bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation and comparison of hereditary Cancer guidelines in the population
Authors: Ritchie Jordon B. , Bellcross Cecelia , Allen Caitlin G. , Frey Lewis , Morrison Heath , Schiffman Joshua D. , Welch Brandon M.
Published: July 2021

Background

Family health history (FHx) is an effective tool for identifying patients at risk of hereditary cancer. Hereditary cancer clinical practice guidelines (CPG) contain criteria used to evaluate FHx and to make recommendations for genetic consultation. Comparing different CPGs used to evaluate a common set of FHx provides insight into how well the CPGs perform, the extent of agreement across guidelines, and how well they identify patients who should consider a cancer genetic consultation.

Methods

We compare the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Networks (NCCN) (2019) CPG criteria for FHx collected by a chatbot and evaluated by ontologies and web services in a previous study. Collected FHx met criteria from seven groups: Gene Mutation, Breast and Ovarian, Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), Colorectal and Endometrial, Relative Meets Criteria, ACMG Only Criteria, and NCCN Testing. CPG Criteria were coded and matched across 12 ACMG sub-guidelines and 6 NCCN sub-guidelines for comparison purposes.

Results

The dataset contains 4915 records, of which 2221 met either ACMG or NCCN criteria and 2694 did not. There was significant overlap—1179 probands met both ACMG and NCCN criteria. The greatest similarities were for Gene Mutation and Breast and Ovarian criteria and the greatest disparity existed among Colorectal and Endometrial criteria. Only 156 positive gene mutations were reported and of the 2694 probands who did not meet criteria, 90.6% of them reported at least one cancer in their personal or family cancer history.

Conclusion

Hereditary cancer CPGs are useful for identifying patients at risk of developing cancer based on FHx. This comparison shows that with the aid of chatbots, ontologies, and web services, CPGs can be more efficiently applied to identify patients at risk of hereditary cancer. Additionally this comparison examines similarities and differences between ACMG and NCCN and shows the importance of using both guidelines when evaluating hereditary cancer risk.
The use of electronic health records for recruitment in clinical trials: a mixed methods analysis of the Harmony Outcomes Electronic Health Record Ancillary Study
Authors: O’Brien Emily C. , Raman Sudha R. , Ellis Alicia , Hammill Bradley G. , Berdan Lisa G. , Rorick Tyrus , Janmohamed Salim , Lampron Zachary , Hernandez Adrian F. , Curtis Lesley H.
Published: July 2021

Background

The electronic health record (EHR) contains a wealth of clinical data that may be used to streamline the identification of potential clinical trial participants. However, there is little empirical information on site-level facilitators of and barriers to optimal use of EHR systems with respect to trial recruitment.

Methods

We conducted qualitative focus groups and quantitative surveys as part of the EHR Ancillary Study, which is being conducted alongside the multicenter, global, Harmony Outcomes Trial comparing albiglutide to standard care for the prevention of cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes. Subject matter experts used findings from focus groups to draft a 20-question survey examining the use of the EHR for participant identification, common site recruitment strategies, and variation in perceived barriers to optimal use of the EHR. The final survey was fielded with 446 site investigators actively enrolling participants in the main trial.

Results

Nearly two-thirds of respondents were study coordinators (63.2%), 23.1% were principal investigators, and 13.7% held other research roles. Approximately half of the respondents reported using the EHR to find potential trial participants. Of these, 79.4% reported using EHR searches in conjunction with other recruitment methods, including reviewing of upcoming clinic schedules (75.3%) and contacting past trial participants (71.2%). Important barriers to optimal use of the EHR included the lack of availability of certain research-focused EHR modules and limitations on the ability to contact patients cared for by other providers. Of survey respondents who did not use the EHR to find potential participants, one-quarter reported that the EHR was not accessible in their country; this finding varied from 2.6% of respondents in North America to 50% of respondents in the Asia Pacific.

Conclusions

While EHR screening was commonly used for recruitment in a cardiovascular outcomes trial, important technical, governance, and regulatory barriers persist. Multifaceted, scalable, and customizable strategies are needed to support the optimal use of the EHR for trial participant identification.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02465515. Registered on 8 June 2015
Evaluation of compost quality from municipal solid waste integrated with organic additive in Mizan–Aman town, Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Mamo Masresha , Kassa Henok , Ingale Lalit , Dondeyne Stefaan
Published: July 2021

Background

The present study evaluated the compost quality from municipal solid waste (MSW) and organic additives of coffee by-products and leaf of Millettia ferruginea. Compost sample (n = 30) was taken from fresh compost materials and MSW and different organic additive treatments (T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5). Compost treatments phytotoxicity test was conducted using lettuce seed (Lactuca Sativa L. var. crispa). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using SPSS (version 22) on major compost quality characteristics.

Results

The compost Physico-chemical characteristics like temperature (26.4 °C), moisture content (45.5%), electrical conductivity (4.6 mS/cm), pH (7.9), total nitrogen (1.2%) and phosphorous content (2918 ppm) in T4 and T5 were analogous but both are significantly different from T3, T2 and T1 compost treatments. Phytotoxicity test using 100% compost treatment media showed that T4 (101%) and T5 (102%) are phytonutrient for lettuce plant. While, T3 and T2; and T1 compost treatments are non-phytotoxic and moderately phytotoxic respectively to lettuce plant.

