either as a result of endocrine ageing or medical treatment. Aim: The project aimed to undertake a review of the literature to determine the level of knowledge about menopause that healthcare students are exposed to, and to highlight why it is important for them to have an understanding of this subject both for their own clinical practice and for supporting colleagues in the workplace. Method: A literature review was conducted by the project team. Findings: There is a lack of education for healthcare students, who will go on to care for those affected by menopause, and will also work with colleagues experiencing menopause. Conclusion: Educational programmes should include menopause as a component, which will allow for a breaking down of barriers on a subject that is still generally considered taboo. Recommendations: A national audit should be conducted on menopause coverage in UK pre-registration nursing. The addition of menopause to the Liverpool John Moores University pre-registration nursing curriculum is also recommended based on agreed competencies.
The Impact of The Virtual-Based Disaster Learning Model on Elementary Students' Understanding of COVID-19 Disaster-Learning
Authors: Arwin Arwin , Kenedi Ary Kiswanto , Anita Yesi , Hamimah Hamimah , Afrian Ramdan
Published: April 2023

A virtual-based disaster learning model was created to enhance understanding of COVID-19 disaster mitigation following the characteristics of elementary school students because the high number of child deaths brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic served as the driving force behind this research. The virtual-based disaster learning model had been deemed valid, but more study is required to ascertain its impact on primary school pupils' comprehension of COVID-19 disaster mitigation. This study sought to determine how the virtual disaster learning model affected elementary school pupils' understanding of COVID-19 disaster mitigation. This study was a quasi-experimental investigation. Non-equivalent control group design was the type of experimental design employed. The t-test showed that students who studied using virtual-based disaster learning models and those who used conventional learning had different average levels of understanding of COVID-19 disaster mitigation. According to the findings, primary school children who learned using virtual disaster learning models had higher scores than students who used conventional methods. This finding revealed that virtual disaster learning models could improve understanding of COVID-19 disaster mitigation. The results of this study's implications can be applied as a different approach to enhancing elementary school kids' comprehension of emergency planning for COVID-19.
Relationship Between Knowledge and Affection for the Environment: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Hernanda Trias , Absori Absori , Azhari Aidul Fitriciada , Wardiono Kelik , Arlinwibowo Janu
Published: April 2023

Environmental damage must be taken seriously. Strengthening human attitudes to preserve the environment is the keyword, and strengthening the aspects of knowledge about the environment must be pursued. However, a scientific basis is needed that shows that it is true that strengthening the aspects of knowledge about the environment can improve a person’s attitude toward preserving the environment. The purpose of this research is to find the relationship between a person’s knowledge and their behavior in preserving the environment. By defining the general picture of the relationship between knowledge and attitudes, future accurate educational policies can be taken in the context of environmental protection. This research is a meta-analysis of correlation types. The inclusion criteria for selecting the data are as follows: studies published from 1999 to 2022 in English, analyzed by correlation analysis, have descriptions of many samples and correlation indices, and published in Google Scholar-indexed journals. Based on this inclusion criteria, 23 studies were selected containing 36 relevant sets of research data. The results showed that there was a correlation between knowledge and a person’s attitude toward the environment (.37). Assuming a 95% confidence level, the real score ranges from 0.26 to 0.48. The publication bias test using the trim and fill method showed that none of the data contained biased publications, so the meta-analysis results could be declared valid. Now, there is an urgency to expand environmental education to encourage the development of good attitudes by the community toward the environment.
Effects of Characteristics of School Quality on Student Performance in Secondary School: A Scoping Review
Authors: Spreitzer Carina , Hafner Samuel
Published: April 2023

