bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ChatGPT: a tool for scientific writing or a threat to integrity?
Authors: Silva Thaísa Pinheiro , Ocampo Thaís S C , Alencar-Palha Caio , Oliveira-Santos Christiano , Takeshita Wilton Mitsunari , Oliveira Matheus L
Published: September 2023

The use of ChatGPT as a tool for writing and knowledge integration raises concerns about the potential for its use to replace critical thinking and academic writing skills. While ChatGPT can assist in generating text and suggesting appropriate language, it should not replace the human responsibility for creating innovative knowledge through experiential learning. The accuracy and quality of information provided by ChatGPT also require caution, as previous studies have reported inaccuracies in references used by chatbots. ChatGPT acknowledges certain limitations, including the potential for generating erroneous or biased content, and it is essential to exercise caution in interpreting its responses and recognize the indispensable role of human experience in the processes of information retrieval and knowledge creation. Furthermore, the challenge of distinguishing between papers written by humans or AI highlights the need for thorough review processes to prevent the spread of articles that could lead to the loss of confidence in the accuracy and integrity of scientific research. Overall, while the use of ChatGPT can be helpful, it is crucial to raise awareness of the potential issues associated with the use of ChatGPT, as well as to discuss boundaries so that AI can be used without compromising the quality of scientific articles and the integrity of evidence-based knowledge.
Evaluating the use of vacuum-assisted excisions in the management of B3 breast lesions
Authors: McLachlan Clare , Jackson Marcus , Valencia Alexandra
Published: September 2023

Objective:

To evaluate the use of vacuum-assisted excisions (VAEs) in the management of B3 lesions within a single UK breast care centre. Assessment was made by determining the upgrade rates of the different B3 lesions at VAE.

Methods and Materials:

The study population comprised all patients who had a B3 result and subsequently underwent a VAE between November 2016 and October 2021. Patients with ipsilateral cancers were excluded. Retrospective biopsy and VAE results were reviewed. Upgrade rates and confidence intervals were calculated, and statistical significance was tested to determine any differences between upgrade rates of the B3 groups.

Results:

480 VAEs for B3 lesions were performed, with 10 excluded. Overall upgrade rate was 5%. 87.5% of upgrades were to non-invasive disease. Atypical intraductal epithelial proliferation (AIDEP) had a 15% upgrade rate, significantly different to lobular neoplasia (2%), papilloma without atypia (0%), and radial scar without atypia (0%). 10% of B3 lesions with atypia were upgraded, significantly different to 0% of B3 lesions without atypia. B3 lesions diagnosed by vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB) had a significantly higher upgrade rate of 8% compared with 2% for lesions diagnosed by core biopsy (CBX), although this result was impacted by high numbers of AIDEP diagnosed by VAB.

Conclusions:

The results suggest using VAE for the management of AIDEP is appropriate. However, they also indicate that by performing VAEs of papillomas and radial scars without atypia, overtreatment may be occurring.

Advances in knowledge:

This study adds to the ongoing discussion on the best treatment of B3 breast lesions.
SpaceOAR hydrogel complications in prostate cancer
Authors: Grewal Harpreet , Kedar Rajendra , Dhillon Gagandeep , Sidhu Gurmanpreet , Kashyap Rahul , Sailagundala Kiran
Published: September 2023

SpaceOAR hydrogel, a novel biodegradable spacer, is increasingly used in managing prostate cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy to minimize rectal radiation dose and associated complications. However, its use has raised new concerns regarding its potential complications and impact on subsequent imaging interpretation. This article provides a pictorial review of the imaging complications of using SpaceOAR hydrogel in prostate cancer patients. We present multiple examples demonstrating the types of complications that can occur, potential underlying mechanisms, and their impact on patient outcomes and imaging interpretation. This review aims to provide radiologists and oncologists with an updated understanding of these complications, guiding better patient management and interpretation of imaging studies.
Sustainability of balneal tourism in pre- and post-pandemic
period
Authors: Oprea Carmen , Ionescu Elena Valentina , Matei Raluca , Sorici Costin Octavian , Salceanu Claudia , Jeflea Victor , Pazara Loredana , Ungureanu Adelina Elena , Petcu Lucian , Tucmeanu Elena-Roxana , Iliescu Mădălina Gabriela
Published: September 2023

The scope of the present study was to evaluate the results obtained from implementing
the integrated programme of sustainable entrepreneurship specific to balneal tourism in the preand post-pandemic period at the Balneal and Rehabilitation Sanatorium of Techirghiol
(SBRT), with the identification of current trends and preferences of the population regarding
healthcare services in the Techirghiol area. Methods: The retrospective longitudinal study,
conducted from 2018 to 2022, used data gathered in SBRT services on a number of patients grouped
by condition, the quality of therapeutic water accessed by patients and of waste water discharged
into the lake, books and documents specific to the proposed topic. Results: Starting with the
pandemic year 2020, patients are also referred to SBRT for treatment of post covid after-effects
(restrictive/obstructive respiratory diseases). Water waste discharged into Lake Techirghiol in 2020
exceeds the legal limits for the arithmetic mean values of nitrogen ammonia, returning to normal in
2021 (2.88 mg/l), reaching 0.24mg/l in 2022. Considering the 2020 pandemic year as the reference
year, the number of tourists in 2020 decreased by 58% compared to 2018 and by 37% compared to
2019, with an increase of 42% and 43% in 2021 and 2022 respectively. Conclusions: The number of
patients accessing natural factor therapies in the time period analysed has seen a steady postpandemic increase. The sustainable development of spa tourism in the Techirghiol area requires an
integrative approach that ensures environmental protection.
Impact of amyloidosis on the outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention recipients: a nationwide analysis
Authors: Singh Sukhnoor , Pethani Yashvi , Alencar Arthur , Kommuru Sravani , Sulthana Beegam , Chaudhary Abhishek , Prakash Babu Janani , Elttayef Elttayef Iman Jasim , Patel Kaushal , Sanghvi Labdhi , Majmundar Vidit , Uttam Chandani Kanishka , Raval Maharshi
Published: September 2023