Conclusion

Therefore, compost from MSW + M. ferruginea (T4) and MSW + coffee pulp + M. ferruginea (T5) are important for improving the physico-chemical characteristics of compost and are phytonutrient for lettuce plant. Thus, for effectively management of the 75% of organic fraction of waste generated from households in the study area, recycling methods like composting with organic additives must be used at large.
Cellulosic biofuel production using emulsified simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (eSSF) with conventional and thermotolerant yeasts
Authors: Hoffman Shannon M. , Alvarez Maria , Alfassi Gilad , Rein Dmitry M. , Garcia-Echauri Sergio , Cohen Yachin , Avalos José L.
Published: July 2021

Background

Future expansion of corn-derived ethanol raises concerns of sustainability and competition with the food industry. Therefore, cellulosic biofuels derived from agricultural waste and dedicated energy crops are necessary. To date, slow and incomplete saccharification as well as high enzyme costs have hindered the economic viability of cellulosic biofuels, and while approaches like simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) and the use of thermotolerant microorganisms can enhance production, further improvements are needed. Cellulosic emulsions have been shown to enhance saccharification by increasing enzyme contact with cellulose fibers. In this study, we use these emulsions to develop an emulsified SSF (eSSF) process for rapid and efficient cellulosic biofuel production and make a direct three-way comparison of ethanol production between S. cerevisiae, O. polymorpha, and K. marxianus in glucose and cellulosic media at different temperatures.

Results

In this work, we show that cellulosic emulsions hydrolyze rapidly at temperatures tolerable to yeast, reaching up to 40-fold higher conversion in the first hour compared to microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). To evaluate suitable conditions for the eSSF process, we explored the upper temperature limits for the thermotolerant yeasts Kluyveromyces marxianus and Ogataea polymorpha, as well as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and observed robust fermentation at up to 46, 50, and 42 °C for each yeast, respectively. We show that the eSSF process reaches high ethanol titers in short processing times, and produces close to theoretical yields at temperatures as low as 30 °C. Finally, we demonstrate the transferability of the eSSF technology to other products by producing the advanced biofuel isobutanol in a light-controlled eSSF using optogenetic regulators, resulting in up to fourfold higher titers relative to MCC SSF.

Conclusions

The eSSF process addresses the main challenges of cellulosic biofuel production by increasing saccharification rate at temperatures tolerable to yeast. The rapid hydrolysis of these emulsions at low temperatures permits fermentation using non-thermotolerant yeasts, short processing times, low enzyme loads, and makes it possible to extend the process to chemicals other than ethanol, such as isobutanol. This transferability establishes the eSSF process as a platform for the sustainable production of biofuels and chemicals as a whole.
Optimization of biogas yield from lignocellulosic materials with different pretreatment methods: a review
Authors: Olatunji Kehinde Oladoke , Ahmed Noor A. , Ogunkunle Oyetola
Published: July 2021

Population increase and industrialization has resulted in high energy demand and consumptions, and presently, fossil fuels are the major source of staple energy, supplying 80% of the entire consumption. This has contributed immensely to the greenhouse gas emission and leading to global warming, and as a result of this, there is a tremendous urgency to investigate and improve fresh and renewable energy sources worldwide. One of such renewable energy sources is biogas that is generated by anaerobic fermentation that uses different wastes such as agricultural residues, animal manure, and other organic wastes. During anaerobic digestion, hydrolysis of substrates is regarded as the most crucial stage in the process of biogas generation. However, this process is not always efficient because of the domineering stableness of substrates to enzymatic or bacteria assaults, but substrates’ pretreatment before biogas production will enhance biogas production. The principal objective of pretreatments is to ease the accessibility of the enzymes to the lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose which leads to degradation of the substrates. Hence, the use of pretreatment for catalysis of lignocellulose substrates is beneficial for the production of cost-efficient and eco-friendly process. In this review, we discussed different pretreatment technologies of hydrolysis and their restrictions. The review has shown that different pretreatments have varying effects on lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose degradation and biogas yield of different substrate and the choice of pretreatment technique will devolve on the intending final products of the process.
In silico molecular docking and in vitro antimicrobial efficacy of phytochemicals against multi-drug-resistant enteroaggregative Escherichia coli and non-typhoidal Salmonella spp.
Authors: Abishad Padikkamannil , Niveditha Pollumahanti , Unni Varsha , Vergis Jess , Kurkure Nitin Vasantrao , Chaudhari Sandeep , Rawool Deepak Bhiwa , Barbuddhe Sukhadeo Baliram
Published: July 2021

Background

In the wake of emergence of antimicrobial resistance, bioactive phytochemical compounds are proving to be important therapeutic agents. The present study envisaged in silico molecular docking as well as in vitro antimicrobial efficacy screening of identified phytochemical ligands to the dispersin (aap) and outer membrane osmoporin (OmpC) domains of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) and non-typhoidal Salmonella spp. (NTS), respectively.