School quality has become a guiding concept that increasingly shapes educational planning and school development. For many decades, it has been a topic of significant interest, resulting in a wide-ranging and diverse research field. However, it is far from clear how school quality should be defined, what it should encompass, and how it influences student performance. The goal of this scoping review is to examine the existing evidence of the relationship between characteristics of school quality and student cognitive output/ student performance in secondary school. More precisely, it aims to (a) identify, (b) categorize, and (c) examine and evaluate the effects of characteristics of school quality affecting student performance and teaching characteristics in secondary school. In order to achieve these aims, we selected, clustered, and analyses 37 articles. The process was conducted by the research group through regular meetings, discussions, and consensus decisions. Our findings contribute to the comprehensive body of literature by identifying the following dimensions: aims and strategies for quality development, leadership and management, professionalism, school culture, and resources. Furthermore, the review revealed that although the field of school quality has been extensively researched, it lacks consistency, with many different operationalisations and definitions, making comparisons and syntheses challenging or even impossible. We believe that clear operationalisations and definitions are crucial to achieving comparability. Additionally, to achieve a standardized understanding of school quality and establish the categories internationally, uniform, theoretically sound, and content-related definitions of each category are necessary.
Review on Microalgae Potential Innovative Biotechnological Applications
Authors: Mulluye Kelemu , Bogale Yibrehu , Bayle Dilnesa , Atnafu Yimeslal
Published: April 2023

Novel compounds can be found in marine creatures, many of which have amazing biotechnological capabilities. Microalgae, in particular, have a drawn interest as a potential basis for new industrial creation routes. Many biologically active compounds, such as antioxidants, immunostimulants, antivirals, antibiotics, hem agglutinates, polyunsaturated fatty acids, peptides, proteins, biofuels, and pigments, are derived from these species. Recently, there has been a rise in interest in microalgal biotechnology to create beneficial, sustainable, and ecologically friendly bioproducts. Microalgae biomass is in high demand for a wide range of potential uses, most of which are now the subject of ongoing research. Microalgae are important groups of photosynthetic organisms that use light and carbon dioxide more efficiently than terrestrial plants to produce biomass and use it for biotechnological purposes such as environmental protection, biofuel production, pharmaceutical production, human food supplements, animal feed components, coronavirus treatments, and so on. This paper presents an overview of current advancements in the application of microalgal biotechnology in several industries.
Effect of Handling Stress on Primary and Secondary Stress Responses of the Catfish, Clarias batrachus
Authors: Hafeez Shifali , Sherwani Fauzia Anwar
Published: April 2023

Cortisol is a major hormone directly associated with stress in fish and is a reliable physiological indicator of primary stress response in fish, whereas glucose and osmolality are the indicators of secondary stress response in fish. This study explored the stress levels in the catfish, Clarias batrachus (Magur) by measuring the cortisol, glucose, and osmolality levels in plasma by exposing the fish to three different kinds of interventions namely, non-anaesthetized, anaesthetized, and stressed. No statistically significant changes were reported in the plasma cortisol, plasma glucose, and plasma osmolality levels when the blood samples were collected after the three interventions. These results indicated that Clarias batrachus is a sturdy fish, which can withstand routine laboratory handling, and that the blood samples can be collected without anaesthetization.
Investigating the Antibacterial Properties of Silver Nanoparticles Acquired using Streptomyces strain AK3 from Riverbank Soil
Authors: Kulshrestha Arun Kumar , Patel Priti Hemant
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACT: The soil sample was acquired from a heavily metal polluted site on the Tapi River in Surat, Gujarat, India, diluted serially, and dispersed over an actinomycetes isolation medium. Isolates were cultured in 100 ml of starch-casein broth at 300 C for 72 hours in an incubator with shaking. The cell-free filtrate was added to a final solution of 1 mM silver nitrate, which was then dried at 2500 C. Using a spectrophotometer, silver nanoparticles were quantified, data on size distribution and zeta potential were acquired from Malvern, and the 16S rRNA gene was amplified in a PCR mixture. As a result of the addition of silver nitrate to the S. atacamensis strain AK3 filtrate, the reducers altered the broth's color from yellow to light brown. The highest absorbance was measured at 420 nm, and the 0.25 polydispersity index was below the agglomeration threshold. The TEM indicated their spherical to ellipsoidal shape and 20 nm size. The NJ approach to sequence alignment revealed that the strain was 99.42% similar to S. atacamensis C60. Zones of inhibition of S. epidermidis, A. baumanni, N. gonorrhoeae, and L. monocytogenes were found to be 18±1 mm, 19±1 mm, 20±1 mm, and 14±1 mm respectively, at 35 μg/ml AgNPs, proving the efficiency of AgNPs synthesized by the strain.
Classification of Distal Femur Fractures and Their Clinical Relevance
Authors: Kanakeshwar Raja Bhaskara , Kamal C Arun , J Dheenadayalan
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Analysis and classifying distal femur fractures is one of the important steps for an orthopaedic surgeon towards a successful outcome in treating these fractures. Few surgeons tried to classify these fractures and we discuss in detail those systems and their clinical relevance . Three classification systems have been discussed below and it has shown the Müller AO classification system remains the ideal classification for these fractures as it is user friendly, easy to document and gives an idea on the prognosis . Keywords : Distal femur fracture, classification, Müller, AO, Hoffa.
Optical properties of symmetry breaking of the self-similar order in triadic Cantor photonic crystals
Authors: King Tzu-Chyang
Published: April 2023