Background: Interest in amyloidosis is increasing, primarily due to its high prevalence and recent advances in diagnostic and treatment modalities. The role of amyloidosis in aortic stenosis is established, and in coronary artery disease (CAD) outcomes are being reported. We aim to study the impact of amyloidosis on the outcomes of inpatient percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) recipients.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional cohort study using the nationwide inpatient sample (NIS) 2018-19. We included 457,730 adult inpatients with CAD managed with PCI and further divided by the presence of a co-diagnosis of amyloidosis. A logistic regression model was used to evaluate the odds ratio (OR) of the association between amyloidosis and various outcomes in PCI recipients.

Results: Out of the total of 457,730 patients included, 30,905 (6.75%) had amyloidosis. Mean age (66.3 vs. 65.9), female sex (35.6% vs. 32.1%), and African American race (11.6% vs. 9.4%) were higher in the amyloidosis cohort (all P<0.001).  The amyloidosis cohort also had a higher incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) (29.9% vs. 15.5%), complications of surgical care (1.7% vs. 0.7%), complications of cardiovascular implant (9.5% vs. 8.5%), major loss of function (54.7% vs. 27.8%), length of stay (LOS) in days (6.3 vs. 3.8), total charges in $ (166,001 vs. 121,718), and in-hospital mortality (4.7% vs. 2.6%) compared to non-amyloidosis cohort (all P<0.001). Amyloidosis was associated with higher odds of in-hospital mortality (OR 1.3, 95CI 1.23-1.39, p<0.001), AKI (OR 1.89, 95CI 1.83-1.94, p<0.001), and complications of surgical care (OR 2.05, 95CI 1.87-2.26, p<0.001) but not with complications of cardiovascular implant (OR 1.01, 95CI 0.97-1.05, p=0.703).

Conclusions: Amyloidosis is associated with worse outcomes in inpatient recipients of PCI. Further studies are needed to assess the implications, safety, and outcomes of elective PCI in patients with amyloidosis.
Merging cross-border flow optimization techniques for performance maximization
Authors: Tzoumpas Anastasis , Nofuentes Alvaro , Winning Catherine , Norton Mark , Zhao Zhehan , Zafeiropoulou Magda , Bachoumis Athanasios , Vlaisavljevic Dusan , Lekovic Branko
Published: September 2023

Both FARCROSS and TRINITY EU research projects aim to increase cross-border electricity flow and regional cooperation. The integration of SmartValve and T-SENTINEL systems offers benefits such as enhancing grid security and reliability, managing thermal constraints, and maximizing utilization of existing infrastructure. The combined system can achieve a more efficient and less costly coordinated network security process, increase cross-border capacities, and promote regional electricity market integration, benefiting the local communities with significant CO2 emissions avoidance and reduced electricity prices. Overall, the integration of SmartValve and T-SENTINEL can provide significant improvements in flexibility, making cross-border connections more robust and adaptive to the evolution of the electrical power industry.
Communicating climate change induced migration: the role of NGOs
Authors: Sakellari Maria
Published: September 2023

This study addresses the underexplored issue of climate migration in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) communication, which is particularly relevant given the anticipated effects of climate change on migratory patterns. It paints a richer picture of NGOs’ visual and textual discourses on climate migration and delves into the ways in which NGOs' depictions of climate migrants reinforce the 'us' and 'them' dichotomy that characterises policy and media circuits' wider debate on this issue. NGOs visual practises and textual narratives depoliticize climate migrants by underlining their otherness and propensity to bring social instability and disturbance. This raises doubts about the efficacy of climate migration-related online public education and policy advocacy efforts run by NGOs.  This paper innovates as it encourages NGOs to create new ways of depicting climate refugees. It provides a framework for thinking about the role that NGOs could play in creating new ways of discussing climate migration.
Media, czyli głupiego widać - 104 diagnozy
Authors: Dąbała Jacek
Published: September 2023