Materials and methods

The evaluation of drug-likeness, molecular properties, and bioactivity of the identified phytocompounds (thymol, carvacrol, and cinnamaldehyde) was carried out using Swiss ADME, while Protox-II and StopTox servers were used to identify its toxicity. The in silico molecular docking of the phytochemical ligands with the protein motifs of dispersin (PDB ID: 2jvu) and outer membrane osmoporin (PDB ID: 3uu2) were carried out using AutoDock v.4.20. Further, the antimicrobial efficacy of these compounds against multi-drug resistant EAEC and NTS strains was determined by estimating the minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum bactericidal concentrations. Subsequently, these phytochemicals were subjected to their safety (sheep and human erythrocytic haemolysis) as well as stability (cationic salts, and pH) assays.

Results

All the three identified phytochemicals ligands were found to be zero violators of Lipinski’s rule of five and exhibited drug-likeness. The compounds tested were categorized as toxicity class-4 by Protox-II and were found to be non- cardiotoxic by StopTox. The docking studies employing 3D model of dispersin and ompC motifs with the identified phytochemical ligands exhibited good binding affinity. The identified phytochemical compounds were observed to be comparatively stable at different conditions (cationic salts, and pH); however, a concentration-dependent increase in the haemolytic assay was observed against sheep as well as human erythrocytes.

Conclusions

In silico molecular docking studies provided useful insights to understand the interaction of phytochemical ligands with protein motifs of pathogen and should be used routinely before the wet screening of any phytochemicals for their antibacterial, stability, and safety aspects.
Lung branching morphogenesis is accompanied by temporal metabolic changes towards a glycolytic preference
Authors: Fernandes-Silva Hugo , Alves Marco G. , Araújo-Silva Henrique , Silva Ana M. , Correia-Pinto Jorge , Oliveira Pedro F. , Moura Rute S.
Published: July 2021

Background

Lung branching morphogenesis is characterized by epithelial-mesenchymal interactions that ultimately define the airway conducting system. Throughout this process, energy and structural macromolecules are necessary to sustain the high proliferative rates. The extensive knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying pulmonary development contrasts with the lack of data regarding the embryonic lung metabolic requirements. Here, we studied the metabolic profile associated with the early stages of chicken pulmonary branching.

Methods

In this study, we used an ex vivo lung explant culture system and analyzed the consumption/production of extracellular metabolic intermediates associated with glucose catabolism (alanine, lactate, and acetate) by 1H-NMR spectroscopy in the culture medium. Then, we characterized the transcript levels of metabolite membrane transporters (glut1, glut3, glut8, mct1, mct3, mct4, and mct8) and glycolytic enzymes (hk1, hk2, pfk1, ldha, ldhb, pdha, and pdhb) by qPCR. ldha and ldhb mRNA spatial localization was determined by in situ hybridization. Proliferation was analyzed by directly assessing DNA synthesis using an EdU-based assay. Additionally, we performed western blot to analyze LDHA and LDHT protein levels. Finally, we used a Clark-Type Electrode to assess the lung explant's respiratory capacity.

Results

Glucose consumption decreases, whereas alanine, lactate, and acetate production progressively increase as branching morphogenesis proceeds. mRNA analysis revealed variations in the expression levels of key enzymes and transporters from the glycolytic pathway. ldha and ldhb displayed a compartment-specific expression pattern that resembles proximal–distal markers. In addition, high proliferation levels were detected at active branching sites. LDH protein expression levels suggest that LDHB may account for the progressive rise in lactate. Concurrently, there is a stable oxygen consumption rate throughout branching morphogenesis.

Conclusions

This report describes the temporal metabolic changes that accompany the early stages of chicken lung branching morphogenesis. Overall, the embryonic chicken lung seems to shift to a glycolytic lactate-based metabolism as pulmonary branching occurs. Moreover, this metabolic rewiring might play a crucial role during lung development.
Entrepreneurial networks, entrepreneurial orientation, and performance of small and medium enterprises: are dynamic capabilities the missing link?
Authors: Abu-Rumman Ayman , Al Shraah Ata , Al-Madi Faisal , Alfalah Tasneem
Published: July 2021

Performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) has been addressed widely in the literature. Both developed and developing countries are highly concerned about the growth and performance of SMEs. The literature exploring performance is abundant, however, has certain controversies. To identify the reasons behind those controversies, this study was conducted with the aim being to identify the mediating role of dynamic capabilities which are developed by entrepreneurial networks and entrepreneurial orientation. The study collected the data from a sample of SMEs based in Jordan which were connected through a closed network and were the part of groups. The data was collected via an electronic questionnaire, and100 SMEs were contacted and invited to participate in the survey on a purposive sampling basis. Structural equation modelling was applied to identify the direct impacts and the mediating impact. The findings identified that amongst the chosen firms, entrepreneurial networking has an insignificant impact; however, entrepreneurial orientation has shown a significant positive impact. Furthermore, the mediating role of dynamic capabilities was significant in both the relationships. The findings suggested that the sector should develop strong networks and should consider strategic alliances to gain competitive edge. Future researchers are guided to implement the same framework along with the dimensions of the variable.
Characteristics of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis detection in China, 2015–2019
Authors: Su Wei , Ruan Yun-zhou , Li Tao , Du Xin , Jiang Jia-wen , Li Ren-zhong
Published: July 2021

Background

The very high burden of rifampicin resistance tuberculosis (RR-TB) and the very low detection of RR-TB cases are a major challenge that China has been facing. This study analyzed the characteristics of RR-TB detection in China after the change of RR-TB detection strategy since 2015, aiming to provide reference and evidence for the development of more precise national drug resistance tuberculosis prevention and control policy.