In general, the photonic crystal (PC) is a periodical optical structure, but there are some studies considering aperiodic structures. If we insert a defect layer into a one-dimensional periodic PC to break its translational symmetry order (TSO), some peaks, called defect modes, appear in the transmittance spectrum. The defect layer thickness governs the frequencies of these defect modes but almost does not affect the other part of the spectrum. The discovery of quasi-crystals tells us that not only the TSO but also other orders can produce Bragg diffraction. It is well known that triadic Cantor set (TCS) PCs, which lack TSO but have a self-similar symmetry order (SSO), still exhibit narrow transmission peaks. In this work, we try to break the SSO in TCS PCs and find the resulting optical phenomena, where single-negative materials and dielectrics are chosen as the constituents of PCs. The study method is the transfer matrix method, and the calculation results show that the background intensity of the transmittance spectrum rather than the frequency of peaks obviously periodically changes with the break of SSO. It follows that the SSO does have physical meaning, and not only the transmission peaks but also the background should be treated as a significant optical property.
Rapid deep-learning-assisted design method for 2-bit coding metasurfaces
Authors: Fu Jiahui , Zhang Yuping , Dou Zhongxin , Yang Zhihu , Liu Meng , Zhang Huiyun
Published: April 2023

This paper proposes a deep-learning-assisted design method for 2-bit coding metasurfaces. This method uses a skip connection module and the idea of an attention mechanism in squeeze-and-excitation networks based on a fully connected network and a convolutional neural network. The accuracy limit of the basic model is further improved. The convergence ability of the model increased nearly 10 times, and the mean-square error loss function converges to 0.000168. The forward prediction accuracy of the deep-learning-assisted model is 98%, and the accuracy of inverse design results is 97%. This approach offers the advantages of an automatic design process, high efficiency, and low computational cost. It can serve users who lack metasurface design experience.
Object recognition using sparse, reduced-dimension point cloud data
Authors: Watson Edward A.
Published: April 2023

It has been shown that point separations as a feature derived from point clouds can be used to discriminate between two objects of similar class. Here we show that the same feature derived from sparse point clouds can maintain significant discrimination capability. Using the point-separation feature, templates created from random realizations of a point cloud are developed for several vehicles. The templates are then used in two-class discrimination tests. The point-separation feature is shown to produce reliable discrimination using a log-likelihood ratio between two objects.
Photodynamic therapy mediated by a red LED and methylene blue inactivates resistant Leishmania amazonensis
Authors: Cabral Fernanda V. , Yoshimura Tania M. , Teixeira da Silva Daniela de Fátima , Cortez Mauro , Ribeiro Martha S.
Published: April 2023

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a neglected parasitic disease that leads to destructive lesions. The emergence of drug resistance has been a global concern over the past years. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) mediated by a red LED and methylene blue (MB) involves the overproduction of oxidative stress, which oxidizes several cellular biomolecules and prevents the selection of resistant strains. Herein, we investigated the potential of PDT mediated by MB against wild-type and miltefosine-resistant strains of Leishmania amazonensis. As a result, both strains were susceptible to PDT, thus encouraging us to seek the best conditions to overcome the drug resistance problem in cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Navigation-grade three-axis resonant fiber-optic gyroscope employing a multiplexed source
Authors: Liu Shuang , Hu Junyi , Wang Yuxin , Liu Qingwen , Ma Huilian , He Zuyuan
Published: April 2023