Media stale informują o głupocie. Wielki słownik języka polskiego PAN definiuje głupotę krótko: „cecha kogoś, kto mało wie i mało rozumie”. Już sam fakt pojawiania się w mediach jakichś treści oznacza, że treść ta może być mądra lub głupia, że może być pod tym względem oceniana. Po prostu jakość i wartość istnieją w nich obiektywnie. Nimi właśnie zajmuje się aksjologia, obszar medioznawstwa chyba najbardziej subtelny i wymagający, skrajnie bowiem drażliwy i narażony na nieprofesjonalne, emocjonalne polemiki. Głupota w mediach jest więc głupotą samych mediów, jak też głupotą tych, którzy w nich występują. Steven Pinker opisał to szerzej i dość jednoznacznie: człowiek jest w nich swoistym jaskiniowcem, zagubionym we współczesności i reagującym na otoczenie uprzedzeniami i nieprawdziwymi poglądami. Wtóruje mu Yuval Harari, dla którego ludzka głupota jest w historii jednym z najpotężniejszych zjawisk. Tak można w uproszczeniu opisać fundamenty głupoty w mediach i poważne wyzwanie – paradoksalnie przede wszystkim dla samych mediów – bo, po pierwsze, same muszą się wyciągnąć z bagna za włosy, po drugie zaś, to one odpowiadają za poziom myślenia miliardów ludzi. To one mogą i muszą, głównie ze względów bezpieczeństwa, optymalnie ograniczyć głupotę. Diagnozy opublikowane w tej książce właśnie z tym problemem usiłują się zmierzyć, proponują zarówno intensywną refleksję, jak i doświadczenie sposobu myślenia zwalczającego głupotę. Istotne jest, że robią to inaczej niż większość tekstów naukowych i publicystycznych poświęconych temu zagadnieniu.
Dynamic Pricing Provides Robust Equilibria in Stochastic Ridesharing Networks
Authors: Cashore J. Massey , Frazier Peter I. , Tardos Éva
Published: September 2023

Using prices induced by dual variables of a centralized optimization problem induces welfare-optimal equilibria among strategic drivers. We reveal a stark deficiency of such static pricing algorithms: it is possible for them to induce additional equilibria with arbitrarily low social welfare. Moreover, small perturbations to the marketplace, such as those caused by idiosyncratic randomness or model misspecification, can cause the welfare-optimal equilibrium to be Pareto-dominated (in terms of driver utility) by suboptimal equilibria. We show that dynamic pricing solves this problem. We describe a dynamic pricing algorithm that resolves the centralized optimization problem in each time period and show that it satisfies a new equilibrium robustness property, which guarantees that every induced (approximate) equilibrium is (approximately) welfare optimal. We also propose a novel two-level model of ridesharing networks with strategic drivers and spatiotemporal dynamics that lets us retain macroscopic uncertainty, such as correlated shocks caused by weather or other public events, when analyzing a large market limit in which idiosyncratic sources of uncertainty vanish.

Funding: J. M. Cashore was supported by an NSERC PGS D Fellowship. P. Frazier was supported by AFOSR [Grant FA9550-19-1-0283]. É. Tardos was supported by AFOSR [Grant FA9550-19-1-0183] and [NSF Grants CCF-1408673 and CCF-1563714].

Supplemental Material: The online companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/moor.2022.0163 .
Proximal Reinforcement Learning: Efficient Off-Policy Evaluation in Partially Observed Markov Decision Processes
Authors: Bennett Andrew , Kallus Nathan
Published: September 2023

In applications of offline reinforcement learning to observational data, such as in healthcare or education, a general concern is that observed actions might be affected by unobserved factors, inducing confounding and biasing estimates derived assuming a perfect Markov decision process (MDP) model. In “Proximal Reinforcement Learning: Efficient Off-Policy Evaluation in Partially Observed Markov Decision Processes,” A. Bennett and N. Kallus tackle this by considering off-policy evaluation in a partially observed MDP (POMDP). Specifically, they consider estimating the value of a given target policy in an unknown POMDP, given observations of trajectories generated by a different and unknown policy, which may depend on the unobserved states. They consider both when the target policy value can be identified the observed data and, given identification, how best to estimate it. Both these problems are addressed by extending the framework of proximal causal inference to POMDP settings, using sequences of so-called bridge functions. This results in a novel framework for off-policy evaluation in POMDPs that they term proximal reinforcement learning, which they validate in various empirical settings.
Painless aortic dissection with catastrophic consequences presenting as sudden loss of consciousness with no prodromal symptoms
Authors: Navari Yasaman , Brar Ajit , Karki Bibek , Elian Samir
Published: September 2023

This case report presents a complex clinical scenario involving a 71-year-old female with aortic dissection accompanied by hypotension. The patient’s initial presentation of sudden loss of consciousness unveiled a large pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade, leading to emergency surgery. Subsequent diagnostic findings revealed an intramural haematoma with an intimal tear in the ascending aorta. Postoperatively, the patient experienced an ischaemic stroke, necessitating prompt neurology consultation and treatment. This report underscores the significance of early recognition and collaborative management in achieving positive patient outcomes.
From the party to the therapy – MDMA as an alternative for the existing methods of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder treatment
Authors: Bojarska Wiktoria , Bury Karolina , Januszczak Radosław , Burda Bartosz
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness caused by exposure to a traumatic event. The current treatment includes trauma-focused psychotherapy along with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). It is estimated that for about 40-60% of patients it does not bring the desired improvement, which prompted scientists to look for new methods of pharmacotherapy. The most promising compound is MDMA.
Material and methods: The purpose of this paper is to review publications from years 2020-2022 available on the PubMed platform about using MDMA in PTSD treatment, using words: MDMA, PTSD, MDMA and PTSD.
Discussion: MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a psychoactive substance that increases brain levels of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Studies show that this treatment reduces symptoms of severe PTSD, comparing to placebo and current treatment. Patients reported improvement in terms of well-being, number of nightmares, sleep disorders, self-perception or interpersonal relationships. The positive effects of MDMA therapy were long-lasting. They persisted for 12 months after the end of treatment. According to research, MDMA reduces the symptoms of concomitant disorders, e.g. of eating disorders or by reducing alcohol consumption, without increasing the risk of abuse of other substances or MDMA itself. In addition, MDMA is believed to improve psychotherapy by allowing patients to revisit the traumatic event without negative symptoms. Side effects of therapy are less serious and occur less often than in the case of previously used SSRIs.
Conclusions: Abovementioned observations show that MDMA-assisted PTSD psychotherapy is a promising alternative to the existing methods and brings hope for patients with the most severe or treatment-resistant course.