Methods

We extracted data related to rifampicin resistance screening from the national Tuberculosis Information Management System (TBIMS) from 2015 to 2019, and used descriptive research methods to analyze the screening rate of presumptive RR-TB, the number and duration of RR-TB patients detected and drug resistance testing methods in each year. Chi-square test was used to compare the differences in component ratio or rate between years, and Kruskal Wallis test was used to compare the differences in median days for detection of RR-TB patients in each year.

Results

A total of 68,200 RR-TB cases were detected during 2015–2019, of which 48.1% were new cases. The number and detection rate of RR-TB cases increased year by year, from 10 019 and 14.3% in 2015 to 18 623 and 28.7% in 2019, respectively. Of the bacteriologically confirmed TB cases, 81.9% were tested for RR in 2019, a considerable increase from 29.5% in 2015. In 2019, only 41.0% of RR-TB cases had fluoroquinolones (FQs) susceptibility testing performed, and this proportion has been declining year by year since 2016. The proportion of application of rapid molecular tools increased from 24.0% in 2015 to 67.1% in 2019, and the median days to obtain RR results was significantly shortened. In 2019, 76.0% of RR-TB cases were diagnosed as presumptive RR-TB in county-level hospitals.

Conclusions

After China modified the RR-TB detection strategy, the screening rate of RR and the number of RR-TB cases increased significantly. The RR testing methods now predominantly utilize rapid molecular tools. However, comprehensive measures should be implemented to close the gap in the detection of RR-TB cases. It is imperative to take FQs susceptibility testing seriously and effectively strengthen the laboratory capacity of county-level hospitals.

Graphical Abstract
IL-17F depletion accelerates chitosan conduit guided peripheral nerve regeneration
Authors: Chen Feixiang , Liu Weihuang , Zhang Qiang , Wu Ping , Xiao Ao , Zhao Yanan , Zhou Ying , Wang Qiaona , Chen Yun , Tong Zan
Published: July 2021

Peripheral nerve injury is a serious health problem and repairing long nerve deficits remains a clinical challenge nowadays. Nerve guidance conduit (NGC) serves as the most promising alternative therapy strategy to autografts but its repairing efficiency needs improvement. In this study, we investigated whether modulating the immune microenvironment by Interleukin-17F (IL-17F) could promote NGC mediated peripheral nerve repair. Chitosan conduits were used to bridge sciatic nerve defect in IL-17F knockout mice and wild-type mice with autografts as controls. Our data revealed that IL-17F knockout mice had improved functional recovery and axonal regeneration of sciatic nerve bridged by chitosan conduits comparing to the wild-type mice. Notably, IL-17F knockout mice had enhanced anti-inflammatory macrophages in the NGC repairing microenvironment. In vitro data revealed that IL-17F knockout peritoneal and bone marrow derived macrophages had increased anti-inflammatory markers after treatment with the extracts from chitosan conduits, while higher pro-inflammatory markers were detected in the Raw264.7 macrophage cell line, wild-type peritoneal and bone marrow derived macrophages after the same treatment. The biased anti-inflammatory phenotype of macrophages by IL-17F knockout probably contributed to the improved chitosan conduit guided sciatic nerve regeneration. Additionally, IL-17F could enhance pro-inflammatory factors production in Raw264.7 cells and wild-type peritoneal macrophages. Altogether, IL-17F may partially mediate chitosan conduit induced pro-inflammatory polarization of macrophages during nerve repair. These results not only revealed a role of IL-17F in macrophage function, but also provided a unique and promising target, IL-17F, to modulate the microenvironment and enhance the peripheral nerve regeneration.
Minimum acceptable diet practice and its associated factors among children aged 6–23 months in rural communities of Goncha district, north West Ethiopia
Authors: Birie Bamlaku , Kassa Andargachew , Kebede Emnet , Terefe Bezabih
Published: July 2021

Background

After the first 6 months breast milk is no longer sufficient to meet the nutritional needs of the infant. Therefore, complementary foods should be added to the child’s diet. Feeding children with a diversified diet is practiced improperly in developing countries including Ethiopia particularly in the rural community of the Amhara region. However, limited information was documented on the rural communities and no data were available specifically in the study area to show the exact picture of child feeding practices. So, this study was planned to assess minimum acceptable diet practice and its associated factors among children aged 6–23 months in the rural community of Goncha district, Amhara region, Ethiopia.

Methods

Community-based cross-sectional study was employed to determine minimum acceptable diet practice and its associated factors among children aged 6–23 months at rural communities of Goncha district, East Gojjam zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select study subjects, and an interview administered structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data were entered by Epi Data version 4.0.2 and exported to SPSS 20 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to see the association. Then, P-value < 0.05 with 95% CI on multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to identify the predictor of the outcome variable.

