bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elevated expression of Toll-like receptor 7 and its correlation with clinical features in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome
Authors: Yang Huimin , Sun Chao , Wang Xin , Wang Tao , Xie Changhao , Li Zhijun
Published: March 2024

Background

The labial salivary glands (LSGs) are important for the diagnosis, evaluation of therapeutic efficacy, and genetic analyses of primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). In autoimmune diseases, the recognition of self nucleic acids and viral RNA and DNA through endogenous Toll-like receptor(TLR) triggers the production of type I IFN and pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to the occurrence and progression of the disease. Here, we detected the expression of TLR7 in LSGs and analyse its correlation with clinical features and serum cytokines in pSS patients.

Methods

LSGs and serum samples were obtained from 56 pSS patients and 19 non-SS patients (non-pSS patients). The expression of TLR7 in the LSGs was evaluated with immunohistochemistry. The serum levels of interferon-α (IFN-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were quantified by ELISA. Laboratory parameters were measured by clinical standard laboratory techniques.

Results

TLR7-positive cells in pSS were localized in the ductal epithelial cells and lymphocytes of LSGs. The expression of TLR7 was upregulated in pSS patients compared with controls. Patients with anti-Ro52 antibody positivity showed higher TLR7 levels than those who were negative but not those with anti-Ro60 and anti-SSB. TLR7 levels were positively associated with the levels of IgG, IgA, ANA, IL-6, IFN-α and serum globulin but were not associated with IgM, C3, C4, or rheumatoid factor (RF) in serum.

Conclusion

TLR7 may be involved in the inflammatory response and the production of antibodies in pSS and plays an important role in local and systemic pSS manifestations. This research showed that TLR7 is involved in pSS pathogenesis.
Ten-year survival after resection of a huge rhabdomyosarcoma in the pericardial cavity
Authors: Kitamoto Shohei , Yamashita Yoichi , Nakagawa Sayako , Horii Taiko
Published: March 2024

Background

Primary malignant cardiac tumors are exceedingly rare and cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma among them is an exceptional rarity characterized by a dismal poor prognosis.

Case presentation

A 48-year-old man had suffered from a persistent cough lasting for more than 6 months and computed tomography showed a huge mass in the pericardial cavity with heterogeneous content. Following referral to our department for suspected cardiac malignancy, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed a lucent layer on the boundary around the mass, suggesting the feasibility of surgical resection. A baby-head-sized mass in the pericardial cavity was entirely resected and the pathological examination confirmed a tumor as a spindle cell type rhabdomyosarcoma. The patient underwent adjuvant chemotherapy and has well survived over a decade after surgery without any sign of recurrence.

Conclusion

Radical resection with adjuvant chemotherapy may achieve a favorable outcome for patients with massive rhabdomyosarcomas inside the pericardial cavity.
Medical assistance in dying for mental illness: a complex intervention requiring a correspondingly complex evaluation approach
Authors: Bastidas-Bilbao Hamer , Castle David , Gupta Mona , Stergiopoulos Vicky , Hawke Lisa D.
Published: March 2024

Medical assistance in dying for mental illness as a sole underlying medical condition (MAiD MI-SUMC) is a controversial and complex policy in terms of psychosocial and ethical medical practice implications. We discuss the status of MAiD MI-SUMC in Canada and argue for the use of the UK Medical Research Council's framework on complex interventions in programme evaluations of MAiD MI-SUMC. It is imperative to carefully and rigorously evaluate the implementation of MAiD MI-SUMC to ensure an understanding of the multiple facets of implementation in contexts permeated by unique social, economic, cultural and historical influences, with a correspondingly diverse array of outcomes. This requires a complexity-informed programme evaluation focused on context-dependent mechanisms and stakeholder experiences, including patients, service providers and other people affected by the policy. It is also important to consider the economic impact on health and social welfare systems. Such evaluations can provide the data needed to guide evidence-informed decision-making that can contribute to safer implementation and refinement of MAiD MI-SUMC.
Mineralocorticoid Receptor and Aldosterone: Interaction Between NR3C2 Genetic Variants, Sex, and Age in a Mixed Cohort
Authors: Heydarpour Mahyar , Parksook Wasita W , Pojoga Luminita H , Williams Gordon H , Williams Jonathan S
Published: March 2024

Context

Hypertension, a prevalent cardiovascular risk, often involves dysregulated aldosterone and its interaction with the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). Experimental designs in animal models and human cohorts have demonstrated a sex and age dependency of aldosterone secretion that expands our pathophysiologic understanding.

Objective

This study explores the genetic variation of NR3C2, which encodes MR, in relation to aldosterone, considering age, sex, and race.

Methods

Incorporating 720 Caucasians and 145 Africans from the HyperPATH cohort, we investigated the impact of rs4835490, a single nucleotide risk allele variant, on aldosterone levels and vasculature.

Results

Notably, a significant association between rs4835490 and plasma aldosterone under liberal salt conditions emerged in individuals of European ancestry (P = .0002). Homozygous carriers of the risk A allele exhibited elevated plasma aldosterone levels (AA = 8.1 ± .9 vs GG = 4.9 ± .5 ng/dL). Additionally, aldosterone activation through posture (P = .025) and urinary excretion (P = .0122) showed notable associations. Moreover, genetic interactions with race, sex, and age were observed. Caucasian females under 50 years displayed higher plasma aldosterone, urine aldosterone, and posture aldosterone with the AA genotype compared to females over 50 years, suggesting a potential connection with menopausal or estrogen influences. Interestingly, such age-dependent interactions were absent in the African cohort.