Keywords: MDMA, N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, PTSD
Future Tunneling
Authors: Eden Paul
Published: September 2023

Wind tunnel testing is as important as ever, but how the data gathered is used is changing
Trials in Transit
Authors: Eden Paul
Published: September 2023

A defense contractor flying organisation, Hawker Hunter Aviation delivers fast jet trials support and threat simulation under UK Military Aviation Authority approval
Time Reclaimed: Old “Femmes-enfants”
Authors: Rentzou Effie
Published: September 2023

Abstract: In surrealism the “femme-enfant” was a persistent model for female subjectivity both as a representational construction in literature and art, and as a position embodied by women artists themselves. This article discusses the work of three surrealist writers, Gisèle Prassinos, Leonora Carrington, and Joyce Mansour, each of them labeled as a “femme-enfant” within surrealist cercles. All of them, however, channeled their subjectivity through the personae of old women while they were still very young, in an odd juxtaposition between their perceived, and restrictive, image as a woman-child and their projected future of old age. Opposed to the “femme-enfant” stuck in an ahistorical perpetual present, the old women in the texts discussed usher in a dynamic timeline and permit the authors to exercise control over their own subjectivity and voice, while they short-circuit present, past, and future. By imagining themselves as old, these women surrealists take charge of a process that cannot be controlled—aging, the passing of time—and they reclaim time while they reclaim their own agency.
Wavelength-independent Bragg-like reflection in uniaxial bi-anisotropic media
Authors: Koufidis Stefanos Fr. , McCall Martin W.
Published: September 2023

We have recently shown that a uniform birefringent medium exhibits a
circular Bragg phenomenon that relies solely on resonant tuning of the
medium’s parameters, rather than on a particular wavelength
resonance, thus rendering its electromagnetic response arbitrarily
broadband. The resonant condition, however, necessitated a chirality
parameter equal to the average refractive index. Here, we demonstrate
that non-axial wave propagation in an axially bi-anisotropic uniaxial
medium also enacts such a response and, moreover, relaxes the severity
of the tuning condition, offering a convenient platform for
controlling both the location of the resonance and the corresponding
bandwidth. Anomalous wave propagation at a singular point is
additionally identified, in the vicinity of which a remarkably high
and intrinsically broadband refractive index can be realized. Recent
demonstrations of meta-media with giant and controllable chirality
pave the path towards the realistic embodiment of a highly efficient
optical modulator.
Raman dissipative soliton source of ultrashort pulses in NIR-III spectral window
Authors: Zhdanov Innokentiy , Volosi Vitali M. , Koliada Natalia A. , Kharenko Denis S. , Nikolaev Nazar A. , Turitsyn Sergei K. , Babin Sergey A.
Published: September 2023

We present a novel fiber source of ultrashort pulses at the wavelength of 1660 nm based on the technique of external cavity Raman dissipative soliton generation. The output energy of the generated 30 ps chirped pulses is in the range of 0.5–3.6 nJ with a slope efficiency of 57%. Numerical simulations are in excellent agreement with the experimental results and the shape of the compressed pulses. The compressed pulses consist of a central part with a duration of 300 fs and a weak pedestal. Our results clearly demonstrate the potential to extend the spectral range of the Raman-assisted technique for generating ultra-short pulses to new frequency regions, including biomedical windows. This paves the way for the development of new dissipative soliton sources in these bands.
Large-aperture electromagnetically actuated MEMS Fabry-Perot filtering chips for visible spectral imaging
Authors: Zhou Kui , Jing Xialei , Wang Fei , Liu Haochuan , Hao Jia , Zhang Wei , Yu Yiting
Published: September 2023

Benefitting from the inherent merits of tiny volume, customizable performance, good system compatibility and high-yield production, micro-electro-mechanical-system-based Fabry-Perot filtering chip (MEMS-FPFC) with a large aperture size gives a feasible way for the realization of miniaturized spectral imagers which can serve in many civilian and military scenarios. Although the aperture size of MEMS-FPFCs in mid-wave and long-wave infrared has reached to the centimeter scale, that of visible wavelength (VIS) MEMS-FPFC is always unsatisfied which is mainly limited by micromachining stress, especially in the thin films. In this work, we propose a large-aperture electromagnetically actuated MEMS-FPFC based on Si3N4 supporting membrane for VIS spectral imaging, which is designed with the assistance of multi-field coupling simulation model. A low-stress wafer-scale bulk micromachining process is developed to guarantee the high-quality and high-yield production for the aimed VIS MEMS-FPFCs. Finally, by the strictly controlling and rationally allocating the film stress of multi-layer film stack, VIS MEMS-FPFCs with 6 mm aperture size are thus developed, which can be tuned bidirectionally and continuously in 612-678 nm waveband with a good linear response of better than 95%. The achieved VIS MEMS-FPFCs can be utilized to construct miniaturized spectral imagers directly, aiming for such applications as intelligent agriculture, environmental protection and industrial inspection.
Intra-envelope four-wave mixing in optical fibers
Authors: Bancel Eve-Line , Santagata Rosa , Conforti Matteo , Mussot Arnaud
Published: September 2023