Results

A total of 430 mothers who have children aged 6–23 months were included in the analysis with a 98% of response rate. About 12.6% of children aged 6–23 months received the recommended minimum acceptable diet. Children whose mothers who had formal education [AOR = 2.7, 95%CI (1.133, 6.231)], institutional delivery [AOR = 4.5, 95%CI (1.986, 10.362)], media exposure [AOR = 2.6, 95%CI (1.303, 5.291)] and higher household wealth index [AOR = 2.5, 95%CI (1.139, 5.90)] were significantly associated with minimum acceptable diet.

Conclusion

The practice of minimum acceptable diet in the study area was inadequate and very low according to the national recommendation. So, strengthening institutional delivery, improving the wealth of the community and exposure to media, and finally empowering women’s’ for education is recommended.
Cor triatriatum with supramitral ring: “cor tetratriatum”, associated with Raghib syndrome with Eisenmenger syndrome: multimodality imaging approach in this exceedingly rare case report
Authors: Kumar Barun , Kodliwadmath Ashwin , Upadhyay Amar Nath , Singh Anupam , Darbari Anshuman , Nanda N.
Published: July 2021

Background

Cor triatriatum and supramitral ring are congenital anomalies which result in formation of three chambers of atria. To the best of our knowledge, simultaneous presence of both entities in the same patient resulting in the formation of four chambers of atria has not been described in the literature. Here, we report a case of simultaneous presence of cor triatriatum and supramitral ring associated with Raghib syndrome and Eisenmenger syndrome.

Case presentation

We report the case of a middle-aged gentleman, who presented to us with features of atrial septal defect with Eisenmenger syndrome. Multimodality imaging confirmed the simultaneous presence of supramital ring and cor triatriatum resulting in “cor tetratriatum” along with Raghib syndrome. Presence of Eisenmenger syndrome compelled us to offer medical therapy for the patient.

Conclusion

This is the first case report describing the simultaneous presence of supramitral ring and cor triatriatum resulting in a new entity—“cor tetratriatum”.
Distributed acoustic sensing/surface orbital vibrator: Rotary seismic sources with fiber-optic sensing facilitates autonomous permanent reservoir monitoring
Authors: Correa Julia , Isaenkov Roman , Yavuz Sinem , Yurikov Alexey , Tertyshnikov Konstantin , Wood Todd , Freifeld Barry M. , Pevzner Roman
Published: July 2021

With new developments of fiber-optic sensing and rotary sources, continuous active seismic monitoring for onshore applications has now the opportunity to be fully realized and applied to enhance subsurface resource extraction and use. To date, conventional seismic monitoring deployments have primarily consisted of receiver arrays, either fixed or not, with periodic data acquisition campaigns using temporarily deployed sources, resulting in time-lapse data with poor temporal resolution. Only a few niche efforts have demonstrated continuous acquisition using fixed source-receiver networks. We have evaluated the initial results of a network of fixed rotary seismic sources, referred to as surface orbital vibrators (SOVs), coupled with a permanent distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) network at the CO2CRC Otway Field Site. Although rotary seismic sources are not new, our development of the SOV focused on simplifying the cost and complexity of the source hardware while delivering broad frequency spectrum of the source signal. The upgraded hardware is aligned with a robust methodology for autonomous operation and data processing. At the Otway Site, we deployed SOVs at nine locations, monitoring seismic response in seven DAS instrumented wells. Baseline operation of the DAS/SOV sensor array and source system demonstrates its capability with near offsets attaining a signal-to-noise ratio approaching 100 dB with a normalized root mean square of 10%. Furthermore, analyses of traveltime repeatability indicate that the DAS/SOV system can deliver time resolution of ±500 μs.
Internal multiple prediction using inverse scattering series with sparsity promotion — Part 2: Application strategy and field data examples
Authors: Aaker Ole Edvard , Ramírez Adriana Citlali , Sadikhov Emin
Published: July 2021

Incorrect imaging of internal multiples can lead to substantial imaging artifacts. It is estimated that most seismic images available to exploration and production companies have had no direct attempt at internal multiple removal. Previously, we have considered the role of sparsity promoting transforms for improving practical prediction quality for algorithms derived from the inverse scattering series (ISS). Furthermore, we have developed a demigration-migration approach to perform multidimensional internal multiple prediction with migrated data and provided a synthetic proof of concept. Now, we consider application of the demigration-migration approach to field data from the Norwegian Sea and compare it to a poststack method (from a previous related work). Beyond application to a wider range of data with our approach, we consider algorithmic and implementational optimizations of the ISS prediction algorithms to further improve the applicability of the multidimensional formulations.
Homotopy solutions of the acoustic eikonal equation for strongly attenuating transversely isotropic media with a vertical symmetry axis
Authors: Huang Xingguo , Greenhalgh Stewart , Long Yun , Lin Jun , Liu Xu
Published: July 2021