Conclusion

Our study highlights the significance of the NR3C2 genetic variation and its interplay with age, sex, and race in aldosterone activation. The findings point toward an estrogen-modulating effect on MR activation, particularly in women, underlining the role of aldosterone dysregulation in hypertension development. This insight advances our comprehension of hypertension's complexities and opens avenues for personalized interventions.

Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT03029806 (registered January 24, 2017).
Mini-Puberty, Physiological and Disordered: Consequences, and Potential for Therapeutic Replacement
Authors: Rohayem Julia , Alexander Emma C , Heger Sabine , Nordenström Anna , Howard Sasha R
Published: March 2024

There are 3 physiological waves of central hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis activity over the lifetime. The first occurs during fetal life, the second—termed “mini-puberty”—in the first months after birth, and the third at puberty. After adolescence, the axis remains active all through adulthood. Congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by a deficiency in hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion or action. In cases of severe CHH, all 3 waves of GnRH pulsatility are absent. The absence of fetal HPG axis activation manifests in around 50% of male newborns with micropenis and/or undescended testes (cryptorchidism). In these boys, the lack of the mini-puberty phase accentuates testicular immaturity. This is characterized by a low number of Sertoli cells, which are important for future reproductive capacity. Thus, absent mini-puberty will have detrimental effects on later fertility in these males. The diagnosis of CHH is often missed in infants, and even if recognized, there is no consensus on optimal therapeutic management. Here we review physiological mini-puberty and consequences of central HPG axis disorders; provide a diagnostic approach to allow for early identification of these conditions; and review current treatment options for replacement of mini-puberty in male infants with CHH. There is evidence from small case series that replacement with gonadotropins to mimic “mini-puberty” in males could have beneficial outcomes not only regarding testis descent, but also normalization of testis and penile sizes. Moreover, such therapeutic replacement regimens in disordered mini-puberty could address both reproductive and nonreproductive implications.
Novel Mutation in CYP2R1 Causing Vitamin D-Dependent Rickets Type 1b
Authors: Menon Jayakrishnan C , Kumari Archana , Sajjan Shruti M , Dabadghao Preeti
Published: March 2024

Monogenic forms of rickets are being increasingly recognized. However, vitamin D-dependent rickets 1b (VDDR1b) due to CYP2R1 gene mutation is exceedingly rare. We report a 4.5-year-old girl and her younger sibling who presented with clinical, radiological, and biochemical features suggestive of nutritional rickets that did not resolve despite repeated therapeutic doses of vitamin D3. This led to evaluation for resistant rickets, which revealed a novel homozygous CYP2R1 c.50_51insTCGGCGGCGC; p.Leu18ArgfsTer79 variant in the affected siblings. The children were treated with oral calcium and cholecalciferol, dose titrated to maintain serum alkaline phosphatase, 25 hydroxy vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone levels in the normal range, with good clinical and radiological response. This case highlights the importance of genetic evaluation in patients with suspected nutritional rickets who have a family history of similar illness and require higher than usual doses of vitamin D for healing or relapse on stopping treatment. To the best of our knowledge this is the first case of VDDR1b reported from Asia.
The Hidden Source of Testosterone Hypersecretion in a Female—A 30-Year Journey
Authors: Yang Almira J , Munir Iqbal
Published: March 2024

A Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor (SLCT) is a rare ovarian tumor that often excessively secretes testosterone and its precursor, leading to virilization in females. We present a case of a female patient with persistent, severe hyperandrogenism. Our patient had a history of left oophorectomy due to an ectopic pregnancy and initially presented with amenorrhea at the age of 30. Biochemical evaluations suggested ovarian hyperandrogenism. Despite the absence of an ovarian mass, she underwent a right oophorectomy and remained hyperandrogenic postoperatively. When she established care with our endocrinology clinic at the age of 58, she had more virilizing features and total testosterone levels ranging from 10.1 to 12.0 nmol/L (292-346 ng/dL; normal reference range for women: 0.07-1.56 nmol/L; 2-45 ng/dL). While biochemical evaluations were consistent with tumorous ovarian hyperandrogenism, ultrasound and computed tomography again failed to identify the source. Finally, an 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography revealed a mass in the left adnexa, and she underwent removal of the mass. The final pathology confirmed SLCT. The case highlights that SLCT may be small and slow-growing and not readily visible on conventional imaging modalities.
Ventilatory Responses to Exercise by Age, Sex, and Health Status
Authors: Haverkamp Hans Christian , Balmain Bryce N.
Published: March 2024

An understanding of the normal pulmonary responses to incremental exercise is requisite for appropriate interpretation of findings from clinical exercise testing. The purpose of this review is to provide concrete information to aid the interpretation of the exercise ventilatory response in both healthy and diseased populations. We begin with an overview of the normal exercise ventilatory response to incremental exercise in the healthy, normally trained young-to-middle aged adult male. The exercise ventilatory responses in two nonpatient populations (females, elderly) are then juxtaposed with the responses in healthy males. The review concludes with overviews of the exercise ventilatory responses in four patient populations (obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, congestive heart failure). Again, we use the normal response in healthy adults as the framework for interpreting the responses in the clinical groups. For each healthy and clinical population, recent, impactful research findings will be presented.
Αντεστραμμένη διδασκαλία (classe inversée)
Authors: Μπλετσογιάννη Βασιλική
Published: March 2024