We report experimentally on the phenomenon of intra-envelope four-wave mixing (FWM) in optical fibers. We demonstrate that the non-linear interaction between two pulse trains operating at the same repetition rate, but with slightly different carrier frequencies, leads by FWM to the generation of new components within their spectral envelops. The frequency differences between the FWM components and the pump lines are in the RF domain, making it almost impossible to observe the process using a standard optical spectrum analyzer. We show that using a third light source as a multi-line local oscillator makes the analysis of these new spectral components accessible. It enables to extract these FWM components from the spectra of the initial light sources by converting optical frequencies into radio frequencies. The experimental results are in excellent agreement with the numerical simulations.
Programmable multifunctional metasurface for polarization, phase, and amplitude manipulation
Authors: Guo Zexu , Zhou Yulong , Yang Huanhuan , Li Sijia , Li Tong , Cao Xiangyu
Published: September 2023

Metasurfaces have shown extraordinary capability in individually manipulating various electromagnetic (EM) properties, including polarization, phase, and amplitude. However, it is still a challenge to manipulate these EM properties in one metasurface simultaneously. In this paper, a programmable multifunctional metasurface (PMFMS) is demonstrated with polarization, phase, and amplitude manipulation abilities. By controlling tunable coding states and changing the direction of incident waves, the PMFMS can operate as a transmission cross-polarization converter, spatial wave manipulator, and low-RCS radome. Besides, the PMFMS possesses an ultra-wideband property, which can operate from 6.5 to 10.2 GHz with 44.3% relative bandwidth. More importantly, multiple functionalities can also be achieved in reflection operating mode by reassembling the PMFMS. As a proof of concept, the PMFMS is fabricated and experimentally verified. Measured results are in good agreement with simulated results. Benefiting from multifunctional EM manipulations in an ultra-wideband, such a design can be applied in wireless communication systems, radar detection, and EM stealth platform.
Terahertz narrowband filter metasurfaces based on bound states in the continuum
Authors: Liu Yin , Zhang Qiankun , Xing Xiaohua , Zou Die , Mao Bingxuan , Yao Jianquan , Ouyang Chunmei , Wang Zhiyong , Wu Liang
Published: September 2023

The electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) effect realized by metasurfaces have potential for narrowband filtering due to their narrow bandwidth. In optics, bound states in the continuum (BIC) can produce strong localized resonances, which means that light can be trapped and stored for long periods of time to produce very high Q-factors. This has potential applications in designing highly efficient sensors and narrow bandpass filters. Here, we present two metal-flexible dielectric metasurfaces consisting of copper structures and polyimide substrates. Quasi BICs are obtained by breaking C2 symmetry of the metal structures. Resonance-captured quasi-BICs with ultra-high q-factor resonances satisfy the dark modes required to realize the EIT and couple to the bright modes in the structure to achieve narrowband filtering. The peak transmission rates are around 0.9 at 0.29 THz-0.32 THz and 0.23 THz-0.27 THz, respectively. Our results have practical implications for the realization of low-frequency terahertz communications.
Analog signal metasurface processor supporting mathematical operator reconfiguration
Authors: Yang Huiping , Chen Yutai , Wu Yilu , Hu Yuqi , Yang Junbo , Wu Jiagui
Published: September 2023

Electromagnetic wave analog computing is an effective method to overcome the bottleneck of electronic computing, which has attracted the attention of scientists. However, many spatial analog signal processing systems based on electromagnetic waves can only execute one unique mathematical operator and cannot provide multiple operators for users to choose arbitrarily. In order to enhance the function of the current spatial analog computing system, we design a coding structure with amplitude-phase decoupling modulation to realize the analog signal processor that supports the switching of mathematical operators and demonstrate the precise switching from the first-order spatial differential operator to the first-order spatial integral operator. Our design idea can be used as a paradigm for designing small reconfigurable analog computing systems, paving the way for the construction of high-speed, multifunctional, and universal signal processing systems. This idea can be extended to any other range of waves.
Ultra-narrow linewidth and a low-noise cascading Brillouin random fiber laser with a dual pump
Authors: Zhou Wenrui , Ou Zhonghua , Fan Xiaodong , Zhang Lixun , Liu Shuang , Liu Yong
Published: September 2023

A cascading Brillouin random fiber laser with a dual pump (DP-CBRFL) is proposed and demonstrated. The DP-CBRFL can improve the Brillouin gain significantly to achieve an ultra-narrow linewidth (95.5 Hz) with 200 mW pump power, due to two cascading Brillouin gain fibers with an identical Brillouin frequency shift. Compared with the general Brillouin random fiber laser, the proposed random fiber laser has a more stable Brillouin gain spectrum and a lower mode density, which makes it have a lower intensity noise and frequency noise, especially in the low-frequency range. Meanwhile, it exhibits a high slope efficiency of 28% even if the pump power has reached 1.1 W due to the strong suppression ability of the high-order Stokes light.
Association of IL-17F rs2397084 (E126G), rs11465553 (V155I) and rs763780 (H161R) variants with rheumatoid arthritis and their effects on the stability of protein
Authors: Ali Yasir , Kausar Masood , Farooq Mazhar , Farooqi Nadia , Ul Islam Zia , Khan Suleman , Aman Aisha , Khan Naveed , Kamil Atif , Jalil Fazal
Published: September 2023