Many applications in seismology involve the modeling of seismic-wave traveltimes in anisotropic media. We have developed homotopy solutions of the acoustic eikonal equation for P-wave traveltimes in attenuating transversely isotropic media with a vertical symmetry axis. Instead of the commonly used perturbation theory, we use the homotopy analysis method to express the traveltimes by a Taylor series expansion over powers of an embedding parameter. For the derivation, we first perform homotopy analysis of the eikonal equation and derive the linearized ordinary differential equations for the coefficients of the Taylor series expansion. Then, we obtain the homotopy solutions for the traveltimes by solving the linearized ordinary differential equations. Results of our investigation with approximate formulas demonstrate that the analytical expressions are efficient methods for the computation of traveltimes from the eikonal equation. In addition, these formulas are also effective methods for benchmarking approximate numerical solutions in strongly attenuating anisotropic media.
Full wavefield least-squares reverse time migration
Authors: Davydenko Mikhail , Verschuur Eric
Published: July 2021

Waveform inversion based on least-squares reverse time migration (LSRTM) usually involves Born modeling, which models the primary-only data. As a result, the inversion process handles only primaries and corresponding multiple elimination preprocessing of the input data is required prior to imaging and inversion. Otherwise, multiples left in the input data are mapped as false reflectors, also known as crosstalk, in the final image. At the same time, the developed full-wavefield migration (FWM) methodology can handle internal multiples in an inversion-based imaging process. However, because it is based on the framework of the one-way wave equation, it cannot image dips close to and beyond 90°. Therefore, we have aimed at upgrading the LSRTM framework by bringing in the functionality of FWM to handle internal multiples. We inject the secondary source term, as used in the original formulation of FWM, to define a wavefield relationship that allows modeling multiple scattering via reflectivity. The secondary source term is based on the estimated reflectivity and can be injected into the pressure component when simulating the two-way wave equation using finite-difference modeling. We use this modified forward model for estimating the reflectivity model in an FWM-type manner and validate the method on synthetic and field data containing visible internal multiples.
A case study of complex carbonate reservoir connectivity analysis, Tarim Basin, China
Authors: Meng Zhangwu , Sun Zandong , Li Guofa
Published: July 2021

The connectivity of complex carbonate reservoirs has an essential impact on the exploration and development of these reservoirs. From geologic genesis, the connectivity of complex carbonate reservoirs is mainly controlled by faults and dissolution. Therefore, accurate identification of faults and karst caves is the key to studying reservoir connectivity. The Ordovician carbonate reservoir in the Hudson Oilfield of the Tarim Basin is used for our reservoir connectivity analysis study. First, we calculate the coherence and curvature attributes, respectively, and then merge the two attributes using a neural network algorithm. Finally, we use the ant-tracking method to track the faults for the merged data. The results show that the approach substantially enhances deterministic faults that can be seen directly on the seismic data, and subtle faults can also be identified. For reservoir identification, we use the diffraction imaging method to describe the karst reservoir in this study area. The results show that diffraction imaging can identify small-scale caves that cannot be well recognized on the seismic reflection data. Furthermore, the caves connected on the diffraction seismic data are isolated from each other on the seismic reflection data, making the connection between caves clearer. Based on the results of the fault and cave identification, we analyze the reservoir connectivity of the study area using the oil pressure and daily production data, which indicates that the north–northwest and near-north–south faults probably play a role in the connection of the reservoirs, whereas the northeast–east faults tend to block the connection of the reservoirs.
The No Surprises Act: A Bipartisan Achievement to Protect Consumers from Unexpected Medical Bills
Authors: Hoadley Jack , Lucia Kevin
Published: July 2021

The No Surprises Act, passed by Congress at the end of 2020, offers significant protections to most Americans with private health insurance. Insured Americans are vulnerable to receiving surprise medical bills when they receive services from out-of-network providers. Protections for consumers against such bills initially emerged in several states that passed laws. The varying approaches taken in different state laws ultimately offered a foundation for federal legislation. Although there was always a broad consensus among stakeholders for protecting consumers during both state and federal deliberations, it was a challenge to identify a means of determining the amount that an insurer should pay to the out-of-network provider. But Congress eventually reached a compromise that became law, and that law goes into effect in January 2022.
Adopting in the Shadows: False Registration as a Method of Adoption in Postcolonial South Korea
Authors: Lim Sungyun
Published: July 2021

This article examines false registration as a method of domestic adoption in South Korea. The article argues that the practice of falsely registering adoptees as natural births in the family registry emerged in response to the highly restrictive adoption laws in South Korea. As adopting agnatic kin for the purpose of family succession was deemed the only legitimate form of adoption, significant hurdles existed for other kinds of adoption in Korea. This article examines the history of domestic adoption in Korea and highlights the legal hurdles to domestic adoption. These restrictive adoption customs first originated during the Chosŏn dynasty (1392–1910) as a prescription for yangban elite; they were then codified as customary law for all Koreans under Japanese colonial rule (1910–45). The ban on non-agnatic adoption continued in the postcolonial period when it was codified in the new Civil Code of 1960. Multiple legal reforms were attempted since the 1970s to promote domestic adoptions, but change was slow. This article argues that the highly restrictive nature of adoption laws in South Korea produced an adoption regime that existed largely outside of the legal realm.
Polyketone-Based Molecular Ropes as Versatile Components for Functional Materials
Authors: Inokuma Yasuhide , Inaba Yuya
Published: July 2021