Η παιδαγωγική αξιοποίηση των ψηφιακών τεχνολογιών στην εκπαίδευση οδήγησε στη δημιουργία της ηλεκτρονικής μάθησης και στη σταδιακή αποπλαισίωση της διδασκαλίας από χωροχρονικούς περιορισμούς. Με την οργάνωση υβριδικών περιβαλλόντων εργασίας σε μορφή μικτής μάθησης επιδιώκεται ο συνδυασμός των θετικών στοιχείων της παραδοσιακής διδασκαλίας με τη χρήση ψηφιακών μέσων, με στόχο τη βελτιστοποίηση των μαθησιακών αποτελεσμάτων. Η αντεστραμμένη τάξη αποτελεί ένα από τα πλέον διαδεδομένα μοντέλα μικτής μάθησης, όπου οι ψηφιακές τεχνολογίες ενεργοποιούν και διαμορφώνουν ένα νέο περιβάλλον μάθησης. Αντιστρέφοντας τη διδακτική διαδικασία αντιστρέφεται η κυρίαρχη μέχρι σήμερα ακολουθούμενη δομή του τρόπου διδασκαλίας, συνδυάζοντας τη διά ζώσης και την εξ αποστάσεως μάθηση με σύγχρονο και ασύγχρονο τρόπο. Σκοπός της παρούσας εργασίας είναι η μελέτη της επίδρασης της εφαρμογής του μοντέλου της αντεστραμμένης τάξης στην εκμάθηση της Γαλλικής ως ξένης γλώσσας και συγκεκριμένα, στην επίδοση των μαθητών και στην ανάπτυξη των γλωσσικών και επικοινωνιακών δεξιοτήτων τους, στη δημιουργικότερη αξιοποίηση του διδακτικού χρόνου και στην ενίσχυση της γνωστικής εμπλοκής των μαθητών στη μαθησιακή διαδικασία. Επιχειρείται η σύνδεση θεωρητικής προσέγγισης και διδακτικής πράξης με στόχο την πρόταση ενός καινοτομικού μοντέλου σχεδιασμού της μαθησιακής εμπειρίας και ευέλικτου τρόπου οργάνωσης της εκπαιδευτικής δράσης μέσω υλοποίησης εκπαιδευτικής παρέμβασης σε τεχνολογικά υποστηριζόμενο περιβάλλον, υποστηρίζοντας τις αρχές και το περιεχόμενο του Ενιαίου Προγράμματος Σπουδών για τις Ξένες Γλώσσες. Για την επίτευξη του σκοπού αυτού σχεδιάστηκε και υλοποιήθηκε έρευνα δράσης με τη συμμετοχή 212 μαθητών δημόσιων σχολικών μονάδων Πρωτοβάθμιας Εκπαίδευσης, στο πλαίσιο ενός πολυφασικού μικτού ερευνητικού σχεδιασμού, με την αξιοποίηση ποικίλων μεθοδολογικών εργαλείων συλλογής ερευνητικών δεδομένων. Κατά την έρευνα συλλέχθηκαν ποσοτικά και ποιοτικά δεδομένα τα οποία παρουσιάζονται και ερμηνεύονται στο πλαίσιο της θεωρητικής επισκόπησης και της πρακτικής διερεύνησης, με στόχο την ανάδειξη των σημείων εστίασης της παρούσας μελέτης.
Ανδρέας Κρήτης
Authors: Κουρασαντζή Αθηνά
Published: March 2024