Interleukin-17F (IL-17F), considered a pro-inflammatory cytokine, has been shown to contribute to skeletal tissue degradation and hence chronic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study we utilized bioinformatics tools to analyze the effect of three exonic SNPs (rs2397084, rs11465553, and rs763780) on the structure and function of the IL-17F gene, and evaluated their association with RA in Pakistani patients. The predicted deleterious and damaging effects of identified genetic variants were assessed through the utilization of multiple bioinformatics tools including PROVEAN, SNP&GO, SIFT, and PolyPhen2. Structural and functional effects of these variants on protein structures were evaluated through the use of additional tools such as I-Mutant, MutPred, and ConSurf. Three-dimensional (3D) models of both the wild-type and mutant proteins were constructed through the utilization of I-TASSER software, with subsequent structural comparisons between the models conducted through the use of the TM-align score. A total of 500 individuals, 250 cases and 250 controls, were genotyped through Tri-ARMS-PCR method and the resultant data was statistically analyzed using various inheritance models. Our bioinformatics analysis showed significant structural differences for wild type and mutant protein (TM-scores and RMSD values were 0.85934 and 2.34 for rs2397084 (E126G), 0.87388 and 2.49 for rs11465553 (V155I), and 0.86572 and 0.86572 for rs763780 (H161R) with decrease stability for the later. Overall, these tools enabled us to predict that these variants are crucial in causing disease phenotypes. We further tested each of these single nucleotide variants for their association with RA. Our analysis revealed a strong positive association between the genetic variant rs763780 and the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at both the genotypic and allelic levels. The genotypic association was statistically significant[χ2 = 111.8; P value <0.0001], as was the allelic level [OR 3.444 (2.539–4.672); P value 0.0008]. These findings suggest that the presence of this genetic variant may increase the susceptibility to RA. Similarly, we observed a significant distribution of the genetic variant rs11465553 at the genotypic level [χ2 = 25.24; P value = 0.0001]. However, this variant did not show a significant association with RA at the allelic level [OR = 1.194 (0.930–1.531); P value = 0.183]. However, the distribution of variant rs2397084 was more or less random across our sample with no significant association either at genotypic and or allelic level. Put together, our association study and in silico prediction of decreasing of IL17-F protein stabilty confirmed that two SNPs, rs11465553 and rs763780 are crucial to the suscetibility of and showed that these RA in Pakistani patients.
Production and characterization of a chimeric antigen, based on nucleocapsid of SARS-CoV-2 fused to the extracellular domain of human CD154 in HEK-293 cells as a vaccine candidate against COVID-19
Authors: Lao Thailin , Avalos Ileanet , Rodríguez Elsa María , Zamora Yasser , Rodriguez Alianet , Ramón Ailyn , Alvarez Yanitza , Cabrales Ania , Andújar Ivan , González Luis Javier , Puente Pedro , García Cristina , Gómez Leonardo , Valdés Rodolfo , Estrada Mario Pablo , Carpio Yamila
Published: September 2023

Despite that more than one hundred vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have been developed and that some of them were evaluated in clinical trials, the latest results revealed that these vaccines still face great challenges. Among the components of the virus, the N-protein constitutes an attractive target for a subunit vaccine because it is the most abundant, highly conserved and immunogenic protein. In the present work, a chimeric protein (N-CD protein) was constructed by the fusion of the N-protein to the extracellular domain of human CD154 as the molecular adjuvant. HEK-293 cells were transduced with lentiviral vector bearing the N-CD gene and polyclonal cell populations were obtained. The N-CD protein was purified from cell culture supernatant and further characterized by several techniques. Immunogenicity studies in mice and non-human primates showed the N-CD protein induced high IgG titers in both models after two doses. Moreover, overall health monitoring of non-human primates demonstrated that animals were healthy during 228 days after first immunization. Data obtained support further investigation in order to develop this chimeric protein as vaccine candidate against COVID-19 and other coronavirus diseases.
The prevalence and treatment rate trends of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
Authors: Zhang Xiaojuan , Wang Zheng , Zhang Di , Ye Dandan , Zhou Yaru , Qin Jing , Zhang Yingze
Published: September 2023

Background

To evaluate the prevalence and treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis in recent years, analyze differences between the prevalence diagnosed by physicians and the prevalence detected by bone mineral density (BMD), and observe the trends of prevalence and treatment rate of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women over time are of great value for the management of osteoporosis.

Methods

This cross-sectional study collected the data of 4012 postmenopausal women from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 to 2010, 2013 to 2014 and 2017 to 2018. The prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia as well as the treatment rate of osteoporosis were analyzed using Mann-Kendall trend test. Subgroup analysis was conducted in different age, race, body mass index (BMI), diabetes, hypertension, or glucocorticoid use groups.