This account describes recent aspects of the polyketone-based synthesis of functional molecules. Polyketones are rope-like compounds that combine conformational flexibility with reaction diversity. Although natural-type polyketones, bearing a repeating 1,3-diketone sequence, are difficult to handle as synthetic components owing to complex tautomerism and rapid intramolecular cyclization, the recent development of 1,3- and 1,4-diketone hybrid sequences has enabled access to stable, discrete polyketones for further synthetic functionalization. Various molecular structures with functional properties can be generated from the polyketone chains through rope manipulations, such as bending and coiling. Herein, we introduce their synthesis and structures, focusing on the functionality derived from π-conjugation and metal ion coordination with polyketone derivatives, such as solid-state photo emission, metal-ion conduction, and adsorption.
Impact of Follicular Menstrual Phase on Body Composition Measures and Resting Metabolism
Authors: GOULD LACEY M. , CABRE HANNAH E. , BREWER GABRIELLE J. , HIRSCH KATIE R. , BLUE MALIA N. M. , SMITH-RYAN ABBIE E.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to identify the effects of early follicular (EF) and midfollicular (MF) menstrual phases on body composition, resting metabolic rate (RMR), and respiratory quotient (RQ) assessment accuracy to identify an optimal testing period.

Methods

Body composition was obtained from a four-compartment (4C) criterion model (fat mass (FM), fat-free mass, body fat percent, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA; FM, lean mass (LM), trunk FM, and trunk LM) in 19 eumenorrheic females (mean ± SD: age, 21.3 ± 3.1 yr, body mass index, 23.6 ± 1.8 kg·m−2). RMR (kcal·d−1) and RQ (a.u.) were measured via indirect calorimetry for 25 min. Body composition, RMR, and RQ were measured during the EF and MF phases. Dependent-samples t-tests were used to compare outcomes between EF and MF.

Results

4C outcomes were similar between phases (P > 0.05). During EF, the following 4C components were significantly greater (P < 0.05): body volume (mean difference (MD) ± SD, 0.70 ± 1.05 L), extracellular fluid (MD ± SD, 0.27 ± 0.51 L), and body mass (MD ± SD, 0.56 ± 0.80 kg). DXA-measured LM, body fat percent, trunk LM, and trunk FM were similar (P > 0.05); however, DXA FM was significantly greater during EF (MD ± SD, 0.29 ± 0.40 kg; P = 0.005), yet within measurement error of the device. Although RMR was not significantly different between phases (MD ± SD, 6.0 ± 190.93 kcal·d−1; P > 0.05), RQ was significantly higher during EF (mean ± SD, 0.03 ± 0.06 a.u.; P = 0.029) compared with MF.

Conclusions

Body composition from 4C and DXA do not seem to be affected beyond measurement error as a result of compartmental changes from the menstrual cycle. During MF, women oxidized more fat as demonstrated by a lower RQ. Researchers should aim to be more inclusive and schedule testing for females within 11–12 d from the onset of menstruation.
Who’s got the power? Expressions of empowerment among in-school adolescents enrolled in the Girls Achieve Power (GAP Year) trial in three peri-urban settings of South Africa
Authors: Kutywayo Alison , Frade Sasha , Gordon Kerry , Mahuma Tshepo , Naidoo Nicolette P. , Mullick Saiqa
Published: July 2021

Background: Empowerment is when a person gains mastery of their life and environment. This paper describes three central elements of empowerment (agency, resources, and institutional structures) expressed by adolescents, discussing implications for strengthening adolescent sexual reproductive health, HIV, and violence prevention programming.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted (April 2017 – May 2018) as part of the GAP Year trial among grade eight learners (12 – 18 years) from 26 lowest quintile public high schools in Khayelitsha, Soweto and Thembisa townships, South Africa. Data were on empowerment experiences using a knowledge, attitudes, and practices survey. Descriptive and chi-square test statistics were employed, assessing the association between sociodemographic and domains of empowerment.

Results: A total of 2383 adolescents in 26 schools completed the baseline survey: 63.1% female, mean age 13.7 years, 96.9% Black African. Agency: Males (4.04 vs 3.94, p=0.008) and those 15 – 18 years (4.10 vs 3.95, p=0.027) expressed stronger decision-making capacity. Females (3.18 vs 2.92, p<0.001) indicated a greater sense of collective action. Females (0.77 vs 0.72, p=0.008), those aged 12 -14 years (0.76 vs 0.71, p=0.027) and those with at least one parent/guardian employed (p=0.014) had stronger leadership confidence. Resources: Those 12-14 years expressed higher self-esteem (2.18 vs 2.08, p=0.017). Males (2.24 vs 1.87, p<0.001) and those who had at least one parent/guardian employed (p=0.047) had a higher perception of freedom from gender-based violence. Males showed greater mobility (2.89 vs 2.66, p=<0.001). Institutional structures: Coloured participants showed more positive norms than their Black counterparts (5.38 vs 2.12, p=0.005).