Μία ἀπό τίς πιό εξέχουσες προσωπικότητες, ἡ ὁποία διακρίθηκε γιά τό ὑμνογραφικό, ποιητικό καί ἐν γένει πνευματικό ἔργο καί δή γιά τή λογιότητά του, εἶναι ὁ ἅγιος Ἀνδρέας Κρήτης. Κληροδότησε μία σπουδαία «παρακαταθήκη» καί ἕνα ἔργο ἐφάμιλλο τῶν μεγάλων Πατέρων τῶν πρωτοχριστιανικῶν χρόνων, ἀλλά καί τῶν Πατέρων τῆς Βυζαντινῆς ἐποχῆς. Γι’ αὐτό κι ἐμεῖς, βάσει τῶν πηγῶν καί τοῦ σχετικοῦ βιβλιογραφικοῦ ὑλικοῦ, κατόπιν ἐνδελεχοῦς ἐρεύνης καί συστηματικῆς μελέτης, προσπαθήσαμε νά δώσουμε μία, ὅσο τό δυνατόν ὁλοκληρωμένη εἰκόνα, ἐμμένοντας βέβαια στά βασικότερα σημεῖα. Γι’ αὐτό καί ἡ παροῦσα μελέτη διαρθρώνεται ὡς ἑξῆς: Πέραν τοῦ Προλόγου καί τῆς Εἰσαγωγῆς περιλαμβάνει, τό ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟ Α’, τό ὁποῖο μᾶς παρουσιάζει τά ὑποκεφάλαια: Καταγωγή καί μόρφωση τοῦ Ἁγίου Ἀνδρέα. Τήν ἐγκαταβίωσή του ὡς Μοναχοῦ στά Ἱεροσόλυμα. Τήν μετάβασή του ἀπό τά Ἱεροσόλυμα στήν Κωνσταντινούπολη. Τήν Διακονία του ὡς Ἀρχιερεύς. Τήν ὑπεράσπισή του γιά τίς ἀρχές τῆς πίστεως καί τῶν δογμάτων τῆς Ὀρθοδοξίας. Ὁ ἀγῶνας του ἐναντίον τῶν αἱρέσεων, ὅπως Μονοθελητισμός καί ἄλλες, καί τήν ὑπεράσπιση ἀναστήλωσης τῶν σεπτῶν Εἰκόνων. Ἑπίσης, ὁ ἴδιος ὡς Ὑμνογράφος-Ποιητής καί ἡ κοίμηση-τελευτή του. Κατόπιν ἔχουμε τό ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟ Β’, τό ὁποῖο ἀναφέρεται στόν Μεγάλο Κανόνα, τόν ὁποῖο γιά πολλούς λόγους (ἀμεσότητας, τεκμηρίωσης, κλπ) παραθέτουμε στό πρωτότυπο (ἀρχαῖο κείμενο) καί μέ ἀπόδοση στή νεοελληνική γλώσσα. Γι’ αὐτό παρουσιάζει τά ὑποκεφάλαια: Τά ἁγιογραφικά χωρία, βασικά χαρακτηριστικά τοῦ Μεγάλου Κανόνα, τά ὁποῖα μᾶς δίδουν σημαντικά στοιχεῖα του. Τόν παιδαγωγικό χαρακτήρατου μέσα ἀπό τό μνημειῶδες αὐτό ποιητικό ἔργο. Τή σχέση ἀνθρώπου καί δημιουργίας. Τήν ἔννοια τῆς μετανοίας, ὅπως τά παρουσιάζει ὁ ὑμνογράφος στήν ἐξαιρετική αὐτή ποίησή του. Πέρα τούτων, ἔχουμε τό ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟ Γ’: Λόγοι σέ Ἁγίους. Ἐδῶ παρουσιάζονται βασικά στοιχεῖα, ἀφορῶντα σημαντικούς ἁγίους βάσει τῆς πηγῆς Patrologia Graeca. Πρωτίστως γιά τό Πρόσωπο τῆς Ὑπεραγίας Θεοτόκου, τήν ὁποία λίαν τιμοῦσε. Τόν ἅγιο Ἰωάννη τόν Πρόδρομο. Τόν ἅγιο Λάζαρο, ἐπιστήθιο φίλο τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Τόν ἅγιο Πατάπιο. Τόν Ἅγιο Μεγαλομάρτυρα Γεώργιο τον τροπαιοφόρο. Τόν ἅγιο Νικόλαο. Ἐπίσης, ἔχουμε τό ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟ Δ’: Ὑμνογραφικά σέ Ἁγίους. Ἐδῶ παρουσιάζονται, κατά τή σειρά τοῦ ἐκκλησιαστικοῦ ἑορτολογίου, ἀκολουθίες πρός τιμήν ἁγίων, μέ ἀνάλογο σχολιασμό, ὅπως: τῶν Μαρτύρων, Πρόβου, Τάραχου καί Ἀνδρονίκου. Τοῦ μεγαλομάρτυρος ἁγίου Δημητρίου. Τῆς ἁγίας Ἄννας, μητέρα τῆς Παναγίας. Τοῦ ἁγίου Ἰγνατίου τοῦ Θεοφόρου. Τῆς Ὑπεραγίας Θεοτόκου, καί συγκεκριμένα τοῦ Εὐαγγελισμοῦ. Τῶν ἁγίων Ἀποστόλων, πρωτοκορυφαίων, Πέτρου καί Παύλου καί τῶν ἁγίων ἑπτά μαρτύρων Μακκαβαίων.Τέλος, παραθέτουμε, ἐν συντομίᾳ, συμπεράσματα, Summary (ἀγγλιστί), Βιβλιογραφία (πηγές καί βοηθήματα).
Methods of the Accounting the Expenses, Forming Prime Cost to Industrial Product
Authors: Polenova S.
Published: March 2024

In article are considered theoretical and practical questions to identifications of the methods of the account of the production expenses applicable in practical person subject industrial production, their contented and using in purpose of the rationalizations of the production account and growing to its efficiency.
Turkish sarımsak ~ sarmısak ‘garlic’ revisited
Authors: Stachowski Marek
Published: March 2024

Thus far, four – structurally very different – etymologies have been suggested for the Turkic word for ‘garlic’. This author adduces derivatives found in Altai, one of the Siberian Turkic languages, that provide crucial support for one of them.
Planning Courses for Student Success at the American College of Greece
Authors: Christou Ioannis T. , Vagianou Evgenia , Vardoulias George
Published: March 2024

We are concerned with the personalized student course plan (PSCP) problem of optimizing the plan of courses students at the American College of Greece will need to take to complete their studies. We model the constraints set forth by the institution so that we guarantee the validity of all produced plans. We formulate several different objectives to optimize the resulting plan, including the fastest completion time, course difficulty balance, and maximization of the expected student grade point average given the student’s performance in past courses. All resulting problems are mixed-integer linear programming problems with a number of binary variables, that is, the max number of terms times the number of courses available for the student to take. The resulting mathematical programming problem is solvable in less than 10 seconds on a modern commercial off-the-shelf PC, whereas the manual process used to take more than one hour of advising time for every student and, as measured by the objectives set forth, resulted in suboptimal schedules.

History: This paper was refereed.
Learning to Order for Inventory Systems with Lost Sales and Uncertain Supplies
Authors: Chen Boxiao , Jiang Jiashuo , Zhang Jiawei , Zhou Zhengyuan
Published: March 2024

We consider a stochastic lost-sales inventory control system with lead time L over a planning horizon T. Supply is uncertain, and it is a function of the order quantity (because of random yield/capacity, etc.). We aim to minimize the T-period cost, a problem that is known to be computationally intractable even under known distributions of demand and supply. In this paper, we assume that both the demand and supply distributions are unknown and develop a computationally efficient online learning algorithm. We show that our algorithm achieves a regret (i.e., the performance gap between the cost of our algorithm and that of an optimal policy over T periods) of [Formula: see text] when [Formula: see text]. We do so by (1) showing that our algorithm’s cost is higher by at most [Formula: see text] for any [Formula: see text] compared with an optimal constant-order policy under complete information (a widely used algorithm) and (2) leveraging the latter’s known performance guarantee from the existing literature. To the best of our knowledge, a finite sample [Formula: see text] (and polynomial in L) regret bound when benchmarked against an optimal policy is not known before in the online inventory control literature. A key challenge in this learning problem is that both demand and supply data can be censored; hence, only truncated values are observable. We circumvent this challenge by showing that the data generated under an order quantity q2 allow us to simulate the performance of not only q2 but also, q1 for all [Formula: see text], a key observation to obtain sufficient information even under data censoring. By establishing a high-probability coupling argument, we are able to evaluate and compare the performance of different order policies at their steady state within a finite time horizon. Because the problem lacks convexity, commonly used learning algorithms, such as stochastic gradient decent and bisection, cannot be applied, and instead, we develop an active elimination method that adaptively rules out suboptimal solutions.