A three-axis gyroscope is a vital component of an inertial measurement unit that can measure the rotation rates in three directions simultaneously. A novel three-axis resonant fiber-optic gyroscope (RFOG) configuration with a multiplexed broadband light source is proposed and demonstrated. The output light from the two vacant ports of the main gyroscope is reused as drive sources for the other two axial gyroscopes, which effectively improve the power utilization of the source. The interference between different axial gyroscopes is effectively avoided by optimizing the lengths of three fiber-optic ring resonators (FRRs) rather than by inserting other optical elements in the multiplexed link. With the optimal lengths, the influence of the input spectrum on the multiplexed RFOG is suppressed and a theoretical temperature dependence of the bias error as low as 1.08 × 10−4 °/h/°C is obtained. Finally, a navigation-grade three-axis RFOG is demonstrated with a fiber coil length of ∼100 m for each FRR.
Machine learning enables the design of a bidirectional focusing diffractive lens
Authors: Jia Wei , Lin Dajun , Menon Rajesh , Sensale-Rodriguez Berardi
Published: April 2023

Machine learning can efficiently empower the inverse design of cascaded diffractive optical elements. In this work, we explore the inverse design of a bidirectional focusing diffractive lens in a cascaded configuration through the diffractive optical neural network (DONN) machine learning method. The bidirectional focusing diffractive lens consists of two on-axially cascaded multi-level diffractive lenses. Each lens consists of concentric rings with equal widths and varying heights. The height of each concentric ring is optimized as part of the design algorithm. The diffractive lens has a focal length f+ as light propagates in the forward (Z+) direction. As light propagates in the backward (Z−) direction, the focal length changes to f−. The designed lens is fabricated through a two-photon polymerization 3D printing technique. The proposed design is polarization insensitive and miniature and can be readily applied in future functional optical imaging systems.
Iterative assembly: a quick algorithm for generating aspherical collimating lenses in bidimensional optical systems
Authors: Cionek Marcelo Prado , Barbano Emerson Cristiano
Published: April 2023

We present a proof of concept for a linear iterative technique that generates piecewise aspherical lenses suited for collimating any continuous monochromatic input of rays, in systems with translational symmetry along the perpendicular axis of a plane. A lens generated by our method was compared to a known analytical solution, yielding a maximum deviation of the order of 10−6 units for a hundred vertices. We exemplify its usage with a simulation where a lens corrects the spherical aberration of a mirror and also shifts its focal point at the user’s will. We also discuss the limitations of this technique and conjecture other applications, such as focalizing beams instead of collimating.
In-depth optical characterization of spectacle lenses for myopia progression management
Authors: Arias Augusto , Ohlendorf Arne , Artal Pablo , Wahl Siegfried
Published: April 2023

Myopia is one of the most common ocular disorders worldwide and the leading cause of visual impairment in children. The elongation of axial length in the eyes with medium and high levels of myopia can increase the risk of severe ocular pathologies that potentially lead to irreversible blindness. In recent decades, spectacle lenses have been designed, manufactured, and clinically tested to treat myopia progression and abnormal ocular growth in children. However, the optical characterization of those lenses—with and without considering the optics of myopic eyes—has not yet been comprehensively evaluated and compared. Therefore, in this paper, we quantify and compare the focusing and scattering properties of a single vision (SV) lens with two types of spectacle lenses for myopia progression management: defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS), and diffusion-optical technology (DOT). To investigate the focusing properties across the eccentricity of the lenses, we have developed an instrument based on spatial light modulation technology that reproduces myopic eyes’ foveal and peripheral aberrations. Our characterization showed an increased contrast and sharpness of images through the DIMS lens at the peripheral retina when inducing myopic defocus with respect to the SV and DOT lenses. On the other hand, the contrast reduction by the DOT lens strongly depends on the luminance at the pupil. The understanding of the imaging properties of the lenses achieved through our results might help optimize future spectacles designs for myopia progression management.
High-speed integrated QKD system
Authors: Sax Rebecka , Boaron Alberto , Boso Gianluca , Atzeni Simone , Crespi Andrea , Grünenfelder Fadri , Rusca Davide , Al-Saadi Aws , Bronzi Danilo , Kupijai Sebastian , Rhee Hanjo , Osellame Roberto , Zbinden Hugo
Published: April 2023