Conclusions: Males expressed greater empowerment around decision-making, gender-based violence and mobility; females expressed greater collective action and leadership. Working across the ecological model, interventions addressing sex differences, targeting adolescents of all ages, and parental unemployment may strengthen expressions of empowerment, especially adolescents’ safety, mobility, aspirations, and future hopes.
Modulation of coherence-polarization property of speckles using a birefringent scatterer
Authors: Parvin Reajmina , Roy Abhijit , Varshney Shailendra K. , Brundavanam Maruthi M.
Published: July 2021

The change of the spatial coherence-polarization (CP) property of a speckle pattern due to the modulation of birefringence in a scattering medium is investigated experimentally. The birefringence is introduced to the scattering medium by attaching layers of overhead projector (OHP) sheets to it. It is shown that the spatial polarization distribution can be tuned from a uniformly polarized case to a randomly polarized case by increasing the number of OHP sheets. The change of the spatial CP property with the number of OHP sheets is investigated from the study of the spatial degree of coherence and the degree of polarization, and these variations are further confirmed from the probability density function of the intensity of the speckle pattern and from the measurement of the generalized Stokes parameters. The effect of the change of the number of OHP sheets on the visibility of the intensity correlation function and the quality of the object retrieved through the scattering medium are also investigated.
LED nonlinearity mitigation in LACO-OFDM optical communications based on adaptive predistortion and postdistortion techniques
Authors: Abd Elkarim Mohammed , Aly Moustafa H. , AbdelKader Hala M. , Elsherbini M. M.
Published: July 2021

The preinstalled white light emitting diodes (WLEDs) inside buildings can be exploited as an optical source in visible light communications (VLC) motivated by high optical efficiency and low cost. One of the main challenges for VLC is LED nonlinear distortion, which has a detrimental effect on system performance. Estimation and compensation of the LED nonlinear behavior can be accomplished using predistortion or postdistortion techniques. Three compensation techniques are adopted to mitigate the effect of LED nonlinearity on layered asymmetrically clipped optical, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing. Their performance and efficiency are discussed and compared with the aid of error vector magnitude and bit error rate (BER) in an additive white Gaussian noise channel. The obtained results reveal that polynomial-based predistorters and postdistorters can overcome the LED nonlinear behavior with extra SNR of only 0.25 dB at BER of

1

0

−
3

. Furthermore, the look-up-table-based predistorter can provide the same BER with lower SNR penalty than the previous two systems.
Multiplexing of frequency-modulation spectroscopy by spread-spectrum codes, demonstrated in continuous-wave LIDAR
Authors: Di Rosa Michael D. , Reiten Matthew T. , Mertes Kevin M. , Clegg Samuel M.
Published: July 2021

Frequency-modulation spectroscopy (FMS) is generally suited to code-division multiplexing, and we demonstrate that capacity in a form of continuous-wave LIDAR, utilizing a sharp CO2 absorption transition at 1.6 µm in simple ranging setups. The approach retains the advantages of FMS, including coherent detection and good rejection of broad absorption backgrounds. Extensions of this multiplexed approach to the continuous, simultaneous detection of several transitions would come by transmitting an encoded combination of frequency-modulated carriers, each tuned to detect a unique absorption transition. Signal analysis at the receiver involves a simple process of de-multiplexing that, in a general application, reveals targets at various distances and the absorption-related FMS signals in between.
Multimodal high-resolution embryonic imaging with light sheet fluorescence microscopy and optical coherence tomography
Authors: Khajavi Behzad , Sun Ruijiao , Chawla Harshdeep Singh , Le Henry H. , Singh Manmohan , Schill Alexander W. , Dickinson Mary E. , Mayerich David , Larin Kirill V.
Published: July 2021

A high-resolution imaging system combining optical coherence tomography (OCT) and light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) was developed. LSFM confined the excitation to only the focal plane, removing the out of plane fluorescence. This enabled imaging a murine embryo with higher speed and specificity than traditional fluorescence microscopy. OCT gives information about the structure of the embryo from the same plane illuminated by LSFM. The co-planar OCT and LSFM instrument was capable of performing co-registered functional and structural imaging of mouse embryos simultaneously.
Fiber-based biphoton source with ultrabroad frequency tunability
Authors: Lopez-Huidobro Santiago , Lippl Markus , Joly Nicolas Y. , Chekhova Maria V.
Published: July 2021

Tunable biphotons are highly important for a wide range of quantum applications. For some applications, especially interesting are cases where two photons of a pair are far apart in frequency. Here, we report a tunable biphoton source based on a xenon-filled hollow-core photonic crystal fiber. Tunability is achieved by adjusting the pressure of the gas inside the fiber. This allows us to tailor the dispersion landscape of the fiber, overcoming the principal limitations of solid-core fiber-based biphoton sources. We report a maximum tunability of 120 THz for a pressure range of 4 bar with a continuous shift of 30 THz/bar. At 21 bar, the photons of a pair are separated by more than one octave. Despite the large separation, both photons have large bandwidths. At 17 bar, they form a very broad (110 THz) band around the frequency of the pump.