Results

The overall prevalence of physician diagnosed of osteoporosis was 17.4% and was fluctuated in a small range and remained relatively stable within a certain range (Mann-Kendall trend test: Z = 2.20, P = 0.027) during 2005–2018. The prevalence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women determined by bone mineral density (BMD) examination reached 9.2% during the five cycles. From 2005 to 2018, the prevalence of physician diagnosed osteoporosis fluctuated in a small range. For osteopenia measured by BMD, the prevalence was 59.6% and a gradual increasing trend was found between 2005 and 2018 (Mann-Kendall trend test: Z = 2.20, P = 0.027). Among patients with physician diagnosed osteoporosis, the treatment rate reached 70.49%. The treatment rate of physician diagnosed osteoporosis was decreased from 2005 to 2008, and further decreased from 2009 to 2018 (Mann-Kendall trend test: Z = -2.20, P = 0.027). The actual treatment rate of osteoporosis patients was 55.53%. During 2005–2018, the actual treatment rate of osteoporosis showed a continuous decline (Mann-Kendall trend test: Z = -2.20, P = 0.027).

Conclusion

Osteoporosis management might be insufficient and more efforts are needed to improve the diagnosis and treatment rates of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
Comparing methods to classify admitted patients with SARS-CoV-2 as admitted for COVID-19 versus with incidental SARS-CoV-2: A cohort study
Authors: Hohl Corinne M. , Cragg Amber , Purssell Elizabeth , McAlister Finlay A. , Ting Daniel K. , Scheuermeyer Frank , Stachura Maja , Grant Lars , Taylor John , Kanu Josephine , Hau Jeffrey P. , Cheng Ivy , Atzema Clare L. , Bola Rajan , Morrison Laurie J. , Landes Megan , Perry Jeffrey J. , Rosychuk Rhonda J. ,   the Canadian COVID-19 Emergency Department Rapid Response Network (CCEDRRN) investigators for the Network of Canadian Emergency Researchers,   the Canadian Critical Care Trials Group
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Not all patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection develop symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), making it challenging to assess the burden of COVID-19-related hospitalizations and mortality. We aimed to determine the proportion, resource utilization, and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 positive patients admitted for COVID-19, and assess the impact of using the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) discharge diagnosis-based algorithm and the Massachusetts state department’s drug administration-based classification system on identifying admissions for COVID-19.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we enrolled consecutive SARS-CoV-2 positive patients admitted to one of five hospitals in British Columbia between December 19, 2021 and May 31,2022. We completed medical record reviews, and classified hospitalizations as being primarily for COVID-19 or with incidental SARS-CoV-2 infection. We applied the CDC algorithm and the Massachusetts classification to estimate the difference in hospital days, intensive care unit (ICU) days and in-hospital mortality and calculated sensitivity and specificity.

Results

Of 42,505 Emergency Department patients, 1,651 were admitted and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, with 858 (52.0%, 95% CI 49.6–54.4) admitted for COVID-19. Patients hospitalized for COVID-19 required ICU admission (14.0% versus 8.2%, p<0.001) and died (12.6% versus 6.4%, p<0.001) more frequently compared with patients with incidental SARS-CoV-2. Compared to case classification by clinicians, the CDC algorithm had a sensitivity of 82.9% (711/858, 95% CI 80.3%, 85.4%) and specificity of 98.1% (778/793, 95% CI 97.2%, 99.1%) for COVID-19-related admissions and underestimated COVID-19 attributable hospital days. The Massachusetts classification had a sensitivity of 60.5% (519/858, 95% CI 57.2%, 63.8%) and specificity of 78.6% (623/793, 95% CI 75.7%, 81.4%) for COVID-19-related admissions, underestimating total number of hospital and ICU bed days while overestimating COVID-19-related intubations, ICU admissions, and deaths.

Conclusion

Half of SARS-CoV-2 hospitalizations were for COVID-19 during the Omicron wave. The CDC algorithm was more specific and sensitive than the Massachusetts classification, but underestimated the burden of COVID-19 admissions.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04702945.
Two level logistic regression analysis of factors influencing skilled birth attendant during delivery among Bangladeshi mothers: A nationally representative sample
Authors: Ema Nusrat Jahan , Eva Mahmuda Khanom , Mamun Abu Sayed Md. Al , Rafi Md. Abdur , Khabir Ahsanul , Kundu Ramendra Nath , Bharati Premananda , Hossain Md. Golam
Published: September 2023

Background

In order to minimize the maternal and child mortality rate, the presence of skilled birth attendants (SBA) during delivery is essential. By 2022, 4th health, population and nutrition sector programme in Bangladesh aims to increase the percentage of deliveries performed by SBA to 65 percent. The objective of the present study was to determine the rate and associated factors of usage SBA among Bangladeshi mothers during their delivery.

Methods

This study utilized secondary data that was collected by Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017–18. The usage of SBA was measured by a question to respondent, who assisted during your delivery? It was classified into two classes; (i) skilled birth attendant (qualified doctors, nurses, midwives, or paramedics; family welfare visitors, community skilled birth attendants, and sub-assistant community medical officers) (code 1), and (ii) unskilled birth attendant (untrained traditional birth attendants, trained traditional birth attendants, relatives, friends, or others) (code 0). Two logistic regression model was used to determine the associated factors of SBA after removing the cluster effect of the outcome variable.

Results

This study found 53.2% mothers were delivered by SBA in Bangladesh, among them 56.33% and 42.24% mothers were delivered by nurse/midwife/paramedic and doctor respectively. The two level logistic model demonstrated that geographical location (division), type of residence, religion, wealth index, mothers’ body mass index, mothers’ education level, mothers’ occupation, total ever born children, mothers’ age at first birth (year), number of ANC visits, husbands’ education level and husbands’ occupation were significant (p<0.01) predictors of SBA. Mothers’ education and wealth index were the most important contributory factors for SBA in Bangladesh.