Quantum key distribution (QKD) is nowadays a well-established method for generating secret keys at a distance in an information-theoretically secure way, as the secrecy of QKD relies on the laws of quantum physics and not on computational complexity. In order to industrialize QKD, low-cost, mass-manufactured, and practical QKD setups are required. Hence, photonic and electronic integration of the sender’s and receiver’s respective components is currently in the spotlight. Here we present a high-speed (2.5 GHz) integrated QKD setup featuring a transmitter chip in silicon photonics allowing for high-speed modulation and accurate state preparation, as well as a polarization-independent low-loss receiver chip in aluminum borosilicate glass fabricated by the femtosecond laser micromachining technique. Our system achieves raw bit error rates, quantum bit error rates, and secret key rates equivalent to a much more complex state-of-the-art setup based on discrete components [

Boaron
A.

et al.
, Phys. Rev. Lett. 121, 190502 (2018)].
Manipulation of polarization topology using a Fabry–Pérot fiber cavity with a higher-order mode optical nanofiber
Authors: Maeda Maki , Keloth Jameesh , Nic Chormaic Síle
Published: April 2023

Optical nanofiber cavity research has mainly focused on the fundamental mode. Here, a Fabry–Pérot fiber cavity with an optical nanofiber supporting the higher-order modes (TE01, TM01, HE21
o
, and HE21
e
) is demonstrated. Using cavity spectroscopy, with mode imaging and analysis, we observed cavity resonances that exhibited complex, inhomogeneous states of polarization with topological features containing Stokes singularities such as C-points, Poincaré vortices, and L-lines. In situ tuning of the intracavity birefringence enabled the desired profile and polarization of the cavity mode to be obtained. We believe these findings open new research possibilities for cold atom manipulation and multimode cavity quantum electrodynamics using the evanescent fields of higher-order mode optical nanofibers.
Delayed skeletal muscle repair following inflammatory damage in simulated agent-based models of muscle regeneration
Authors: Khuu Stephanie , Fernandez Justin W. , Handsfield Geoffrey G.
Published: April 2023

Healthy skeletal muscle undergoes repair in response to mechanically localised strains during activities such as exercise. The ability of cells to transduce the external stimuli into a cascade of cell signalling responses is important to the process of muscle repair and regeneration. In chronic myopathies such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and inflammatory myopathies, muscle is often subject to chronic necrosis and inflammation that perturbs tissue homeostasis and leads to non-localised, widespread damage across the tissue. Here we present an agent-based model that simulates muscle repair in response to both localised eccentric contractions similar to what would be experienced during exercise, and non-localised widespread inflammatory damage that is present in chronic disease. Computational modelling of muscle repair allows forin silicoexploration of phenomena related to muscle disease. In our model, widespread inflammation led to delayed clearance of tissue damage, and delayed repair for recovery of initial fibril counts at all damage levels. Macrophage recruitment was delayed and significantly higher in widespread compared to localised damage. At higher damage percentages of 10%, widespread damage led to impaired muscle regeneration and changes in muscle geometry that represented alterations commonly observed in chronic myopathies, such as fibrosis. This computational work offers insight into the progression and aetiology of inflammatory muscle diseases, and suggests a focus on the muscle regeneration cascade in understanding the progression of muscle damage in inflammatory myopathies.
Human and pathogen genotype-by-genotype interactions in the light of coevolution theory
Authors: Råberg Lars
Published: April 2023

Antagonistic coevolution (i.e., reciprocal adaptation and counter-adaptation) between hosts and pathogens has long been considered an important driver of genetic variation. However, direct evidence for this is still scarce, especially in vertebrates. The wealth of data on genetics of susceptibility to infectious disease in humans provides an important resource for understanding host–pathogen coevolution, but studies of humans are rarely framed in coevolutionary theory. Here, I review data from human host–pathogen systems to critically assess the evidence for a key assumption of models of host–pathogen coevolution—the presence of host genotype-by-pathogen genotype interactions (G×G). I also attempt to infer whether observed G×G fit best with “gene-for-gene” or “matching allele” models of coevolution. I find that there are several examples of G×G in humans (involving, e.g., ABO, HBB, FUT2, SLC11A1, and HLA genes) that fit assumptions of either gene-for-gene or matching allele models. This means that there is potential for coevolution to drive polymorphism also in humans (and presumably other vertebrates), but further studies are required to investigate how widespread this process is.