This paper was accepted by Victor Martínez-de-Albéniz, operations management.

Funding: This work is supported by the National Science Foundation [Grant CCF-2312205]. Z. Zhou also acknowledges the New York University’s 2024 Center for Global Economy and Business [Faculty Research Grant] and New York University [Research Catalyst Prize].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.02476 .
A rare case of an elderly male with progression to chronic myeloid leukaemia secondary to chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Saowapa Sakditad , Pangkanon Watsachon , Adu Yaw , Chaisrimaneepan Nattanicha , Olavarria Bernal Diego , Polpichai Natchaya , Siladech Pharit , Sekhon Jasmine
Published: March 2024

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is a lymphoproliferative disorder characterised by an accumulation of monoclonal B lymphocytes, with an increased risk of secondary cancers. The coexistence of CLL and chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is a rare phenomenon, with three main types being classified: CML preceding CLL, CLL preceding CML and simultaneous occurrence. The coexistence of these chronic leukaemias poses a complex clinical challenge, with the underlying mechanisms of their association remaining enigmatic. Here, we present a report of an elderly male with a long history of CLL, who was subsequently diagnosed with secondary CML.
Impact of the Nursing and Midwifery Council Future Nurse Standards on children's nursing: A critical discussion
Authors: Edge Danielle , Carey Matthew C. , Hayward Melanie , Nathan Martina , Taylor Alison , Neill Professor Sarah
Published: March 2024

Edge et al explore the current concerns and ongoing debate around the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Future Nurse: Standards of proficiency for registered nurses (2018). This article looks at the impact of the standards on changes to pre-registration children's nursing education, exploring the impact on ensuring students are equipped with the right knowledge and skills to meet children, young people and their families' needs. Central to the discussion is the importance of hearing the voice of children and young people, and families are considered central to the ongoing discussion that is integral in shaping our future nursing workforce.
Settling into GP care
Authors: Green Jennifer
Published: March 2024

As more paramedics transition across various roles, Band 6 paramedic, Jennifer Green shares her journey in a new monthly column in 2024, as she makes her way from the ambulance setting into general practice and adjusts to its new environment
11 Kimmeridge Clay Formation, United Kingdom—A Mesozoic Clastic-Carbonate Shelf-to-Intrashelf Basin System: An Outcrop-to-Subsurface Analog for the Haynesville, Vaca Muerta, and Bazhenov Formations
Authors: Bohacs K. M. , Macquaker J. , Lazar O. R.
Published: March 2024

The Kimmeridge Clay Formation of the Wessex Basin, United Kingdom, illustrates the expression of sequence-stratigraphic surfaces and units in a relatively restricted Mesozoic clastic shelf to relatively distal basin setting. This formation is of similar age and depositional setting to the Haynesville Formation (USA), Vaca Muerta Formation (Argentina), and Bazhenov Shale (Russia) but differs significantly in basin configuration and resultant depositional geometries.

This chapter describes in detail the steps of the application of the sequence-stratigraphic method to the mudstone-dominated, organic-matter–rich interval around the Blackstone Band (Tithonian, Wessex Basin, UK) using a subset of the many datasets available for the Kimmeridge Clay Formation. We described 50 m of outcrop section at a 1:10 scale, constructed six detailed cross sections, correlated 21 parasequences across the basin, and mapped systems tracts. The insights gained by this approach allowed us to explain rock-property variations at a local to regional scale.

Meter-scale stratal units and significant stratigraphic surfaces (flooding surfaces, sequence boundaries) could be correlated over more than 25,000 km2 in a depositional setting where no single sediment-accumulation process (organic-matter production, destruction, or dilution) obviously dominated across the entire area. In this setting, inherited and syndepositionally evolving bathymetry influenced sediment deposition and thickness trends, and controlled the distribution of rock properties.

At the parasequence scale, the highest enrichment of organic matter occurs not only just above the basal flooding surface but also in some, more distal, areas, a short distance above. At the depositional-sequence scale, lateral changes in thickness occur not just by proportional thickening and thinning (“aggradation”) but also by stratal terminations by truncation, onlap, and downlap.

A comparison of systems-tract–scale maps with ammonite-zone maps illustrates that the higher resolution sequence-stratigraphic framework has the potential to reveal more about mud accumulation and the influences on rock properties and their lateral variation.
13 Monterey Formation, Miocene, California, U.S.A.—A Cenozoic Biosiliceous-Dominated Continental Slope to Basin Setting: A Billion-Barrel Deep-Water Mudstone Reservoir and Source Rock
Authors: Bohacs K. M. , Ferrin A.
Published: March 2024

The Monterey Formation illustrates the expression of sequence-stratigraphic surfaces and units in continental slope and basin settings that are quite unlike those of most mudstone units considered thus far in this book. These strata span a wide variety of siliceous, calcareous, argillaceous, phosphatic, and kerogenous composition, detrital, biogenic, and authigenic origins, and clay to cobble grain size.