Conclusions

This study revealed that still 46.8% mothers are delivered by unskilled birth attendant, this might be treated of Bangladesh Government to achieve SDGs indicator 3.1.2 by 2030. Counseling could be integrated during ANC to increase awareness, and should ensure for every Bangladeshi mothers visit ANC service during their pregnancy at least 4 times.
Orientalist afterlives: Theorizing discourse about Peppa Pig and China
Authors: Kendall Paul
Published: September 2023

In recent years, there have been numerous English-language reports on the purported censorship of Peppa Pig in China. This article goes beyond this discourse to explore both how this British animation was translated into Chinese popular culture and how English-language news outlets subsequently responded to Peppa’s presence in China. Firstly, it examines how the dubbing of Peppa Pig into Chinese facilitated promotional claims about the universal appeal of this animation. Secondly, it shows how Peppa Pig’s subsequent popularity in China prompted a promotional shift towards a self-conscious localization of the brand with the release of the film 小猪佩奇过大年 (Peppa Celebrates Chinese New Year). Thirdly, this article explores how English-language news reporting became distorted in its claims about the extent of Peppa Pig’s censorship in China. Theoretically, I argue that both the localization of Peppa Pig and English-language journalistic discourse about the animation in China have been permeated by an afterlife of Orientalism. As an afterlife, this is a discourse that lacks the all-encompassing qualities of Edward Said’s classic Orientalism, but that continues to draw upon the Orientalist idea of an absolute distinction between ‘the East’ and ‘the West’.
Internet celebrities, foreign speakers and Chinese learning: The case of MYBY on YouTube
Authors: Wang Xuan , Chung Elaine
Published: September 2023

This article studies internet celebrity culture as a crucial site of public learning and pedagogy, exploring the capacity of celebrated foreign speakers of Chinese to popularize discourses and knowledge of the language on social media. It specifically focuses on the YouTube channel MYBY founded by Martin Wiley Woods and Blair Sugarman, two foreign television personalities in China who have successfully extended their fame from traditional media to the internet. Through a multimodal discourse analysis of their bilingual ‘talk shows’ in which they evaluate the Chinese pronunciation and accents of other non-native speakers and share their own learning experiences, we discuss how Woods and Sugarman perform their identities as both model learners and language influencers by producing and challenging the language ideologies of normativity and speakerhood. We argue that internet celebrity pedagogy is an increasingly important genre of popular culture that discursively shapes the global transmission of Chinese language and linguaculture.
Found in Translation: ‘New People’ in Twentieth-Century Chinese Science Fiction, Jing Jiang (2021)
Authors: Payne Christopher N.
Published: September 2023

Review of: Found in Translation: ‘New People’ in Twentieth-Century Chinese Science Fiction, Jing Jiang (2021)

Ann Arbor, MI: Association for Asian Studies, 144 pp.,

ISBN 978-0-92430-494-1, p/bk, £9.50

 

The Reincarnated Giant: An Anthology of Twenty-First Century Chinese Science Fiction, Mingwei Song and Theodore Huters (eds) (2018)

New York: Columbia University Press, 448 pp.,

ISBN 978-0-23118-023-8, p/bk, £22.76

 

Socialist Cosmopolitanism: The Chinese Literary Universe, 1945–1965, Nicolai Volland (2017)

New York: Columbia University Press, 304 pp.,

ISBN 978-0-23118-311-6, p/bk, £22.48
History and Popular Memory: The Power of Story in Moments of Crisis, Paul A. Cohen (2017)
Authors: Faust Maria
Published: September 2023

Review of: History and Popular Memory: The Power of Story in Moments of Crisis, Paul A. Cohen (2017)

New York: Columbia University Press, 279 pp.,

ISBN 978-0-23116-637-9, p/bk, $27
Manga: A Critical Guide, Shige (CJ) Suzuki and Ronald Stewart (2023)
Authors: Koulikov Mikhail
Published: September 2023

Review of: Manga: A Critical Guide, Shige (CJ) Suzuki and Ronald Stewart (2023)

London and New York: Bloomsbury Academic, 280 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-35007-235-0, h/bk, $90.00

ISBN 978-1-35007-234-3, p/bk, $29.95
POR ONDE ANDAM OS ESTUDOS SOBRE CAPITAL SOCIAL NO CAMPO DO TURISMO? UMA META-ANÁLISE
Authors: Macke Janaina , Biasuz Tamiris Sluminski , Bortolozzo Daniela Andreetta
Published: September 2023

O presente artigo trata do tema capital social, como elemento do desenvolvimento local, no campo do turismo. O objetivo do estudo é analisar a produção científica sobre capital social no turismo, buscando, inicialmente, identificar os paradigmas que orientam o trabalho dos pesquisadores e a forma como o tema tem sido discutido na academia. Foram selecionados nove artigos de duas bases de dados: Business Source Premier e Periódicos On-line. Foi desenvolvida uma ferramenta de análise destes artigos considerando aspectos metodológicos e contribuições para o campo do conhecimento. Como principal resultado, pode-se concluir que as pesquisas sobre capital social na área do turismo carecem de uma visão mais pluralista e que há um amplo espaço de trabalho sobre o tema, especialmente nas áreas de turismo e desenvolvimento local, formação do profissional do turismo, impactos das atividades turísticas, entre outros temas que envolvem o campo do turismo.