The Monterey Formation poses particular challenges with its deposition of dominantly biogenic sediments in a variety of deep-basinal environs in an active tectonic region. This chapter shows how applying the sequence-stratigraphic method and approach (from first principles), even to a relatively unfamiliar setting, can provide insights into the accumulation of rocks enriched in organic matter and biogenic material as well as the complex distribution of its time-transgressive facies.

The dominant sediment influx was biogenic, composed mostly of diatoms and controlled by primary organic production. The dominant organic-matter input was almost exclusively from diatoms, also controlled by primary organic production. However, intervals with highest sediment accumulation rates do not have the highest organic-matter content but are dominantly biosiliceous, with little organic matter. This dominantly biogenic distal setting offers an opportunity to examine sequence stratigraphy and its relation to organic-matter content and biosilica accumulation where sediment accumulation rates are strongly related to organic-production rates under relatively constant preservational conditions and input of uniform organic matter with relatively low input of siliciclastic detritus and variable downslope influx of reworked biogenic material. At the macro to meso scale, sequence boundaries are marked by truncation below and onlap above, and maximum flooding surfaces are marked by downlap above and conformable strata below, even in this relatively distal, deep-water setting. Parasequence boundaries are particularly well highlighted by early diagenetic evidence of significant pauses in sediment accumulation—most notably, dolomite cement and phosphorite nodules.

This chapter illustrates the systematic approach we used for developing a stratigraphic framework consistent with observations that range from seismic to geochemistry. This framework and a few basic concepts enable one to develop predictive capabilities in continental margins settings.
16 Controls on Stratal Record: Mechanisms and Contingencies Affecting Sediment Supply and Accommodation
Authors: Bohacs Kevin M.
Published: March 2024

This chapter addresses controls on the stratigraphic record: the mechanisms, processes, and contingencies affecting sediment supply and accommodation and the resulting stratal surfaces and units. Although it is not necessary to know the forcing mechanisms of sequence formation to construct a sequence-stratigraphic framework and map the distribution of rock properties, it is commonly useful to incorporate one’s understanding of key processes to provide predictive capabilities away from sample control.

Many factors influence the development and expression of parasequences and depositional sequences. These factors can be grouped usefully into two main categories: processes (sediment supply and accommodation) and contingencies (inherited and coeval factors that condition the effects of those processes). The main components of sediment supply include detrital, biogenic, and authigenic processes as well as lateral and temporal changes thereof; the components of accommodation include those processes that affect the upper and lower boundaries of sediment accumulation. Contingencies exert a significant influence on the expression of sequence-stratigraphic surfaces and units because they affect when, where, and how the processes of sediment supply and accommodation operate. Four main contingencies affect all depositional settings and generally do not change significantly during a depositional sequence: (1) geological age, (2) plate-tectonic setting, (3) paleolatitude, and (4) paleogeography at the continental and basinal scale. Other contingencies tend to be specific to particular types of depositional settings or change significantly during accumulation; these include (1) inherited and evolving bathymetry, (2) climate mode, and (3) ocean chemistry.

Ultimately, it is difficult to uniquely identify causal mechanisms because of the many influences on accommodation and sediment supply and the commonly convergent effects of those influences (i.e., similar stratal patterns can result from various combinations of influences). Knowledge of mechanisms is not, however, an essential part of the sequence-stratigraphic approach (and is potentially not possible in many circumstances—especially not from the stratal patterns alone). Sequence stratigraphy allows construction of a comprehensive and useful stratigraphic framework based on a single criterion—the physical relations of the strata themselves—that reveals genetically related rocks.
The dynamics of racism and antiracism in a Scottish charity
Authors: Taylor Emily P. , Mohammed Farahnaz , Kervin Sarah , Evans Bryan , Bouazzaoui Malika , Zeng Xin , Chen Yuan , Lu Yizhuo , Wei Xiaohan , Zhang Danqing
Published: March 2024

This research explored how staff and families using a Scottish trauma-informed charity, striving to enact antiracism, understand and approach race and antiracism in services for families of colour. Thematic analysis was applied to data from ten interviews with six staff participants and four families. Six interlinking themes emerged. Staff identified the charity as a ‘white organisation’ and sought ‘a common frame of reference’ with families, while families expressed overwhelming ‘gratitude’ to staff. ‘Identities were owned and disowned’, with participants using ‘colour-blind’ racial ideologies. Staff ‘located responsibility’ for bridging cultural gaps in families of colour. White staff, while well-intentioned, did not express a fundamental understanding of racism, impeding their ability to enact antiracism. This reflected wider Scottish policy and lay beliefs of being a post-racist society, and challenged organisational attempts to fully embody trauma-informed practice. Challenges and recommendations for researching racism in the third sector are discussed.
Intersecting vulnerabilities and compounded risks of women asylum seekers working in care during COVID-19 in Ireland
Authors: Daly Felicity , O’Riordan Jacqui
Published: March 2024

This article explores findings from a qualitative participatory study with asylum seekers in Ireland employed in the healthcare sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. By extending an intersectional analysis framework, we demonstrate how the vulnerability of care workers living within the international protection accommodation system ‘under the care’ of the state intersects with power exercised by the neoliberal care market and is compounded by global health controls instituted during the pandemic. Participants reveal a lack of autonomy and forms of precarity that were not faced by other care workers, particularly increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 and multiple forms of stigma.
Strong daily routinisation, weak energy flexibility: a survey study of the stability and adaptability of everyday energy practices
Authors: Hansen Anders Rhiger , Madsen Line Valdorff , Gram-Hanssen Kirsten
Published: March 2024

Fundamental changes in everyday consumption patterns are required to mitigate negative environmental impacts, and these include adapting the timing of consumption. For example, flexible energy demand becomes increasingly important in response to larger shares of fluctuating energy production while dynamic electricity pricing suggests there is a need to encourage staggered electricity use. In this paper, we explore the stability, adjustability and flexibility of everyday practices to critically address the potential for flexible household energy demand. Based on a survey questionnaire (N=1,470), the paper takes its empirical focus in the Nordic welfare state Denmark, which has a high share of wind power and little focus on energy justice. Across household groups, it seems that morning routines are strongly routinised, especially on weekdays, and that variations in these primarily involve adjustment to other household members. The analysis indicates that there are differences across household types, for example, households with children and households whose inhabitants are aged 41-60 tend to be associated with stable evening routines, women tend to agree more to adjusting routines to lifestyle and household, while being in employment seems to be associated with stronger dependence on time schedules determined by factors outside the household. The study suggests that socio-temporal rhythms of everyday practices strongly depend on societal rhythms and practices outside the home. It follows therefore that expectations of energy flexibility in household energy demand should initially focus on common temporal patterns and dependence on these rather than on individual households’ (apparent) capacity to consume energy flexibly.
Multimode heralded single photons based on the DLCZ
Authors: Wang Shengzhi , Wang Minjie
Published: March 2024

High-quality single-photon sources are crucial for the development of simple quantum devices. Quantum communication stands at the forefront of cutting-edge technologies, promising unprecedented levels of security and efficiency. A cornerstone of this revolutionary field is the development of high-speed single-photon sources, which play a pivotal role in quantum key distribution and other quantum communication protocols. In this context, the concept of space multimode emerges as a promising avenue to propel the capabilities of single-photon sources to new heights. We have spatial multiplexing technology to develop single-photon sources that deliver high-speed heralded single photons in the Duan-Lukin-Cirac-Zoller (DLCZ) scheme. We propose a spatial multiplexing single-photon source scheme based on the DLCZ. Compared to a single spatial mode, by adding six spatial modes through spatial multiplexing, the single-photon generation rate increases 4.3 times. And the second-order correlation function of single photons is less than 0.5. We show that expanding the spatial degrees of freedom of the quantum storage scheme based on DLCZ does not affect the single-photon properties. The generation rate of the single photon can be significantly increased through spatial multiplexing with a feedback circuit. Our approach offers a promising path to creating a high-speed photon source based on a spatial multimode scheme.
Ultrafast second-order nonlinear photonics—from classical physics to non-Gaussian quantum dynamics: a tutorial
Authors: Jankowski Marc , Yanagimoto Ryotatsu , Ng Edwin , Hamerly Ryan , McKenna Timothy P. , Mabuchi Hideo , Fejer M. M.
Published: March 2024

Photonic integrated circuits with second-order (χ(2)) nonlinearities are rapidly scaling to
remarkably low powers. At this time, state-of-the-art devices achieve
saturated nonlinear interactions with thousands of photons when driven
by continuous-wave lasers, and further reductions in these energy
requirements enabled by the use of ultrafast pulses may soon push
nonlinear optics into the realm of single-photon nonlinearities. This
tutorial reviews these recent developments in ultrafast nonlinear
photonics, discusses design strategies for realizing few-photon
nonlinear interactions, and presents a unified treatment of ultrafast
quantum nonlinear optics using a framework that smoothly interpolates
from classical behaviors to the few-photon scale. These emerging
platforms for quantum optics fundamentally differ from typical
realizations in cavity quantum electrodynamics due to the large number
of coupled optical modes. Classically, multimode behaviors have been
well studied in nonlinear optics, with famous examples including
soliton formation and supercontinuum generation. In contrast,
multimode quantum systems exhibit a far greater variety of behaviors,
and yet closed-form solutions are even sparser than their classical
counterparts. In developing a framework for ultrafast quantum optics,
we identify what behaviors carry over from classical to quantum
devices, what intuition must be abandoned, and what new opportunities
exist at the intersection of ultrafast and quantum nonlinear optics.
Although this article focuses on establishing connections between the
classical and quantum behaviors of devices with χ(2) nonlinearities, the frameworks developed
here are general and are readily extended to the description of
dynamical processes based on third-order χ(3) nonlinearities.
Tissue mimicking materials and finger phantom design for pulse oximetry
Authors: Rodriguez Andres J. , Vasudevan Sandhya , Farahmand Masoud , Weininger Sandy , Vogt William C. , Scully Christopher G. , Ramella-Roman Jessica , Pfefer T. Joshua
Published: March 2024

Pulse oximetry represents a ubiquitous clinical application of optics in modern medicine. Recent studies have raised concerns regarding the potential impact of confounders, such as variable skin pigmentation and perfusion, on blood oxygen saturation measurement accuracy in pulse oximeters. Tissue-mimicking phantom testing offers a low-cost, well-controlled solution for characterizing device performance and studying potential error sources, which may thus reduce the need for costly in vivo trials. The purpose of this study was to develop realistic phantom-based test methods for pulse oximetry. Material optical and mechanical properties were reviewed, selected, and tuned for optimal biological relevance, e.g., oxygenated tissue absorption and scattering, strength, elasticity, hardness, and other parameters representing the human finger’s geometry and composition, such as blood vessel size and distribution, and perfusion. Relevant anatomical and physiological properties are summarized and implemented toward the creation of a preliminary finger phantom. To create a preliminary finger phantom, we synthesized a high-compliance silicone matrix with scatterers for embedding flexible tubing and investigated the addition of these scatterers to novel 3D printing resins for optical property control without altering mechanical stability, streamlining the production of phantoms with biologically relevant characteristics. Phantom utility was demonstrated by applying dynamic, pressure waveforms to produce tube volume change and resultant photoplethysmography (PPG) signals. 3D printed phantoms achieved more biologically relevant conditions compared to molded phantoms. These preliminary results indicate that the phantoms show strong potential to be developed into tools for evaluating pulse oximetry performance. Gaps, recommendations, and strategies are presented for continued phantom development.
Optimization of the slope efficiency of a core-pumped thulium-doped fiber laser by the thermally diffused expanded-core technique
Authors: Panitzek Dieter , Romano Clément , Eichhorn Marc , Kieleck Christelle
Published: March 2024

We report on the mode field adaption of an active thulium-doped fiber by using the thermally-diffused expanded-core technique. The fiber core diffusion is analyzed by splice transmission measurements and visually from side view images. The obtained heating parameters are used to build a thulium-doped fiber laser emitting at 2036nm that is core-pumped by an erbium:ytterbium fiber laser. By allowing the fiber cores to diffuse, the mode fields of the active and passive fibers are adapted for both the signal and pump wavelength. The adaptation of the mode fields increases the slope efficiency from 66.1% to 75.0%. The obtained slope efficiency is close to the stoke efficiency of 77.0%. By comparing the results with a fiber laser simulation, the slope efficiency of 75.0% is verified to be the maximum slope efficiency taking the active fiber length into account.
Talbot-effect-based multiplication of Laguerre-Gaussian beams with non-zero radial indices: From theory to experimental realization
Authors: Rasouli Saifollah , AMIRI POURIA , Hebri Davud , Ponomarenko Sergey
Published: March 2024

We present a Talbot imaging inspired method for multiplying Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beams of non-zero radial indices. We explore theoretically, numerically, and experimentally the LG beam diffraction from two-dimensional (2D) periodic structures. In particular, we determine near-field LG diffraction patterns from a 2D binary grating of a small opening ratio (OR). We demonstrate that incident LG beam intensity patterns are reproduced as images of individual square apertures of the grating in certain Talbot planes. We also examine the effects of the grating OR and the number of Talbot planes on the quality of the generated 2D array of multiplexed LG modes. Our theoretical predictions are in good agreement with our experiments. Our method can find applications in optical communication, optical tweezing, multi-particle trapping, screening, and micro-manipulation.
Ray-Transfer Matrix for GRIN Lenses: Application to the Crystalline Lens
Authors: Barion Antonio , Anthonissen Martijn , Boonkkamp Jan ten Thije , IJzerman Wilbert
Published: March 2024

We present a Hamiltonian optics approach to determine the linear propagation of rays in gradient-index (GRIN) media. A derivation of the evolution equation for the corresponding ray-transfer matrix is given. An analytical solution can be found for a certain class of GRIN media. The proposed matrix is shown to be a generalization of the well-known matrices for planar and cylindrical GRIN lenses. We provide accuracy results when applying our analytical method to arbitrary refractive indices and verify its validity by comparing it to other matrices in the literature with very satisfactory results.
A method for LAMOST cofocus maintenance based on eddy current edge sensor
Authors: Yin Jing , Zhu Shuyu , Ni Jijun , Chen Xiaoting , Feng Zhihua
Published: March 2024

The Large Sky Area Multi-Object Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) is currently the largest field of view in use internationally. Its primary mirror Mb is spliced by 37 hexagonal segments with a diagonal length of 1.1 meters. The current cofocus maintenance strategy using Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor (SHWFS) would interrupt the observation mission, a kind of eddy current edge sensor with high-precision and accuracy is proposed in this article to achieve the closed-loop cofocus control. Through the structural design, interaction matrix deduction and installation parameters analysis, it can be concluded that the sensor structure with 1.35° inclination compensation for dihedral angle between the segments on Mb is feasible. The minimum cofocus maintenance system (MCMS) is established by separating mirror No.27, No.32 and No.33 from Mb. The result of cofocus maintenance experiment indicates that the closed-loop control system is still effective within less than 1.5℃ environmental temperature changes after 13 hours, which is much longer than the maintenance time of SHWFS, and continuous observation without interrupt is possible during one observation night.
Dimensionality of locomotor behaviors in developing C. elegans
Authors: Hassinan Cera W. , Sterrett Scott C. , Summy Brennan , Khera Arnav , Wang Angie , Bai Jihong
Published: March 2024

Adult animals display robust locomotion, yet the timeline and mechanisms of how juvenile animals acquire coordinated movements and how these movements evolve during development are not well understood. Recent advances in quantitative behavioral analyses have paved the way for investigating complex natural behaviors like locomotion. In this study, we tracked the swimming and crawling behaviors of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans from postembryonic development through to adulthood. Our principal component analyses revealed that adult C. elegans swimming is low dimensional, suggesting that a small number of distinct postures, or eigenworms, account for most of the variance in the body shapes that constitute swimming behavior. Additionally, we found that crawling behavior in adult C. elegans is similarly low dimensional, corroborating previous studies. Further, our analysis revealed that swimming and crawling are distinguishable within the eigenworm space. Remarkably, young L1 larvae are capable of producing the postural shapes for swimming and crawling seen in adults, despite frequent instances of uncoordinated body movements. In contrast, late L1 larvae exhibit robust coordination of locomotion, while many neurons crucial for adult locomotion are still under development. In conclusion, this study establishes a comprehensive quantitative behavioral framework for understanding the neural basis of locomotor development, including distinct gaits such as swimming and crawling in C. elegans.